Websites from the ISKCON Universe
The Gift Prabhupada Project is an initiative undertaken by a group of devotees to gift a miniature (54 mm) brass murti of Srila Prabhupada, particularly to his direct disciples. Alloyed within the brass murti are coins donated for Srila Prabhupada’s books from each of the 25 countries he personally visited, symbolizing the global impact of […]
The post Carrying Srila Prabhupada’s Mercy: The Gift Prabhupada Project’s Mission of Devotion and Gratitude appeared first on ISKCON News.
The post Hindi Wisdom from Ramayana When should a wrongdoer be blamed and when not blamed? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
The post Hindi Wisdom from Ramayana When should a wrongdoer be blamed and when not blamed? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Bhakta Dasa at work on one of 20 large paintings inspired by the Bhagavad-gita As It Is. Photo courtesy: Sydney Morning Herald. Bhakta Dasa, Communications and Interfaith Director for ISKCON Australia and Australasia recently had his reflection entitled, “How a schoolyard bully set me on my spiritual path” published in the opinion section of The […]
The post Devotee Reflection Featured in Sydney’s Morning Herald Paper appeared first on ISKCON News.
Perth temple celebrates Lord Jagannatha’s Rathayatra in the summer and the devotees observed the Lord’s Snana Yatra Festival a few weeks before.
According to Skanda Purana, when King Indradyumna installed the wooden deities he arranged this bathing ceremony. This day is considered to be the birthday of Lord Jagannatha. After the ceremony, the deities are not seen for a fortnight. The deities are kept in a special “sick room” and looked after by the pujaris.
It was my good fortune to participate in the Snana Yatra and associate with the many devotees who came to bathe Lord Jagannatha, Balarama and Subhadra on this auspicious occasion.
Vrajmohan Das has crafted a unique board game, “To Every Town And Village,” inspired by the classic game Monopoly. As the name suggests, the goal of the game is to help sponsor temples, develop projects, and spread Srila Prabhupada’s mission to every corner of the globe. Blending elements of fun, strategy, and devotion, the game offers […]
The post Explore ISKCON’s Legacy with the Board Game ‘To Every Town And Village” appeared first on ISKCON News.
Recently, a vibrant interfaith program took place at St. Alban’s Cathedral, bringing together individuals from various religious backgrounds to share their faiths to foster understanding, and work towards a stronger, more harmonious community. This event was a testament to the power of dialogue and mutual respect, where members of different traditions had the opportunity to […]
The post Building Bridges at St. Alban’s Cathedral appeared first on ISKCON News.
Since many of our ISKCON congregational members are of South Asian Indian descent and may be interested in participating in this program described below, we are publishing this story. We recognize it’s not relevant or open to many of our readers. However, because a sizable number may be interested in this opportunity to visit India […]
The post Indian Embassy Invites Diaspora Youth to Explore India Through its KIP Initiative appeared first on ISKCON News.
Guruttama Dasa, in gold, on President Alexander Stubb’s left, along with other key religious leaders at the Presidential Palace. On November 19, 2024, Guruttama Dasa, one of the managers of ISKCON Finland, attended an important meeting at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, hosted by the President of Finland, Mr. Alexander Stubb. The gathering brought together […]
The post ISKCON Invited to President of Finland’s Meeting with Religious Leaders appeared first on ISKCON News.
ISKCON’s North American Leadership Conference was held October 4-6th at New Vrindaban, West Virginia, gathering over 120 leaders from across the continent. Sankirtana Dasa, a long-time resident of NV, reflects on its relationship to Srila Prabhupada’s mood and mission, his experience and realizations attending some of the sessions, and insights from interviews with leaders over […]
The post The North American Leadership Conference: An Inspired Step Forward appeared first on ISKCON News.
The post 1 When Supersoul speaks | Four worldviews analyzed appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Premanjali holding one of her signature Learn Kirtan harmoniums. Kirtan, the sacred practice of chanting and singing the names of The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krishna, is a profound tool for meditation and self-expression. For Premanjali Dasi, kirtan is not only a complete devotional activity but also a transformative experience she aims to make […]
The post Kirtan for Everyone: Premanjali Dasi Aims to Spread Devotional Joy appeared first on ISKCON News.
