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The Holy Places of Jaiva Dharma: Yamuna

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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.

 

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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

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"all the food in the market is contaminated."

 

let us follow nonviolence to animals, AND BECOME VEGETARIAN,  read srimad bhagavatham every day.  let us start orphan cowshelter homes in every town and city.  all the food in the market is contaminated.  therefore cow dung is needed for organic farming.  this is the most urgent necessity of the day.
 
Dr.Ghanakota Venkateshwar Rao,M.Sc., M.Phil.(Gold Medalist), Ph.D., PDF(UK),

Professor of Organic and Medicinal Chemistry,
Chairman,Board of studies in Chemistry and Biochemistry
Departments of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Kakatiya University,
Warangal 506 009, A.P.
INDIA
tel.09247829888, email: ghanarao@yahoo.com
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B. Radha Govinda Swami said;

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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."

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Srila Prabhupada

AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada - Founder Acharya of ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness).

     His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada appeared in a family of pure Gaudiya Vaisnavas in 1896 in Calcutta. From early childhood he showed signs of pure devotion to Lord Sri Krishna. At the tender age of five, he single-handedly organized a neighborhood Ratha-yatra festival to glorify Lord Jagannatha. He authentically decorated a small cart to resemble the Lord's colossal chariot in Puri. Besides leading the kirtana party, he organized cooking and prasadam distribution. With his enthusiasm and ecstatic love for Lord Krishna he engaged the community in chanting:

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare,

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. 

   Unlike other children his age who would waste their time playing, Srila Prabhupada preferred to visit the local Radha Krishna temple. For hours together, he would lovingly gaze upon the transcendental forms o

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Nandotsava

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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

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Second month: No yoghurt (if one requires it for health, it can be mixed with water)

Caturmasya stands for ‘four months’. It is the period between sayana and uttana ekadasis. The scriptures refer to this period as the duration of Lord Visnu’s sleep in this universe.

The main goal of observing Caturmasya is to decrease attachment to material things and to increase devotion to Krishna.
 
Srila Prabhupada writes in Caitanya Caritamrta, “Caturmasya should be observed by all sections of the population. It does not matter whether one is a grihasta or a sanyasi. The observation is obligatory to all ashramas.” He further explains how to observe the vow:  “This is not very difficult. In the month of Sravana one should not eat spinach (green leafy vegetables of the nature), in the month of Bhadra one should not eat yogurt (yogurt used as binding agent for cake is allowed), and in the month of Asvina one should not drink milk (milk sweets, milk by-products are fine).
 
One should not eat fish or other
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Jagad Guru, Patita Pavana, His DIVINE Grace, Srila Abhaya Caranaravinda, Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj, Prabhupada, Ki Jaya!

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The Lotus Feet of our Spiritual Master are the only way by which we can attain pure devotional service. I bow to his Lotus Feet with great awe and reverence. By his grace one can cross the ocean of material suffering and obtain the mercy of Krsna.
My only wish is to have my consciousness purified by the words emanating from his Lotus Mouth. Attachment to his Lotus Feet is the perfection that fulfills all desires.
He opens my darkened eyes and fills my heart with transcendental knowledge. He is my Lord birth after birth. From Him ecstatic prema emanates; by Him ignorance is destroyed. The Vedic scriptures sing of His character.
Our spiritual master is the ocean of mercy, the friend of the poor, and the Lord and master of the devotees. O master! Be merciful unto me. Please give me the shade of Your Lotus Feet. Your fame is spread all over the three worlds. We t
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Sri Krsna Janmastami

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The appearance anniversary of Lord Sri Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Sri Krsna Janmastami
CHAPTER ONE
The Advent of Lord Krishna Once the world was overburdened by the unnecessary defense force of different kings, who were actually demons, but were posing themselves as the royal order. At that time, the whole world became perturbed, and the predominating deity of this earth, known as Bhumi, went to see Lord Brahma to tell of her calamities due to the demoniac kings. Bhumi assumed the shape of a cow and presented herself before Lord Brahma with tears in her eyes. She was bereaved and was weeping just to invoke the lord's compassion. She related the calamitous position of the earth, and after hearing this, Lord Brahma became much aggrieved, and he at once started for the ocean of milk, where Lord Visnu resides. Lord Brahma was accompanied by all the demigods headed by Lord Siva, and Bhumi also followed. Arriving on the shore of the milk ocean, Lord Brahma began to pacify the

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Hare Krsna Prabhus,
 
All glories to His Divine Grace, Srila Prabhupada. Please accept my fallen obeisances.

I hope your sadhana and bhajan are going well.
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From Srila Prabhupada's "Krsna Book" (Birth of Lord Krsna)
 
"When the time was mature for the appearance of the Lord, the constellations became very auspicious. The astrological influence of the star known as Rohini was also predominant because this star is considered to be very auspicious. Rohini is under the direct supervision of Brahma...At that time, in all directions, east, west, south, north, everywhere, there was an atmosphere of peace and prosperity. There were auspicious stars visible in the sky, and on the surface in all towns and villages or pasturing grounds and within the minds of everyone there were signs of good fortune. The rivers were flowing full of waters, and lakes were beautifully decorated with lotus flowers. The forests were full with beautiful birds and peacocks. All t
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Srila Prabhupada [Hdg ACBSP] explains the position of Srila sac-cid-ananda Bhaktivinoda Thakura
Letters : 1968 Correspondence : November : Letter to: Madhusudana -- Los Angeles 20 November, 1968 : 68-11-20 :

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

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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

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Hayagriva Jayanathi (late)

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"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

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Second Month of Caturmasya Begins

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Second month: No yoghurt (if one requires it for health, it can be mixed with water)

Caturmasya stands for ‘four months’. It is the period between sayana and uttana ekadasis. The scriptures refer to this period as the duration of Lord Visnu’s sleep in this universe.

The main goal of observing Caturmasya is to decrease attachment to material things and to increase devotion to Krishna.
 
Srila Prabhupada writes in Caitanya Caritamrta, “Caturmasya should be observed by all sections of the population. It does not matter whether one is a grihasta or a sanyasi. The observation is obligatory to all ashramas.” He further explains how to observe the vow:  “This is not very difficult. In the month of Sravana one should not eat spinach (green leafy vegetables of the nature), in the month of Bhadra one should not eat yogurt (yogurt used as binding agent for cake is allowed), and in the month of Asvina one should not drink milk (milk sweets, milk by-products are fine).
 
One should not eat fish or other
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Lord Shri Balarama Purnima

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Lord Balarama is the first personal expansion of Lord Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. All other incarnations expand from Him. In Lord Krsna’s pastimes, He plays as Krsna’s older brother. Together Krsna and Balarama enact many pastimes as cowherd boys in the land of Vrndavana.

Who is Lord Balarama?


The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna, is the fountainhead of all incarnations. Lord Balarama is His second body. They are both one and the same identity. They differ only in form. Balarama is the first bodily expansion of Krishna, and He assists in Lord Krishna's transcendental pastimes. He is the source of the entire spiritual world and is the adi-guru, the original spiritual master.

He assumes five other forms to serve Lord Krishna. He Himself helps in the pastimes of Lord Krishna, and He does the work of creation in four other forms called the catur-vyuha (four armed) forms known as Vasudeva, Sankarshana, Pradyumna and Anirudha. He executes the orders of Lord Krishna in the

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