Welcome

This issue’s nine feature articles cover a wide range of subjects. Our cover story, Satyaraja Dasa’s “Ramananda Samvada: The Perfect Conversation,” tells of a five-hundredyear- old dialogue on Krishna consciousness that was also wide ranging, covering philosophical topics from the most basic to the most elevated. To establish the basic points, Ramananda Raya mainly quoted the Bhagavad-gita. In “Why Is the Bhagavadgita So Pessimistic?” Caitanya Carana Dasa replies to a common question about that time-honored book of wisdom.

Several articles concern real-life application of the philosophy of Krishna consciousness. In “Abhay Charan: A Special Gift,” a husband and wife face a medical decision related to their unborn child. “Playing with Krishna ” discusses ways preschool children can have fun while learning about Krishna . “A Retreat for Krishna Couples” reports on a seminar designed to help couples progress harmoniously in their spiritual lives.

Deviating from these family-oriented themes, Indra Krishna Dasa’s “Toward Krishna Conscious Governance” addresses a higherlevel issue: the dangerous character and policies of today’s political leaders. The author calls for Lord Krishna ’s devotees to seek government positions, where the wisdom of Krishna ’s teachings can truly guide humanity. Hare Krishna .

Our Purposes

• To help all people discern reality from illusion, spirit from matter, the eternal from the temporary.

• To expose the faults of materialism.

• To offer guidance in the Vedic techniques of spiritual life.

• To preserve and spread the Vedic culture.

• To celebrate the chanting of the holy names of God as taught by Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

• To help every living being remember and serve Sri Krishna , the Personality of Godhead .