(Week 16: April 16–22, 2026)
(Sent from New York City on April 25, 2026)
The sixteenth week of 2026, I lived at ISKCON New York in Brooklyn and chanted with the NYC Harinam party for three or four hours every day except Sunday, when I chanted in a subway station by myself for an hour and had some positive interactions. I also woke up the deities several days and sometimes offered Them Their lunch.
I share a wonderful quote from Srila Prabhupada’s Srimad-Bhagavatam. I share quotes from Bhakti Haiku and Essays, Book 1 by Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami. I share notes on classes by Jayadvaita Swami and Hansarupa, Rama Raya, Chatamayi, Gopala Pran, Aditya, Janaki, and Hadai Prana Prabhus in New York City.
Thanks to the devotee who kindly gave me a donation at the ISKCON NYC Sunday feast. Thanks to Madhurya Rasa Devi Dasi for the photos and videos of me on NYC Harinam.
Itinerary
April 13–25: NYC Harinam
April 25: Fly to Amsterdam
April 26: Amsterdam harinama
April 27: King’s Day in Amsterdam
April 28: Amsterdam harinama
April 29: travel to Simhachalam
April 29–May 3: Nrsimha Festival in Simhachalam, Germany
May 4–June 14: NYC Harinam
– May 29: Baltimore harinama
– May 30: Baltimore Ratha-yatra
– June 13: New York Ratha-yatra
June 28: Paris Ratha-yatra
Chanting Hare Krishna in New York City
An instructor in audio recording came through the park with his students and asked if he could record our music. We agreed. He gave a nice donation, and Rama Raya Prabhu gave him a Bhagavad-gita and I gave him a Chant and Be Happy, which features George Harrison, also in the audio recording business.
Braja Sakhi Devi Dasi chants Hare Krishna in Manhattan (https://youtube.com/shorts/Z45IzumHZ2k?feature=share):
Chatamayi Devi Dasi chants Hare Krishna in Manhattan, and passersby play shakers (https://youtu.be/HcWujpn5aq0):
Sevika Devi Dasi chants Hare Krishna in Manhattan, and passersby play shakers and dance (https://youtube.com/shorts/Bb5UJyUoE9I?feature=share):
Rama Raya Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Manhattan, and two women play shakers and Daniel dances (https://youtube.com/shorts/_yaD7KWjNE0?feature=share):
Rama Raya Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Manhattan, and a couple plays shakers and dances (https://youtube.com/shorts/KUN92JLDKJA?feature=share):
Natabara Gauranga Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Manhattan and tries to avoid the rain (https://youtube.com/shorts/xT2R7JST7K0?feature=share):
Hadai Prana Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at ISKCON NYC mangala-arati on Saturday, and devotees dance, including twelve here for the “Be a Monk” weekend (https://youtu.be/mekbCldjJIg):
Natabara Gauranga Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Manhattan, and Madhava Puri Prabhu plays the saxophone (https://youtube.com/shorts/xASU29GzL7A?feature=share):
Ranchor Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Manhattan, and boys play shakers and dance (https://youtube.com/shorts/rzY1jXFica0):
Hadai Prana Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Manhattan, and “‘Be a Monk’ Challenge” attendees participate with enthusiasm (https://youtube.com/shorts/DmSxTioWK0w?feature=share):
Rama Raya Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Manhattan, and “‘Be a Monk’ Challenge” attendees dance and engage others (https://youtube.com/shorts/APn1HXhinzc?feature=share):
Vraja Mohan Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Manhattan (https://youtube.com/shorts/Fsv61gILxbI?feature=share):
Later, as Vraja continued to sing, devotees and passersby danced (https://youtube.com/shorts/kKbbzOW0ZVI):
I was the last singer on Saturday, so I chanted the evening tune as it was that time of day (https://youtube.com/shorts/QXZxDzt4PJU?feature=share):
It was great to have such a large party participating.
Natabara Gauranga Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at ISKCON NYC mangala-arati on Sunday, and devotees dance (https://youtu.be/tys1nxX6qDE):
Rama Raya Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at ISKCON NYC Guru Puja, and devotees dance (https://youtu.be/EdbZZW9FVHU):
Sevika Devi Dasi chants Hare Krishna at the New York Theosophical Society on Sunday afternoon (https://youtu.be/uXAMJPio-YA):
I do a book table for my guru, Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami, at the ISKCON NYC Sunday feast, and the “Be a Monk” attendees bought five books which was a pleasant surprise for me.
