Where I Went and What I Did
For week 40 of 2026 I was based at ISKCON NYC in Brooklyn, and I chanted Hare Krishna with Rama Raya Prabhu’s NYC Harinama party every day, except Sunday when I chanted with other devotees at the Atlantic Antic street festival for an hour and a quarter and by myself in a Brooklyn subway station for another hour.
I share quotes from Srila Prabhupada’s Srimad-Bhagavatam, two articles by him in Back to Godhead magazine, and a lecture of his as well. I share a quote each from the Rg Veda by Srila Vyasadeva and from Sajana Tosani by Bhaktivinoda Thakura. I share quotes from Back to Godhead magazine articles by Visakha, Satyaraja, Ramanatha-sukha, Caitanya Carana, Gauranga Darsana, Yamuna Jivana, Adi Govinda, and Brajanatha Prabhus. I share quotes from Improvisations to Music, Book 2 by Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami and notes on classes by Krishna Kshetra Swami, and Pancharatna, Hansarupa, and Rama Raya, and Sri Gopala Prana Prabhus.
Many, many thanks to Siarhei, a regular at 26 Second Avenue, for his very generous donation.
Itinerary
September 23–December 31: NYC Harinam
– November 1–???: serves Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami at Stuyvesant Falls
Chanting Hare Krishna in New York City
Keshava Madhava chants Hare Krishna at Times Square during a rainfall when we sang under some scaffolding (https://youtube.com/shorts/ihyGHarh38s?feature=share):
While he was chanting there a French speaking woman enjoyed dancing with the devotees (https://youtube.com/shorts/64hnhYXqWBY?feature=share):
She was happy to accept the French “On Chanting Hare Krishna” I gave her.
After the rain, we returned to our original spot as Keshava Madhava Prabhu continued to chant Hare Krishna (https://youtube.com/shorts/-ZXgHIh80r8):
Suhani chants Hare Krishna at Times Square (https://youtube.com/shorts/5LblVY8c8o0?feature=share):
Vasudeva chants Hare Krishna at Times Square (https://youtube.com/shorts/gS1kBYaEDzU?feature=share):
Chatamayi Devi Dasi chants Hare Krishna in Manhattan ( https://youtube.com/shorts/Lh3-RTtq280?feature=share ):
Luis and friends chant Hare Krishna in Manhattan (https://youtube.com/shorts/Y-swLf3M0jY?feature=share):
Krishna Kshetra Swami chants Hare Krishna at 26 Second Avenue in Manhattan ( https://youtube.com/shorts/vkyD0Cx6lwM ):
As he continued chanting the tempo increased, and more devotees danced (https://youtube.com/shorts/ihg5yrKkhug?feature=share):
Monday on NYC Harinam we met Walter Yoka, ISKCON’s lawyer in the Robin George brainwashing case decades ago. He remembered how the LA devotees brought him lunch during the trial and the amazing cookies they had. Although a young lawyer, he was interviewed by national TV about the case. He was intrigued about its first amendment aspect. He was happy to work on the case and to meet devotees again. He accepted our NYC cookies and the invitation to our temple and restaurants.
At some point a couple of NYU students studying film came by with an impressive microphone. They asked if they could record the drum and later the maracas.
Sacinandana Priya Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Manhattan ( https://youtube.com/shorts/EbnGZ-E3TFI?feature=share ):
Piu chants Hare Krishna in Manhattan (https://youtube.com/shorts/p0Z8AOLwnZE?feature=share):
Ananta Govinda chants Hare Krishna in Manhattan (https://youtube.com/shorts/6fBPMqsG8Ec):
Maha Mantra Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Manhattan ( https://youtube.com/shorts/UVQX2yiytzY ):
While he was chanting, a woman passering by played shakers for a while (https://youtube.com/shorts/I81MHk7ks2Y):
Rama Raya Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Manhattan ( https://youtube.com/shorts/meDB0gOvnfU?feature=share ):
I got the Kadamba Bowl with gochujang carrot hummus, pickled cucumber, avocado, pomegranate chutney, teriyaki tofu, broccolini, sweet potato, tapioca cracker, ube sushi rice, and miso almond butter sauce. For a drink I got the Gold Coast Sunset smoothie made with mango, pineapple, coconut milk, blue spirulina, honey, and pitaya swirl. For a dessert I got a mango chia dessert sweetened with maple syrup.
