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"Planet ISKCON" - 39 new articles
- Vraja Kishor, JP: Who Really Loves Krsna?
- H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – BG 17.17-19 The Top Ten Brahmas 12-15-2010 – Video
- H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 9.13.07-9 Maya, An Equal Opportunity Employer 7-14-2010
- ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Today's Darsana
- ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Bhakti Sara Dasa
- Madhava Ghosh dasa, New Vrndavan, USA: Lettuce and Strawberries
- H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami (Ret.): 241
- H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami (Ret.): From 108 Japa Poems, Where Your Mind Goes
- H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami (Ret.): From 108 Japa Poems, Fix Your Mind
- H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami (Ret.): Remembering Srila Prahbupada, Out on Sankirtana
- H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami (Ret.): A Litany for the Gone
- H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami (Ret.): Spiritualized Dictionary, Introduction
- H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami (Ret.): A Visit to Jagannatha Puri
- Bharatavarsa.net: Bhakti Vikasa Swami: The key to Deity worship
- Devadeva Mirel, Alachua, USA: Sabjimata is Moving!
- Japa Group: Japa Retreat - Sharing Our Obstacles
- David Haslam, UK: Near Death experience a though
- Mandakini dd, NC, USA: Pictures of the Boys (for mom & dad)
- Akrura das, Gita Coaching: HARIDASA AND MAYADEVI
- Subhavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA: Kshira-chora Gopinath 12 day festival has begun to Honour Rasikananda Dev Goswami
- Akrura das, Gita Coaching: EVEN IN THE MIND
- Mayapur Online: Srimad Bhagavatam Class- Live from Mayapur
- Srila Prabhupada's Letters
- Srila Prabhupada's Letters
- Srila Prabhupada's Letters
- Srila Prabhupada's Letters
- Srila Prabhupada's Letters
- Srila Prabhupada's Letters
- Srila Prabhupada's Letters
- Srila Prabhupada's Letters
- H.H. Sivarama Swami: The Family Dosa. The first I ever saw, all 5 foot length of it.
- H.H. Sivarama Swami: My love hate relationship with Mother India
- Dandavats.com: Live From Sri Mayapur Candrodaya Mandir! HH Devamrta Swami
- H.H. Bhakticharu Swami: Bhaktivedanta Course 2011 in Vrindavana
- Yoga of Ecology, Bhakta Chris, USA: Don't End Agricultural Subsidies, Fix Them
- Japa Group: Please Join The Japa Group
- Gouranga TV: Badahari dasa Kirtana
- Dandavats.com: Clean Yamuna River March from Sangam to India’s Capital New Delhi
- Dandavats.com: VTE Nectar of Instruction - ONLINE Course
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Vraja Kishor, JP: Who Really Loves Krsna?
Image by Ginas Pics via Flickr
The 22nd text of the Gita’s 9th chapter, and the preceding short section of texts that it concludes, very profoundly answer the question of “Who really loves Krsna?”In the previous short section of texts, Krsna said, “People perform so many aspects of religion and spirituality without coming to the point of loving me – the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Those people attain heaven for the duration that their good deeds allow, and then return to the mortal world again.”Now, concluding this section in the 22nd text, Krsna says, “But anyone who really loves me, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, in a personal way – I preserve whatever that person has, and carry for them whatever they lack.”Getting It
In one sense this text illustrates something so very important:
If I don’t “get it“ then I won’t get it, though I may go through the motions as elaborately as I like. The previous 4 or 5 texts illustrated how we “go through the motions” of spirituality – doing different rituals, or thinking different philosophical thoughts, but not getting the point.
In contrast, today’s text 9.22, if I do “get it” then I will get it, no matter how much I fail to go through any other proper motions.
That, to me, is one very important meaning of “I carry what you lack.” If I really get that spirituality and religion is truly about loving God in a personal way then I will surely get the utmost reward: svarupa-siddhi prema bhakti. EVEN IF I do nothing else correctly! Even if I screw up and fall down as a sanyassi, even if I steal, even if I eat meat, even if I break every religious principle, and then invent a few more and break those too. If I really and truly have my heart set on loving godhead in a personal way, Krsna will take care of all “the paperwork” to get my passport for goloka vrindavana.
If however, I don’t get it, If I think that Krsna consciousness is about tilokas, or sects, or rituals, or philosophies, or arts, or whatever, and don’t get the simple point that Krsna consciousness is ABOUT KRSNA – then even if I try to fill out unlimited paperwork for unlimited lifetimes, I will never get citizenship and a passport for Sri Vraja Loka.
How to Get The Point: Divine Love?
In my opinion, from what little I do know of the path, it all depends on who you hang out with and more importantly how you hang out with them. Love of Krsna cannot be created by any effort. Only love of Krsna generates more love of Krsna. So we have to hang out with people who love Krsna, and we have to hang out with them in a way that causes them to openly express their love for Krsna so that our own hearts can be affected (“infected”) by their love.
