By Nameera SarjooThe Hare Krishna Movement distributed food, drinks and sweet parcels in the Ladysmith community on Saturday morning. They went out to different areas to hand out fresh, hot food and juices. The recipients were extremely grateful for the devotees’ kind gesture, saying that it really touched their hearts and lifted their spirits. The friendly team also took some time to mingle with the people, making it a special day for all. This ‘Food for Life’ programme was initially started by His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. It is a worldwide initiative that co...
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- 21 Dec 2016
By Victoria Arnold, Forum 18Report published yesterday, 20 December 2016. Before Puchkov's conviction, Frolov told Forum 18 on 7 December that his client had been playing an Indian drum in the procession and had not spoken to anyone. Video footage of the event, seen by the court, showed people only singing Vedic mantras, not engaging in conversation with passers-by and not distributing literature. "No words were used apart from Hare, Krishna, Rama," Frolov insisted. "This was a public act of worship which was not missionary activity, since no information about beliefs was disseminated and ...
- 21 Dec 2016
By Chirag BhattSpecial guests also included Harris County District Attorney, Kim Ogg; Pat Hallisey, Mayor of League City and his wife Janice; Dr. Catherine O’Brien, vice chancellor of San Jacinto College; David Williams, Principal at Seabrook Intermediate School; Matt Khan of Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston, who remarked, “The hospitality was exceptional and I learned a great deal about the history of ISKCON.” Also attending were Rev. Gena Davis of Houston’s grace Episcopal Church, a certified yoga teacher who incorporates yoga in her ministry; Rev. David Carter of the Unit...
- 20 Dec 2016
By Giriraj dasaBut now, scientists say that meditators may be benefiting from changes in their brains. The researchers report that those who meditated for about 30 minutes a day for eight weeks had measurable changes in gray-matter density in parts of the brain associated with memory, sense of self, empathy and stress. M.R.I. brain scans taken before and after the participants’ meditation regimen found increased gray matter in the hippocampus, an area important for learning and memory. The images also showed a reduction of gray matter in the amygdala, a region connected to anxiety and str...
- 20 Dec 2016
By Panchatattva DasaOn our way we noticed a wedding ceremony being held and as we got closer, to our surprise, all the baratis or wedding guests came out to join us in the kirtana. The newlywed couple even took the chance to offer incense to the Lords –we are certain that they received Their blessings. Amazingly, we ended the padayatra in an Arya Samaj Hall, even though it is well known that the Arya Samaj in Mauritius do not accept deity worship in their compound. However, we were warmly welcomed with our deities. Asim Krishna Dasa, originally from India, gave a wonderful lecture bri...
- 20 Dec 2016
By Janananda GosvamiThe kirtana is at its climax The leader from the top of his lungs bursts forth with a resounding Gurudeva, Gurudeva, Gurudeva Gurudeva ..... Jaya Gurudeva Jaya Gurudeva Jaya Gurudeva Jaya Gurudeva etc. Some devotees look at each other - who am I supposed to be singing to or should I be singing it at all. Who is the leader referring to? A kind of silent unsurety lingers in the background or foreground. Some say we should not at all chant others say at specific occasions and times, others anytime, anywhere. Some say before Jaya Prabhupada is okay some after. Some say ...
- 20 Dec 2016
By Vaisesika Dasa Krishna is the well-wisher of everyone. He is simply waiting within the heart to give facility to anyone who wants to approach Him. "Tesam satata-yuktanam, bhajatam priti-purvakam, dadami buddhi-yogam tam, yena mam upayanti te" [B.G. 10.10] So when a devotee decides to come forward to take up this .. accept this initiation into the sampradaya, Krishna becomes pleased. In fact sastra says this over and over again. The acaryas state this very clearly, that this official entry and declaration, as we are doing here today, is very pleasing to the Lord. Many people "almost" ...
- 19 Dec 2016
By Bhakti Raghava Swami Modern Paper Currency Flawed: Within the system of varnasrama, three-fourth of the population does not earn money, namely the brahmacaris, those in the vanaprastha and those in the sannyasa asrama. Grhasthas, in particular the ksatriya householders and the vaisya householders, assisted by the sudra householders, are meant to support the rest of society. The brahmanas and sudra class do not earn money, only the ksatriya class through taxation and the vaisya class, but only one portion of the vaisya class, those engaged in trade, vanijyam. Those engaged in both krishi, agriculture and g...