When I proofread the November/December 2026 Back to Godhead magazine I was happy to see two Prabhupada disciples who I am friends were featured prominently on the Hare Krishna mantra page.
Insights
Srila Prabhupada:
From Srimad-Bhagavatam 4.21.24, purport:
“There are many subtle laws which are practically unknown to people in general, but the Krishna consciousness movement is very scientifically distributing all this Vedic knowledge for the benefit of the people of the world.”
From Srimad-Bhagavatam 4.25.16, purport:
“The body is also a resting place because when the living entity becomes fatigued he takes rest within the body.”
From Srimad-Bhagavatam 5.3.10:
[The brahmanas said to Lord Vishnu:] “O most worshipable of all, You are the best of all benefactors, and Your appearance at saintly King Nabhi’s sacrificial arena is meant for our benediction. Because You have been seen by us, You have bestowed upon us the most valuable benediction.”
From Srimad-Bhagavatam 8.9.28, purport:
“The demons or atheists have faith in their own endeavors, but although they work very hard day and night, they cannot get any more than their destiny. The devotees, however, can surpass the reactions of karma and achieve wonderful results, even without effort.”
From “The Qualifications for Actual Knowledge” in Back to Godhead, Vol. 60, No. 6 (Nov/Dec 2026):
[An edited transcript of a lecture on Bhagavad-gita 13.8–12 in Bombay on October 3, 1973.]
“Jesus Christ was crucified because he was preaching God consciousness. Although Jesus Christ preached, ‘Thou shall not kill,’ unfortunately he was preaching in such a society in which he was killed. These things are there always. The demons are always after the devotees, considering how to harass them and give them trouble. Therefore one has to learn humility; otherwise one cannot make progress in Krishna consciousness.”
“I request everyone to study this philosophy very carefully and take advantage of it.”
From “Srila Prabhupada Speaks Out” in Back to Godhead, Vol. 60, No. 6 (Nov/Dec 2026):
“Modern man does not know, ‘I may feel proud of racing around in a car, but is there any value if I do not understand the meaning of my life?’”
“In a slaughterhouse many animals are brought together expressly to be killed. So this whole material world is a slaughterhouse. And when there is need, many two-legged animals will be brought together into a war and killed. This place is a slaughterhouse. And yet the foolish two-legged animal is thinking, ‘I am now very comfortably situated.’ He forgets, ‘I am going to be slaughtered.’”
From a lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.10.14 in Mayapur on June 27, 1973:
“I may be sent to hell, heaven; it doesn’t matter. What qualification have I got that I want to see back to home, back to Godhead? It is not so easy thing. So why should I be sorry for that? I should be happy even in the hell, simply by thinking of Krishna. That is wanted. That is wanted. That is Krishna consciousness.”
Srila Vyasadeva:
From Rg Veda 1.156.3:
“Om. O Sri Vishnu, by chanting Your name, which is conscious and glorious, we who have little knowledge about the name attain true insight. This name is eternal.”
Bhaktivinoda Thakura:
From Sajjana-tosani (9/9, 1897):
“Exhibiting compassion towards living entities is of three kinds. Display of compassion in regard to the gross body of the living entities is counted among pious activities. Distributing free food to the hungry people, distributing free medicine to the diseased persons, distributing free water to the thirsty people, and distributing clothes to persons who are afflicted with cold are all born from the compassion in regard to the body. Giving free education is borne from the compassion in regard to the mind of the living entities. But the highest kind of compassion is in regard to the soul of the living entities. From such compassionate propensity, the eagerness for delivering the fallen souls from the miseries of material existence by awarding them the devotional service to Krishna is produced.”
Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami:
From Improvisations to Music, Book 2:
“Boss, I’m not feelin’
the love you told me I’d feel
but trying to serve
and serve.”
“I’m your servant but
gee, after thirty-one
years in the business, I want
to shake out my own
love and reach for it and
“make a suitable contribution
to your movement
that moves
“moves past being a society
of rules and big shots
and opposition parties
and powerful
apathy.”
