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ISKCON Connection Newsletter, Issue 28, September 22, 2019
 
Prabhupada Nectar
I consider you all as representative of my Guru maharaj to help me in this helpless condition. My Godbrothers did not help me but my Spiritual Master has helped me

Letter to Kirtanananda -- San Francisco 7 April, 1967

I am in due receipt of your affectionate letter of the 3rd instant and have noted the contents carefully. Hayagriva informed me that you have become sorry for not receiving my letters and for this I must beg your pardon. But do not think that I neglect to write you letters. Of course I do not reply your each and every letter, I always think of you because you are all my heart and soul. I am so pleased to have your association and I always thank my Spiritual Master Om Visnupada Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja for His favor by sending me some sincere representative of Him in missionary activities in this part of the world. I came here to execute His Will and by His Grace I have so many good souls like you, Brahmananda, Satsvarupa, Hayagriva, Rayarama, Haridasa, Mukunda etc. I consider you all as representative of my Guru maharaj to help me in this helpless condition. My Godbrothers did not help me but my Spiritual Master has helped me. So do not think that I can ever forget you even for a moment. I pray to Krishna for your more and more advancement of Krishna Consciousness. Be happy and execute more and more service for Krishna and Krishna will accept you in His association.

I am very glad to learn that Lord Jesus Christ has approved our activities. Perhaps you have marked it in my preaching work that I love Lord Jesus Christ as good as Krishna; because He rendered the greatest service to Krishna according to time circumstances and society in which He appreared. Similarly Hajrat Mohammed and Lord Buddha also rendered greatest service to the human society according to circumstances. So work with more enthusiasm and we are sure to be successful in our great mission.

Last night we had very successful meeting at Berkeley and I think there were about three hundred students who participated in the meeting for two hours, danced with us and after the close of the meeting they surrounded me to offer their respects and some of them inquired various questions. Every one appreciated what I could speak in the meeting for about forty minutes and so I was very much encouraged.

By Krishna's planning Brahmananda's presence at Montreal was so much helpful. I very much appreciate your selection of Janardana as the President and Paul and Helena as treasurer and secretary respectively. May Krishna bless them and let me congratulate them for execution of Krishna's service so nicely.

You will be please to know that we have already installed the Sri Murtis of Lord Jagannatha, Balabhadra and Subhadra in the temple of San Francisco center and I wish to establish similar temple at Montreal. Probably I shall carry with me the Deity for New York. Editing of my lectures may be a hard task for you but it will prove an examination test for you as how far you have heard me attentively. Never mind it is slow but it must be sure. You can keep a note of my activities and can wait for writing book at suitable time. I am asking Mukunda to send one copy of the presentation as he has made a presentation to Sriman Brahmananda.

I have received letter from Brahmananda that he is going to take delivery of the records on Thursday and he is going to send 500 records to San Francisco. I do not know if he is going to send you some records.

Regarding my going to Montreal it is understood that Brahmananda has already paid $150.00 to Mr. Ypslantin the Visa Lawyer to save me from my Visa being cancelled. But in any case I must go to Montreal and if my Visa is not granted again to enter New York, I think I shall remain for sometime at Montreal and then proceed for London to establish a center there. I wish that at least four centers may be established in the Western countries including one in London and then a company of twelve at least of all your brothers and myself may have an extensive tour all over the world for preaching this unique cult of Hare Krishna. And because it is approved by Lord Christ at least the Christian world will accept our Kirtana procedure. I have seen in the bible that Lord Jesus Christ recommended this Kirtana performances in the Bible. You know better than me and I would request you to write a small book on SANKIRTAN MOVEMENT IN THE BIBLE. I have given a note of direction to Hayagriva for writing a Drama on Lord Caitanya and if he can deliver us a nice Drama for staging in your different parts of the State it will be a great stride for our mission and I hope it will help us financially a great deal. Just you encourage Hayagriva to write this Drama very nicely in Poetry so that they can be sung in western tone all over America and Europe and staged everywhere to cover our expenses.

Brahmananda may try Mr. Kallman and Mr. Fulton to help me getting a permanent Visa immediately. These two gentlemen have entered into Contract with me for recording and lecturing all over U.S.A. and it will be a great loss on their part if I am not granted a permanent Visa. Mr. Fulton may arrange immediately some lectures in Canada and that will help us both ways namely to save the Visa from being cancelled at the same time I can visit Montreal without any hindrance.

You can reply this letter to New York address because by this time 3-15 P.M. (San Francisco time) on Sunday next I shall be in New York.

Convey my blessing to Sriman Janardana, Paul, Hansa and Helena.

