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ISKCON Connection Newsletter, Issue 28, September 22, 2019
 
Prabhupada Nectar
Every disciple should always remain busy in some work for Krishna. We shall not allow to remain vacant our mind, and if the mind is always filled up with Krishna Consciousness activities, there is no chance of Maya to sit on the mind

Correspondence

1968 Correspondence

Letter to Mukunda -- Allston, Mass 6 May, 1968

I thank you very much for your nice letter of April 28,1968, written in your own handwriting. Yes, I am keeping well by the Grace of my Guru Maharaja, and I am working also on Srimad-Bhagavatam as well as for a nice edition of Caitanya Caritamrta. The Teachings of Lord Caitanya is being printed, 5000 copies in Japan; and the Bhagavad-gita As It Is, is being published by MacMillan Co. very shortly. The arrangement is complete and things are going on. Now you have to find out some person who can distribute our literature and other things. Sometimes you told me you can find out some man who can take charge of our distribution of literature, now please do it very seriously. Because if we have no outlet for selling the books it will be a problem to get the new stock of books. If there is nice distribution arrangement, then at least 2 to 4 books we can publish every year.

I am very glad that Janaki is busy decorating the temple; this is what I want, that every disciple should always remain busy in some work for Krishna. We shall not allow to remain vacant our mind, and if the mind is always filled up with Krishna Consciousness activities, there is no chance of Maya to sit on the mind and force us to act under her spell. Maharaja Ambarisa he did like that and in spite of his becoming a responsible emperor of the world, he was a great devotee of Lord Krishna, and he successfully winned the challenge of a great yogi, Durvasa.

I am so glad to learn about Haridasi, the fortunate girl in Los Angeles. She has got nice parents, and has the opportunity of being in Krishna Consciousness from childhood. It is therefore needed that we may train some children in our Krishna Consciousness movement, and it will come out very successful. Yamuna devi is also training 2 nice boys in S.F., and they are getting very encouraging achievements. It is very good news that the girl Haridasi is dreaming about Krishna, and Krishna is playing with her; it is very much encouraging. It means she will come out a great and successful devotee of Krishna when she is grown up and young. May Krishna bless her, and her good parents, who are training her in that way. Please offer my thanks to Balarama and his good wife.

I know that Umapati is a very intelligent boy, and he tries in that way, he will come out a nice preacher in the future. If he has decided to remain a Brahmacari, and preaches our movement of Krishna Consciousness, it will be a great success for his life. Please inform him that his intimate friend, Hayagriva, came to see me in New York and we talked very frankly, and he is still my good disciple, and I have asked him to stay with me wherever I may be, and he has agreed. I understand also from him that Kirtanananda Swami is also eager to see me, and we shall be very glad if they come back and work with us conjointly. I am praying for this to Krishna.

It is very nice that you are keeping the Radha Krishna Murti so nicely there with you. No, it is not improper to keep Them at your home, but it must be kept with due veneration and respect. If we keep the Statue of Krishna in our room, we must know that Krishna is present, and as such we must be careful in our dealings, talkings and behavior, as we are present before Krishna directly. The altar should be so made, with curtain, that it may be closed when Krishna and Radha are taking rest. Dress them as nicely as possible, we have so many Radha Krishna pictures, you can take idea from them.

Yes, your observation is perfect. If we spread this Krishna Consciousness movement, certainly there will be an atmosphere of purity and people will be happy both and this life and the next.

Please try for these things, draft deferral and tax exemption. It is greatly needed. You will be pleased to know that Robert Kennedy heard Hare Krishna Kirtana from poet Allen Ginsberg. He is very kind to chant Hare Krishna wherever he goes, as I have requested him to do, and when he met me at San Francisco, he told me that he chanted Hare Krishna before Mr. Kennedy. So I think it is already in his attention.

That is all right, whenever you are able to do so, then contribute 50% of your income to the temple.

Syamasundara wanted to go to London; what is his opinion about this? I am very much eager to open a center in London. If Syamasundara and Malati go there, then one or two other Brahmacaris may go there to organize a center in London; and as soon as it is in makeup then I may also go there for sometime, to deal with the Beatles who are so much anxious to understand about spiritual knowledge. Any sincere person, never mind whether he is hippy or Beatle, if he is actually searching for something beyond this hackneyed material sense gratification, surely he will find the most comfortable shelter under the Lotus Feet of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Who is non-different from Lord Krishna. We should try our best, begging every person to give us some time to listen about this Krishna Consciousness movement, as it is taught by Lord Caitanya.

