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            BY: TAMOHARADASA V. (acbsp), MSc.

 

If we observe the real situation of the world around us, we can gain insight into what is the best direction for people to go; science or spiritual knowledge. A system of thought that correlates or explains more of what we can observe around us would, by Occam’s razor alone, have to be taken as more correct or true. And we also take it as a given that by following our own essential natures and thus a system of thought most akin to that nature, we will be most satisfied and happy.

  

At a basic physical level, gravity and the other forces of nature have no meaning except in realationship to things other than themselves. The law of Gravity, for example, must have an object, such as a planet, upon which to act. So the basic laws have their existence only in relation to there being an “other” to interact with.

 

Even at a molecular level, we observe that molecules have a built-in capacity to interact with each other systematically, such as

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My life in Guyana         9468742492?profile=original

I must say that since I started practising Krishna bhakti in a small way, it has helped me to be a better person than before.

My parents and brothers and sisters left Guyana to live in Scarborough, Canada and Heston, England. I live with my grandparents in Guyana. The Guyana dollar is very low and with my wage I can never afford a computer or visit my relative abroad. But by the mercy of Krishna I receive a free plane ticket to spend two weeks with my brother, Vipin, in Heston, England. It so happens that he gave me a good second hand laptop as a present.

I will return home this Wednesday and I am happy to do so. This foreign climate is not for me. In Guyana we have hot sun or rain. There is pure water, fresh air, lots of fruit trees. I bought a tulsai bead and a bead bad, but before, I used to chant on buck beads. I just went to Vergenoegen bush and chop a few stems of buck beads from a buck bead tree, then I took a pliers and pull out the shoot in each bead

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Radha Krishna's eternal eightfold daily pastimes

Asta-kaliya-nitya-lila Radha Krishna's eternal eightfold daily pastimes

Radha Krishna
Asta-kaliya-nitya-lila
Radha Krishna's eternal eightfold daily pastimes

The version of asta-kaliya-nitya-lila which is most bona fide for Gaudiya Vaisnavas was revealed by Srila Krsnadas Kaviraja Goswami. It is essential, basic knowledge for any Rupanuga devotees. The following eight slokas are excerpts from Srila Kaviraja Goswami classic, 'Govinda-Lilamrta,' and are named:

"Sri Radha-Krsnayoh Asta-kaliya-lila Smarana-mangala Storam"
A sacred song of remembering the sports performed by Sri Radha and Krsna during the eight periods of the day.

 

 

 

1. pratham-yama-kirttanam: Chanting during the first period: (3:22 a.m. to 5:46 a.m.)

ratryante trastavrnderita bahuviravaibedhitau kirasari-
paghairrhrdhyairapi sukhasayana dunthitau tau sakhibhih/
drstau hrstau tadatvoditarati-lalitau kakkhatigih sasamkau
radhakrsnau satrsnavapi nija-nijadhamnyapta talpau smarami//

ratryante --at the close of night; trasta --afraid; vrnda --vrndadevi; irita urged; bahuviravai --with many chirping t

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THE RAINS CAME The Second Miracle

        

 Artwork by RasaManjaridd

 

“Late at night, when everyone else was asleep, was a nice time to be with Prabhupada. He was usually in a very mellow mood, so if I wanted to have his precious darshan I would sometimes stand outside his door and make slight noises so he would come out to see what the noise was and invite me in. We were staying in the new quarters in Mayapur, in the first of the four, large residence buildings.

 

The sky was overcast; I was yearning for Prabhupada’s association, so I went near his rooms and made walking and chanting sounds. No servants were around, so Prabhupada came out himself saying, “Who is that?” He saw me chanting, smiled, and came all the way out of his quarters.

 

Srila Prabhupada walked up and down the balcony with me, Then turned towards the fields and walked to the balcony railing. He looked out and said “The farmers beg Krishna for rainwater.” He paused briefly, “All right, take it!” As Prabhupada swept

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TEXT 38

premāñjana-cchurita-bhakti-vilocanena

santaḥ sadaiva hṛdayeṣu vilokayanti

yaṁ śyāmasundaram acintya-guṇa-svarūpaṁ

govindam ādi-puruṣaṁ tam ahaṁ bhajāmi

SYNONYMS

prema—of love; añjana—with the salve; churita—tinged; bhakti—of devotion; vilocanena—with the eye; santaḥ—the pure devotees; sadā—always; eva—indeed; hṛdayeṣu—in their hearts; vilokayanti—see; yam—whom; śyāma—dark blue; sundaram—beautiful; acintya—inconceivable; guṇa—with attributes; svarūpam—whose nature is endowed; govindam—Govinda; ādi-puruṣam—the original person; tam—Him; aham—I; bhajāmi—worship.

TRANSLATION

I worship Govinda, the primeval Lord, who is Śyāmasundara, Kṛṣṇa Himself with inconceivable innumerable attributes, whom the pure devotees see in their heart of hearts with the eye of devotion tinged with the salve of love.

