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ISKCON Connection Newsletter, Issue 28, September 22, 2019
 
Prabhupada Nectar
That is the mood of the devotee, that he is always concerned for the general mass of people, that they should stop their sinful activities and become delivered from the most dangerous conditions of life by taking to this Krishna Consciousness

Correspondence

1972 Correspondence

720204 - Letter to Sankarasana written from Bombay

February 04, 1972

My Dear Sankarasana,

Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter of January 22, 1972, and I am very much encouraged that you want to remain in Austin city because the people there are in desperate need of Krishna Consciousness. Actually, that is the mood of the devotee, that he is always concerned for the general mass of people, that they should stop their sinful activities and become delivered from the most dangerous conditions of life by taking to this Krishna Consciousness or devotional service. So I am very much pleased that you do not want to leave. Actually, that is our policy, once we enter a place, to sit down, then gradually to lay down and occupy everything! So because there is such good possibility there for preaching, especially in the university, then I am recommending that some men must remain there are work very hard to get a permanent center. If the preaching work is sincere, then there will be no lack either of temple or of devotees to fill it. Now you have sat down, and although you are squeezed a little tightly, if you push a bit harder there will be enough space, and very soon you will find yourselves laying down and occupying the big space!

I am especially encouraged that that professor has become my initiated disciple, and because he is very intelligent and has a good position of influence in the university, he can utilize this opportunity to serve Krishna very perfectly by influencing the intelligent students to take up this perfectional science. Also, he has got good income, so I don't see there is any difficulty there, in fact, very soon I think you enlist many students to help and have a thriving KC center. And if you like if I come to Dallas to see, I may also come there to speak to the students, as suggested by Sri Galim. Hoping this meets you in good health.

Your ever well-wisher,

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

ACBS/sda

 

 

 

 

ISKCON News

Courtesy of iskconnews.org

ISKCON Visakhapatnam Hosts Pan-India ISKCON Leaders’ Summit
ISKCON Visakhapatnam Hosts Pan-India ISKCON Leaders’ Summit

ISKCON Visakhapatnam was honoured to host the Pan-India ISKCON Leaders’ Summit from January 5th to 11th. Set against the serene backdrop of the beautiful seafront, overlooking the Bay of Bengal, where the gentle waves kiss the shore and the morning sun bathes the horizon in golden light, the summit created a spiritually uplifting atmosphere for reflection, discussion, and fellowship. The week-long summit brought together esteemed leaders, including Lokanath Swami, Bhanu Swami, Bhakti Rasamrita Swami, Dayaram Das, Radheshyam Das, Gauranga Das, Mahaman Das, and Basu Ghosh Das, representing diverse ISKCON communities from across India for purposeful deliberation, strategic alignment, and collective vision-building.

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Young Entrepreneurs Bring Prabhupada’s Vision to Life at Mayapur School Market Day
Young Entrepreneurs Bring Prabhupada’s Vision to Life at Mayapur School Market Day

Students from Our Little Vaishnavas school in Mayapur recently hosted their annual children’s market day, turning classroom lessons into real-world business experience. Through small booths and creative projects, the children practiced entrepreneurship while embracing Srila Prabhupada’s vision of self sustenance, learning teamwork, responsibility, and practical life skills along the way.

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A Vulture-like Civilization
A Vulture-like Civilization

In the last thirty or forty years, the rapid pace of technological progress has been dazzling. I still remember my first desk-sized computer, with its massive 20 megabytes of storage, its MS-DOS operating system with the old C: prompt, and the modems that emitted a kind of high-pitched banshee wailing. Ah, those were the days. Now, the phone in my pocket is a thousand times more powerful, and my laptop can handle tasks unimaginable back then.

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New Goloka Dham Rises to Embrace a Growing Spiritual Community
New Goloka Dham Rises to Embrace a Growing Spiritual Community

On November 30th, 2025, the ISKCON New Goloka community in Hillsborough, North Carolina, joyfully gathered at the site of our new temple foundation to mark a significant milestone in the ongoing expansion of our sacred space. The moment reflected our commitment to better serve our loving congregation, to welcome all sincere spiritual seekers, and to expand our outreach operations in the mood, mission, and service of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada.

