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The Bhagavad-Gita is the oldest scripture in the world. It is a part of the Mahabharata which is considered to be a portion of the fifth Veda. The Mahabharata was composed by Srila Vyasadeva who is considered to be one of the incarnations of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The Bhagavad-Gita is the only scripture in the world that is spoken by God personally. So sometimes it is said that if you want God to speak to you then read the Bhagavad-Gita. Bhagavad-gita and the Absolute Truth The Bhagavad-Gita contains instructions that can be applied in

Author: Ananda Vrndavan dasi, teacher of Madhurya Kadambini course at Bhaktivedanta College The first series on Madhurya Kadambini course    Photo by Dhiraj Amritraj    Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura describes in his Madhurya Kadambini the progressive stages of devotion in terms of the visible symptoms of developing love. He makes it clear that bhakti is not something one can acquire from a source outside oneself; rather it is latent in all living entities, and the devotional process simply awakens it. While developing pure devoti

Kirtan as an expression of bhakti Kirtan, or any chants that praise God, are reserved for the expression of one’s bhakti. By chanting the maha-mantra, which is the great mantra for deliverance, composed of God’s names, Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare, we are trying to connect with the Lord internally, within the heart. In this sacred space of transcendental sound, we try to become present within the moment, to hear attentively, to sincerely call out, asking for service as well as pur

Formula for solving injustice The Vedic wisdom of the ‘Sri Isopanisad’ offers a spiritual solution for solving all of the problems of injustice and poverty within today’s world. It contains a formula for world peace. We see in today’s society that 85.6% of global wealth is situated in the hands of 8.6% of people; which just goes to show the prevalence of poverty and injustice within today’s world. This figure shows how world governments are failing to find suitable solutions to solve these issues, in order to address this pro

Teachers surround us everywhere, starting from the very day that we are born. Our first teachers are our parents, who prepare us for how to live in this world. As soon as we try to learn something from someone, that person automatically becomes our teacher. This principle is the same within spiritual life. Both guidance and shelter are essential in order to succeed in our spiritual life. Alone, we simply cannot go all that far! There is a saying that, no man is an island. We need others, we need their help, as well as their blessings and mercy. Supp

As the entire world goes through challenging times it becomes even more important that we keep our Krishna consciousness strong by reading regularly in the Bhagavatam, by chanting with more focus and attention and by associating through hearing the many wonderful seminars and lectures that are given online. Hence, HH Sacinandana Swami has decided to offer support, nourishment, and guidance with a specially designed course to which he cordially invites everyone – the Living Name online course. It is a 7-week in-depth online course where you wil

‘HARE KRISHNA!, The Mantra, The Movement and the Swami who started it all’ After great success, when the film watched online 180 thousand viewers on six continents during Easter weekend, there is another opportunity to watch the movie online for free! Hare Krishna! is a documentary on the life of Srila Prabhupada–the 70-year-old Indian Swami who arrived in America without support or money in the turbulent 1960s. It explores how he ignited a worldwide revolution of spiritual consciousness, known as the Hare Krishna Movement. You are invit

Author: Anupama Devi Dasi, teacher of Bhagavad-gita (Chapters 13-18) at Bhaktivedanta College Knowledge means to understand oneself in Krishna Consciousness The middle 6 chapters of the Bhagavad-gita, and especially the 12th chapter, appear as the crescendo of Krishna’s glorification of Bhakti. Therefore, one may question: “Why are the last six chapters known as the Yoga of Knowledge?” An answer is to be found in the 13th Chapter wherein Srila Prabhupada writes: “Knowledge and development of knowledge mean to understand oneself in Krishna Consciousn

Author: Janne Kontala, PhD (Jayananda das) Introduction to Yoga Philosophy online course at Bhaktivedanta College Yoga helps us to use our freedom in the best Yoga helps us to use our freedom in the best way so that our freedom can grow. Freedom to choose is there, but it should not be misunderstood. Yoga does not advocate unlimited freedom; we are constrained in our choices by our karma and destiny, which we have created by our past choices. We can exercise our will to choose in the present context, and depending on the choices we make now, we