We were excited to discover some previously unknown correspondence of our beloved Founder-Acarya Srila Prabhupada. Sriman Pradyumna prabhu visits BRC and discovers hand written letters and drafts of articles from Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura

Well, after 5 months of hard work in the heat and humidity of Kolkata, today we saw the auspicious inauguration of the Bhaktivedanta Research Centre (BRC) library. Taking advantage of the presence of both HH Jayapataka Swami and Bhakti Charu Swami in Kolkata for the Rathayatra festival, we conducted a successful opening ceremony of the library.

An exciting new ISKCON project is taking birth in Kolkata, the city of Srila Prabhupada’s birth. The location is four-story building in the heart of Kolkata.

Sriman Rupanuga prabhu (ACBSP 1966) has recently distributed a short paper called “A Scientific Method for Evaluating Editorial Changes to Srila Prabhupada's Books.”

It is with great regret that we have to acknowledge the passing of another senior member of ISKCON, Sriman Sundararupa prabhu. Husband of Sudharma dasi he had lived in Alachua FL for many years.

The work of a great man will touch the life of more people than he himself can know. It will edify, uplift and improve; it will set a foundation on which future generations can live a better quality of life; it will provide sustenance and positive direction to a multitude of souls. In Sanskrit such a person is called ‘mahatma’.

Its clear that there are some strong feelings amongst some devotees that the US Capitol building-based design is not going to serve our purposes, and that is natural. There is hardly a building of significance in the world that does not have its detractors.

A number of concerns have been raised about the new design for the Mayapur Temple of the Vedic Planetarium. They were presented on June 10, 2008 to the first meeting of a committee formed to develop the exhibits that will be displayed in the planetarium section of the TVP

I received this news with mixed feelings. On the one hand, we can be joyful at the glorious passing of such a wonderful Vaisnava. And on the other, we have to lament the loss of his sublime association. It would be remiss not to say something about the glories of Sri Vibhu Caitanya prabhu.

Recently I was involved in a conversation with several devotees regarding vaisnava clothes. Some of them were proponing the idea that sari and dhoti are actually not vaisnava clothes that devotees in spiritual world wear, giving as evidence pictures made by Sharma.

While recounting the salient events and my own interactions with him, I don't meant to in any way minimize the experiences that many other devotees had; it is simply that I can only write about my own. It was a unique experience for me.

For the last few days his body has continued to function at a low level with his blood pressure maintaining at about 66. The doctor feels that he has perhaps 3-4 days more if he continues as he is. If his blood pressure drops to 50 then it will be the end.

Nirguna prabhu is in very good consciousness despite his body dwindling to practically skin and bone. He is only taking a little water, and that by shooting it into his mouth with a spray, but he is happy and looking forward to his departure.

Shyamasundara and Sundari Radhika prabhus have asked me to post an update on their progress since their accident. Shyama apologizes for not being able to answer all the inquiries sent to him, its still difficult for him to type with both arms broken!

Srimati Ragatmika dasi (ACBSP) underwent successful surgery today Oct, 8 2007, over several hours at the Bhaktivedanta Hospital in Mumbai. It was a major operation involving a full hysterectomy, removal of cyst-infected ovaries and exploratory surgery for possible cancer.

He first shouted out the name ‘Krsna!' when he was six years old. He didn't know what it meant at the time nor did his Jewish parents but it stuck with him. He first met the devotees in 1998. He is a sergeant on his fourth tour of duty in Iraq. He is in charge of ‘40 devotees' as he put it.

Shyama simply cannot move off his back. Coughing is so painfull because of his broken ribs and vertebrae that he can't do it. It could also be dangerous so he is very cautious how he eats and drinks etc. If he catches a cold at this point it could be a severe problem.

Thus we see that Srila Prabhupada delegated all the different aspects of the process of giving initiation to his disciples except one: the recommendation, the application, had to come to Srila Prabhupada and he had to send a letter back approving it.

As Srila Prabhupada’s movement glides through it’s fifth decade – and into the 21 century – we ask the inevitable: How are we doing? Hari Sauri Das shares his view of ISKCON worldwide…

Prabhupada's eyes opened wide at the description of the fight. "Accha!" he said in surprise, shaking his head in wonder at the risks his men were taking on his and Krishna's behalf. Hamsaduta was laughing and shaking his head in awe and he read on.

In response to the tragic departure of Sriman Sujitendriya prabhu's wife Gauri Radhika, daughter Yamunangi (granddaughter and great-granddaughter of Srila Prabhupada) and his brother Sri Hari prabhu, some devotees have enquired where they may send funds to help him at this difficult time. Sujitendriya was already helping the widows and families of two other of his brothers when this disaster struck.

At the time of writing, 9 AM October 2 2006, the intention is to take the body of Sripada Maharaja first to Imphal, Manipur on an 11 AM flight, and thence to New Delhi this evening, and then on to Radha-kunda. It was Maharaja’s wish that he be put into samadhi in Radha-kunda.

With great regret the Mayapur management wishes to inform the community of devotees about the disappearance of Srimati Gauri dasi, the granddaughter of Srila Prabhupada, her three years old daughter Yamunangi, and her brother-in-law, Sriman Sri Hari dasa.

In an age where empirical evidence is supreme and in the face of political pressure these "followers" are reluctant to assert the truth of our authorities's statements. It is therefore prudent to use scientific research where possible to convince the minds of the intelligent class that the Vedas are reliable and authentic.

In the introduction of Sri Isopanishad there is a statement by Srila Prabhupada that says that women are less-intelligent. So I distribute books. I sometimes meet ladies and they ask what actually, you know, sometimes they are immediately intimidated and they start to argue, that you say we are less-intelligent. So what would be the best way to address such issues?