“Not enough have I done. Boss,
push me through just when
I’m begging you to
give me a break, some
peace, space, my own room,
no demands.
I know I’m a sad case,
but your memory and your picture
what you suffered to bring us
to Krishna, helpless
you seemed
as you
endured
His love.”
“Better they pray to Krishna
learn to turn to Him,
and I do it myself whenever
we are afraid.”
“please teach me and accept
my child-like offering, you who
gave me prasadam—
that memory I’ll always
treasure.”
“Serene, you are,
like white clouds or
clear ponds,
your words lyric music
universal, and
Krishna comes through you
from the spiritual dimension.”
“Wise one, dear to Krishna,
you are a lover of God.
Please include me in
your embrace of all
creatures.”
“Ready to rest in your shelter
once again
at death and
after
serene, wise one, let
me be with you
as serving.”
“I can’t prevent suffering, but
can point to Krishna in your life.”
“not so hopeless as to drop the enterprise and to head for the pub. No, a brother reminds, there’s hope in a day like today.”
“Someone said (in my mind)
maybe you lost something because
you offended devotees
or the holy name and no one
will tell you because
you won’t let them.
It’s that simple.
What now? Am I
shut out?”
“They’re all dumb
to KC despite
devotees pushing it in airports
and despite the obvious light
of truth.”
“But I’ll know the truth
that I clung to the lotus feet
of my spiritual master
that I merely
held on.”
“O Krishna, every day
we give You our breath.”
“Swami, I am with you still.”
“I am irresponsible
he says
I say it’s okay to sing
for the Lord
in flowing measure
any moment it can stop
heart attack! Krishna Bang
and our orbit changes
although we appear
to have passed in peace.”
“Someone talks about meditation
on modern hurts—wounds to be healed
old and
new
and it occurs to me that I already
have the best healing process
this Krishna consciousness
and I just have to work
at that open window
with Srila Prabhupada behind me
and no ghosts of
tender moments left.”
“My crisis quiet
of doubt and lack of taste
but trying to find truth
in everything.”
“God touches us and wants
us to dance
for Him
in thanks and to serve
His mission
of rescuing the downtrodden.”
“but when your own master speaks
try to represent him right.”
“We want to accept God’s plan somehow
that He has a plan
and we want to sing His holy name
again and again
with grace and surrender
and the freedom to move
with those thirty-two syllables, walking
more than back and
forth in a room.”
“We are a generation of the unripe
growing toward the eternal.”
“O Krishna, I haven’t forgotten
the lessons I learned so well
now I dance and play my flute
under a cold sliver
of Ekadasi moon to a beat
that’s not as tragic
as it could be
but one which has an elegant bounce.”
“don’t think you can’t have fun
in Krishna consciousness—you can,
but to please Krishna
Himself.”
“There’s me by the Chinese shed,
the river rising, I’m
painting on scrolls and paying my dues
in a more
mellow way these days.”
“I want to find out
how to follow my master and my own heart
together.”
“Krishna, You rain and
Reign
and rein me in back
to Your path and up the hill
despite my complaining, ‘I can’t see!
I can’t taste!’”
“I am only a man of regular proportions
trying to come back to Krishna and Radha.”
Krishna Kshetra Swami:
From a class at 26 Second Avenue on October 3, 2026:
Q: What are the greatest obstacles to surrender to Krishna?
Suggestion by someone in audience: Opening your heart?
A: Yes, you could say that. In this age the fearing or defending propensity is prominent and that makes it hard to open the heart.
Rather than considering the impediments, it may be profitable to consider the opportunity. The Hare Krishna movement is giving an opportunity to open the heart. The method is sankirtana. However, coming together is hard for us.
We can become steady by making a vow to do some practice that is actually possible for us to do. Think of what we can do every day, every week, or every month.
One could ask if Krishna left taking dharma, jnana (knowledge), etc., with Him, what is the point for His coming.
The answer is that He appears in the Srimad-Bhagavatam.
That this world is no place for a gentleman indicates those with refined tastes do not consider this world a fit place to live.