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ISKCON Mayapur Issues Warning on Room Booking Scam Ahead of Festival Season
ISKCON Mayapur Issues Warning on Room Booking Scam Ahead of Festival Season

The Secretariat to the Co-Directors of ISKCON Mayapur has issued an urgent advisory warning devotees and well-wishers about an ongoing room-booking scam targeting pilgrims planning to visit Mayapur during the upcoming festival season.

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TOVP Yajna Shala Grand Opening Yajna Sponsorships
TOVP Yajna Shala Grand Opening Yajna Sponsorships

On February 11, 2026, the TOVP will reach its next milestone: the Grand Opening of the Lord’s Yajna Shala in the TOVP gardens. Only yajnas for the Lord’s pleasure will be executed in this facility on a daily basis, continuing this long-standing seva since 1986. 

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Ten-Week Program on Empathic Communication and Relationship Harmony
Ten-Week Program on Empathic Communication and Relationship Harmony

The Krishna Center for Empathic Communication, an online platform under the guidance of Bir Krishna Das Goswami, is conducting a ten-week online course series beginning on January 18 that examines communication and relationships through the framework of Empathic Nonviolent Communication (ENVC).

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ISKCON Tucson Finds Western Holidays are Powerful for Spiritual Outreach
ISKCON Tucson Finds Western Holidays are Powerful for Spiritual Outreach

Across the calendar year, ISKCON Tucson has found meaningful ways to engage the broader community by thoughtfully participating in widely observed Western holidays and civic traditions. By meeting people where they already gather—whether through a Thanksgiving meal or along a city parade route—the temple has transformed familiar cultural moments into opportunities for prasadam distribution, philosophical reflection, and joyful spiritual connection.

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“Mayapur Clean and Green” Song Released to Celebrate Environmental Mission
“Mayapur Clean and Green” Song Released to Celebrate Environmental Mission

The Mayapur Clean and Green initiative, led by Murari Mohini Devi Dasi, has unveiled a new song and accompanying music video, celebrating its ongoing environmental mission in the Holy Dham of Mayapur. The song, aptly titled “Mayapur Clean and Green,” is the result of a beautiful international collaboration, bringing together devotees, musicians, and students from the Philippines, the United States, Italy, the UK, Russia, and India, reflecting the spirit of unity and cooperation that Srila Prabhupada always emphasized.

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COMING OF AGE #33 – Perception for a Perfectionist?
COMING OF AGE #33 – Perception for a Perfectionist?

No matter where we are on our journey, we can find solace in the fact that the effects of time, as we know it, exist only in the material world and are ultimately not linear. The big picture is that all souls (excluding descending nitya siddha masters) come to the material world, eventually attain a human form to experience an existential crisis, and gradually realize our eternal identity. 

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ISKCON Miami Joins 41st King Mango Strut
ISKCON Miami Joins 41st King Mango Strut

On Sunday, January 4, 2026, the devotees and congregation of ISKCON Miami participated in the 41st Annual King Mango Strut Parade held in Coconut Grove, Miami. Dharmaraja Deva Das and his wife, Radha Kunda Rani Devi, brought the big Ratha Yatra chariot from Alachua, Florida, for the vibrant Ratha Yatra inside the parade.

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Dandavats

Courtesy of dandavats.com

4 Ways to Stay
4 Ways to Stay

By Ananda V. Devi Dasi

Over 35 years ago I sat before the fire and took the same vows. I am grateful to still be practicing. Later that day I heard a talk which shared 4 reasons why devotees sometimes give up the process of Krishna consciousness, the one they once started so enthusiastically. Turning them into positives, here are 4 things, if we do them well, that can bring us success in our spiritual endeavor, which is to awaken love for Krishna and live to in congruence with that wholesome truth. Humility, offenses, sanga, knowing the path.

