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Govardhana Puja, Go Puja, or Go-krda

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Worshiping Govardhana

KRSNA BOOK CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While engaged with the brahmanas who were too much involved in the performance of Vedic sacrifices, Krishna and Balarama also saw that the cowherd men were preparing a similar sacrifice in order to pacify Indra, the King of heaven, who is responsible for supplying water.

As stated in the Caitanya-caritamrita, a devotee of Krishna has strong and firm faith in the understanding that if he is simply engaged in Krishna consciousness and Krishna’s transcendental loving service, then he is freed from all other obligations. A pure devotee of Lord Krishna doesn’t have to perform any of the ritualistic functions enjoined in the Vedas; nor is he required to worship any demigods. Being a devotee of Lord Krishna, one is understood to have performed all kinds of Vedic rituals and all kinds of worship to the demigods. One does not develop devotional service for Krishna by performing the Vedic rit

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Bali Daityaraja Puja

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The festival commemorating Bali Maharaja’s surrender to Lord Vamanadeva, the dwarf incarnation of Lord Krsna. A Deity of Vamana is worshiped.

When Lord Vamandev was pleased with Bali maharaj and appeared in Vishnu-rupa, Bali asked a boon that Lord Vishnu would be on every door at Patalaloka because in Nether regions Bali wants his society Lord Vishnu agrees and goes to become a Dwarpalaka of Bali. Narad tells Laxmi where Lord Vishnu is. Laxmi plays trick on Bali – she goes to Bali as a poor woman seeking help – with her she takes raksha bandan. She says to Bali that she doesn't have a brother – and would dearly like one. When the raksha bandan is tied the brother has to offer her something. Bali asked Laxmi what he can give her, Laxmi replied that you have my everything in your service – please release Lord Vishnu.

As Yama's sister is Yamuna and she fed Yama to his satifaction he said that from now on any brother who visits thesister on Bhaidhuj day will escape the hand of Yamaraj – the

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Rasikananda Prabhu Appearance

Rasikananda Prabhu

One time some mad elephants attacked Rasikananda. Calmly, he chanted "Gauranga, Gauranga, Krishna, Krishna" while sprinkling water on the rampaging beasts. The elephants immeditately stopped charging, humbly bowed their heads, raised their trunks, and bellowed "Hare Krishna! Hare Krishna!" (In the wallpaper: Rasikananda Prabhu, and some elephants).

   Shri Rasikananda Prabhu (Rasika Murari) appeared as the son of a king. He became a perfect sage, Gaudiya Vaishnava scholar, rasika bhakta, and the most beloved disciple of Shri Shyamananda Prabhu.
 
   On Shyamananda Prabhu's order, Rasikananda became the head pujari and served his guru's Deity of Govindaji with total dedication. His attentive loving service increased Govindaji's beauty and pleasure. Rasika Murari enchanted the Devotees with his unprecedented Deity service. After firmly establishing Govindaji's worship, he accepted Shyamananda's order to preach.
 
   He traveled widely for forty years, influencing everyone with the message of
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Dipavali

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Dipa-dan, Dipavali, or Diwali (and Kalipuja) is a commemoration of Lord Rama’s return from exile to Ayodhya, His capital, following the defeat of the demon Ravana. (Vaisnavas don’t regularly observe Kalipuja, the worship of Durga Devi.)

The story goes that Hanuman was sent by Rama to Ayodhya the day before Rama's arrival as prearranged with Bharat to let the residents of Ayodhya know how Sita and Rama and all Their retinue were returning.

This was five days before Diwali, and after the Vijaya dasami (victory of Rama ) celebration.

THE STORY BEHIND "DIWALI"
King Dashrath ruled the rich and prosperous city of Ayodhya. He had three wives and Kaikayi was his favourite. She saved his life in a war at a very crucial time. Dashrath granted her two favours for saving his life.

