Framed on the wall next to Govinda’s Dining Hall are two statements about the Hare Krishna Movement. Here they are:
“The Hare Krishna movement is but the most recent phase of an ancient tradition of religious piety known in India as Vaishnavism. The devotees in the Hare Krishna temple live a full and active life of study, prayer, singing, and day to day management of the temple’s activities. Many are also active in a variety of more practical tasks such as the publishing and sale of book
The TOVP Team is pleased to provide the schedule for the historic Grand Opening of the A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Legacy Museum on February 18, 2025. All devotees are invited to attend this auspicious occasion glorifying ISKCON Founder-Acharya His Divine Grace A.C, Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada either personally or online on Mayapur TV or the TOVP YouTube Channel.
The museum will be developed in three phases: Phase 1 will be 1000 sq. ft., Phase 2 will expand to 6000 sq. ft., and in its fully deve
ISKCON Melbourne released a video of Svayam Bhagavan Keshava Swami’s presentation to a select audience at the Parliament in Victoria on February 6, 2025.
The event was organized in cooperation with Nina Taylor, a member of the Australian Labor Party, and other members of Parliament. Taylor was elected to the Legislative Assembly in November 2022 and serves as the Parliamentary Secretary for Education.
During her brief remarks before SB Keshava Swami’s talk, she said, “This special event will hig
My good friend from Montreal, Anubhava, who managed our ashram temple for 7 years in Montreal, came for a breath, a break, and a change for four days. There was a problem with the train midway through, but eventually, all worked out. Actually, it was myself who suggested he give himself a little vacation. He took up the suggestion.
Since the time of his arrival, I dined with him and talked all about the marvellous things happening at the temple in Toronto with books being distributed, ce
atmaupamyena sarvatra
samam pasyati yo ‘rjuna
sukham va yadi va duhkham
sa yogi paramo matah
TRANSLATION
He is a perfect yogi who, by comparison to his own self, sees the true equality of all beings, in both their happiness and their distress, O Arjuna!
PURPORT
One who is Krsna conscious is a perfect yogi; he is aware of everyone’s happiness and distress by dint of his own personal experience. The cause of the distress of a living entity is forgetfulness of his relationship with God. And the cau
A winning team receives its prizes.
On January 19th, ISKCON Detroit – The Devasadana Mandir hosted the 7th annual Bhagavad Gita Sloka Recitation Competition. This program provides children, ages 4-18, with an opportunity to memorize verses and learn about the philosophy of the Bhagavad-gita As It Is. Depending on the age group, they were assigned different amounts of verses from the 17th chapter of the Bhagavad-gita. The 17th chapter holds particular importance because it speaks of the types of
On February 22nd-23rd, 2025, Mandakini Devi Dasi, the author of the children’s book Nimai’s Adventures, will offer a virtual camp for children online. Mandakini Publications’ free, interactive camp is designed to immerse young hearts in the extraordinary life and teachings of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
This two-day camp promises to be a blend of fun, learning, and devotion. Activities include storytelling sessions that dive into the enchanting pastimes of Lord Chaitanya, crafts and hands-on acti
Once upon a time there was a rich King who had four wives.
He loved the 4th wife the most and adorned her with rich robes and treated her to the finest of delicacies. He gave her nothing but the best.
He also loved the 3rd wife very much and was always showing her off to neighboring kingdoms. However, he feared that one day she would leave him for another.
He also loved his 2nd wife. She was his confidant and was always kind, considerate and patient with him. Whenever the King faced a problem,
I delivered the Bhagavatam class today, and we spoke about life in the material world with its nightmares and sweet dreams, the combination. That sentence on its own sounded impactful to the group. When I said the phrase “sweet dreams,” my mind raced to the time I met Annie Lennox when she visited our temple at 243 in the early 80s. She’s the singer behind the song “Sweet Dreams” which is a classic pop piece. I recall how she was so nice. I made some samosas for her and her band, The Eury
Bhaktivinoda Thakura:
From “Siksastakam”, Song 4, in Gitavali:
“In whatever birth I take, wherever my karma leads me, let me sing the glories of Your holy name birth after birth.”
“In danger or success, good fortune or disaster, let me remain in equipoise. And let my affection for You increase day by day by the influence of the holy name.”