 

 

 

ISKCON News

Courtesy of iskconnews.org

BBT Prepares Historic Śrī Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu Release
BBT Prepares Historic Śrī Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu Release

The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT) is inviting devotees worldwide to join Śāstra Maṇḍala, its Gosvāmī literature book club, as preparations continue for the forthcoming publication of a comprehensive English edition of Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī’s Śrī Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu. The five-volume set is expected to be a landmark BBT release and an important resource for devotees who wish […]

Read More

Gaurang Gurukul Showcases Devotional Music on International Stage
Gaurang Gurukul Showcases Devotional Music on International Stage

A unique cultural and devotional initiative titled “The Harmony of Heritage: Scriptural Melodies for Peace” was successfully presented by the students of Gaurang Gurukul under the guidance of Bhadra Rupa Das from the University of Geneva, Switzerland. The project was undertaken with the blessings and encouragement of Bhaktivedanta Rukmini Krishna Goswami and received active support […]

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ISKCON Durban and Indian Consulate Unite at International Day of Yoga Event
ISKCON Durban and Indian Consulate Unite at International Day of Yoga Event

Participants learn about yoga’s history and spiritual roots at the ISKCON temple. Editor’s Note: As the world prepares to observe the 12th annual International Day of Yoga on June 21, celebrations are already underway across dozens of countries, bringing together millions of participants in a shared focus on health, mindfulness, and well-being. Established by the […]

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Beyond the Crowd: Can We Learn More From Our Festivals?
Beyond the Crowd: Can We Learn More From Our Festivals?

Hare Krishna festivals foster community and cultural exchange worldwide. Across the world, ISKCON festivals continue to attract thousands of participants each year. Ratha-yatras, kirtan festivals, cultural celebrations, and public outreach events bring devotees and newcomers together in parks, city centers, university campuses, and other public spaces. Organizers often report attendance figures, volunteer participation, prasadam distribution, […]

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Significant Milestone Reached in Historic Prabhupada Film Restoration Project
Significant Milestone Reached in Historic Prabhupada Film Restoration Project

As ISKCON celebrates its 60th anniversary, a significant milestone has been reached in efforts to preserve the movement’s visual history. Yadubara Dasa, Visakha Dasi, and the Inner Voice Productions team have announced that all known film footage of Srila Prabhupada and the early ISKCON movement from 1965 to 1977 has now been transferred and restored […]

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ISKCON Kuala Lumpur’s 7th Annual Youth Retreat Inspires Youths to Be “Stronger Inside”
ISKCON Kuala Lumpur’s 7th Annual Youth Retreat Inspires Youths to Be “Stronger Inside”

More than 110 youths and devotees gathered at Eagle Ranch Resort in Port Dickson, Malaysia, from May 29 to June 1, 2026, for ISKCON Kuala Lumpur’s 7th Annual Youth Retreat. Organized by the ISKCON Kuala Lumpur Youth Department under the leadership of Rasa Parayana Das and Rati Gopika Devi Dasi, the four-day retreat centered on […]

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Former Pop Star Jayadev Dasa’s Spiritual Journey Profiled by The Indian Sun
Former Pop Star Jayadev Dasa’s Spiritual Journey Profiled by The Indian Sun

Children and adults join Jayadev on stage for a celebration of music, faith and togetherness. Photo courtesy of John C. Photography. The Indian Sun, an Australian publication covering news, culture, business, and community affairs, recently featured ISKCON devotee Jayadev Dasa (John Richardson), tracing his remarkable journey from 1970s pop stardom to a life centered on […]

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Hema Malini Invites Devotees to ISKCON’s Historic 60th Anniversary NYC Gala
Hema Malini Invites Devotees to ISKCON’s Historic 60th Anniversary NYC Gala

As the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) approaches its historic 60th anniversary, devotees around the world are being invited to participate in a special anniversary gala honoring the extraordinary legacy of ISKCON’s Founder-Acharya, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada. The gala will take place on July 31, 2026, at The Glasshouse, one […]

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Mental Floss Explores George Harrison’s Spiritual Legacy
Mental Floss Explores George Harrison’s Spiritual Legacy

Srila Prabhupada with Patti Boyd, George Harrison, and Dhananjaya Dasa at George Harrison’s home in England, 1973 [photo enhanced]. Krishna devotees remember George Harrison not only as a celebrated musician, but as a sincere spiritual seeker whose friendship with His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada helped introduce millions of people to Krishna consciousness. Through […]

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ISKCON 60/50 Initiative Calls Devotees to Renew Prabhupada’s Mission
ISKCON 60/50 Initiative Calls Devotees to Renew Prabhupada’s Mission

As ISKCON enters its 60th anniversary year and looks ahead to the 50th anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s disappearance in 2027, Hare Krsna TV hosted a special discussion with Chairman of the GBC’s 60/50 Committee, Pancharatna Das, a senior disciple of Srila Prabhupada, and Nitai Madhava Das from Juhu, Mumbai, who is a member of the […]