Dashrath had four sons. Rama, the oldest, was everybody's favourite. He was married to the beautiful and devoted Sita. Just before Ram's coromation, Kaikayi reminded Dashrath of her two favors. She told him to crown Bharat as

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Kali Puja

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Adya Dhyanam

Nikashaw-prastara-shyamang shirshay mukuta-manditaam.
Lalatey netra-chinhena trinetri-krita- bigrahaam.
Aghoraang padma-patraava bishaala-smita-lochanaam.
Sukrishna prajalla-drupa netra-dwaya-kaninikaam.
Drishtyaa sakarunaa-vaasaang jataa-tritaya-shovitaam.
Suprasanna mukhaad-vojang naanaa-bhushana-bhushitaam.
Urdhay baama-karay khargang nrimunda bibhrati-madhah.
Abhayancha barang dakhsha-karayo kathita-kramam.
Lola-jihvaang padaalambi-mundamaala-bimanditaam.
Saalang-kaarang baraa-kaarang kara-kaanchi-bibarjitaam.
Padmaakriti-shilaapithay shyaana-Shiba-bakhshashi.
Sthitang-dakhsha-padang nasya-tadah-kharou paranm padam.
Ameyam-abhayang debing para-bramha-swarupinim.
Dhyaey-Adyang manaa-adyantang chitra-rupa dharang-Paraam.

Meditation Hymn of Adya Kali

She is dark as a black rock, wearing a jeweled crown.
The sign of a third eye is on her forehead, 
She, the Goddess with three eyes.
Like lotus petals, Her eyes are large, 
They shine like two bright jewels.
Her glance showers compassion. 
Three l

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Hare Krsna Prabhus!

Here is my commentary on Mantra 9. This is really hitting on a lot of issues that are very close to me, so I would very much like to hear your thoughts on this commentary and/or its issues.

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This mantra speaks on the concepts of vidya and avidya. Avidya, implies a lack of knowledge, or ignorance. We all understand the difficulties of ignorance, and the dangers that we face through our lack of knowledge; however vidya, knowledge, can be even more dangerous that its lack, dependent upon the type of use of that knowledge. 

In the past, many people were avidya. This allowed certain “leaders” to take advantage of the people and lead them astray. However, the majority of the people, knowing no better, simply went along with what they were given, and as a result, led relatively happy lives; hence the phrase “ignorance is bliss.” These individuals still felt the pains and sufferings of life, but simply accepted them as “the way things are.” One can live in this ignorance

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Asked to speak at the university of Nairobi in September 1972 , SRILA PRABHUPADA , passed this message to the people :

" PLEASE DEVELOP SPIRITUALLY , FOR SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT IS SOUND DEVELOPMENT . DONT IMITATE THE AMERICANS AND EUROPEANS, WHO ARE LIVING LIKE CATS AND DOGS . THE ATOMIC BOMB IS ALREADY THERE, AND AS SOON AS THE NEXT WAR BREAKS OUT, ALL THEIR SKYSCRAPERS AND EVERYTHING ELSE WILL BE FINISHED ....."

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Comment on Sri Isopanisad Mantra 8

PAMHO, Prabhus!

Below is a comment on Sri Isopanisad, Mantra 8.

 

This mantra offers a description of the transcendental nature and eternal form of the Absolute. The Mayavadi philosophers find that the Supreme Lord has no form, but in this sruti-mantra, we find that the Supreme does have a form; however, that form is not like the form found in the material world. It is a transcendental form. This means that while humans have a mechanical form where all things work to a particular order, the Lord does not. Veins pump blood through the system, impulses from the brain cause actions in the body. We feel with hands, see with eyes, taste with tongue, and so forth. With the Supreme Lord, this is not the case. Each part of His body can do the work of the other senses. So the Lord may see through eyes, mouth, hands, etc..

When humans describe the Lord as formless, it simply means that the Lord cannot be conceived--He is devoid of a form we can imagine, since it is wholly "other" than what we know i

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That is pure devotee

"Just like one of my German Godbrothers said that in Germany during the last war, Second World War, many women used to go to the church to pray to God to get back their husband, son, or brother. But nobody came back. And they became atheist: "There is no God. We prayed so much, and my father did not come, my brother did not come, my son did not come." So motivated devotion is sometimes frustrated, and they become atheist. Therefore the devotee who has no motive is pure devotee. "In any condition, it is my duty to love God and to serve Him, not for my benefit but God's satisfaction." That is pure devotee. " Srila Prabhupada's Room Conversation with three Trappist Monks, Psychologists from the University of Georgia, and Atlanta Lawyer, Michael Green

