Nityananda Prabhu's Appearance Day!

Today is the auspicious appearance day of Lord Nityananda who is the incarnation of Lord Balaram. He is so merciful to all fallen souls that we should pray to him for his mercy to help us in our struggle of material existence.

Please read the following prayer which describes the merciful qualities of Lord Nityananda

My Most Merciful Nitai(Nitai amar dayar avadhi)

By Srila Vrndavan Das Thakur

are bhai! nitai amar dayara avadhi!
jivere koruna kori,’ dese dese phiri’ phiri’
prema-dhana jache niravadhi

(1) O Brothers! My Lord Nitai’s mercy is limitless! Bestowing His mercy upon the souls of this world He wanders from place to place perpetually offering the great treasure of ecstatic spiritual love to all.

adwaitera sange ranga, dharane na jaya anga,
gora-preme gada tanu khani
dhuliya dhuliya chale, bahu tuli’ hari bole,
du-nayane bahe nita-ira pani

(2) Joyous in the association of Adwaita Acharyya He is so full of ecstatic love for His Lord Gauranga that He cannot remain standing. Repeatedly staggering, intoxicated with love, He raises His arms and chants, “Haribol!” as tears stream from His two lotus eyes.

kapale tilaka sobhe, kutila-kuntala-lole
gunjara antuni chuda taya
kesari jiniya kati, kati tate nila dhati
bajana nupura ranga paya

(3) His forehead anointed with beautiful tilaka, His curling locks swaying to and fro, He wears a crown of red gunja berries. Blue garments decorate His waist which defeats that of a lion’s beautiful waist and ankle bells tinkle upon His reddish lotus feet.

bhuvana-mohana vesa! majaila saba desa!
rasa vese atta atta hasa!
prabhu mora nityananda kevala ananda-kanda
guna gaya vrndavana dasa

(4) His glorious beauty enchants the whole world! He inundates the entire world with the nectar of spiritual love! Overcome with ecstatic love, He smiles and loudly laughs and laughs! “Lord Nityananda is my Master. He is the only source of spiritual joy for this world, and I, Vrndavan Das, sing His divine glories.”

Srila Prabhupada (Shri Chaitanya Charitamrita Adi lila 8.31) gave such a wonderful explanation why we should regularly chant Nityananda and Gauranga! There are so many important points in this purport to take note of...Srila Prabhupada Ki Jai!

nande nahi esaba vicara
nama laite prema dena, vahe asrudhara

TRANSLATION

But if one only chants, with some slight faith, the holy names of Lord Chaitanya and Nityananda, very quickly he is cleansed of all offenses. Thus as soon as he chants the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, he feels the ecstasy of love for God.

PURPORT BY SRILA PRABHUPADA

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura remarks in this connection that if one takes shelter of Lord Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Nityananda, follows Their instructions to become more tolerant than the tree and humbler than the grass, and in this way chants the holy name of the Lord, very soon he achieves the platform of transcendental loving service to the Lord, and tears appear in his eyes. There are offenses to be considered in chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, but there are no such considerations in chanting the names of Gaura-Nityananda. Therefore, if one chants the Hare Krishna maha-mantra but his life is still full of sinful activities, it will be very difficult for him to achieve the platform of loving service to the Lord. But if in spite of being an offender one chants the holy names of Gaura-Nityananda, he is very quickly freed from the reactions to his offenses. Therefore, one should first approach Lord Chaitanya and Nityananda, or worship Guru-Gauranga, and then come to the stage of worshiping Radha-Krishna.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare

NITYANANDA PRABHU KI JAI!

Gaura Nitai Deities at London Soho Temple

on Nityananda's Appearance Day 2011

Pacha Tattva - Sri Mayapur Dham (India)

Nityananda Prabhu - Villa Vrindavan Dham (Italy - Florence)

Sri Advaita Acarya



Today is the Appearance Day of Sri Advaita Acarya, let us meditate upon him on this auspicious day. Sri Advaita Acarya Ki Jai! 