...

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Vrndavana – Land of No Return
Vrndavana – Land of No Return

By Brahmananda Dasa

The transcendental land of Vrndavana is always spiritual. That spiritual land is populated by goddesses of fortune, who are known as gopis. These are all beloved of Krsna, and Krsna is the only lover of all those gopis. The trees of that land are kalpa-vrksa, wish-fulfilling trees, and one can have anything he wants from them. The land is made of touchstone and the water of nectar. In that supreme abode, all speech is song, all walking is dancing, and one's constant companion is the flute. Sur...

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The Mantra that changed my life
The Mantra that changed my life

By Rupavati Devi Dasi

A successful model Evgeniya Fedorova from Saint Petersburg, representative of the Vaishnava Culture, shared with the HARE KRISHNA lifestyle blog her story about how to turn non-sattvic business into a sattvic one, how to be a vedic and a modern girl at the same time and what kind of mantra she has been waiting for all her life.

...

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Review of the 64 Elements of Pure Devotional Service – HH Krishna Kshetra Swami 10.01.2026
Review of the 64 Elements of Pure Devotional Service – HH Krishna Kshetra Swami 10.01.2026

Topics: Show and Tell – Review of the 64 Elements of Pure Devotional Service Song: Balya-lila (verses 1–8), from Srila Locana Dasa Thakura’s Sri Caitanya Mangala — The Loving Pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Go-druma Bhavan, Mayapur, India January 10, 2026 Sat Sanga Review of the 64 Elements of Pure Devotional Service – HH Krishna...

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Srimad Bhagavatam Class 11.2.32 | By H.H. Indradyumna Swami | 15th Jan 2026 – Iskcon Juhu
Srimad Bhagavatam Class 11.2.32 | By H.H. Indradyumna Swami | 15th Jan 2026 – Iskcon Juhu

The talk is a wide-ranging Vaishnava discourse centered on leadership, devotion, and the practical application of Krishna consciousness in society. Beginning with a reading from Srimad Bhagavatam (11.2.32), the speaker explains how King Maharaja Nimi humbly inquired from the Nine Yogendras, illustrating the Vedic ideal that rulers must seek guidance from saintly devotees and brahmanas....

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Receiving guests at the Temple
Receiving guests at the Temple

By Radhanath Swami

Anyone who comes through these doors of this temple, we should know they are special guests caring to visit the Supreme Personality of Godhead and it is expected of us to give them such hospitality, without discrimination, what their material status in society may be. They should be given affectionate loving words. They should feel wonderful. Srila Prabhupada explains this principle is so important. When a guest comes to the house of a king, he gives them royal treatment, but even if you are ve...

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What is the role of the Kirtan leader, spiritually?
What is the role of the Kirtan leader, spiritually?

By Bada Haridas

Krishna is present in His Name. He is there when we are chanting. Sometimes when we chant, by His mercy, we really feel His presence. We know He is there and the kirtan becomes very wonderful. I experience this in different ways, never quite the same. The Lord in His deity form, Srila Prabhupada, or other spiritual personalities, appear in the mind. Sometimes spiritual feelings arise. RadheShyamAlachua2 Although Krishna is always there, sometimes we don’t feel His presence. He keeps Himself hidden, and I feel like a stone and the chanting seems empty. Krishna does this so...

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SB 3.26.28. by HH Mukunda Goswami
SB 3.26.28. by HH Mukunda Goswami

Srimad Bhagavatam class (Canto 3, Chapter 26) focused on the nature of the mind, intelligence, and yoga from the Gaudiya Vaishnava perspective, drawing heavily on Srila Prabhupada’s purports. The speaker explains that the mind of the living entity is identified with Lord Aniruddha, the supreme ruler of the senses, described as having a bluish-black form...

