A last prayer.

As Kartik comes to an end,a feeling of fulfillment, yet unhappiness overcomes me. My heart is desolate, my soul is saddened, and my mind is in despair. All I can think about is when I can be this close to my beloved again. I don't know what is it that makes me feel that only during the perfectly auspicious and wonderful month I am directly in His line of vision, that I'm physically being crushed by His empowering embrace, and that He is glancing upon me with His loving lotus eyes. Tears come to my eyes as my brain is envisioning Him being sidetracked now by the rest of the world, sinless and sinners alike, obliged to go back to His work as the maintainer. Even though I know that it is not so, my heart is enflamed with the unrealistic feeling of seperation. Selfish as I am, the only cure that seemed to work for me was having my loving Gopal in my home and therefore always giving me His love.

My prayers have intensified for these last few days that I have to ability to command my Shyam's attention by giving Him all that I am. I pray and I pray that He may take me to His last remaining remnants in this world. I long to embrace the tree He jumped from into Yamuna to punish Kaaliya, I long to kiss the cows given the shelter of dust from His soft pink flower petal feet, I long to roll in the grass that has experienced His Ras Lila pastimes where he lovingly caressed Radhe's face, yet teased the gopis and disappeared, causing them pain and anxiety. I pray to travel the path which He used to lead His cows to the grazing grounds and I wish to give my pranams to His childhood home in Nanda Gao.

My last prayer is that I wish not to fall back down the the few inches that I have crawled closer to my Madan Mohan. I have come a few centimeters closer to binding him with my rope....I have come a few centimeters closer to to the tips of His feet which is eternally bathed with the tears of His Devotees. Although there is a much longer path to travel, I simply wish not to trip and fall backwards down this golden staircase, but pray to continue on in the journey into Govinda's warm loving heart. Within renewed Determination I remember my prayer on the first day of kartik : that I amy never take the holy dham for granted and that I may never commit any offense while I reside there.

Although it is immensely disturbing that Kartik is coming to an end, like I said, I also feel relieved and fulfilled. Relieved because I actually made it through when I thought i could not, and fulfilled beecause I have given an inkling of myself to my Lord, just as every other devotee following a vrata during Kartik has. I cannot even beging to describe the wonderful feeling of complete bliss that my month-long regimen has given me. I can't say that it was all easy though. There were days when I was so tired and had to push my self out of bed a 4am, or when i worked late and had to stay up even later to finish my rounds and my reading. Days when I when I was just too "busy". But i've realized that it is not an excuse. How can one be "too busy" for the one that loves us, for the one that maintains us, and for the one which we live our lives. Its like saying we're too busy for family, for our sons, daughters, moms, dads, sisters, brothers, friends, whoever. We would never say that to them, how can we think that we are to busy for Krsna Himself.

My dearest Shyam has given me this wonderful realization [ He is our most important family member..yes FAMLIY] and thus has lit a burning flame of love in my heart which I hope will never diminish. However none of this would have been attainable without the strong loving support of my dear friends and co-authors of this blog. Because of their friendship and association I have been able to come this far.

I hope that you all were succesful in your vrats, and that this kartik was as amazing and inspiring for you as it was for me. I pray for your blessings that Krsna may always be in my mind and heart and wish the love and blessings of the great Acaryas, Srimati Radharani, and Damodar upon you always!

Jay Sri Sri Radha Damodar!!!!!

Beauty Divine

Below are some quotes from the TLC, particularly pertaining to Sri Krsna's beauty with pictures from paintings of Krishna.com's galleries, as well as "Murals of the Krsna Balaram Temple", photos by Gitapriya Dasi, courtesy of Bhakti Collective.

Enjoy!



"Lord Caitanya further explained that not only Krsnaloka but even Vrndavana, Lord Krsna's abode on this planet, cannot be estimated as far as potency is concerned. From one point of view, Vrndavana is estimated to be thirty-two square miles in area, yet in one part of this Vrndavana all the Vaikunthas exist. The area of the present Vrndavana miles in area, and Vrndavana City is estimated to be about sixteen krosas, or thirty-two miles. How it is all the Vaikunthas exist there is beyond material calculation. Thus Caitanya Mahaprabhu proclaimed the potencies and opulences of Krsna to be unlimited. Whatever He told Sanatana Gosvami was only partial, but by such a partial presentation one can try to imagine the whole."

"Krsna is so wonderful and attractive that He Himself becomes attracted by His own beauty, and this is proof that He is full of all inconceivable potencies. As far as Krsna's ornaments are concerned, when they decorate His body it appears that they do not beautify Him, but the ornaments themselves become beautiful simply by being on His body. When He stands in a three-curved way, He attracts all living entities, including the demigods. Indeed, He even attracts the Narayana form which presides in each and every Vaikuntha planet."

"Krsna is known as Madana-mohana because He conquers the mind of Cupid. He is also known as Madana-mohana due to His accepting the devotional service of the damsels of Vraja and rendering favors unto them. After conquering Cupid's pride, the Lord engages in the rasa dance as the new Cupid. He is also known as Madana-mohana because of His ability to conquer the minds of women with His five arrows called form, taste, smell, sound and touch. The pearls of the necklace which hangs about the neck of Krsna are as white as ducks, and the peacock feather which decorates His head is colored like a rainbow. His yellow garment is like lightning in the sky, and Krsna Himself is like the newly arrived clouds. The gopis are like footbells on His feet, and when the cloud pours rain on the grains in the field, it appears that Krsna is nourishing the hearts of the gopis by calling down His pastime rain of mercy. Indeed, ducks fly in the sky during the rainy season, and rainbows can also be seen at that time. Krsna freely moves amongst His friends as a cowherd boy in Vrndavana, and when He plays His flute, all living creatures, mobile and immobile, become overwhelmed with ecstasy. They quiver, and tears flow from their eyes. Of Krsna's various opulences, His conjugal love is the summit. He is the master of all riches, all strength, all fame, all beauty, all knowledge and all renunciation, and out of these, His perfect beauty is His conjugal attraction. The form of Krsna, the conjugal beauty, is eternally existent in Krsna alone, whereas His other opulences are present in His Narayana form."

"The body of Krsna, the ocean of the eternal beauty of youth, can be seen to move in waves of beauty. There is a whirlwind at the sound of His flute, and those waves and that whirlwind make the hearts of the gopis flutter like dry leaves on trees, and when those leaves fall down at Krsna's lotus feet, they can never rise up again. There is no beauty to compare with Krsna's, for no one possesses beauty greater than or equal to His."

"The Vedic hymn known as kama-gayatri describes the face of Krsna as the king of all moons. In metaphorical language, there are many different moons, but they are all one in Krsna. There is the moon of His mouth, the moon of His cheeks, the moonspots of sandalwood pulp on His body, the moons of the fingertips of His hands and the moons of the tips of His toes. In this way there are twenty-four and a half moons, and Krsna is the central figure of all of them."

