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ISKCON Connection Newsletter, Issue 28, September 22, 2019
 
Prabhupada Nectar
So far I am concerned I always take risk for Krishna. I came here in your country risking my life

Letter to Gargamuni -- Los Angeles 12 February, 1968

Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated Feb. 10, 1968, and have noted the contents. The matter is little more risky in the sense that the rent is $400 per month, but you have assurance from friends and your own resources of $250, so balance is $150 which I think you can collect from the meetings very easily. So far I am concerned I always take risk for Krishna. I came here in your country risking my life. And still although I am physically unfit, I am trying to execute the orders of my Guru Maharaja as far as possible. So to take risk for Krishna is very good. You know the history of my starting the society in 1966, it was all risky, and I was alone, but I took it depending on Krishna. So I think if you take the risk of $150, for Krishna's sake, Krishna will supply you the required money undoubtedly. It depends however on your personal discretion, but I am hopeful that if you take the risk it will not be bad. In the meantime, Upendra is also released earlier from his internment, and I think if he takes some job he can also help. So try to open this branch and let us depend on Krishna's Good Will.

 

 

 

 

ISKCON News

Courtesy of iskconnews.org

Deity Worship Ministry Releases Paper on the Use of Non-Synthetic Hair for Deities
Deity Worship Ministry Releases Paper on the Use of Non-Synthetic Hair for Deities

To clarify ISKCON Deity Worship Ministry’s position regarding the use of wigs for deities and to establish the reasons for permitting only synthetic hair, not human or animal hair, for the deities in ISKCON temples.

Read More

New Vrindaban Project Seeks Photos of Srila Prabhupada’s Bahulaban Visits
New Vrindaban Project Seeks Photos of Srila Prabhupada’s Bahulaban Visits

New Vrindaban’s Bahulaban Heritage Project is making a heartfelt appeal to devotees and friends worldwide: if you possess personal photographs or videos of Srila Prabhupada’s visits to New Vrindaban—especially from the years 1972, 1974, and 1976—your memories could help bring the Bahulaban Heritage property and Parikrama to life for future generations.

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August 22, 2025: Ambarisa Dasa Health Update
August 22, 2025: Ambarisa Dasa Health Update

By the power of your prayers and Krishna’s unlimited grace, Ambarisa Prabhu has been discharged from the hospital and is now back in rehab. However he is not feeling well.

Read More

ISKCON of Houston’s Janmashtami Festival Draws Thousands
ISKCON of Houston’s Janmashtami Festival Draws Thousands

A lively tapestry of vibrant music, colors, and devotion unfolded at the ISKCON temple in Houston. On a warm evening, over 10,000 enthusiastic devotees gathered to celebrate Janmashtami, the divine appearance of the Supreme Lord, Krishna.

“It was a really magnificent event,” said Sarang Thakur Dasa, ISKCON Temple President. “We had record-breaking attendance. Even during our morning hours, we had almost 1,500 visitors come through to take darshan.”

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ISKCON Urged to Turn Values Into Action During World Cleanup Day on September 20th
ISKCON Urged to Turn Values Into Action During World Cleanup Day on September 20th

ISKCON communities, schools, and individual devotees are encouraged to participate in World Cleanup Day (WCD) on Saturday, September 20, 2025. WCD is a global event aimed at combating litter and waste pollution. In 2024, over 20 ISKCON congregations around the world contributed their part in caring for the Earth by picking up trash and removing litter along rivers, parks, and roadways, as well as tidying up their own temple properties. Devotee communities in Australia, India, Italy, the United States, and Sweden enthusiastically took part in 2024.

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Bhaktivedanta Manor Releases Highlights from 2025 Janmashtami Celebrations
Bhaktivedanta Manor Releases Highlights from 2025 Janmashtami Celebrations

The ISKCON Bhaktivedanta Manor released highlights from its Janmashtami event, the largest festival held at the Watford, UK community, with as many as 50,000 people attending over the course of two days. To view the video produced by Filmwork Studios, click below:

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ISKCON Boston to Celebrate 60th Anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s Arrival in the US
ISKCON Boston to Celebrate 60th Anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s Arrival in the US

On September 12–14, 2025, ISKCON Boston will host a three-day festival marking the 60th anniversary of Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada’s arrival in the United States, the historic event that began the Hare Krishna movement’s worldwide mission.

