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ISKCON Connection Newsletter, Issue 28, September 22, 2019
 
Prabhupada Nectar
I am so glad to see that you are understanding the distinction between Krishna Consciousness and materialistic frustrated consciousness by association with this Movement. Thank you for your nice appreciation of the Spiritual Master

710211 - Letter to Danavir written from Gorakhpur

February 11, 1971

Los Angeles

My Dear Sriman Danavir,

Please accept my blessings. I am very glad to have in hand your letter dated nil from Los Angeles Temple. You are a very fortunate boy that you have got a very good friend in Sriman Madhukanta Das because he has actually saved you from the clutches of Maya. I am so glad to see that you are understanding the distinction between Krsna Consciousness and materialistic frustrated consciousness by association with this Movement. Thank you for your nice appreciation of the Spiritual Master. Unless one has got utmost confidence in both Spiritual Master and Krsna he cannot advance on the path of bhaktiyoga of Krsna Consciousness. Please keep up this nice attitude and render service sincerely and your life will come to perfection, love of Krsna.

I am very glad to accept you as my initiated disciple and I have duly chanted your beads which are returned to you herewith. Your spiritual name is Danavir Das Brahmacari. Danavir means "Hero of charities." Now be very firm in your determination to carry out your devotional duties the first of which is to chant sixteen rounds of the Hare Krsna Mahamantra daily, without committing the ten kinds of offenses to the Holy name and strictly regulating your life to the four principles of no meats, fish or eggs eating; no gambling; no illicit sex-life and no taking of intoxicants. Try to study our philosophy with penetration and understand the sublime nature of this philosophy and its practical necessity for the whole mankind. You are an intelligent and thoughtful boy, so kindly utilize all your good talents faithfully in the service of Krsna and you will be fully happy and swiftly advancing.

Hope this will meet you in good health.

Your ever well-wisher,

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

ACBS:ds

 

 

 

ISKCON News

Courtesy of iskconnews.org

ISKCON Somerset: Cultivating Krishna Consciousness Through Community and Consistency
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Melbourne Temple Celebrates Five Decades of Service
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The Melbourne, Australia Hare Krishna Temple recently celebrated its 50th Anniversary from May 16 to 18, 2025, marking five decades since the establishment of the Melbourne Mahaprabhu Mandir in 1975 by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

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Kalachandji Players Lead a Devotional Drama Revival in Dallas
Kalachandji Players Lead a Devotional Drama Revival in Dallas

Over 500 devotees gathered at ISKCON Dallas this spring to witness two sold-out performances of a new Nrsimha drama written, directed, and staged by a team of second-generation devotees. Known as the Kalachandji Players, this group is leading a grassroots revival of Krishna conscious theater—one that’s drawing standing-room-only crowds and inspiring a new generation of Vaishnava artists.

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SSRRT Celebrating 40 Years: Submit Your Memories Today
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The Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple (SSRRT) in Chatsworth, Durban, will celebrate its 40th anniversary on 11–12 October 2025, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s visit to South Africa in 1975. Since opening in October 1985, SSRRT has drawn spiritual seekers and tourists alike with its striking “east meets west” architecture, vastu-purusha mandala design, and six daily arati ceremonies. 

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ISKCON Child Protection: Ensuring a Safe and Supportive Environment for Our Children
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The newly established Child Protection Office Committee (CPOC) is dedicated to safeguarding the well-being, dignity, and safety of children across ISKCON’s global communities. Our mission is to create an environment where children can grow, learn, and serve joyfully, with the full support of a robust protection system.

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NA-RGB to Host Webinar on Reviving Srila Prabhupada’s Mood of Spiritual Competition
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On Saturday, May 31st, the ISKCON North America Regional Governing Body (NA-RGB) will be hosting an online webinar exploring how Srila Prabhupada powerfully applied the principle of “spiritual competition” to energize our mission to spread Krishna consciousness worldwide.

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ISKCON Devotees Meet with Leo XIV at Interfaith Gathering in Apostolic Palace
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On Monday, May 19, 2025, Pope Leo XIV held a special audience in the Clementine Hall of the Apostolic Palace, meeting with representatives of various religious groups who had come to Rome for his inaugural Mass. This included Orthodox and Protestant leaders, as well as representatives from Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, Sikh, and Jain communities.

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ISKCON Sandton Hosts its Fourth Annual Rathayatra Festival with Grand Success
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Over 10,000 people gathered to celebrate unity in diversity through devotion, culture, and color in Sandton, Africa’s richest square mile. On the first weekend of May 2025, weather forecasts predicted a sharp drop in temperature, but sunny conditions prevailed during the fourth annual Rathayatra Festival.

