Homages Other Sources, VP2026
Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
Please accept our most humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Your Divine Grace.
On this most auspicious occasion of Śrī Vyāsa-pūjā, we, the servants at the ISKCON Justice Ministry, offer our heartfelt gratitude, prayers, and reflections. We take shelter in your causeless mercy, knowing that whatever sincerity we have is but a faint reflection of your boundless compassion.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, you established a society meant to uplift humanity from the darkness of ignorance to the light of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Your vision was not merely institutional – it was deeply personal, spiritual, and transformative. You taught that every individual soul is a part and parcel of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and as such, we must treat every living entity with dignity, compassion, and fairness, recognizing each being as an eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa.
Within this sacred mission, the work of justice becomes not merely administrative or procedural – it becomes devotional. Justice, in its truest sense, reflects dharma. It protects, corrects, and preserves the integrity of the Vaiṣṇava community. In this way, it becomes an offering to you.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, we are acutely aware that the responsibility entrusted to the Justice Ministry is grave and delicate. We are called upon to address conflicts, hear grievances, and sometimes confront painful realities within the society you so lovingly established. In doing so, we are constantly reminded of our own limitations, imperfections, and shortcomings, and we beg for forgiveness in this regard.
While attempting to serve your mission, we sometimes encounter misunderstandings, criticism, or misrepresentation. These moments test our tolerance and endurance. In such circumstances, we pray for the maturity to respond not with defensiveness, but with integrity, humility, and unwavering commitment to truth. For this we draw strength from your teachings.
You instructed us that Kṛṣṇa consciousness is meant to bring human society to a “sober condition.” Sobriety implies clarity, honesty, and accountability. It requires courage to acknowledge truth, even when it is uncomfortable. It requires compassion to respond not with harshness but with understanding and a desire for genuine rectification.
We understand that justice must be guided by compassion, and compassion must be grounded in principles. You taught us to uphold both – acting with appropriate firmness when required. We pray for the intelligence to apply these principles in a complex world.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, in your books we find the perfect standard of leadership and responsibility. Kings like Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira and Mahārāja Parīkṣit exemplified the highest ideals of justice – protecting the citizens, addressing wrongdoing appropriately, and always acting in alignment with dharma. Their example reminds us that justice is not about power but about service.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, we pray that we may not become hardened by the nature of disputes, nor discouraged by the complexity of situations. Rather, let us remain soft-hearted, yet principled; humble, yet resolute.
We are especially mindful that justice within a spiritual society must always be aligned with the ultimate goal: awakening love for Kṛṣṇa. Any process we undertake must lead to purification, not alienation; to accountability where required, and to care and restoration for those harmed.
Your own life demonstrated the highest standard of fairness and compassion. You gave everyone an opportunity – regardless of background, history, or qualification. At the same time, you maintained clear standards and did not compromise on essential principles. This example is our guiding light.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, please help us to cultivate the qualities required for this service: the humility to listen deeply and without prejudice; the wisdom to discern truth amidst complexity; the courage to act when action is required; the compassion to understand the pain of others; and the detachment to remain objective.
On this sacred day, we renew our commitment to serve ISKCON with integrity, sincerity, and devotion. May our efforts contribute, in some small way, to the establishment of a society that truly reflects your vision, a society grounded in truth, compassion, and Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
We remain your aspiring servants,
ISKCON Justice Ministry
(written by Champakalata Devī Dāsī)
Homages Other Sources, VP2025
My dear eternal spiritual grandfather, His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda,
nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
śrīmate bhaktivedānta-svāmin iti nāmine
namas te sārasvate deve gaura-vāṇī-pracāriṇe
nirviśeṣa-śūnyavādi-pāścātya-deśa-tāriṇe
Please accept my respectful obeisances at your lotus feet on the auspicious occasion of your
Vyāsa-pūjā celebration. Your mercy is like the limitless sky – vast, boundless, and ever-expanding,
encompassing all souls, regardless of their fallenness, within its all-embracing shelter. Just as the
cooling shade of the grand banyan tree provides refuge to the weary traveler, your divine mission
has given shelter to so many souls wandering in the scorching fire of material existence. By your
unrelenting compassion, you carried the transcendental sound of the holy names across oceans,
mountains, cities, and villages. You awakened the dormant love for Kṛṣṇa within millions of
hearts, and the prophecy of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu – that His holy name would be chanted in
every town and village – has come to life before our very eyes.
