The FINANCIAL -- International Society for Krishna Consciousness, also popularly known as
the Hare Krishna movement is a spiritual society founded by His Divine
Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in July 1966 in New York. From Director - Sankirtan.
ISKCON belongs to the Gaudiya-Vaishnava sampradaya, a monotheistic tradition within Vedic culture.
His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the Founder Acharya of ISKCON, encouraged his disciples to distribute the Bhagavad-Gita all over the world and set in motion the ‘Gita Jayanti Book Marathon’. The campaign continues from Dec 1 to Dec 31 every year. The marathon provides devotees with a unique opportunity to distribute the transcendental literature. The Gita Jayanti Book Marathon is a humble attempt in pursuance of the will of the Lord.
At the temples of ISKCON across the globe, Gita Jayanti is celebrated during this period with special offerings to Lord Krishna. Mass recital of the Bhagavad-Gita is performed throughout the day. Gita Jayanti is also celebrated as Mokshada Ekadashi. Gita Jayanti Festival is observed for spiritual benefit of people and universal peace welfare. To mark the occasion this year, ISKCON is distributing Bhagavad-Gita at a discounted rate across the state.
ISKCON will also involve the corporate sector to sponsor copies of Bhagvad-Gita or to present it to people as a New Year gift. Sponsor companies can also put their company logos followed by their company names and messages inside the Bhagvad-Gita. Bhagvad-Gita copies are available in English and Hindi at a discounted price.
Bhagavad Gita can be sponsored in the quantity of 500, 1000, 5,000 and 10,000 in Hindi and English which would be distributed freely to orphans, old age homes, the ailing, jails, etc. ISKCON has also started a Gita Contest in public schools, which offers students a visit to ISKCON. This includes shows, entertainment and prasad for students.
The aim of ISKCON is to acquaint people of the world with the universal principles of self-realization and God consciousness so that they may derive the highest benefit of spiritual understanding, unity and peace. Vedic literature recommends that in the present age of Kali-yuga the most effective means of achieving self-realization is to chant the Holy Names of Lord Krishna and understanding Him by hearing and reading about Him.
According to Sripad Gopal Krishna Goswami ji Maharaj, Governing Body Commissioner, ISKCON, “These books have immense spiritual strength and even if somebody understands one sloka of these books and follows it his whole life will change.”
ISKCON follows the teachings of the Vedas and Vedic scriptures, including the Bhagavad-Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam, which teach Vaishnavism or devotion to God (Krishna) in His Supreme Personal aspect of Sri Sri Radha Krishna.
Today ISKCON comprises more than 500 temples, 40 rural communities and over 100 vegetarian restaurants. It also conducts special projects throughout the world, such as “Food for Life”, the only free vegetarian relief program in the world. ISKCON also conducts seminars on stress management to college students and in corporate sector.
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