"The devotee increasingly feels the absence of Krsna, for without Him one cannot drink the nectar of His beauty. When the transcendental sound of Krsna's flute is heard, the devotee's anxiety to continue to hear that flute enables him to penetrate the covering of the material world and enter into the spiritual sky, where the transcendental sound of the flute enters into the ears of the followers of the gopis. The sound of Krsna's flute always resides within the ears of the gopis and increases their ecstasy. When it is heard, no other sound can enter into their ears, and amongst their family they are not able to reply to questions properly, for all these beautiful sounds are vibrating in their ears."

Confessions of a Weak Chanter

To me, chanting is like the churning of the milk ocean. It brings up so many things from within the heart: desires, hopes, impurities, and sometimes little realizations, like tiny diamonds glinting in the darkness, shooting out rays of a spectrum of multifarious colors.

Every time I sit down to chant, it’s a battle within: the heart that knows its the right thing to do, versus the overly-distracted mind.

* Dusta mana, tumi kisher Vaisnava? *

I admit I’ve got no taste for the Holy Name whatsoever.

“When your chanting is so bad, why chant at all? What’s the point of doing it simply to create aparadhas? If you chant, do it well. Or else, just STOP! There’s no point in it anymore...” my mind says.

What a feeble excuse!

Later, I realized, there's always a reason to chant. However concentrated (or not) our japa may be. Whatever level one are at, one must try!

Srila Prabhupada once said something along the lines of, “we all must try; and if we can’t try, then try to try. If we can’t try to try, then try to try to try...”
The quote goes on. Wherever we are, we must always strive to keep moving forward. Perseverance is the key. As long as we avoid stagnation, laziness, inattention, and hopelessness, we are guaranteed to get to the perfect level eventually. Slow and steady. Never stop chanting. It’s the worst thing that can happen. Once you stop, it’s difficult to get back on track again.

Chanting Japa is serious. Kirtan, on the other hand, is always blissful (and therefore safe from aparadhas) to one and all from the neophyte to the most advanced devotee. Japa is an individual attempt to connect with the Lord, whereas in Kirtan, energy, enthusiasm, and inspiration is shared. We depend on each other. One participant's enthusiasm can easily rub off on to many. Yet, Japa is essential. The better the japa, the better the Kirtan, right? Japa gives one spiritual strength.

Japa is direct, personal association with the Supreme Lord. Can I not spare a few hours of my day to sit in the association with my dear-most Friend?! And what a sweet Friend He is! I often neglect Him, but He never neglects me. I detest conversations where the listener doesn’t listen; simply nodding a head, or murmuring “hmm...” when it’s obvious the mind is elsewhere. Dreadful inattention gives one all the more reason to chant: to improve it! Inattention is the root cause of the other ten offenses to the Holy Name, says Thakur Bhaktivinod.

Some devotees say, “Just do it! It’s like brushing your teeth: you don’t think twice about it. Just do it. It becomes daily routine.”

This simplicity struck me!

I have never been able to discover that unlimited ocean of nectar from japa. Maya in my mind questions why I put my faith in something that has never been proven directly to me, and whether I will spend my entire life pursuing this seemingly elusive goal so far off.

YES. I will continue to strive, to reach for the stars.

** Tomara doyaya asambhava sambhava hoy re! **

Even in my own circle, I've seen devotees who relish this nectar with such zeal and gusto; its inspiring. I have not experienced it, nevertheless I do believe.

Simply put, I trust in our stalwart, prodigious Acaryas and Gaudiya Vaisnava saints.

If I cannot find it in me to chant out of pure love and ecstasy,
then let me at least chant out of righteousness.



"TUNDE TANDAVINI RATIM VITANUTE TUNDAVALI-LABDHAYE
KARNA-KRODA-KADAMBINI GHATAYATE KARNARBUDEBHYAH SPRHAM
CETAH-PRANGANA-SANGINI VIJAYATE SARVENDRIYANAM KRTIM
NO JANE JANITA KIYADBHIR AMRTAIH KRSNETI VARNA-DVAYI"

“I do not know how much nectar the two syllables ‘Krsna’ have produced. When the holy name of Krsna is chanted, it appears to dance within the mouth. We then desire many, many mouths. When that name enters the holes of the ears, we desire many millions of ears. And when the holy name dances in the courtyard of the heart, it conquers the activities of the mind, and therefore all the senses become inert.”

-Srila Rupa Goswami

---

* Dusta mana, tumi kisher Vaisnava?
"O wicked mind! What kind of Vaisnava do you think you are?"
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, the Simha Guru, and also the spiritual master of Srila Prabhupada wrote in all humility 'Vaisnava Ke' comprising of nineteen verses chastising and preaching to the mind. Read it here.


** Tomara doyaya asambhava sambhava hoy re!
"By your compassion the impossible becomes possible."
An excerpt taken from 'Srila Prabhupada Vandana', a prayerful song composed in Bengali by His Holiness Jayapataka Swami.

Bhisma Pancaka

Fasting
================
The fasting starts on Ekadasi Day will continue until Rasa purnima Day. The fasting is broken at sunset (or at moon rise) on Rasa Purnima day. Generally it is recommended to do full fast on Ekadasi and
then the following four days fruits and roots fasting. Or one can do five day fruits and roots fasting.

Levels of fasting:
-----------------

Devotees can choose whichever level of fasting as is convenient to them. It
should not disturb their normal devotional service(s) and daily sadhana.

Level 1:
One can consume products of the cow (pancha-gavya) each for each day:
First day: Cow dung (Gomaya)
Second day: Cow urine (Go-muutra)
Third day: Cow milk (Kshiira)
Fourth day: Cow yoghurt (Dadhi)
Fifth day: All products of the ccow mixed (Pancha-gavya)

Level 2
If one can't follow level 1, one can take fruits and roots
fruits with many seeds should be avoided like guava, pomegranate, papaya,
cucumber etc. Boiled potatoes, raw banana and sweet potato can be taken. We
can use sea salt for taste. Cashewnuts, raisins, dates can be taken. We
shouldn't take milk and milk products in this level of fasting.

Level 3:
If one can't follow level 2, one can take "Havishya."

References: Padma Puraana, Brahma-khanda, Chapter 23; Skanda Puraana, Vishnu
Khanda, Kaartika Maahaatmya section, Chapter 32; Garuda Puraana, Puurva
Khanda, Chapter 123.

Ingredients for Havishya as mentioned in Sri Hari-bhakti-vilasa (13.10-13)
-----------------

The following are ingredients that can be used in making Havishya, which is
like a khichari made with these items.

