On September 26th, ISKCON devotee Kunti Devi Dasi, representative of ISKCON Rio de Janeiro to the inter-religious movement since 2020, took a public oath as a counselor of COMPIR-RIO (the Municipal Council for the Promotion of Religious Freedom of the Municipality of Rio de Janeiro).

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YouTube has recently bestowed Bhuvanasundari Radha Devi Dasi with the coveted Silver Button Award for her channel, “Krishna’s Cuisine,” which she began in May 2020. The social media honor is for YouTube creators who have reached the milestone of 100,000 subscribers, a feat only achieved by 0.28% of all YouTube channels.

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ISKCON’s Ministry of Education has released its exciting schedule of speakers for the upcoming “Books are the Basis Week 2023” Festival. The topic this year is Shastra Caksu, that is, seeing the world through the eyes of Srila Prabhupada’s books.

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Nityananda Dasa (Artyom Hvans) offers exceptional courses on the art of chanting shlokas and mantras through his online learning platform, “Sanskrit Sense.” He has tutored more than 3,000 students from 90 countries and has also created a special course on the pronunciation of all ISKCON standard chants and prayers. 

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The popular film “HARE KRISHNA! The Mantra, the Movement and the Swami Who Started It All” continues to reach a growing audience worldwide through multiple online platforms. The ground-breaking documentary was released in 2017 and garnered best picture at the Illuminate Film Festival. 

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This September, ISKCON Croatia celebrated its 40th anniversary with the Zagreb Ratha Yatra and the Maha-Abhisheka of Srila Prabhupada as the closing ceremonies. In 1983, ISKCON was registered in Zagreb not only for Croatia but for the whole of former Yugoslavia. Besides the devotees from all parts of Croatia, devotees from the Slovenian, Bosnian and Serbian yatras also joined the celebration.

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The Mayapur Vrindavan Trust (MVT) has officially announced the dates of the 2023 Kirtan Mela festivals, to be held at their ashrams in Rishikesh and Vrindavan. Devotees worldwide are invited to attend. The festival dates are as follows:

MVT Rishikesh – Tuesday 24th to Saturday 28th October 2023

MVT Vrindavan – Thursday 9th to Saturday 11th November 2023

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In the annals of South African Krishna consciousness, few names shine as brightly as that of Mukhara Devi Dasi. Her life story is a testament to unwavering dedication, selfless service, and an unshakable commitment to spreading the teachings of Srila Prabhupada. With a legacy deeply woven into the fabric of ISKCON South Africa, Mukhara Devi Dasi’s journey is a source of inspiration for generations of devotees, illuminating the path of devotion with her exemplary life.

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New Mayapur hosted a series of retreats this spring and summer with stalwart devotees such as Ananda Vardhana Swami, Bhakti Raghava Swami, Bhakti Vigyana Swami, Bhakti Vikas Swami, Mahavishnu Swami, Radhanatha Swami, Svayam Bhagavan Keshava Swami, Adi Karta Das, Parividha Das, Devaki Devi Dasi, and Mandakini Devi Dasi. They each graced the holy French dham with their transcendental presence and inspired the Sankirtan efforts of the French Yatra.

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By Karuna Dharini Devi Dasi

Krishna is no ordinary ruler. Kings or presidents represent what is grand and powerful in this world. Yet even the finest and most awesome personality is only a small indication of the opulence of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. His very body is constituted of eternity, knowledge, and bliss. Though Krishna as Dvarakadhisha enjoys many sporting battles, He has no one to conquer and nothing to achieve, being always complete in Himself. He always knows exactly what to do in His regal...

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By Gargamuni das

The man said thanks and walked away towards his next car. Little did he or I know how much that two minute exchange would alter my life forever. To this day, wherever he is, I thank him, for the bomb he dropped on my life that afternoon.

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By Navina Syama Dasa

God: The Evidence; The God Delusion; God: The Failed Hypothesis; The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief. Apparently, writing about God is the latest rage among scientists, both theistic and atheistic. Many of these authors have also been invited to speak to college crowds, and they are causing quite a stir. But is this really the best way to approach the question of God’s existence?

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By Chandan Yatra Das

Thakura Haridasa was present during most of the Lord Caitanya's pastimes in Nadia, and when the Lord went to Jagannatha Puri, Haridasa also went and took up residence there. Every day, after attending Lord Jagannatha's mangala arati, Lord Caitanya would come to see Haridasa Thakura and bring him some of Lord Jagannatha's prasadam. When Sri Sanatana Goswami and Sri Rupa Goswami would come from Vrindavana to Puri they used to stay with Haridasa Thakura. Haridasa, in order to maintain the etiquette, would not go near Lord Jagannatha's temple but would offer his obeisances ...