There is an important correlary point I would like to express:If: One who is focused on loving Krsna in a personal way is the really fortunate oneIf: It is inconsequential whether that person is illiterate and can’t fill out paperwork (in other words, can’t follow religious priniciples, or otherwise be “qualified” in terms of ritual, philosophy, arts, behavior etc.)Then: We should not evaluate the merit of a person based on their literacy in religion, ritual, philosophy, art, behavior etc.!!! We should evaluate the merit of a person based on the inclination of their heart to love Krsna.
Understanding this we should not criticize the faults of any one who may have a heart inclined to loving Krsna. Yes, those faults are real. No they are not important. Because Krsna will make up for the lack that person has, “I carry what they lack.”
How Do You Know Who Loves Krsna?
Question: You say, “ We should not evaluate the merit of a person based on their literacy in religion, ritual, philosophy, art, behavior etc.!!! We should evaluate the merit of a person based on the inclination of their heart to love Krsna.” But how do I know a person’s heart?
Answer: Our behavior follows our heart. By a person’s behavior you know their heart.
Question: Then if the person is smoking pot, for example, or otherwise showing bad behavior by not understanding philosophy, or by being a prostitute or sleeping with prostitutes, etc. — does this behavior not clearly show that their heart is not inclined to loving Krsna?
Answer: No.
Question: That is radically revolutionary to say.
Answer: “Apicet suduracaro” (forthcoming in this chapter) and many other texts from sastra are decidedly on this side. It is not about quoting out of context either, this is actually the main thematic message of the sections of scripture from which these quotes are taken. If it is “revolutionary,” great – spiritual evolution requires a personal revolution.
Question: Then by what behavior do we know that a person loves Krsna?
Answer: When you say, “Krsna” or otherwise discuss Krsna, the person who falls asleep regularly does not love Krsna. It is as simple as that. It makes no difference if this person is the most “religious” or “spiritual” person in the world.
On the other side, when you say, “Krsna” the person who wakes up and whose ears become alert, mind full of inquisitiveness, eyes bright and moist, and heart accelerating… that person loves Krsna. Again it is that simple, and it is irrelevant if this person is a whore or a priest.
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H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – BG 17.17-19 The Top Ten Brahmas 12-15-2010 – Video
Lecture on Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 17, Texts 17-19 titled “The Top Then Brahmas”.
Dallas, TX
2010-12-15Bhagavad-gita As It Is 17.17
aphalakankshibhir yuktaih
TRANSLATION
This threefold austerity, performed with transcendental faith by men not expecting material benefits but engaged only for the sake of the Supreme, is called austerity in goodness.
Bhagavad-gita As It Is 17.18
TRANSLATION
Penance performed out of pride and for the sake of gaining respect, honor and worship is said to be in the mode of passion. It is neither stable nor permanent.
PURPORT
Sometimes penance and austerity are executed to attract people and receive honor, respect and worship from others. Persons in the mode of passion arrange to be worshiped by subordinates and let them wash their feet and offer riches. Such arrangements artificially made by the performance of penances are considered to be in the mode of passion. The results are temporary; they can be continued for some time, but they are not permanent.
Bhagavad-gita As It Is 17.19
parasyotsadanartham va
TRANSLATION
Penance performed out of foolishness, with self-torture or to destroy or injure others, is said to be in the mode of ignorance.
PURPORT
There are instances of foolish penance undertaken by demons like Hiranyakasipu, who performed austere penances to become immortal and kill the demigods. He prayed to Brahma for such things, but ultimately he was killed by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. To undergo penances for something which is impossible is certainly in the mode of ignorance.
BG 17.17-19 The Top Ten Brahmas 2010-12-15
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H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 9.13.07-9 Maya, An Equal Opportunity Employer 7-14-2010
Lecture on Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto 9, Chapter 13, Texts 7-9 titled “Maya, An equal opportunity employer”.Dallas, TX
2010-07-14Srimad Bhagavatam 9.13.7
TRANSLATION
During the performance of the yajna, the body relinquished by Maharaja Nimi was preserved in fragrant substances, and at the end of the Satra-yaga the great saints and brahmanas made the following request to all the demigods assembled there.
Srimad Bhagavatam 9.13.8
TRANSLATION
“If you are satisfied with this sacrifice and if you are actually able to do so, kindly bring Maharaja Nimi back to life in this body.” The demigods said yes to this request by the sages, but Maharaja Nimi said, “Please do not imprison me again in a material body.”
PURPORT
The demigods are in a position many times higher than that of human beings. Therefore, although the great saints and sages were also powerful brahmanas, they requested the demigods to revive Maharaja Nimi‘s body, which had been preserved in various perfumed balms. One should not think that the demigods are powerful only in enjoying the senses; they are also powerful in such deeds as bringing life back to a dead body. There are many similar instances in the Vedic literature. For example, according to the history of Savitri and Satyavan, Satyavan died and was being taken away by Yamaraja, but on the request of his wife,Savitri, Satyavan was revived in the same body. This is an important fact about the power of the demigods.
