From Back to Godhead
One of the basic principles of Krsna consciousness is that one may utilize whatever talent he has in the service of the Supreme Lord. And it is a symptom of a bona fide spiritual master that he is expert in engaging everyone in practical transcendental devotional service. His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada has thus engaged a number of very talented artists in the service of the Lord by asking them to use their natural artistic inclination in painting pictu
One day, a small opening appeared in a cocoon; a man sat and watched for the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through that little hole.
Then, it seems to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could and it could not go any further.
So the man decided to help the butterfly: he took a pair of scissors and opened the cocoon. The butterfly then emerged easily. But it had a withered body. It was tiny and shrivelled wings.
The man continued
The names of Krishna are the repository of all happiness and the greatest wealth. If we chant properly, we will not experience material miseries, but we may experience what the materialist might mistake as misery: the spiritual joy of intense separation from Krishna.
Since that joy comes from proper chanting, we might wonder how we can chant with attention and concentration, even if we are not yet pure devotees of Krishna. How can we control the mind? How can we keep ourselves from thinking of
Krishna House in Gainesville, established in 1971 following Srila Prabhupada’s vision, has been a hub for prasadam distribution, kirtan, and spiritual education. The Bhakti Academy, launched in 2008, has trained over 500 students, with many committing to a lifelong spiritual path while excelling in academics and careers. Krishna Lunch and Krishna CARES serves thousands of meals annually to students and those in need. Now, with six Krishna Houses across North America, the movement continues to ex
“We are giving Krishna consciousness—that is loving, real loving. We are giving [people] eternal life, eternal bliss. Unless we love them, why we are taking so much trouble? The preacher must love the people. Otherwise, why he is taking? He can do it for himself at home. Why he is taking so much trouble? Why at eighty years old I have come here if I do not love? So, who can love better than a preacher?”
— Srila Prabhupada, Morning Walk, Perth, May 17, 1975
Source: https://girirajswami.com/blog
Academic knowledge provides information of the world, but spiritual knowledge awards us eternal liberation
One of my friends in college was known for his immense general knowledge. He knew the names of all recent Hollywood and Bollywood movies, the actors, directors, and producers of each movie, and the winners of Oscar and Filmfare awards from every year. In sports, he knew the winners of each Grand Slam tennis tournament from every year as well as similar information about football and cricket
First Meaning: –
Srila Jiva Gosvami reveals the meaning of each of the sixteen Names in the Hare Krishna Mahaamantra in his Mahaa-mantrartha Dipika as follows: –
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
(1-Hare)
Krishna steals the minds of everyone, yet Radha steals even His mind by Her divine expertise. Thus She is known as Haraa.
(2-Krishna)
He forcibly attracts Sri Radha with the sweet sound of His flute, therefore that Lord of all enchanting
In 1786 Sir William Jones, a Welsh philologist and judge of the supreme court of Bengal, sent shock waves throughout Europe with the following speech he gave in his address to the Asiatic society of Bengal.
“The Sanskrit language, whatever be its antiquity, is of a wonderful structure; more perfect than the Greek, more copious than Latin, and more exquisitely refined than either, yet bearing to both a stronger affinity, both in the roots of verbs and the forms of grammar, than could possibly ha
Recently Krish Raval OBE was introduced into the House of Lords as “Baron Raval of Hertsmere.” Lord Raval’s peerage is a testimony to his outstanding contributions to leadership development. Today he is Director of Faith in Leadership and Chair of Labour Indians.
“I want to ensure that I am a bridge,” explained Lord Raval, “facilitating the representation of our diaspora well as other communities…”
He also acknowledged the support of his wife, Dr. The Lady Lucy Raval, who has been a pillar of s
1. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s instructions in Sikastakam, “param vijayate Sri-Krishna -Sankirtanam” is the only motto of the Gaudiya math.
2. The Supreme Personality of Godhead Sri Krishna is the only enjoyer. Everyone and everything else is the object of his enjoyment.
