Shri Radha Govindji Temple - श्री राधा गोविंदजी मंदिर

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON)

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), known colloquially as the Hare Krishna movement or Hare Krishnas, is a Gaudiya Vaishnava religious organisation. ISKCON was founded in 1966 in New York City by A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada [अभय चरणारविन्द भक्तिवेदान्त स्वामी प्रभुपाद (Abhay Charanaravinda Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada) (1 September 1896 - 14 November 1977)] who is worshipped by followers.

Seven Purposes of ISKCON

When Srila Prabhupada first incorporated ISKCON in 1966, he gave it seven purposes:

• To systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to society at large and to educate all people in the techniques of spiritual life in order to check the imbalance of values in life and to achieve real unity and peace in the world.
• To propagate a consciousness of Krishna, as it is revealed in the Bhagavad-gita and the Srimad-Bhagavatam. The principle of reincarnation is accepted.
• To bring the members of the Society together with each other and nearer to Krishna, the prime entity, thus to develop the idea within the members, and humanity at large, that each soul is part and parcel of the quality of Godhead (Krishna).
• To teach and encourage the sankirtana movement, congregational chanting of the holy names of God as revealed in the teachings of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
• To erect for the members, and for society at large, a holy place of transcendental pastimes, dedicated to the personality of Krishna.
• To bring the members closer together for the purpose of teaching a simpler and more natural way of life.
• With a view towards achieving the aforementioned purposes, to publish and distribute periodicals, magazines, books and other writings.

Four Regulative Principles

Bhaktivedanta Swami prescribed four regulative principles, in relation to the four legs of dharma, as the basis of the spiritual life:

• No eating of meat (including fish), eggs, onions or garlic
• No illicit sex: only between married couples and only for the procreation of children
• No gambling
• No intoxicants (including alcohol, caffeine, tobacco and other recreational drugs)

The Four Legs of Dharma

• Daya: Mercy
• Tapas: Self-Control or Austerity
• Satyam: Truthfulness (playing any games keeping/for money and/or things)
• Śaucam: Cleanliness of body and mind