Practically all of the “Be a Monk” attendees had very positive experiences. Hopefully we will be seeing more of them.
Natabara Gauranga Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Manhattan, and kids play the shakers and dance (https://youtube.com/shorts/GHajZ6UTrJo):
Natabara Gauranga Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Manhattan, and a passerby plays shakers and dances (https://youtube.com/shorts/sJuv4Y-0Ri0):
Natabara Gauranga Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Manhattan, and some guys play shakers and dance (https://youtube.com/shorts/WifWwir7VQk):
Param Brahma Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Manhattan, and a passersby moves with the music (https://youtube.com/shorts/fHAnuFmeMms?feature=share):
Vraja Mohan Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in a Manhattan subway station (https://youtube.com/shorts/dfY7k8DMphg?feature=share):
Rama Raya Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Manhattan (https://youtube.com/shorts/Cbl7gQqPCO4?feature=share):
Gokulendra Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in a Manhattan subway station (https://youtube.com/shorts/lJa2opyJXZg?feature=share):
Anu Sharma chants Hare Krishna (https://youtube.com/shorts/DSy0LQg3cSg?feature=share):
Here I chant a Hare Krishna tune I learned on the Polish festival tour in that Manhattan subway station (https://youtube.com/shorts/PZtby6rifFs?feature=share):
Srila Prabhupada:
From Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.1.19:
“We never tire of hearing the transcendental pastimes of the Personality of Godhead, who is glorified by hymns and prayers. Those who have developed a taste for transcendental relationships with Him relish hearing of His pastimes at every moment.”
Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami:
From Bhakti Haiku and Essays, Book 1:
“find the Kṛṣṇa moment
or what’s the use?”
“JAS is lecturing while his older brother
but not self-pity”
“we don’t expect
all blessed prasadam”
“Life’s awkward moments.
Wisdom is silent.” [from In a Single Breath]
“she asked has he recovered
he is more interested
in his recovery from inattentive chanting”
“I worship my Guru Maharaja
he has made me a
devotee of the Lord
he was and is such a touchstone!”
“I still remember clearly Srila Prabhupada’s compassionately widened eyes of appreciation and awe as he heard the Franciscan seminarian explain to him that the founder worshiped God in nature and addressed the elements as “Brother Sun, Sister Moon, Brother Wind, Sister Water, Brother Fire, Sister Death,” etc., in his Canticle, composed while recovering from serious illness in 1224.”
“I saw even Srila Prabhupada
to slugs and mice and rats”
“the sanga is sweet
solitaire”
“It’s true for me that quickly I became purified by association with the pure devotee, and I never bathed in the Ganges until years later. And even the Yamuna did not have the effect for me that meeting with Prabhupada did.”
“they break our attempt
scrape up the snow”
Jayadvaita Swami:
From the Bhagavad-gita we understand everything comes and goes. In the western understanding everything is linear, but the Vedic understanding is cyclic.
Our life is a big drama, but it is an eye blink in the greater scheme.
Even if we find exactly the right person, thing or circumstance, it will be taken away from us.
Krishna says there is another nature that is permanently existing (Bg. 8.20).
The platform of consciousness, spirit, or Brahman, is eternal.
Now we are a combination of consciousness (spirit) and machinery (the body).
We are in an incompatible situation because spirit by nature is without limits yet our body is limiting us so much.
The nature of matter is that is temporary, and there is another nature that is not temporary, and we are of that nature.
Consciousness cannot be destroyed by any material means, and there is a whole world of consciousness.
In this world we have contact with other spiritual beings but with a lot of matter in between us.
In the spiritual world the consciousness and the body are identical.
Krishna is saying there is a whole other world out there, and our business is to get out of this place, which is unsuitable for us, and go there.
We try to set up something permanent here, but it is hopeless.
Krishna gives just a glimpse of the spiritual realm in Bhagavad-gita, but Srimad-Bhagavatam gives elaborate details.
Everyone in the spiritual world is fortunate. Everyone loves Krishna, and Krishna loves His devotees.
