By Yugala Kishor Gour dasToday it is 55 years ago that Srila Prabhupada set foot on US soil for the first time, having being brought there by a ship called Jaladuta. It was one of the many vessels of the Scindia Steam Navigation Company from Bombay, one of the oldest shipping companies in India, founded in 1919. At the time the company was lead by Srimate Moraji, named Jamuna, who joint the business at the tender age of 20 years and build it from humble beginnings to one of India's largest with a fleet of 43 vessels and a combined deadweight of 550,000 ton.
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- 17 Sep 2020
By Loka Saranga DasaThe dream came true! We hit the road for Czech Padayatra again, for the 27th time. It was an absolutely nectarian and merciful highlight of the year. We left the gray comfort zone of our average troubled daily lives - which are full of danger at every step. Danger in the form of forgetting Krishna, Srila Prabhupada’s mercy, and the ocean of mercy of traveling Lords Chaitanya and Nityananda. There are no glimpses of forgetfulness during Padayatra as all are protected here. Wandering from town to town, village to village - with continuous kirtan, book and maha prasadam distribution, we ...
- 17 Sep 2020
By Giriraj SwamiWhen Srila Prabhupada first arrived in America, it took some time—almost a year—before people began to take his message seriously. But gradually, after he moved to New York, some young men and women did join him. And after starting the first center, on Second Avenue, Srila Prabhupada sent some disciples to San Francisco. Soon thereafter, he went, too, and it was there that he inspired and celebrated the first Ratha-yatra in the Western world. Before leaving America to return to India, Srila Prabhupada told his disciples, “Whoever wants to please me”—of course, everyone wanted to p...
- 16 Sep 2020
By Madhurika dasiWhen our children grow into teens, many of us find that inspiring them in Krishna consciousness becomes much harder. They are no longer enthusiastic to imitate us or join in with the devotional activities we initiate. I’ve been spending a lot of time thinking about what we can do to keep them close and hopefully inspired. Here are some of my thoughts.
...- 15 Sep 2020
By The ISKCON GBC Strategic Planning TeamWith Gopi Gita Schomaker in honor of Srila Prabhupada's arrival to the West, as we hear from Her Grace Mother Malati, a beloved daughter of Srila Prabhupada.
...- 15 Sep 2020
By 2nd World Ramayana ConferenceThis short video is a talk given by Sri Nandanandana dasa (Stephen Knapp) called "The Power of the Ramayana," given at the 2nd World Ramayana Conference held in Jabalpur, India, in January 26-29, 2020. He was a special invited guest for the conference, and his talk explains from the Valmiki Ramayana the different ways it helps uplift humanity from the ordinary miseries of life, up to and including liberation or freedom from material existence altogether. In the video, it shows Dr. Akhilesh Gumastha introducing Stephen for receiving a special certificate of appreciation for ...
- 15 Sep 2020
By NYC HarinamHare Krishna! Dear devotees and friends, Dandavats! After a long separation Harinam Sankirtan is back in NYC! Maha Saturday Harinam in Union Square Park (video)
...- 13 Sep 2020
By Madhava SmullenThe 2020 worldwide Bhadra Campaign saw devotees triple the Srimad-Bhagavatam set distribution of previous years, obliterating their initial goal of 10,000 sets. All told, over 22 countries and 150 cities participated to distribute more than 23,000 sets despite the challenges of COVID-19.
...- 13 Sep 2020
By the TOVPUnder the direction of Ambarisa prabhu, a special yajna was performed on August 29, the appearance day of Lord Vamanadeva, to bring auspiciousness to the planned restart of TOVP construction. As Vamanadeva took three steps which covered the entire universe, we pray that this yajna, our endeavors and the prayers and blessings of all the Vaishnavas will bear spiritual fruit allowing us to complete the TOVP within the next three years and relocate our beloved Mayapur Deities into Their new home.
...- 13 Sep 2020
By Satsvarupa Dasa GoswamiAfter a month I really loved the svami (Mrs. Agarwal relates). I felt kind of protective in a way, and he wanted to go to Philadelphia. But I couldn't imagine—I told him—I could not imagine this man going to Philadelphia for two days. He was going to speak there, and then to New York. But he knew no one in New York. If the thing didn't pan out in Philadelphia, he was just going to New York, and then there was no one. I just could not imagine that man … i...
- 12 Sep 2020
By ISKCON MINISTRY OF EDUCATIONSrila Prabhupada: Books are the basis of our Movement. Whatever appreciation we are getting on account of our books, it is because we are following the path chalked out by exalted devotees. Now these beautiful books have become the firm basis for our movement and any intelligent person in any part of the world cannot but fail to admire them.
