By Mahatma DasThe Soul is Made of Faith. In this article I use the word belief as “a feeling of certainty about what something means.” I discuss how this feeling of certainty affects the way you look at things, and the way you look at things affects your actions. Therefore, in this sense things are less the way they are and more the way we are. Belief is fundamental to consciousness. In Chapter 17 verse 3 of the Gita, Krsna says the atma is made of faith. If someone doesn’t believe that the atma is made of faith, it just means they have faith (th...
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- 15 Mar 2017
By Kripamoya DasI often get asked questions by people who are looking for a guru: “What sort of teacher should I be looking for?” is shortly followed by: “And where do I begin looking for someone like that?” After they’ve thought a few moments the next question is: “What sort of things do I have to do before I can become someone’s student?” “What happens if I don’t quite measure up?” Some time later the questions are more about what will happen after they become initiated: “What is he supposed to teach me?” “How do I know if he...
- 15 Mar 2017
By Bhaktivedanta Book TrustOur Relationship with Srila Prabhupada’s Books. Srila Prabhupada was concerned that devotees (“centres”) producing his books independently was undermining and potentially threatening the viability of the BBT. · “This must not go on” illustrates an unambiguous desire on his part to stop any printing of his books separate from the BBT. · He stresses that he created the BBT specifically to be the exclusive medium by which his books, lectures, and so on, are to be published and made available. · The BBT has an economic role in funding ISKCON projects. · ...
- 14 Mar 2017
By Romapada SwamiWe are very limited. We have tiny knowledge and tiny happiness and tiny free will. We don’t miss our free will, proof is, here we are the place people reside who misused their free will. Some few rathayatras ago I was introduced to a Chinese lady, married to an Indian man. That was a very interesting combination. An elderly, little older and when introduced to her she said I just have one question. What is that? Why creation? I said fantastic question. And the short answer is two parts. We wanted it, when we make a mistake isn’t there a good reason for wanting it? Try t...
- 14 Mar 2017
Nartaka Gopala dasi: Our dear Radharani devi dasi (Maria Rosa Jerves Batallas) passed away Saturday, March 11, 2017, in Cuenca, Ecuador....
- 14 Mar 2017
By Bhrgupati DasSo Prabhupada had taken great risk and voluntary accepted tremendous inconvenience in coming to the west to preach Krishna Consciousness to people who really, if you stop and think about it, were not qualified to receive it and didn't really appreciate it. Nothing discouraged Prabhupada. He didn't get discouraged by that. An ordinary person wouldn't have even started the whole thing in the first place. An ordinary person, after coming over on a boat, having two heart attacks on the way over, would have thought you know what, maybe I'm biti...
- 14 Mar 2017
By Romapada SwamiThe relationship gets closer, and when the relationship gets closer you find out all the good, the bad and mixed about the person. Those of you that are married know that what I am talking about. You find all about the weaknesses and the strengths and the idiosyncrasies of the person you are now living with. And with that can come familiarity. And with familiarity it breeds, it doesn't have to, but it commonly breeds contempt I know your ugly stuff, you know all my ugly stuff and one points to the other and respect disappears becomes someth...
- 13 Mar 2017
By Bhakti Charu SwamiOn 5th March 2017, 200 corporate professionals assembled to participate in a special discussion on “Corporate Spirituality.” The panelists were His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami, ISKCON GBC Chairman &Renowned Speaker and Sanjiv Aiyar, President, PAN IIM Alumni Singapore.
...- 13 Mar 2017
By Krsangi Radhe dasi The 531st appearance anniversary of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu was the inspiration for devotees from the Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple in Durban, South Africa to bake, pack and distribute 5310 biscuits. The goal of the biscuit distribution was to help spread Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s mercy to everyone and anyone. A group of devotees gathered at the temple’s Govinda’s restaurant bakery facility which holds industrial ovens to bake the biscuits. Temple President, Vibhu Caitanya dasa said that the thought behind this endeavour ca...
- 13 Mar 2017
By Ravinder YerramLast weekend (March 3-5), 150 devotees from Houston, Dallas, Chicago, Oklahoma City and New Orleans had a joyful and spiritual Japa Retreat (Chanting of Holy Names) with His Holiness Romapada Swami and His Grace Bada Hari Prabhu at Greater Houston area, ISKCON Houston. This Japa Retreat is an annual event and for this year the theme of the Japa Retreat was "Taking Shelter of Holy Name – Saranagati!" Romapada Swami gave very informative lectures with scriptural evidences and realizations from his decades of scriptural studies and d...
- 13 Mar 2017
By Vedic ScripturesThe Supreme Personality of Godhead, Govinda, the supreme enjoyer, whose form is transcendental, who is beyond the touch of the three modes of material nature, and who is the all-pervading Supersoul residing in the hearts of all living entities, will appear again in the Kali age. Appearing as the greatest devotee, the Supreme Personality of Godhead will assume a two-armed form of golden complexion in His abode of Goloka Vrndavana manifested on the bank of the Ganges at Navadvipa. He will disseminate pure devotional service in the world Cai...
- 12 Mar 2017
By Urmila Devi DasiHere are dozens of activities and resources for ages 2-18 about Lord Caitanya, organized around the five most potent limbs of devotional service. It's designed for parents who homeschool, or who have their children in non-devotee school and want to do something in the mornings, afternoons, or weekends. It can be used by devotee schools, once-a-week programs, or the festival coordinator who wants to do something special for the children for Gaura Purnima. Uses: For children being home-schooled to enrich the devotional part of the program...
