By The ISKCON GBC Strategic Planning TeamLet us hear from HG Jagattarini Devi Dasi as she reaffirms the Purpose # 5 of ISKCON (To erect for the members and for society at large a holy place of transcendental pastimes dedicated to the personality of Krishna).
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- 16 Jul 2020
By New VrindavanaSummertime is Ratha Yatra time! The Ratha Yatra festival is a celebration of reunion, when Their Lordships Jagannatha, Baladeva, and Subhadra, who had been separated from Their devotees during a two-week “sick” leave, finally return and are taken out on a pleasure ride in a gorgeously decorated chariot. On a deeper level, it signifies the ecstatic reunion of Krishna with the residents of Vrindaban after Krishna had been away for a long time on business in Mathura. For us at New Vrindaban, this year’s Ratha Yatra, which took place on Wednesday evening, was a reunion of all the devotees...
- 16 Jul 2020
By The ISKCON GBC Strategic Planning TeamLet us hear from HG Vaisesika Das as he reaffirms the Purpose# 7 of ISKCON (With a view towards achieving the aforementioned purposes, to publish and distribute periodicals, magazines, books and other writings.)
...- 15 Jul 2020
By Garuda DasQuestions of auspicious or inauspicous deaths, devotional status, popularity, etc. are irrelevant. The bhakta has already transcended these considerations. Parikshit died by the bite of snake-bird “Let the snake bird bite me at once. I only desire that all of you continue reciting the glorious divine acts of Lord Vishnu.” Srila Prabhupada has addressed this issue of how unimportant auspicious elements are or the manner of death: However, for the pure devotee in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, there is no fear of returning, whether he leaves the body at an auspicious or inauspicious moment, by ...
- 15 Jul 2020
By The ISKCON GBC Strategic Planning TeamLet us hear from HG Ambarish Das and Svaha Devi Dasi as they reaffirm the Purpose #5 of ISKCON. They are instrumental in the overseeing and construction of "The Temple of Vedic Planetarium (TOVP)".
...- 15 Jul 2020
By Vaishnavanghri Sevaka DasShortly after the conclusion of World War-I, in December 1918, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur inaugurated a centre, "Calcutta Bhaktivinoda Asana" at 1, Ultadinghee Junction Road in North Calcutta. Feeling a deep sense of urgency to propagate the divine teachings of Lord Chaitanya for the benefit of the suffering world, he dedicated this centre for propagating the practice of bhakti or devotion. It is very crucial to note that Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati had just came back from Mayapur after chanting 192 rounds per day for 9 years i.e. approximately 1.1 Billion Names....
- 14 Jul 2020
By the GBC Executive CommitteeOn behalf of the GBC Body, we would like to thank all those involved, particularly the Government of India and the State of West Bengal for their kind cooperation. We also extend our appreciation to all the devotees who have worked tirelessly to ensure that Maharaja’s vapu safely reached Mayapur Dham and was placed in samadhi with the utmost care and respect. In particular, this wonderful service could not have been completed without the support and hard work of the ISKCON Mayapur administration.
...- 13 Jul 2020
By Yadubara dasThe 90-minute feature-length Documentary ‘HARE KRISHNA! The Mantra, the Movement and the Swami who started it all’ will be available in TAMIL, GUJARATI & MARATHI Srila Prabhupada’s uplifting story is emotionally moving and has given inspiration and hope to many, especially in this very difficult time. Please take the time to watch HARE KRISHNA! and spread the word to others.
...- 13 Jul 2020
By The ISKCON GBC Strategic Planning TeamJoin us to hear from Giriraj Swami on the Purpose #3 of ISKCON (To bring the members of the Society together with each other and nearer to Krishna, the prime entity, thus developing the idea within the members, and humanity at large, that each soul is part and parcel of the quality of Godhead, Krishna).
...- 13 Jul 2020
By Bhakti Charu Swami LiveA three-day festival will be held in Sri Dham Mayapur to inaugurate the samadhi which will soon be under construction. On February 25th, we will celebrate Nityananda Trayodasi. On February 26th, Maharaja’s samadhi will be officially inaugurated with a day-long event including auspicious Vedic rituals, kirtans, remembrances, and feasts. On the following day, February 27th, Srila Prabhupada will enter the TOVP in his murti form and the seva-puja of His Divine Grace will commence in the new temple.
...- 13 Jul 2020
By Ananda Tirtha dasHH Bhakti Charu Swami's vapu will be placed in samadhi on Monday, July 13th morning, India time. As Maharaj’s Vapu enters into Samadhi on Monday 13th July early morning (IST), you may wish to engage in deep prayer in honor of Maharaj. There are many prayers of the Vaishnava Acharyas that we can recite.