* Aatap rice
* Ghee from cow
* 'Saindhava' salt (from the mountains, like Himalayas. Salt from the ocean is contaminated)
* Milk from cow
* Milk with cream
* Ripe banana
* Kaala-shaaka
* Wheat
* Fruits (Skanda Puraana, Naagara Khanda says they must be with a small seed
or with few seeds only)
* Mango
* Jackfruit
* Labali fruit
* Roots except 'keaa' (a type of grass or root)
* Pippalii
* Haritakii
* Naagaranga
* Ikshu-dravya or sugarcane derivatives (other than gur or mollasses)
* No oil

The following ingredients are normally part of Havishya but have to be
avoided in the month of Kaartika:

* Mung dal
* Til oil
* Beta-shaaka
* Shashtikaa-shaaka
* Radish
* Jeeraa
* Tamarind

Prayers
================

One should take bath in Ganges or a holy river every day and should offer
tarpana 3 times for Bhismadeva by saying the following mantra:

Tarpana

om vaiyaghra padya gotraya
samkrti pravaraya ca
aputraya dadamyetat
salilam bhismavarmane

Arghya

vasunamavataraya
santanoratmajaya ca
arghyam dadami bhismaya
ajanma brahmacarine

Pranam

om bhismah santanavo birah
satyavadi jitendriyah
abhiradbhiravapnatu
putrapautrocitam kriyam


Offerings to the Lord:
================

Devotees may offer the following flowers to the Deity:

On the first day, one must offer padma (lotus) flowers to the feet of the
Lord
On the second day, one must offer bilva (wood-apple) leaves of the thigh of
the Lord
On the third day, one must offer gandha (scents) to the navel of the Lord
On the fourth day, one must offer java flower to the shoulders of the Lord
On the fifth day, one must offer malati flower to the head (siro-desa) of
the Lord

When there is a overlap of days then the flowers for both days can be
offered in the same day.

Reference: Garuda Puraana (op cit.)

The Glories of Srimati Radharani

Today as I was practicing my bhajan I began to think about the glories of Srimati Radharani, the Queen of Vraja. Sri Radha has unlimited transidental qualities and is praised in song and dance. She is so mericiful and is forever the beloved of Sri Gaura-Sundara for whom our hearts are constantly yearning.

As Sri Krishn's beloved, that most merciful lord has promised Srimati Radharani that her name shall always come before his own. To this divine and enchanting couple I bow down again and again.



Radharani ki jai, maharani ki jai
bolo barsane vari ki jai jai jai

Thakurani ki jai, hari priya ki jai
vrsabhanu-dulari ki jai jai jai

Gaurangi ki jai, hemangi ki jai
vrajaraja-kumari ki jai jai jai

Vraja-rani ki jai, vraja devi ki jai
gahvara vana vari ki jai jai jai

Translation:

1. All glories to Radharani! All glories to the greatest of all Queens. Sing the glories of Radharani, who lives in Barsana.

2. All glories to Radha Thakurani (Queen Radha), who is the beloved of Sri Hari. All glories to the beloved daughter of King Vrsabhanu.

3. All glories to Radharani who has a fair complexion and golden limbs.

4. All glories to the Queen of Vraja. All glories to the goddess of Vraja. All glories to Radha who wanders in the Gahvara forest.


rādhe jaya jaya mādhava-dayite
gokula-taruṇī-maṇḍala-mahite


(1)
dāmodara-rati-vardhana-veśe
hari-niṣkuṭa-vṛndā-vipineśe


(2)
vṛṣabhānūdadhi-nava-śaśi-lekhe
lalitā-sakhi guṇa-ramita-viśākhe


(3)
karuṇāḿ kuru mayi karuṇā-bharite
sanaka-sanātana-varṇita-carite


Translation:

(Refrain) O Radha! O beloved of Madhava! O You who are worshiped by all the young girls of Gokula! All glories unto You! All glories unto You!



(1-3) You who dress Yourself in such a way as to increase Lord Damodara's love and attachment for You! O queen of Vrndavana, which is the pleasure grove of Lord Hari! O new moon that has arisen from the ocean of King Vrsabhanu! O friend of Lalita! O You who make Visakha loyal to You due to Your wonderful qualities of friendliness, kindness, and faithfulness to Krsna! O You who are filled with compassion! O You whose divine characteristics are described by the great sages Sanaka and Sanatana! O Radha, please be merciful to me!

Tilak

My body and face is adorned with sacred Tilak, and auspicious kunkum. Around my neck hang three strands of Tulasi beads. Every morning as I rush to put on my tilak, my fingers automatically streak across my forehead, my lips automatically uttering sacred mantras, while my mind is busily buzzing in its own thoughts far away.

Let today be different.

I stop to think, “What is the significance of these?” “Why wear them? Do I really want to, or is nothing more than an automatic ‘ritual’ I’ve grown up with?” I start with basic definitions first. What is tilak? Yes, it is sacred clay, but what makes it sacred? Tilak is special because it is from the Holy Dham, where the Lord manifested His wonderful pastimes.

Sri Vrndavan Dham is blessed with the lotus feet of Sri Sri Radha Krsna and their Gopis from Vrndavan. The dust of this Dham is mixed with Their transcendental sweat from the divine Rasa dance, and their tears of separation. Reading through the many glories of Gopi Chandana, I found this, in the Garga Samhita:

“Twice as sacred as the mud of the Ganga is the dust of Chitrakuta. Ten times more sacred than that is the dust of Panchavati-tirtha. A hundred times more sacred is the dust of gopi-chandana. Please know that gopi-chandana is equal to the dust of Vrindavana.”

The Garga Samhita goes on to glorify Gopi Chandan, in an entire Gopi Chandana Mahatmya. (Read it here)

Sri Radha Kund is the most sacred place ever! It is a rare treasure, not even manifest in the spiritual Goloka! It is the epitome of auspiciousness manifested in the Holy Dham, most dear to Srimati Radhika Rani and the Vraja-Raja-Suta, Shyamasundara. Srila Rupa Goswami, our Gaudiya Vaisnava authority, says,

“The holy place known as Mathura is spiritually superior to Vaikuntha, the transcendental world, because the Lord appeared there. Superior to Mathura-Puri is the transcendental forest of Vrndavana because of Krsna's rasa-lila pastimes. And superior to the forest of Vrndavana is Govardhana Hill, for it was raised by the divine hand of Sri Krsna and was the site of His various loving pastimes. And, above all, the superexcellent Sri Radha-kunda stands supreme, for it is overflooded with the ambrosial nectarean prema of the Lord of Gokula, Sri Krsna. Where, then, is that intelligent Person who is unwilling to serve this divine Radha-kunda, which is situated at the foot of Govardhana Hill?” (Upadesamrta Verse 9)

Now that is special! An immense feeling appreciation along with wonder stirs within. I feel so fortunate to have such access to Tilak. I’ve been wearing it since as long as I can remember, and before. My face, head, neck, limbs, and torso are blessed by this tilak. Often I take too many things for granted. (Tilak is a good example!) W are simply blessed!

I put on tilak, appreciating it. I recite the respective mantras, meditating on each name, form and pastime of Krsna accordingly: Keshava, Narayana, Madhava, Govinda, and so on. What a wonderful start to the day!

