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 […]
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 […]
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” […]
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 […]
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 […]
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? […]
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). […]
Braving jungle paths, mountain trails, and flooded fields, Bhakti Raghava Swami has revolutionized the spreading of Krsna consciousness in India. by Anakadundubhi Dasa It’s six o’clock in the morning. Scores of Bengali pilgrims, bearing their clothes and blankets in bundles across their backs, hair still wet from their early-morning bath in the sacred Ganges, walk […]
Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare In Sanskrit, man means “mind” and tra means “freeing.” So a mantrais a combination of transcendental, spiritual sounds that frees our minds from the anxieties of life in the material world. Ancient India’s Vedic literatures single out one mantra […]
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, […]
The Master and the Memorizer A student of cooking learns that a cook and a recipe tester are not the same thing. by Visakha-devi dasi Ten years ago when I was learning to cook, I would go into the kitchen each morning after breakfast armed with several recipes written by my teacher, Yamuna-devi dasi, take […]
The Appearance of Lord Krsna Five thousand years ago Lord Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, appeared on earth to attract the people of the world back to Him. This year the annual celebration of Lord Krsna’s birthday, Janmastami, falls on August 27. Janmastami is perhaps the most widely celebrated of all the religious holidays […]