By Bhakti-lata Dasi
In January 2022, the prison system in the USA started the process of converting all inmate mail to an electronic system. The state of Florida was the first to transition, gradually followed by Texas, then Missouri, North Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. In the near future, the other states will follow this trend as well.
This means that most of the inmates in those states are no longer allowed to receive paper letters, books, magazines, and newsletters. All snail
In the Srimad Bhagavatam 7 canto it is said: The Supreme Personality of Godhead and His devotee know how to use properly lust, anger, greed, illusion, pride and envy.
In the Bhagavad Gita 3.37, Srila Prabhupada says: “…Therefore the origin of lust is also in the Supreme. If, therefore, lust is transformed into love for the Supreme, or transformed into Krishna consciousness – or, in other words, desiring everything for Krishna – then both lust and wrath can be spiritualized.
Hanuman, the great
By Mohan Lila Das
Hema Malini is an Indian actress and politician currently serving as a member of the Lok Sabha, representing Mathura constituency, to visit ISKCON Naperville.
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) of Naperville is delighted to announce a special celebration on Sunday, May 18, marking the second anniversary of the temple’s opening. This commemorative event will be an evening of inspiration, devotion, and community spirit, bringing together supporters and
By Purshotam Dasa and Nimai Devi Dasi
This year, the annual four-day ISKCON Communications Conference was held at Prabhupada Desh, Vicenza, Italy, from May 3–6. It expanded this year to include guests from around the world, as well as eighty participants from Europe.
“It was a great success, thanks to the high numbers of participants,” said Mahaprabhu Dasa, the ISKCON Communications Director in Europe. “Both the topics addressed and the quality of the presentations were interesting and engaging
16 years ago, after graduating from UCL with a management degree, I opted to leave it aside and embrace monastic life instead. Ironically, it’s all come full circle; dealing with people, projects and practicalities is a sizable section on the modern monastic menu. I must have some management karma to burn off. Balancing spiritual immersion and practical politics, however, is incredibly challenging.
You have to be alert, streetwise, tuned in, and sensitive enough to deal with the complexities an
I’m a firm believer that everyone should take a break from the man-made world, even if just for a few minutes every day. For the sake of sanity, the connection is essential. I recall from my visit to Sparta last year, at this time there is a nearby body of water, Lake Sparta. A walk around it is 1.12 kilometres. Notable are the natural elements. No wonder people have made their homes here. Luckily for walkers like me, no homes are built on the lake’s edge, and plentiful gaps of nature bet
As devotees around the world celebrate Nrsimha Chaturdasi, Director Ashwin Kumar announced the summer release date of Mahavatar Narasimha, a stereoscopic 3D film based on Lord Narasimha. The long-awaited film is set for theatrical release on July 25, 2025. You can watch a promo video here.
Recognized for its historical significance in Indian animation, the film was selected as one of the top five Hindi films at the 55th International Film Festival of India. Distributed by Hombale Films, it wil
By Atma Tattva Das
On King’s Day 2025, Amsterdam’s canals, museums, and bustling vrijmarkt transformed into a vibrant sea of orange as 250 ISKCON devotees led an eight-hour Maha Harinam procession through the city. While nearly one million visitors flooded the streets for the national holiday, it was the impromptu kirtan, chanting, dancing, and prasadam distribution that truly captured hearts and reminded everyone of Kadamba Kanana Swami’s enduring vision to “do something” for spiritual outreach
Fifty years ago, I was arrested along with two companions for distributing or selling religious books without a permit. It was standard for brahmacharis (monks) to end up so in the early day s of ISKCON in the US. The three of us spent a night behind bars. We went to court. The judge through the charge out thought it ridiculous and we were set free after a colourful night and day in prison in a town in North Carolina.
At the US customs in the Ottawa Airport enroute to New Jersey, I had to
Before Lord Caitanya appeared He sent His eternal associates like Sri Advaita Acarya, Sri Jagannatha Misra, Saci Mata, Madhavendra Puri, Isvari Puri to earth. Sri Madhavendra Puri took initiation from Sri Laksmipati Tirtha in the Madhvacarya sampradaya.
He had many but Sri Advaita Acarya and Sri Isvara Puri were the chief disciples of Madhavendra Puri. In one way or another, all the Vaisnavas in Bengal and Ksetra mandala (Jagannatha Puri) were connected with Sri Madhavendra Puri. After Lord Ca
May 7– Appearance of Srila Srinivas Acharya
Srila Prabhupada gives the significance of his Eight Prayers to the Six Gowami’s of Vrindaban–HDGSP states the ‘Prayers’ teach ‘Worship in Separation’–and HDGSP describes Srinivas’s ‘Incredible Response to Haridas Thakur’s Samadhi’—-
[Srinivasa Acarya].