...- 12 Jul 2020
By the ISKCON GBC Strategic Planning TeamPlease join us to hear from Radhanath Swami on the Purpose #3 of ISKCON (To bring the members of the Society together with each other and nearer to Krishna, the prime entity, thus developing the idea within the members, and humanity at large, that each soul is part and parcel of the quality of Godhead, Krishna)
...- 12 Jul 2020
By Gopal Krishna GoswamiAs we all know, death is inevitable. Maharaja's disciples will undoubtedly be aggrieved beyond words. We must remember Srila Prabhupada's instructions on Guru-tattva at this moment. Prabhupada had explained several times that the guru is present in two forms - Vapu and Vani. Prabhupada had also explained that Vani is more important than Vapu. With regards to his own spiritual master, Prabhupada remarks in his dedication in the first canto of Srimad Bhagavatam - "He lives forever by his divine instructions and the follower lives with him".
...- 12 Jul 2020
By Hari-dhama dasaFrom our Lord Krsna’s perspective the departure of His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaja was timely and planned. From our perspective it was untimely, unexpected and contrary to what we fervently prayed for. It was not what we wanted nor want we expected. For us, and in particular, for you as his disciples and followers, it can be considered as a “sudden death”: there was no poor prognosis, there was no terminal illness, and there was no extended period to prepare. And for those of you who prayed across the globe for Maharaja’s recovery may have found yourself perplexed that your...
- 12 Jul 2020
By Bhurijana DasIn Ujjain: “You choose to paint as the cover of the book a picture of your heart,” I almost asked him to confess. No words replied he only sighed a soft and thoughtful “yes.”
...- 12 Jul 2020
By the ISKCON GBC Strategic Planning TeamLet us hear from HH Bhakti Vijnana Goswami as he reaffirms the purpose#1 of ISKCON (To systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to society at large and to educate all people in the techniques of spiritual life in order to check the imbalance of values in life and to achieve real unity and peace in the world)
...- 11 Jul 2020
By BBT AfricaConnecting to Srila Prabhupada through his books. Join us for an insightful session on taking personal association of Srila Prabhupada through his books.
...- 11 Jul 2020
By ISKCON Deity Worship MinistryStandards and rules for the kitchen by ISKCON Deity Worship Minister HG Nrsimha Kavaca Dasa. The quality of bhoga before offering. Dairy products. Frozen veggies. Milk powder. Tofu. Cooking only from prescribed recipes?
...- 11 Jul 2020
By The GBC Strategic Planning TeamPlease join us to the inauguration of our 5-day festival on reaffirming the 7 purposes of ISKCON in commemoration of the ISKCON incorporation day. We have a panel of speakers who are the leaders of the GBC strategic planning team who will take us on to a journey into the mood and mission of ISKCON.
...- 11 Jul 2020
By Kesava Bharati Dasa GoswamiSince writing my tribute to His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaja, I’ve read so many beautiful memorials that eloquently glorify his exalted, excruciatingly sweet personality, his softhearted dealings, his vast knowledge of scripture, his tremendous accomplishments, the pure devotion he had for and intimate personal service he rendered to Srila Prabhupada considering the short time he spent with him, and so on. Then I remembered the foreword he wrote to Srila Prabhupada the Founder-Acaraya of ISKCON and how influential Maharaja was during its inception.
- 11 Jul 2020
By the GBC Executive CommitteeOnce again, we will reiterate that the Mayapur campus will be inaccessible for devotees and public alike before, during, and after the ceremony. The same can be said for any spot along the journey – please do not attempt to visit the airports along the way or interfere in any way. We humbly request your cooperation in this matter. ...
- 10 Jul 2020
By Giriraj SwamiIn the year 1433 Sakabda (A.D. 1511), when Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu was touring South India, He stayed for four months during the period of Caturmasya at the house of Venkata Bhatta, who then got the opportunity to serve the Lord to his heart’s content. Gopala Bhatta also got the opportunity to serve the Lord at this time. Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami was later initiated by his uncle, the great sannyasi Prabodhananda Sarasvati. Both the father and the mother of Gopala Bhatta Gosvami were extremely fortunate,
...- 10 Jul 2020
By Lokanath SwamiWhen I heard the news of Maharaja having tested positive for COVID-19, I was left speechless. Daily at that time of the morning I am on a zoom Japa conference. I made the announcement to the participants in much disbelief. I checked again with my disciples if this message was in fact authentic and a part of me feverishly hoped that there was some error or this was just fake news. I could not concentrate on any of my services and had difficulty in following the daily routine for the rest of the day and several days thereafter. I was very disturbed and disheartened. All that I could think o...
- 10 Jul 2020
By Bhakti Vijnana GoswamiIt is an irreparable loss for all of us. One thought though gives me some solace - he was not of this world. He was like a lotus flower, which grows from the mud in the water, but still is completely unaffected by the muddy environment, not to the slightest extent. Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu gave this sent this perfect servant of His to assist Srila Prabhupada in his mission, and He also showed to all of us by the example Bhakti Charu Maharaja what it means to be a Vaisnava. And now Gauranga Mahaprabhu just called him back.
...- 9 Jul 2020