PURPORT

The Śyāmasundara form of Kṛṣṇa is His inconceivable simultaneous personal and impersonal self-contradictory form. True devotees see that form in their purified hearts under the influe

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diparchir eva hi dashantaram abhyupetya

dipayate vivrita-hetu-samana-dharma

yas tadrig eva hi cha vishnu-taya vibhati

govindam adi-purusham tam aham bhajami

 

The light of one candle being communicated to other candles, although it burns separately in them, is the same in its quality. I adore the Primeval Lord Govinda who exhibits Himself equally in the same mobile manner in His various manifestations  ( Ch 5, Govindam Prayers, Brahma Samhita )

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oṁ pūrṇam adaḥ pūrṇam idaṁ pūrṇāt pūrṇam udacyate pūrṇasya pūrṇam ādāya pūrṇam evāvaśiṣyate

 

The Personality of Godhead is perfect and complete, and because He is completely perfect, all emanations from Him, such as this phenomenal world, are perfectly equipped as complete wholes. Whatever is produced of the Complete Whole is also complete in itself. Because He is the Complete Whole, even though so many complete units emanate from Him, He remains the complete balance. Sri Isopani
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The prostitute said, "My dear Haridasa, O great preacher, great devotee, you are so beautifully built, and your youth is just beginning. Who is the woman who could control her mind after seeing you?"



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Haridasa Thakura and the Prostitute

Strict followers of the caste system in sixteenth-century India avoided all contact with Muslims. Yet Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, founder of the modern-day Hare Krsna movement, shattered all bonds of prejudice and bigotry by elevating Haridasa Thakura, who was born in a Muslim family, to the position of namacarya, or the spiritual master of the holy name of Krsna. In this way Sri Caitanya practically demonstrated one of His central teachings-if any person is seen to be a great devotee of the Lord, he should be honored and respected regardless of his birth or social status. Such a spiritually advanced person can completely transform the lives of others. In the following incident from the life of Haridasa Thakura, we see how a beautiful p

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by Śrīla Saccidānanda Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura

 

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Only When The Activities Are Executed For The Pleasure of Krsna It Is Called Bhakti

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura

(From "Bhakti Tattva Viveka" - click to read the whole work.
You can also read the previous page: People Mostly Practice Mishra-Bhakti (Mixed Devotion))

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What are the svarupa-lakshana or intrinsic attributes of bhakti? To answer this question it is said that bhakti is anukulyena krsnanushilana, the cultivation of activities which are meant exclusively for the pleasure of Sri Krsna.

In his Durgama-sangamani commentary on Bhakti-rasamrita-sindhu, Srila Jiva Goswami has explained that the word anushi

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Sri Sanatana, Sri Rupa and Sri Vallabha were three brothers, all employed in the service of the Badshaw Hussain Shah. Amongst the three, there was only one descendent, Sri Jiva. Having been rewarded richly by the Badshaw for their sevices, their household life was very opulent. There was nothing lacking in whatever was necessary for the upbringing of the only son. The house was illuminated by the effulgence of the child's golden complexion; his eyes were like the expanded petals of the lotus; every part of his body was graced with a lusterous, radiant splendor.

When Sri Gaurasundara came to Ramakeli, Sri Jiva was blessed by having darshana of His worshipable lord, though he was just a baby at the time. Placing the dust of His lotus feet on the child's head, Mahaprabhu indicated him to be the future sovereign preceptor of the Gaudiya sampradaya. Though he was only a child, Sri Jiva kept the form of the Lord, which fascinates all the world, wit

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The Great Story of Bali

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 The Great Bali Maharajah Offers His Head For Vamanadeva Brahmacary

 

Maharaja Pariksit inquired Suka: The Supreme Godhead, Sri Narayana, is the proprietor of everything. Why did He beg three paces of land from Bali Maharaja like a poor man, and when He got the gift for which He had begged, why did He nonetheless arrest Bali Maharaja? I am very much anxious to know the mystery of these contradictions.

Sri Suka Said: Bali Maharaja, The leader of the Demons, gathered his soldiers outside the abode of Indra and attacked it from all directions. He sounded the conchshell given to him by his Guru, Sukracarya, thus creating a fearful situation for the women protected by Indra. Seeing Bali Maharaja's indefatigable endeavor and understanding his motive, King Indra, along with the other gods, approached his master, Brhaspati, and spoke as follows. My lord, our old enemy Bali Maharaja now has new enthusiasm, and he has obtained such astonishing power that we think that per

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Video was made unavailable to viewers.
HK
In this Bengali video, Lord Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahaprabhu, anxious to start the worldwide sankirtana movment, after spending His last night with His dear wife, quietly departs His home and native city Mayapura, early in the morning, and in ecstatic love of Krsna, leaves forever His young wife, Swamini Visnupriya, and His widowed Mother Saci, and also His many dear village associates. 
He has left them all behind to wander as a shaven-headed renounced teacher, Sri Krsna Caitanya, in heart-broken search for His beloved Radha and Krishna, thus to establish His mission of spreading Hari Nama chanting to every town and village.  
Temporarily  Lord Gauranga is diverted to Santipura. Everyone's hearts are broken, Visnupriya Swamini and Srimati Saci Devi are devastated,  Vishnupriya devi has turned grey over a few days times from crying, and is looking too thin. Srimati Sita Thakurani and Sri Advaita Acarya hardly know how to console everyone's grie
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Lalita Devi by Narasingha Swami

