The Emerald Buddha (Phra Kaeo Morakot)  Wat Phra Kaew ,Thailand

     It is very interesting that Srila Prabhupada indicates Buddha’s “camouflaging” of his divinity. When we look carefully at some of the statements which issue from the Buddha (as we have done in earlier chapters), we see many clues as to his divine hypostasis. It is as though the Buddha did not wish totally to conceal his godlike identity. It peeks through here and there. And it seems that in this regard (as with Buddha’s vegetarianism) the Krishna devotees have preserved a vital aspect of Buddha-understanding which many “orthodox” Buddhists (in my view) mistakenly deny.

     But let us return to the Srimad Bhagavatam. Most fascinatingly, this scripture contains the following revelation, in which seeming UFOs and their malevolent operators find mention in connection with an interplanetary war, along with a saving Buddha:

“When the atheists, after being well versed in the Vedic scientific

knowledge, annihilate inhabitants

A summer boat festival for the Deities of Sri Sri Radha-Krsna. In the Krishna Balaram mandir in Sri Vrindavana the devotees fill the large marble court-yard with water, make a pontoon boat for Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha-Shyamasundara's pleasure and take Them (the utsav vighraha) around the pond with kirtan and loving sentiments.

"Madhavendra Puri's body was completely full of divine love; so were his followers. He displayed uncommon love of God. Seeing a dark blue raincloud, he would fall down unconscious. Day and night he was intoxicated from drinking the ambrosia of Krishna prema." (Vrindavana Dasa Thakura) (In the image: from right to left Shri Gopal and Shrila Madhavendra Puri).

   Before Lord Chaitanya appeared He sent His eternal associates like Shri Advaita Acharya, Shri Jagannatha Mishra, Sachi Mata, Madhavendra Puri, Ishvari Puri to earth. Shri Madhavendra Puri took initiation from Shri Lakshmipati Tirtha in the Madhvacharya sampradaya. He had many but Shri Advaita Acharya and Shri Ishvara Puri were the chief disciples of Madhavendra Puri. In one way or another, all the Vaisnavas in Bengal and Kshetra mandala (Jagannatha Puri) were connected with Shri Madhavendra Puri. After Lord Chaitanya came many of his disciples joined Mahaprabhu's sankirtana movement.

   "Madhavendra Puri's body was completely full

Shrinivasa Acharya Seeing his absorption in Gauranga prema, they knew he was "an embodiment of Gaura-shakti, the energy of Shri Gauranga Mahaprabhu." (In the image: Shrinivasa Acharya After witnessing Lord Gauranga's sannyasa ceremony at Katva, Chaitanya Dasa and his pregnant wife visited Lord Chaitanya in Jagannatha Puri. "Soon your wife will give birth to a son named 'Shrinivasa' said Lord Chaitanya, "and through Shrinivasa all the bhakti shastras of Rupa and Sanatana will be distributed." When his father left this world Shrinivasa visited the remaining associates of Lord Gauranga in Katva, Navadwipa, Jagannatha Puri. They blessed Shrinivasa and gave him valuable instructions for spiritual advancement. Seeing his absorption in Gauranga prema, they knew he was "an embodiment of Gaura-shakti, the energy of Shri Gauranga Mahaprabhu." He came to Vrindavana, toured the twelve forests, and took diksha from Gopala Bhatta Goswami. Shri Jiva Goswami taught him the complete philosophy of Gaudi

Prayer to Lord Nrsimha
(from Sri Dasavatara-stotra, p. 97)

"The battle that Arjuna is supposed to fight is inevitable, and is the will of Krsna, so it is his duty as Kshatriya to fight it. The cause is just and right. One should not indiscriminately harm anyone or anything; however, we are duty bound to perform certain actions. Provided they are performed out of devotional service to Krsna and not for personal gain or ego, the actions are not sinful. So, if Arjuna fights he will incur no sin, but should he refuse to fight, sin will be incurred." Ananta Sesa Prabhu

In his purport to Caitanya-caritamrta Adi 17.141, Srila Prabhupada  states:

"In the present day also, people all over the world may join together in the Krsna consciousness movement and protest against the present degraded governments of the world's godless societies, which are based on all kinds of sinful activities. Srimad-Bhagavatam states that in the Age of Kali, thieves, rogues and fourth-class people who have neither education nor culture capture the seats of governments to e

Hare Krishna!

The Scriptures mention the story at the beginning of creation when the representatives of the Devas (Demi-Gods), the Asuras (Humans) and the Rakshasas (Demon) approached their Creator, for guidance on how to improve them-selves so they can serve Him better.

The Lord spoke just one syllable to them “Da” and sent them back.

The three went back to their respective kingdom to contemplate what the Lord was trying to say.

The Rakshasas who were violent by nature understood the Lord’s message “Da” as Daya – be Merciful or compassionate to evolve spiritually

The Asuras who were controlling and possessive by nature understood the Lord’s message “Da” as Daana – Give to evolve spiritually.

The Devas who were by nature used to enjoying the nectar of heavenly planets understood the Lord’s message “Da” as Dama – be Austere (Tapasya) to evolve spiritually.

In Kaliyug all these 3 qualities of Devas (Satva), Asuras (Rajo) and Rakshasas (Tamo) are within us.

