By Venkata Bhatta DasaOne of Lord Krishna’s most delightful pastimes occurred when Mother Yasoda caught Him stealing butter and took a rope to bind Him. We may wonder, “Is it possible to bind the unlimited Supreme Personality of Godhead?” Yes, but a rope alone is not enough…. (From the Srimad-Bhagavatam, translation and commentary by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.)
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- 1 Nov 2021
By Vijaya DasaThe devotees in Bon Accueil, Mauritius, increased their book distribution in September by 999%, with 4,115 book points. I've been to Mauritius. There are a lot of devotees, and now they seem to be inspired to increase their number. The devotees have preached and distributed books there since Srila Prabhupada visited Mauritius in 1975. Only one-and-a-quarter million people live on the island, and one might think that the country has been covered and there are no more prospects. But where there's a will, there's a way.
...- 31 Oct 2021
By Kesava Krsna DasaThe opening salvo of the preface for The Nectar of Instruction begins thus: “The Krsna consciousness movement is conducted under the supervision of Srila Rupa Goswami.” What does it mean to have this role? How actively involved is Srila Rupa Goswami in our everyday lives? Is he literally supervising all of us? Before understanding this supervisory function, we need to know who Srila Rupa Goswami is in relation to ourselves, our spiritual masters, and the previous acaryas going back to the...
- 29 Oct 2021
By Indradyumna SwamiHow to Make Devotees in the West. "Endangered Species: ISKCON Ashramites in the West,” nicely outlines the shortfalls of ISKCON’s past while providing valuable advice and direction for ISKCON’s future. The strong statements in this book will remind ISKCON leaders about the benefits of ashram training. In addition to being very much a part of the Vedic tradition, ashrams were integral to ISKCON’s initial worldwide growth. Krishna House proves that such ashram training is still applicable even today. Having seen the success of Krishna House firsthand, I wonder why other leaders hav...
- 27 Oct 2021
By Syamananda DasaScientists today are searching for evidence but are not looking for it. You can see a particular event but if you are not exactly trained in the science of investigation you may never find it. Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of the fictional detective Sherlock Holmes, understood this well. In one of his adventures Holmes and a police inspector are both investigating the death of a man. His critically wounded wife was found lying next to his dead body. This is how Doy...
- 27 Oct 2021
By the GBCSrila Prabhupada wrote: “Now this displeasing of godbrothers has already begun and gives me too much agitation in my mind. Our Gaudiya Math people fought with one another after the demise of Guru Maharaja but my disciples have already begun fighting even in my presence. So I am greatly concerned about it . . . Material nature means dissension and disagreement, especially in this Kali yuga. But, for this Krsna consciousness movement its success will depend on agreement, even though there are varieties of engagements. In the material world there a...
- 24 Oct 2021
By Hari Bhakti VilasaSpecifically in the month of Damodara, one should daily worship Lord Damodara and take bath early in the morning, give charity and follow a fasting vow. This is the duty of Vaisnavas. Oh brahmanas, any person who tries to observe a Karttika month without following rules and regulations properly, Lord Sri Krsna remains against them because this month (Karttika) is very pleasing to Him.
...- 22 Oct 2021
By Ekendra dasaThe Vedas do not recommend horse sacrifices nowadays, anyway. They don't work. Better to chant Hare Krishna. And, considering that Yamaraja is the universal superintendent in charge of meting out punishment to those who transgress karmic law, it's easy to appreciate the significance of the following benediction: "For a devotee who worships Lord Vishnu with offerings of malati flowers in the month of Karttika, Yamaraja orders the removal of all his sinful reactions from the account book." (Hari-bha...
- 22 Oct 2021
By Niranjana SwamiH.G. Jasomatinandan Prabhu left this world on October 24, 2020, at the age of 72 due to the effects of the covid-19 virus that he contracted. He was born on Guru Purnima day, July 20, 1948, near Surat, and dedicated his life to ISKCON and Prabhupada’s mission after getting initiated by Prabhupada on Krishna Janmashtami 1972 at New Vrindavan, USA
...- 21 Oct 2021
By Radhanath SwamiOne day Murari Gupta began to reflect, "If I can leave my body in the Lord's presence then that will be very good." For this purpose he fashioned a large dagger and hid it in his house. But the Supreme Lord Sri Caitanya, who is totally omniscient immediately came to his house and called, "Murari!, I have so many pastimes to complete in your company. If you go away then how will I go on? I know everything." Murari caught hold of the Lord's feet and began to cry. Thereafter Mahaprabhu consoled him and after explaining to him many things He returned to His own house. Murari ...