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Sunday Feast | Prabhupada Priya Devi Dasi | January 11th, 2026
Sunday Feast | Prabhupada Priya Devi Dasi | January 11th, 2026

The talk explains the hidden perks of spiritual activity as taught in the Bhagavad Gita, contrasting them with material pursuits. Spiritual activities bring benefits that are eternal, whereas material achievements are temporary and lost at death. Even a small amount of spiritual advancement is never wasted and can protect one from the greatest fears, such...

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C.C. Class Adi-Lila 4.158 to 162 | By H.G Braja Bihari Prabhu | 12th Jan 2026
C.C. Class Adi-Lila 4.158 to 162 | By H.G Braja Bihari Prabhu | 12th Jan 2026

TRANSLATION The desire to gratify one’s own senses is kāma [lust], but the desire to please the senses of Lord Kṛṣṇa is prema [love]. PURPORT The revealed scriptures describe pure love as follows: sarvathā dhvaḿsa-rahitaḿ saty api dhvaḿsa-kāraṇe yad bhāva-bandhanaḿ yūnoḥ sa premā parikīrtitaḥ “If there is ample reason for the dissolution of a conjugal...

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H.H. Radhanath Swami | H.H. Indradyumna Swami | SB 3.12.23 | ISKCON Chowpatty Mumbai
H.H. Radhanath Swami | H.H. Indradyumna Swami | SB 3.12.23 | ISKCON Chowpatty Mumbai

In Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.12.23, it is described that Nārada was born from the deliberation of Brahmā, which is considered the best part of the body. Other figures were born from different aspects of Brahmā’s body: Vasiṣṭha from his breathing, Dakṣa from a thumb, Bhṛgu from his touch, and Kratu from his hand. This verse emphasizes the...

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Lord Nityananda’s mercy: The magnitude, the motivation and the magic
Lord Nityananda’s mercy: The magnitude, the motivation and the magic

By Chaitanya Charan das

Chaitanya Bhagavata gives us special insight into the transcendental psychology of Nityananda Prabhu. When he heard about the fallen condition of Jagai-Madhai, his eyes lit up with not just compassion but also ambition – the ambition to glorify Lord Chaitanya in a way that would be remembered for all time to come: “These two people are so contaminated that on seeing them pious people feel impelled to bathe in the Ganges to purify themselves. If these sinners can become so pure that people on seein...

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The Other Gita of Krishna
The Other Gita of Krishna

By Gauranga Darshan Das

Bhagavad-gita is the great philosophical song by Lord Krsna on the battlefield of Kuruksetra to motivate His bewildered friend Arjuna. There is yet another Gita that Krsna sang in Dvaraka to pacify another of His friends named Uddhava. Famous as Uddhava-gita it forms the longest philosophical section of the magnum opus literature Srimad Bhagavatam.

...

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Sadhu-sanga 2025 Fosters a Loving Bond Between ISKCON and Madhwa Sannyasis at Udupi Matha
Sadhu-sanga 2025 Fosters a Loving Bond Between ISKCON and Madhwa Sannyasis at Udupi Matha

Aseem Krishna Das A week-long Sādhu-saṅga program was organised at the Rajangana Hall of Udupi Śrī Kṛṣṇa Maṭha, Udupi, Karnataka, from 7th to 12th December 2025. The program was held on the occasion of the 86th Vyāsa Pūjā celebration of S...

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2026-01-09 Success Sadhana – Get Grounded
2026-01-09 Success Sadhana – Get Grounded

The session opens the 2026 series of Success Sadhana with a focus on equanimity and “getting grounded,” drawing primarily from the Bhagavad Gita and other Vedic wisdom texts. The speaker explains that sadhana (deliberate practice) is the means by which humans can realize life’s deeper purpose beyond basic animal concerns like eating, sleeping, mating, and...

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Morning Class SB 10.1.58 – HH Devamrita Swami – 11 January 2026
Morning Class SB 10.1.58 – HH Devamrita Swami – 11 January 2026

Translation What is painful for saintly persons who strictly adhere to the truth? How could there not be independence for pure devotees who know the Supreme Lord as the substance? What deeds are forbidden for persons of the lowest character? And what cannot be given up for the sake of Lord Kṛṣṇa by those who...