Sri Advaita Astakam

hunkara-garjanadi aho-ratra-sad-gunam
ha krsna radhika-natha prarthanadi-bhavanam
dhupa-dipa-kasturi ca candranadi-lepanam
sita-nathadvaita-caranaravinda-bhavanam

ganga vari mano hari tulasyadi manjari
krsna-jnana sada dhyana prema-vari jharjhari
krpabdhih karuna-natha bhavisyati prarthanam
sita-nathadvaita-caranaravinda-bhavanam

muhur muhuh krsna krsna uccaih svare gayatam
ahe natha jaga-tratah mama drsti-gocaram
dvibhuja karuna-natha diyatam sudarsanam
sita-nathadvaita-caranaravinda-bhavanam

sri advaita prarthanartha jagannatha-alayam
saci matur garbha-jata caitanya karunamayam
sri advaita-sanga-ranga-kirtana-vilasanam
sita-nathadvaita-caranaravinda-bhavanam

advaita-caranaravinda-jnana-dhyana-bhavanam
sadadvaita-pada-padma-renu-rasi-dharanam
dehi bhaktim jagannatha raksa mam abhajanam
sita-nathadvaita-caranaravinda-bhavanam

sarva datah sita-natha pranesvara sad gunam
ye japanti sita-natha-pada-padma kevalam
diyatam karuna-natha bhakti-yogah tat ksanam
sita-nathadvaita-caranaravinda-bhavanam

sri caitanya jayadvaita nityananda karuna-mayam
eka anga tridhamurti kai'soradi sada varam
jiva-trana bhakti-jnana hunkaradi garjanam
sita-nathadvaita-caranaravinda-bhavanam

dina-hina-nindakadi prema bhakti-dayakam
sarva datah sita-natha santi pura nayakam
raga-ranga sanga-dosa karma yoga moksanam
sita-nathadvaita-caranaravinda-bhavanam

1) I meditate upon the lotus feet of the husband of Sita, Shri Advaita, who begged the Supreme Lord with a thundering voice and day and night prayed to Him, "O Krishna, O Radhika-natha!" Decorating the Lord in the form of a Shalagrama-shila with sandalwood paste and musk, He worshipped the Lord with incense and a lamp.  

2) He offered Ganga water mixed with Tulasi leaves and manjaris. Tears of love incessantly flow from His eyes as he meditates upon Krishna and sings his glories. He prays to the Supreme Lord, who is an ocean of mercy, to descend to this world. I meditate upon the lotus feet of Shri Advaita the husband of Sita.

3) Again and again He loudly sings, „Krishna! Krishna!“  Begging Him, "O Natha! Deliverer of the universe (jagatrata)! O merciful Lord! Kindly show yourself to me in Your easily accessible two-armed form!" Thus, I am absorbed in thoughts upon the lotus feet of Shri Advaita the husband of Sita.

4) Due to the prayers of Shri Advaita,  mercyful Shri Caitanya  appeared as the son of Saci and Jagannatha Mishra. Thus, in the association of Advaita and other associates he exhibited his kirtan pastimes. I meditate upon the lotus feet of Shri Advaita the husband of Sita.

5) I meditate upon the lotus feet of Shri Advaita, the husband of Sita. These feet are the cherished object of my study and meditation. Thus I always keep the dust of these feet on my head. O Jagan-natha! Lord of the Universe, please protect this unworthy soul and grant him access into the process of pure bhakti.

6) I meditate upon the lotus feet of Shri Advaita, the husband of Sita. He is the Lord of my life (praneshvara). By His blessings everything can be attained. This most merciful Master at once bestows bhakti upon those who meditate upon His lotus feet.

7) I meditate upon the lotus feet of Shri Advaita, the husband of Sita, by whose glorious call Shri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and the very merciful Nityananda Prabhu appeared. Although all of Them belong to the same category of Vishnu-tattva, They manifest as three persons, going through all different phases of life – childhood, adolescence etc, To deliver all living entities, They sang loudly the holy name, sometimes roaring like thunder, laughing and crying in ecstasy. Thus they gave them the transcendental knowledge about bhakti.

8) He bestows loving devotional service (prema-bhakti) even upon the most fallen, the degraded, he obstinate and others. He who grants all benedictions, Shri Advaita the patron of Shantipur, frees one from the bondage of material attachments, bad association, selfish work, mystical yoga and the attempt for liberation (moksha). Thus, I meditate upon the lotus feet of Shri Advaita, the husband of Sita.

Disappearance of Srila Jiva Goswami

Hare Krishna and a Happy New Year to you all!

Today is the disappearance day of Srila Jiva Goswami.

Please read the glories to Srila Jiva Goswami and be inspired in your Krishna Consciousness.