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Vaishnavi Shares Power of Daily Harinam in Mayapur Dham
Vaishnavi Shares Power of Daily Harinam in Mayapur Dham

In the early days of the COVID-19 lockdown, when the streets of Mayapur were silent and the gates of local neighborhoods were closed, a small group of Western devotees began a daily Harinam Sankirtan that would grow into one of the most consistent preaching efforts in the area. Among them was Purnamasi Devi Dasi, who joined the group during Pandava Nirjala Ekadasi in June 2020. The group—now known as the Jiv Jago Harinam Sankirtan Team—completed five years of daily street kirtan in March 2025.

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Book Review: “HOW TO EDIT KARMA”
Book Review: “HOW TO EDIT KARMA”

In the beloved Vaishnava prayer “samsara davanala lidha loka,” we hear of the blazing forest fire of material existence that engulfs all living beings, and of the spiritual master who, out of boundless compassion, appears to rescue us from these flames. Srila Prabhupada was such a teacher who, despite our complete lack of qualification, delivered the timeless wisdom of Krishna consciousness to the Western world.

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Dandavats

Courtesy of dandavats.com

From London to the World: The Enduring Legacy and Global Influence of the UK’s Hare Krishna Community
From London to the World: The Enduring Legacy and Global Influence of the UK’s Hare Krishna Community

ISKCON UK stands as a transformative force within the global Hare Krishna movement, serving as both a pioneering foundation and a contemporary model for spiritual innovation worldwide. From its historic establishment in London over five decades ago to its current role as a vibrant spiritual community, ISKCON UK has consistently demonstrated how cultural adaptation, educational...

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The Global Vegetarian Revolution: How ISKCON’s Govinda’s Restaurants Transformed Plant-Based Dining Worldwide
The Global Vegetarian Revolution: How ISKCON’s Govinda’s Restaurants Transformed Plant-Based Dining Worldwide

The transformation of vegetarianism from a niche dietary choice to a mainstream culinary movement owes much to the pioneering efforts of ISKCON’s Govinda’s restaurants, which have served as cultural ambassadors for plant-based cuisine across six continents for nearly five decades. Beginning with humble roots in 1979 London, these spiritually-inspired establishments have evolved into a global...

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From Marijuana to Mantra: How a Drug Run Turned Into a Spiritual Awakening
From Marijuana to Mantra: How a Drug Run Turned Into a Spiritual Awakening

Melbourne, 1970s — What started as a casual errand to buy marijuana ended in a life-altering spiritual journey for one young man in Melbourne. As part of a typical day of street outreach, a devotee of the Hare Krishna movement set up near Flinders Street Station, creatively attracting passersby with incense and cheerful conversation. His...

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ISKCON Marks a Milestone in Child Protection with New CPOC Website
ISKCON Marks a Milestone in Child Protection with New CPOC Website

ISKCON’s founder Srila Prabhupada is shown in archival images lovingly offering prasadam to children — an embodiment of his enduring compassion and care for the innocent. Today, that legacy is being powerfully realized in a bold new initiative: the launch of ISKCON’s Child Protection Office Committee (CPOC) website. The official mission underscores that by safeguarding...

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ISKCON’s Digital Revolution: Transforming Global Consciousness Through Social Media Outreach
ISKCON’s Digital Revolution: Transforming Global Consciousness Through Social Media Outreach

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness has orchestrated one of the most remarkable spiritual transformations of the digital age, leveraging social media platforms to spread ancient Vedic wisdom to millions worldwide. Through strategic digital outreach, ISKCON has successfully bridged the gap between timeless spiritual teachings and contemporary global challenges, creating a movement that transcends geographical...

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A Spiritual Transmission Echoes Through the Birthplace of Radio: Chelmsford Hosts Its First Jagannatha Rath Yatra
A Spiritual Transmission Echoes Through the Birthplace of Radio: Chelmsford Hosts Its First Jagannatha Rath Yatra

Chelmsford, 18th May 2025 The town renowned as the birthplace of radio experienced a new kind of transmission this weekend—the transcendental sound of the Holy Names of the Lord—as Chelmsford celebrated its first ever Jagannatha Rath Yatra. This historic and spiritually uplifting event brought together vibrant colours, melodious kirtan, rich culture, and deep devotion, marking...

