Indra once became captivated by the superior facilities for sense gratification available on his heavenly planet, and therefore when his spiritual master, Brhaspati, the guru of the demigods, scolded him, Indra acted offensively toward him. Brhaspati then decided to teach his student a lesson. He cursed him to take birth on a lower planet as a pig. Sloshing around in mud and stool, Lord Indra as a pig felt that he was enjoying life very much. He thought to himself, "I ...

Sri Ganga-puja, also known as Sri Ganga-dushara (she who removes inauspiciousness), appears in the month of Jyestha (May/June) on the 10th day of Sukla-paksa, or the waxing fortnight of the full moon.

As devotees, we talk a lot about getting free from the material energy, free from the influence of maya, free from our attachments to material sense pleasures and their objects. Why do we want to do that? What would be the reason? Sometimes it can be confusing. It may seem like we're taking all this too seriously, when really it's all Krishna's creation and life in this world can have so many pleasures to offer us. Here is an example that perhaps will illustrate the reasons. Suppose you are in a relationship with someone. You think you love them, and they love you. You ha...

An answer to the question: "Why is a good Christian like you worshiping a Hindu god?" People often ask me why I changed my faith from Christianity to worship of Krsna. They ask what made me give up Christianity. I am always quick to answer that I never "gave up" Christianity. The principal instruction Jesus gave was to love God, and I believe I can best do that by worshiping and serving Krsna. The Whole World in Krsna's Mouth What is it that makes Krsna more attractive or meaningful to me than t...

NARADA MUNI is exalted in Vedic texts as one of the twelve mahajanas, or great authorities on eternal truth. Details of his life and teachings are recounted in the Narada Purana, the Padma Purana, and throughout Srimad-Bhagavatam. So advanced is his level of spirituality that in these texts he is even sometimes called "Bhagavan," a term usually reserved for the Supreme Lord, and in the Bhagavad-gita (10.26) Lord Krsna Himself says, "Of the sages among the demigods, I am Narada."

“The great delusion of modernity is that the laws of nature explain the universe for us. The laws of nature describe the universe, they describe the regularities. But they explain nothing.” That’s why the truth-claim that evolution is a grand non-theistic alternative for explaining everything goes beyond the range of valid science. It becomes scientism, the ideological imperialism of science extended into all domains of knowledge. Allowing such scientism...

One of my devotee friends shared his realization that Krishna takes the risk of being blamed: "Oh! I am trying to serve You, Krishna, and You are giving me problems. What kind of God are You?" But as a true well-wisher, Krishna is concerned not about being blamed but about ending our material existence as soon as possible. of course, during difficulties He also provides the strength we need to endure. Like a doctor intent on healing a patient, Krishna works hard...

Sri Vrindavan Das Thakura’s mother's name was Sri Narayani Devi. She was the daughter of Srivasa Thakura's brother. Narayani devi was only a 4 year old girl when Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu revealed His divinity in the house of Srivasa, showing His true self to the assembled devotees there. In the Sri Caitanya Bhagavata it is written: "The golden moon, Sri Gauranga, revealed Himself as the soul of all souls. At that time He ordered Narayani to chant the name of Krishna. Although she was only 4 years old, she became mad with love of Supreme Lord. And crying, "O Krishna!" she swooned in e...