By Louise GuthrieThis is no ordinary shopping-carrier. It hails from the Indian city of Mayapur, spiritual capital of the world, and it depicts the vision that founder of the Hare Krishna movement, Srila Prabhupada, had for a unique ‘Temple of the Vedic Planetarium’ to be built there to showcase the Vedic perspective on life with a gigantic display of the material and spiritual worlds all under one great roof.
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- 13 Apr 2019
By Gauranga Darshan DasHow can stones float on water!? But they did…once upon a time! In treta-yuga, God appeared as a human being, and engaged some monkeys to throw stones in water. By the power of His name, the stones floated and thus a bridge was constructed across the ocean. Crossing this bridge, God rescued His wife, who was kidnapped by a demon. This is a popular pastime of Lord Sri Rama. But a common man doesn’t believe in such ‘stories’ calling them ‘mythology.’ Nevertheless, they are not myth but factual incidents recorded in our timeless scriptures. It takes a little intelligence, som...
- 13 Apr 2019
By Iskcon MayapurIt is impossible for a materialistic person like Ravana to touch Srimati Sitadevi, just as it is impossible for anyone within the material world to enjoy the energy of the Lord no matter how they try to exploit it for their own pleasure. What Ravana touched was illusory, just as the enjoyment of those in the material world is only an illusion that leads to suffering. Devotees of the Lord, however, honor, respect, and worship Srimati Sitadevi, knowing her glorious posi...
- 13 Apr 2019
By Sri Nandanandana dasaSri Lanka is the proud custodian of more than 50 Ramayana sites from the place of Sita Devi’s captivity to the battlefields where vast armies clashed, to the groves of exotic herbs dropped by Hanuman, to the ultimate theater of war where Lord Rama slew Ravana, the ten-headed demon-king. People living in the areas where great events took place remember to this day the connection of their soil to the great epic. An oath taken at the spot where Sita Devi undertook "Agni Pariksha" is still considered valid in village courts or grama sabhas. The color of the so...
- 13 Apr 2019
By His Divine Grace A.C.B. Swami Prabhupada So ideal state means the king must be very responsible. There are many instances. Just like Yudhisthira Maharaja, who was a pious king. In Bengali there is a proverb rajar dose raja nasto dose grihastha bhrasta. If the king is not pious, then the whole kingdom is spoiled. Everyone has got this experience. So, the king must be very honest, pious, and religious. Such kings were called rajarsis. Although they were kings, they were great saintly people. . . . If the king is educated nicely in spiritual affairs, if he knows what the purpose of kingdom ...
- 12 Apr 2019
By Sri Nandanandana dasaWhen it comes to the Ramayana and the history of Lord Rama, there have been numerous authors who have accepted the Ramayana as a history of ancient events. For example, the first Governor General of India, Sri Rajaji, wrote on the Ramayana and called it a history, as also did the English Indologist Sir William Jones. Various other western authors have made a study of the culture and history of the Ramayana, such as Philip Lutgendorf in his book Rama's Story in Shiva's City, California University and others.
...- 12 Apr 2019
By Kesava Krsna DasaHow many devotees will answer the question of how Mother Sita was banished by Sri Rama to Valmiki’s hermitage? “Rama was righteous… He set an example for all…?” Or is there a deeper reason? Such an answer can take the ‘controversy’ out of it. We do not have a right to question any of the Lord’s decisions, but in light of today’s awareness of human rights and the importance of family unity in strengthening spiritual communities, our answer might echo what appears to be a heartless decision to...
- 12 Apr 2019
By Hari Narayana DasThis year's parade was special because the show got enlivened with 40 decorative cars and boasted of participants from 37 cross-cultural communities. ISKCON community in Surabaya was also given invitation and as soon as the opportunity arrived, the devotees arranged for the Lord Jagannath's chariot festival. Devotees enjoyed spiritual bliss on pulling Lord Jagannath's chariot and the people of Surabaya in turn received the inconceivable merciful blessings of Lord Jagannath. Here is a short report.
...- 9 Apr 2019
By Purushottam Nitai DasHanuman was just one of the soldiers of Lord Rama and had almost decimated the entire Lanka. Any sensible person would have easily gauged the strength of his opponent seeing the power of just one of the soldiers of his opponent. But lust and ego had created such a thick covering over Ravana’s intelligence that he was not able to see his imminent disaster. Just like Ravana we too want to enjoy the property of the Lord claiming to be ours. And when reminded tha...
- 7 Apr 2019
By Shaunaka Rishi Das,The Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies, the world’s leading Centre for Hindu Studies, celebrated its 20 years at the House of Lords at the River Room, hosted by Lord Dholakia. Lord Dholakia informed the audience of the value of OCHS which is a seat of academic studies with scholars and research capabilities. He highlighted the need to create a bridge between the Mandirs who support Hindu activities and the OCHS which enables knowledge building. He remarked about the poor representation of Hindus in the Parliament. There was a need for authentic independent representation of Hindu value...
- 6 Apr 2019
By Yugala Kishor Gour dasIn the MetaVision period Mohan filmed many Krishna Conscious events, seminars and festivals. He even went on an European Tour, recording different temples and their local activities. All these were recorded on a semi professional system called Sony U-Matic. These tapes can not be played on your normal house VHS and/or Betamax systems, they are simply to big. Measuring 3/4 inch. According to several devotees, whom I have spoken to, this archive ended up on Inish Rath in Northern Ireland, brought there by Tribhuvanath prabhu. Some devotees claim to have seen the tapes there. But they ...
- 5 Apr 2019
By Sarah KeoghOver this period of Lent we’ve spoken to priests, minister and Senators already, asking them ‘what’s it all about?’ What is the meaning of life? What impact does religion have on a person’s everyday life. Sarah Keogh was joined by Praghosh, who is the representative for ISKCON, the Hare Krishna movement here in Ireland, and he also began the Govinda restaurant chain over 20 years ago. Praghosh explained what the Hare Krishna movement is, and what he believes life is about.