Srimad Bhagavatam 9.13.9
bhajanti caranambhojam
TRANSLATION
Maharaja Nimi continued: Mayavadis generally want freedom from accepting a material body because they fear having to give it up again. But devotees whose intelligence is always filled with the service of the Lord are unafraid. Indeed, they take advantage of the body to render transcendental loving service.
PURPORT
Maharaja Nimi did not want to accept a material body, which would be a cause of bondage; because he was a devotee, he wanted a body by which he could render devotional service to the Lord. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura sings:
bhakta-grihe jani janma ha-u mora
kita-janma ha-u yatha tuya dasa
“My Lord, if You want me to take birth and accept a material body again, kindly do me this favor: allow me to take birth in the home of Your servant, Your devotee. I do not mind being born there even as an insignificant creature like an insect.” Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu also said:
na dhanam na janam na sundarim
bhavatad bhaktir ahaitukyi tvayi
“O Lord of the universe, I do not desire material wealth, materialistic followers, a beautiful wife or fruitive activities described in flowery language. All I want, life after life, is unmotivated devotional service to You.” (Sikshashtaka 4) By saying “life after life” (janmani janmani), the Lord referred not to an ordinary birth but a birth in which to remember the lotus feet of the Lord. Such a body is desirable. A devotee does not think like yogis and jnanis, who want to refuse a material body and become one with the impersonal Brahman effulgence. A devotee does not like this idea. On the contrary, he will accept any body, material or spiritual, for he wants to serve the Lord. This is real liberation.
If one has a strong desire to serve the Lord, even if he accepts a material body, there is no cause of anxiety, since a devotee, even in a material body, is a liberated soul. This is confirmed by Srila Rupa Gosvami:
nikhilasv apy avasthasu
“A person acting in Krishna consciousness (or, in other words, in the service of Krishna) with his body, mind, intelligence and words is a liberated person even within the material world, although he may be engaged in many so-called material activities.” The desire to serve the Lord establishes one as liberated in any condition of life, whether in a spiritual body or a material body. In a spiritual body the devotee becomes a direct associate of the Lord, but even though a devotee may superficially appear to be in a material body, he is always liberated and is engaged in the same duties of service to the Lord as a devotee in Vaikunthaloka. There is no distinction. It is said, sadhur jivo va maro va. Whether a devotee is alive or dead, his only concern is to serve the Lord. Tyaktvadeham punar janma naiti mam eti [Bg. 4.9]. When he gives up his body, he goes directly to become an associate of the Lord and serve Him, although he does the same thing even in a material body in the material world.
For a devotee there is no pain, pleasure or material perfection. One may argue that at the time of death a devotee also suffers because of giving up his material body. But in this connection the example may be given that a cat carries a mouse in its mouth and also carries a kitten in its mouth. Both the mouse and the kitten are carried in the same mouth, but the perception of the mouse is different from that of the kitten. When a devotee gives up his body (tyaktvadeham), he is ready to go back home, back to Godhead. Thus his perception is certainly different from that of a person being taken away by Yamaraja for punishment. A person whose intelligence is always concentrated upon the service of the Lord is unafraid of accepting a material body, whereas a nondevotee, having no engagement in the service of the Lord, is very much afraid of accepting a material body or giving up his present one. Therefore, we should follow the instruction of Caitanya Mahaprabhu: mama janmani janmanisvare bhavatad bhaktir ahaituki tvayi. It doesn’t matter whether we accept a material body or a spiritual body; our only ambition should be to serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
SB 09.13.07-9 Maya, An Equal Opportunity Employer 2010-07-14
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ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Today's Darsana
We witnessed a most magnificent golden sunrise as the curtains opened for darsana. While our eyes were gladly dazzled by the munificent rays emanating from the spiritual skies, our hearts rose to unlimited heights as we sang the Govindam prayers.
Swarupa Sakti, who is being trained by Sri Yasoda, dressed Sri Sri Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra Mayi on her own today!
Don't Sri Sri Radha Ballabha look divinely pristine parading Their assorted garlands?
And Sri Sri Gaura Nitai! They opted for an exotic look on this fresh tropical-like day.
Would you vote it as 'THE Darsana of the Month of March'?• Email to a friend •
ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Bhakti Sara Dasa
Srimad Bhagavatam 12.2.3 - The difference between lust and love (...krsnendriya-priti-iccha dhare prema nama)
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Madhava Ghosh dasa, New Vrndavan, USA: Lettuce and Strawberries
Last fall I planted some spinach to winter over to have this spring as early greens. It isn’t necessary to have it in cold frames but it does come on earlier and with better yields if it is.
I planted some lettuce in between the rows of spinach, thinking it would grow enough for a later fall/early winter crop but planted it later than I had wanted to and then December hit with below average temperatures.
A week or so ago I checked to see how the spinach was doing and was pleasantly surprised to find the lettuce looking good so we have been having a few lettuce thinnings for lunch. It was a light snow this morning but I wanted to get a picture of the lettuce so I pushed back the window covering one of the cold frames to get this shot.