The son of Sri Vallabha and nephew of Sri Sanatana, Sri Rupa, all of whom were employed in the service of the Badsa Hussain Shah. Having been rewarded richly by the Badsa for their devices, their household life was very opulent.

When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu came to Ramakeli, Sri Jiva was blessed by having darsana of His worshipable lord, though he was just a baby at the time. Mahaprabhu indicated him to be a great future scholar in the Gaudiya sampradaya. Though he was only a child, Sri Jiva would meditate on Sri Caitanya constantly.

Later on, when his father and uncles renounced their family life in order to be with Mahaprabhu, the only child, Sri Jiva, was left with his mother in the family palace at Fateyabad. Jiva missed them greatly and whenever he would remember his father and uncles, or Sri Caitanya he would lose consciousness and fall to the ground.

As he got a little older, Sri Jiva took up the worship of the Deities of Sri-Sri Rama-Krishna. He would carefully decorate Them and offer bhoga and aroti, serving Them with his full attention. Even in his play, whatever games he played were connected with Sri Krishna's pastimes.

While studying under the local panditas he became proficient in grammar, poetry and rhetoric. His teachers noted his great intellect.

When Sri Jiva learned that his father had passed away on the banks of the Ganga, he was completely unsettled. Family members and friends tried to console him but to little avail. Family life had become the source of his utter sadness.

Someone suggested to Jiva to go to Navadwipa and see Lord Nityananda, so he set out for Navadwipa with a group of pilgrims. Everyone at Navadwipa was very happy to meet the nephew of Sri Rupa and Sanatana.

Sri Jiva spent some days with Nityananda Prabhu, touring the nine islands of Navadwipa, in order to visit the holy places of the Lord's pastimes there. Then, as ordered by Nityananda Prabhu, he set out for Kasi (Varanasi) . At Kasi he studied Vedanta under Sri Madhusudana Vacaspati, a disciple of Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya. The conclusions of Vedanta contained in Srimad-Bhagavatam that were expounded by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya in Puri had been in turn taught by the Bhattacarya to Madhusudana Vacaspati, who established a school at Kasi.

From here Sri Jiva set out for Sri Vrindavana where he received shelter at the lotus feet of his two uncles. Sri Rupa and Sanatana. Jiva stayed with Sri Rupa, who began to teach him Srimad-Bhagavatam. After initiating him with the divine mantra, Rupa engaged him in the service of Sri Sri Radha-Damodara.

Seeing that Jiva had quickly become conversant with the conclusion of Srimad-Bhagavatam, Sri Rupa engaged him in proof-reading his Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu. At this time Sri Jiva compiled a commentary on Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu called Durgama-sangamani. Sri Sanatana Goswami compiled Sri Vaisnava-tosani, a commentary on the tenth canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam, which he gave to Sri Jiva for proof-reading. Under the order of Sri Sanatana, Sri Jiva compiled a commentary on that named Laghu Vaisnava-tosani. His writings, along with those of Sri Rupa and Sri Sanatana, Sri Gopal Bhatta, Sri Raghunatha Bhatta, Sri Raghunatha Dasa, Sri Krsna Dasa, Sri Kasisvar Pandita, and Sri Madhu Pandita, completely captivated the learned men of that time.

It was the beginning of a golden age at Vrindavana. Sri Jiva regularly brought water for Sri Rupa and Sanatana's bath. He massaged their heads with oil, cleaned their asrama, worship the Deity, cooked and corrected manuscripts.

After the passing away of Sri Rupa and Sanatana, Sri Jiva continued the tradition that they had inaugurated. Once Sri Jiva travelled to Agra to debate with the Rajputs concerning the glories of Yamuna and Ganga rivers. He established that the Yamuna is more glorious than the Ganga as the Ganga emanates from Krishna's lotus feet whereas the Yamuna is His own consort. At this the Moghul emperor was very much satisfied and wanted to present him something. Sri Jiva replied that he would accept some blank papers. So the emperor presented Jiva some stained paper. (At that time paper was very rare and most manuscripts were usually composed on leaves.) There is also a legend that once, when a moghul emperor (possibly Akbar) wanted to confer something on the Goswamis of Vrindavana, they requested a farman (emperor's order) that no living beings would be killed within Vraja. As a result of this no king would come to hunt there anymore.