You have given us the greatest gift of this age – harināma-saṅkīrtana. What can we say about
this gift, Śrīla Prabhupāda? The chanting of the holy names is not merely a ritual or a practice;
it is the very essence of our existence, the key to unlocking the doors of the spiritual world.
Through your mercy, the holy name is no longer confined to the sacred halls of the temple but
has now spread to the streets, to the hearts of people everywhere. This is your divine contribution,
and by your causeless grace, we, the fallen souls, have been entrusted with carrying forward this
mission.
You gave us the treasure of harināma-saṅkīrtana, and we are forever indebted to you for it. The
only way we can express our gratitude is by dedicating ourselves entirely to serving you and the
mission you so selflessly established. In every moment, we strive to fulfill your divine instructions,
remembering that every action, every word, and every thought should be directed toward the glo-
rification of Kṛṣṇa and the spreading of His holy names. And we know that this path is only made
possible through your mercy.
As we reflect on your blessings, Śrīla Prabhupāda, we are filled with awe at the magnitude of
the mission you set in motion, and we are inspired to serve in whatever small way we can. By your
grace, the ISKCON Kirtan Ministry has completed one year of service as a humble instrument in
your divine plan. Our office, inaugurated on April 9, 2024, has grown into a beacon of devotional
creativity and outreach. It is in this sacred space in Pradhikaran, Nigdi, Pune, that we have been
able to serve the global ISKCON community through various initiatives – producing kīrtana
recordings, designing visually captivating posters, conducting online sessions, and fostering an
environment where devotees can immerse themselves in the mood of pure kīrtana.
The heart of our efforts, Śrīla Prabhupāda, has been our daily online Bhagavad-gītā sessions
titled “Facing Life’s Challenges – The Bhagavad-gītā Way.” These sessions, by your mercy, have
become a source of comfort and guidance for devotees from all walks of life. Countless souls,
searching for answers to their struggles and uncertainties, have found solace in Kṛṣṇa’s divine
words. The teachings of the Bhagavad-gītā have the power to transform lives, and we see this in the
transformation of many devotees who have attended these classes. They find strength, peace, and
clarity in Kṛṣṇa’s instructions, and their lives are slowly but steadily being shaped by the wisdom
you imparted to the world.
By your mercy, Śrīla Prabhupāda, these online Bhagavad-gītā sessions have become a thriving
community, where devotees support and uplift one another in their spiritual journeys. It has been
an incredible joy to watch how devotees, after hearing the sacred teachings, feel inspired to serve
the community in a variety of ways. Many of them volunteer to moderate the sessions, answer
queries, and assist in the technical aspects of the programs. We have been blessed to witness the
growth of this devotional family, and it is our prayer that this outreach continues to expand and
that more and more devotees can benefit from the sacred teachings of the Bhagavad-gītā.
As we look toward the future, Śrīla Prabhupāda, we recognize the need to strengthen the role
of Vaiṣṇavīs in this divine movement. We have seen how many young women are eager to serve,
yet they sometimes feel unsure about how to navigate their devotional journeys, especially when
it comes to leadership roles. Inspired by your teachings, we are in the process of establishing a
dedicated online platform, Vaiṣṇavī Saṅga, where young aspiring Vaiṣṇavīs can receive guidance
and mentorship from senior and experienced devotees. This platform will offer structured training
in kīrtana etiquette, personal sādhana, leadership, and service, providing the necessary tools to
empower them as future leaders in the movement.