Slow down! Why rush through life, without enjoying the sweet little treasures? Why not appreciate the gifts Krsna has given us (even the ones we use daily, like tilak)? Of course, we appreciate the festivals, because each one comes once a year. But the wealth of a Krsna consciousness lifestyle is truly unfathomable. Let’s cherish it. If everyday, each and every one of us thought about the significance of everything we did, the entire day, and it's relation to Krsna, we'd be much much better off. This is just one little blog post on Tilak. There's millions of other things we could appreciate as well! Srila Prabhupada has given us this wonderful opportunity to live in Krsna Consciousness. ('Consciousness' as a way of life; a state of mind. As a pose to a religion that we can take on when we're at our prayer centers, and discard any other time. This is a highly elevated consciousness we strive to be situated in twenty-four hours a day, everyday.)



Just seeing the brilliant face of a Vaisnava, adorned boldly with tilak makes puts me in high spirits. Such is the potency of sacred tilak.

Tilak is also an excellent preaching tool, especially in India, where people recognize it as a symbol of religiosity. They respect it. For those a little shy for preaching or book distribution, tilak is an advantage, because often others come to you asking questions, without you directly approaching them. All you have to do is wear your tilak; it’s is our uniform! Just as a lost person recognizes a police officer to ask for help, the public recognize us as representatives of Lord Caitanya’s Sankirtan movement, ready and willing to direct anyone and everyone back home, back to Godhead.

Often it starts just with a hint of curiosity. Some just stare at first, a little flame kindles up inside. Later they may muster up the courage to ask a few questions. The questions may be as simple as “Why do you wear it?”, “What religious organization do you belong to?” or “How many temples do the Hare Krishnas have? Where is the closest one?” Then the questions slowly get deeper, into philosophy. They ask about our beliefs. They may even question our beliefs, but always end defeated because our philosophy is supremely logical and scientific; not mere sentiment. It will impress them, and they may come to the temple. Then, they get attracted. Slowly, by the association and mercy of the Vaisnavas, they advance in their spiritual life.

And to think, its all because you wore tilak to your workplace, or school, or just anywhere in public!

Never underestimate the power of tilak.

Down Govardhan Parikram Lane :)

This morning, after bathing my sweethearts, I began rubbing my Mottu with ghee. His dust came off in my hands. As I put His sweet smelling dust to my head, a wave of emotion overcame me. Thinking back, I remembered my first and only time performing Govardhan parikrama. It was the middle of the night in during the hottest time of the year. And lucky me made it during Purusottam Mas, a very auspicious and favored time of our dear Krsna. Half way through parikram, my feet were blistered and bleeding as the torn dhoti shreds lent by my guide and friend of my prabhu were untying and falling of constantly. I continued on thinking of how lucky I was. Determined, yet slow, I completed parikram and stopped at Radha Kund. Taking a few drops in my mouth and filling a Bisleri bottle full of Radharani’s mercy, I was fully satisfied.
My bird’s loud squawk brought me back from my memory and while looking into Mottu’s face I cried and begged Him to take me back. I knew that He missed Braj as much as I did. I don’t understand why He was still here. Why He has not gone back already and taken me with Him. Every day I look at photos of Govindajiu, every day I think of Madan Mohan’s lotus feet, every day I miss the sweet smiling face of Radharamanjiu. I wonder when I will be able to go back to Damodar Mandir and do parikram. When will Gokulanand melt my heart with His sweetness? When will I see Shyam’s lotus eyes amidst His beautiful black face? I pray again and again that He may take me back to Braja Dham. I pray that by worshipping Giriraj I will always be able to find my way there again!

A mother’s love: the glories of the Sri Brihad Bhagavatamrta

Sri Brihad Bhagavatamrta by Srila Sanatana Gosvami

Text 15-17 Translation and Commentary:

Sri Jaimini Said: By hearing the instructions of Sukadeva Gosvami, Sriman Pariksit was relieved of all fear. All his ambitions satisfied, he was absorbed in pure love for Sri Krsna. Now, as the time came near for the king to ascend to the destination he desired, his mother, Virata's daughter, a surrendered devotee of Krsna, approached him in great distress while he was along. After Pariksit had consoled and pleased her by his greeting, she asked of him as follows, immersed in love for her son.

Commentary:
To satisfy King Janamejaya's sincere desire Jaimini recalls how Janamejaya's saintly father, Pariksit, some years before, had finished hearing Srimad-Bhagavatam from Sukadeva Gosvami and the hour had come for Pariksit to prepare for his fated death. Jaimini Rsi here divulges that Maharaja Pariksit's mother came to see her son just at that moment. Even though Pariksit was sitting several miles from his palace and very little time remained, his mother, Uttara, was impelled to see him just once more, knowing she would never see him again and eager not to lose the last opportunity to hear from him topics about Krsna.

After Sukadeva taught Srimad-Bhagavatam to Maharaja Pariksit, Pariksit no longer feared the monstrous snake-bird, nor vine consort Sri. He had effortlessly achieved the benefits of each of the essential human endeavors - religiosity, economic development, sense enjoyment and liberation. And beyond those benefits, he was immersed in a flood of prema-rasa at the lotus feet of Sri Krsna. His mother approached him while he was absorbed in that ecstasy.

A mother about to lose her son is naturally forlorn. But Uttara's sorrow was eclipsed by her eagerness to hear what her son had just heard from Sukadeva Gosvami about Lord Krsna's glories. Because she wanted to hear the confidential essence of Sukadeva's instructions, she approached her son as he sat alone. With a pacifying greeting and a brief philosophical reminder about the illusory nature of birth and death, maharaja Pariksit quickly dispelled whatever motherly anxiety she felt. Thus she was now joyful and fixed in affection for Sri Krsna and for her son. The great devotee of Krsna.

Text 18:

Blessed Uttara said: My dear son, please extract the essence of what Sukadeva has taught you and quickly reveal it to me, as if churning the nectar of immortality from the Ocean of Milk.



*Two key points drew my attention when I was reading over these verses, the first of which is the pure love and devotion of Mother Uttara. This pure and gentle woman had experienced great hardship in her short years. To bring a little bit of the history of the Mahabharata to mind You may recall that she is the daughter of King Virata and had the amazing good fortune of having Arjuna as her tutor while the Pandava brothers lived in hiding during their last year of exile. After the exile was over and Arjuna revealed himself to the King, Virata was overjoyed and offered his daughter's hand to him in marriage. Arjuna for his part gently refused for he said that he could not possibly marry the child who had been like a daughter to him for the previous year...For she had been like his daughter so she should be married to his son and become his child in truth, and so in due course young Uttara was married to Arjuna's son Abhimanyu.

During the great battle of Kurukshetra young Uttara who was newly married and pregnant with the Pandava heir, suffered the loss of almost all of her family. Her husband, father, and brothers all died in that great battle and now she is year’s later living through the loss of her only child. How can one person bare so much in their short years? So much sorrow. But Uttara although heart-broken is enlivened through her service to Krishna. She has lost everything but her devotion and love for her Lord and so she is eager to learn more about his glories. She is such a pure devotee...how can we even begin to share the affection she holds for Sri Krishna? To put aside the material loss of her son, she is eager to share in the transidental abode of prema-bhakti.