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Stress vs. Satisfaction
Stress vs. Satisfaction

By Vishakha Devi Dasi

If I truly want to be satisfied, and thus stress-free, I need to truly understand who "I" am. Stress, according to The World Health Organization, is the “health epidemic of the 21st century.” Demanding circumstances make us tense mentally, emotionally, and physically, and over time that tension takes a serious toll on our wellbeing. While there are many ways to deal with stress, one often overlooked and highly effective way is to cultivate a state of inner satisfaction. The word satisfaction, meaning the pleasure derived from the fulfillment of one’s wishes, expectations, or needs,...

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Differentiating material and spiritual attachments

By Radhanath Swami

Shivananda Sen, he was taking all the 200-300 devotees from Bengal to Puri. They were walking so many days. And a little dog just started following. And that dog… he wasn’t a kind of pedigree, beautiful kind of dog. He was just the kind of dogs that you find in the streets of India. He followed. He followed. And Shivananda Sen just saw with such compassion – “If this spirit soul in this dog, if he sees Lord Chaitanya, how much he will benefit! I must serve him nicely.”

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The Perfection of Consciousness
The Perfection of Consciousness

By Karandhara Dasa

From this, we can understand that consciousness merely reflects the experience of whatever it is directed towards, just as the space capsule reflects information from wherever it is directed. If you walk into a store, you can purchase whatever you like some ice cream, some fruit, or some milk. You make the choice. And according to whatever you select, you will have a certain taste experience. Similarly, in our lives and with our consciousness, we can be aware and hav...

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Can I get out of here?
Can I get out of here?

By Brahmananda dasa

In 1971 Prabhupada was having big public programs in India, and one evening an Arya Samajist challenged Prabhupada. He said, "Oh, Swamiji, you have come to India with your western chelas, but we know all these things. This is our culture. Better you go to the other places and do your work there. All right, you have been to the West, but what about the Muslim countries? What about Pakistan? You should go to Pakistan and preach there. Make them devotees." This was in a public pandal with thousands of people. Prabhupada said, "You are chal...

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Why I Left the Ritvik System and Joined ISKCON: My Personal Journey
Why I Left the Ritvik System and Joined ISKCON: My Personal Journey

Eshant Garg: For years, I adhered to the Ritvik belief system, convinced that it represented the most faithful continuation of Srila Prabhupada’s legacy. Like many others, I was drawn to its simplicity and the comfort it offered — that we could remain connected to Srila Prabhupada without the complexities of formal initiation through living spiritual...

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Safeguarding Live Videos from Facebook’s Deletion Policy
Safeguarding Live Videos from Facebook’s Deletion Policy

Hare Krishna. Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! Devotees long utilized social media platforms like Facebook to share live stream videos of spiritual teachings, kirtans, and events, connecting devotees worldwide with the wisdom of revered Gurus such as HH Kadamba Kanana Swami, HH Gopal Krishna Maharaj, HH Bhakti Charu Swami, and...

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Illuminating the World: The Transformative Impact of ISKCON’s Book Distribution Mission
Illuminating the World: The Transformative Impact of ISKCON’s Book Distribution Mission

ISKCON’s worldwide book distribution program stands as one of the most remarkable spiritual outreach initiatives of modern times. Since its inception in the 1960s under the guidance of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, this devoted effort has placed over half a billion books into the hands of readers across continents, languages, and cultural boundaries. The extraordinary...

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Positive Experiences with ISKCON: A Collection of Visitor Impressions
Positive Experiences with ISKCON: A Collection of Visitor Impressions

Throughout the world, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) temples have welcomed countless visitors who have shared their positive experiences. This article compiles genuine testimonials and impressions from people who have interacted with ISKCON centers globally, showcasing the impact these spiritual communities have on outside...

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 A Home Far From Home: ISKCON and the Indian Diaspora
A Home Far From Home: ISKCON and the Indian Diaspora

In neighborhoods from Maryland to Manchester, Indian families have found a piece of home in the gleaming towers and quiet farm communities of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). Far from India’s bustling streets, these Hare Krishna temples and farm ashrams have blossomed into cultural sanctuaries where immigrants and their children reconnect with the...

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ISKCON’s Global Impact: Feeding Souls, Celebrating Faith, Building Community
ISKCON’s Global Impact: Feeding Souls, Celebrating Faith, Building Community

Since its founding in 1966, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) – often known as the “Hare Krishna” movement – has grown into a worldwide network of temples and outreach programs. In city squares and remote villages around the globe, ISKCON temples welcome people from all backgrounds to chant the sacred “Hare Krishna” mantra,...