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By Drutakarma Dasa

If you visit the town of Puri on the Bay of Bengal, you will find, amid palm trees and small houses, a stone shrine marking the place where the great saint Haridasa Thakura sat alone or with a devotee companion and worshiped Krsna. There he passed almost the whole day and night simply chanting the Hare Krsnamaha-mantra. He softly repeated the sacred syllables hour after hour, keeping count on his prayer beads until, long after sunset, the holy names had crossed his lips no less than three hundred thousand times. Not far from Haridasa Thakura's secluded hermitage lived L...

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By His Divine Grace A.C.B. Swami Prabhupada

From this statement by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu we can clearly understand that the word yavana does not refer only to a particular class of men. Anyone who is against the behavior of the Vedic principles is called a yavana. Such a yavana may be in India or outside of India.

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By Manu dasa

He was always charitable to brahmanas and equally befriended other castes. He never showed pride, and his amiable disposition was a characteristic feature of his life. He never accepted gifts from anyone; he even declined all honors and titles offered by the government to him on the grounds that they might stand against his holy mission of life. He was very strict in moral principles, and avoided the luxurious life; he would not even chew betel. He disliked theaters because they were frequented by "public women." He spoke Bengali, Sanskrit, English, Latin, Urdu, Persian, and ...

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By Bhaktivinoda Thakura

What are the various definitions of inattention while chanting? A. O Lord! All anarthas are produced when we do not pay attention to our chanting. The exalted devotees have defined inattention as indifference, laziness, and restlessness. (Harinama-cintamani) Q. What is the symptom of a restless chanter? A. Those who are afflicted with restlessness try to finish their prescribed rounds as soon as possible. One should be extremely careful not to commit such an offense while chanting. (Harinama-cintamani)

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By Anantaram das

Devotees often find themselves immersed in conflict with other devotees and thus see their development come to a halt. This has certainly happened to me. By the mercy of Hari-Guru-Vaisnava, this is changing and I am slowly progressing in my spiritual life. I simply try to focus on chanting the holy name and on not committing offenses against any living entities, especially against devotees. I will share with you some excerpts from three books that have profoundly changed my life. I take the opportunity to beg for forgiveness from those Vaisnavas that I have offended by tho...

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By The Sastric Advisory Council

Gradually in ISKCON various gurus, as well as some ISKCON authorities who recommend devotees for 1st and 2nd initiation, have introduced additions, subtractions, and changes to the system of initiation that Srila Prabhupada had for his society. The changes to the giving of the Brahma-gayatri mantra was what first came to the GBC's attention, and so they requested their Sastric Advisory Council (SAC) to research the topic. After years of review and discussion on the SAC's research, the GBC now publishes their paper, along with four related resolutions. Anyone who wants to be e...

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By His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

So, today is a very auspicious day, Thakura Bhaktivinoda’s birthday. Here is the picture of Thakura Saccidananda Bhaktivinoda. He was one of the acharyas of this disciplic succession from Krishna. We have got a succession table from Krishna—a genealogical table. There are two kinds of genealogical tables, one by the semen—the father, his son, his son, like that. That is a material genealogical table. And there is a spiritual genealogical table—disciplic succession. Just like Krishna, the original father, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, spok...

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By Chandan Yatra Das

Vamana avatar, an extraordinary astonishing incarnation of Supreme Personality of Godhead appeared as the son of Kasyapa Muni and Aditi to regain the universe for His devotees- the demigods from the great King Bali who had ruled over the entire universe. He appeared as Lord Vamana, a brahmana dwarf and tricked Bali Maharaja by asking for three steps of land.

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By Radhanath Swami

Bali Maharaj performed a hundred Aswamedha yajnas when he was ruling very powerfully. So little Vamanadev, just by himself, walked with his bare feet and came upon the arena of the sacrifice on the banks of Narmada River. When Bali Maharaj saw him, this little dwarf – he was so effulgent, so beautiful, he radiated such purity and compassion – Bali Maharaj’s heart filled with joy. He stood up, and all the brahmins who were performing the yajna with him, they all stood up to offer honor an...