Pancharatna Prabhu:
Srila Prabhupada spoke of four movements:
1. harinama sankirtana
2. temple worship
3. social divisions not based on birth
4. classless society
Both in a letter to someone organizing a Gandhi memorial in 1947 and his “Gita Nagari” essay in 1956 Srila Prabhupada spoke about these four movements.
Although there is an equality of opportunity there are differences in terms of responsibilities.
The first of the seven purposes stresses that ISKCON is an educational movement.
There is a version of the League of Devotees Constitution of Association from 1953 that Srila Prabhupada has marked up to produce one for ISKCON.
It is good if we use English descriptions of the Vedic social classes because the idea of social classes based on birth is so attached to their traditional names brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya, and sudra.
What does varnasrama give that another social system doesn’t? It gives one self-satisfaction in one’s work.
Some studies say 80% of workers are not happy in their jobs.
How to balance work and my spiritual life? See how your work contributes to your spiritual life.
Impersonal meditational practices can lead to psychosis.
Varnasrama brings people together because they all have a role to play.
Comments by me:
Now instead of the leaders receiving advice from the brahmanas they are lobbied by the businessman.
Vaninatha Vasu Prabhu is trying to create a school for training ksatriyas and in this way move toward implementing varnasrama.
Visakha Dasi:
From “On Inspiration” in Back to Godhead, Vol. 60, No. 6 (Nov/Dec 2026):
“Inspiration is a blessing, and the word itself reveals that. Originally from Middle English, ‘inspiration’ refers to ‘guidance,’ which is one reason why we often can’t ‘fix’ another person’s lack of inspiration, for it’s a gift. What we can do is share with others the sources of our own inspiration, as well as what we did to become inspired during our ‘barren desert’ times.”
“For me and others, dry, bleak periods are a time to go inside, to pray, and to try to awaken to the grace that’s all around us.”
Ramanatha-sukha Prabhu:
From “Sri Radha-ramana: The Living Heart of Vrindavan” in Back to Godhead, Vol. 60, No. 6 (Nov/Dec 2026):
“No human craftsmanship was involved in producing Radha-ramana’s delicate and graceful form. Rather, the Lord revealed Himself in response to the pure devotional longing of His devotee. This distinction is theologically significant. It demonstrates that the deity is not merely a symbolic representation or an aid to meditation, but a fully conscious and independent personality who chooses to appear for the sake of loving exchange.”
“Radha-ramana is the only original Gosvami-established deity continuously worshiped in Vrindavan. The other deities are original and authentic but worshiped in other locations. Radha-ramana’s presence in Vrindavan serves as a link to the original Gosvami era.”
“Krishna is understood not in isolation, but in relationship with Radharani. His quintessential identity is that of one who perfectly reciprocates Her pure devotion.”
“The service tradition at the Radha-ramana temple is distinctive in its practice of offering Him a fresh outfit every day rather than following a rotating schedule of previously used dresses.”
Satyaraja Prabhu:
From “The Ocean of Mercy Spills Over: How Bhakti Embraces Compassion for Body, Mind, and Soul” in Back to Godhead, Vol. 60, No. 6 (Nov/Dec 2026):
“Spiritual goodness does not compete with material goodness; it surpasses it, belonging to a different order of value altogether – one rooted not in the refinement of the temporary, but in the awakening of the eternal.”
“To separate devotion to God from kindness to others is to misunderstand both.”
Hansarupa Prabhu:
Even after years of a Western education, one still does not have the qualities of a civilized human being.
People realize they are caught in a cycle, and thus they have T-shirts with slogans like “EAT, SLEEP, PARTY, REPEAT.”
Some devotees had no better facility than a garage for Srila Prabhupada to speak, but he was happy to take advantage of any opportunity he was given to share his message. He didn’t think, “It is beneath me to speak in such a place.”
We wake up one moment and understand, “Krishna is the actual realization and everything else is illusion.” But then we have to stay awake.
Since time immemorial, every philosopher has asked, “Who am I?”
The Hare Krishna mantra is our “Get Out of Jail Free” card for the material world.
Even in so-called civilized countries like Canada, people are advertising enthanasia as an alternative for people who are depressed and whose lives are not turning out nicely.
