(Sent from Brooklyn, New York, on January 10, 2026)
Where I Went and What I Did
For the first week of 2026 I lived in ISKCON NYC in Brooklyn. I chanted Hare Krishna in public with the NYC Harinam party of Rama Raya Prabhu from Monday to Saturday for three hours each day. It was too cold for me to stay out for the whole four hours. I also did a walking harinama on Sunday afternoon with Sitaram Prabhu around Fulton Street for an hour.
I share quotes from Srila Prabhupada’s Srimad-Bhagavatam, Sri Caitanya-caritamrita and The Nectar of Devotion. I also share quotes from a lecture by Srila Prabhupada. I share notes on classes at ISKCON NYC by Rama Raya, Arjunananda, Gopala Prana, and Natabara Gauranga Prabhus.
Thanks to Rama Raya Prabhu, Sevika Devi Dasi, and Madhurya Rasa Devi Dasi for the pictures and videos of me on harinama in New York City.
Itinerary
November 23, 2025–January 10, 2026: NYC Harinam
January 11: Orlando harinama and Alachua Sunday feast
January 12–mid April: harinama and college outreach in Tallahassee and Tampa
Chanting Hare Krishna in New York City
I was happy to have many friends to chant Hare Krishna with in Manhattan on New Year’s Day (https://youtube.com/shorts/oim4S4ftxK4?feature=share):
Here Rama Raya Prabhu chants Hare Krishna to the tune of the New Year’s song, “Auld Lang Syne,” on New Year’s Day in Manhattan (https://youtu.be/rE9yAJ18ixw):
For me that tune is always a song of separation: “Another year as passed, and I have failed to attain Krishna!”
Natabara Gauranga Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Manhattan (https://youtube.com/shorts/hpTSFH-1s_U?feature=share):
Bhakta Michael chants Hare Krishna in Manhattan (https://youtube.com/shorts/4BaZvX7RwCs):
Chatamayi Devi Dasi chants Hare Krishna in Manhattan before the main party arrived (https://youtu.be/7XVvFPQIU8Q):
Madhurya Rasa Devi Dasi chants Hare Krishna in Manhattan (https://youtu.be/QgY1RqRXDHk):
Here I chant Hare Krishna in Manhattan (https://youtube.com/shorts/jhyWNrSoGpI):
After chanting that kirtan, I rushed off to give the lecture at 26 Second Avenue. I made sure the first and second kirtans were a full half hour as my guru, Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami, told us they were when Srila Prabhupada was there in 1966. The whole time I sang the “Prabhupada Tune,” which I hardly ever sing, because I felt that is the best tune to sing there. People appreciated.
The verse to speak on was Bhagavad-gita 8.28. I discovered that Srila Prabhupada only spoke on that verse once, back in 1966 at that very location. He did not say much about it. His main point was that all the great teachers in all the traditions agree that we are not supposed to be trying to enjoy this material world but rather we should try to attain the spiritual realm. There may be differences in the method given at different times or places, but the goal of attaining a spiritual realm is in common.
While I was studying for the class I noticed that Chapter 8, in which verse 28 is the final verse, is the first chapter that actually contains the word “bhakti,” in both cases in the form “bhaktya,” meaning “by devotional service.” The verses containing this word are 8.10 and 8.22. Verse 10 states at death one must remember the Lord with devotion, and verse 22 states that the Lord can only be known by undivided devotional service.
I mentioned in my class that in the beginning of Chapter 8 Krishna answers all but one of Arjuna’s questions in just two verses, but He spends the whole rest of the chapter, or twenty-four verses, on the question, “How can those engaged in devotional service remember you are the time of death?” Thus Krishna considers that question most important.
I met three devotees from Surinam there at 26 Second Avenue. I previously saw them on harinama and later at the Brooklyn temple. One named Varsha (right), lives in New York City, and the couple, Satish and his wife, were visiting her. They all know my friend Janakinatha Prabhu from Amsterdam, who spends some time almost every year doing outreach in Surinam.
