For those who think perfection is unattainable, the Vedic literature says think again. By Nagaraja Dasa Claims of perfection generally draw skeptical responses. I saw a bumper sticker that read “Christians Aren’t Perfect, Just Forgiven,” implying that if we claim to be perfect no one will believe it. It seems the old adage “Nobody’s perfect” […]
A look at the worldwide activities of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Govinda’s Restaurant Opens in Ecuador Cuenca, Ecuador—ISKCON devotees recently opened a restaurant here in this large and important tourist city. The purpose of the restaurant, known as Govinda’s, is to distribute prasadam (vegetarian food prepared for and offered to Lord Krsna). […]
Sin in the Name of Religion This is the conclusion of a conversation between His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and a guest, Dr. Christian Hauser, a psychiatrist, that took place in Stockholm in September 1973. Srila Prabhupada: Now, for one who is actually God conscious, where is the question of fighting or killing? […]
Transcendental Commentary on the Issues of the Day Terror From The Year Zero by Suhotra Swami The year 1986 is proving to be a strange and terrifying year, especially for Americans living in Europe. The fear of terrorist reprisals against U.S. citizens in the wake of President Reagan’s air attack on Libya is palpable. Here […]
Half a mile up in the mountains of South India, the temple of Lord Venkatesvara attracts pilgrims from all over the world. Tirumala—High Haven of Krsna Consciousness by Kundali dasa Krsna has millions of names. Each name denotes one of His unlimited attributes. He is Rama, the source of bliss for His devotees; He is […]
Free to Dance “I could envision myself, floating through pink and lavender hues, transforming my body into delicate strands of emotion.” by Dvarakadhisa Devi Dasi When I was a very young girl, I wanted to become a dancer—not an ordinary dancer, bound by the laws of gravity to thump and thud and sweat and pant, […]
Try as we may, we cannot avoid the frustrations of life. But how can we use them to our advantage? A lecture in London in September 1971 by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Founder-Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness In materialistic life we cannot control our senses and mind. The mind […]
BACK TO GODHEAD is the monthly journal of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. When Srila Prabhupada began the Society (in New York City, in 1966), he put into writing the purposes he wanted it to achieve. They are as follows: 1. To systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to society at large and to educate all […]
The word Govinda refers to one who gives pleasure to the cows and the senses. There are many incarnations of Godhead, but Govinda is the adi-purusa, or the original person. As such He is not technically an incarnation of God but is God Himself.
O Gopinatha, Lord of the gopis, please hear my prayer. I am a materialistic rascal, always full of lust. I have no good qualifications.
Our dear Lord, You have appeared in Your original unalloyed form, the eternal form of goodness, for the welfare of all living entities. Taking advantage of Your appearance, all of them can now easily understand the nature and form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead
Lord Brahma had been watching Krishna. Brahma decided to show some of his own power and test the power of Krishna, who was engaged in His childhood pastimes. Therefore, in Krishna’s absence Brahma took all the boys and calves to another place.
Things haven’t changed so very much since the time Krsna played in Vrndavana as a cowherd boy. On the outskirts, in Ramana Reti, peacocks still dance beneath the trees. If you’re not careful, monkeys will steal fruit from your room.
There is a forest called Talavana full of palm trees, and all the trees are filled with sweet, ripe fruit. Some of the fruit is already falling, and some is still in the trees. It is a very nice place, but because of a great demon named Dhenukasura, it is very difficult to go there.
Brahma presented himself to Krishna as the most presumptuous living creature. He had stolen the boys and calves to test Krishna’s power, but now he admitted it was foolish to have attempted to display his energy before the energy of the Supreme Person.
Young Nalakuvara and Manigriva became addicted to intoxication and sex. One day they went searching for their favorite pleasures in a splendid garden on the bank of the Ganges. There they got themselves drunk on a liquor called Varuni, and singing noisily, they wandered through fragrant flowers with beautiful young girls.
Srila Prabhupada’s First Talks in America (New York, October 1966) How to reach the spiritual realm. His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada speaks on Bhagavad-gita, India’s time-honored source book of spiritual science. avyakto ‘ksara ity uktas tam ahuh paramam gatim yam prapya na nivartante tad dhama paramam mama “My supreme abode is unmanifested and […]
The Transcendental Pastimes of Lord Krsna Had little Krsna really put dirt in His mouth? Mother Yasoda decided she’d find out for herself. by Drutakarma dasa Mother Yasoda loved Krsna intensely—so much so that she would feed and dress Him and send Him out to play with His friends just as though He were an […]
A talk given by Acyutananda Svami in Los Angeles, March 1978. Translation of a Sanskrit Verse (Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.26.3) “The Supreme Personality of Godhead is the Supreme Soul, and He has no beginning. He is transcendental to the material modes of nature and beyond the existence of this material world. He is perceivable everywhere because He […]
Through his mystic power Aghasura took the form of an eight-mile-long python. At first, the boys thought the demon was just a statue. But then one boy said, “Just see—isn’t this more like a big serpent lying down in the road and widening his mouth to eat all of us?”