Anticipating Earth Day, I thought of a prayer that resonated with me in my youth: “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. For He has founded it on the seas, and established it on the floods. Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord, or who shall stand in His holy place? He that has clean hands, and a pure heart; who has not lifted up his soul to vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord.” (Psalm 24:1–5)
Later, when I met Srila Prabhupada, I came across a verse spoken by the Lord Himself, Krishna, which confirmed and expanded the same principle: “A person in full consciousness of Me, knowing Me to be the ultimate beneficiary of all sacrifices and austerities, the Supreme Lord of all planets and demigods, and the benefactor and well-wisher of all living entities, attains peace from the pangs of material miseries.” (Bhagavad-gita 5.29)
How, then, should we deal with the earth and its resources? “Everything animate or inanimate that is within the universe is controlled and owned by the Lord. One should therefore accept only those things necessary for himself, which are set aside as his quota, and one should not accept other things, knowing well to whom they belong.” (Isopanisad 1)
Thus one should be happy and satisfied in Krishna (God) consciousness.
Hare Krishna.
Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami
Close proximity to the Temple creates opportunities to serve within the Community such as giving Classes, inspiring younger devotees and engaging in regular Temple activities. We can also organize younger devotees in the Community to serve their elders. Our Devotee Care team of caregivers and assembled devotees would find it a great honor to serve Srila Prabhupada's disciples in the Vrndavana Retirement Home attentively, professionally, and affectionately. 
His Grace Braja Vilasa Speaks About the #Giving TOVP Worldwide Fundraiser May 7-17, 2019
By Gauranga Darshan Das
ISKCON operates many Govinda’s restaurants around the world. They are difficult to manage, but determined devotees, who are expert in cooking and management, come forward and take the burden. It is excellent preaching. People get to eat delicious vegetarian prasadam and hear krsna-kirtana, either in the restaurant or outdoors at Ratha-yatra. Srila Prabhupada was very fond of the restaurants. He said ghee produced on the farms could be brought to the restaurant and used in cooking or sold to the customers. 
On April 16th, to begin the celebration of Jayapataka Maharaja’s auspicious 70th Vyasa Puja celebration, thousands of his disciples and well-wishers, gathering at the TOVP office, looked on as Maharaja officially inaugurated the TOVP Daily Victory Flag raising tradition.