The second point which I find very interesting is introduced in the 18th verse were Mother Uttara is asking her son to please extract the essence of the Srimad Bhagavatam "as if churning the nectar of immortality from the Ocean of Milk". Her son is to die very soon and so she does not have the time to listen to complete instructions of Srila Sukadeva Gosvami and so in this way she begs to be given the cream of those teachings. That nectarian gift is the Brihad Bhagavatamrta, how fortunate we are that we have been given the chance to relish such teachings!

The Destruction of Evil Naraka!

The Summary of chapter 59, entitled the Killing of the Demon Naraka, in the Srimad Bhagavatam, states:

"This chapter tells how Lord Krsna killed Narakasura, the son of the earth-goddess, and married the thousands of maidens the demon had kidnapped. It also describes how the Lord stole the parijata tree from heaven and how He behaved like an ordinary householder in each of His palaces.
After Narakasura stole Lord Varuna's umbrella, mother Aditi's earrings, and the playground of the demigods known as Mani-parvata, Indra went to Dvaraka and described the demons transgressions to Lord Krsna. Together with Queen Satyabhama, the Lord mounted His carrier Garuda and traveled to the capital of Narakasura's kingdom. On a field outside the city He decapitated the demon Mura with His disc. Then He fought Mura's seven sons and sent them all to the abode of death, after which Narakasura himself entered the battlefield on the back of an elephant. Naraka threw his sakti lance at Sri Krsna, but the weapon proved ineffective, and the Lord cut the demon's entire army to pieces. Finally, with His sharp-edged disc Krsna cut off Narakasura's head.
The earth-goddess, Prthvi, then approached Lord Krsna and gave Him the various items Narakasura had stolen. She offered prayers to the Lord and presented Naraka's frightened son at Lord Krsna's lotus feet. After pacifying the demon's son, Krsna entered Narakasura's palace, where He found sixteen thousand one hundred young women. As soon as they caught sight of the Lord, they all decided to accept Him as their husband. The Lord sent them to Dvaraka along with a great quantity of treasure and then went with Queen Satyabhama to the abode of Indra. There He returned Aditi's earrings, and Indra and his wife, Saci-devi, worshiped Him. On Satyabhama's request, Lord Krsna uprooted the heavenly parijata tree and put it on the back of Garuòa. After defeating Indra and the other demigods who opposed His taking of the tree, Krsna returned with Queen Satyabhama to Dvaraka, where He planted it in a garden adjacent to Satyabhama's palace.
Indra had originally come to Lord Krsna offering obeisances and begging Him to kill Narakasura, but afterwards, when his business had been accomplished, he quarreled with the Lord. The demigods are prone to anger because they become intoxicated with pride in their opulences.
The infallible Supreme Lord manifested Himself in sixteen thousand one hundred separate forms and married each of the sixteen thousand one hundred brides in a different temple. He took up the required activities of household life just like an ordinary person, accepting various kinds of service from each of His many wives.



Srila Prabhupada's Nectar of Devotion based on Srila Rupa Gosvami's Bhakti Rasamrta Sindhu, says, in Chapter 46:

"An instance of astonishment in devotional service by indirect perception occurred when Maharaja Pariksit heard from Sukadeva Gosvami about Krsna's killing Narakasura, who had been fighting Krsna with eleven aksauhini divisions of soldiers. Each division of aksauhini soldiers contained several thousand elephants, several thousand horses and chariots and several hundreds of thousands of infantry soldiers. Narakasura possessed eleven such divisions, and all of them were throwing arrows toward Krsna, but Krsna killed them all, simply by throwing three arrows from His side. When Maharaja Pariksit heard of this wonderful victory, he immediately rubbed the tears from his eyes and became overwhelmed with joy. This instance is an example of astonishment in devotional service by indirect perception through aural reception."



But Krsna was so kind! His compassion knows no limit.

"Paundraka, Narakasura, Salva and Kamsa were all inimical toward the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but because all these kings constantly thought of Him, they achieved the same liberation—sarupya-mukti. The jnana-bhakta, the devotee who follows the path of jnana, also attains the same destination. If even the enemies of the Lord achieve salvation by constantly thinking about the Lord, what is to be said of pure devotees who always engage in the Lord's service and who think of nothing but the Lord in every activity?"
(S.B. 7.10.40, Purport)


Sri Sri Rukmini-Krsna-Sathyabhama, ISKCON Chennai

Busy

A lot of the time I find myself 'too busy' to do... well, a lot of things. I managed to find time to read this the other day, which was really all I needed.

"In 1986, I was very busy because I was in charge of the construction of Srila Prabhupada’s Samadhi in Mayapur. And there was no limit- no limit- in what had to be arranged for that building. One day I looked at that Samadhi and it looked just like a huge face with a big mouth and the mouth just said, ‘Aniyor! Aniyor! Aniyor! Bring me more! Bring me more!’ And I brought trucks of cement and steel and bricks and stone and marble, and I brought engineers and draughts men and drawings and technical experts and labors and I broke labor strikes to bring more work and I had to deal with endless things and I was chanting my rounds during mangal arati because I had to start working at six and in the evening I was so tired that I couldn’t chant anymore and I would just crash…and I was just so totally busy!!! And in the middle of that, one day Lokanatha Maharaja appears in 1986! At that time Lokanatha Maharaja had the padayatra. And the padayatra had a mad elephant! This elephant was heavy; it had picked up people and had thrown them about! And there was a camel that would bite people! And then there were many villagers from India, and all these villagers, (imitates) ‘ha ha ha’- many of them! And then they had so many dioramas and exhibitions and tractors and everything! And Lokanatha Maharaja came to me and said, “I want you to look after the padayatra when we come to Mayapur.” I said, “Maharaja, Maharaja, Maharaja, please Maharaja, have mercy! Maharaja, I am so busy, Maharaja, I am so busy that it’s…Maharaja, I, I have hardly time to chant my rounds! One more straw Maharaja, it will break the camel’s back…” I thought finished, you know- got rid of Lokanatha Maharaja! And then he starts and he said, “You know, in my village, they say that if you want to get something done, you go to a busy man.” He said, “Because a man, who is not busy, is a lazy man. So if you go to him he won’t do anything! But a busy man is by nature very active- he may be busy and he may not be able to do so much but at least he’ll do something! So if you want something done you go to a busy man!” What could I say after that! Defeated by village logic! It’s like totally practical!"

This clipping is from H.H KKSwami, 04 Oct '09, Phoenix, Durban, SA. I've actually seen it a few times, as I think it applies to many. Its wicked how the mind can turn such simple ideas into complex ones, geared toward sense gratification.

I defiantly appreciate this reality check. Words from H.H. Lokanath Swami, such a simple and clear explanation. Its refreshing for this covered soul.

A Glorious Ekadasi

Happy Ekadasi!