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Empowerment Prayers of Srila Sukadeva Gosvami – HG Narayani Mataji
Empowerment Prayers of Srila Sukadeva Gosvami – HG Narayani Mataji

The lecture is a devotional class on Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto 2, Chapter 4 (verses 11–17), focusing on the mood required to speak, hear, and live Bhagavatam. It begins by explaining that Sukadeva Goswami offers prayers to Krishna to receive mercy, emphasizing that no one can act or speak independently of Krishna. Our senses and body...

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Every Saint Has A Past, Every Sinner Has A Future
Every Saint Has A Past, Every Sinner Has A Future

Srimad Bhagavatam Class

Canto 11, Chapter 2, Text 31
HG Pirthu Prabhu, 9 January, 2026

Watch Now

 

 

 

 

TOVP News

Courtesy of tovp.org

TOVP Yajna Shala Grand Opening Yajna Sponsorships
TOVP Yajna Shala Grand Opening Yajna Sponsorships

THE NEXT MILESTONE | THE ETERNAL FLAME

 On February 11, 2026 the TOVP will reach its next milestone: the Grand Opening of the Lord’s Yajna Shala in the TOVP gardens. Only yajnas for the Lord’s pleasure will be executed in this facility on a daily basis, continuing this long-standing seva since 1986.

Read More

TOVP Yajna Shala Roof Tiles Sponsorship
TOVP Yajna Shala Roof Tiles Sponsorship

THE NEXT MILESTONE | THE ETERNAL FLAME

On February 11, 2026 the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium will reach another milestone: The Grand Opening of the amazing TOVP Yajna Shala in the TOVP Gardens. This huge Yajna Shala will replace the current location at the Gurukula and become the main focal point of all yajnas performed for the Supreme Personality of Godhead on a daily basis, in perpetuity, since they started in 1986 in the Lotus Park. Sponsor one or more tiles on the roof!

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TOVP Presents: The GEV Sanga Podcast with H.G. Braja Vilasa Das
TOVP Presents: The GEV Sanga Podcast with H.G. Braja Vilasa Das

The Temple of the Vedic Planetarium (TOVP), one of the world’s biggest Vedic temples in ISKCON Mayapur, India is not just a structure of stone and steel, it is the fulfilled vision of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada. In this special episode of The GEV Sanga Podcast, we are honored to host TOVP's Vice Chairman and Co-Director HG Braj Vilas Prabhu, who shares deep insights into the purpose, philosophy, challenges, and miracles behind the making of the world’s largest Vedic temple. The TOVP stands as a spiritual lighthouse for humanity presenting Vedic cosmology, the Bhagavatam’s planetary systems, and Krishna consciousness to the entire world in a way never done before.

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

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

The Illusion of Maya: That Which is Not

Srimad Bhagavatam 2.9.34
August 3, 1994
Alachua, Florida

Sadaputa Dasa (Dr. Richard L. Thompson) discusses the fascinating eastern conception of Maya, the illusory energy of Lord Krishna, or literally “that which is not”. Under its magical spell, a person is bewildered by different misunderstandings, such as “I am this body”, “I am white, black, man, woman, etc.”, “I am God”, or ”I have no connection with God”, or “My sense of consciousness is false”. The potency of such ideas causes most materialistic scientists to cast out from their midst anyone invoking supernatural causes to explain natural phenomena.

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.

23 January, 2026 (Friday)
Sarasvati Puja
Sri Pundarika Vidyanidhi -- Appearance
Sri Raghunandana Thakura -- Appearance
Srila Raghunatha Dasa Gosvami -- Appearance
Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura -- Disappearance
Srimati Visnupriya Devi -- Appearance
Vasanta Pancami

25 January, 2026 (Sunday)
(Fast till noon)
Sri Advaita Acarya -- Appearance

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

Email: office@iskconconnection.org

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