3. Anyone who does not serve Hari, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is ignorant and a killer himself.
4. To learn to tolerate is one of the most important responsibilities of those living in the math.
5. Rupanuga devotees offer
From Back to Godhead
Srila Prabhupada once wrote of Back to Godhead magazine, “This paper is the beginning of my spiritual life.”
By His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Founder-Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.
This is Srila Prabhupada’s opening article of his first issue of the magazine, which he launched on the appearance day of his spiritual master in 1944. The world was at war, and Srila Prabhupada discusses that harsh reality in light of the
Tulsi Gabbard speaking to thousands of North American Hindu Leaders gathered at BAPS Swaminarayan temple in Robbinsville, NJ, on December 15, 2024. Photo courtesy: Tulsi Gabbard.
February 12, 2025- In a 52-48 vote, Tulsi Gabbard, a former four-term member of the US House of Representatives and Lt. Colonel in the US Army Reserves, was confirmed by the full US Senate to lead the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI). One of the most powerful positions in the US government, the Dir
A lot of time in our movement is spent with struggles and discussing struggles – struggles with chanting, struggles with following the regulative principles, struggles with living with devotees, struggles with the institution, struggles with accepting every aspect of the philosophy, struggles with our anarthas, struggles with old habits – so there is so much struggle. There are groups of devotees who are meeting because they have a problem with the internet – they go to the wrong websites and t
More babies, dear gents, dear ladies
The time has graciously arrived
For offspring to pop up like daisies
And keep the human race alive
Watching them grow touches the heart
They are honourable products of attraction
We simply have to do our beautiful part
At waving a wand called affectionate service
Their final magical 20 years end in good cheers
Because their babies serve wit
When Charles asked his son and daughter-in-law a Hare Krishna couple to move in with him, he knew he’d have to adapt, but his reward was more than he could ever imagine.
Charles was born in 1917. He grew into a man of courage and principles, serving his country in the U.S. Navy for twenty years and then the Civil Service for twenty more. Assigned to a submarine fleet during World War II, he saw his share of pain and suffering and, like many veterans, came to value a safe, secure home for his wif
I leaned back in my seat and closed my eyes. My flight was circling over Delhi, waiting for permission to land. My thoughts flashed through the entire process of flying from purchasing the ticket till reaching my destination. Some facet of Krishna consciousness seemed present at every step.
Ticket Reservation
We are careful when we do this checking all the available flights and then choosing the most convenient one. We make reservations days in advance so we get the best rates. After booking t
On Sunday, February 2nd, ISKCON Auckland hosted its annual Krishna Holi celebration at its lively 88-acre farm, New Varsana, drawing a record-breaking crowd of 15,000 visitors. With clear skies and warm sunshine marking the final month of summer, visitors were eager to sing, dance, relish Krishna prasadam, and, of course, partake in the traditional throwing of coloured dyes.
The main stage hosted various musical performances of different styles, each incorporating the chanting of the maha-mantr
ISKCON Ekachakra (left); the Goshala at ISKCON Ekachakra (right).
From December 21 to 25, 2024, a Holy Name Retreat was held at Ekachakra, the birthplace of Lord Nityananda, organized by Devaki Devi Dasi and assisted by Dhara Devi Dasi. The event brought together participants from various parts of the world, including India, Russia, Ukraine, Germany, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and the UK.
The retreat offered an immersive experience focused on chanting the Hare Kris
As you may have noticed more recently, I deliver my daily walking report in steps that I count from my cell phone pedometer. It motivates me to just push it a little more. I discovered that even some snow shovelling with the pedometer in pocket racks up the number. So, Uddhava and I decided that like the other day, a layer of soft slushy snow must go, and at the same time I can put on a bit more of the kilometres/miles.
But first, on our way out towards Yorkville, a slowed-down episode
“So far your question regarding women, I have always accepted the service of women without any discrimination” (Letter to: Gurudasa — Los Angeles 26 May, 1972)
In terms of our personalities and abilities, no two of us are alike. Why should we be? And why would anyone want us to be? Variety, Srila Prabhupada tells us, is the mother of enjoyment. Whatever our personality, whatever our talents, Prabhupada wants us to use them in Krishna’s service.
Yet when we learn from Prabhupada’s teachings th