As more young girls attend our sessions and express their desire to serve, we feel an urgent
need to offer them the support they need to flourish in their spiritual lives. Our hope is that this
initiative will help foster a generation of strong, compassionate, and capable Vaiṣṇavīs, who will
carry forward the torch of devotional service with grace, strength, and humility.
At the same time, Śrīla Prabhupāda, we understand the importance of instilling the principles
of devotional service from an early age. We know that if children are exposed to the right teach-
ings early in life, they can grow up with a strong foundation of spiritual values that will guide
them throughout their lives. With this in mind, we have launched summer camps specifically
designed for children, where they are not only taught the philosophy of Kṛṣṇa consciousness but
also introduced to the art of proper kīrtana.
These summer camps have become a source of great joy for us, Śrīla Prabhupāda, as we watch
these young hearts engage in kīrtana with enthusiasm, innocence, and devotion. The children are
trained to play devotional instruments such as the mṛdaṅga, karatālas, and harmonium. From a
young age, they are taught the standards of pure devotional music, ensuring that they grow up
with the right understanding and respect for kīrtana. This early exposure to the holy name and
devotional practices will lay a strong foundation for their spiritual lives, and we pray that these
young devotees will continue to grow in their love for Kṛṣṇa as they mature.
Among all the initiatives that have been undertaken by the ISKCON Kirtan Ministry, Śrīla
Prabhupāda, there is one project that we place before you with the utmost prayer and hope. This
project is the Kṛṣṇa Conscious Kirtan Certification Course, which the ministry is proposing as
a certified course for ISKCON devotees worldwide. This course aims to provide devotees with a
structured, in-depth understanding of kīrtana standards, including both the art of kīrtana and the
deeper philosophy behind it.
The purpose of this course is to ensure that kīrtana, the highest form of devotional service in
this age, is practiced according to the highest standards. We want to preserve the purity of this
sacred art form, ensuring that future generations of devotees can participate in kīrtana with a
deep understanding of its significance. This course will provide devotees with the necessary train-
ing to not only lead kīrtanas with excellence but also to impart the correct standards of kīrtana
to others. It is our heartfelt desire that this course will become a valuable resource for ISKCON
devotees around the world, guiding them on the path of devotion through the practice of
harināma-saṅkīrtana.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, we are aware that we are merely insignificant instruments in your divine
plan, but by your mercy, even the weakest can accomplish the impossible. Please bless us with the
strength, intelligence, and determination to carry out these projects and initiatives. We beg for
your continued mercy, so that we may remain steadfast in our service, always with humility and
sincerity. We pray that you will guide us in all our endeavors, giving us the wisdom to make deci-
sions that are in accordance with your teachings and in line with the needs of the devotees.
As we continue on this path, Śrīla Prabhupāda, we pray that you will always keep us humble,
recognizing that it is only by your mercy that any of this is possible. Without your grace, we
are nothing. We are merely instruments in your hands, and we can only pray that we are able to
carry out your will to the best of our ability. We ask for your blessings so that we may remain ever
focused on our mission: to spread the holy names of Kṛṣṇa to every corner of the world, to inspire
others to chant, and to engage in the service of the Lord.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, you have already given us everything – your teachings, your instructions,
your guidance, and your boundless love. What can we possibly offer in return? All we can offer
is our hearts and our willingness to serve you in every way possible. Please accept our humble
prayers and bless us with the strength, intelligence, and love to continue carrying forward your
glorious mission. May we remain forever humble servants in your transcendental service, and may
we always remember the essence of your teachings: that everything in this world is meant to glo-
rify Kṛṣṇa and spread His holy name.
With the deepest gratitude and unwavering devotion, we offer ourselves at your lotus feet, Śrīla
Prabhupāda, praying for your mercy, your guidance, and your blessings. May your divine pres-
ence always inspire us to serve you with a heart full of love and devotion, and may we remain ever
committed to spreading the holy name of Kṛṣṇa to every corner of the world.
