Author Archives: ISKCON News

Beloved ISKCON artist Ram Das Abhiram Das passed away on July 31st, coinciding with  the auspicious date of  the Disappearances of Srila Rupa Goswami and Gauridas Pandit.   On August 22nd, 2019, while visiting Italy with his wife, Dhriti…

I spied it on the side of a box I opened that said “Don’t throw away a chance to recycle.” What a great tagline! And of course it got me thinking.   What other chances am I missing? What other opportunities am I throwing away by …

Suppose someone is driving on a straight, smooth road. They might seem to be a good driver, but how good they are will become better evident when they encounter something unexpected such as sudden bumps or sharp turns.  Similarly, when the road of…

The podcast boom has accelerated in the first half of 2020, perhaps partly due to the appetite for more streaming content while people stay at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. ISKCON devotees have also embraced the medium, and recently a new podcast,…

  While the coronavirus is spreading throughout the world, so is kindness. Even though they are physically restricted in their movement, people find ways to reach out, express appreciation to and care for one another.  On May 15th, ISKCON New…

  The age-old friendship of Touchstone Media and Torchlight Publishing is now evolving into a merger to operate as a single unit. Advaita Chadra Das, Director of Torchlight Publishing and Isvara Das, Director of Touchstone Media have been planning…

  Under the spell of homeless winds In the veil of hazy sunshine On a warm summer morning Do you feel okay my friend?   When you tread in deep waters Your desires and dreams Diamonds countless shimmering Do you feel okay my friend?   Whe…

  Lord Caitanya walks with a few close associates. It’s medieval India Lush green fields flank the path; a countryside scene of peace and harmony with nature. Idyllic. The occasional farmer on bullock cart marvels at the beauty and bearing o…

First and second-generation kirtaniyas have created a new song dedicated to beloved ISKCON guru Bhakti Charu Swami, who passed away on July 4th.  Second-generation devotee Nadiya Mani sings lead vocals and Prabhupada disciple Bada Haridas backing …

  I offer you some heartfelt thoughts and reflections here on Vaishnava loss, grief, and the departure of beloved Vaishnavas: This is a time of grieving such a great loss for you. If the passing away of a loved one were not already challenging eno…

It was the Ministry of West Bengal led by the Honorable Chief Minister Sushri Mamata Bannerjee who facilitated the final journey of the vapu (body of ISKCON-guru Bhakti Charu Swami, who passed away on July 4th in Florida, back to Mayapur. The Chief Min…

Life is often defined in the Bhakti teachings as ‘a struggle for existence’. The daily grind, the showing up, the making it to the end of the week in one piece. Verse 14 in Chapter 2 of the Gita sums it up: “O son of Kunti, the nonpermanent appearance …

An internship program has been launched to help build a website and carry out important research for the still under-development project “ISKCON at the United Nations.” After applying and going through a rigorous approval process, The Offic…

  In Ujjain: “You choose to paint  as the cover of the book  a picture of your heart,”  I almost asked him to confess.  No words replied he only sighed  a soft and thoughtful “yes.”  * * * * A …

ISKCON Cardiff temple president and Food For Life Wales Director Tarakanatha Das has received a Points of Light award from the UK Prime Minister’s office, and has accepted it on behalf of the prasadam distribution organization. The Points of Ligh…

Since the passing of beloved ISKCON Guru and Governing Body Commission (GBC) member His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami on July 4th, more information has been released about his last rites in the U.S. and upcoming samadhi ceremony in Mayapur, West Bengal, …

  There is a great verse in the Bhagavad-gita that speaks to balance. “He who is regulated in his habits of eating, sleeping, recreation and work can mitigate all material pains by practicing the yoga system.” [Ch.6.17] And we know fro…

“One should engage oneself in the practice of yoga with undeviating determination and faith. One should abandon, without exception, all material desires born of false ego and thus control all the senses on all sides by the mind.” (Bhagavad …

  It’s hard to fathom, That it could be so, But warriors do enter, And charge into battle, And may not return— A matter of death and dignity. Because of the love lost, It becomes a tearful time. With the voice of guidance now gone, An …