By Jacques de Gheyn IIDe Gheyn was a wealthy amateur who is best known as a brilliant draftsman, but he also painted and engraved. This panel is generally considered to be the earliest known independent still-life painting of a vanitas subject, or symbolic depiction of human vanity. The skull, large bubble, cut flowers, and smoking urn refer to the brevity of life, while images floating in the bubble—such as a wheel of torture and a leper’s rattle—refer to human folly. The figures flanking the arch above are Democritus and Heraclitus, the laughing and weeping philosophers of ancient Greece.
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- 4 Jun 2021
By Vijaya dasI almost cannot believe what happened in April. The Mayapur temple did 212,221 book points, putting them way out in front of any other temple. The magic of the Mayapur book distributors cannot be underestimated. Lord Caitanya's rain of mercy is pouring down on the fortunate souls receiving Srila Prabhupada's books, and the book distributors are the gardeners planting seeds of devotion in their hearts. Mexico City is the No. 1 temple in the Medium category, with 3,440 book points. Srila Prabhupada himself visited this temple twice, and the second time he got a police escort from the airport to...
- 2 Jun 2021
By Kesava Krsna dasaIf we intend to be a credible alternative to the woes of society, we must analyze how we conduct ourselves in the public arena – namely the internet. Our discussions are by and large intelligent respectful dialogue. The occasional tit for tat crops up now and again. Are we ever aware that perusing our web pages could be individuals who are advisors to leaders, members of think tanks for government and the like?
...- 2 Jun 2021
By Charu PatankarUnscrupulous people go at once to the Tenth Canto, especially to the five chapters which describe the Lord's rāsa dance. However, this portion of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is the most confidential part of that great literature. Unless one is thoroughly accomplished in the transcendental knowledge of the Lord, he is sure to misunderstand the Lord's worshipable transcendental pastimes in the rāsa dance and the Lord's love affairs with the gopīs. This subject matter is high...
- 2 Jun 2021
By Urban DeviMay 23 2021 Special Guest Mondakini Devi Dasi: I remember coming to the temple with two of my friends, and a beautiful kirtan—a very sacred kirtan—was in progress, probably led by Yamuna. We sat down and all of a sudden the devotees fell flat on the floor. Being polite young girls, we did the same for the first time in our lives. I was very curious and I wanted to see what was happening. I was thinking, “Why are they doing that?” I put my head up a little and I saw two beautiful golden feet passing by my head. I wanted to see to whom these feet belonged, and for the first time, at lea...
- 1 Jun 2021
By Dharmatma dasAnother wonderful exemplary Vaishnava has left us to be with his worshipful Lordships in the Spiritual World. Bhuvanesvara prabhu has been serving Them in Vrindavan for 35 years and was such an inspiring soul. His sadhana was impeccable, he religiously cooked the Raj Bhoga offering daily, he led kirtan (whose heart could not be moved by his sweet and melodious chanting early in the morning before Mangala Arotik.) He was always was there for Tulasi Puja, Guru Puja, gave classes, and also led Kirtans in the evening. He had a great sense of humor and wit. Knowing how fallen I was, he ...
- 1 Jun 2021
By Ananda Vrndavanesvari Devi DasiJust as a very good sweet will have something hidden inside of it, or a company will have the inner group of key people, the Gita has a core made up of four verses. These are called the Catur Sloki (catur = four, and sloki = verses), and they summarize the entire Gita. The eighteen chapters of the Gita are themselves divided into 3 parts. The middle six chapters focus on bhakti and are “protected” on either side by teachings on karma-yoga (the first six chapters) and jnana y...
- 31 May 2021
By Bhaktivedanta ManorA lot is said and written about his accomplishments in the western world. Hardly do we ever try to delve and celebrate his preparation to this milestone. Born in an affluent family, from carrying the freedom fighter spark to discovering the real purpose of human life to fulfilling a divine plan, his life epitomizes that before our successes manifest externally, we need to internalize these through our perseverance, choices and responses. There are no shortcuts.
...- 30 May 2021
By ISKCON Ministry of Education“Yes, as a Sannyasi and GBC your first duty is to read my books. Otherwise how will you preach? In order to remain steadily fixed in Krishna consciousness there must be a sound philosophical understanding. Otherwise it will become only sentiment. Whenever you find time please read my books” Srila Prabhupada Letter to Satsvarupa -- Nellore, 5 January 1976
...- 30 May 2021
By ISKCON LAHeld every Memorial Day weekend since 1992, this two-day festival gives special honor to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. The Prabhupada Festival was founded as a venue for all followers, newcomers, and interested persons to come together, learn about, and glorify Srila Prabhupada and His accomplishments. The festival includes special talks and remembrances from senior disciples, glorious kirtans, magnificent feasts, a maha harinam, a boat festival, original artistic performances and representatives from diverse preaching projects.
...- 30 May 2021
By Sankirtana DasThere are many examples in the Mahabharata and other Vedic scriptures of the ksatriyas’ or leaders’ duty to protect all the citizens. In the account of King Sibi, the King even protected a dove who sought his shelter when pursued by a hawk. The responsibility of leadership is very great. In the Mahabharata we also hear that when someone came to Arjuna to complain that their cow was stolen, Arjuna’s two options were either to retrieve or to replace the cow.