Jagaddhatri Devi Dasi chants Hare Krishna in Manhattan (https://youtube.com/shorts/4rMpP7vwWB0?feature=share):
Gokulendra Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Manhattan (https://youtube.com/shorts/OI2cFpNedr8?feature=share):
Dinesh chants Hare Krishna in Manhattan (https://youtube.com/shorts/rOV7kNYYpWE?feature=share):
Radha chants Hare Krishna in Queens (https://youtube.com/shorts/m-Bs5VL7ia8?feature=share):
Dhruti chants Hare Krishna in Queens (https://youtube.com/shorts/jdp8MoQlGYg?feature=share):
Sevika Devi Dasi chants Hare Krishna in Queens (https://youtu.be/c6I-qFZbVAo):
Dinesh chants Hare Krishna in Queens (https://youtube.com/shorts/5Qdb6hrh_fM):
I also chanted in Queens (https://youtube.com/shorts/hg8oUSlrrz8?feature=share):
Narayana Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Manhattan, attracting passersby (https://youtube.com/shorts/TkJklh8B-kI):
Income/Expenses for 2025
My expenses for 2025 were much the same as usual except for the taxes which were unreal. A devotee accountant friend told me that if I am sharing spiritual knowledge and people give me donations as a result then that counts as self-employment, and one is required to pay taxes on it. As it turns out, to get social security benefits I needed to work eight more quarters, so I decided to pay taxes for the last four years for two quarters of work each year and thus get enough credits to get social security benefits. I did not realize the outrageous penalties they charge for late taxes, which amount to 160% of the tax for 2021 and 117% of the tax for 2022. I am protesting both. I have never heard of an organization charging such massive fees for late payments. For a low income person and a senior citizen it is especially outrageous. The Constitution of the United States prohibits cruel and unusual punishment and in my opinion such fees are unconstitutional. It is cruel to deprive a low income person and senior citizen of such a high percentage of his income, and it is unusual to charge such exorbitant fees for late payment. Also as it turns out, I only got seven credits toward social security so I have to pay taxes for another year to get my final credit. At least this year there will not be any late fee.
Insights
Srila Prabhupada:
From Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.11.33, purport:
“The longest duration of one hundred years belongs to Brahma, but although the life of Brahma is very long, it expires in the course of time. Brahma is also afraid of his death, and thus he performs devotional service to the Lord, just to release himself from the clutches of the illusory energy. Animals, of course, have no sense of responsibility, but even humans, who have developed a sense of responsibility, while away their valuable time without engaging in devotional service to the Lord; they live merrily, unafraid of impending death. This is the madness of human society. The madman has no sense of responsibility in life. Similarly, a human being who does not develop a sense of responsibility before he dies is no better than the madman who tries to enjoy material life very happily without concern for the future. It is necessary that every human being be responsible in preparing himself for the next life, even if he has a duration of life like that of Brahma, the greatest of all living creatures within the universe.”
From Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.11.39:
“Time can control only those who are body conscious, even up to Satyaloka or the other higher planets of the universe.”
From Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.12.2:
“Brahma first created the nescient engagements like self-deception, the sense of death, anger after frustration, the sense of false ownership, and the illusory bodily conception, or forgetfulness of one’s real identity.”
From Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.12.3, purport:
“Lord Krishna says in the Bhagavad-gita (15.15) that He is present in everyone's heart and is helping everyone to either remember or forget. The question may be raised why the Lord, who is all-merciful, helps one to remember and another to forget. Actually, His mercy is not exhibited in partiality towards one and enmity towards another. The living entity, as part and parcel of the Lord, is partially independent because he partially possesses all the qualities of the Lord. Anyone who has some independence may sometimes misuse it due to ignorance. When the living entity prefers to misuse his independence and glide down towards nescience, the all-merciful Lord first of all tries to protect him from the trap, but when the living entity persists in gliding down to hell, the Lord helps him to forget his real position. The Lord helps the falling living entity glide down to the lowest point, just to give him the chance to see if he is happy by misusing his independence.”
From Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.12.5, purport:
“People may ask how the Kumaras could refuse the orders of Brahma, who was their father and above all the creator of the universe. The reply is that one who is vasudeva-parayana, or seriously engaged in the devotional service of the Personality of Godhead, Vasudeva, need not care for any other obligation. . . . Thus there was nothing wrong in the acts of the Kumaras when they refused their great father’s request that they become family men.”
From Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.12.23, purport:
“Nārada can deliver to anyone the transcendental loving service of the Lord as a servitor, friend, parent or lover, as one may desire out of one’s own transcendental love for the Lord. In other words, it is Nārada only who can deliver the path of bhakti-yoga, the highest mystic means for attainment of the Supreme Lord.”
From Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.12.25, purport:
“Anything which does not lead to the devotional service of the Lord is irreligion, and anything which leads to the devotional service of the Lord is called religion.”
From Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.12.26, purport:
“A devotee of the Lord always has the Lord in his mind, and thus he does not need to be desireless because all his desires are in relationship with the service of the Lord.”
From Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.12.28, purport:
“Social freedom of man and woman, especially among the younger section, is certainly a great stumbling block on the path of spiritual progress. Material bondage is due only to sexual bondage, and therefore unrestricted association of man and woman is surely a great impediment.”
From Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.12.47, purport:
“In the ultimate issue there is nothing material because everything has its origin in the spiritual world. The material manifestation is therefore called illusion in the proper sense of the term. For those who are realized souls there is nothing but spirit.”
From Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.13.1, purport:
“The word adrtah is significant because it indicates that Vidura had a natural inclination for hearing the transcendental message of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and that he was never fully satisfied though continuing to hear those topics. He wanted to hear more and more so that he could be more and more blessed by the transcendental message.”
From Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.13.3, purport:
“Hearing the topics of the Lord and hearing of the character and activities of the pure devotee have the same result, namely, the development of devotional service.”
From Sri Caitanya-caritamrita, Preface:
“Illuminating knowledge can be acquired by studying the teachings of Lord Caitanya, and by such knowledge one can advance in spiritual existence.”
“I sincerely hope that by understanding the teachings of Lord Caitanya human society will experience a new light of spiritual life, which will open the field of activity for the pure soul.”
From Sri Caitanya-caritamrita, Introduction:
“The author of the Caitanya-caritamrta prays that just as Krishna attracted the gopis by the sweet sound of His flute, He will also attract the reader’s mind by that transcendental vibration.”
From Sri Caitanya-caritamrita, Adi, Chapter 1, Summary:
“Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu does not belong to the mundane plane of the three qualitative modes. He belongs to the transcendental plane beyond the reach of the imperfect sense perception of a living being. Even the most erudite mundane scholar cannot approach the transcendental plane unless he submits himself to transcendental sound with a receptive mood, for in that mood only can one realize the message of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.”
From Sri Caitanya-caritamrita, Adi 1.19, purport:
“The Gaudiya Vaishnavas who follow strictly in the line of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu worship the Divinity by chanting transcendental sounds meant to develop a sense of one’s transcendental relationship with the Supreme Lord, a reciprocation of mellows (rasas) of mutual affection, and, ultimately, the achievement of the desired success in loving service.”
“The perfection of life is simply to surrender to the Supreme. In the beginning of our spiritual life we must therefore worship Madana-mohana so that He may attract us and nullify our attachment for material sense gratification. This relationship with Madana-mohana is necessary for neophyte devotees. When one wishes to render service to the Lord with strong attachment, one worships Govinda on the platform of transcendental service. Govinda is the reservoir of all pleasures. When by the grace of Krishna and the devotees one reaches perfection in devotional service, he can appreciate Krishna as Gopijana-vallabha, the pleasure Deity of the damsels of Vraja.”
From Sri Caitanya-caritamrita, Adi 1.20–21:
“Simply by remembering the spiritual master, the devotees of the Lord, and the Personality of Godhead, I have invoked their benedictions. Such remembrance destroys all difficulties and very easily enables one to fulfill his own desires.”
From Sri Caitanya-caritamrita, Adi 1.35, purport:
“If one desires unalloyed devotional service, one must associate with devotees of Sri Krishna, for by such association only can a conditioned soul achieve a taste for transcendental love and thus revive his eternal relationship with Godhead in a specific manifestation and in terms of the specific transcendental mellow (rasa) that one has eternally inherent in him.”
“The expert spiritual master knows well how to engage his disciple’s energy in the transcendental loving service of the Lord, and thus he engages a devotee in a specific devotional service according to his special tendency.”
“One should always remember that a person who is reluctant to accept a spiritual master and be initiated is sure to be baffled in his endeavor to go back to Godhead. One who is not properly initiated may present himself as a great devotee, but in fact he is sure to encounter many stumbling blocks on his path of progress toward spiritual realization, with the result that he must continue his term of material existence without relief. Such a helpless person is compared to a ship without a rudder, for such a ship can never reach its destination. It is imperative, therefore, that one accept a spiritual master if he at all desires to gain the favor of the Lord. The service of the spiritual master is essential. If there is no chance to serve the spiritual master directly, a devotee should serve him by remembering his instructions. There is no difference between the spiritual master’s instructions and the spiritual master himself. In his absence, therefore, his words of direction should be the pride of the disciple. If one thinks that he is above consulting anyone else, including a spiritual master, he is at once an offender at the lotus feet of the Lord. Such an offender can never go back to Godhead. It is imperative that a serious person accept a bona fide spiritual master in terms of the sastric injunctions. Sri Jiva Gosvami advises that one not accept a spiritual master in terms of hereditary or customary social and ecclesiastical conventions. One should simply try to find a genuinely qualified spiritual master for actual advancement in spiritual understanding.”
From Sri Caitanya-caritamrita, Adi 1.44, purport:
“The spiritual master’s eternal occupation is to expand the service of the Lord by training disciples in a service attitude.”
From The Nectar of Devotion, Chapter 48:
“It is to be understood that any person who is constantly engaged in chanting the holy names of the Lord—Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare / Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare—has attained a transcendental affection for Krishna, and as such, in any condition of life, he remains satisfied simply by remembering the Lord’s name in full affection and ecstatic love.”
