Understanding Āstika, Nāstika, and the Six Systems of Vedic Philosophy Beyond Logic: The Journey to Absolute Truth By the Mercy of Śrīla Prabhupāda In the vast ocean of human inquiry, the soul eternally seeks answers to three fundamental questions: Who am I? What is this universe? And what is the ultimate goal? The Vedic tradition …
ORIGIN, STRUCTURE, AND LIVING RELEVANCE — A SCHOLARLY ISKCON GUIDE “Veda means knowledge, and ultimate knowledge is to understand Kṛṣṇa.” — Śrīla Prabhupāda (Bhagavad-gītā 15.15, Purport) Introduction The Vedas are the foundational scriptures of Sanātana-dharma — a vast, sacred body of knowledge guiding humanity in spirituality, ethics, ritual, society, and the science of self-realization. Within …
A practical ISKCON-style guide for married life, family duties, and loving service to Krishna Engaging opening Householders live in the world of family, work, and social duty. Yet the spiritual life is no less possible for them — it is simply expressed differently than for renunciates. Krishna bhakti for householders is about bringing devotional awareness …
Its Sacred Roots, Its History, and the Layers Added Over Time-A Devotional ISKCON Perspective Christmas is one of the most widely celebrated festivals on Earth. For billions, it is a sacred day honoring the birth of Lord Jesus Christ, a messenger of divine love and compassion. Yet Christmas is also a festival with multiple layers: …
What It Means, Why It Matters, and How Devotees Should Respond The phrase “jīva fall-down” refers to the living entity’s descent from its natural position of Krishna-consciousness into conditioned material life. Different Vaiṣṇava authors explain the origin and nature of that descent differently — some teach a literal one-time descent from a spiritual abode, others …
Blending Bhakti, Scriptural Wisdom, and Practical Healing Introduction Addiction is one of the most urgent social, psychological, and spiritual challenges of our age. Alcohol, drugs, pornography, gambling, social-media dependence, and compulsive behaviors silently harm families and strain communities. People caught in addiction often struggle not because they are weak, but because the mind becomes conditioned …
Celebrating the Advent of the Bhagavad-Gītā What is Gita Jayanti? Gita Jayanti commemorates the day Lord Kṛṣṇa imparted the Bhagavad-Gītā’s eternal teachings to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukṣetra — the “Song of God” that remains the core scripture of bhakti, dharma and selfless action. The Bhagavad-Gītā appears in the Bhīṣma-parva of the Mahābhārata as …
Honouring Tulasī Devi, Śālagrāma & the Rāsa Pastimes of KrishnaThe Festival of Divine Union and Ecstatic Rasa Every year in the sacred month of Kartika (October – November) the Vaishnava world rejoices in a twin celebration: the ceremonial wedding of the holy basil plant (Tulasī Devī) with the Śālagrāma (Lord Viṣṇu/Kṛṣṇa) and the full-moon festival …
The Sacred Adjustment: Trisparśa and the Mahādvādaśī Types Mahādvādaśī is a special Vaishnava observance that preserves the sanctity of Ekādaśī fasting when the lunar tithis and sunrise times create overlaps or special cases. Referred from classical Vaiṣṇava sources (Hari-bhakti-vilāsa, Skanda Purāṇa, Brahmāṇda Purāṇa tradition) and ISKCON/Prabhupāda guidance . What is Mahādvādaśī? — the authenticated definition …
Honoring Grandfather Bhīṣma and Concluding the Holy Month of Kārtika Bhīṣma Pañcaka marks the final five days of the sacred month of Kārtika, a period cherished by devotees for intense bhakti, prayer, and purification. These five days—Ekādaśī to Paurṇimā (the full moon)—are dedicated to Śrī Bhīṣmadeva, one of the twelve Mahājanas (great authorities in devotional …