 

 

 

 

ISKCON News

Courtesy of iskconnews.org

A Poem of Surrender Marks 60 Years in America
A Poem of Surrender Marks 60 Years in America

As ISKCON marks sixty years since Srila Prabhupada first set foot in America, Bhakti Gauravani Goswami has given the community a fitting offering. His new book, Mārkine Bhāgavata-dharma: Make Me Dance, is a devotional edition of ISKCON Founder Acharya – His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada’s Boston Harbor poem, accompanied by translation, commentary, and evocative illustrations. At just under 80 pages, it is a compact work, but one that carries a profound devotional weight.

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Bhaktivedanta University Launches Rural Initiative Blending Tradition and Innovation
Bhaktivedanta University Launches Rural Initiative Blending Tradition and Innovation

Bhaktivedanta University has announced the launch of its second academic pillar, the Faculty of Vocational Education, aimed at revitalizing village life and traditional occupations in the face of rapid urbanization.

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WHNF 2025 Poster Contest – Where Devotion Meets Creativity
WHNF 2025 Poster Contest – Where Devotion Meets Creativity

With this vision, the ISKCON Kirtan Ministry launched a global Poster-Making Competition as part of the World Holy Name Festival 2025. What followed was nothing short of inspiring—nearly 350 devotees from across continents picked up their brushes, pencils, and digital tools, pouring their love for Krishna into art. From delicate hand-painted strokes, to intricate sketches, to modern digital creations crafted in Photoshop and Illustrator, and even innovative AI-assisted designs—every poster became more than just artwork.

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New Film Marks 60 Years of ISKCON, Explores GBC Leadership
New Film Marks 60 Years of ISKCON, Explores GBC Leadership

In honor of the 60th Anniversary of ISKCON’s Founder-Acarya Srila Prabhupada’s first arrival in the United States in September 1965, the ISKCON Communications Ministry has released a film entitled “The Hare Krishnas: The Challenges of Succession and Leadership.” The film documents the history of Srila Prabhupada’s creation of the Governing Body Commission (GBC) of ISKCON, as well as explaining the various functions and departments of the GBC today.

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St. Louis Devotees Release Film on the Bhagavad-gītā, “Geetha Ganam”
St. Louis Devotees Release Film on the Bhagavad-gītā, “Geetha Ganam”

Members of the ISKCON community in St. Louis released a devotional film entitled Geetha Ganam, a project highlighting both the wisdom and beauty of the Bhagavad-gītā.

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ISKCON to Represent Lord Chaitanya’s Vedānta at Global Interfaith Dialogue Course
ISKCON to Represent Lord Chaitanya’s Vedānta at Global Interfaith Dialogue Course

ISKCON has recently been invited to contribute to the prestigious Online Certificate Course on Global Interfaith Dialogue, organized by JIS University, Kolkata, in commemoration of Swami Vivekananda’s historic address at the Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago.

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Bringing Vrindavan to Brazil: The Eco Vrindavan Vision Unfolds
Bringing Vrindavan to Brazil: The Eco Vrindavan Vision Unfolds

In Alto Paraíso de Goiás, a tranquil region in central Brazil known for its crystal waterfalls and sattvic atmosphere, an ambitious project is taking shape. Eco Vrindavan aims to recreate the spiritual mood of Vraja, establishing a fully sustainable and spiritually centered community for devotees in South America and beyond.

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Rising Devotion: ISKCON Ichalkaranji’s Grand Temple Project
Rising Devotion: ISKCON Ichalkaranji’s Grand Temple Project

In the sacred soil of Maharashtra, where saints once walked and bhakti still echoes through the hearts of devotees, a monumental spiritual endeavor is taking shape. The town of Ichalkaranji, nestled in Kolhapur district, is witnessing the birth of one of the largest ISKCON temples in the region—a beacon of devotion, culture, and community transformation.

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Radhastami Celebrations Adorn South Africa with Exquisite Cake Offerings and Devotion
Radhastami Celebrations Adorn South Africa with Exquisite Cake Offerings and Devotion

South Africa’s ISKCON communities united this year in vibrant celebrations for Sri Radhastami, marking the divine appearance of Srimati Radharani with devotional enthusiasm, opulent deity offerings, and unique displays of devotion through cakes and prasadam. The celebrations were especially memorable in Durban, where the temple also commemorated its 40th anniversary.