" Just like one of my German Godbrothers said that in Germany during the last war, Second World War, many women used to go to the church to pray to God to get back their husband, son, or brother. But nobody came back. And they became atheist: "There is no God. We prayed so much, and my father did not come, my brother did not come, my son did not come." So motivated devotion is sometimes frustrated, and they become atheist. Therefore the devotee who has no motive is pure devotee. "In any condition, it is my duty to love God and to serve Him, not for my benefit but God's satisfaction." That is pure devotee. "


Srila Prabhupada's Room Conversation with three Trappist Monks, Psychologists from the University of Georgia, and Atlanta Lawyer, Michael Green

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Instead of contemplating what will happen to this world, you have got a short duration of life, say fifty, sixty years. You chant Hare Kṛṣṇa and go back to home, back to Godhead. Don't consider what will happen to this world. The nature will take care of it. You don't puzzle your brain with these thoughts. You utilize whatever time you have got in your possession and go back to home, back to Godhead. You cannot check it. Because people will go on with their rascal civilization, natural consequences will be there. You better take advantage of whatever time you have got and become fully Kṛṣṇa conscious and go back to home. -Srila Prabhupada - Morning Walk — February 21, 1975, Caracas

Instead of contemplating what will happen to this world, you have got a short duration of life, say fifty, sixty years. You chant Hare Kṛṣṇa and go back to home, back to Godhead. Don't consider what will happen to this world. The nature will take care of it. You don't puzzle your brain with these thoughts. You utilize whatever time you have got in your possession and go back to home, back to Godhead. You cannot check it.

Because people will go on with their rascal civilization, natural consequences will be there. You better take advantage of whatever time you have got and become fully Kṛṣṇa conscious and go back to home.

-Srila Prabhupada - Morning Walk —
February 21, 1975, Caracas

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From Srila Prabhupada in His July 29, 1973 Bhagavad-gita lecture: "We have got so many duties, but in this age, we have lost everything. Therefore, our only duty is to surrender unto the Lotus Feet of Mukunda, Krsna. That will save us. Krsna says - it is not story - Krsna says aham twam sarva papebhyo moksayisyami. 'I know that you have violated your family tradition, your past regulations, everything you have for which you are to be punished, sinful activities, but I give you assurance, if you surrender unto Me, then aham twam sarva papebhyo moksayisyami,.' Therefore at the present moment, because we have lost all culture, we have done so many sinful activities, if we want to be saved, it is the only remedy is to surrender to the lotus feet of Krsna, and thus become saved."
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Parasara Smriti

Narada-kunda Dasi said; "manu samhita is dharma shastra (as in dharma, artha, kama, moksa) for satya yuga. for kali yuga, parashara smriti is there... the british imposed and (of course) adjusted manu smriti for their own purposes, to rule easier...
the vaisnava community has its own code of etiquette, since their aim is bhakti, while the aim of dharma is attaining heavenly planets."

http://archanavedantam.blogspot.com/.../parasara-smriti.html
23: Parasara Smriti @
archanavedantam.blogspot.com|By Dee Pa

Parasara Smriti @
Labels: Religious
Smriti created by sage Parashar Muni,  and known by his name as 'Parashar Smriti is the most benevolent for the modern Kali Yuga. Parashara has himself said:

TRANSLATED TEXT OF PARASARA SMRITI

1. Manu Smriti was most relevant in Satya Yuga. In Treta, Smriti created by Gautam had most relevance whereas in Dwapar, Shankh's Smriti was mostly recognized. But in
Kali Yuga, it is Parashar Smriti that by and large shows the way to the ignorant people. Para

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Viracandra Appearance

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Sri Viracandra or Virabhadra Prabhu appeared on the ninth day of the dark fortnight of the month of Kartik. Krsna dasa Kaviraja Gosvami has given this description of Him in the C.c. Adi 11.8-12.

 

"After Nityananda Prabhu, the greatest branch is Virabhadra Gosani, who also has innumerable branches and sub-branches. It is not possible to describe them all. Although Virabhadra Gosani was the Supreme Personality of Godhead, He presented Himself as a great devotee. And although the Supreme Godhead is transcendental to all Vedic injunctions, He strictly followed the Vedic rituals. He is the main pillar in the hall of devotional service erected by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He knew within himself that He acted as the Supreme Lord Visnu, but externally He was prideless. It is by the mercy of Sri Virabhadra Gosani that people all over the world now have the chance to chant the names of Caitanya and Nityananda. I there take shelter of the lotus feet of Virabhadra Gosani so that by His mercy my grea

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Bahulastami

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The appearance day of Radha-kunda and Syama-kunda, sacred ponds that are the bathing places of Srimati Radharani and Lord Krsna in Vrndavana.