The disciple of Lokanatha Goswami, Narottama Dasa Thakura Mahasaya, Sri Gopala Bhatta Goswami's disciple Srinivasa Acarya Prabhu, and the disciple of Hrdaya Caitanya Prabhu, Sri Syamananda Prabhu, were greatly favoured by Srila Jiva Goswami. Under his tutelage they studied all the literatures of the Goswamis. Later he sent them to preach this knowledge in Bengal.

Srila Jiva Goswami composed many literatures, amongst them:

Harinamamrta-vyakarana, Sutra-malika, Rasamrta-sesa, Gopala- virudavali, Sri-Madhava-mahotsava, Sri-Sankalpa-kalpavrksa, Brahma-Samhita-tika, Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu-tika (Durgama-sangamani), Ujjvala-nilamani-tika (Locana-rocani), Gopala-campu, Sat-sandharbha (Tattva-sandarbha, Bhagavata-sandarbha, Paramatma sandarbha, Krsna-sandarbha, Bhakti-sandharbha, Priti-sandarbha) Srimad-Bhagavata-tika (Krama-sandarbha), Laghu-vaisnava-tosani (Tenth Canto Bhagavatam commentary), Sarva-sambadina (Commentary on Sat-sandarbha), Gopala-tapani-tika (Sri-Suhkha-bodhini), Padma-puranastha-yogasara-stotra-tika, Gayatri-vyakhya-vivrti (A commentary on the Gayatri mantra as described in the Agni Purana, chapters 216–7), Radha-Krsnarcana-candrika, Dhatu-sangraha, Bhavartha-sucaka-campu.

Srila Jiva Goswami passed away in 1618 in Vrindavana.

It is not possible for all us to live as such Goswamis in this life but Jiva Goswami and his descendants like His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad have taught us how we can live a pure spiritual life in the same status right now. Narottamdas Thakur has prayed “whether you are a Gruhasta living at home living with wife or husband or children or you are living in forest or an ashram that is not what is important, what is important is our spirit and purpose of our life. We are not the enjoyer, we are the servant”. When we associate with the devotees of the Lord, hear the glories of the Lord, live a pure and moral life, chant the Holy names of the Lord, we naturally develop the great desire to utilize everything we have for the betterment of humanity and the service of God. In this way we can find ultimate peace and happiness in this very life. We can share that happiness with all those we love. At the inevitable end of this material body our soul returns to its original destination - the spiritual world. Where we are eternally in the presence of the Lord and his devotees and we are eternally immersed in the glorification of Krsna and his names. There are principles to regulate attachment and aversions pertaining to the senses and their objects one should not come under the control of such attachment and aversion because they are stumbling blocks in the path of self-realization, this verse of Bhagavad-Gita can be fulfilled by simply learning how to utilize our present mind and senses always in the service of Krsna. - Radhanath swami

Radhanath Swami - Love

This video is very inspirational. Please feel free to comment, Hare Krishna!

Chanting - HH Sacinandana Maharaj

I received an email today from HH Sacinandana Swami on chanting which is very inspiring. Please read:

Dear Devotees,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

I would like to send you a little inspiration. It is an elaboration of a
point I sent in my last piece of inspiration "Gathering Gems."

How to chant attentively:

Once the German devotee Uttama-sloka Dasa came to Srila Prabhupada with an
important question that had been burning in his mind for a long time:

"How can I chant with full attention?"

Srila Prabhupada's answer was brief and powerful:

"Just try to hear yourself chant sincerely."

I strongly recommend you try this "formula." It will quickly arrest the
wandering mind and bring it into a devotional space.  From there, you can
easily chant with a sense of relationship to Sri Sri Radha Krsna, and then
address Them with feelings.

Wishing you all the best and lots of spiritual strength,
Sacinandana Swami

 

 

“Once, on a morning walk, a disciple asked Srila Prabhupada, “How can we know if we are chanting with quality?” And Srila Prabhupada replied that when you come to the quality you will know it, you won’t have to ask. He said that when you eat, you feel refreshed and get strength. You don’t have to take a certificate that you have eaten. You will understand whether you have eaten or not. That is quality. And he said that Chaitanya Mahaprabhu showed what is quality: Sunyayitam jagat sarvam govinda virahena me — ‘Without Govinda, the whole world is vacant.’ That is the quality of love. But, he said, “That requires time. That requires sincerity. Quality is not so cheap.” — Giriraj Swami

 

 

I was reading a discussion about Japa and this question came up....it was in relation to the wandering mind and if we should think of anything...and what should that be. What do you think about during Japa? Please share your experiences

 

One suggestion by HH Sacinandana Swami was to meditate on the meaning of the mantra "Oh Lord, Oh energy of the Lord, please engage me in your devotional service" - his point was that if the mind is going to think of something it's better to think about the meaning of the mantra.