- 18 Dec 2016
By Niscala DasiIt struck me the other day the astonishing similarity between the words Christmas and Krishna- Prabhupada once pointed out the similarity between the words Christ and Krishna, but when “mas” is added, and the “i” is shortened, the similarity becomes much stronger- one could even say to someone “krsnas tu bhagavan swayam” and they might respond “What was that about Christmas?” We all know the magic and enchantment that the word “Christmas” had over us when we were young, as we knew that from this word, everything of our hearts’ desire would be manifest, and as we c...
- 18 Dec 2016
By Madhava SmullenNew website iskconconnection.org hopes to get an accurate count of all ISKCON members for the first time ever, and to help them feel part of an international family by connecting them to all the inspirational activities in ISKCON around the world. The website is the face of ISKCON Connection, ISKCON’s global membership program, developed by the GBC and based at ISKCON’s headquarters in Mayapur, West Bengal. “We’re inviting all devotees, well-wishers and friends of Krishna to stand up and be counted as part of our spiritual family,” says team-leader Praharana Da...
- 16 Dec 2016
By Abhirama dasAlmost one and a half year ago, 3 devotees living in Villaggio Hare Krishna (near Milan) moved to Turin to open a new ISKCON center. Turin is the third most important Italian city and it is inhabited by about 1 million people. One year ago, the Food for Life project was also started, and the municipality asked the devotees to go in the dormitories once a week to bring there a special dinner. Indeed, they said that many homeless people often used to ask for some vegetarian food also instead of the meat which is always present in the canteens. Every Monday evening the devotees...
- 16 Dec 2016
By Isa dasRABBI: In the Torah, Moses describes to the people some of the requirements of a king. One of the requirements is, "When [the king] is established on his royal throne, he must write a copy of the Torah as a scroll edited by the Levitical priests. [This scroll] must always be with him, and he shall read from it all the days of his life. He will then learn to be in awe of God his Lord, and carefully keep every word of the Torah and these rules. He will then [also] not begin to feel superior to his brethren, and he will not stray from the mandate to the right or the left. He and his ...
- 15 Dec 2016
By Nashvin GangaramSrila Prabhupada is the soul of ISKCON and ISKCON is his body. Because ISKCON is a spiritual organization, both body and soul are non-different. Srila Prabhupada continues to act effectively in this world so long as ISKCON remains the instrument of his will. He holds a unique position in ISKCON as its Founder-Acharya: “Just like if I am taken as the origin of this Krishna consciousness movement, that means I know everything directly and indirectly of all this movement. If I do not know directly or indirectly everything of this movement, then I cannot be called the Found...
- 14 Dec 2016
By Parasuram dasaWhen the full moon, marking the beginning of the month of Kartik, rose in the sky, we knew this was the start of a new adventure on the open road. Everything is there on Padayatra, the Harinam, Prasad distribution, book distribution, Deity worship, cow protection and adventure. There is nothing like preaching in Vraj. The Brajbasis love kirtan, love to feed the devotees and have a great sense of humour. 9 devotees went out this year, coming from UK, Ireland, Russia, Czech Republic and Estonia. 6 devotees would perform kirtan and 3 distributing books, a total of 43,000 boo...
- 14 Dec 2016
By Dusyanta dasNow we can follow the Global Economic model and hear the comprehensive reports and opinions on Capitalistic health it has now become apparent that the capitalistic model is on the cusp of failing and disappearing. It’s not that an economic model that has been conceived by man will last forever as long as we maintain its veracity. All things created by man are imperfect, transient and liable to fail. And today in 2016 the Capitalistic model has reached its zenith and now is on the way down and out. It does not come as any surprise for devotees that man-made processes and sys...
- 13 Dec 2016
By Sankirtana DasAmerica, and the world, sorely needs these types of examples more than ever. But warriors have to be leaders and courageous and generous, all at the same time. It’s not easy. The responsibilities of a warrior/leader are brought in sharp focus in the ancient epic Mahabharata. I think Mahabharata is one of the most valuable stories for healing and for seekers of spiritual wisdom in our time. The story is about five warrior brothers - the Pandavas - and their common wife struggling to stand up to tyranny and at the same time keep their humanity. There’s a monument...