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On September 12–14, 2025, ISKCON Boston will host a three-day festival marking the 60th anniversary of Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada’s arrival in the United States, the historic event that began the Hare Krishna movement’s worldwide mission.
Back to Godhead at 80: Historic Magazine Needs Urgent Support to Survive

Back to Godhead (BTG), the International Society for Krishna Consciousness’ flagship magazine, is facing a financial crisis that could put its historic publication at risk.

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Radhika Das Brings Sacred Sound to 9 India Cities This November
Radhika Das Brings Sacred Sound to 9 India Cities This November

This November, prepare for a soul-stirring musical journey as London-based Kirtan artist Radhika Das brings his powerful message of spiritual connection to India. The Radhika Das Kirtan Concert is set to tour across nine major cities, uniting thousands in a celebration of mantra, music, and collective devotion. This isn’t just a series of concerts; it’s a movement of joy, unity, and spiritual connection.

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Thousands Gather for ISKCON Harrisburg’s 15th Rathayatra Celebration
Thousands Gather for ISKCON Harrisburg’s 15th Rathayatra Celebration

ISKCON of Harrisburg celebrated its 15th Annual Hare Krishna Festival of India on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at City Island, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Devotees from neighboring states on the East Coast gathered and participated in the festival. “The 15th Annual Ratha Yatra is a milestone for the devotees of ISKCON Harrisburg. This year’s festival was extra special – more colorful, ecstatic, and fun,” said Anasuya Devi Dasi from ISKCON Harrisburg. 

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Bhakti Centre Brings Nourishment and Joy to Gold Coast Campus
Bhakti Centre Brings Nourishment and Joy to Gold Coast Campus

For the past four years, Bhakti Centre Gold Coast has been bringing more than just delicious vegetarian meals to students at Griffith University—it has been creating moments of warmth, connection, and spiritual upliftment. What began as a desire to revive a prasadam distribution program has blossomed into a campus tradition, now officially recognised and supported by the university.

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Young Devotees Embrace Krishna Consciousness at ISKCON NYC Summer Camp
Young Devotees Embrace Krishna Consciousness at ISKCON NYC Summer Camp

The ISKCON New York City temple concluded its annual Summer Ashram Program for 2025, after five inspiring weeks of Krishna-conscious training for young devotee men aged 16 and above. Participants immersed themselves in a lifestyle of spiritual discipline, service, and deep connection with Srila Prabhupada’s legacy—right in the heart of Manhattan.

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582 Offerings from 13 Nations Fill New Pan-African Vyasa-Puja Book
582 Offerings from 13 Nations Fill New Pan-African Vyasa-Puja Book

BBT Africa has released the 2025 Pan-African Vyasa-Puja Book honoring Srila Prabhupada, now available for download here. This year’s edition is especially significant as it marks the 50th anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s arrival in South Africa, commemorated on the cover with a historic image of his landing at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport on October 14, 1975.

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Dandavats

Courtesy of dandavats.com

Is Jiva Gosvami’s philosophy the same as Sri Caitanya’s?
Is Jiva Gosvami’s philosophy the same as Sri Caitanya’s?

By Dina Dayala dasa

Speaking about Jiva, Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, founder of the present-day most influential Gaudiya-Vaisnava organisation, ISKCON, said: “The Vaisnavas are by far the greatest philosophers in the world, and the greatest among them was Srila Jiva Gosvami.” (Bhaktivedanta, 1983, 354). Jiva is not only praised amongst the followers; acknowledging his greatness, Benares Hindu University dedicates an entire department to the study of his works. Jiva Gosvami’s importance and role in the beginning days of the Gaudiya–Vaisnavas movement cannot be underestimat...

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From Death to Immortality
From Death to Immortality

By Atmattatva das

According to our consciousness at the time of death we receive a suitable body. What we remember at the time of death is not just a matter of the momentary thought that occurs. What we have done throughout our entire life will naturally come to our mind as we leave our body. Just prior to death, our entire life is flashed before our mind's eye in a split second. One particular event will be very attractive to us, and we will focus on that. Based on that desire we will be given our next body, som...