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The Subtle Power of Maya and the Danger of Sectarian Vision
The Subtle Power of Maya and the Danger of Sectarian Vision

Srila Prabhupada meets with Father Emanuel Jungclausen, a Benedictine Monk, and other guests in Schloss Rettershof, Germany, 1974.  In the Bhakti tradition within the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), the concept of māyā—the Lord’s illusory energy—is not merely a metaphysical idea but a lived psychological and spiritual reality. Māyā does not always present herself […]

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ISKCON India Highlights Faith-Based Environmental Action at UNEP Forum
ISKCON India Highlights Faith-Based Environmental Action at UNEP Forum

Yudhistir Govinda Das (center) with leaders and experts at the  AQAF. In the run-up to World Environment Day, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) convened the Air Quality Action Forum (AQAF) Phase II at the UN House in New Delhi on June 1, 2026, bringing together policymakers, environmental experts, and community leaders to discuss grassroots […]

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120 Devotees Attend Japa Ashraya Course at Kurukshetra
120 Devotees Attend Japa Ashraya Course at Kurukshetra

Participants gather at the four-day course in Kurukshetra. Recently, ISKCON Kurukshetra, Srila Prabhupada’s dream project to spread Krishna consciousness worldwide, was blessed with the auspicious association of Bhakti Brhat Bhagavata Swami, who conducted a spiritually uplifting four-day Japa Ashraya (Level-1) Course attended by around 120 devotees from Kurukshetra, Yamunanagar, Chandigarh, and nearby areas. Enthusiastic devotees […]

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Congregational Development Ministry (CDM)

Courtesy of iskconcongregation.com

What if this is our last day on this planet?
General Info about the ISKCON Congregational Development Ministry
  • CDM Ministry – Visionaries, Leaders, Coaches, Instructors

  • Ministry Logo

  • Nama-hatta

 

General Info -- About CDM

 

 

 

Dandavats

Courtesy of dandavats.com

  • Special Class | HH Guru Prasad Swami
What if this is our last day on this planet?
What if this is our last day on this planet?

By Vibhu Chaitanya Das

We usually feel that there will be another day but what if there is no other day? What if this is our last day on this planet, the last day in this body? Did we accumulate sufficient blessings in this life to make it our last? Spiritual life is about accruing blessings throughout one’s devotional life; blessings from the Supreme Lord and His devotees. These blessings are the building blocks in our spiritual life, through them we develop saintly qualities.

Read More

Causeless mercy of Krishna
Causeless mercy of Krishna

By Girish Sarin

Each single verse of Srimad-Bhagavatam tastes like transcendental condensed milk of a Surabhi cow mixed with kesar, simply delicious and a nectar most satisfying to even conditioned souls (although it is meant to be tasted by paramhansas – liberated souls). No wonder that, along with Bhagavad-gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam is the specific scripture meant for kali-yuga. O my Lord, because You are endowed with causeless mercy, all opulences, all prowess and all glories, strength and transcendental qualities, You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the master of everyone. (SB 6.19.5) This verse, more specifically Srila Prabhupada’s purport, describes how kind is Krishna and how He bestows His causeless mercy on His devotees.

Read More

  • What Makes a Good Goshala? Recommended Standards of an Ideal Goshala
  • Srimad Bhagavatam Class – SB10.38.11 | Class by HG Bhagavat Ashraya Das | 06.06.2026
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Tree – The Eternal Tree of Love of Godhead
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Tree – The Eternal Tree of Love of Godhead

Hare Krsna Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda. Śrīla Prabhupāda: “Simply by remembering the names of all these branches and subbranches of the three trunks I have described [Nityānanda, Advaita and Gadādhara], one attains freedom from the entanglement of material existence. Simply by remembering the names of all these Vaiṣṇavas, one...

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  • Questions About Money | Amstelveen, Netherlands | Svayam Bhagavan Keshava Maharaja
  • Bond of Love Interview Series~ Part 3 – HG Jagattarini dasi
  • Navina-nirada Sankirtan Seminar

  • From The Rubettes to Krishna: John Richardson’s Remarkable Journey – by Indira Laisram

  • Unveiling ISKCON Los Angeles Master Plan
Love, Devotion and the Cosmos: Krishna’s Eternal Dance
Love, Devotion and the Cosmos: Krishna’s Eternal Dance

By Radha Mohan Das

In 2005 Ranchor Prime was introduced to the celebrated British composer Sir John Tavener, who was developing an ambitious opera based on the life of Krishna. Their discussions soon centred on the emotional heart of the opera: the love duet between Radha and Krishna. When Tavener asked for a mantra, Ranchor...