There is a bunch of a winter weed, Gill Over Ground, that needs to be weeded out so it is hard to distinguish the spinach but the lettuce stands out. The spinach looks vital and also needs thinning.
Next to the cold frames is my strawberry beds, all snuggled in their straw covering. Note the heron sculpture in the strawberries that Vidya brought home from one of her craft shows that she had traded gourds for. It looked good wading in the green leaves of the bed last year and still looks good wading in the straw now.
I just googled when to remove the straw mulch and found this:
“When to Remove
“Remove the straw in the spring as soon as there are signs of new leaf growth under the straw (usually in late April). New growth under the straw is indicated when new leaves become a pale yellow color. Some of the straw (about ¼) can be left on the plants and plants will grow through it.
“The rest can be placed between the rows to help smother weeds and keep berries clean. It can also be put back on the plants for frost protection during blossoming.”
I took decent care of the strawberries last year in their first year. I kept them weeded, thinned the runners and plucked the blossoms on the June bearers. We did get some late strawberries from the day neutrals but I am expecting a good crop this spring.
I am considering selling them, locally grown and organic, for $6 a quart. If people don’t like that price, they can go buy the ersatz strawberries sold at Krogers for half that, but I prefer strawberries that have flavor and not those insipid look a likes. If people don’t want them, I will dry and freeze my surplus and enjoy strawberries all next winter long.
Seems like I am counting my strawberries before they ripen. :-)
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H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami (Ret.): 241
A Writer of Pieces
New format—I will begin with a poem written on the day of its printing. Then I will print random excerpts of books I have printed over the last 30 years. I hope this variety will be pleasing.
Poem for March 6
The rain is falling
and pattering on the roof.
Krishna book he’ll read
to me at breakfast time.
What section are you up to?
We’ve discussed that Syracuse
scored 103 points in their
victory yesterday, and I
asked him what movie he saw.We watched two Family Guys
spared not enough time for
more consciousness
of Krishna. A squirrel
squashed on the road.
I chanted my rounds
mechanically. Someone
wrote me a scorching letter
recalling my mistake from
years ago as if it were
yesterday, said I left
her orphaned, she
was bitter and unforgiving.
Says I’m still living
poorly. The things she said
were not true faults.
I don’t overmedicate,
and I’m not a hermit.I meet with people regularly
good people, and attend
social attempts centered around
Krishna. I answered her
letter, and said I’m
repentant and sorry I
hurt you, said I’m
reformed from the issues
she accused me of.There are still people
out there who don’t forgive
me. The rain falls.
The puddles run
in rivulets. I
know some people
don’t like me.
But I stand up
for my righteousness.
I say I am cured.
Don’t accuse me—
my life style is not
displeasing to Prabhupada.
The rain is falling,
I’m doing alright
even though I keep
mostly to myself
I do meet people,
I do not overmedicate.
Don’t accuse me.• Email to a friend •
H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami (Ret.): From 108 Japa Poems, Where Your Mind Goes
Where your mind goes
your japa will go.
You went so fast
because you wanted to
get them done, but your
mind was partly distracted
by something you had done.
Now, how do you expect
to pass the test if you
don’t keep your mind chaste
and away from waste?
I can forgive you this time,
but it’s up to you to take
your choice—harinama
or Maya? Whatever you
feed the mind it will
regurgitate, so be stricter
and you’ll do better in
your morning harinama.
Aye aye, Sir. Aye, aye, aye Sir.• Email to a friend •
H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami (Ret.): From 108 Japa Poems, Fix Your Mind
Fix your mind on the
meaning of the mantra
make more effort, and
don’t lay back just
making syllable sounds.
Is it a physical or
mental act you are capable of?
I think you can do better,
that’s in your power.
Pay more attention to the
simple act, tell yourself
”I’m chanting Radha and
Krishna’s names. I’m chanting
Their names.” Don’t allow
the mind to float to yesterday’s
trivia. Stay in the present
with the maha-mantra
whispering, bring it to an
audible pitch. Can
you help yourself and do
these things, or are you
a jelly fish? I think
you are capable of
being a bhakta if you
just try a little harder.
I’m on your side
and will banish the trivia,
so says Satsvarupa dasa.• Email to a friend •
H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami (Ret.): Remembering Srila Prahbupada, Out on Sankirtana
He is the origin and model
for all book distributors going out
to meet conditioned souls,
approaching them without knowing
whether they will be rude, violent, cold or receptive.
As he was going door to door
a home owner shouted from his second floor veranda,
”Go away! We don’t want you here!”
He carried a stack of newspapers
and sometimes went to the tea stalls,
sat at the table with tea drinkers, kindly offering them his paper.
They usually had No Time for him—
too busy paying illusion’s toll,
sipping tea, dazed by Maya,
on-the-go, making a living,
unconcerned about Krishna and sadhus.
