Welcome

Last year was the fiftieth anniversary of ISKCON, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, which means that Hare Krsna devotees in the form of followers of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada are now in their third generation. Devotees from all three generations met for a four-day Kulimela festival in New Vrindaban, West Virginia, last June. There was plenty of Krsna conscious activity for all ages, including serious adult discussions about ensuring a positive experience of spiritual life for the movement's children today and for generations to come.

At the other end of life's spectrum, we honor the passing of His Holiness Krsna Dasa Swami. We ran a short "In Memoriam" about him in the last issue, and when Nikunja Vilasini Devi Dasi, inspired by his example, proposed to write a feature article on his life, we encouraged her to do so.

This issue corresponds with the festival of Gaura Purima, celebrating the divine appearance of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu 521 years ago. To commemorate this holy event, Satyaraja Dasa discusses the significance of Caitanya Mahaprabhu's Siksastaka, eight verses of deep spiritual lessons.

Caitanya Carana Dasa's "Fatalism or Pragmatism?" deals with the interplay of destiny and human initiative.

Hare Krsna.–Nagaraja Dasa, Editor