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Episode 4:  Getting to Calcutta

(Vidyananda Prabhu took this photo of me in 1976 at the Krishna Balaram Mandir in Vrindaban when I got initiated.  I had completely forgotten I asked him to take a photo of me when Srila Prabhupada handed me my beads.  I was stunned with appreciation two years later when he finally gave it to me at some festival when our paths crossed again at an unplanned time! )

“Actually, one should undergo severe austerities and penances only to achieve spiritual happiness. I

The 8th of April, 2017, marked the day when over 15,000 youths from across the state of Uttar Pradesh, India, got the chance to get inspired by spiritual wisdom in a grand event entitled as ‘Xpressions 2017’ in ISKCON Kanpur. Emphasizing on ‘De-addiction’ and ‘Value Empowerment’ within youth, ‘Xpressions 2017’ was an effort by a team of ISKCON devotees to bring the youth closer to their roots, re-introducing them to the rich cultural heritage they have inherited, focusing on the need for a posi

Once a man was chased by an elephant in a forest. Seeing no respite, he climbed a tree but he slipped, was about to fall before he could hold on to a branch. He looked up and found that the elephant is waiting to devour him and two rats, one black and one white, were slowly nibbling the branch  he was hanging on to. He understood that very soon  the branch would fall to the ground.

As the man looked down, he discovered that there were many snakes. Suddenly a drop of honey fell on his face. He

This is another fine compilation of quotes, in chronological order,  put together by Prabhupada Connection, this time Srila Prabhupada blessing and praising George Harrison.

“When Bhaktivedanta Manor was donated, Srila Prabhupada said of George, ‘Because he has given shelter to Krishna by providing this temple, Krishna will surely provide shelter for him.’ Just before Srila Prabhupada left this world in 1977, he removed the ring on his right hand and said to the disciples around him, ‘This is f

The Currents of Life, Part 1 and 2 (reposted from April 16th, 2013)

Part 1: Have you noticed the invisible currents of life? My experience currently, (using this as an excuse for my not writing for a few weeks), and upon reflection on past events, is that sometimes it is apparent that I seem to be swept along, lifted up as it were, beyond my will into the air of destiny, on some already decided course, which it is best if I accept, and not fight. I have come to see that our free will and power

Episode 3: Finding My Way

(The first photo shows how Jagannatha's chariot was intended to look in the 1976 parade before there were concerns about the central telescope being adequately strong enough to withstand wind forces.  (See Jayananda Story for Details))

“I am very glad to note your eagerness for expanding your service. This attitude is very nice and it is required of the devotee at every stage.” - Letter to: Dinesh  --  Los Angeles 1 August, 1970

“Now you have everything, respect, phil

Download PDF - Feb - April 2017

(Vrinda Sheth (right) and her mother Annapurna Dasi with their book Shadows of the Sun Dynasty)

Two ISKCON authors have won in their categories at the Independent Book Publishers Benjamin Franklin Awards this year, which received nearly 1,400 entries published during the 2016 calendar year.

Over 150 librarians, booksellers, and design and editorial experts judged the books submitted. 

Radhanath Swami’s “The Journey Within: Exploring the Path of Bhakti, A Contemporary Guide to Yoga’s Ancient Wis

The Bhagavad Gita: Our social studies text books tell us that it is the holy book of Hindus. Should one read the scripture as a religious book then.. that would be a little odd because the Gita predates organized religion itself. It was written 500 years before Jesus Christ. A thousand years before Muhammad-the prophet and over 2000 years before Hinduism itself was a thing. Reading it as a book of religion also does not quite explain its consistent sustained appeal over 2 millennia not just amon

Episode 2:  Improvements Requested

Prabhupada: “Everyone engaged in some particular department, he must improve and... Then things will go on nice(ly).  - Room Conversation - April 22, 1977, Bombay

Prabhupada: “Expert means whatever he is doing, he must do it very nicely That's all. Suppose you are sweeping this room. You can do it very nicely, to your best knowledge. That is expert. The people will say, "Oh, you have very nicely done." Any work you do, do it very nicely. That is expert. Don't d

Human life is meant for cultivation of spiritual knowledge, in eternal relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead - (Bhagavad Gita, 4.1. Purport). At Mayapur Institute, we impart this spiritual knowledge through our various courses.

By Zayani Bhatt

It was fitting that on the hottest day of the year so far Bhaktivedanta Manor celebrated Ramanavami, the birthday of Lord Ram, who was born in the sun dynasty, several millennia ago.

This year, the auspicious festival was celebrated on Sunday 9th April and the Manor played host to a number of dignitaries, including first citizen, Counsellor Peter Rutledge, the Ma

By Madhava Smullen for ISKCON New Vrindaban Communications

Tejomaya Das grew up in some of New York City’s roughest neighborhoods in the Bronx and Upper Manhattan. For him and his best friend, Manonatha Das, leaving them to forge a different life for themselves seemed unlikely.

But when the hippie movement came along in the sixties and seventies with its messages of peace, love, and consciousness expansion, their fate changed.

Tejomaya and Manonatha made friends in the hippie scene, got into

Sri Ramanujacharya is one name that glows within the Vaisnava Sampradaya like a crest jewel. Although 1000 years have passed by since the appearance of Sri Ramanujacarya, it has not reduced the brightness of his name and fame, not to speak of diluting the level of adherence to his teachings. And why not!

Acharya Sri Ramanuja, is a great revolutionary saint and divine incarnate of Sri Lakshmana, the younger brother of Sri Rama. He spread the message of equality of all the jivas in the service o

(This is from this year’s resolutions: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=44549

This paper explains the authority of ISKCON’s Governing Body Commission (GBC) to create a system for devotees to take up the service of diksa-guru within the society, focusing on the principles behind the system.

Through many written and spoken instructions, Srila Prabhupada made it abundantly clear that after his departure the GBC should serve as ISKCON’s ultimate managerial authority. In his will he states:

1.    The Gov

Appreciation only costs you a few words, but what it buys is priceless. When Dale Carnegie said to be appreciated is the greatest human need, those who paid attention found appreciation one of the greatest motivating forces known to man.

Years of research has taught us this important lesson: if you don’t pay people enough that they feel secure in life, you will get a small percentage of their creative abilities because they are worried about their future. So, it would seem logical that if those

Celebrating ‘Nyepi’ or ‘silence day’, which commemorates the Isakawarsa or Saka New Year on March 28, 2017, the committee of the silence day in coordination with Jogjakarta Tourism department organised the Ogoh-ogoh festival. The festival was held in Malioboro Street and The Chariot of Lord Jagannatha, which was also covered by many news channels, definitely proved to be a special attraction in the festival.

“This is preaching spirit. As soon as you get some opportunity, preach. What is that pr

“GBC College is looking at the need for highly trained, capable, competent men & women to lead our movement in some of the highest rungs of leadership.” (HG Anuttama Prabhu, GBC member & GBC College Advisor).

Acyuta Priya das – Ukraine

I went through the first GBC College program, and my experience was very instructive and conducive for my service and for my understanding of what kind of ISKCON we shall build up and have fo