Your insignificant servant,
Stoka Kṛṣṇa Gopa Dāsa
Managing Director, ISKCON Kirtan Ministry
Homages Other Sources, VP2026
Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
śrīmate bhaktivedānta-svāminn iti nāmine
namas te sārasvate deve gaura-vāṇī-pracāriṇe
nirviśeṣa-śūnyavādi-pāścātya-deśa-tāriṇe
Please accept our most humble obeisances at the dust of your divine lotus feet. All glories to Your Divine Grace.
On this most auspicious occasion of your Vyāsa-pūjā, we, the servants at the Kirtan Ministry, offer our heartfelt gratitude for your unparalleled gift to the world – the chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, your divine vision was clear and powerful: that the holy name of Kṛṣṇa would be heard in every town and village. By your causeless mercy, we are now witnessing this prophecy unfold. Inspired by your instructions, our humble endeavor has been to support and strengthen this saṅkīrtana movement through organized kirtan culture and education.
With your blessings, we have developed ISKCON kirtan guidelines, presented in simple and accessible formats. These are based on your teachings, instructions, lectures, and conversations with your disciples. We are distributing them to many temples, helping devotees understand and practice kirtan in a mood that pleases you and the previous ācāryas.
By your inspiration, we have conducted kirtan seminars in India and Australia, guiding devotees in both the technical and devotional aspects of leading kirtan. In this way, we are trying to preserve the purity and spirit of congregational chanting that you so carefully established.
To further your mission of spreading the holy name, we have been promoting harināma-saṅkīrtana through the World Holy Name Festival, now observed by more than eighty centers worldwide. Seeing devotees come together to chant in unity offers a glimpse of your vision of a spiritually awakened world.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, we have also attempted to reach broader audiences through podcasts on harināma, sharing realizations, experiences, and encouragement for devotees to seriously take up chanting. Understanding the need for devotional creativity, we have established LOK Studio in Pandharpur, where soul-stirring kirtans are recorded and shared, so that your movement may continue to inspire hearts through transcendental sound.
Recognizing your emphasis on philosophy as the foundation, the ministry has also developed an education department. Through the Bhagavad-gītā and other scriptures, many young people are being attracted to the deeper understanding of Kṛṣṇa consciousness that you so mercifully gave and are becoming inspired to chant and share the holy name.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, whatever little service we have done is simply an attempt to assist your mission. You are the original source of all inspiration. Without you, there would be no kirtan movement as we know it today.
mūkaṁ karoti vācālaṁ paṅguṁ laṅghayate girim
yat-kṛpā tam ahaṁ vande śrī-guruṁ dīna-tāraṇam
You taught us that chanting the holy name is the yuga-dharma, and you personally demonstrated how to chant, dance, and engage the whole world in saṅkīrtana. If there is any success in our efforts, it is only a reflection of your mercy.
On this sacred day, we pray at your lotus feet: May we always remain instruments in spreading the holy name. May we preserve the purity of kirtan as you gave it. May we inspire others to chant with sincerity and enthusiasm. May the sound of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra resound throughout the world, fulfilling your deepest desire.
Your insignificant servants from the ISKCON Kirtan Ministry
Homages Other Sources, VP2026
Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
Please accept my most humble obeisances at your divine lotus feet. All glories to Your Divine Grace, the eternal captain of the fallen souls crossing the ocean of material existence.
On this most sacred and auspicious occasion of your Vyāsa-pūjā appearance festival, I beg to place a few insignificant words before your lotus feet. Whatever value these words may possess arises solely from your causeless mercy; otherwise, they are but dry vibrations born from an unqualified servant. I offer this prayer on behalf of all those endeavoring to serve your mission through the protection of Mother Earth, the cows, and the cultivation of a Kṛṣṇa conscious rural life. May these imperfect attempts become purified by your glance and thus worthy to be offered, through you, unto the lotus feet of Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa and Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
For the past eleven years, I have dedicated myself to assisting your global mission of go-rakṣa and regenerative agriculture within ISKCON, praying that your centers may increasingly manifest as true abodes of practical spiritual knowledge – places where divine wisdom is not merely spoken from the vyāsāsana but embodied through simple living and high thinking. By developing tangible examples of cow protection, natural agriculture, and devotional community life, we hope to assist in establishing the varṇāśrama culture you so compassionately desired for humanity.