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Registration Open for 14th European Farm Conference in Hungary
Registration Open for 14th European Farm Conference in Hungary

This year’s European Farm Conference, organized by the Ministry of Cow Protection and Agriculture, will be hosted in Hungary at New Vraja Dhama’s 300-hectare self-sufficient farm on September 25-27th, 2025. The conference will focus on farming, with a special emphasis on cultivating self-sufficient farming communities.

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Carrying the Legacy: Vaishnavi’s Journey as a Kirtan Leader
Carrying the Legacy: Vaishnavi’s Journey as a Kirtan Leader

At just eighteen years old, Mayuri Gandharvika Priya Dasi has already connected with many devotees and listeners through her kirtan and bhajans. A third-generation devotee from New Jersey, she represents both the roots and the future of ISKCON’s musical tradition, continuing her family’s devotional legacy while developing her own voice as a singer and kirtan leader.

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COMING OF AGE #30 – Can Truth Be Subjective?
COMING OF AGE #30 – Can Truth Be Subjective?

To answer this question, let’s look at the definition of truth. The word “truth” subdivides into two categories. There are finite “truths” in the material world, and there are absolute “truths” within all eternal spiritual energy. Finite truth has a beginning and an end. Infinite truth has no beginning or end. It just is and has always been.

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Indian Ambassador Joins Janmashtami Celebrations in La Paz Bolivia
Indian Ambassador Joins Janmashtami Celebrations in La Paz Bolivia

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in La Paz hosted a vibrant celebration of Janmashtami, the appearance day of Lord Sri Krishna, marked by devotional singing, prayers, and cultural unity. The event drew special recognition as the Indian Ambassador to Bolivia, Rohit Vadhwana, along with officials from the Embassy of India, joined the local community in honoring the occasion.

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Dandavats

Courtesy of dandavats.com

A Bridge to God
A Bridge to God

By Satyananda Dasa

ISKCON devotees commonly use the phrase, “Going back home, back to Godhead.”Have you ever thought about what this means when a traveler is anxious to return home? Home is where our family is, where there are people who love us, who trust us. It’s the place we’re comfortable and happy. It’s the place we feel most natural. The world we live in is foreign to the soul; we are strangers in a foreign land. In this alien place we call home we experience so many ...

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Krishna as King
Krishna as King

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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Light Of Hope In The Darkness Of Sorrow
Light Of Hope In The Darkness Of Sorrow

By Madhava Gopal Das

All the conditioned souls of this world tacitly harbor a utopian desire of obtaining perfect happiness. But this world is full of mixed happiness and misery. So the long cherished and long sought after perfect happiness is simply mirage or dream, reality of which can be experienced only in the spiritual world. Here we see that although the king had great opulence, beautiful queens, vast military power, several ministers and soldiers and so on, he was still hopeless and sorrowful.

...

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ISKCON UK completes historic first UK Bus Tour after 3 decades
ISKCON UK completes historic first UK Bus Tour after 3 decades

By Sandipani Muni Krsna das The Hare Krishna Movement has two types of reaching out to people, “outreach” which is bringing in new students and practitioners who have no background in Krishna consoiuness, but another type is “in-reach” which is finding ways to inspire, engage and train the next generation by reaching out to youth...

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Krishna Meditation
Krishna Meditation

By Sivarama Swami

Not only is Srimati Radharani’s love golden—that is the color of maha-bhava—but the color of prema is also like that. So our attachment to Krishna, our love for Krishna when it is offered to Him, it will also increase the greenness of all things, and green of course means that things are growing very nicely. When things become burnt out they turn brown, or when they die they wilt. So similarly, if our thoughts are always green with remembrance of Krishna’s pastimes, then that means we have a healthy state of Krishna consciousness. ...

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O Brahma, whatever appears to be of any value, if it is without relation to Me, has no reality
O Brahma, whatever appears to be of any value, if it is without relation to Me, has no reality

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

According to the Padma Purana, within the material compass there are innumerable material universes, and all of them are full of darkness. Any living being, beginning from the Brahmas (there are innumerable Brahmas in innumerable universes) to the insignificant ant, are all born in darkness, and they require factual light from the Lord to see Him directly, just as the sun can be seen only by the direct light of the sun. No lamp or man-made torchlight, however powerful it may be, can help one see the sun. The sun reveals itself. Therefore the actio...