You can take advantage of these books, and you can take advantage of this chanting, which gives direct experience. You do not have read all the books first, you can try the chanting.
Just like we have the ability to walk and ride a bicycle, there are planets where people are born with all kinds of mystic powers. However, all of us have some limitations, thus Krishna advises go to the spiritual world.
Q: Why is there war? Why does God not stop it?
There are gross and subtle energies, and beyond these there is another, spiritual energy. Energy implies there is source of energy. This is Krishna.
Hansarupa Prabhu:
If you accept the idea of reincarnation that means you already have some idea of the soul.
Just to read Bhagavad-gita requires a certain qualification.
A child gets the same benefit of chanting the holy name or seeing the deity as an adult.
More and more people are excused because of insanity. This is evidence of the degradation of the age. You do not want those people out on the streets.
Formerly you had to go to the Himalayas or to the other side of the world or the other side of the country to find a guru to get this knowledge, but now we are bringing the knowledge to the people, where they are.
Just by coming in contact with this transcendental knowledge, you have jumped the queue for going back to Godhead. You just have to be firm in your vows.
The more transendental knowlege we acquire, the more conviction we will have to act beyond illusion and doubt.
Now young people are dying in greater numbers than before. They even have a name for it, SADS, sudden adult death syndrome.
People do not acknowledge that death come at any moment, and thus they do not ask the question, “Who am I?”
When I first read the Bhagavad-gita, I read it from cover to cover without sleeping.
We should consider that everyone is looking for this knowledge, they just do not know where to look.
We have the honor and privilege to distribute this knowledge.
No extra endeavor is needed to elevate oneself up through the modes of nature to pure goodness. We just have to follow the practice Srila Prabhupada gave.
Imagine if we had videos of Lord Caitanya . . . and the Six Goswamis . . . or any of the previous acaryas . . .
When you see the video of Srila Prabhupada chanting “Jaya Radha Madhava” and see the devotees responding, you can get a glimpse of the ecstasy that was available. That ecstasy is still available. You just need to know how to access it.
Srila Prabhupada stressed to the devotees that if they maintain material desires, it may take them many births to attain perfection.
Anyone you meet today, give them Krishna in some way or other.
Rama Raya Prabhu:
We are eternal servants of Krishna and are thus predominated enjoyers.
I am an atheist, and yet I want to be spiritual. How fallen we have become!
Srila Prabhupada, during the cold war times, predicted there would be a war between Russia and America. Later when that did not happen, the devotees asked him about that, and he said, “Krishna changed His mind.”
The chance to engage in devotional service is an opportunity for to us to exchange loving mellows with Krishna, deepening the connection we already have.
Spiritual loving affairs are completely different from the mundane love between men and women in this world.
One disciple said, “How can a brahmacari understand Gita-govinda?”
Srila Prabhupada replied, “Only a brahmacari understand Gita-govinda!”
Devaki Devi Dasi:
From Sheltering Relationships – The Foundation of Devotee Care:
“Even in the secular world, any professional understands the importance of having a coach. Anybody who wants to become successful in any field has to learn from somebody who is already successful, and who can guide them to success. This is an established fact. How much more so in the case of becoming successful in self-realization!”
Chatamayi Devi Dasi:
When the government does not provide shelter people take shelter of insurance companies, lawyers, doctors, etc.
The statistics are that 673 million people, or one out 11, are eating less than they need to maintain their bodies.
Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura said that people should give charity to beggars otherwise in a future life that may find themselves in that same state.
Srila Prabhupada wanted people within 5 miles of a temple to be provided with food if they are in need.
Poverty of vision is the worst poverty.
Because of a lack of vision people look for love in the wrong places.
Gopala Pran Prabhu:
Gadadhara Pandit is the appearance of Radharani in Lord Caitanya’s pastimes.
From his very birth, Gadadhara Pandit would chant the names of Krishna, worship the deity of Krishna and associate with Krishna’s devotees rather than materialistic people.
Lord Caitanya would always argue with Gadadhara Pandit over the sastra. Lord Caitanya would always defeat him.
Gadadhara Pandit would pray to Krishna, “if Nimai Pandit becomes a devotee, I will never leave His association.”
When Lord Caitanya was in ecstasy, Gadadhara Pandita was always able to pacify Him.