I offer my respectful obeisances unto the Six Gosvamis, namely Sri Rupa Gosvami, Sri Sanatana Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha Bhatta Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, Sri Jiva Gosvami, and Sri Gopala Bhatta
May 7 – Appearance of Srila Madhvendra Puri
“Sri Madhavendra Puri, a great devotee and acarya in the line of devotees, says, ‘O Lord, in my prayers three times a day, all glory to You. O Bathing, I offer my obeisances unto You. O demigods, O forefathers, please excuse me for my inability to offer you my respects. Now wherever I sit I am able to remember the great descendant of the Yadu dynasty, Krsna, the enemy of Kamsa, and therefore I can get myself free from all sinful bondage. I think this
In honor of Jayananda Prabhu’s disappearance day on May 1, we submit the following account, derived from a letter by Kalindi Dasi to her spiritual master, Candramauli Swami.— Giriraj Swami
A Hospice Miracle—Serving Jayananda’s Mother
In mid-July I started wearing tilak to my work at the hospice. I thought that since many other spiritual practitioners were expressing their faith by wearing crosses, doves, silk threads, pentacles, and other items, I would wear mytilak, which tells the world t
On May 1, 1977, the day before the festival honoring the appearance of Lord Nrisimha, Srila Prabhupada’s dear disciple Jayananda Dasa passed from this world.
Shortly thereafter, Srila Prabhupada wrote in a letter, “Jayananda’s death is glorious. . . . He has left his body very wonderfully, and he has been transferred to Vaikuntha. . . . Everyone should follow the example of Jayananda. I am very proud that I had such a nice disciple. If possible Jayananda’s picture should be hung in the ratha [f
Prahlada said: O Supreme Lord! I bow down to You. O Lord Nrsimhadeva, I offer my obeisances to You. I am Your devotee. O Lord of lords, I now express to You my heartfelt inquiry. O Lord, how did I develop such intense devotion for You? O my Lord, kindly tell me-how did I become Your exalted devotee?
Lord Narasimhadeva said: O greatly learned one! O my son, listen carefully as I explain to you the reason for your devotion to Me that has made you very dear to Me.
In the ancient times, you were bo
From Srimad-Bhagavatam, Canto 7, Chapters 2-10
Hiranyakashipu, King of the Demons
Sri Narada Muni said: My dear King Yudhisthira, when Lord Vishnu appeared in the form of Varaha (the Boar incarnation), and killed the demon Hiranyaksha, Hiranyaksha’s brother Hiranyakashipu was extremely angry and began to lament.
Filled with rage and biting his lips, Hiranyakashipu gazed at the sky with eyes that blazed in anger, making the whole sky smoky. Thus he began to speak. Exhibiting his terrible teeth,
In just four days, it will be Narasimha Caturdashi! ugram viram maha-vishnum jvalantam sarvato mukham”!
As we prepare our hearts for the glorious appearance of Lord Narasimhadeva — the fiercest yet most compassionate incarnation of the Supreme Lord, who appeared solely to protect His pure devotee, Prahlada Maharaja.
His appearance reminds us of an eternal truth:
No matter how dark the times, how powerful the enemy, or how alone the devotee feels — the Lord will come. Even through a pillar, if He
When in danger, devotees of Lord Krishna naturally turn to His fiercest form for protection.
One of the most awe-inspiring of Lord Krishna’s forms is Sri Nrisimhadeva, His half-man, half-lion incarnation. Lord Nrisimha descended to protect His devotee Sri Prahlada Maharaja from the atheistic king Hiranyakashipu, Prahlada’s father.
The Boy Saint Prahlada
Sri Prahlada Maharaja was a devotee of Lord Krishna from birth, having acquired knowledge of devotional service in the womb. Once, during
“My Dear Jayananda,
Please accept my blessings.
I am feeling very intensely your separation. In 1967 you joined me in San Francisco. You were driving my car and chanting Hare Krsna. You were the first man to give me some contribution ($5000) for printing my Bhagavad-gita. After that, you have rendered very favorable service to Krsna in different ways. I so hope at the time of your death you were remembering Krsna and as such, you have been promoted to the eternal association of Krsna…as you wer
Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.5.22-34. Los Angeles, May 27, 1972,
720527SB.LA
Prabhupada: So today, appearance day of Lord Nrisimhadeva. Lord Nrisimhadeva appeared on this Nrisimha Caturdasi on account of His devotee, Prahlada. As it is stated in the Bhagavad-gita, yada yada hi dharmasya glanir bhavati bharata, abhyutthanam adharmasya [Bg. 4.7]. Paritranaya sadhunam vinasaya ca dushkritam, sambhavami yuge yuge [Bg. 4.8]. The Lord appears with two purposes. Paritranaya sadhunam: just to give protection an
