Latest news with #SrilaPrabhupada
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- General
- New Indian Express
Srila Prabhupada an inspiration for all humanity: CM Majhi
BHUBANESWAR: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday said Srila Saraswati Goswami Prabhupada is a living symbol of devotion, service and humanity. Speaking during the 151st birth anniversary celebrations of Srila Prabhupada and the centenary celebrations of Sri Sachchidananda Math organised by Gauduiya Vaishnava Sammilani at Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Cuttack, the chief minister said that the Math has been illuminating the path of spirituality, literature and social service for a century. Majhi said that Prabhupada was not just a great saint, teacher or preacher; his philosophy on life reflects the eternal message of the Gita and Bhagavad. His teachings of 'dedicating life to the service of God' have always been a source of inspiration for a large number of people across the world. He said that Sri Sachchidananda Math has been spreading the light of knowledge, guiding people on the path of duty. Over the past 100 years, the Math has not only fostered spiritual awareness but also played a significant role in education, charity, spiritual discourse, social service and providing moral guidance to the youth. He further stated that Srila Prabhupada's contributions remain relevant today and by embracing his teachings, society can be established on the principles of universal brotherhood, leading to true happiness, prosperity and peace. The 151st birth anniversary of the seer is not just a day of remembrance but a resolve for all to stay committed to the ideals, service and devotion he embodied, Majhi said. 'The true meaning and purpose of devotion is to purify the inner soul and Srila Prabhupada has shown us the path. Our lives will be meaningful by incorporating his teachings into our lifestyle. His guidance and message will remain a source of eternal bliss for us,' he said. Gaudiya Mission's president Srila Bhakti Sundar Goswami Maharaj, Revenue minister Suresh Pujari and Higher Education minister Suryabanshi Suraj, were among the other dignitaries who took part in the event.
Time of India
10-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Iskcon prepares for grand Janmashtami celebration
Patna: The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon) in Patna is all set to host a grand celebration of Janmashtami. The event will be held for two days. While Janmashtami will be celebrated on Aug 16, the birth anniversary function of Iskcon's founder, Srila Prabhupada, known as the Prabhupada Avirbhav Mahotsav, will be held the next day. The celebration will include a special 'maha abhishek' at midnight, where the deity will be bathed with 251 silver pots and conch shells, while a grand offering of 501 different dishes will be prepared as 'prasad'. The 'darbar' of Lord Krishna will be decorated with flowers from eight countries, said Iskcon officials on Sunday. The event will also feature a dramatic depiction of Lord Krishna's divine forms. Adikarta Das, the co-chairman of Iskcon's management, said: "Flowers are being imported from eight different countries to adorn the temple. To manage the offerings, three additional priests will be present in the sanctum sanctorum. Devotees will engage in melodious 'kirtans' and a grand 'aarti'. Devotees from Russia, Ukraine, England and South Africa are expected to attend the celebrations. " A waterproof pandal has been erected within the temple premises, and special garments for the deity are being sourced from Vrindavan and Mayapur in Uttar Pradesh. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Knee Pain Keeping You Up at Night? This Trick Could Help Instantly Learn More Undo "In light of security concerns, barricading will be done on the roads, with a meeting scheduled with the administration on Wednesday to discuss arrangements from Maurya Lok to GPO. Separate queues will be maintained for men and women to ensure smooth movement. To manage the anticipated huge rush, no one will be allowed to stay within the temple premises," said Raman Manohar Das, another co-chairman of Iskcon management. The arrangement is such that devotees will enter, have darshan, and exit promptly. Private security guards and volunteers will be present for crowd control. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
New Indian Express
07-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
I asked Rajiv Gandhi in Mysuru whether I can quit IFS: Mani Shankar Aiyar
MYSURU: Veteran diplomat and politician Mani Shankar Aiyar highlighted the difference between grassroots and national politics and said at the local level, it's often the individual who matters more than the party. But at the national level, elections turn into referendums on personalities you vote for or against a face, he added. Speaking during a session 'Decades of Diplomacy, Democracy and Political Developments' organised as part of 9th Mysuru Literature Festival here on Sunday, Aiyar, known for his sharp wit and candid observations, enthralled the packed audience with reflections on India's democratic journey and milestones from his own political career during the second day of the literature festival. He recalled how Mysuru held special significance in his life and said it was in Mysuru that he first asked Rajiv Gandhi for permission to leave the Indian Foreign Service and enter politics. 'If you want your life to be on a gentle gradient, politics is not for you,' Aiyar said. 'But if you are ready to face uncertainty, challenge, and change then it is your calling,' he said recalling the decade back conversation. Book released A book titled, 'Sing, Dance and Lead: Leadership Lessons from the Teachings of Srila Prabhupada' authoured by renowned writer and historian Hindol Sengupta was released during a session. Drawing from Srila Prabhupada's global impact, he observed that despite sweeping technological advancements since the spiritual leader's arrival in the United States decades ago, his message continues to inspire because it transcends religious boundaries and speaks to the universal human spirit.