...- 5 Apr 2019
By Kelsey WatlingtonOn Saturday March 23, 2019, ISKCON of Richmond received an inspiring visit from National Convenor for National Ganga Mission, Dr. Snehal Donde, who gave a talk entitled “The Agony of Rivers”. Dr. Donde is the research officer at Bhaktivedanta Vidyapeeth Research Centre in Govardhan Eco Village in Mumbai. She works closely with His Holiness Radhanath Swami and His Grace Gauranga prabhu to advise in water conservation practices in the center. Dr. Donde has more than twenty-four years of experience in the fields of education, research, and administration. She holds two PhDs in the fiel...
- 2 Apr 2019
By Visakha DasiWe have personally seen Srila Prabhupada's eagerness to preach to even one person. It is our honor, privilege and great happiness to continue to serve his desire in distributing HARE KRISHNA! to all parts of the world thus giving access to thousands to view his amazing life story and thus begin their journey on the path of lasting freedom. To date, HARE KRISHNA! has been screened in public movie theaters in 39 countries and has been viewed online in more than 100 countries. All in all, over 14,000 DVDs in the four languages have been distributed since January.
...- 30 Mar 2019
By Vijaya dasThe Sydney temple has struggled in its book distribution for a few years because the government cracked down on people with religious visas, so many temple members had to leave the county, and some were book distributors. Now Sydney has made a comeback. It is the No. 1 temple among the Medium Temples, with almost 6,000 book points. Welcome back to the transcendental competition! Baltimore had a good month, too, placing No. 1 among the Small Temples. It did 5,336 book points, an increase of 317% over the previous year in February. Moscow now has three temples reporting, and they are in first, ...
- 30 Mar 2019
By Kaisori Devi DasiWith the full text in English, Russian, and German, with more languages being prepared. The text is fully - and quickly! - searchable in each language. Easy-to-read with many customizable features, including the ability to bookmark, highlight, and make notes. Full Sanskrit diacritics on the text and a glossary, just as in the print edition. Switch easily from one language to another - you can compare the Russian or German to the English or vice versa. Read in your own language or practice learning a new language using Srila Prabhupada's book as a guide.
...- 28 Mar 2019
By ArtiI have been a regular visitor to the ISKCON Temple in Jaipur, Rajasthan for almost an entire past decade. Rajasthan being my ancestral state, we make it a point to travel here once at least every year. To say then, that I have a personal affinity for this state, and the Jaipur ISKCON temple wouldn’t be an exaggeration… from being a simple small house many years back, it has been a joy to see the temple gradually evolve to a relatively bigger premise and stand in line along with some of its more famous contemporaries like Delhi.
...- 28 Mar 2019
By Jambavati Devi DasiYesterday in Dunedin New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was visiting a local Mosque ..to comfort and reassure the Local Muslim Community after the recent terror attack in Christchurch where 50 Muslim worshippers were brutally murdered while praying. She then made her way to The Otago University Clubs and Societies Building where ISKCON Dunedin holds their Krishna Lunch Program. Daily feeding at least 250 hungry and very grateful students and staff..delicious nutritious prasadam. As the Prime Minister walked up the stairs Jahnava Mata dasi the Krishna Lunch coordinator gree...
- 28 Mar 2019
By GregoryRecently, I was thinking and reading about Vrindavan. I thought about how it would be to go to Vrindavan. How does it happen? How would I do it? To learn, I checked and researched. I found the ISKCON Vrindavan website. I saw Visit Vrindavan and Travel Assistance and read. The information stated, “The most convenient airport for coming to Vrindavan is Delhi.” So, I searched several websites for flights from Jacksonville, Florida to Delhi, India. The flight times varied:...
- 27 Mar 2019
By Muralimohan dasaOn March 17 the ISKCON Ahmedabad temple devotees conducted their thirty-third monthly one-day padayatra. Called the Glories of Gaura-hari, a shorter walk this time of just 6km, the padayatra was held to promote the glories of Gaura-purnima, the appearance day of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
...- 27 Mar 2019
By ISKCON Laguna BeachA regional festival for the celebration of the appearance day of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu! Lectures were given by special guests HH Giriraj Maharaj and HG Vaisesika Prabhu. There was also Song and Play performed by Sunday School children, Maha- Harinam to the beach - Arati Kirtan at the temple and more
...- 24 Mar 2019
By Kesava Krsna DasaSome devotees think, that because they are devotees, they must preach instantly to whomever they meet. Perhaps if we had the required force of purity, we could effect changes in people’s hearts on first contact. The reality is however, that not everyone has the required sukrti to appreciate our words; we have to create it for them. Being in the workplace alongside the same faces, day in, and day out, can present challenges for a devotee keen on preaching. Simp...
- 23 Mar 2019
By Mayapur Sasi dasaFor the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada this report contains the following North American results of book distribution for the month of February 2019. North American Totals, Monthly Temples, Monthly Weekend Warriors. Monthly Top 100 Individuals, Monthly Top 5, Cumulative Countries, Cumulative Temples, Cumulative Top 100 Individuals, Cumulative Top 5
...- 22 Mar 2019
By Mauricio Garrido, Ph.D.One of the strongest points of tension that often comes up in cosmology between science and religion is the age of the universe. Some interpretations of the Bible calculate it to be about 6,000 years old, while the most recent calculation according to the Lambda-CDM concordance model is 13.8 billion years. The Vedic literatures see the manifestation and eventual destruction of the universe, like most events in nature, as a periodic occurrence and give it in tr...
- 21 Mar 2019