On October 31, the auspicious day of Dipawali, the TOVP celebrated the Jvala Nrsimhotsava Festival of Lights for Lord Nrsimhadeva, marking the completion of Phase 2 of the Nrsimha Wing construction. Thousands of devotees from all over the world were present for this historic event, marking another milestone in the TOVP progress. Click HERE to […]
The post Jvala Nrsimhotsava Festival of Lights Video Overview appeared first on ISKCON News.
During the month of Margasirsha, (November-December) every day early in the morning the young daughters of the cowherds would take one another’s hands and singing of Krishna’s transcendental qualities, go to the Yamuna to bathe.
Desiring to obtain Krishna as their husband, they would then worship the goddess Katyayani with incense, flowers and other items.
The gopis first ate havishyanna, a kind of food prepared by boiling together mung dal and rice without any spices or turmeric. According to Vedic injunction, this kind of food is recommended to purify the body before one enacts a ritualistic ceremony.
After they had bathed in the water of the Yamuna, just as the sun was rising, the gopis made an earthen deity of goddess Durga on the riverbank. Then they worshiped her with such aromatic substances as sandalwood pulp, along with other items both opulent and simple, including lamps, fruits, betel nuts, newly grown leaves, and fragrant garlands and incense.
Each of the young unmarried girls performed her worship while chanting the following mantra. “O goddess Katyayani, O great potency of the Lord, O possessor of great mystic power and mighty controller of all, please make the son of Nanda Maharaja my husband. I offer my obeisances unto you.”
SB 10.22.4
katyayani maha-maye
maha-yoginy adhisvari
nanda-gopa-sutam devi
patim me kuru te namah
iti mantram japantyas tah
pujam cakruh kamarikah
Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead and master of all masters of mystic yoga, was aware of what the gopis were doing, and thus He went there surrounded by His young companions to award the gopis the perfection of their endeavor.
The post SELF EMPOWERMENT through understanding karma & Bhakti appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Prime Minister Starmer (far right) with Visakha Dasi in background with other leaders. Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister of the UK, invited faith leaders from different traditions to join him for breakfast on Thursday, November 14th. Visakha Dasi, representing ISKCON Bhaktivedanta Manor, was pleased to hear Mr Starmer emphasize the importance of faith to […]
The post Bhaktivedanta Manor President Invited to Interfaith Gathering with UK Prime Minister appeared first on ISKCON News.
Bhaktimarga Swami and leaders of Zone 1 cut a cake to honor the event. The 2024 Zone 1 Leadership Conference, held from November 8th to 10th in Edmonton, Alberta, brought together over 60 leaders from more than 25 ISKCON centers across Canada and six northern U.S. states. Under the theme “Think Big, Do Big, Act […]
The post 2024 Zone 1 Leadership Conference: Inspiring Growth and Connection Across ISKCON appeared first on ISKCON News.
2023 Winter Krsna Kidz Camp participants. The 16th Annual Winter Krsna Kidz Camp and Youth Retreat will be held at ISKCON Detroit – The Devasadhan Mandir from November 28th to 30th. This events aim to engage children and the youth in a fun and meaningful way that connects them to their Vedic culture. Kids, ages […]
The post Where Fun Meets Devotion: Winter Krsna Kidz Camp and Youth Retreat at ISKCON Detroit appeared first on ISKCON News.
The post Karma Philosophy for a Brighter Future (five-part series) VID 20241110 115230 appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
The post Karma Philosophy for a Brighter Future (five-part series) VID 20241110 101018 appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
The post Karma Philosophy for a Brighter Future (five-part series)VID 20241110 161524 appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
According to the legend, Tulasi Devi was a devoted and chaste woman named Vrinda. She was married to the demon King Jalandhar, who had obtained immense power due to his wife’s chastity. Jalandhar’s power became a threat to the demigods, and they approached Lord Vishnu for help.
Lord Vishnu, in the form of Jalandhar, went to Vrinda and tricked her into breaking her chastity, thus weakening Jalandhar’s power. The demigods then defeated Jalandhar in battle. Upon learning the truth, Vrinda was devastated and cursed Lord Vishnu to turn into a stone (Saligram) and wander the earth.