Sometimes during the kirtan at Srivasa Thakura’s house, Lord Caitanya would appear as Shyamasundara (Krishna) and Gadadhara Pandit would appear as Radharani, and They would dance together.
It is said that when Pundarika Vidyanidhi heard a single verse glorifying Krishna for Him elevating Putana, the witch, to the spiritual world, he went into ecstasy for six hours.
Once in a forest, Lord Caitanya tells a parrot to chant the names of Radha and Krishna. Instead the parrot chanted Gaura Hari. When Lord Caitanya asked why he did not chant the names of Radha and Krishna. The parrot replied that Gaura Hari was the best name of Radha Krishna.
Although Lord Caitanya was the Supreme Lord, He did not go to Vrindavan without getting the permission of the devotees. This is a valuable lesson.
Every day Lord Caitanya would come and hear the pastimes of Dhruva Maharaja and Prahlada Maharaja from the Srimad-Bhagavatam recited by Gadadhara Pandit.
Gaura-Gadadhara deities are considered nondifferent from Radha-Krishna deities.
Aditya Devi Dasi:
In Jaiva Dharma, Bhaktivinoda Thakura describes five levels of consciousness in conditioned souls.
1 – that of unmoving beings like plants
2 – that of animals
3 – humans with budding consciousness
4 – humans with blossoming consciousness (those who engage in spiritual practices)
5 – humans with blooming consciousness (those act in relationship with the Lord)
Constant application of the process of devotional service is required to attain the platform of goodness.
When we are completely absorbed in devotional service we can be filled with enthusiam.
When we have some realization, we can speak with conviction.
At each moment we have the choice to surrender a little more to the practice of devotional service or to hold back a little.
In the Bhagavatam we see examples of devotees like Dhruva Maharaja, who acted with integrity in his spiritual practice.
When we are enthused and empowered, we can enthuse and empower others.
We must educate the congregational people that their relationship with Krishna can continue at every moment and not end when the curtains close on Sunday evening.
Janaki Devi Dasi:
Q: Have you ever had any good leaders?
A (by Chatamayi): BTS although on the vyasasana would spend most of the time glorifying the devotees around him.
A (by Me): When I was in Philly in the 1980s, Sesa Prabhu was president. He would go to mangala-arati and chant japa pacing back and forth in front of the altar, teaching by his example.
Ranchor: My guru GKG would always hear anyone who had some issue, even if he felt they were wrong, just to understand why they felt they way they did.
Hadai: Hansarupa although temple president was cleaning the area between the buildings when it flooded because the drain clogged.
Comment by Pandava Prabhu: In gurukula they teach respect for authority because from that all good qualities come.
Whatever leadership qualities we have attained really become clear when we facilitate programs such as the “‘Be a Monk’ Challenge.”
Hadai Prana Prabhu:
Why do we accept a guru in the parampara? Because that is Krishna’s system. If we want to know Krishna, we have to follow Krishna’s system.
If we follow the acaryas we will achieve the same destination as they do.
Srila Prabhupada was asked about the destination of a follower of Sai Baba. He said the follower gets the same destination as the master.
Srila Prabhupada advised his followers to assimilate all he had given before reading other books.
Comments by me:
There should be no gaps on harinama between singing. I agree with Rama Raya Prabhu in this. Otherwise the material sounds enter our sacred space and contaminate our consciousness.
We stress the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra because it appears in a conversation between Narada and his father, Lord Brahma in the Kali-santarana Upanisad. Narada asks his father and guru, Lord Brahma, what the best spiritual practice is for this age of Kali, the present age of degradation. Lord Brahma chants the Hare Krishna mantra and follows it by saying iti sodasakam namnam (these sixteen names), kali-kalmasa-nasanam (destroy all the impurities of this age of Kali), natah parataropayah (there is no superior process), sarva-vedesu drsyate (to be seen in all the Vedas).
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Why don’t the devotees of the Lord suffer like the people in general? Lord Kapila explains that it is because have taken shelter of Him by the process of hearing and chanting His glories:
mad-asrayah katha mrstah
tapanti vividhas tapa
naitan mad-gata-cetasah
“Engaged constantly in chanting and hearing about Me, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the sadhus do not suffer from material miseries because they are always filled with thoughts of My pastimes and activities.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.25.23)