From a class on Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.5.35 in Vrindavan on August 16, 1974:
“So hari-tosanam or bhagavat-paritosanam can be possible when we actually know what is God. Otherwise there is no question. So, so far we are concerned, Krishna conscious devotees, we know who is God. Therefore this business is possible by us, not by others. We know what is God. We have no vague idea. We know who is God, where does He live, what does He do, His name, address, His father’s name—everything we know. Therefore we can satisfy. We are competent to satisfy because we know exactly who is God. That is Krishna. Krishnas tu bhagavan svayam [SB 1.3.28].”
“We must know first of all who is God, who is Bhagavan. So sastra says, authority says, and history says. What more proof you want? Huh? What more proof? Is there anyone to challenge Krishna? Everything is there. Still, why you are searching after God? This is foolishness. This is foolishness. Owls’, owls’ philosophy. Owls’ philosophy... The owl will not open the eyes to see the sun. Just open your eyes, you see, here is sun. ‘No, there is no sun.’ This is owls’ philosophy. Close the eyes; meditate. And the God is here, ‘No, I’ll not open my eyes.’”
Rama Raya Prabhu:
The miserable conditions of material life inspire a devotee to become more dedicated to the spiritual path.
Guru Gauranga in telling how he came to Krishna consciousness said he faithfully followed his materialistic advisor’s instructions for success. When he achieved the success they promised, he did not find the satisfaction he had hoped for. When he asked his advisors, they gave him instructions to attain another level which he also found incompletely satisfying once he attained it.
Arjunananda Prabhu:
Kings, because they are situated in the mood of passion, need to be guided by brahmanas, who are situated in the mode of goodness. Otherwise they become carried away by passion, like King Vena.
King Vena was killed because he dissatisfied the brahmanas. We should always make sure we are satisfying the brahmanas, and especially the Vaishnavas, around us.
Gopala Bhatta Goswami was completely absorbed in chanting the holy name and writing books at Vrindavan.
The transformation of Gopala Bhatta Goswami’s salagram to a deity shows that the Lord reciprocates the enthusiasm of the devotee to serve him in a certain way.
Comment by Shyamsindhu Prabhu: I liked the point that Dhruva Maharaja stopped his unrestricted killing when requested but King Vena didn’t which illustrates how passion should be controlled by goodness.
Gopala Prana Prabhu:
Our eyes are desiring to see many beautiful things, but until they see the beautiful face of Krishna, they will not be satisfied.
The attractive Krishna has incarnated as the Srimad-Bhagavatam and His holy name, but because our hearts are contaminated we are not attracted.
Madhavendra Puri performed the annakuta festival for his Gopal deity in Vrindavan each day for three months.
Krishna is more pleased when we want to serve Him than when we want to see Him.
Money is sweeter than honey because honey can satisfy only one sense, but with money you can satisfy all your senses.
If we serve the Lord, He will be inspired to see us.
Because our hearts are impure they are attracted to sense gratification.
Radha was so particular about not seeing anything of this material world that She did not open Her eyes after She appeared until She had the opportunity to have Krishna’s association.
Natabara Gauranga Prabhu:
Our acaryas [teachers in our spiritual lineage] reveal the inner psychology of the Lord.
We all want a relationship with beautiful people and residence in an idyllic place. Krishna makes arrangements for us to attain that spiritual world which will fulfill our hearts desire, although those arrangements may not initially be so palatable to us because of our material attachments.
The Lord, in his expertise, is changing us from sakama devotees [devotees having personal desires] to akama devotees [selfless devotees].
Krishna Kripa Das:
From a Facebook post:
In the course of studying French, I learned two words with a surprisingly similar sound, prêcher (to preach) and pêcher (to fish). That made me think that in our preaching work we are fishing in the ocean of material existence for souls interested in self-realization.
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These verses of universal wisdom from Sri Isopanisad are very relevant to our lives because they give us a clue of how to practically live in peace and have a long duration of life.
isavasyam idam sarvam
yat kiñca jagatyam jagat
tena tyaktena bhuñjitha
ma grdhah kasya svid dhanam
kurvann eveha karmani
jijivisec chatam samah
evam tvayi nanyatheto ’sti
na karma lipyate nare
“Everything animate or inanimate that is within the universe is controlled and owned by the Lord. One should therefore accept only those things necessary for himself, which are set aside as his quota, and one should not accept other things, knowing well to whom they belong. One may aspire to live for hundreds of years if he continuously goes on working in that way, for that sort of work will not bind him to the law of karma. There is no alternative to this way for man.” (Sri Isopanisad 1–2)