But they would look up in an offhand way
at A. C. Bhaktivedanta, and sometimes take
a copy of his unusual tabloid.• Email to a friend •
H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami (Ret.): A Litany for the Gone
A Litany for the Gone is not meant to represent objective history. It is not the final word or truth on what actually happened on the years I am describing. Like all people, I have a subjective viewpoint about the events in my life, and I also had limited access to the people I have described. How could I know a person’s total character? All I can describe is how each of them related to me. Subjective reality is also a kind of reality and has as much right to be expressed as objective truths. In Krishna consciousness, devotees relate to Krishna and Krishna to His devotees according to subjective feeling. Subjective feeling means the relationship is based on love.
Much of the poignancy (regret) of the years described in Litany comes from the fact that I didn’t have such open communication with disciples, and in many cases, whatever communication I did have was filtered through their local authorities. You will understand this better when you read Litany.
I am including this disclaimer at the beginning of the book so that readers won’t charge me with failing to have grasped the objective truth. I’m only describing how I saw and felt things. I have also remarked that if the readers have their own versions and impressions of the time I am describing then they can tell their own stories. This is my story.
A litany is a prayer reciting a list. Sometimes it’s a lament, as in a litany for the dead. I intend to work with a list of names of persons to whom I gave harinama initiation into the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. I plan to choose from a list of almost seven hundred names, those persons who no longer pursue an active relationship with me. As I go through the list, I may also want to write something about someone who is out of touch with me but who is still active in spiritual life. I do not intend to condemn or criticize anyone in this “litany,” even those who have abandoned their vows.
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H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami (Ret.): Spiritualized Dictionary, Introduction
The words in this book were chosen at random. Actually, I gave the dictionary to a five year-old and asked her to select some words for me by pointing at the ones that looked interesting. Of course, she couldn’t read, so the words were actually selected randomly. I also purposely chose to look up words such as “god”, “soul”, “transmigration”, and some others just to see how the mundane dictionary would define them.
The dictionary isn’t everything. Srila Prabhupada often referred to the Nirukti dictionary and used Sanskrit definitions in his preaching to support Krishna consciousness, but he also said that we cannot know Krishna just by looking up Sanskrit words in a Sanskrit dictionary. These dictionaries have an impersonalist bent and cannot be trusted absolutely. Therefore, it might be good to convert the English dictionary to devotional usage. As it is, it represents the illusory world of names and forms; we can diffuse its influence as a mundane reference book by presenting an alternative. In a regular dictionary, words are presented as unrelated to God. Actually, the dictionary is full of chaos and mad randomness, although it appears ordered and structured by the alphabet. In the second verse of the catuh-sloki of Srimad-Bhagavatam, we are told that that which appears unconnected to Krishna is actually His material energy, or illusion. The material energy is similar to a reflection or to a shadow of reality. Everything is related to Krishna. The dictionary, however, presents itself as a scholarly book and bluffs the reader into thinking that something can be accepted separate from its relationship with God. God is given no more prominence in a dictionary than “William Clarke Gable, 1901-1960, US motion picture actor.” He’s given no more importance than “Naum Gabl, US sculptor, born in Russia,” He’s just another word. We need to rescue Him and to present the truth.
This book is not a scholarly alternative to the mundane dictionary but a hint at what can be done by more serious scholars. If Prabhupada’s books are going to become the law books for the next ten thousand years, word usage will naturally change and such dictionaries will naturally be composed.
In any case, this book is one devotee’s attempt to Krishnaize at least a few words in the vast domain of words and to make us aware of how Krishna is the beginning, the middle, and the end of the alphabet. Even by free association we can return to Krishna, regardless of how far the mundane word may seem from a transcendental word. Everything comes from Krishna and should be returned to His service. I hope in the future that readers of the book will stumble across words such as “volant”, and “zoophyte” and remember some of the Krishna conscious discussion we have had here.
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H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami (Ret.): A Visit to Jagannatha Puri
Visit to Jagannatha-Balava temple. The tourist book Visit Puri, encourages us to visit Jagannatha-Balava temple because, “Above all this matha is connected with the sweet memory of Sri Caitanya’s celebrated contemporary Raya Ramananda Pattanayaka.” But now we find that Jagannatha-Balava is another place where we are not allowed to enter. It’s ironic because Ramananda Raya was himself considered a sudra and yet Lord Caitanya embraced him and honored him for being better than millions of brahmins. Ramananda Raya had intimate realization about Radha and Krishna and thus Lord Caitanya allowed Ramananda Raya to instruct Him. At one point in their discussions Ramananda Raya became hesitant and embarrassed, considering himself lowborn and unqualified to speak to a great sannyasi. But Lord Caitanya encouraged him: “Whether one is a brahmin, sannyasi, or a sudra—regardless of what he is—he can become a spiritual master if he knows the science of Krishna.” (Cc. Madhya-lila, 8.128)
Sometimes Hindus concede that a lowborn person may become a Vaisnava. But they claim he should still be barred from various places and positions until he takes a future birth in an upper class family in India. There appears to be partial support of this in the Hari bhakti vilasa, but Prabhupada explains it in a purport:
“It is stated in the Hari bhakti vilasa that one should not accept initiation from a person who is not in the brahminical order. If there is a fit person in the brahminical order present this instruction is meant for those who are overly dependent on the mundane social order and is suitable for those who want to remain in mundane life. If one understands the truth of Krishna consciousness and seriously desires to attain transcendental knowledge for the perfection of life he can accept a spiritual master from any social status provided the spiritual master is fully conversant with the science of Krishna. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura also states that although one is situated as a brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya, brahmacari, vanaprastha, grhastha or sannyasi, if he is conversant in the science of Krishna, he can become a spiritual master as vartma-pradaksa guru, diksa-guru or siksa-guru…Unless we accept the principle enunciated by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, this Krishna consciousness movement cannot spread all over the world. This does not mean that people should take to his teachings and remain sudras or candalas. As soon as one is trained as a Vaisnava he must be accepted as a bona fide brahmana.“(Cc. Madhya-lila 8.128, purport)
We have come to the lake near Jagannatha-Balava temple. Tall coconut trees, reflected in the water, turn the water green.