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  • His Grace Prana Das, ACBSP departs

    MAHA Clean up in the DHAM | What actually happens when you clean a holy place like New Vrindaban?

  • Nottingham Rathayatra 2026

  • Hundreds Sign Petition Calling for the Return of Krishna Lunch at the University of Florida

  • Concern Grows Over Proposed Development Near Alachua’s ISKCON Community

  • HG Raksana Prabhu ACBSP left his body at 2:40 am
The history of Krishna lunch
The history of Krishna lunch

By Parama Karuna Das

It was Gargamuni’s idea [to do the prasadam program]. He felt that the best way to attract students was to have a program every day. It was some chanting and then a brief lecture and then prasadam. [Gargamuni] learned how to cook from Prabhupada and he taught all of us how to cook... When he would chaunce the dahl the aroma would go through the entire neighborhood and I remember coming back from class and I’d just see people running, coming out of their houses just running to the Krishna House. People were packed into the living room, spilling out into the front lawn and even into the street just to taste this magnificent prasadam. As they would come, Gargamuni and crew would be making hot buttered chapatis and serving them to the many guests along with rice, subji and the famous dahl. In this way, some fifty people a day would come for lunch, another fifty for dinner, and even twenty for breakfast!

Read More

Yajigrama Yatra
Yajigrama Yatra

By Chandan Yatra Das

Yajigrama is a tiny village 4km from Katwa, viz. 1 hour from Navadvipa town or 2 hours’ drive from Mayapur via road trip. Katwa is where Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu took sannyasa from Kesava Bharati. Yajigrama is important place connected with many most wonderful pastimes of three Vaishnava stalwarts - Srila Narottama Das Thakura, Srila Shrinivasa Acharya and Srila Ramchandra Kaviraj. After the disappearance of the manifest pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Nityananda Prabhu and their associates, Srila Narottama Das Thakura, Shrinivasa Acharya and Sri Shyamananda Prabhu, under the instructions of Six Gosvami’s of Vrindavana, propagated the Krishna Consciousness movement.

Read More

  • S.B 5.18.9 ~ Rukmini D.D ~ ISKCON Communications Retreat (11/5/2026)

  • S.B 1.2.6 ~ Sriman Anuttama Dasa (9/5/2026) Live streaming di Villa Vrindavana ISKCON Live

  • Lord’s Journey To Vrindavan | HG Bhanu Nandini devi dasi | ISKCON Berlin

  • HG Daivi Shakti Mataji || Srila Prabhupada Lilamrita || 07.06.2026

  • 2026-06-06 | HH Niranjan Swami | ISKCON BOSTON

  • Srimad Bhagavatam class | SB 2.5.11 | HG Mukunda Datta Prabhu | June 5th 2026

  • Srimad Bhagavatam class by His Grace Radheshyam Prabhu



TOVP News

Courtesy of tovp.org

Building the Impossible: Inside the Vision Behind the TOVP | H.G. Braja Vilas Das
Building the Impossible: Inside the Vision Behind the TOVP | H.G. Braja Vilas Das

Interview Trailer for 8th Element Podcast

The full 8th Element Podcast interview with Braja Vilas will premier on June 15th on their YouTube Channel.

Watch Trailer

THE TOVP FLIPBOOK COLLECTION
THE TOVP FLIPBOOK COLLECTION

Taking advantage of the newest technology in book reading, the TOVP website has launched the digital TOVP Online Flipbook Collection. A digital flipbook is an online book, magazine or other multi-paged publication that turns pages and offers a variety of related functions to the reader such as sharing, downloading and much more.

View the Collection

TOVP Presents: The Prabhupada 50 Campaign Explained by Braja Vilasa
TOVP Presents: The Prabhupada 50 Campaign Explained by Braja Vilasa

The Prabhupada 50 Campaign was launched on Srila Prabhupada’s Disappearance Day, October 25, 2025. It is a two-year fundraising campaign scheduled to end on November 1, 2027, the 50th Disappearance Anniversary of Srila Prabhupada. At that time, the TOVP will be officially opened during a subsequent three-month ceremony, and Sridhama Mayapura’s beloved Deities will be relocated into Their long-awaited new home.

Read More and Watch Video

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

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

Relationship Between Consciousness and Matter

University of Technology in Einhorn, Holland
August 29, 1985

In a talk given at the Eindhoven University of Technology, Thompson discusses accounting for consciousness within the framework of a mechanistic paradigm. After considering the solutions offered by Walter Elsasser, Eugene Wigner, and David Bohm, Thompson introduces the concept from the Vedic tradition of jiva and Paramatma, as part of an explanatory framework. A lively Question & Answer session explores some of the insights that can be gained from this approach.

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.

 

No entries 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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