The Crest Jewel of the Gosvāmīs Early Life Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī, the youngest of the Six Gosvāmīs of Vṛndāvana, appeared in 1513 CE in Ramakeli (present-day West Bengal) in a pious family of ministers serving under the Muslim ruler Hussain Shah. He was the nephew of Śrī Rūpa Gosvāmī and Śrī Sanātana Gosvāmī, the chief …
Ekādaśī The Day of Spiritual Victory What is Ekādaśī? Ekādaśī is the 11th lunar day (tithi) of both the waxing (śukla pakṣa) and waning (kṛṣṇa pakṣa) phases of the moon. In the Vedic tradition, Ekādaśī is glorified as the mother of devotion, a sacred day to deepen one’s relationship with Lord Kṛṣṇa through fasting, prayer, …
Bhadra Purnima The Auspicious Day to Distribute Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam What is Bhadra Purnima? Bhadra Purnima is an especially sacred full moon day that falls in the month of Bhadra (August–September) according to the Vedic calendar. This day is glorified in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (12.13.13): “If on the full moon day of the month of Bhadra, one places …
namo bhaktivinodāya sat-cid-ānanda-nāminegaura-śakti-svarūpāya rūpānuga-varāya te I offer my respectful obeisances unto Saccidananda Bhaktivinoda, the transcendental energy of Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and a firm follower of the Gosvāmīs—headed by Śrīla Rūpa. The Seventh Gosvāmī Biography Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura (1838–1914), born as Kedarnath Datta in Birnagar, Bengal, was a saintly ācārya, prolific author, visionary reformer, and a deeply …
Significance Vāmana Dvādaśī is the divine appearance day of Lord Vāmana, the fifth avatāra of Lord Viṣṇu, celebrated on the Dvādaśī tithi of the Bhādrapada month. Biography of Lord Vāmana Pastime Result: Bali Mahārāja was blessed with a planet called Sutala and became one of the twelve Mahājanas. Recommended Activities on Vāmana Dvādaśī Mantras to …
nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-taleśrīmate bhaktivedānta-svāmin iti nāminenamas te sārasvate deve gaura-vāṇī-pracāriṇenirviśeṣa-śūnyavādi-pāścātya-deśa-tāriṇe I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who is very dear to Lord Krishna, having taken shelter at His lotus feet. Our respectful obeisances are unto you, O spiritual master, servant of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami. You …
✨ Significance of Rādhāṣṭamī Rādhāṣṭamī is the sacred appearance day of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, the eternal consort of Śrī Kṛṣṇa and the embodiment of His supreme pleasure potency (hlādinī-śakti). Observed on the aṣṭamī tithi (eighth day) of the bright fortnight of Bhādra month, it is celebrated by Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavas worldwide with great devotion. While Janmāṣṭamī glorifies …
Who is Lord Gaṇeśa According to Vaiṣṇava Scriptures? In Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava understanding, Lord Gaṇeśa (Gaṇapati, Vighneśvara) is not the Supreme God but a great devotee of Govinda (Kṛṣṇa). He removes obstacles for sincere devotees engaged in worship of the Supreme Lord. Brahma-saṁhitā 5.50 Translation:“I worship Govinda, the primeval Lord. Gaṇeśa, the master of all obstacles, …
Celebrating the Divine Appearance of Lord Krishna Janmashtami is one of the most joyous and spiritually uplifting festivals celebrated worldwide by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). It marks the divine appearance day of Lord Sri Krishna, who descended over 5,000 years ago in Mathura to protect devotees, annihilate evil forces, and re-establish dharma. …
A Devotional Bond Beyond Ties of Blood – ISKCON’s Perspective on the Sacred Festival As the full moon of Shravana Purnima rises, India celebrates Raksha Bandhan, a festival traditionally symbolizing the Divine protection. Within the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) and the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition, the festival takes on deeper spiritual meanings that transcend …