A skinny man with a stick
prevents us from entering
the temple of Ramananda Raya.
And since I am a wise-guy American,
he makes me proud
of my own nationality. Prabhupada warns: don’t think
because you are an American Gosvami
that you are better.
And neither should the Indian think
he is better than you.At the lake side, a dog-fight!
Five mongrels growl, claw and bite
and a sixth dog runs barking from a distance
to join the biting melee.
Why compete? Are we any better?Varuna was allowed to enter the Jagannatha-Balava temple. He said there are three altars in the Deity room. One holds very large murtis of Lord Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra. The same altar holds two other sets of Jagannatha Deities and many sets of Radha-Krishna Deities. On the middle altar there’s a Deity of Lord Caitanya in saffron and beside Him Ramananda Raya in white. There are also two Deities of four-armed Narayana on this same altar. On a third altar is a Deity of Krishna surrounded by a cloth garland so that only His face is visible. The Deity of Radharani is covered in a similar way.
The priest in the temple said that Ramananda Raya worshiped the Deity of Krishna installed here and Lord Caitanya used to meet here with Ramananda Raya. They say that in the gardens where we are sitting Ramananda Raya used to train the dancing girls for the pleasure of Lord Jagannatha.
This is, therefore, a worshipable place, where Ramananda Raya performed feta impossible for any grhastha, brahmacari or sannyasi. We pray for Ramananda’s mercy so that we can at least maintain our strict vows of celibacy in body, mind and words and so that we may be able to relish the transcendental lila of Krishna.
While leaving the temple grounds I noticed a sign “Foreign nationals restricted.” I thought, “Restricted?” Why not forbidden?” I asked Varuna to ask the guard whether there was some condition under which we might enter. Since we are sadhus perhaps they could restrict us to a certain time of day or length of stay. But when Varuna approached the guard, the guard angrily denounced him saying (in Hindi) “You are with those people? Then you are not an Indian! They eat meat and fish!
True in this body we have eaten meat and fish, and thus it is an abominable body. But chanting the holy name and taking shelter in the pure devotee has changed all that. But the materialists cannot understand it.
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Bharatavarsa.net: Bhakti Vikasa Swami: The key to Deity worship
Now that you have welcomed Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai to Ahmedabad, you must take care of Their Lordships very nicely. The key to Deity worship is regularity and cleanliness. Everything must be offered on time to Their Lordships, and everyone who serves Them as well as everything prepared for Them must be very clean. Please personally see that Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai are given all attention. By getting Their blessings, you will become Krsna conscious and everyone else who you come into contact with will also.
>>> Ref. VedaBase => Letter to: Yasomatinandan, 27 April, 1977
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Devadeva Mirel, Alachua, USA: Sabjimata is Moving!
I am in the process of moving…my blog. The new address is sabjimatablog.com. It will pretty much be the same. But better. Right now it is not better. It is worse. But I am working hard at setting up the new site. See you there! There will be a little bit of blog silence until it is all functional and tidy. Hopefully that won’t last too long. In the meantime, be sure to like the blog on Facebook. Mmmmuh!
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Japa Group: Japa Retreat - Sharing Our Obstacles
In this very interesting part of the Japa Retreat, devotees share their obstacles and Sacinanadana Swami speaks about the solutions with great clarity.
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David Haslam, UK: Near Death experience a though
I write this blog posting knowing that it may open me personally up for some ridicule, as I recount my own personal near death experience and how looking back there appears to be an eternal connection from my own personal perspective with the spiritual master. So I am in my early twenties, lots to look [...]
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Mandakini dd, NC, USA: Pictures of the Boys (for mom & dad)
Kapila's team at a tournament...it was moved indoors due to rainy weather.
kapila sledding in the baby sled
At the Museum of Life & Science Butterfly House
Building with kapla blocks at the museum
Narada and his friend Anjali. She was visiting with her mom & grandfather after Christmas.• Email to a friend •
Akrura das, Gita Coaching: HARIDASA AND MAYADEVI
One day Haridasa Thakura was sitting in his cave, reciting the holy name of the Lord very loudly.