...- 9 Sep 2020
By Danavir Goswami Gunagrahi Maharaja gave everything he had to Srila Prabhupada. He served ISKCON continuously for forty-nine years. He was a master at engaging people in Krishna consciousness. He made friends quickly and for life. He was largely responsible for the successful spreading of Krishna consciousness among the straight-edge youth. He didn't complain and he didn't lament. He had a flair for designing tasteful and novel ways of presenting Krishna consciousness. He innovated ...
- 9 Sep 2020
By Mahatma dasMaharaj was an amazingly good actor. When we did our course together in Vrindavana, we did some skits. We never rehearsed them, only discussed how the skit should go. Those who attended that class in 1993 may remember the skit, “Prabhupada’s Pizza Palace.” We played incompetent temple leaders who were going to take money destined for the BBT and use that money to open a pizza restaurant (one leader loved pizza and had the crazy idea that the world would become Krish...
- 9 Sep 2020
By Govinda SwamiHH Gunagrahi Goswami Maharaja, my very oldest devotee friend, the munificent kind soul who made me a devotee, passed away this morning just before 4 AM this morning. He was surrounded by loving godbrothers and devotees, singing the holy names loudly and in ecstasy. He had been unconscious since the afternoon .. but when the end was eminent I was screaming the mahamantra into his ear and each time he would respond. He was such a kind loving devotee. A radiant star has stopped shining in this world .. but now glows brilliantly in Goloka Vrindavan. All glories to my belov...
- 9 Sep 2020
By Kalakantha dasYou have always been most kind and a dear friend to me and so many others. When we met in 1978 you had established the beautiful San Diego temple and were transitioning to being the bhakta leader so you could concentrate on recruiting and training new devotees there. As I had the same service in Los Angeles, we naturally began visiting and calling each other regularly to compare notes. During those turbulent days in ISKCON following Srila Prabhupada's departure you wer...
- 9 Sep 2020
By ISKCON MINISTRY OF EDUCATIONSrila Prabhupada: Practically, books are the basis of our Movement. Without our books, our preaching will have no effect. Without books and magazines, what authority or what basis have we got for preaching? Now these beautiful books have become the firm basis for our movement and any intelligent person in any part of the world cannot but fail to admire them.
...- 8 Sep 2020
By Chandan Yatra DasThe state of Sikkim is remotely located in North-East India amidst the Kanchenjunga ranges of Himalayas. Far flung from mainland India, Sikkim is endowed with Lord Krishna’s amazing enchanting natural scenic beauty and spectacular views of formidable majestic mountain peaks of Kanchenjunga. It is 100% organic state of India and is bordered by China, Bhutan and Nepal.
...- 8 Sep 2020
By Bhakta dasaStaying true to ISKCON’s Founder Acharya, AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada’s, vision that peace and prosperity be brought to the world through the distribution of sanctified vegetarian meals prepared with love and devotion, ISKCON Melbourne has continued to reach wide and far taking part in the distribution of nutritious FREE vegetarian meals.
...- 7 Sep 2020
By ISKCON Ministry of EducationTo glorify the reading of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada's transcendental books during the International Shravanam Week, we present the following. Please help spread the message and celebrate by organizing this festival in your zones. On how to celebrate it in Six simple steps and with just 15 minutes, everyone can participate.
...- 7 Sep 2020
By the ISKCON GBC Strategic Planning TeamWe are pleased to have Hrdaya Chaitanya Das with us on our weekly "Ask a GBC" series. It is a wonderful opportunity to hear from the people behind the policies in ISKCON. He will be interviewed by Gopal Bhatta Das.
...- 6 Sep 2020
By the ISKCON GBC Strategic Planning TeamThe Global Devotee Care Directorate is hosting HH Prahladananda Swami in their weekly webinar series to discuss about care for the ISKCON monks. Moderator Gauranga Das.
...- 5 Sep 2020
By ISKCON MINISTRY OF EDUCATIONI have received all the books. I have been so eager to devour the knowledge within them. I have been reading constantly for the past two days. I was so happy to receive them. Thank you so very much. I grew up studying mysticism and esoteric topics. So a couple years ago when I ran across the teachings of Kṛṣṇa I was naturally drawn. I’ve recently finished my full memorization of the Bhagavad-gita in English. I can’t easily pronounce the Sanskrit, though I hope to one day. Dale S.D. Oglethorpe, Georgia
...- 5 Sep 2020
By Bhaktivedanta ManorThis project has been the largest single project, since the time of George Harrison donating Bhaktivedanta Manor in 1973. Over the last 40 years we have seen incredible changes; through many trials and tribulations, the devotees have continued to remain focused on their duty and getting on with what needs to get done. Despite the challenges of a world that is constantly changing, the devotion and determination of Krishna’s devotee will definitely ensure a bright future.
...- 5 Sep 2020
By Sacinandana Swami“Unless we take care of the books and preach and read ourselves, understand the philosophy, this Hare Krsna movement will be finished within a few years.”(Morning Walk — Los Angeles,12 December 1973)
...- 4 Sep 2020