Third main sloka Rupa Goswamis describing Raganuga Sadhan BhaktiThe external sadhanasravanot kirtanadini vaidha bhaktyuditani tuyanyangani ca tanyatra vijneyani manisibhih (BRS 1.2.296)The wise should know that shravan, kirtan or any of the other sixty-four limbs of Vaidhi bhaki are useful in the proper discharge of Raganaunga bhakti.Sri Jiva Goswami comments on this verse stating:Vaidhbhaktuyadi tan sva sva joygyaniti jneyamThe intelligent will select only those limbs of Vaidhi bhakti which are
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Posted by Eternal Muser on December 17, 2009 at 11:44pm
A conversation with my friend brought back a controversial event that took place in the state of Maharashtra, India, early this year.An eminent, award-winning author, Mr Anand Yadav wrote what he described as a well-researched novel on the great Vaishnava Saint from Maharashtra, Sant Tukaram.For those who don’t know, Sant Tukaram was fortunate to have received initiation from none other than SriKrishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Himself!In his book ‘Sant Surya Tukaram’, Mr Yadav allegedly wrote in a d
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“See normally people think that happiness is in the material world. And due to some religion they get some good karma, some blessings, we can get more material happiness.But Caitanya Mahaprabhu revealed that Love of Godhead is the HIGHEST HAPPINESS. It makes material happiness very dull and shallow and incomparable and just insignificant.Normally its only the great saints, who are in pure devotional service, who can get a glimpse about this pure love for Krishna and the happiness that’s connecte
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Often a new book distributor thinks that he or she needs to know manytechniques to impress the customer to make the sale. Some basic knowledge ofthe operation may be needed, but the most important ingredient of success isthe willingness to go out. Success and failures are in the hands of Lord, asrevealed by this story narrated by Gaur Kirtana Prabhu, a member of the busparty of Sri Sri Radha Gopinath Mandir, Chowpatty:Last year in December marathon, we went to an area with lots of textilemills.
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“Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.” ThisEnglish proverb might sound too obsolete to most of you. Going to bed at 9pm and rising at 4 am?Come on, this is ridiculous, you may say. What am I going to do so early?For those of you who can’t trust the Vedic scriptural statements supportingthis lifestyle, here is some *research information from the scientificworld: *According to the natural biological cycle,9:00 pm–11:00 pm: Your body eliminates toxic chemicals from th
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Posted by Neeraj Nama on December 16, 2009 at 8:19pm
Prabhupada's Practical Tips on Chanting
Sruti-kirti Prabhu, a disciple and former personal servant of Srila Prabhupada, recounts Prabhupada's practical instructions regard¬ing chanting rounds."It was easy to understand that Srila Prabhupada enjoyed chant¬ing japa. He always stressed the importance of chanting our 16 rounds. He once told me that as a householder, he used a simple process for completing 16 rounds that we could apply.'When I was a householder,' Srila Prabhupada said, 'I would chant
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Posted by Neeraj Nama on December 16, 2009 at 8:15pm
Shelter and Surrender
In "Arundaya-kirtana" Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura explains that the nectar-filled names of Krsna are the sole shelter within the universe:krsna-nama-sudhd koriya pan, jurdo bhakativinoda-pran,nama bind kichu ndhiko dm, caudda-bhuvana-majheDrink the pure nectar of the holy name of Krsna and thus satisfy the soul of Bhaktivinoda. Except for the holy name there is nothing within the fourteen worlds. One must be thoroughly convinced that there is absolutely no other shelter or so
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Posted by Neeraj Nama on December 16, 2009 at 8:12pm
Eight Rules for Better Japa
The rules start with basic mechanical arrangements and end with the proper mood and meditation. Anyone who follows these eight rules will surely improve his japa and receive delightful rewards from sri-nama.1. Night before-Give up rice and eating heavy foods at night.Take simple foods such as milk and fruits. By eating a light meal you will sleep soundly, rise early without difficulty, and have full energy for attentive japa the next morning. The night before make asan
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Posted by Neeraj Nama on December 16, 2009 at 7:51pm
The appearance of Lord Ramachandra(Ramnavami)
The appearance of Lord Ramachandra from the book (Valmiki) "Ramayana".The great tract of land known as Kosala extended along the banks of the Sarayu River. This land was verdant, prosperous and rich in grain. Within this vast territory was the renowned city of Ayodhya, built by the desire of Vaivasvata Manu, the ruler of mankind. This glorious city was ninety-six miles long and twenty-four miles wide. It was well laid out, and its beautiful, straight
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Love In the Material WorldRegarding love affairs in the material world: they are only shadows or reflections of the real love with Krishna. If you love Krishna in any capacity, you shall never be frustrated because everything in Krishna is perfect, eternal, blissful, and full of knowledge.Los Angeles 14 January, 1968My Dear Kancanbala dasi,Please accept my blessings. I have duly received your letter (undated), and noted the contents very gladly. My sincere blessings are for you for your nice pro