On the eighth day of the waning phase of the damodara month the appearance day of Radha Kunda is celebrated by the residents. Bathing in Radha Kunda is especially benefical on this day. By this one gains the favor of Radha, by which one gains the favor of Krsna. Radha Kunda appeared at midnight. People go to Radha Kunda and offer prasadam, garlands and pumkins (gords) into the water, then at midnight take bath in Radha Kunda and then bathe in Syama Kunda. Many people like to bathe at a ghat where Lord Nityananda's sakti, Jahnava Mata used to bathe. But wherever you go you better get there early as thousands of people/devotees will be there. And bring some warm clothing for afterwards, as it is sooooo "cooling".

The holy place known as Mathura is spiritually superior to Vaikuntha, the transcendental world, because the Lord appeared there. Superior t

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Snana Dana (Radha Kunda Appearance)

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Radha Kunda Prakat, Snan Dan - The appearance anniversary of Radha- kunda, the bathing pond of Srimati Radharani in Vrndavana. Devotees bathe there especially on midnight of this day.

"After the killing 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 Vrindavana, 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 ri

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Vraje Prasiddham Navanita......

I offer pranama to that foremost of thieves – who is famous in Vraja as the butter-thief and He who steals the gopis’ clothes, and who, for those who take shelter of Him, steals the sins which have accrued over many lifetimes.

I offer pranama to the foremost of thieves – who steals Srimati Radhika’s heart, who steals the dark luster of a fresh raincloud, and who steals all the sins and sufferings of those who take shelter of His feet.

He turns His surrendered devotees into paupers and wandering, homeless beggars – aho! such a fearsome thief has never been seen or heard of in all the three worlds.

Mere utterance of His name purges one of a mountain of sins – such an astonishingly wonderful thief I have never seen or heard of anywhere!

O Thief! Having stolen my wealth, my honour, my senses, my life and my everything, where can You run to? I have caught You with the rope of my devotion.

You cut the terrible noose of Yamaraja, You sever

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Srila Prabhupada really said ...

compiled by Dama Ghosha Dasa (Seattle, USA)

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Lectures - SB 5.5.1, 28 November 1975,  Delhi

Guest (3): My question: Do you think your quality to change... A person, if that soul becomes fate or lift...

 

Prabhupada: No fate can be changed. I understand. These questions are generally put. Fate can be changed.

 

Guest (3): By name.

 

Prabhupada: By Krishna consciousness. Karmani nirdahati kintu ca bhakti-bhajam. Others cannot change their fate, but only the devotees can change. How? Krishna says, aham tvam sarva-papebhyo moksayisyami.

 

Krishna says, "I shall give you protection from all the resultant action of your sinful life." That is fate changed. If you don't surrender to Krishna, then you have to suffer or enjoy the actions of your fruitive activities. But when you surrender to Krishna, He takes charge of squaring up all your sinful activities and their reaction. That is... So you surrender to Krishna; then your fate is changed. Otherwise it is not possible.

 

SB 8.19.21

Anyone wh

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Narottama Dasa Thakura

 Shrila Narottama Dasa Thakura

   Appearing as the son of a king, Shri Narottama Dasa Thakura (Shri Thakura Mahasaya) showed all the bodily symptoms of a mahapurusha (an exalted divine person). He had long arms, a deep navel, golden-complexioh, beautiful eyes shaped like the  lotus petals. In school, he was a sruti dhara (able to memorize whatever he hears) Although he quickly mastered Sanskrit and the Vedas, he hankered to serve Krishna. He was a lifelong brahmachari. By the mercy of the Holy Name Gaura-Nitai, Narottama became detached, left his opulent family, and ran to Vrindavana. He took diksha from Shri Lokanatha Goswami and siksha in Gaudiya philosophy from Shri Jiva Goswami.

   When he arrived in Navadwipa-dhama all the Devotees asked him about the health and activities of the Goswamis in Vrindavana. They were eager to hear the news from Vrindavana. After visiting all of Gauranga's pastime places in Gaura Mandala, Narottama Dasa did the same in Shri Kshetra Dhama (Jagannatha Puri

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