In your profound purport to Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 2.5.37, Your Divine Grace reveals the sacred interdependence of human society and the necessity of organizing civilization around transcendental knowledge: “To speak for the Supreme Lord means to glorify the Lord by means of propagating the knowledge of the Lord as it is … the living being must know his relationship with the Lord. Human life is especially meant for this purpose.”
You further explain that the mercantile community must protect the cows so humanity may receive sufficient milk and milk products, “which alone can give the proper health and intelligence to maintain a civilization meant to imbibe knowledge of the ultimate truth.”
In these transcendental instructions, dear Śrīla Prabhupāda, you bestowed upon the world a complete blueprint for a spiritually grounded civilization. Long before ecological collapse, widespread anxiety, poisoned food systems, environmental devastation, and ethical confusion became global concerns, you foresaw the inevitable suffering born from humanity’s separation from the Supreme Lord and His natural arrangement. Today the world trembles beneath the burden of industrial exploitation, greed, and forgetfulness of dharma.
By your divine vision, what appears impossible gradually becomes possible. Again and again, through your exalted disciples and followers, you continue to nourish and encourage this mission. Many great Vaiṣṇavas, nurtured by your divine association, have offered guidance, compassion, and association in these efforts, constantly reminding us that cow protection is not separate from preaching – it is preaching through living an example. It is philosophy expressed through compassion, culture, sustainability, and devotion in action.
Before your departure from this world, you expressed your heartfelt desire to spend time at Gītā-nāgarī to teach practical rural living. Today, that necessity has only intensified. Modern civilization grows increasingly estranged from the natural laws established by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Everywhere people suffer from artificiality, loneliness, exploitation, dependence, and spiritual emptiness. More and more souls now search sincerely for meaningful alternatives and authentic spiritual culture. In your teachings they may find not only eternal philosophy, but practical solutions for human society.
Therefore, dear Śrīla Prabhupāda, we pray for the strength to continue serving your mission by helping develop a complete educational spectrum and demonstrating practical examples of simple living and high thinking – communities where transcendental knowledge, protected cows, fertile land, clean food, cooperative living, and the worship of Śrī Kṛṣṇa harmoniously unite into one integrated culture of devotion.
We pray that many of your centers throughout the world may increasingly become places where conditioned souls can directly experience this wisdom – not merely as theory, but as lived reality; where the chanting of the holy name, care for the cows, cultivation of the soil, distribution of prasādam, and loving service to Kṛṣṇa nourish both the heart and society.
Whatever little has been accomplished over these years has only become possible through your boundless mercy and the blessings of your followers. We remain tiny and insignificant servants, simply attempting to assist in fulfilling one of your most compassionate and visionary desires for humanity.
Please bless us with the intelligence to serve properly, the humility to cooperate harmoniously, the determination to persevere amidst difficulties, and the purity to remember that all success belongs solely to you.
Praying eternally for engagement in your service,
Your hopeful servant,
Kālakaṇṭha Dāsa (IS)
Homages Other Sources, VP2025
Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
Please accept my daṇḍavat praṇāms at your lotus feet. All glories to Your Divine Grace on this
most holy occasion of your Vyāsa-pūjā!
nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
śrīmate bhaktivedānta-svāmin iti nāmine
namas te sārasvate deve gaura-vāṇī-pracāriṇe
nirviśeṣa-śūnyavādi-pāścātya-deśa-tāriṇe
As I sit down to write this offering, my heart is filled with gratitude. Your teachings are like a
guiding light in my life, illuminating the path of Kṛṣṇa consciousness and inspiring me to serve.