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Beautiful ISKCON: A Symphony of Devotion, Culture, and Spiritual Grace
Beautiful ISKCON: A Symphony of Devotion, Culture, and Spiritual Grace

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness, lovingly known as ISKCON, is more than a spiritual organization—it is a movement that embodies the timeless beauty of devotion, community, and divine love. Born from the vision of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in 1966, ISKCON has blossomed into a global sanctuary for seekers of spiritual truth, drawing hearts...

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The Brain As Holodeck
The Brain As Holodeck

By Tamohara dasa

The spiritual or eternal self is not the sensations which the soul experiences within and from the body. "yantra rudrani mayaya". What we directly experience is not actually the external hard physical material world, but a REPRESENTATION built by the mind, within the networks of the body's brain, nervous and glandular systems, life air, etc., but primarily the brain, of the occupied body, exactly like a person experiencing the holo-deck from Star Trek fame. Subject, al...

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Lord Please Give Me a Hug
Lord Please Give Me a Hug

HH Indradyumna Swami

Watch Now

 

 

 

 

 

TOVP News

Courtesy of tovp.org

Svaha Dasi Delivers Speech at 1st Annual Indian Community Association Forum, Atlanta, Georgia – March 8, 2025
Svaha Dasi Delivers Speech at 1st Annual Indian Community Association Forum, Atlanta, Georgia – March 8, 2025

Dr. Sharmila Ford (Svaha Dasi), recipient of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA) 2025, was felicitated by the Consulate in a community event held in Atlanta. The Consul General presented Dr. Ford with the medal and certificate conferred by the Hon’ble President of India in recognition of her impactful community service during the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas 2025, held in Odisha.

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TOVP – The Adbhuta Mandir?
TOVP – The Adbhuta Mandir?

Since construction began on the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium in Sridham Mayapur in 2009, many devotees have argued back and forth whether the TOVP is the Adbhuta* Mandir referred to in a prediction by Sri Nityananda Prabhu while taking Jiva Goswami on a parikrama of Navadvipa mandala.

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Presenting the Nrsimhadeva Wing – A Wonder to Behold
Presenting the Nrsimhadeva Wing – A Wonder to Behold

On March 1-2, 2024, the Nrsimhadeva Wing in the TOVP reached the first milestone and opened for all devotees to view. To celebrate the next milestone of completion, another grand celebration took place on Diwali, October 31, 2024: Jvala Nrsimhotsava, Festival of Lights for Nrsimhadeva.

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TOVP & Vedic Science Channel Present
TOVP & Vedic Science Channel Present

Calculation of Time from the Atom
Srimad Bhagavatam 3.11.1

Alachua, Florida October 31, 1995

Thompson analyzes calculations described in this chapter of the Srimad-Bhagavatam that reference motion of an “ultimate particle, which is indivisible,” called the paramanu, or atom. For example, time attributed for the integration of six of these minute particles is considered a truti, or 1/1687.5 of a second. These basic units are then combined to form days, months, years, and yuga cycles lasting 4,320,000 years. One thousand yuga cycles is considered a kalpa, or 4,320,000,000 years. Thompson describes these numbers as corresponding to the time it would take for a celestial body traveling at the speed of the Moon, to travel around the circumference of the Puranic cosmos.

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Srila Prabhupada: 
founderacharya.com, vanipedia.org

The official ISKCON website: iskcon.org,

Find your nearest temple: centres.iskcon.org

ISKCON leadership: gbc.iskcon.org

Education such ar Bhakti-shastri, Bhaktivaibhava etc: Mayapur Institute, Vrindavan Institute for Higher Education, Bhaktivedanta College Europe

News: news.iskcon.org, dandavats.com,

BBT books: bbt.org, krishna.com, vanisource.org, vedabase.com, bbtmedia.com

World Sankirtan Newsletter: wsnl.net/wsnhome.htm

Temple of Vedic Planetarium: tovp.org

Deity Worship and courses: deityworship.com, Mayapur Academy 

Inspiration & Sadhana: 
mayapur.tv, iskcondesiretree.com

Vaishnava Calendars: 
ISKCON GBC Vaishnava Calendar Comitee, GCAL (Gaurabda Calendar, a program for calculation of the calendar for vaisnavas, according Gaudiya-Vaisnava tradition.)

These dates and timings are for Sri Mayapur Dhama. Find timings for your location at the Vaishnava Calendar links.

[No events in this week's Vaishnava calendar.]

Address: ISKCON GBC Office
P.O. Sri Mayapur, Nadia, WB 741313, India

Email: office@iskconconnection.org

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