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Some of the greatest problems are problrms that we have to deal with inside ourselves. They involve raising our own consciousness. If I allow you to excessively bother me mentally, it means that my own consciousness is low; otherwise, your action or words could not distrub my mind. Whatever your position may be, if you bother me, it is because I stand on insecure ground. We must avoid a mood of always seeing others as the full problem. We must avoid letting people’s nonsense turn us into nonsens
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Anger can be controlled. We cannot stop anger altogether, but if we simply become angry with those who blaspheme the Lord or the devotees of the Lord, we control our anger in Krishna Consciousness. Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu became angry with the miscreant brothers Jagai and Madhai, who blasphemed and struck Nityananda Prabhu…. One should be ready to tolerate all insults to one’s own self, but when Krishna or His pure devotee is blasphemed , a genuine devotee becomes angry and acts like fire agai
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My Body is a Temple (Krishna Murari)by Srila Bhaktivinoda ThakurLanguage: Bengalikrishna murari krishna murarikrishna murari sri krishna murarimama mana mandire, mandire, mandiremama mana mandiremama mana mandire raha nisi dinkrishna murari, sri krishna muraribhakti priti mala chandantumi nio he nio cita-nandanjivana marana tova puja nivedansundara he mana-harieso nanda-kumara ar nanda-kumarhabe prema-pradipe aroti tomarnayana jamuna jare anibartomara virahe giridhari(Radhe! Radhe Govinda!)Trans
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Posted by pratibha on December 16, 2009 at 12:00pm
Om ! O Devas, may we hear with our ears what is auspicious;May we see with our eyes what is auspicious, O ye worthy of worship !May we enjoy the term of life allotted by the Devas,Praising them with our body and limbs steady !May the glorious Indra bless us !May the all-knowing Sun bless us !May Garuda, the thunderbolt for evil, bless us !May Brihaspati grant us well-being !Om ! Let there be Peace in me !Let there be Peace in my environment !Let there be Peace in the forces that act on me !First
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Posted by Neeraj Nama on December 16, 2009 at 10:30am
A Spiritual CallIn Topmost Yoga System, Srila Prabhupada delivers a wonderful illumination on the holy name:"The transcendental vibration established by the chanting of Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare, is the sublime method for reviving our transcendental consciousness. As living spiritual souls, we are all originally Krsna conscious entities, but due to our association with matter from time immemorial, our consciousness is now adulterat
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Posted by Neeraj Nama on December 16, 2009 at 10:24am
Summary on Overcoming DistractionWhen chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra one should not be restless, thinking, "I have to do this or I have to go there. I must finish my rounds quickly so I can solve a pressing problem." Just chant japa; don't think of business, personal needs or family concerns. Tolerate the impish mind; remain aloof, unaffected and undisturbed. Krsna will personally adjust everything if we surrender to His holy names. There is actually only one problem facing everyone: "How c
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Posted by Neeraj Nama on December 16, 2009 at 10:07am
Nama-aparadhaNama-aparadha is an utterance of the holy name that is made consciously with enmity in the heart. It is the lowest form of chanting wherein one commits any of the ten offenses against the holy name. As long as one chants with offenses, it is absolutely impossible to attain love of God. "Offenses against the holy name (nama-aparadha) are the most frightening of all kinds of sins and offenses. All other kinds of sins and offenses go away naturally and automatically as one utters harin
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Posted by Neeraj Nama on December 16, 2009 at 10:03am
Gayatri and Maha-mantrakrsna-mantra haite habe samsara-mocana,krsna-nama haite pabe krsnera caranaSri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, "The krsna mantra (gopala mantra) gives one freedom from material existence. And krsna nama (the Hare Krsna maha-mantra) delivers one to the lotus feet of Krsna." (Cc. Adi 7.73) In this verse, Lord Caitanya describes the effects of chanting the eighteen-syllable gopala mantra and the Hare Krsna maha-mantra. Of the two mantras, Sri Jiva Gosvami emphasizes chanting the Ha
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Posted by Neeraj Nama on December 16, 2009 at 10:01am
Best Form of Devotional ServiceFive hundred years ago in Jagannatha Puri, Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya asked Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu which item is the most important form of devotional service.bhakti-sadhana-srestha sunite haila manaprabhu upadesa kaila nama-sankirtanaharer nama harer nama, harer namaiva kevalamkalau nasty eva nasty eva, nasty eva gatir anyathaSarvabhauma Bhattacarya asked Caitanya Mahaprabhu, 'Which item is most important in the execution of devotional service?' Mahaprabhu replied t
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Posted by Neeraj Nama on December 16, 2009 at 10:00am
The Ten Offenses to the Holy Name (from Padma P.)1. satam ninda-namnah param aparadham vitanute yatah khyatim yatam katham u sahate tad vigarham-To show envy or criticize a devotee or saintly person.2. sivasya sri visnor ya iha guna namadi sakalam dhiyd bhinnam pasyet sa khalu hari-nama hitakarah-To think that the names or qualities of the demigods are equal to Krsna.3. guror avajhd-To disrespect or disobey the guru.4. sruti sastra-nindanam-To disrespect the scriptures.5. tatharthavado-To think
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