Rama Raya Prabhu:
One military officer saw Srila Prabhupada in his saffron robes when he arrived by the Jaladuta in Boston. He gave him a military salute. Later that man became Cyavana Swami, who along with Brahmananda Swami, was instrumental to the preaching in Africa.
Mithuna Prabhu:
The verse “sri caitanya mano-bhistam” comes from the time that Rupa Goswami wrote a verse that perfectly represented the inner thoughts of Lord Caitanya and thus pleased Him.
Caitanya Carana Prabhu:
From “Q&A” in Back to Godhead, Vol. 60, No. 6 (Nov/Dec 2026):
“The illusion is not about the presence of pleasure in this world; the illusion is about the quantity of pleasure. We think there is a lot of pleasure in the material world. Most of the time, we dream about sense pleasure, but after experiencing the fulfillment of our dream, we find it to be just an anticlimax. In the end, we conclude, ‘I dreamed so much about it but got so little.’”
From “How Gita Wisdom Helped Me Transcend Polio” in Back to Godhead, Vol. 60, No. 6 (Nov/Dec 2026):
“Life is unfair, but in the big picture it is fairly unfair. Sometimes we get worse than we think we deserve, but at other times we receive better than we deserve.”
“Intense pain shot through me, racking my body with unbearable burning sensations. I had never experienced such agony. In desperation, I tried to chant the Hare Krishna mantra, but did not feel any relief. While others crowded around me to help, I shifted to reciting verses from the Bhagavad-gita – and immediately I found relief. I kept reciting as I was taken to a nearby clinic for an X-ray and then rushed to the Bhaktivedanta Hospital, a devotee-run hospital about an hour and a half away. Throughout the journey, I continued reciting the verses – most of the 700 Gita verses I had memorized.”
Adi Govinda Prabhu:
From “Gratitude and Krishna Consciouness” in Back to Godhead, Vol. 60, No. 6 (Nov/Dec 2026):
“Gratitude is considered a universal virtue across all major world religions. The Bible says, ‘Give thanks in all circumstances,’ the Quran promises divine favor to the grateful, and religious Jews begin each day with a gratitude prayer.”
“By regularly offering food to Krishna before eating, chanting His holy names, and hearing His glories in the company of devotees, we revive dormant feelings of devotion. These practices gradually dissolve unwanted entanglements and align our material engagements with service to the Lord.”
“Practical Ways to Cultivate Gratitude:
1. Maintain a gratitude journal. Each day write at least one heartfelt acknowledgment of something you are grateful for having received, whether from Krishna, spiritual teachers, family, or others.
2. Dedicate service. Consciously dedicate some act of service to those who warrant your gratitude.
3. Express directly. From time to time, express sincere gratitude directly to them.
4. Serve quietly. Without seeking attention, go out of your way to favor those you are grateful to.”
“Spiritual teachers affirm that one must be grateful in order to be truly joyful. When practiced regularly, gratitude permeates all spheres of life and becomes infectious.”
Yamuna Jivana Prabhu:
From “Aparajita” in Back to Godhead, Vol. 60, No. 6 (Nov/Dec 2026):
“Yet beneath Bhisma’s fierce declaration lay not hostility but devotion, for his deepest longing was to witness the Lord abandon His own promise for the sake of His devotee.”
“His invincibility lies precisely in this unbreakable promise of protection.”
“Even when He appears to yield, even when He seems to break His own vow, even when He allows Himself to be challenged, He remains eternally victorious, for His true victory lies in protecting devotion and upholding righteousness.”
Gauranga Darsana Prabhu:
From “Six Keys to Sweeter Japa” in Back to Godhead, Vol. 60, No. 6 (Nov/Dec 2026):
“To refine our chanting, Srila Sanatana Gosvami, in his Hari-bhakti-vilasa (17.129), has given a precious verse describing six timeless principles – simple yet transformative – that lead to effective japa:
manah samharanam saucam
maunam mantrartha-cintanam
avyagratvam anirvedo
japa-sampatti-hetavah
“Withdrawal of the mind, cleanliness, silence, meditation on the mantra’s meaning, steadiness without restlessness, and freedom from despair – these are the six causes of success in japa.”