- 12 Mar 2017
By His Divine Grace A.C.B. Swami PrabhupadaCaitanya Mahaprabhu is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but He’s channa. Channa means “covered.” Lord Caitanya is a covered avatara, or incarnation, of the Supreme Lord because He appeared as a devotee. In the Kali-yuga He does not appear directly like other incarnations, such as Narsimhadeva, Vamanadeva, or Lord Ramachandra. He appears as a devotee. Why? Because He is the most magnanimous avatara. People are so foolish that they could not understand Krishna. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu appeared to give mercy ...
- 11 Mar 2017
By Patita Pavana dasAnother fascinating aspect of Mahaprabhu’s chart is that Mercury—planet of communication, learning, literature, etc.—is debilitated in the house of death (the eighth). Shrila Prabhupada, who refused his college diploma, demonstrated that learning without Krishna consciousness is useless. And Mahaprabhu, after His meeting His spiritual master, went from the “wrangling Pandit Nimai” to an ecstatic bhakta who was simply absorbed in calling upon the sacred names of His Lord Shri Krishna, the mahamantra. This was a great shock to some pandits of N...
- 11 Mar 2017
By Krishna Dharma DasA recent class given 19th of February 2017 in Bhaktivedanta Manor, UK. My friend I am severely struck and all my sense departs, when Krishna’s name enters my ears and lodges in my heart. And then there is another one whose flute enchants my mind, seizing it with such madness that I can no peace find. Again there is a third one, whose brilliance I see in pictures of purest beauty that are entrancing me. Shame upon my sinful self for loving all these three at once, and thus I think it best if death does now take me.
...- 10 Mar 2017
By Sukhayanti Devi DasiIn July of 2005, I met the devotees for the first time. I was a young hippie girl, looking for something else that life could offer without really knowing what it was. I went travelling in Europe thinking maybe it could be found there. The East Germany rainbow festival had about 3000 people attending that year, I was there too. By the end of 3 weeks in that festival I was getting tired of it. It felt so fake. All those so called transcendentalist, I felt like I was being cheated. You would see young and old westerner man walking aroun...
- 10 Mar 2017
By Nila Kamal dasKitchari prasad was served throughout the day till after 5pm. It was wonderful to see the leaders in our movement serving prasad to the locals, everyone who witnessed this also became enthusiastic to serve. At one point it was noted that the line for serving was bigger than the line for eating! Jayapataka Swami gave a wonderful discourse on the glories of the Advaita Acarya and Madhavendra Puri. Another highlight of the event was when Subhag Swami spontaneously started a kirtan in the middle of his lecture. At the end of the kirtan, thousan...
- 10 Mar 2017
By Bhakti Madhurya Govinda GoswamiThis is, this is the poetry and also the full knowledge of Srimad Bhagavatam, and so we can get that by milking the surabi cow of Srila Prabhupada purport. That’s what happens in the opening statement by Srila Prabhupada, it’s in once sense it’s a shocker I don’t know if you caught that. It’s a shocking statement. I will read it again because that’s why I like to go through these purports incumbently because that way we can milk the most out of it. We will cover the whole purport but want to make sure this extra...
- 9 Mar 2017
By Braja Vilas dasYet another year has passed in our lives as we approach Gaura Purnima 2017, and we wish to take this opportunity to once again thank you for your support and encouragement. Your dedication has inspired us spiritually, and has helped us practically to achieve our goals and maintain the construction pace over the years. In many ways this is the real New Year celebration for all ISKCON devotees, as we observe Mahaprabhu’s appearance and make our vows and commitments to continue to help expand His mission throughout the world and deepen our ...
- 9 Mar 2017
By Purushottam Kumar Yudhisthira, an Indian king, who ruled about 5000 years ago once said that the most astonishing thing in this world is that people see others are dying every moment but they never ever believe that one day they too would die
...- 9 Mar 2017
By Nila Kamal dasBhakti Ananda Hari das Goswami was born on the 6th of March 1953 in a village named Chandamleikai, Asaam (North East India). Born in a traditional Manipur Vaisnava family, he was a devotee of Lord Krishna from his very childhood and always listened to Krishna katha whenever it was spoken. He showed special interest in the Manipur rasa lila performance. He graduated with BA honours from Guwhati University and thereafter worked for a private firm as secretary for 22 years, from 1976 till 1998. Maharaj came in contact with ISKCON in the year 1...
- 8 Mar 2017
By Harinarayana DasWhen all the participants performed their cultural presentations in front of the stage of honour then the devotees entered with the gopi dancers in front. The leader of ISKCON in Indonesia His Grace Vrajendra nandan prabhu presented a mahaprasad flower garland already offered to the Lord and a Bhagavad-gita to the mayor of Solo. They were delighted to receive the book. Then they were amused seeing the Lord on the chariot. The carnival finished at the mayor’s office yard. Many participants took the opportunity to take picture in front of...
- 8 Mar 2017
By Yogesvara DasaA groundbreaking museum of science – the Vedic Planetarium – seeks to reveal what the eye cannot see. Recently, the "Back To Godhead" Magazine published an article with the above title to reveal some of the facets of the planetarium within the main dome of the TOVP. (On behalf of the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium Executive Committee) Illustrations by Alexey Klimenko, Duncan Smith, and Nina Tara.
...- 8 Mar 2017
By Sivarama SwamiIt needs to be clear for all the members of Krishna Consciousness movement, when we are talking about Srila Prabhupada as the founder Acharya, it means that Srila Prabhupada is our Mahajan, and Srila Prabhupada‘s teachings in textual for us and his teachings, his examples, his instructions, all the instructions of the other Mahajan. Otherwise Prabhupada will use the other example, you cannot jump over. Jumping over means, you think, well Srila Prabhupada said this but such and such Acharya, Jiva Goswami, Vishwanath Cakravarti Thakura, sai...
- 7 Mar 2017