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The Holy Places of Jaiva Dharma: Yamuna

Yamunotri

Aug 19, 2014 — CANADA (SUN) — A serial presentation of the holy places mentioned in the Jaiva Dharma of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur - Part 181.

 

Yamunotri

When making pilgrimage on the Char-dhama yatra, one begins at the western-most shrine of Yamunotri in the Garhwal Himalayas. Situated near the Yamuna River, in the area of three hot sulphur springs, the Yamunotir temple was built on a flank of the Bandar Poonch peak, approximately 10,600 feet above sea level. Where the road splits at Dharasu, Yamunotri sits opposite to Gangotri. The temple stands on the foothills of Kalinda Parvata, close to the thermal springs. The region is very close to the modern Indo-Chinese border and is surrounded on all sides by the Himalayan range.

 

Yamunotri

Yamunotri is known as the source of the sacred River Yamuna, which actually originates from the Champasar Glacier, lying upstream of the shrine at an altitude of about 14,200 ft. As the map above in

"all the food in the market is contaminated."

This question was put to Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur: "Should we boldly speak the truth?"

Reply: "Without cheating anyone we should boldly speak the truth to everyone. If the truth is bitter or unpopular but bestows blessings on the living entities, we must speak it. This will not ultimately cause them anxiety...Unless we speak the truth boldly we cannot please guru and Gauranga. The more determined one is in devotional service, the bolder and more courageous he will be as a preacher. If I fail to speak the impartial truth because I might become unpopular, I have certainly abandoned the path of my disciplic succession and accepted an unauthorized path. In the end I will either find myself cheated or will become an atheist."

The festival observed by Nanda Maharaja, Lord Krsna’s father, to celebrate Lord Krsna’s appearance.

The Nandotsav – Birth ceremony of Lord Sri Krishna Taken from Srimad Bhagavatam 10th Canto, 5th Chapter, translated by H.D.G. Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. 

As described in this chapter, Nanda Maharaja very gorgeously performed the birth ceremony for his newborn child. Then he went to Kamsa to pay taxes due and met his intimate friend Vasudeva.

There was great jubilation all over Vrindavana due to Krishna’s birth. Everyone was overwhelmed with joy. Therefore the King of Vraja, Maharaja Nanda, wanted to perform the birth ceremony for his child, and this he did. During this great festival, Nanda Maharaja gave in charity to all present whatever they desired. After the festival, Nanda Maharaja put the cowherd men in charge of protecting Gokula, and then he went to Mathura to pay official taxes to Kamsa. In Mathura, Nanda Maharaja met Vasudeva. Nanda Maharaja and Vasudeva were broth

Regarding your questions, "I read in a book sent from India that Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura was sent directly by Lord Sri Caitanya from the spiritual sky. I am not sure if the book was bona fide. Is the above true? Someone, a God-brother brought up that he heard that Srila Bhaktivinode was at one time an impersonalist. Was he ever?'' Yes, what you have heard is all right. Just like Arjuna is constant companion of Krishna, as it is confirmed in the 4th chapter, Krishna says that both Arjuna and He appeared many times on this world, but he had forgotten his past appearance and Krishna did not. Krishna is like the sun, and maya is just like darkness. Where Krishna is present there cannot be any darkness of maya. So as Arjuna although always in the presence of Krishna as eternal comp

http://youtu.be/wxLb7DGX_4U

I believe Srila Prabhupada told this joke.

How the King was having a very bad day, so the Jester came before him, and inquired

"What is the difference between his Majesty and a donkey"

As the kings eyes lifted, the jester knew his life was on the line.

"This better be good" said the King"

The Jester immediately pulled out a measure, and calculated the distance between both of them.

"Around six feet my Lord " was his reply.

Indicating that he, himself was the donkey.

The king laughed, and the Jester kept his head, for another day. MMdasa

I heard it a wee bit differently;

King jokingly asked, " what is the difference between you, and an ass?"

The court wise-man /joker then paced out the distance between himself and the King, and turned to him and said, ""About eight feet", to which the King roared with laughter...

Indian humor often has elements of surprise, purity, caste, and making fun of same.  Tdasa

"At the end of the millennium, ignorance personified assumed the form of a demon, stole all the Vedas and took them down to the planet of Rasatala. The Supreme Lord, however, in His form of Hayagriva retrieved the Vedas and returned them to Lord Brahma when he begged for them. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the Supreme Lord, whose determination never fails.

Purport: Although Vedic knowledge is imperishable, within this material world it is sometimes manifest and sometimes not. When the people of this material world become too absorbed in ignorance, the Vedic knowledge disappears. Lord Hayagriva or Lord Matsya, however, always protects the Vedic knowledge, and in due course of time it is again distributed through the medium of Lord Brahma. Brahma is the trustworthy representative of the Supreme Lord. Therefore when he again asked for the treasure of Vedic knowledge, the Lord fulfilled his desire."

Srimad-Bhagavatam 5:16:6

On this day in 1965, Srila Prabhupada left Calcutta aboard the steamship Jaladuta - See more at: http://harekrishnacalendar.com/vaishnava-calendar/srila-prabhupadas-departure-for-the-usa-2013/#sthash.4FqB6vBR.dpuf