The night was full of moonlight, which made the waves of the Ganges look dazzling. All directions were clear and bright.
Thus everyone who saw the beauty of the cave, with the tulasi plant on a clean altar, was astonished and satisfied at heart.
At that time, in that beautiful scene, a woman appeared in the courtyard. The beauty of her body was so bright that it tinged the entire place with a yellow hue.
The scent of her body perfumed all directions, and the tinkling of her ornaments startled the ear.
After coming there, the woman offered obeisances to the tulasi plant, and after circumambulating the tulasi plant she came to the door of the cave where Haridasa Thakura was sitting.
With folded hands she offered obeisances at the lotus feet of Haridasa Thakura. Sitting at the door, she then spoke in a very sweet voice.
"My dear friend," she said, "you are the friend of the entire world. You are so beautiful and qualified. I have come here only for union with you.
"My dear sir, kindly accept me and be merciful toward me, for it is a characteristic of all saintly persons to be kind toward the poor and fallen."
After saying this, she began to manifest various postures, which even the greatest philosopher would lose his patience upon seeing.
Haridasa Thakura was immovable, for he was deeply determined. He began to speak to her, being very merciful toward her.
"I have been initiated into a vow to perform a great sacrifice by chanting the holy name a certain number of times every day.
"As long as the vow to chant is unfulfilled, I do not desire anything else. When I finish my chanting, then I have an opportunity to do anything.
"Sit down at the door and hear the chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. As soon as the chanting is finished, I shall satisfy you as you desire."
After saying this, Haridasa Thakura continued to chant the holy name of the Lord. Thus the woman sitting before him began to hear the chanting of the holy name.
In this way, as he chanted and chanted, the morning approached, and when the woman saw that it was morning, she got up and left.
For three days she approached Haridasa Thakura in this way, exhibiting various feminine postures that would bewilder the mind of even Lord Brahma.
Haridasa Thakura was always absorbed in thoughts of Krishna and the holy name of Krishna. Therefore the feminine poses the woman exhibited were just like crying in the forest.
At the end of the night of the third day, the woman spoke to Haridasa Thakura as follows.
"My dear sir, for three days you have cheated me by giving me false assurances, for I see that throughout the entire day and night your chanting of the holy name is never finished."
Haridasa Thakura said, "My dear friend, what can I do? I have made a vow. How, then, can I give it up?"
After offering obeisances to Haridasa Thakura, the woman said, "I am the illusory energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. I came here to test you.
"I have previously captivated the mind of even Brahma, what to speak of others. Your mind alone have I failed to attract.
"My dear sir, you are the foremost devotee. Simply seeing you and hearing you chant the holy name of Krishna has purified my consciousness. Now I want to chant the holy name of the Lord. Please be kind to me by instructing me about the ecstasy of chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra.
"There is now a flood of the eternal nectar of love of Godhead due to the incarnation of Lord Caitanya. All living entities are floating in that flood. The entire world is now thankful to the Lord.
"Anyone who does not float in this inundation is most condemned. Such a person cannot be delivered for millions of kalpas.
"Formerly I received the holy name of Lord Rama from Lord Siva, but now, due to your association, I am greatly eager to chant the holy name of Lord Krishna.
"The holy name of Lord Rama certainly gives liberation, but the holy name of Krishna transports one to the other side of the ocean of nescience and at last gives one ecstatic love of Krishna.
"Please give me the holy name of Krishna and thus make me fortunate, so that I also may float in the flood of love of Godhead inaugurated by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu."
After speaking in this way, Maya worshiped the lotus feet of Haridasa Thakura, who initiated her by saying, "Just perform chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra."
After thus being instructed by Haridasa Thakura, Maya left with great pleasure.
- Caitanya Caritamrita• Email to a friend •
Subhavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA: Kshira-chora Gopinath 12 day festival has begun to Honour Rasikananda Dev Goswami
Our home base is New Remuna Dham in Toronto Canada and Srila Prabhupada named our beloved deities in Toronto Radha Kshira-chora Gopinath after the Kshira-chora Gopinath in Remuna Dham. Thus the following nectar is even sweeter...
In Remuna Dham, home of Kshira-chora Gopinath a special annual 12 day festival has already started to honour the disappearance day of Rasikananda Dev Goswami. This is the place of his samadhi along with 7 his closest associates.
It is said, that Rasikananda and his party walked to Remuna while preforming harinam sankirtan along the way. Once Rasikananda Dev Goswami arrived the in courtyard of the Kshira-chora Gopinath temple, Rasikananda left his body. Some accounts actually say that he merged into the body of the Gopinath deity.
What's more is that his 7 closest associates and disciples also left their bodies at the Kshira-chora Gopinath in Remuna and when you visit the the temple's courtyard you can honour them by circumambulating the samdhis. During this 12 day festival marvelous disappearance day of Rasikananda Dev Goswmi is honored but so is his spectacular preaching and total immersion in the holy name.