Hence each one of us takes home the mes

The test of a theory is in its implementation. While one can spend a lot of time analyzingthe process of bhakti, faith readily comes when one sees the theoryin action. Jayananda Prabhu is such a devotee who exemplified in analmost classical manner the process of bhakti from inception tocompletion. When he left his body on May 1, 1977, Srila Prabhupadainstructed that his disappearance day should be celebrated as thatof a great Vaisnava. Observing the pastimes of such devoteesgreatly reaffirms one's faith in the process of bhakti.

The background
**************
Jim Kohr was the all-American boy. Handsome, strong, intelligentborn in an upper middle-class family. A good student, he took adegree in mechanical engineering from Ohio State University. However despite his outward trappingsof success, he was often unhappy, empty and dissatisfied with thematerial conception of life. Jim did not fit into the upper classcrowd, so it was not very surprising that he ended up driving cabsin San Franci

                                                All Glories to Srila Prabhupada !

pamho, vanca kalpa tarubhyasa ca...

One big question; If we are, as the voidists and impersonalists suggest, ultimately of One Identity with all that Be, then how did we fall into illusion in the first place? That would mean that Godhead/Om was overpowered by a force greater, and thus the unity is gone, and the force that did it is demonstrated as mightier than Godhead.

On the other hand, if we postulate one Supreme Godhead that includes infinite infinitesimal sparks of consciousness, like fires lit from the original, but tiny in comparison the the Whole, then it is sensible for there to be an energy or energies than can, if unguarded, overwhelm the tiny sparks, what we call jiva souls, and for their incarceration or illusion to thus be forced  by dint of greater powers in a hierarchy of empowered beings. At least one of the greater Beings as friend is wanted, one whom is not overpowered and is also

Sri Rukmini Vitthal from Pandharpur Temple

Sri Rukhmini Dwadasi, is observed as the birthday (the day Rukmini Devi appeared on earth) of Rukmini, the consort of Lord Krishna.

The love story of Rukmini and Lord Krishna and their elopement is one of the most famous stories associated with Lord Krishna. Rukmini Dwadashi is observed on the twelfth day of the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon) of Vaisakh month (April – May). It is believed that those who offer worship prayers and pujas with flowers will have their wishes fulfilled.

Message of Rukmini

O the infallible and the most handsome One! Having heard Your qualities, which enter through the path of ears and absolve away the pains of life, and having heard about Your handsome appearance, which is the only asset of the eyes of living beings with eyes, my heart is accepting You as a consort l

There is no mention of Sri Madhu Pandit in Caitanya Caritamrta. Only it is mentioned in Bhakti Ratnakar that Sri Gopinathji manifested Himself before Him. [B. R. 2.473]

Oh Srinivas! What more can I say? The Lord reveals Himself to his pure devotee, who then preaches his glories to the world. Who can describe their incomprehensible activities by which the Lord becomes subservient to their love. Thus did Sri Brajendra Kumar reveal himself to Paramananda Bhattacarya and Sri Madhu Pandit, who is the abode of many wonderful qualities.

"Thus has Sri Gopinathji, who is an ocean of mercy, and who sports on the enchantingly beautiful banks of Bansibat, become manifested by the grace of Sri Madhu Pandit." [Sadhan Dipikayam]

Thus Sri Madhu Pandit became the servant of Sri Gopinath, whose bodily luster steals away the minds of everyone. Hundreds and thousands of people came running to see Him, famed as He is as sweetness personified. When the soothing sweetness and coolness of his charming form

"...You are Nityananda-sakti, the divine energy of Lord Nityananda Himself. You are the guru of Krishna bhakti. Be merciful to me and grant me the shade of your lotus feet, which are like a desire tree. You have delivered countless abominable sinners. Please deliver me in the same way. Today, praying for your mercy, this lowly sinner falls at your holy feet." (In the image: Jahnava Mata).

   Shri Nityananda's two wives, Shri Vasudha and Shri Jahnava Devi, are expansions of Lord Balarama's eternal consorts Varuni and Revati. After the disappearance of the Pancha-tattva and many of Lord Chaitanaya's eternal associates, a huge sankirtana festival was held in Kheturi on Gaura-Purnima. Thousands of Lord Gauranga's followers such as Narottama, Shyamananda, Shrinivasa, Vrindavana Dasa, Murari Chaitanya, Parameshvara, and Miniketana Rama attended the first Kheturi Sankirtana Mahotsava.

   They celebrated Gauranga's appearance day with thunderous chanting, exuberant dancing, tasty Prasadam. Six s

Srimati Sita Devi

Srimati Sita Devi is the daughter of the Earth goddess, Bhumi Devi, and central figure of the Ramayana. InMaharishi Valmiki's own words, Ramayana is known as the noble story of Sita "Sita-ayah Charitam Mahat".

Her glories are sun by the poet-saint Thyagaraja in his "Sri Janakatayane"

Oh daughter of Janaka, the blessed souls of refugees! Oh Consort of Sri Raghu Rama, bedecked with shining gem-ornaments! Pray, protect me always! You are the wind that destroys the clouds of demons like the hundres-headed Ravana; You are the indweller in the hearts of the devotees; Your Feet shine with the lustre of gems set in the crown of Indra.

King Janaka was the wise and benevolent King of Janakpuri and although a great saintly king he was childless. 'Rajarshi - a king who lives like a sage: that was how king Janaka of Videha dynasty was renowned. He ruled over the kingdom of Mithila. He looked upon his people with love and affection.

The Finding of Sita Devi in a casket in the E

This refers to the front page article in yesterday's Sunday Speaking Tree supplement. (April 26, 2015)