Hans India
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
SC verdict on ISKCON brings down curtains on 25-yr struggle of devotees
Bengaluru: The Supreme Court verdict on the ISKCON temple here has ended a long battle against 'self-proclaimed gurus,' and devotees' struggle to establish Srila Prabhupada as the Acharya of ISKCON, post his Maha Samadhi, ISKCON Bengaluru said on Friday. The apex court held that the Hare Krishna temple in Bengaluru belongs to the ISKCON Society in the city. It allowed the plea of ISKCON Bengaluru challenging a Karnataka High Court order that ruled in favour of ISKCON Mumbai over control of the iconic Hare Krishna temple and educational complex in this city. In a statement, Madhu Pandit Dasa, President of ISKCON Bengaluru, said, 'This internal ISKCON battle was against self-proclaimed gurus who claimed to be successors to Srila Prabhupada, the founder Acharya of ISKCON, without being authorised by Srila Prabhupada before his Maha Samadhi.' 'Rather, he set up a Ritvik system whereby all devotees in ISKCON at all times will be direct disciples of Srila Prabhupada,' he added. Srila Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON, established a system of initiation (Diksha) in 1977, shortly before he attained Maha Samadhi. Known as the Ritvik system, initiations would be conducted through his appointed representatives. As per this arrangement, all future devotees would become direct disciples of Srila Prabhupada, who would continue to remain the Acharya of ISKCON. He alleged those in ISKCON Mumbai, in the year 2000, tried to expel the devotees of ISKCON Bengaluru because they refused to accept the 'guruship' of self-proclaimed gurus of ISKCON, claiming that ISKCON Mumbai society controls the properties of ISKCON Bengaluru society,' Dasa said. 'Today, the 25-year-old court battle has been concluded by the Supreme Court by its verdict that BDA had allotted temple land of ISKCON Bangalore society--an independent ISKCON society registered in Bengaluru, in 1988 sand the property and funds to build the temple were raised in Bengaluru,' he said. 'In essence, ISKCON Mumbai has been injuncted from interfering with the management of ISKCON Bengaluru. They can no longer expel from ISKCON, thousands of devotees who want to accept only Srila Prabhupada as the sole Acharya of ISKCON,' he added. ISKCON Bengaluru had moved the top court on June 2, 2011, challenging the high court's verdict of May 23, 2011. In the plea, ISKCON Bengaluru, represented by its office-bearer Kodandarama Dasa, contested the high court judgment that overturned a 2009 order of a local court in Bengaluru. The trial court had earlier ruled in favour of ISKCON Bengaluru, recognising its legal title and granting a permanent injunction against ISKCON Mumbai. However, the high court reversed this ruling and upheld a counterclaim by ISKCON Mumbai, effectively granting them control over the temple.
New Indian Express
17-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Won ISKCON's long fight for Prabhupada's legacy, says temple president Madhu Pandit Dasa
BENGALURU: After the Supreme Court ordered that the famous Hare Krishna Hill temple in Rajajinagar belongs solely to the ISKCON-Bangalore Society and not to ISKCON-Mumbai, Sri Madhu Pandit Dasa, President of ISKCON-Bangalore, said the internal ISKCON battle was never just about property — it was a long fight to uphold the spiritual legacy of Srila Prabhupada, the founder acharya of ISKCON. 'They can no longer expel thousands of devotees who wish to accept only Srila Prabhupada as the sole acharya of ISKCON,' he said, reiterating that Prabhupada had set up a Ritvik system where all devotees would remain his disciples even after his passing. The Supreme Court's verdict on Friday marks the end of a 24-year legal and ideological battle between the ISKCON societies of Bengaluru and Mumbai. The apex court upheld ISKCON-Bangalore's independent legal identity and confirmed that the temple land had been allotted to it by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) in 1988. The court also barred ISKCON-Mumbai from interfering in the administration or affairs of the Bangalore society. What triggered the dispute was the question of spiritual succession within ISKCON after Srila Prabhupada's Maha Samadhi in 1977. ISKCON-Bangalore has long opposed the idea of self-appointed successors or 'gurus' leading the organisation. According to them, Srila Prabhupada had clearly outlined a Ritvik initiation system, under which he would remain the sole initiating spiritual master for all time, with representatives performing ceremonies on his behalf.