“When plans, worries, or memories arise during japa, we can gently tell the mind, “After my rounds.” This polite postponement respects both the thought and the mantra while teaching the mind that Krishna is first priority.”
“Manah-samharana means to notice distraction and calmly, patiently return to the holy name. Even if this must be done a hundred times in one sitting, it is still success, for each return strengthens concentration.”
“The goal of japa is not merely to finish the count, but to connect with Krishna through each mantra. Therefore, as far as possible, one should chant patiently – giving oneself the time needed to complete each round at a steady, natural pace – rather than rushing restlessly to meet the clock.”
“Our role is to chant sincerely; the rest belongs to Krishna. Taste, tears, and transformation are His gifts, not our achievements. They come in His time, often imperceptibly, like the gentle light of dawn.”
“To cultivate hope, we can reflect on how far we’ve already come – on the gradual transformation in our habits and thoughts, the growing awareness of Krishna in daily life.”
“A sincere sadhaka continues to chant – even without taste – out of duty and desire to deepen one’s devotion. That commitment itself attracts the Lord’s grace, and eventually, He rewards it with genuine taste.”
Sri Gopala Prana Prabhu:
The king gets impious reactions if any of his citizens performs impious activities.
Brahmanas can tolerate insults but not physical pain whereas ksatriyas can tolerate great physical pain.
Some leaders coerce their subordinates to do their services. Others bribe their subordinates with material gain. The best leaders inspire subordinates by their qualities and examples.
Prabhupada quote about leadership. Ask him.
Any donations we get should be given to the temple, and then if we need things, we should go to the temple manager.
Comments by me:
“According to Vedic injunctions, when a brahmana eats it is to be understood that the Personality of Godhead is eating through him. It is not, however, that the brahmana should simply eat on behalf of the Lord and not preach the message of Bhagavad-gita to the world. Actually, one who preaches the message of the Gita is very dear to Krishna, as is confirmed in the Gita itself. Such a preacher is factually a brahmana, and thus by feeding him one feeds the Supreme Lord directly.” (The Nectar of Devotion, Chapter 2)
Brajanatha Prabhu:
From “How and Why Krishna Reciprocates” in Back to Godhead, Vol. 60, No. 6 (Nov/Dec 2026):
“Lord Caitanya glorified the sincere devotion of King Prataparudra and disclosed that He Himself is easy to obtain provided we are devoid of our social and material designations and focus on our inherent nature as a servant of the Lord.”
“In his commentary on this verse [Bhagavatam 10.32.22], Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Ṭhakura characterizes the Lord’s response to the gopis in this way: ‘Even though I have promised to reciprocate equally with those who surrender unto Me – ye yatha mam prapadyante, Gita 4.11 – I failed to carry out that promise in regard to you. I did not respond as you did by giving up My father, mother, brother, and friends. It is impossible for Me to repay you for what you have done. Therefore, let your own pure character be the reward.’”
“Sudama and his wife were so poor that they had to borrow chipped rice from neighbors just so Sudama would have something to offer Krishna. Because Sudama gave more than he had, the Lord was unable to reciprocate in kind. Krishna gave Sudama immense wealth, but Sudama discovered this only upon returning home. Krishna considered His gift of wealth to Sudama inadequate reciprocation, and therefore did not give it openly during Sudama’s visit.”
“Lord Vamanadeva, Krishna’s incarnation as a dwarf brahmana, spanned the entire universe with just two steps. Thus we cannot fathom the magnitude of Krishna’s ten steps towards us.”
“Krishna’s reciprocation may not always be immediate, but it is certain.”
-----
How powerful pure devotional service is! According to Srimad-Bhagavatam, even the most degraded persons who take pleasure in giving trouble to others, can be immediately purified if they simply hear about pure devotional service. This verse is a favorite of Niranjana Swami:
sruto 'nupathito dhyata
sadyah punati sad-dharmo
deva-visva-druho 'pi hi
“Pure devotional service rendered to the Supreme Lord is spiritually so potent that simply by hearing about such transcendental service, by chanting its glories in response, by meditating on it, by respectfully and faithfully accepting it, or by praising the devotional service of others, even persons who hate the demigods and all other living beings can be immediately purified.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam 11.2.12)