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Position paper on the use of non-synthetic hair for deities
Position paper on the use of non-synthetic hair for deities

August 2025 Purpose: To clarify ISKCON Deity Worship Ministry’s position regarding the use of wigs for deities and to establish the reasons for permitting only synthetic hair, not human or animal hair, for the deities in ISKCON temples. 1. Background Within ISKCON, the dressing and ornamentation of the deity is an important part of worship....

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Deadly D’s to determination
Deadly D’s to determination

By Hemarupa Caitanya Das

Determination is vital either in material or spiritual life. This determination exhibits a devotee’s hankering and sincere desire for attainment of the perfectional stage of devotional service. Lord Brahma, the original first living being was entrusted with the service of engineering the material world, based on the raw ingredients provided by the Lord, under His direction and empowerment. In the course of his creation, Lord Brahma faced five obstacles, from which we too can derive lessons that pertain to our own practice and execution of devotional service. Lord...

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All Devotees Should Write
All Devotees Should Write

By Premanjana Das

If you sit down and write some article on Krsna, that means you have to concentrate on Krsna's activities or Krsna's devotees' activities, and that very process will purify your heart. Therefore we always recommend to our students that you write articles, read our magazine, read our book

...

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The “bomb” he dropped on my life
The “bomb” he dropped on my life

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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Remover of Obstacles
Remover of Obstacles

By Ganesh das

Brahma-samhita (5.50) “I worship the primeval Lord, Govinda. Ganesha always holds His lotus feet upon the pair of tumuli protruding from his elephant head in order to obtain power for his function of destroying all obstacles on the path of progress in the three worlds.” A devotee who is aspiring to obtain pure devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead may pray to Ganesha to remove all impediments on the path of spiritual progress. “Vinayaka (Ganesha) is effulgent like millions of suns. In all our matters, we pray to him to remove all our hurdles and impe...

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The Deeper Meaning of the Name
The Deeper Meaning of the Name

By Sri Nandanandana dasa

"In what form does He appear in Vrajabhumi? Gopa-vesha, venu-kara, nava-kishora, nata-vara. (Cc.Madhya, 21.101) That is the beautiful form of kishora-krishna. He is a youthful cowherd boy, bent in three places, with a flute in His hand. Nava-kishora means nitya-kishora, eternally ten or twelve years old. He never grows beyond that. At every moment He appears newer, newer, and newer–nityam nava-navaya-manam. He is never the same and He never becomes old. That nava-kishora form is in Vrajabhumi. And venu-kara, He has a flute in hand. This flute is not in Mathura and not in Dwarka. I...

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ISKCON of Houston’s Janmashtami Festival Draws Thousands
ISKCON of Houston’s Janmashtami Festival Draws Thousands

Click here for more photos A lively tapestry of vibrant music, colors, and devotion unfolded at ISKCON temple in Houston. On a warm evening, over 10,000 enthusiastic devotees gathered to celebrate Janmashtami, the divine appearance of the Supreme Lord, Krishna. “It was a really a magnificent event,” said Sarang Thakur Dasa, ISKCON Temple President. “We...

Read More

Death and Dying in the Vedic Tradition
Death and Dying in the Vedic Tradition

By Giriraj Swami

In 1969, when I was a student of psychology at Brandeis University, I met my spiritual teacher, Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. In 1970, after studying with him for a year and a half, I accompanied him to India. And in 1977, he taught us by his example how to leave the world in proper, pure consciousness. He retired to Vrindavan, a holy place in India, and surrounded himself with devotees who were always chanting or reading to him from sacred literature. Being in such a holy place was ...

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Ksatriya Training
Ksatriya Training

By Shyama Darshani dasi

In a recent interview with the GBC Strategic Planning Team, Sesa Prabhu, my father, spoke about ksatriya training. I found the letter that was referred to in the interview which he wrote to Jagadish Maharaj on the topic in 1983. Being an educator myself, I found this a relevant subject to today’s world in ISKCON and want to put it forth for publication on Dandavats.

...