In his Saligram form, Lord Vishnu met Vrinda and explained the reason for his actions. He assured her that she would remain eternally connected to him as the sacred plant Tulasi. Vrinda, in her love and devotion, accepted this and requested that she be married to Lord Vishnu every year. This union is celebrated as Tulasi Vivaha, symbolising the eternal bond between Lord Vishnu and Tulasi Devi.
During Tulasi Vivaha, a ceremonial wedding is performed between a Tulasi plant and a Saligram stone representing Lord Vishnu. Devotees decorate the Tulasi plant with flowers, ornaments, and sacred threads. Mantras are chanted, and the wedding rituals are conducted with devotion and reverence.
Since 1972, the Prabhupada Book Marathon has inspired ISKCON devotees to share the spiritual wisdom of Srila Prabhupada’s books with the world. Now celebrated as the “Live to Give” campaign, this annual effort aims to “cover the earth” with copies of the Bhagavad-gita As It Is, including its recent milestone of even delivering Gitas to […]
The post 4.2 Million Reasons to Unite: ISKCON’s 2024 Live to Give Campaign Embarks on an Ambitious Mission appeared first on ISKCON News.
According to Vrinda-kunda Baba, Srimati Vrindadevi appeared on the full-moon night at the end of Kartik, or Damodara.
Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura, in Sri Vrndadevi-astaka (6-8), glorifies her:
rasabhilaso vasatis ca vrnda-
vane tvad-isanghri-saroja-seva
labhya ca pumsam krpaya tavaiva
vrnde namas te caranaravindam
“By your mercy, people attain residence in Vrindavan, the desire to serve your masters’ lotus feet, and the desire to assist in the rasa dance. O Vrinda, I bow to your lotus feet.
tvam kirtyase satvata-tantra-vidbhir
lilabhidhana kila krsna-saktih
tavaiva murtis tulasi nr-loke
vrnde namas te caranaravindam
“They who are learned in the Satvata-tantra glorify you. You are Krishna’s pastime-potency. The tulasi plant is your form in the world of men. O Vrinda, I bow to you lotus feet.
bhaktya vihina aparadha-laksaih
ksiptas ca kamadi-taranga-madhye
kpamayi tvam saranam prapanna
vrnde namas te caranaravindam
“O merciful one, I am devoid of devotion, and millions of offenses have thrown me into the turbulent waves of lust, anger, greed, and other faults. O Vrinda, I take shelter of your lotus feet.”
May Srimati Vrindadevi—and Sri Sri Radha-Damodara—bestow their mercy upon us all.
Hare Krishna.
Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami
Dr. Sumanta Rudra, Academic Dean of BRC, Radharaman Das, Vice President, ISKCON Kolkata, along with Scottish Church College Principal, Vice-Principal, Head Librarian, and others. Kolkata, being Srila Prabhupada’s appearance place, holds the unique distinction of being home to numerous special sites intimately associated with his life, particularly from his childhood and youth. One such place […]
The post Srila Prabhupada’s Legacy Honored: Inauguration of the Sri Abhay Charan De Seminar Hall at Scottish Church College appeared first on ISKCON News.
The post Three reasons Western outreach is tough Rishikesh appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Bhugarbha Goswami was a disciple of Gadadhara Pandita. Sri Kavikarnapura writes in his Gaura-ganodesa-dipika that Bhugarbha Goswami was formerly the gopi named Prema Manjari in Vrindavana.
While in Vrindavana, Bhugarbha Goswami passed away and entered into the unmanifest pastimes of the Lord on the fourteenth day of the full moon in the month of Kartika.
Lokanatha Goswami and Bhugarbha Goswami lived together in Vrindavana as one. Srila Narahari Cakravarti Thakura writes about them in his Bhakti-ratnakara: “Bhugarbha Goswami and Lokanatha Goswami were world-preachers; they were so close and affectionate to one another that they were like one body.”
Jaya Govinda Das leads 2024 guests on a hay ride through the New Talavana farm. The annual Cow Fest, or Go-Puja Mela, is a celebration with deep roots at ISKCON New Talavana, nestled in the peaceful countryside of Mississippi. Each year, this festival unites a diverse community to support the Krishna’s Cows farming initiative, an […]
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