For the education of devotees, we have gathered papers, articles, and presentations–written, audio, and video–on the topic of women in ISKCON. When we didn’t have original files we scanned hard copies. When we didn’t have a printed document we have put up the audio file. If you have a document, video, or audio file not in our archives please share it with us.
The papers and essays on this page were written in response to changes many women in ISKCON experienced between 1973 and 1974–but a decade or more after those changes. When Srila Prabhupada established ISKCON, women gave Srimad-Bhagavatam classes, led kirtanas, offered pujas, dressed Deities, offered dandavats, managed temples, and performed other devotional acts, all at Srila Prabhupada’s requests and blessings. Prabhupada had asked Govinda dasi and Yamuna dasi to be on the GBC but Tamal Krishna Maharaja contested so strongly they declined Prabhupada’s request. Upon Prabhupada’s request all devotees addressed each other as “Prabhu”–both men and women.
To turn the tide back to Prabhupada’s standards, several women devotees spearheaded a dialogue about the position of women in ISKCON beginning in 1987.
By giving access to the world of Vaishnavis about the precedents and standards set by Srila Prabhupada, we hope that his mood and methods will remain alive.
1988: The Letter that Initiated Dialogue. Pranada Dasi and Saudamani Dasi exchange views.
The letters were presented to the GBC body in 1988 to support that year’s agenda item requesting that women be allowed to give Srimad-Bhagavatam classes again. Pranada’s letter was published by the Vaishnava Journal that same year.
1988: Japa for Women in the Temple by Manasa Ganga Dasi. In many temples at the time women were not allowed to chant in temple rooms.
Circa 1990: On Chivalry in ISKCON and the Rights of Our Mothers by Jagannatha Krsnadasa.
Circa 1990: Damsels in Distress by Sita Devi Dasi.
1991-2000: Priti-laksanam Newsletters. For its time, the newsletter was a groundbreaking international newsletter which created a dialogue between devotees and the GBC. Edited, published, and financed by Pranada dasi.
1991: BTG Relaunches with Five Articles about “Devotee Women: Their Spiritual Concerns.” Jayadvaita Swami, Editor-in-Chief of BTG at the time, commissioned the writing of the articles:
Doing Things the “Prabhupada Way” by Pranada Devi Dasi;
A House for the Entire World by Sita Devi Dasi;
Srila Prabhupada and His Women Disciples by Visakha Devi Dasi;
Where Are Your Women Teachers? by Manasa Ganga Devi Dasi;
Krsna Knows What We Need by Jadurani Devi Dasi
1992: Building an All-Attractive ISKCON by Pranada dasi. Presented at the Third Annual ISKCON Communications Conference in Belgium. This was the first time a woman spoke at the event.
1994: A Proposal for a Women’s Advisory Council for the NA GBC.
This document was the seed for the Women’s Ministry, later to become the Vaishnavi Ministry. The proposal was accepted and Sudharma dasi became the Council spokesperson. She would also receiving voting privileges, a first in ISKCON. When the Women’s Ministry was formed at the international GBC level, Sudharma dasi became the Minister and for the first time a Vaishnavi had a vote on the International GBC body.
1995: Pranada dasi presented a paper about ISKCON’s dealings with women at the Annual Meeting of The Association for the Sociology of Religion.
1996-2014: GBC Resolutions. These are resolutions put forward by the Vaishnavi Ministry or resolutions about women in ISKCON. To get the resolutions passed from 1996 to 2000 was due to vigorous work of Sudharma dasi, the Vaishnavi Minister at the time.
1996: Women’s Ministry Celebration of Srila Prabhupada’s Centennial. Celebrating the opening of the new temple in Alachua, FL. January 19-21, 1996. Audio recordings of Yamuna Devi, Kausalya, and Bhaktitirtha Swami.
1997: First Annual Women’s Ministry Conference “Srila Prabhupada’s Empowered Daughters.”
Held in Los Angeles December 1997 on a houseboat in Marina del Rey. It would not be hosted by the Los Angeles temple. Click on the link above for papers and videos of the event.
1998: Conspiracy To Terminate The ISKCON Women’s Ministry by Ardhabuddhi dasa. An editorial published on Vaishnava News Network (VNN) which includes the leaked email conference called GHQ (standing for General Headquarters) that was formed to terminate the Vaishnavi Ministry.
1998: Respect for Individuality by Urmila dasi. Published in ICJ.
1998: Women in Prabhupada’s Time by Jyotirmayi dasi. Published on Chakra.
1998: Second Annual Women’s Ministry Conference held in Alachua, Fl. (The 4 links below are the only materials we have from the event.)
Women’s Voices and the Mobilization of Women within ISKCON by Burke Rochford.
Devi Seva February newsletter with Conference Report.
USA and European Conference Report by Radha devi dasi.
Hands that Rock the Cradle Rock ISKCON. A Hare Krishna World Review article about the Second Annual Women’s Ministry Conference.
1999: Third Annual Women’s Ministry Conference, New Vrindaban, October 1999 (The 2 links below are the only materials we have from the event.)
Toward Krsna Together Paper presented by Visakha dasi.
Continuing the Journey Paper presented by Pranada dasi.
1999: What’s a Woman to Do? by Visakha dasi. Published in Back to Godhead magazine.
1999: What’s a Woman to Do? [In German]
2000: Women in ISKCON: A Presentation to the GBC. As the dialogue in ISKCON progressed it was time to speak with a group of Vaishnavis to speak with the GBC body. Presentations were made by Yamuna Devi, Visakha, Sudharma, Rukmini, Saudamani, Kusa, and Sitala Prabhus. Pranada and Urmila Prabhus wrote papers. Click on the link above to see the papers.
2000: Hints on How to Lead Kirtana and Give Srimad-Bhagavatam Class by Pranada dasi.
2001: Fundamental Human Rights in ISKCON by Radha devi dasi. Published by ICSA.
2001: Serving Krsna as Husband and Wife by Visakha dasi. Published in ICJ.
2008. Feminity Honored by Visakha dasi.
2008. Statement by the GBC Executive Committee Affirming Vaishnava Respect for Women
2012: Female Diksa-gurus in ISKCON by the Sastric Advisory Council.
2013: Did Srila Prabhupada Want Women Diksa Gurus? by Kaunteya dasa. The book can be downloaded by this link.
2014: Srila Prabhupada on the Use of the Address “Prabhu” Compiled by Visakha dasi.
2014: Yamuna Devi’s Legacy Project: Biography, classes, and bhajans.
2015: Back to Godhead magazine. “A Spiritually Deepening Experience” by Shatakshi Goyal about the annual International Vaishnavi Retreats organized by Prasanta devi dasi.
2017: The Roles of Vaishnavis in ISKCON by Radha dasi for the Vaishnavi Ministry.
2017: “Srila Prabhupada’s Shower of Mercy” by Visakha dasi and Malati dasi.
Scholar, Kim Knott offers a brief overview of ISKCON’s history in her paper The Reassertion Of Women Within ISKCON: Vaishnavis and Their Critics
