Author Archives: Dandavats

Toward a Fusion of Theological Horizons: Constructivist Reflections and Responses to the Question of Theism in the Yoga Sutra
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Hare KrishnaBy Garuda das

IT is important to explore and disclose how–perhaps even why–we are going to speak about Christian and Yogic theism before conducting an exploration on theism in comparative relation between the two traditions. In this kind of discussion, it is inevitable that working definitions of key terms be provided, particular terms that will be clarified and offered to facilitate the discussion. In this study, I examine and draw from the particular studies of three scholars in the field who address the relationship between Christianity and Yoga in order to illuminate the dialectical tension between a resistence toward and the persistence of the development of a yogic theism. I will argue that Yoga as explicated in the Yoga Sūtra possesses a strong and natural theological character, containing a distinct, open-ended raw theism that necessitates the expansion of the domain and definition of the term.

TOVP Euro Tour Day 10: New Yoga Pitha Dhama, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Hare KrishnaBy TOVP staff

Lord Nityananda poured His blessings on all the devotees incessantly. After greeting the Padukas and Sitari with kirtan and abhisheka, and speeches by His Holiness Chandramauli Swami, Jananivas and Braja Vilas prabhus, once again the ecstasy began to flow. Devotees from Croatia were also present and a total of eighty devotees started making their pledges. Eleven pledges were made for Silver Srivas Coins (9,000 Euros/11,000 USD) along with many other large and small pledges. The astounding fact is that before coming to the program many devotees did not expect to give anything significant, and some nothing at all. Yet, due to Lord Nityananda Prabhu’s influence their hearts were changed. The sacrifice of these devotees, like at all the other European temples, is very exemplary and significant, and a sign that our Lord Nitai is anxious to complete the temple.

ISKCON Devotee to Win Eurovision
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Hare Krishna ISKCON devotee Yashodamayi d.d. (Ieva Zasimauskaitė) will be representing Lithuania in a popular international song competition Eurovision. She is a disciple of Srila Prabhupada’s disciple and initiating spiritual master HG Sankarshan das Adhikari. We encourage everyone to vote for her on the 8th of May (information on how to vote is given below).

Newsletter from Iskcon’s Sannyasa Ministry
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Hare KrishnaBy Prahladananda Swami

This is Issue Number Eight of the Sannyasa Newsletter. Revealing one’s mind in confidence is one of the six loving exchanges between devotees that nurture the creeper of bhakti. I hope that this sannyasa katha inspires in you a deeper sense of commitment to the mission of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu under the guidance and example of Srila Prabhupada and his sincere followers.

TOVP Euro Tour Making History
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Hare KrishnaBy TOVP staff

Although the tour is nearing completion in a few days, already over $1 million U.S. has been pledged from only 7 temples, many of them very small and having only 20-30 devotees and congregation! This is a total reverse of expectations and a sign that the Lord in everyone’s heart is giving inspiration and intelligence for His service, and He is eager to see this great Temple of the Vedic Planetarium manifest and benedict the world with the mercy of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu: “An astounding temple will appear and will engage the entire world in the eternal service of Lord Caitanya.” (Lord Nityananda, Sri Navadvipa-Mahatmya, Parikrama Khanda, Chapter 4)

ISKCON Highlights Child Protection on Nrsimha Chaturdasi
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Hare KrishnaBy Madhava Smullen

“It’s an opportunity to bring positive attention to the topic of child protection,” Lilasuka Dasi said. “As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. And research shows that one adult who is trained in child protection can protect an average of ten children from sexual abuse.” To this end, the North American Child Protection Office is conducting more trainings in the US and Canada this year than ever before. So far Lilasuka has already visited Towaco, New Jersey; Central New Jersey; Philadelphia; and Gita Nagari, and done online training for Ottowa, Canada. In May, she’ll be going to New Vrindaban; Seattle; Vancouver; and Farmington Hills, Michigan.

HARE KRSNA TELEVISION
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Hare KrishnaBy Vaishnava seva dasa

Behind the television project is hard work and united effort of 38 devotees working together full time in ISKCON Desire Tree. Since its launching in 2016 Janamasthami, Hare Krsna TV has grown rapidly. In India, it is roughly estimated that it is reaching more than 3 million televisions. Besides India, it has started to appear in following countries: Australia, Canada, Europe, Fiji, Guyana, Japan, Kenya, Malaysia, Mauritius, New Zealand, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, UAE, UK & USA. Hare Krsna Television is now available in India on IN Cable #535, NXT Digital Channel #919, DIGI #519, ABS #521, 7 STAR #384, RVR #927, HATHWAY #845, UCN #616, WIN TV #600, TJ CABLE #303, HARIKA STAR #30.

TOVP Euro Tour Day 6 – Slovakia, New Ekachakra Dhama
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Hare KrishnaBy TOVP staff

This miraculous visit to New Ekachakra Dhama on Wednesday, April 18th has become another history making event on the TOVP Euro Tour. So much so that we will also include some related lilas that led to the planning and arrival of Lord Nityananda’s Padukas and Lord Nrsimhadeva’s Sitari in Slovakia. The story begins in 2015 with Mahasankarsana prabhu, one of the temple leaders from New Ekachakra Dhama, speaking with Tukarama prabhu in Mayapur.

New Devotee Website “Second Half” Launched into Orbit: The Fusion of Farming and Preaching
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Hare Krishna Devotees living at New Talavan Farm Community in Southern Mississippi have launched a dynamic new website called The Second Half (Second-Half.org). The name “Second Half” references Srila Prabhupada’s expressed desire for land-based preaching prototypes that make the philosophy and culture of Krishna consciousness approachable and understandable to Western people.

TOVP Euro Tour Days 2 and 3: Koln, Germany – Gauradesh
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Hare KrishnaBy TOVP staff

To everyone’s surprise, this became a miraculous visit with less than fifty devotees pledging over $150,000 U.S.! This precedent setting example shows that the hearts of the devotees and not the size of the temple is what really counts. When there is a will, there is a way. Make the commitment and the means will manifest. This was also Srila Prabhupada’s mood.