“War! What is it good for? Absolutely nothing.” So sang Edwin Starr in his famous 70’s anthem, ‘War’. Few would argue with that stark assessment as we watch the scenes of yet another conflict with horror. Heartbreaking images of anguished people and their shattered lives in Ukraine flash across our screens, and we pray to Lord Krishna that peace may soon prevail.

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Members and friends of ISKCON have asked how to send money to help devotees in Ukraine and to support relief programs for Ukrainian refugees in the region. Below are authorized sites that ISKCON News has confirmed to date. Bank details for each follow the list of charities/ not-for-profits.

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MELBOURNE, Australia –Approximately a dozen people have been reported dead from the flash flooding that battered northeastern Australia this week, with the wild weather forcing residents to evacuate and schools to close, while thousands of homes have been left immersed in water.

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Over the past week, more than a million Ukrainian refugees crossed the borders to the neighboring countries, fleeing war. Most of them are women and children, like their husbands, fathers, and sons, —all men between the ages of 18-60 — had to stay back to defend their country, not knowing if they would ever see their loved ones again.

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As of this morning, March 3rd, 2022, 8:30 AM EST it has been reported that some of the Kyiv devotees are traveling to ISKCON Farm(s), other cities, and other areas of the country for their safety.

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The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), a worldwide religious community and confederation of over 500 temples and cultural centers, will conduct Chant for Peace events during the weekend of Saturday, March 5th, 2022 around the globe to pray for all people affected by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and surrounding areas.

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A poem for the people of Ukraine by Bhaktimarga Swami

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Vamsi Madhava das, who was shot on February 26th, is ok and is recovering fine. He was able to be taken to the hospital the next day and is recuperating now.

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Hungarian devotees interviewed Saurabh-priya dasa and Ananga Manjari devi dasi on their journey out of Ukraine. Here they share with us their harrowing story.

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It may be news to many, but there is a large-scale, vibrant community of Krishna Bhakti in Ukraine. Niranjana Swami is ISKCON’s Governing Body Commissioner for Ukraine, and in this interview, Raghunath and Kaustubha ask him about the history of Bhakti in the former Soviet Union, and what it was like serving there undercover during Soviet times.

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By Nikunja Vilasini Devi Dasi

Reading or hearing about Krishna’s astounding pastimes in Vrindavana will satisfy our innate spiritual need to be connected with the supreme spiritual person, Sri Krishna. Mundane tales bind us to the material sphere, whereas spiritual tales uplift us. They are ever fresh and purify our hearts. When we are in contact with Krishna’s name, form, abode, and pastimes, we are in direct contact with Him. Our spiritual nature becomes uncovered, and we begin to see things as they are. Free from illusion, we see beyond the purview of the material mind and senses. Wh...

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By Bhayahari Dasa

Satyavrata Muni is raising the perennial philosophical conundrum of predestination versus free will. In reply, Lord Matsya explains that three elements—fate, effort, and time—conjointly affect the course of one’s life. He gives the example of a farmer, whose crop depends on three factors: planting, rain, and time. Planting represents effort, and rain represents fate. If the farmer plants but there’s no rain, he’ll have no crop. And if it rains but he hasn’t planted, he’ll have no crop. Both fate and effort are required, as is time. If we act properly and per...

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By Sri Nandanandana dasa

More devotees should know about the holy town of Shukratal. Shukratal is the place where Shukadeva Goswami spoke the sacred Srimad-Bhagavatam (Bhagavata Purana) to Maharaja Pariksit 5000 years ago. It is located about half way between Delhi and Haridwar, a four to five hour drive, and about 86 kilometers before you get to Haridwar. The little town sits on the banks of the holy Ganga River, where it has cut a swathe through the rocky region. Pilgrims come to visit this holy town, but it is...

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By Badrinarayan Swami

Hare Krishna. Many devotees and friends are asking how they can help the devotees caught in the middle of the deadly and devastating fighting in Ukraine. ISKCON has over 3,000 initiated devotees in the country, over a dozen temples, and three beautiful farms. I have attached a few photos of the main temple in Kiev. ISKCON’s international governing body is in regular, daily contact with the Ukrainian devotees. Because of the very delicate and dangerous nature of the situation, we cannot say more than this.

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By Dvarakadhisa Devi Dasi

Picturing King Rantideva transplanted in modern society, we can imagine that his family would surely be labeled "dysfunctional," and that the king himself would be seen as seriously co-dependent. What sort of pleasure can one derive from suffering on behalf of others? After all, Rantideva didn't create the suffering in their lives. And he was a king why not enjoy the opulence of that position? Obviously, the man lacked a sense of personal boundaries. The activities of King Rantideva are ...

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By Giriraj Swami

“If one tries to spread Krsna consciousness all over the world, he should be understood to be performing the best welfare activity. The Lord is automatically very pleased with him. If the Lord is pleased with him, what is left for him to achieve? If one has been recognized by the Lord, even if he does not ask the Lord for anything, the Lord, who is within everyone, supplies him whatever he wants. This is also confirmed in Bhagavad-gita. Again, as stated here, the best...

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By Giriraj Swami

Srila Jagannatha dasa Babaji lived to a very old age. In fact, some Vaishnavas say he was just waiting for Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura to come—someone to whom he could impart his special knowledge and realization, for the benefit of humanity. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura had requested to be transferred from his post in Orissa to Bengal so he could be near Navadvipa-dhama. And eventually, he was posted at Krishnanagar, near Navadvipa. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura did extensive research to determine the actual birthplace of Sri Chaitanya Mahap...

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By Giriraj Swami

These pastimes with Lord Siva show his true nature, or internal mood, as a Vaishnava, a pure devotee of Krishna. In one pastime the hundred sons of King Barhisat, known as the Pracetas, were engaged in austerities to realize Vishnu, or Krishna. Lord Siva met them and, appreciating their austerities, acted as their guru to guide them.

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By Sri Nandanandana Das

Powerful mantras for protection to the Lord's half-lion incarnation and His weapons. These are for protection from such things as malevolent spirits and material desires, as well as increased devotion and a peaceful world. Also contains the Nrisimha Kavacha. Prayers to the Lord’s Weapons. To the Chakra. To the Club. To the Conchshell. Ugra-Nrisimha Dhyana

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Developing Trust in New Relationships. A look at the Ram Model developed by John Van Epp Phd , developer of How to Avoid Marrying a Jerk.

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By Bhakti Vighna Vinasa Narasimha Swami

In the six principles of surrender, two are of interest, namely, 1) being convinced of Krishna's protection, and 2) keeping the Lord as one's only guardian and master. I am confident that Krishna is protecting me, and that whatever happens will be for my highest good.

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