On this sacred occasion of your Vyāsa-pūjā, we, the dedicated members of ISKCON’s
Padayātrā Ministry, humbly bow down at your lotus feet, offering our deepest gratitude and
devotion. Your divine teachings and unwavering dedication to spreading Kṛṣṇa consciousness
continue illuminating my path and inspiring my service.
In 2024, we celebrated significant milestones, including the fortieth anniversary of the All-
India Padayātrā at Jagannātha Purī Dhāma. This journey began in 1984, and we’ve traversed over
300,000 kilometers, planting seeds of devotion in millions of hearts across India. Your vision has
empowered us to introduce the chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra to countless villages, res-
cuing many from despair and igniting the flame of bhakti.
We have launched new initiatives, such as the Haryana-Punjab Padayātrā and the Maha
Kumbh Padayātrā, expanding our reach and impact. These efforts are a testament to your teach-
ings on the importance of taking Kṛṣṇa consciousness to every town and village. I am also happy
to share the news of an upcoming new Padayātrā in 2025 in Germany.
Your instructions have been the cornerstone of our efforts, guiding us to overcome challenges
and remain steadfast in our mission. Despite financial constraints and resource limitations, we
strive for excellence, inspired by your example of unwavering dedication and compassion.
As we look to the future, we remain committed to expanding our outreach, increasing book
distribution, and enhancing our digital presence. Our vision includes creating a Padayātrā Office
to support our initiatives and equip devotees with the tools needed to effectively share the mes-
sage of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, your life and teachings are a beacon of hope and inspiration. We are eter-
nally grateful for your guidance and blessings, which empower us to carry forward your mission
with unwavering dedication. Your words echo in our hearts:
yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādo
yasyāprasādān na gatiḥ kuto ’pi
dhyāyan stuvaṁs tasya yaśas tri-sandhyaṁ
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam
“By the mercy of the spiritual master, one receives the benediction of Kṛṣṇa. Without the grace
of the spiritual master, one cannot advance. Therefore, I should always remember and praise the
spiritual master. At least three times a day, I should offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus
feet of my spiritual master.”
With every step we take in the Padayātrā, with every book we distribute, and with every soul
we touch through the holy name, we feel your presence guiding us. Your vision of a world united
in Kṛṣṇa consciousness drives us forward, inspiring us to work tirelessly in your service.
On this auspicious day, I recommit myself and our entire Padayātrā Ministry to your mission.
May we always remain instruments of your compassion, spreading the nectar of the holy name
and your teachings to every corner of the world.
kṛṣṇotkīrtana-gāna-nartana-parau premāmṛtāmbho-nidhī
dhīrādhīra-jana-priyau priya-karau nirmatsarau pūjitau
śrī-caitanya-kṛpā-bharau bhuvi bhuvo bhārāvahantārakau
vande rūpa-sanātanau raghu-yugau śrī-jīva-gopālakau
“I offer my respectful obeisances unto the Six Gosvāmīs, namely Śrī Rūpa Gosvāmī, Śrī Sanātana
Gosvāmī, Śrī Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī, Śrī Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī, Śrī Jīva Gosvāmī, and
Śrī Gopāla Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī, who are always engaged in chanting the holy name of Kṛṣṇa and
dancing. They are just like the ocean of love of God, and they are popular both with the gentle
and with the ruffians because they are not envious of anyone. Whatever they do, they are all-
pleasing to everyone, and they are fully blessed by Lord Caitanya. Thus, they are engaged in mis-
sionary activities meant to deliver all the conditioned souls in the material universe.”