- 19 Oct 2021
By the GBC ECWe offer heartfelt prayers that Lord Nrsimhadeva, the protector of the devotees, may offer his divine protection to the Vaisnava community in Bangladesh, and particularly offer his mercy to the two devotees who were brutally murdered in these attacks, Pranta Chandra das and Jatan Chandra Saha. We also pray for the Lord's loving grace upon Nimai Chandra Das, who remains hospitalized in critical condition
...- 19 Oct 2021
By Kamala Radha Devi DasiAfter two years of research, writing, and debate, the GBC recently ratified and voted into ISKCON law a Code of Ethical Behavior. We spoke with the Code’s author, Yogesvara dasa, about the background to the Code and what changes he hopes to see in Srila Prabhupada’s movement thanks to its passage. The full official Code can be found
...- 18 Oct 2021
By Minister of CommunicationsInternal guidelines for ISKCON Communities for proposed responses to the crisis, including holding prayer/kirtan vigils and a coordinated global harinam/ public protest event on Saturday October 23. ISKCON communities are requested to organize local participation in these efforts in support of our fellow Vaishnavas in Bangladesh.
...- 18 Oct 2021
By Giriraj SwamiOnce, Guru-Gauranga Prabhu, Srila Prabhupada’s disciple who was based in Switzerland, arranged for His Divine Grace to meet the head of the World Health Organization (W.H.O.) in Geneva. Srila Prabhupada was so intelligent and perceptive that when he agreed to meet the person he said that no photos should be allowed. And he explained to us that the W.H.O. was trying to introduce birth control in Third World countries and considered India to be difficult because people in India understood contraceptive methods and abortion to be sinful. “So they will want to take my photo and use it to mak...
- 17 Oct 2021
By Vaisnavananda DasFor those who knew and loved Pita it is a great loss for us and certainly the world at large. Why is the passing of Pita prabhu such a great loss for all? Well, it is difficult to begin extolling his glories, there are so many! Pita prabhu was a great devotee, friendly to all, amicable, compassionate, helpful, very honest, funny, a true Southern gentleman, but most of all his highest virtue is that he loved and served Srila Prabhupada with all his heart and soul! Certainly, people of his caliber, whether devotees or not, have risen above the grade of varna shankara, unwanted population...
- 14 Oct 2021
By Niranjana Swami"People should not expect that even in the Krishna Consciousness Society there will be Utopia. Because devotees are persons, therefore there will always be some lacking -- but the difference is that their lacking, because they have given up everything to serve Krishna -- money, jobs, reputation, wealth, big educations, everything -- their lackings have become transcendental because, despite everything they may do, their topmost intention is to serve Krishna. "One who is engaged in devotional service, despite the most abominable action, is to be considered saintly because he is rightly sit...
- 14 Oct 2021
By Jaganmohini devi dasiWhen Lord Caitanya finished His instructions to Srila Sanatana Goswami, Sanatana, being empowered and enlightened, was so transcendentally pleased that he at once fell at the feet of Lord Caitanya and said: "I am born of a very low family, and I have always associated with lowly people; therefore I am the lowest of sinners. Yet You are so kind that You have taught me lessons which are not even understood by Lord Brahma, the greatest being in this universe.
...- 11 Oct 2021
By Aseem Krsna DasA large group of devotees gathered in Dharamshala, a beautiful and refreshing city located on the slopes of the Dhauladhar mountains. This place boasts of being home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government-in-exile. It is also one of the wettest places in the region. The atmosphere here is cool and pleasant for the most part of the year
...- 6 Oct 2021
By Premanjana DasShri Bhupender Yadav, India's Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister appreciates ISKCON & Govardhan Eco Village for organizing VALUE EDUCATION OLYMPIAD for 2,32,000 students worldwide in collaboration with UN-Environment programme.
...- 6 Oct 2021
By Vijaya DasaA big surprise in August was the comeback of Lima, Peru. I haven't seen a score from Lima for quite some time. The devotees did 2,420 book points, which was a 999% increase for the same month from a year ago. I've distributed books in Lima many years ago. The people are nice, but they don't have much laksmi.
...- 1 Oct 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 August 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
...- 21 Sep 2021
By Giriraj SwamiToday we have gathered for the most auspicious celebration of the appearance day of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura was one of the most prominent acharyas in the disciplic succession after Lord Chaitanya, and his contribution to Gaudiya Vaishnavism and to the world is so great that one devotee called him the Seventh Gosvami. Much of the present Krishna consciousness movement founded by Srila Prabhupada is being conducted under the guidance of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, and today I will focus on some of the areas in which the International Society for Krishna Conscious...
- 18 Sep 2021
By His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami PrabhupadaThis song was sung by Rupa Gosvami. He is the real person, actual person, to understand Radha and Krsna. So he says, "All glories to Radharani." radhe jaya jaya madhava-dayite. "She's so dear to Krsna." Krsna, everyone is trying to love Krsna, but Krsna is trying to love somebody. Now how great She is. Just try to understand. Everyone, the whole world, the whole universe, all living entities, they are trying to love Krsna. Krsna-prema. Lord Caitanya describe...
- 13 Sep 2021
By Samapriya dasiHow can one understand the esoteric personality of Srimati Radharani? She is the principal inspiration for the Lord, and only confidentially revealed in the Vedic scriptures. Yet, She takes shelter within the deepest realizations of pure hearted bhakti yogis. Lord Sri Krsna is bewildered by the profound brilliance of Her transcendental qualities and thus awakens a yearning within Himself to exhibit, absorb and experience Her divine nature. The influence and presence o...
- 13 Sep 2021