By Kesava Krsna dasa‘Once bitten twice shy’ may be the general maxim. Does it mean we should suspect every devotee around us? Some discriminators say we are being naïve if we see only the good in devotees. Are we being naïve if we see only the good in others? Many of us are accustomed to the intellectual cynicism afforded by ‘free’ democratic societies. The news we read or hear, and judicious endings to court cases are often the work of investigative journalists or police work, who often test the limit...
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- 15 Sep 2015
By Madhumati Pushkarini Devi DasiWith around 117 participants from more than 30 ISKCON centers across the country, the training brought home the message very clearly that ISKCON, as an organization, is now seriously working towards creating safer environments for children, be it in temples or in schools. Thus we had participants who represented not only ISKCON schools but also temples and devotee congregations. A unique aspect of the training program this time was the collaboration of the ISKCON Ministry of Educa...
- 14 Sep 2015
By Rajesh Hirani A real life courtroom drama based on a debate of the existence of God. This year the PS Alumni have made a production that attracted thousands of viewers to take part and dive deep into the jury for this jaw dropping drama. Since time immemorial, theists and atheists have debated on the existence of God all over the world. PS Alumni tackled this age old debate via a court room drama production. Prepare to have concept of science and religion changed forever! Questions Answered - Who is God? - H...
- 14 Sep 2015
By Bhakti Caru Swami (Class given 9/12/2015 at Dallas) The purport of the verse is that even Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu — He is God himself, Krsna Himself — He felt, alone, unable to do this task. He felt. So this is the position. You are cooperating; therefore I am getting the credit. Otherwise alone what could I do? Ekaki amara nahi paya bolo. Caitanya Mahaprabhu Himself wanted our cooperation. He is God, Krsna. And therefore cooperation is very important thing. Nobody should think that “I have got so grea...
- 14 Sep 2015
By Narayani Devi DasiOne of the main teachings of the Bhagavad-gita is the distinct difference between the body and the soul. We will compare the nature of both and how this understanding can help us achieve a better quality of life and ultimately complete self-realization. The body is a machine, like a motor car is a machine. I am within this body as the driver is within the motor car. So, the first thing is to understand that that I am not this body and I am not this mind. I am a spirit soul. I have projected m...
- 14 Sep 2015
By Vaishnavanghri Sevaka dasThis is a video song to glorify ISKCON Founder Acharya His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. HG Vaishnavanghri Sevaka das composed this melodious song in Sanskrit and provided English sub-titles. Completely classical music composition in ragamalika and singing by Smt. Rama Jayanthi presents nectar to ears. The video presents a beautiful Indian classical dance (Bharatanatyam) on the song by Miss Radhika Ramakant Sharma performed during Sri Krishna Janmashtami celebration...
- 13 Sep 2015
By Sahadeva dasaSpirituality varies according to the time of day - and we feel it most in the morning. One might expect spiritual souls to have God on their mind all day. But a new study says people are at their most religious in the morning.[1] Researchers at the University of Connecticut, using data from the ongoing SoulPulse study which collects data using participants' smartphones, tracked spiritual awareness in real-time during participants' normal daily activities. A total of 2,439 people in the US t...
- 13 Sep 2015
By His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami PrabhupadaOn September 13, 1965, Srila Prabhupada wrote the following prayer on board the Jaladuta steamship bound for America. I emphatically say to you, O brothers, you will obtain your good fortune from the Supreme Lord Krishna only when Srimati Radharani becomes pleased with you. Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur, who is very dear to Lord Gauranga, the son of mother Saci, is unparalleled in his service to the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna. He is that great sa...
- 13 Sep 2015
By Romapada DasPreferably a graduate who has experience in creating or maintaining websites, and has used content management software Past experience in creating and maintaining websites must be demonstrated with a proven track-record in using Wordpress Knowledge of HTML would be an advantage, but not necessary Working Hours: Four to six hours a week. How to apply: The ISKCON 50 Webmaster will report to the International Coordinator for ISKCON 50 and will work under the guidance of the International Executive...
- 13 Sep 2015
By Gour Govinda Swami“These three desires are antaranga-karana, the internal cause of Krsna’s appearing as Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and it was unfolded in the Gambhira with His very intimate associates. That is why the Deity of Radha-Kantha is there. Radha-Kantha is kisora-krsna, the very beautiful, eleven-year-old Krsna in Vrajabhumi. Whatever lila Krsna performs in Vrajabhumi, His svayam-rupa-lila, is Radha-Kantha’s lila. The pure, loving conjugal dealings of Krsna with the gopis is sadhya-vastu. That pre...
- 13 Sep 2015
By ISKCON of DCHari-kirtana dasa leads a discussion on the role of ethics in the Gita’s teachings. For contemporary people who value peace, one of the biggest challenges to understanding the Gita is Krishna’s insistence that the war Arjuna must wage is ethically correct. The larger role of ethics in the Gita’s discourse on the elevation of consciousness is often lost in the paradox of Krishna’s simultaneous advocacy of non-violence for those on the path of yoga and and his encouragement of Arjuna to fight ...
- 12 Sep 2015
By Bhakti Caitanya SwamiSimply by Narada Muni’s presence, Mrigari was getting purified. He asked Narada Muni how he could get free from the sinful acts he had committed so far. Narada Muni replied that he could, provided he followed the Muni’s instructions. When Mrigari agreed to do so, Narada Muni first instructed Mrigari to break his bow. Mrigari hesitated. His bow was his only means of sustenance. He and his family would starve if he gave up his bow. Narada Muni assured him that he would take care of Mriga...