With deep gratitude and eternal devotion to your lotus feet,
Sri Krishna Caitanya Swami
On behalf of the ISKCON Padayātrā Ministry
Homages Other Sources, VP2026
Dearest and most worshipable founder-ācārya, Śrīla Prabhupāda,
nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
śrīmate bhaktivedānta-svāminn iti nāmine
namas te sārasvate deve gaura-vāṇī-pracāriṇe
nirviśeṣa-śūnyavādi-pāścātya-deśa-tāriṇe
On this most auspicious occasion of Your Divine Grace’s Vyāsa-pūjā, we, the insignificant servants of the ISKCON Padayātrā Ministry, offer our humble obeisances unto your lotus feet again and again.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, whatever we witness today in the form of the padayātrās movement is a direct manifestation of your heartfelt instruction that the holy name of Kṛṣṇa be heard in every town and village. You personally entrusted this sacred order to His Holiness Lokanath Swami, and he has dedicated his entire life to carrying it out with unwavering determination and deep dependence on the holy name. Through his tireless padayātrās and exemplary renunciation, he continues to guide and inspire all of us to serve as humble instruments in fulfilling your divine desire. By his tireless padayātrās across the world, he has shown us what it truly means to depend on the holy name, to tolerate all difficulties, and to compassionately reach every soul. We are simply trying to follow in that path. This year is especially significant as we celebrate sixty years of ISKCON. Inspired by this historic moment, the ISKCON Padayātrā Ministry is striving to expand this movement by organizing:
- 60 Vaiṣṇavī padayātrās
- Padayātrās in 60+ temples across India
- 60 international padayātrās
Our humble endeavor is to bring harināma to as many villages, towns, and hearts as possible. By your mercy, many padayātrās are currently traveling and expanding. Some of them include:
- All India Padayātrā
- Maharashtra Padayātrā
- Punjab Haryana Padayātrā
- Produtar Padayātrā
- Prayagraj Padayātrā
- Tamil Nadu Padayātrā
- Uttar Pradesh Padayātrā
- Bengal Padayātrā
- Utkal Padayātrā
- Nepal Padayātrā
And recently, by your mercy, a new padayātrā has been inaugurated – the Sisupalgarh Padayātrā, further expanding this preaching mission.
On this sacred Vyāsa Pūjā occasion, we are also launching the Padayātrā magazine to spread the glories, realizations, and preaching impact of padayātrā. Understanding the need of the times, we are actively engaging in digital preaching. Many devotees are serving as “online padayātrīs,” engaged in:
- Creating and editing padayātrā reels
- Studying Padayātrā Worldwide and compiling insights
- Listening to lectures and transforming them into digital content
- Creating AI-based animated videos to present padayātrā in engaging ways
We are also running “ISKCON Padayātrā News,” a weekly update platform sharing where the padayātrās are traveling and where they will be reaching next so that nearby people can participate and receive the mercy of harināma.
Additionally, we are conducting monthly padayātrā sessions, sharing stories and realizations to inspire devotees. For the youth, we are developing experiential learning programs, allowing them to join padayātrās and gain practical devotional experience through structured, certified courses.
With folded hands, we also humbly hope that the spirit of padayātrā may be embraced more deeply across all ashrams. We pray that even sannyāsī devotees may increasingly experience and learn from padayātrā preaching and its unique potency.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, by your boundless mercy and the sincere execution of your instructions by His Holiness Lokanath Swami, this padayātrā movement has even been recognized on a global platform. It has been honored in the World Book of Records, London, acknowledging decades of continuous spiritual padayātrā – spreading devotion, promoting harmony, and walking thousands of kilometers in service to humanity. This recognition is not merely an achievement, but a testament to the power of your vision and the unwavering dedication of your disciple, who has carried your mission to the roads, villages, and hearts of countless souls.
All these efforts are taking place under the guidance of senior Vaiṣṇavas, including His Holiness Sri Krishna Chaitanya Swami (Padayātrā Minister), Her Grace Jayabhadra Mātājī (Padayātrā PR Head), His Grace Stoka Kṛṣṇa Gopu Prabhu (Padayātrā Managing Director), along with many other followers of Your Divine Grace.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, this padayātrā movement is your vision in action. Kindly bless us that we may remain humble instruments in fulfilling your desire to spread the holy name to every town and village.
Your insignificant servants at the ISKCON Padayātrā Ministry