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The Flight of the Soul
The Flight of the Soul

By Vicitravirya Dasa

Through the ages Western man has alternately pondered or ignored death, the most persistent yet least understood fact of our existence. In the year A.D. 138, the great Roman emperor Hadrian lay dying in a villa overlooking the Bay of Naples. For many years he had been the mighty ruler of the Western world, governing an empire that stretched for thousands of miles. In the course of his eventful life as soldier/statesman, he encountered diverse peoples of many customs and faiths. From these people he had perhaps heard various ideas on the supreme challenge that now faced h...

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Remembering Vyasa Puja with Srila Prabhupada in Japan, 1970
Remembering Vyasa Puja with Srila Prabhupada in Japan, 1970

By Chintamani dasi Everyone always wanted Srila Prabhupada to come to their temple, especially if it was Janmashtami and Vyasa puja. We often didn’t know where Srila Prabhupada would go next, sometimes there wasn’t much warning. It was either by a letter or phone call to our Japanese temple that we found out the good...

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The Les Crane Show – the first television appearance of Srila Prabhupada in LA
The Les Crane Show – the first television appearance of Srila Prabhupada in LA

By Mukunda Goswami

The swami arrived in Los Angeles the day before the show and spent the afternoon recuperating from the flight in his apartment on Saturn Street. The following night, we headed down to the studios for our first television appearance. March met us at the door and led us through a warren of corridors to a small room. “We’re going to start with a warm-up interview so you get used to how the show is run.” She opened the door to a larger room and motioned for us to go in. There were already two ...

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The Value of Human Life
The Value of Human Life


SB 1.2.7 HG Vishaka Mataji

ISKCON New Mayapur, France

Watch Now

 

What Made Arjuna Finally Surrender?
What Made Arjuna Finally Surrender?

Bhagavad-gita As It Is 4.11

Shaunaka Rishi Das, Bhaktivedanta Manor 14. August 2025

Watch Now

 

 

 

 

TOVP News

Courtesy of tovp.org

Incredible Innovation: HariBol Foods Partners with ISKCON Mayapur to Pioneer IoT-Driven Cow Care, Provides Mobile Healthcare Van
Incredible Innovation: HariBol Foods Partners with ISKCON Mayapur to Pioneer IoT-Driven Cow Care, Provides Mobile Healthcare Van

Mayapur, 19 August 2025 – HariBol Foods, India’s foremost cruelty-free food brand recognized by the World Economic Forum, has announced a landmark partnership with ISKCON Mayapur, the global headquarters of ISKCON. Together, they will implement HariBol Food’s advanced AI- and IoT-enabled cow health monitoring ecosystem at ISKCON Mayapur’s go-shala, marking the beginning of a new era of transparency and spiritual engagement in cow care.

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AMBARISA PRABHU DAILY HEALTH UPDATES FROM TOVP VICE CHAIRMAN H.G. BRAJA VILASA DAS
AMBARISA PRABHU DAILY HEALTH UPDATES FROM TOVP VICE CHAIRMAN H.G. BRAJA VILASA DAS

We are most grateful for your sincere prayers for Ambarisa Prabhu, who is slowly recovering from his recent serious setback. His family express their deepest gratitude for the continued prayers and heartfelt support from everyone in Srila Prabhupada's family during this difficult time.

After spending the night in the Emergency Room, he was readmitted to the hospital. The doctors will decide on his discharge once his current treatment is completed, after which he will return to rehabilitation.

Read More

The TOVP Story 2009 - 2025
The TOVP Story 2009 - 2025

The TOVP Story has unfolded in a magnificent way. From its inception in 2009 to the beauty it has transformed into, watch the story unravel.

Watch Now

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

A lecture by Dr. Richard L. Thompson (Sadaputa Dasa)

Science and Atheism

Srimad Bhagavatam 3.18.5
Alachua, Florida
1996

Sadaputa Dasa (Dr. Richard L. Thompson) proposes that deterministic chaos, known popularly as "the butterfly effect", seriously undermines Laplace's doctrine of planetary orbit stability, which is universally accepted by today's scientific community. He reminds us that most of the founding fathers of western science considered divine intervention necessary for maintaining order in the universe.

Listen Now

 

 

 

 

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.

28 August, 2025 (Thursday)
Srimati Sita Thakurani (Sri Advaita\'s consort) -- Appearance

31 August, 2025 (Sunday)
(Fast till noon)
Radhastami: Appearance of Srimati Radharani

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

Email: office@iskconconnection.org

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