...- 30 May 2021
By The Monk's PodcastHG Chaitanya Charan Das interviews HG Anuttama Prabhu and HG Rambhoru Mataji about the proper way to deal with emotional issues in the devotional path. "Radical Personalism" is analyzed, the manifestations of proper loving exchanges like giving and receiving attention, genuine appreciation and affection and allowing for complete freedom.
...- 29 May 2021
By a DasaSri Ramacandra Kaviraja, the son of Khandavasi Ciranjiva and Sunanda, was a disciple of Srinivasa Acarya and the most intimate friend of Narottama dasa Thakura, who prayed several times for his association. His youngest brother was Govinda Kaviraja. Srila Jiva Gosvami very much appreciated Sri Ramacandra Kaviraja's great devotion to Lord Krishna and therefore gave him the title Kaviraja. Sri Ramacandra Kaviraja, who was perpetually disinterested in family life, greatly assisted in the preaching work of Srinivasa Acarya and Narottama dasa Thakura. He resided at first in Srikhanda but later ...
- 27 May 2021
By Aditya Varna Devi DasiHow beautiful on the mountain are the feet of those who bring good news (Isaiah 5:27) Through her sharp camera lens and with the point of her pen HG Visakha Dasi takes us on a roller coaster ride through the near 6 years, of her life from 1971 to 1977. Something extraordinary happened to this self-confessed, proud atheist. A Darwinian, which was as she points out the intellectually held position of the day. She traveled to India, camera in tow to meet up with her boyfriend and very much in the mood of an Anthropologist, to capture a culture diametrically opposite to the American...
- 27 May 2021
By the GBC SPTLord Nrsimha roars loudly and causes others to roar. With His multitudes of arms, He tears the demons asunder and kills them in this way. He is always seeking out and tormenting the demoniac descendants of Diti, both on this earth planet and in the higher planets, and He throws them down and scatters them. He cries with great anger as He destroys the demons in all directions, yet with His unlimited hands He sustains, protects, and nourishes the cosmic manifestation. I offer my respectful obeisances to the Lord, who has assumed the form of a transcendental lion.”
...- 26 May 2021
By Syamasundara dasaThe world population are looking for answers to the world’s problems. We read how by taking care of the cow and bulls one earns happiness. Surely we should be working to practically demonstrate this to ourselves first and then express that working model to the world. If we don’t talk about the oxen then the ox disappears from our society as we can see practically. Occasionally you may come across a working ox, but mostly they are kept as zoo animals and work by raising donations, but surely we are meant to be in close synchronization with the words of Lord Caitanya and be eating our ...
- 26 May 2021
By ISKCON MINISTRY OF EDUCATION“All of the leaders should study my books very carefully, since now everyone will have to appear for the examination” Srila Prabhupada Letter to Jayatirtha -- Mayapur, 22 January 1976
...- 26 May 2021
By Mayapur Sasi dasaFor the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada this report contains the following North American results of book distribution for the month of April 2021. 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
...- 25 May 2021
By Andrew HallumI was repeatedly asked, "What was Jim like in school?" Well, you know, that was quite a few years ago. I had even forgotten, or just not given a thought to the fact that Jim and I lived in the same cabin in summer camp. I forgot that until I came upon the 1951 camp photo. And the photo of Jim on the front of the chariot is unrecognizable because of the years, the Hare Krishna robes Jim is wearing, and because as they said, the photo is not a good one because it was not taken until Jim was very ill. I told them that Jim was very funny. They ...
- 25 May 2021
By Vishoka dasFrom Jayananda's mother, taken from Radha-Damodara Vilasa by Vaiyasaki Dasa – Mrs. Kohr: At the age of four he was taken to a service in what we call the big church in Dayton, Ohio. He was very restless, standing up in the sanctuary and looking around. His grandmother inquired, “Jimmy, what's wrong? What are you doing? What are you looking for?” “Where is God?” he replied. Gaynelle Kohr Pietrangelo (Jayananda's sister) Jim was kind to animals, too. I know he was on a beach in California an...
- 25 May 2021
By Bhaktivinoda ThakuraSrila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has written five beautiful prayers in “Sri Navadvipa Bhava Taranga” for receiving the mercy of Lord Narasimha. These prayers are certainly assurance to all sincere devotees that the worship of Lord Narasimha is purely in the line of aspiring love and devotion to Sri Sri Radha and Krsna.
...- 24 May 2021
By The GBC SPTPrahlāda said: The Lord does not need anyone’s prayers, but if a devotee offers his prayers to the Lord, the devotee benefits greatly. Ignorant persons born in low families, therefore, can sincerely offer heartfelt prayers to the Lord, and the Lord will accept them. As soon as one offers his prayers to the Lord, he is immediately situated on the Brahman platform.
...- 23 May 2021
By Sahadeva dasaThis is an introduction to a classical Bengali biographical work, Sri Chaitanya Bhagavata which describes the life and teachings of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
...- 23 May 2021
By Cintamani Dhama Devi DasiI know that if I really want to help my children, I have to help them become conscious of Krishna. To do that, I too have to become Krishna conscious. After all, you can't give what you don't have. Children are sensitive to hypocrisy. You can't tell them "Chant Hare Krishna, offer your food to Krishna, don't take drugs or have illicit sex" unless you practice what you preach. If we want our children to be devotees, we have to teach by our own example. To me ...
- 22 May 2021