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By His Divine Grace A.C.B. Swami Prabhupada

So when Vamanadeva appeared, Bali Maharaja was attracted by His beauty as a Dwarf Brahmin, and as he was charitably disposed, he wanted to give Him some charity. But Sukaracharya, being elevated in mystic yogic powers, he could understand that Vamanadeva was Visnu. And in order to favor the demigods, He had come there to cheat Bali Maharaja in the shape of begging some charities. Bali Maharaja was puffed up with his material vanities, and Vam...

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By Kripamoya Das

There are many lessons for Vaishnavas to learn from the narration of His activities, as found in the 8th canto, 18th chapter of the Bhagavat Purana (Srimad Bhagavatam). Amongst the lessons are these: 1. That God comes to this world in many forms; not just once, in one form, or even many times in the same form, but many times in many forms. He is never limited by the form, but remains all powerful. 2. That all other gods are meant to offer homage to Him. They did this when, appearing as a young child, he was awarded the sacred thread by Brihaspati, the guru of the gods. The sun god gave Him the...

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By Dvarakadhisa Devi Dasi

PRAYER, OR vandanam, is the sixth of the nine processes of devotional service. An intensely personal process, it may also be the most universal, for prayers fill the traditions of religions and cultures of the world, creating our most ancient ties and our most common language. Scriptures are filled with prayers that become our friends and companions for life. Nearly everyone has felt the comfort of a childhood prayer, or the companionable stir of belonging when familiar prayers are quote...

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By Bhaktisiddhanta Swami

Srila Prabhupada, our most noteworthy example, established an international society amidst overwhelming physical handicaps or apparent setbacks that became a precursor to a worldwide society. Then there are his sincere followers, whose tests and trials amidst obstacles, have realization, trying their best to fulfill his will. Apart from what should be a 'main concern' of positives; victories, satsanga, kirtans and good times, let us examine the difficulties that we may individually/collectively undergo as we traverse the path of devotion in this present field. We may have an ax to g...

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By Chaitanya Charana Dasa

1. Acknowledge: In our relationships that have gone sour, we can honestly introspect and humbly hear from others to check if we might have been more at error than we have believed. If we come to know of our error, we need to acknowledge it, as did Vali after hearing from Rama. 2. Apologize: Just as arrogant words of judgment can hurt, humble words of rapprochement can heal. We can take huge steps in rebuilding relationships by apologizing like Vali for the wr...

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By Sadaputa Dasa

“Probability is the most important concept in modern science, especially as nobody has the slightest idea what it means. —Bertrand Russell Throughout human history, philosophers and seekers of knowledge have sought to discover a single fundamental cause underlying all the phenomena of the universe, Since the rise of Western science in the late Renaissance, many scientists have also felt impelled to seek this ultimate goal, and they have approached it from their own characteristic perspective. Western science is based on the assumption that the universe can be understo...

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Srimad Bhagavvatam 10.46.44--49

ISKCON Vrindavan, 30.9. 2023

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In this video and article we will introduce you to a new devotee business, HARI:BOL Food for the Soul, an exciting and inspiring bhakti business that is growing rapidly and poised to go worldwide. Join us in this discussion between Braja Vilasa prabhu, TOVP Vice-Chairman and Yachneet Pushkarna, the company CSO (Chief Seva Officer, as he likes to call it). But first, a few words about bhakti and business.

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In July 1986, the Deities of Prahlad-Nrsimhadeava were completed in Chennai, India and installed in Sridham Mayapur during a three-day celebration from July 28-30. This year commemorates the 37th Anniversary of that historic occasion, upon which the TOVP has released the narration of that unique story in a free flipbook.

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‘Gata-varsha’ (The Last Year) is an editorial written by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura for Sajjana Tosani, Vol.12, Issue 1 in 1900. The Thakura reviews the spiritual achievements made during the last year, and predicts that in the future, people from all nations will come to the birthplace of Mahaprabhu. He also mentions his son, Siddhanta Sarasvati in connection to the publication of Padma Puruna.

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‘A video produced by Sadaputa Dasa (Dr. Richard L. Thompson) With the advent of computers in the mid-twentieth century, some scientists predicted it would soon be possible to simulate the human mind. Although much time has passed, they have made little progress in that endeavor. Now a new approach is being inaugurated. Several different groups of scientists are experimenting with projecting the consciousness of subjects into robot bodies moving within computer simulated worlds. Some computer science researchers have linked up the senses of human subjects to a computer, using video monitors and joint movement sensors. This enabled the subjects to experience themselves to be seeing and moving within a three-dimensional computer-generated world. This video reviews some examples of simulated worlds technology. It also explores some interesting parallels between the situation of the subject in the simulated world and that of the conditioned self described in Vedic Sankhya philosophy.

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