Happy Chanting!

Hare Krishna

Vrindavan Dham 2010

grnanti suka sarikah sucaritani radhapates
tad eka paritustaye tru latah sadotphullitah
saramsi kamalotpaladibhirdhusca yatra sriyam
tad utsava krte manah smara tad eva vrndavanam

“Always meditate on the blissful abode of Vrindavan, where parrots are constantly singing the nectarean characteristics of Radha and Krishna and where trees, creepers, flowers, fruits, and twigs increase the beauty of the land. They are always joyful because they are fully engaged in the service of the Lord of Radha. May I always meditate on such an enchanting abode of ecstasy.”

[Sri Vrindavana-Mahimamrita, by Srila Prabhodhananda Saraswati, 17 sataka, verse 97]

I travelled to Vrindavan at the end of Kartik with this verse in mind. I remembered the first time I visited Vrindavan in 2003 I was a fairly new devotee, I wanted to know anything and everything about Sri Krishna and Srimati Radharani. I visited many holy places and I was eager to learn so much, I was really given the taste by Krishna’s mercy. I had so many wonderful experiences that helped me to progress in my spiritual life. I wondered if 7 years on it would be the same.

When my husband and I arrived we noticed how Vrindavan had changed so much, the roads were now solid concrete, more cars on the road, many ashrams had opened and lots more shops, Vrindavan Dham was progressing with the rest of the world. As we travelled around to the Holy places such as Radha Kund, Shyam Kund, Govardhan hill, I noticed the true beauty of Vrindavan, where Radha and Krishna’s past-times took place. I realised that this is the consciousness one should have when visiting the holy dham. Being close to nature, see the beautiful cows, living a simple way of life and most of all feeling the presence of the Lord is truly a wonderful experience.

When we went for mangal arati (first arati of the morning), there were so many enthusiastic devotees, chanting japa, waiting for the curtains to open. We couldn’t wait to see the deities. Everyone was gathered in front of Radha Shyam Sundar and a few in front of Gaura Nitai. We managed to stand in front of Krishna Balaram and just as we bowed down to offer our obeisances their curtain opened first. It was so magical and very emotional, seeing them all in their full glory. My heart just poured with love and happiness, they were so beautiful. It made me realise that I should always remember this moment when chanting my Japa so that I can appreciate how fortunate I am to be a servant of the Guru and Gauranga.

In the evenings we would go and listen to the kirtans in the temple room, each sung in different moods. Aindra prabhu was missed, it was strange not seeing him there as he was part of the Krishna Balaram temple. I was remembering how he would sing for the lord with such love and vigour that it would infect us all. There was a plaque on one of the temple pillars in his memory. What an inspiring devotee, he will be missed.  

Visiting Govardhan Hill was special, we remembered the past times, chanted and did parikrama. Here is a photo of the glorious hill:

  

“Krishna assumed a great transcendental form and declared to the inhabitants of Vrindavana that He was Himself Govardhana Hill in order to convince the devotees that Govardhana Hill and Krishna are identical. The identity of Krishna and Govardhana Hill is still honored, and great devotees take rocks from Govardhana Hill, and worship them exactly as they worship the Deity of Krishna in the temple.” (Srimad Bhagavatam 10.24.35 purport)

“Of all the devotees, this Govardhana Hill is the best! O my friends, this hill supplies Krishna and Balarama, along with Their calves, cows and cowherd friends, will all kinds of necessities—water for drinking, very soft grass, caves, fruits, flowers and vegetables. In this way the hill offers respects to the Lord. Being touched by the lotus feet of Krishna and Balarama, Govardhana Hill appears very jubilant.” (Srimad Bhagavatam 10.21.18)

It was a very inspiring trip and spiritually rejuvenating!

The Blog Is Back!

Hare Krishna all,

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. After recently making a trip to the holy dham of Vrindavan I have felt inspired to write and share my realisations and experiences again. I hope you will all share yours so that we can continue to inspire one another in our spiritual life.

Yours in service,
Bhaktin Priya

Jai Sri Radhe Shyam!