From “Worship of Hari Must Begin from Childhood” in Prabandhavali:
“Because they cannot see God with their material eyes, they think that there is no such th
“It occurred to me that it’s possible to be connected to Lord Caitanya’s movement, which is the topmost theology, and practice love of God, yet practice it poorly. Then we would find vaidhi-bhakti dry, chant with offenses, not love the Vaishnavas, not feel real devotion. It’s possible. It’s possible a Christian or even a Mayavadi might have more taste and devotion in his meditation than we do. That doesn’t prove that Buddhism or Christianity or impersonalism are better than Krishna consciousnes
From “The Aims of Life” in Back to Godhead, Vol. 57, No. 3 (May/June 2023):
“Srila Prabhupada, in describing the aim of life with both common sense and scriptural citations, included the quest for happiness as a suitable goal. Yes, he would say, we seek happiness above all else, but our attempts to achieve it through material pursuits must ultimately fail. True and lasting happiness can be found only though self-realization. Our aim in life, therefore, should be self-realization, which becomes
This is Sankirtana Das’s companion article to “Moving Forward in 2025.”
When speaking about the function of a Vedic monarchy, Srila Prabhupada explained, “The king is to see to the welfare of the citizens from all angles of social, political, economic and spiritual upliftment” (Srimad Bhagavatam 1.9.49 purport).
In that purport, Prabhupada goes on to give the example of the ideal king, Maharaja Yudhisthira: “monarchy under a trained king like Maharaja Yudhiṣṭhira is by far the most superior for
I was really proud of the fact that I did a major cleanup with my filing cabinet of scripts. People know me as a walker, dancer, teacher, but I’m also a director of plays who writes scripts for drama. Well, it was time to clean up that one big drawer, put everything in order, and eliminate bulky bunches of too much paper.
With the help of Nityananda, the assistance went a long way to clearing the anarthas (unwanted accumulations). The project grounded us somewhat. So, that was one proje
Each single verse of Srimad-Bhagavatam tastes like transcendental condensed milk of a Surabhi cow mixed with kesar, simply delicious and a nectar most satisfying to even conditioned souls (although it is meant to be tasted by paramhansas – liberated souls). No wonder that, along with Bhagavad-gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam is the specific scripture meant for kali-yuga.
I am sharing another transcendental verse and its nectarean purport by Srila Prabhupada, for the pleasure of devotees, describing caus
Nikunja Vilasini in her home studio.
Nikunja Vilasini Devi Dasi is a Bhakti-based artist, graphic designer, and muralist whose work bridges the worlds of devotion and creative expression. Originally from Russia, she has made her home in New Vrindaban, West Virginia, where she has contributed to numerous projects that enhance the spiritual ambiance of her community. Her art, spanning book illustrations to Bhagavad-gita-inspired greeting cards, reflects her steadfast dedication to combining aesthe
The day was done as far as giving classes and cleanup on various levels at the temple. Digging up an old script, which I still haven’t found, is giving some anxiety. I’m not sure where that is going, but I’m getting ready for India, a trip coming up soon.
It was 10 to 10 PM, and I had not yet met the outside air. Let’s see what an hour stroll can do to make the day truly done. I took to Yonge St. The wind showed some might, and it had been playing with cardboard pieces that were strew
A very accommodating movement that is ready to give everyone a chance; ready to not find fault in others. To not find fault in others is hard. We may catch someone lying and say, “He is a liar! Shame! This person needs to be rejected!” Well, have we ever lied? Never, ever? That is a lie! So yes, even if we catch someone lying, it does not mean that that person has some weakness. It does not mean that we can say, “This person is a write-off! I do not want to deal with such people!” Because then,
By Parasurama Das
“One who has taken shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord, which are accepted as the most suitable boat for crossing the ocean of nescience, can achieve liberation as easily as one leaps over the holes made by the hoofs of a calf. Such persons are meant to reside in the abode of the Lord, and they have nothing to do with a place where there is danger in every step.
This material world is certified by the Lord in the Bhagavad-gita
as a dangerous place full of calamities. Less in
(LtoR) Masha, Sita Rani Dasi, Yulia, Krsna Abhishek Das, Ishani Devi Dasi, Keith Eustace, Ivan Demiashkin (with mridanga), Manu Das, and Praghosh Das.
ISKCON Dublin recently concluded its participation in the 2024 Srila Prabhupada Book Distribution Marathon, surpassing expectations with a total of 12,781 books distributed across Ireland. The initiative, which took place throughout December, saw devotees tirelessly engaging in the sacred mission of sharing spiritual knowledge through the distribu