- 12 Sep 2015
By Iskcon MayapurDue to the onset of festival season with festivals like Janmashtami, Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasa puja and Radhashtami, thousands of pilgrims are visiting Sri Dhama Mayapur. This is a stark contrast when we look a month back as devotees were leaving Mayapur due to the flood. Entire ISKCON Mayapur campus was flooded then which led to a huge loss of resources. We heartily appreciate the sincere efforts and prayers of all devotees by which Mayapur could be back to normalcy. ISKCON Mayapur management e...
- 12 Sep 2015
By Buddhimanta Dasa His Holiness Lokanath Swami Maharaj’s book ‘Vraja Mandala Darsana’ was internationally launched by Honourable Indian State minister of Culture & Tourism, Dr. Mahesh Sharma at ISKCON Noida temple on 9th Sept.2015 at 11am. Noida MLA Mrs.Bimla Batham was also present there. Mr.Minister mentioned that Govt. of India has chosen out of many proposals, ISKCON, to be Govt. partner in celebrating Lord Caitanya’s 500th anniversary of Vraja Mandal Prikrama. Mr.Minister glorified the contents of th...
- 12 Sep 2015
By Iskcon ParsippanyWith great pleasure, we cordially invite you to the Bhumi Puja and Groundbreaking Ceremony for the new ISKCON (Krishna) temple in Parsippany, New Jersey. This will be the first ISKCON temple in the Northeast that will be built in a traditional, Vedic architectural style and will feature beautiful elements such as shikhars (domes) and jharokhas (decorative windows) among others. This is a once in a lifetime event welcoming Lord Krishna’s temple to the community and will feature traditiona...
- 11 Sep 2015
By Gopal Bhatta das and Pancharatna dasaWe're happy to announce that since our web site ISKCONOnline.com was launched over 8,000 people have visited our site, more than 200 devotees completed our online participation form and over 450 subscribed to our newsletter. Thus we have had a good start towards our primary purpose of “creating an association of interested devotees who will improve the quality, relevance and relatability of ISKCON’s presence on the internet.” Now, we want to take this effort ...
- 11 Sep 2015
By ISKCON 50 Global OfficeThe Global Office of ISKCON’s 50th anniversary has requested temples around the world to try and observe the fiftieth anniversary of two poems that Srila Prabhupada wrote on board the Jaladuta in September 1965. Srila Prabhupada wrote the first poem, ‘Prayer to the Lotus feet of Krishna’ on 13th September 1965 on board the Jaladuta, and the second one, ‘Markine Bhagavata Dharma’ while the Jaladuta was docked at Boston Harbour on September 18th 1965.
...- 11 Sep 2015
By Indradyumna SwamiThe Sadhu Sanga Festival is taking place this week on the Black Sea coast in southern Russia. But infinitely more beautiful is the sea of 6,500 devotees chanting and dancing in great ecstacy here. Today myself and Bada Haridas are departing for Mongolia. It is difficult to leave this historic event and the association of so many loving devotees!
...- 11 Sep 2015
By Mayesvara DasaThe Seed Verses of Bhagavad Gita (Bg 10.8-11) The word seed suggests that it has the potential to grow into something bigger then itself. The verses that are accepted as the “Seed” verses of the Gita do exactly that. They are also sometime referred to as the Catur-Sloka because there are just four (Catur) seed verses (Slokas). The 700 verses of Bhagavad Gita are generally accepted as the summary study of the entire body of Vedic knowledge. Yet within the Gita these “Seed verses” ...
- 10 Sep 2015
By Rukmini Devi DasiDo you sometimes come to the temple and wonder about who are all these figures on the altar? Is this some kind of idol worship? Are we not supposed to ask? And we hear that Bhakti is a monotheistic tradition: How is that, when there are eight different figures on the altar? If you were raised in a tradition different from Bhakti, (and most of us were…) this kind of worship is likely to feel a bit foreign or even uncomfortable to you. Rukmini Walker will try to unpack how the Bhakti tradition...
- 10 Sep 2015
By Chaitanya Charan dasThe feature that struck me most about his writing was what could be called its inter-disciplinary scope. He brought bhakti wisdom into a mature dialogue with the yoga tradition in his book Bhakti-Yoga Pilgrimage and with contemporary psychology in his other writings. Drawing pertinent points eclectically to address various current concerns, he then insightfully illumined the underlying issues with the light of aptly distilled devotional insights. Overall, he was one of the pioneers in our ...
- 10 Sep 2015
By Allan TurnerIf not for bad timing, Alfred Ford might not have been booted from the family home. But the young great-grandson of auto magnate Henry Ford chose to announce his conversion to the Hare Krishna movement just as Detroit newspapers trumpeted the Hindu spiritual awakening of Elizabeth Reuther, daughter of United Auto Workers Union president Walter Reuther. Fords and Reuthers mixed as well as motor oil and water, and even a bit of guilt by association was too much for the Ford clan. "They kicked me out...
- 9 Sep 2015
By Romapada das"The special program was celebrated in a factory on the banks of an international canal," explained Govardhandhari Das. "Several hundred people attended the celebration which featured kirtan, aratik, a lecture on Srila Prabhupada's life, and how he stopped in Madhudesha on his way to Boston. Madhudesha is the only Arabic country that Prabhupada visited, and therefore this is a very important place for ISKCON." After visiting the port city in Madhudesha, Srila Prabhupada made several positive commen...
- 9 Sep 2015
Eklavya Das: Sankirtan Prabhu left his body in Switzerland, at his sister’s house who too is a devotee, with all auspiciousness around him....
- 9 Sep 2015