Today being the auspicious Rama Ekadasi, our Vaisnvava tradition tells us to fast from grains and beans, and increase our hearing and chanting.

Coincidentally, all of my programs for the day were almost magically rescheduled, postponed, or cancelled on their own. I took it as a sign from above and embarked on a long, relaxed journey to the temple. The long journey gave me ample time to finish my sixteen rounds (and even a few extra!)

Fond memories of a Kartik four years ago flooded my mind. My best friend an I decided to do a nirjal on this very same ekadasi. It was one super-surcharged day! We went to mangal arati, the morning program, spend the day chanting japa, in kirtan, and trying to remember Krsna as much as possible (in spite of school). We even went on harinam sankirtan and book distribution! Aahhh, youthful, happy days...

Today, I wasn't sure if I could do a nirjal fast successfully. The weather has been quite hot and I didn't want to promise something I couldn't do. So I decided to do a nirjal for half the day, till noon, and allow myself to take as little fruit and water as possible. The lesser the eating, the more the time of sravanam, kirtanam, and visnu-smaranam!

I even read the beautiful bhakti-rasa-filled poetry of Srila Vrndavana Das Thakur, Srila Narahari Cakravarti Thakur, Srila Govinda Das Thakur, and Srila Vasudeva Ghosh. These poetic songs filled with philosophy as well as extraordinary pastimes are powerful enough to melt even the most stone-like of hearts! My heart swells up in pride and admiration for our rich Gaudiya Vaisnava culture, and its radiant gem-like saints.

Read the glories of Karttika-krsna Ekadasi, or Ramaa Ekadasi, from the Brahma-Vaivarta Purana of Srila Krsna Dvaipayana Veda Vyasa here.

Read a Dandavats article: Hearing Gaura Katha on ekadasis in Kartika here.

A taste of pure nectar

The 24 hour kirtan...how can I even begin to describe such devotion? Such pure strength of the Holy Name? Surely there is nothing more wonderful in this world. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu gave us more then we could ever hope to appreciate or disserve in this life time or many.

So many talented vaishnava(i)s brought their voices, their mrdungas, and their personalities to New Vrindavan. People like Bada Hari Prabhu, Sarvajaya from DC, Goshi with his spunky style who still manages to sing so sweetly it tugs at your heart, Bhakti with her pure and beautiful devotion, Jagi, Manu Prabhu….there are so many others, but these people were just a catalyst for awaking the tender flame of devotion which forever resides in all of our hearts.

Every one of us is an eternal servant of Sri Krishna. Each one of us has that small spark of devotion in our hearts just waiting for the chance to show itself. What I saw this last weekend is hundreds of devotees tasting pure love of God, perhaps for the first time. With so much nectar of the Holy Name, how then can we remain oblivious to the love which resides forever in our hearts? Give them a taste, Srila Prabhupada once said, and that is all it takes. Sravanam and Kirtanam - hearing and chanting the glories of Sri Krishna, there can be no better dharma in ones life.



It just so happened that the last chapter of the 24 hour kirtan fell on Sunday which was the most auspicious appearance day of Sri Radha Kunda and although I was without any internet for the duration of my trip I thought to share a small piece from my journal entry that day.

“October 11th 2009: It is the appearance day of Sri Radha Kunda and I am in New Vrindavan Dham listening to the sweet mellows of Varshana Swami Sing the Holy Name just a few doors down from where I now lay in the girls ashrama. This is the last flame of the 24 hr kirtan but I know that this transidental fire will leave sparks of love in our hearts which may rage once again and bring us all back together in the service of Sri Gopal and Srila Prabhupada.
“I pray that those tender sparks may never be extinguished. That I may always remain attracted to the chanting of the Mahamantra and the association of the sincere devotees of the Lord.
“We are heading back to Alachua in just a few hours. It feels like no time at all and I am sad to go but I know that I have responsibilities at home. For now I will hold these memories close to my heart and eagerly await the next chance to live in such Bhakti.”

I humbly pray that we all may have such a chance. There is talk now of the next 24 hour kirtan and I pray that I will see some familiar faces there next year and perhaps a few new ones as well. Krishna is so merciful, so wonderful, let us share him with the rest of the world.

Sri Krishna Sankirtana Ki!!!

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Nectar from Bhakti Ratnakara

Excerpts from Bhakti Ratnakara, written by Srila Narahari Cakravarti Thakur


The Glories of Radha-kunda and Syama-kunda

Syama-kunda is also known as Arista-kunda. Whoever bathes in Radha-kunda and Syama-kunda gets the same results one achieves by the performance of a rajasuya and asvamedha-yajna. This is confirmed in Adi-varaha Purana.

Raghava Pandita said that according to the Puranas there is no limit to the glories of Radha-kunda. In the Adi-varaha Purana, Mathura-khanda, it is stated that if a devotee of Visnu offers a lamp to Radha-kunda during the month of Kartika, he will be able to see the entire universe.
In Padma Purana, Kartika Mahatmya, it is stated: “Radha-kunda is very dear to Sri Hari and is situated near Govardhana Hill. By taking bath in Radha-kunda on the eighth day of the waning moon in the month of Kartika [Bahulastami], one can greatly please Lord Hari, who enjoys His pastimes there. This kunda is as dear to Krsna as Radha Herself. Amongst all the gopis, She is the most dear to Krsna. It is the duty of the devotees to bathe in the Radha-kunda during the month of Kartika and thereafter worship Lord Janardana. This simple worship pleases Krsna as much as one does by worshiping Janardana on the day of Uthana-ekadasi.”


Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Discovers Sri Radha-kunda and Syama-kunda

“See these two kundas, Radha-kunda and Syama-kunda, which are surrounded by beautiful forests and which enchant the sages and demigods. After visiting the other forests of Vrndavana, Caitanya Mahäprabhu came here and sat under this tamala tree. He asked the residents of Arista-grama where the two kundas were, but no one could answer. The brahmana accompanying Him from Mathurä also did not know.

“Being the omniscient Personality of Godhead, Lord Caitanya, carefully searched and discovered the two kundas in two paddy fields. He joyfully took a bath in whatever little water was there and glorified the kundas in various ways. Then He marked His forehead with mud from the kundas.

“The villagers were greatly startled by His behavior. One of them inquired, ‘From where has this sannyasi suddenly come?' Someone said, ‘O brother, by seeing Him I cannot understand what is happening in my body.' Another person said, ‘He cannot be a mortal sannyasi. Seeing Him I cannot explain what is happening in my mind.'

“Someone else said, ‘Who says He is a sannyasi? He is Krsna Himself appearing in this dress and form. Just see the proof. Different birds are all coming for His darsana. The cuckoos and parrots are happily addressing Him as Krsna, and the peacocks are dancing in jubilation. The different sounds of the birds is very pleasing to the ears. And see the wonderful blooming of the trees! O brother, just see the creepers showering flowers on this person, who is disguised as a sannyasi. The deer are coming near Him and staring undivertedly towards His face. All the cows are coming running from all sides with raised tails, and they also look at His face. By the tears of ecstasy falling from the eyes of these creatures we can understand that they are meeting Him after a long period of time.'