- 13 Dec 2016
By Rasika Sindhu DasaReaching the venue I was myself very pessimist to what I was told for that area of the country is known for its tensions and occasional law and order issues with the lawbreakers. Few officers here and there roaming around, a quick zap to my mobile and it was still early. While slowly the hall began to fill up HH Bhakti Dhira Damodara Swami also came accompanied by HG Ganga Prasad Prabhu the Nigerian Temple President. Today was not a casual program but was a unique one. Light Kirtan was goin on while HG Balabradra Prabhu, our organizer was fine tuning everything before t...
- 12 Dec 2016
By Nashvin GangaramISKCON is the ultimate welfare organisation. This is a bold claim but I’ll explain. Suppose you came across a lost child, crying for her parents. It would certainly be noble to feed the child, and take care of her. However, a higher consideration would be to reunite the child with her parents. Similarly, all our altruistic and humanitarian endeavours are wonderful, but they find perfection when they are accompanied by reuniting the soul with the Supreme Lord. ISKCON is led by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. He is the Founder and Acharya of ISKCON...
- 11 Dec 2016
By Gopi GitaThe celebration was indeed at another level.. Ritzy, glamorous decor; senators, congressman, Deans of universities, educators, ministers from different churches; Mother Guru Bhakti's incredible outreach work and her team's total dedication to Srila Prabhupada's preaching service. Highlights:. Sesa Prabhu's excellent speech highlighting Srila Prabhupada's success in the past 50 years as the epitome of the American dream. Sharing struggles and triumphs with Radhika Ramana prabhu aka Ravi Gupta, a stalwart and principled Alumni student of ISKCON education. Sharing loving compa...
- 10 Dec 2016
By IndiatodayMumbai, Dec 9 (PTI) International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has embarked upon an ambitious programme to commemorate the Gita Jayanti tomorrow at its temples all over the world. On this anniversary day of Shrimad Bhagavata Gita on December 10, 2016, all the temples of ISKCON across the world will recite complete the Bhagavata Gita at the same time i.e 6 PM (IST), an official release said here. "Bhagwad Gita would be recited in various ISKCON centres including France, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Kenya, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mauritius, Nepal, New...
- 10 Dec 2016
By Krishna Nandan Das & Bhagavati Kripa Devi DasiOn the most auspicious occasion of ISKCON celebrating 50 years and ISKCON Mira-road celebrating first year after inauguration, which took place in September 2015, HG Kamalalochana Prabhu – President of ISKCON Mira-road, instructed his team of devotees to invite 10,000 school children for Brahmotsava. To fulfill this instruction Bhaktin Samhita came up with a very beautiful brochure to attract the Principals of different schools, so that they would agree to bring their students for field trip to ISKCON.
...- 8 Dec 2016
By ISKCON-London CommunicationsISKCON-London celebrated the 47th Anniversary of the installation of Sri Sri Radha-Londonisvara on Sunday, 27th November. This special 50th Anniversary year of ISKCON, themed “The Joy of Devotion”, has been filled with many joyous celebrations both in London and worldwide. This particular event was one of the signature events this year. Held at a big theatre-style venue in central London, the cultural programme started with a sumptuous prasadam feast followed by a line-up of dance, drama, and speeches, ending with a lively kirtan that got everyone off thei...
- 8 Dec 2016
By Caru DasOn September 23rd, 2016 Radhanath Swami spoke to a packed house at the Nancy Tessman Auditorium in Downtown Salt Lake City, Utah on the message “Redefining Happiness”. George Pratt, a well known local Attorney coordinated the event and gave the opening address. Caru Das, president of the Utah Krishna Temple gave the introduction.
...- 7 Dec 2016
By ISKCON Sankirtana Leaders Team - IndiaThis December, devotees in India face a unique challenge in distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books. Due to recent actions taken by the Government of India viz., the demonetization of large currency notes, everyone here is literally in a cash crunch, whether or not one is a millionaire as per the bank accounts. And distributing books in such a scenario could be tough if we follow the usual techniques of hand to hand distribution on streets, or at doors, which depend on collecting cash. This could potentially have a large impact on the annual scores f...
- 7 Dec 2016