9468745492?profile=original                                 Srimati Lalita Devi

 

yam kam api vraja-kule vrsabhanu-jayah
preksya sva-paksa-padavim anurudhyamanam
sadyas tad ista-ghananena krtarthayantim
devim gunaih su-lalitam lalitam namami

"I offer my respects to charming and virtuous Lalita-devi. If Lalita meets any person in Vraja and perceives that they are favorable towards Srimati Radharani, she immediately requests Radharani to accept that person in Her camp. Radharani obeys Lalita and fulfills the desires of such a fortunate person." (Lalita-pranama Stotra 7)

Whoever Lalita-devi meets in Vraja-dhama, she requests them to join her own party. And when they come, “Yes, come with me.” At once she is giving admission. “Come! Join the service of Radharani.” She is canvassing to look after the interests of Radharani. Such intense attention to the service of Radharani is never found anywhere else. Lalita-devi sometimes even chastises Krsna boldly. She takes risks by reproaching Krsna, “You do not know the dignity

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A pastime of Srimati Radharani and Sri Krishna

Today is Lalita Devi's appearance day and tommorrow is Srimati Radharani's day; I have brought a Jhulana yatra story to celebrate;    

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A pastime of Srimati Radharani and Sri Krishna:


As stated Jhulan-yatra is very dear to Krishna, He likes it very much, now from another perspective you will see why !!!. From a cultural perspective in India during this period, all daughters go to their father's house to stay there for some days and enjoy the swing festival - a custom celebrated even up to this day.

Every year Srimati Radharani used to go to Varshana to her parents' house and have a very nice time there with her Gopi friends and Krishna, whom She could freely meet (because Jotila and Kotila were not around).

'One time Radharani was waiting for her brother Sridam to come and take her to her fathers' house. She was waiting, waiting, and waiting, but there was no sign of Sridam and She became so sad. One day a person from Varsana was there. She asked the man to

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Srimati Sita Thakurani

 

 Shri Sita Thakurani is to be worshiped just as much as Sachidevi herself, as the mother of the universe.  She is the eternal wife of Shri Advaita Acharya. She was the daughter of Shri Nrishinga Baduri. She was married to Shri Advaita Acharya in Phuliya Nagara. After their wedding, Advaita Acharya went to Nadiya, to live in Shantipura. Sita Thakurani  was always absorbed in vatsalya prema for Shri Gaurasundara Prabhu, and, out of parental concern used to instruct Jagannatha Mishra on how to care for the boy.  Shri Krishna Dasa Kaviraja Goswami has described the birth celebration at the house of Jagannatha Mishra upon the advent of the Lord, giving special attention to the position of Shri Sita Thakurani. Advaita Acharya's wife, worshipable by all the three worlds was Sita Thakurani.  Taking the Acharya's orders on her head, she had come to take a look at this new child, this jewel of jewels, and to offer him presents.

     On the eve of his son's advent Shr

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Categories of Spirits

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Srila Prabhupada Letter to Sriman Sudhindra Babu "I am so glad to learn that you are interested in the matter of Vaisnava philosophy. Vaisnava philosophy is very simple: that God is great and everyone is His servant. Nobody can be equal to or greater than God. They are simultaneously one and different. In quality they are one, but in magnitude they are different. This is the whole philosophy of the four Vaisnava sampradayas."

 

In terms of qualities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the great sages of Vedic history, such as Srila Rupa and Sanatana and Jiva Goswamis, have concluded thusly;  from Srila Rupa Goswami's medieval period smrti sastra,  the Bhakti Rasamrta Sindhu; 

 

Krshna 100% Has all qualities as for Vishnu, plus also 1. plays flute, 2. never works, is 3. sweet ie. aisvarya, and has 4. intimate loving pastimes. Consort is Radharani, and her followers and immediate expansions, the Gopis. The jivas take roles as associates ie as manjaris and shakhas etc ie girlfriends

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Blue Krsna by Rasa Manjari DD, courtesy Editor

Blue Krsna with flute, RMdd.

Srila Prabhupada wrote in a November 1, 1974 letter to Cyavana Swami:

I pray to Krishna that you all may use your intelligence for Krishna's service and not for any personal ambition. We have worked very hard and established a great institution, but if we think for our personal benefit then it will become ruined. This is my only concern.
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Srila Prabhupada wrote in His Introduction to "Bhagavad-Gita As It Is" ;
 

In this present day, man is very eager to have one scripture, one God, one religion, and one occupation. So let there be one common scripture for the whole world - Bhagavad-gita. And let there be one God only for the whole world - Sri Krsna. And one mantra only - Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare / Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. And let there be one work only - the service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

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