“‘O brother, I repeatedly glorify the good fortune of these creatures, who are seeing Krsna in this form and dress. Dear brothers, let us offer obeisances unto the feet of the Lord, who has incarnated to distribute knowledge to the people. By His mercy we can now understand that these two paddy fields known as Kali and Gauri are actually holy kundas.' Speaking like this amongst themselves, they all became maddened by the nectarean sight of Mahaprabhu at this most holy site. Even Lord Brahma cannot describe a fragment of Mahaprabhu's ecstatic expression when He discovered these kundas.”

The Fulfillment of Srila Dasa Gosvami's Desire

“O Srinivasa, presently these paddy fields are seen as two kundas full of water. Please listen while I briefly describe the transformation of the two paddy fields into beautiful kundas.

“One day Raghunatha dasa Gosvami suddenly considered to himself that if these kundas were filled with water it would be very good. Considering that for this purpose money would be needed, Raghunatha dasa remained silent. He scolded himself again and again, thinking why he had desired such a thing. Solacing himself, he decided to stay alone and behave cautiously for sometime. However, when a devotee desires something, that cannot be denied, for Krsna always fulfills His devotees' desires.

“Meanwhile, one rich person had gone to Badarikasrama to get the Lord's darsana. He offered Lord Narayana a large sum of money. That night in a dream the Lord ordered the man, ‘Take this money to Arista-grama in Vraja. There you will find the best of the Vaisnavas, Raghunatha dasa. Give the money to him in My name. If Raghunatha does not agree to take the money, you should remind him about his desire to clean the two kundas for bathing and drinking water.'

“Speaking these words, the Lord disappeared, and that sincere devotee happily came here to Arista-grama. Going before Raghunatha dasa he fell to the ground, offered his obeisances, and then gave the money to Raghunatha. He explained the instruction given to him by the Lord in his dream. Raghunatha became stunned for some time. After some time he repeatedly praised his fortune and requested the rich man to excavate the two kundas without delay. Hearing this, that fortunate man was filled with ecstasy and proceeded to engage many people for the work. Very soon the kundas were dug out. Now hear why Syama-kunda was dug in an irregular shape.

“Everyone decided that the following day a few old trees on the bank of Syama-kunda should be cut. That night Raghunatha had a dream in which King Yudhisthira told him, ‘My brothers and I are living within those trees. Tomorrow morning go to Manasa-pavana-ghata, identify those five trees, and protect them from being cut.' After the dream, Raghunatha went early the next morning to identify the trees and order the people not to cut them. For that reason they could not make Syama-kunda square. The two kundas were then filled with clear water and Sri Raghunatha became very satisfied.

Radha Kund Prakat Mahotsava

vaikunthaj janito vara madhu-puri tatrapi rasotsavad
vrndaranyam udara-pani-ramanat tratrapi govardhanah
radha-kundam ihapi gokula-pateh premamrtaplavanat
kuryad asya virajato giri-tate sevam viveki na kah

"The holy place known as Mathura is spiritually superior to Vaikuntha, the transcendental world, because the Lord appeared there. Superior to Mathura-Puri is the transcendental forest of Vrndavana because of Krsna's rasa-lila pastimes. And superior to the forest of Vrndavana is Govardhana Hill, for it was raised by the divine hand of Sri Krsna and was the site of His various loving pastimes. And, above all, the superexcellent Sri Radha-kunda stands supreme, for it is overflooded with the ambrosial nectarean prema of the Lord of Gokula, Sri Krsna. Where, then, is that intelligent person who is unwilling to serve this divine Radha-kunda, which is situated at the foot of Govardhana Hill?"
(Rupa Gosvami, Upadesamrta 9)

On this most auspicious day of Bahulastami, and the appearance of Sri Radha Kund, I humbly beg for the shelter of Sri Radha Kund, at Sri Vrndavan Dham, which is most dear to Sri Sri Radha Shyamasundara. Though I am most unworthy, I know that Srimati Radharani, the Queen of Vrndavana, is most merciful. She is compassion personified! Her sweetness and glory is beyond words...



O Mother! Please be merciful to us! Accept us under Your cooling shelter! Bless us with pure Krsna Prema. Bless our attempts this Kartika. Let us please You! Let our Vratas be successful.

Below: Rare darsan of the sacred Kankan Kund, the actual kund dug by Srimati Radharani and her Sakhis, during a Maha Radha Kund clean up earlier this year.







Photos courtesy of ISKCON Mauritus: Sacred Kundas Renovated (Picasa Web Album)

Sri Radha-Kundastakam (Srila Raghunatha Das Goswami)

"After the killig of Aristasura, Srimati Radhika and Her sakhis exchanged many joking words with Sri Krsna concerning the necessary atonement for one who has committed the offence of killing a bull. As a result, the Queen of Vrndavana, Srimati Radhika, and Her sakhis joyfully excavated and filled Sri Radha-kunda with their own hands. May that immensely fragrant Radha-kunda be my shelter.

"In the land of the hearts of those who bathe in Radha-kunda, a desire tree of the superlative prema, which is not attainable even for Krsna's principal queens in Dvaraka, will arise. May that supremely charming Radha-kunda be my shelter.

"For the pleasure of Srimati Radhika, even Sri Krsna Himself, yearning to attain Her merciful sidelong glance, regularly bathes in Radha-kunda, carefully observing all the appropriate rituals. May that supremely enchanting Radha-kunda be my shelter.

"May that supremely enchanting Radha-kunda, which the moon of Vraja, Sri Krsna, loves as much as He loves the crown-jewel amongst the sweet girls of Vraja, Srimati Radhika, and which He has made known by the name of Radhika Herself, be my shelter.

"The mercy obtained by serving Radha-kunda makes the desire-creeper of prema for the prince of Vraja sprout and is celebrated for bearing the flower of service to my svamini Srimati Radhika. May that supremely charming Radha-kunda be my shelter.

"Gloriously manifest on the banks of Radha-kunda are eight kunjas named after Radhika's principal sakhis. Acting as stimuli for the amorous pastimes of the Divine Couple, these kunjas are filled with the sweet humming of bumblebees and are desired by everyone. May that supremely enchanting Radha-kunda be the shelter of my life.

"Situated on an exquisite dais on the bank of Radha-kunda and accompanied by Her beloved sakhis, our svamini Srimati Radhika charmingly engages in sweet, joking words with Sri Krsna, the moon of Vraja. These playful verbal exchanges are enhanced by the suggestion of so many innuendoes. May that Radha-kunda be the shelter of my life.

"May that very charming and especially fragrant Radha-kunda, where intoxicated with love the Divine Couple and the sakhis daily sport with great joy in the water so fragrant with exquisite lotus flowers, be the sole shelter of my life.