Some local devotees in Toronto may have heard some lectures about Shyamananda and his darshan of Srimati Radharani. Well in fact Rasikananda was Shyamananda's most prominent disciple. With the mercy of his guru, Rasikananda was bestowed such spiritual power that he was able to convert criminals, atheists, Muslims, and other fallen souls into Vaishnavas.
Jaya Rasikananda Dev Goswami!• Email to a friend •
Akrura das, Gita Coaching: EVEN IN THE MIND
In the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, there is a story... Not story. Fact. It is described there that one brahmana -- he was a great devotee -- he wanted to offer very brilliant service, arcana, in the temple worship. But he had no money. But some day he was sitting in a Bhagavata class and he heard that Krsna can be worshiped even within the mind. So he took this opportunity because he was thinking since a long time how to worship Krsna very gorgeously, but he had no money.
So he, when he got this point, that one can worship Krsna within the mind, so after taking bath in the Godavari River, he was sitting underneath a tree and within his mind he was constructing very gorgeous simhasana, throne, bedecked with jewels and keeping the Deity on the throne, he was bathing the Deity with water of Ganges, Yamuna, Godavari, Narmada, Kaveri. Then he was dressing the Deity very nicely, then offering worship with flower, garland.
Then he was cooking very nicely, and he was cooking paramanna, sweet rice. So he wanted to taste it, whether it was very hot. Because paramanna is taken cold. Paramanna is no taken very hot. So he put his finger on the paramanna and his finger burned down. Then his meditation broken, because there was nothing. Simply within his mind he was doing everything. So... But he saw that his finger is burned. So he was astonished.
In this way, Narayana from Vaikuntha, He was smiling. Laksmiji asked, "Why you are smiling?" "One of My devotee is worshiping like this. So send My men to bring him immediately to Vaikuntha."
So the bhakti-yoga is so nice that even if you have no means to offer the Deity gorgeous worship, you can do it within the mind. That is also possible. Therefore it is said that ahaituky apratihata. In any position of life you can engage yourself in bhakti-yoga system.
- Srila Prabhupada• Email to a friend •
Mayapur Online: Srimad Bhagavatam Class- Live from Mayapur
Date: March 1st, 2011
Topic: Dhruva Maharaja Goes Back To Godhead[SB 4. 12. 24]
Speaker: HH Devamrta Swamitasyakhila-jagad-dhatur
avam devasya sarnginah
parsadav iha sampraptau
netum tvam bhagavat-padam• Email to a friend •
Srila Prabhupada's Letters
1966 March 6:
"Today is Gour Purnima. I am here alone without any devotee companion. Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu wanted that His mission should be propagated all over the world and that is my objective. I do not mind the inconvenience personally felt."
Prabhupada Journal :: 1966• Email to a friend •
Srila Prabhupada's Letters
1968 March 6: "Yes, whoever you tell the chant to, it is effective. My disciples are my agents, my representatives, so by hearing it from them, you are receiving it from me."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968• Email to a friend •
Srila Prabhupada's Letters
1969 March 6: "When the American boys are disgusted with cigarette smokers, or listening to rock music and meaningless chattering, it means there is Krishna's Grace. May Krishna bless you more and more, as you advance."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969• Email to a friend •
Srila Prabhupada's Letters
1970 March 6: "We are in the midst of an ocean of Maya so you must have a boat very strong, and Krsna is the nicest boat to carry you over the ocean of Maya."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970• Email to a friend •
Srila Prabhupada's Letters
1973 March 6: "I am not the actual bestower of mercy, rather I am just a messenger. So work hard for Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His mercy will fall upon you like torrents of rain in the monsoon season."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1973• Email to a friend •
Srila Prabhupada's Letters
1973 March 6: "So is it possible to save him from this dangerous position? He is important man in our Society and we cannot allow him to deviate from our principles. Please try to save him."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1973• Email to a friend •
Srila Prabhupada's Letters
1973 March 6: "I am very glad to hear that the film, Hare Rama, was defeated there, it is Krsna's grace. This man is a very bad man for our movement's sake, that movie is a great insulting to us."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1973• Email to a friend •
Srila Prabhupada's Letters
1975 March 6: "Our movement is completely a spiritual movement, therefore sometimes it appears to be a little different from the materialistic cultural movement. Still, we are trying to push on in the western countries."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975• Email to a friend •
H.H. Sivarama Swami: The Family Dosa. The first I ever saw, all 5 foot length of it.
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H.H. Sivarama Swami: My love hate relationship with Mother India
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Dandavats.com: Live From Sri Mayapur Candrodaya Mandir! HH Devamrta Swami
By Devamrta Swami
Srimad-Bhagavatam has always been a problem for mundane scholars. From the first time that they laid eyes on it during the days of early British colonialism in India they had a problem with Srimad-Bhagavatam because of what they considered stupendous or just totally out of the ordinary, beyond material conception
lunes, 7 de marzo de 2011
H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – BG 17.17-19 The Top Ten Brahmas 12-15-2010 – Video
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