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“Swamiji at Sea” drama script
“Swamiji at Sea” drama script

By Damodara Pandita das

The Vande Arts Team would like to offer this special drama script depicting Srila Prabhupada's epic voyage on the Jaladhuta. Devotees are welcome to use the script for there own celebrations of Srila Prabhupada's arrival in the USA and throughout ISKCON. This play is heavily musical (the main soundtrack theme is the beautiful “Prayers to the lotus feet of Lord Krishna” as recorded by Indradyumna Swami), with carefully choreographed scenes. A professional soundtrack has been recorded that provides background noise and the musical soundtrack (not the actual lines)...

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Visitor From Calcutta
Visitor From Calcutta

By Hayagriva Dasa

I first see him just after crossing the Bowery at Houston Street. As he passes before the iron-mesh fence of a playground, I distinctly glimpse the aura of saintliness. I watch him through the rushing traffic and stumbling derelicts. He strolls almost jauntily down the sidewalk. He is an old man whom age has never touched. Aloof from the people and bustle about him, he walks proudly, independently, his hand in a cloth beadbag. He wears the saffron robes of a sannyasi, and on his feet are quaint, ...

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Srila Prabhupada’s Arrival in US – Markine Bhagavata-dharma
Srila Prabhupada’s Arrival in US – Markine Bhagavata-dharma

By ISKCON Desire Tree

50 years back, Srila Prabhupada landed in Boston, USA (September 17th, 1965) Before Srila Prabhupada was our Srila Prabhupada, he was a sannyasi struggling alone, trying desperately to fulfill the desire of his spiritual master to share Krishna Consciousness in the west in the English language. He struggled tremendously to single-handedly write, publish, and distribute his Back to Godhead magazine. He established the League of Devotees in an attempt to begin a worldwide movement in India. How...

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Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s Arrival in America
Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s Arrival in America

September 13th, 2025 On this auspicious day, Bhakti Gauravani Goswami presents Mārkine Bhāgavata-dharma – Preaching Krishna Consciousness in America, Śrīla Prabhupāda’s heartfelt prayer to Lord Kṛṣṇa, written upon his arrival at Boston Harbor. This edition features the original Bengali poem alongside word-for-word synonyms, an English translation, and a verse-by-verse commentary that brings its timeless message...

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The gate of the mind
The gate of the mind

By Krishna Ragini devi dasi

There was no time in the history of computers when they have been used for better purposes than today. Previously, a home computer was long time employed for entertainment, thus becoming a tool for a wasted life. Nowadays, under the restrictions imposed by the pandemic to social gatherings, more important or uplifting activities took shelter in the virtual space. Giving in this way to the computers an opportunity to nurture our higher nature. Lots of courses, webinars, spiritual classes or kirtans made their way to the internet, like never before. In this way, computers proved the...

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Promoting the Vedic Culture
Promoting the Vedic Culture

By Bhakti Nilaya das

A sign of a good leader is that he does not request those under him to do something that he is not prepared to do. So before we desire to distribute this Vedic culture to the whole world, we ourselves have to be following it in such a way that nobody can find even a minute discrepancy in our practice. People are too attached to their sense gratification and won't be so readily eager to give it up, and although they may have some attraction to the Vedic culture, if the mind can find an excuse for why they should not practice it, they will most li...

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Humility grants perception of reality
Humility grants perception of reality

By Sacinandana Swami

The moment you are proud, you lose your vision. Humility grants perception of reality. In the words of the Bhagavatam, "the earth appears spinning due to one's spinning his eyes around" - that happens due to pride. Pride comes from a form of lust. Krsna is time and He desires to destroy all the obstacles for devotees. Especially pride. Once I told you a story about a king asking a minister, "What is God's daily work?" ... Then priests were asked.... Finally a shepherd, seeing a fleeing, asked the priest about ...

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Affirmations for chanting the Hare Krishna Maha mantra
Affirmations for chanting the Hare Krishna Maha mantra

By Payal Shah

Adapted from ‘Japa Affirmations’ by His Grace Mahatma Dasa. Treat the Holy Name, the Hare Krishna Maha-mantra, as Radha and Krishna Deities in the form of sound. When you chant the Maha-mantra, it is the same as taking darshan of the Deities. In this way, bow down to the Holy Name as you would to the Deities, as Krishna is fully present in the Holy Name.

...

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Crisis what Crisis?
Crisis what Crisis?

By His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami

You write that things are in a crisis in England, with oil shortage and IRA bombing. Therefore, we have to take shelter of Krsna. If Krsna wants to kill us that is not wrong, if it is His desire. Our business should just to be to follow the regulative schedule, deity worship, distributing prasadam, chanting, book distribution and never mind the material danger. Krsna Consciousness means to be on the platform of deathlessness. Every sloka in Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam is informing us of this. If you read these books carefully you will understand this platfor...