"To that devotee who, in a resolute mood of aspiring to serve Srimati Radhika, reads this charming prayer describing Sri Radha-kunda, even in their present body Sri Krsna will quickly grant them darsana of not only His beloved Radhika, but also of Their many variegated amorous pastimes. Witnessing these pastimes and envisioning himself serving Yugala-kisora in various ways, such a devotee will feel immense jubilation. This astaka is recited in the poetic meter known as 'Malini'."

Courtesy of Salagram.net

The Origin of Radha Kund

A bull demon named Aristasur had entered into the village of Vrndavan and began terrorizing the cows and people. He dug up the land by the river bank furiously with his horns, he pierced the bodies of the helpless cows with his horns, and made frightening advances towards the residents of Vrndavan.

Begging Krsna to help them, the brajbasis backed away as Krsna turned towards the bull-demon. Seeing Krsna, he snorted with rage and ran towards Him at full speed with his horns lowered in attacking position. Krsna grabbed the demon's horns and threw him to the ground. Tired, perspiring, with his tongue hanging out, Aristasur charged at Krsna again. Krsna once again grabbed his horns and threw him t the ground, this time, the horns breaking clean off. Krsna began kicking the demon's body and passing stool, urine, and vomiting blood the demon passed away.

Soon after the occurance of this great feat done by Krsna, he wished to engage in loving pastime with Radharani and the gopis. But they turned Him away saying that He had commited a great and terrible offense by killing a bull who is the representation of religion. He was impure and needed to be purified before they could even come near Him.

Hearing this, Krsna dug His beautiful lotus foot, heel-first into the ground, calling all the seven holy rivers to appear: Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Saraswati, Narmade, Sindhu, and Kaveri. All these 7 rivers appeared together in the kund that is now Shyam Kund.

After bathing in Shyam Kund, Krsna said that He was now pure, but the gopis were impure having sided with a demon even though he was in the form of a bull.

Hearing these words from Krsna, Radharani broker her bangle and began digging a hole which would be Radha Kund. The gopis followed her suit and broke their bangles helping her dig. However, after completing the digging, no water appeared and Krsna laughed a tinkling laugh showing His pearl-like teeth.

Radharani and the gopis then made a line reaching all the way to Manasi Ganga and passing hand to hand pots of ganga water, slowly began filling Radha Kund. But no matter how much water they put in the kund, it still would not become full.

Chuckling slightly, Krsna took His small pinky finger and dug a line between Radha Kund and Shyam Kund and the water from Shyam Kund merged with that of Radha Kund.

It is said that anyone who once takes a bath in Radha Kund is immediately pure and becomes very very dear to Krsna as well as Radharani.

Dhana Mor Nityananda

Sva-nistha, Song 1

From Prema Bhakti Candrika

By Narottama Das Thakur Mahasaya

ধন মোর নিত্যানন্দ, পতি মোর গৌরচন্দ্র

প্রাণ মোর যুগল কিশোর

অদ্বৈত আচার্য়্য বলদ, গদাধর মোর কুল

নরহরি বিলস ই মোর

dhana mora nityānanda, pati mora gauracandra

prāṇa mora yugala kiśora

advaita ācārya bala, gadādhara mora kula,

narahari vilasai mora

বৈষ্ণবের পদ-ধূলি, তাহে মোর স্নান কেলি

তর্প্পণ মোর বৈষ্ণবের নাম

বিচার করিয়া মনে, ভক্তি-রস আস্বাদনে

মধ্যস্থ শ্রী-ভাগবত পুরাণ

vaiṣṇavera pada dhūli, tāhe mora snāna keli

tarpaṇa mora vaiṣṇavera nāma

vicāra koriyā mone, bhakti rasa āsvādane

madhyastha śrī bhāgavata purāṇa

বৈষ্ণবের উচ্ছিষ্ট, তাহে মোর মন নিষ্ঠ

বৈষ্ণবের নামেতে উল্লাস

বৃন্দাবনে চবুতারা, তাহে মোর মন ঘেরা

কহে দীন নরোত্তম দাস

vaiṣṇavera ucchiṣṭha, tāhe mora mona niṣṭha,

vaiṣṇavera nāmete ullāsa

vṛndāvane cabutārā, tāhe mora mona gherā,

kohe dīna narottama dāsa

TRANSLATION

Lord Nityananda is my wealth. Lord Gauracandra is my master. The youthful Divine Couple is my life. Advaita Acarya is my strength. Gadadhara is my family. Narahari Sarakara is my glory.

The dust of the devotees' lotus feet is my bathing water. The chanting of the devotees names is my satisfaction. Considering the merits of all Vedic literatures in the light of devotional service, I have concluded that the Srimad Bhagavatam is the best of all scriptures.

My mind is firmly convinced of the spiritual benefit obtained by eating the remnants of foodstuff left by the devotees. The names of the devotees are my happiness. The land of Vrndavana is the enclosure within which I keep my mind. Poor-hearted Narottama dasa speaks in this way.

Song Courtesy of KKSongs.org
Photo Courtesy of Krishna.com

Hari Bolbo Ar Madan Mohan, Heribo Go

By Narottama Das Thakur Mahasaya

From Prarthana, Song 55

hari bolbo āra madana mohana herabo go

ei rūpe vrajera pathe calabo go

jāba go vrajendra pure haba go gopikāra nūpura

tāńdera caraṇe madhura madhura bājabo go

vipine vinoda khelā sańgete rākhālera melā

tāńdera caraṇera dhūlā mākhabo go

rādhā-kṛṣṇera rūpa-mādhurī heraba du’nayana bhari

nikuñjera dvāre dvārī roibo go

vrajavāsī tomarā sabe ei abhilāṣa purāo ebe

āra kabe śrī-kṛṣṇera bāńśī śunabo go

e deha antima kāle rākhabo śrī-yamunāra jale

jaya rādhe govinda bale bhāsabo go

kahe narottama dāsa nā pūrilo abhilāṣa

āra kabe vraje vāsa korbo go

TRANSLATION

1) When will I be able to say “Hari” and see Madana Mohana? For this form, I will walk to Vraja.

2) When I enter the holy land of Braja, I will be the ankle-bells of the gopis’ feet. I will make sweet sweet sounds. I will behold the pastimes of the cowherd boys and will spread the dust from their feet and apply it to my body.

3) I will behold the vision sweet form of Radha and Krsna in my two eyes. I will remain at the gate of the forest of Vraja. O residents of Vrajabhumi, please fulfill my desire! When will I hear the sweet sound of the flute of Sri Krsna?

4) At the last moment of my life, I will place my body in the Yamuna River and float singing “Jaya Radha Govinda.” Narottama Dasa says, “I am unable to fulfill this desire. When will I become a resident of Vraja bhumi?”



Sri Sri Radha Madan Mohan
of Srila Sanatana Goswami

In Karauli, Rajestan, this Deities are the Protectors of sambandha jnana, the knowledge of the relationship of the soul to God. They also grant us the mercy of receiving initiation from a genuine spiritual master.