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Wonderful Prasadam
Wonderful Prasadam

By Rohininandana Dasa

In many places in his books Srila Prabhupada describes the wonders of prasadam, food prepared with devotion and offered to Krishna. Prabhupada discusses such merits of prasadam as how it effectively immunizes one against the contamination of the material nature, how it frees one from becoming a ghost after death, and even how it is considered ecstatic nectar from the lips of Lord Krishna. In the Chaitanya-charitamrita (Madhya-lila, 4.93, purport) Srila Prabhupada ...

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The Science of Knowing God
The Science of Knowing God

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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Relativity and the Path to the Absolute
Relativity and the Path to the Absolute

By Arcana Siddhi Devi Dasi

Later, after becoming a devotee, I discovered that according to the Vedic teachings my assertions were right. But now I could understand something about the nature of that absolute reality: It is Krishna. Everything we see in this world comes from one of Krishna's many energies. But His illusory energy (maya) keeps us from perceiving things properly. Just as a magician can make us think we're seeing something that's not there, Krishna uses illusion to create our supposed reality. One mi...

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Description of Goloka
Description of Goloka

By Sri Narayana Rsi

O Narada, after going a short distance they saw the beautiful asrama of Radha, who is the queen of the rasa dance, the queen of the demigods, the best of the gopis, and She who to Lord Krsna is more dear than life, a beautiful, beautiful asrama that was completely indescribable, that no great pandita could describe, that was a great circle of six gavyutis (Note: A gavyuti is equal to two miles) that had a hundred palaces, shone with the splendour of many jewels, was made of the best of the bes...

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Srila Prabhupada's Amazing Journey
Srila Prabhupada's Amazing Journey


​HG Radhika Raman Prabhu - Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 6.5.22​

ISKCON Boston


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Krishna Consciousness is a Spiritual Science
Krishna Consciousness is a Spiritual Science


Tbilisi -- Bhakti Vijnana Goswami


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TOVP News

Courtesy of tovp.org

HIS GRACE AMBARISA PRABHU HEALTH UPDATES
HIS GRACE AMBARISA PRABHU HEALTH UPDATES

We are happy to share that Ambarisa Prabhu has been discharged from the rehab hospital and is now in Potomac at his daughter’s home, where he will continue his rehabilitation as an outpatient. His progress is slow but steady, and he was deeply delighted to receive the association of His Holiness Radhanath Swami Maharaj, who visited him for three days while he was in the hospital.

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Pujari Floor Opening 2020 - Taking You Back in Time
Pujari Floor Opening 2020 - Taking You Back in Time

Step back into the year 2020, when a divine chapter unfolded with the opening of the Pujari Floor in the TOVP. This historic event marked a new beginning, offering devotees and pujaris a sacred space closer to the heart of worship.

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TOVP Main Wing Diamonds of the Dome Campaign
TOVP Main Wing Diamonds of the Dome Campaign

The Nrsimhadeva Wing was opened with a grand ceremony in March, 2024, with 432 beautiful, gold-leafed, diamond-like coffers mounted onto 1700 steel brackets inside the 82ft (25m) high dome. They are acoustically designed to reduce excess echoing in the hall during kirtan. Now is the opportunity to sponsor the 432 coffers being installed into the main wing dome above the altar of Sri Sri Radha Madhava, Sri Pancha Tattva and the Guru Parampara.

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TOVP and Vedic Science Channel Present
TOVP and Vedic Science Channel Present

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

Questioning "Uniformitarianism" in the Laws of Physics

Srimad Bhagavatam 3.26.52

Alachua, Florida
September 9, 1996

“Uniformitarianism” is a fundamental assumption of today's scientists, assuring them that the laws of physics apply universally across both time and space. Looking through the lens of the Vedas, however, Sadaputa Dasa (Dr. Richard L. Thompson) discerns a more variegated structure to the cosmos. He explores the question: "Are paleontologists and astronomers actually justified in applying laboratory results to events remote in either time or space?

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.

14 September, 2025 (Sunday)
Srila Prabhupada\'s arrival in the USA

17 September, 2025 (Wednesday)
Fasting for Indira Ekadasi

18 September, 2025 (Thursday)
Break fast 05:37 - 09:28 (Local Mayapur Time)

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

Email: office@iskconconnection.org

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