disappearance - Blog - ISKCON Desire Tree | IDT2024-03-28T12:29:58Zhttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/disappearanceDisappearance anniversary of Sri Madhavendra Purihttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/disappearance-anniversary-of-sri-madhavendra-puri2024-03-21T05:30:00.000Z2024-03-21T05:30:00.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="https://i.imgur.com/CIzO9cm.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://i.imgur.com/CIzO9cm.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710x" alt="CIzO9cm.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="500" /></a></p>
<p><strong>By Bhakti Brhat Bhagavata Swami</strong></p>
<p>Today marks the anniversary of the Disappearance Day of Srila Madhavendra Puri. I will read the translation to the song that we just sung, Saparsada-bhagavad-viraha-janita-vilapa – Lamentation Due to Separation from the Lord and His Associates (from Prarthana) by Srila Narottam dasa Thakur. [Reads translation.]</p>
<p>The verse on the board is considered the crown jewel of all verses in terms of the depth of feelings of Krishna consciousness. We shall recite this verse together.</p>
<p>ayi dina-dayardra natha he mathura-natha kadavalokyase hrdayam tvad-aloka-kataram dayita bhramyati kim karomy aham</p>
<p>TRANSLATION: “O My Lord! O most merciful master! O master of Mathura! When shall I see You again? Because of My not seeing You, My agitated heart has become unsteady. O most beloved one, what shall I do now?” [Cc Antya 8.34]]</p>
<p>HH Bhakti Brhat Bhagavata Swami: I shall now read a few verses before and a few verses after to put the verse into context.</p>
<p>isvara-puri gosani kare sripada-sevana, svahaste karena mala-mutradi marjana</p>
<p>TRANSLATION: Isvara Puri, the spiritual master of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, performed service to Madhavendra Puri, cleaning up his stool and urine with his own hand. [Cc Antya 8.28]</p>
<p>nirantara krishna-nama karaya smarana, krishna-nama, krishna-lila sunaya anukshana</p>
<p>TRANSLATION: Isvara Puri was always chanting the holy name and pastimes of Lord Krishna for Madhavendra Puri to hear. In this way he helped Madhavendra Puri remember the holy name and pastimes of Lord Krishna at the time of death. [Cc Antya 8.29]</p>
<p>tushta hana puri tanre kaila alingana, vara dila — ‘krishne tomara ha-uka prema-dhana’</p>
<p>TRANSLATION: Pleased with Isvara Puri, Madhavendra Puri embraced him and gave him the benediction that he would be a great devotee and lover of Krishna. [Cc Antya 8.30]</p>
<p>sei haite isvara-puri — ‘premera sagara’, ramacandra-puri haila sarva-nindakara</p>
<p>TRANSLATION: Thus Isvara Puri became like an ocean of ecstatic love for Krishna, whereas Ramacandra Puri became a dry speculator and a critic of everyone else. [Cc Antya 8.31]</p>
<p>mahad-anugraha-nigrahera ‘sakshi’ dui-jane, ei dui-dvare sikhaila jaga-jane</p>
<p>TRANSLATION: Isvara Puri received the blessing of Madhavendra Puri, whereas Ramacandra Puri received a rebuke from him. Therefore these two persons, Isvara Puri and Ramacandra Puri, are examples of the objects of a great personality’s benediction and punishment. Madhavendra Puri instructed the entire world by presenting these two examples. [Cc Antya 8.32]</p>
<p>jagad-guru madhavendra kari’ prema dana, ei sloka padi’ tenho kaila antardhana</p>
<p>TRANSLATION: His Divine Grace Madhavendra Puri, the spiritual master of the entire world, thus distributed ecstatic love for Krishna. While passing away from the material world, he chanted the following verse. [Cc Antya 8.33]</p>
<p>HH Bhakti Brhat Bhagavata Swami: Which is the verse we chanted today.</p>
<p>ayi dina-dayardra natha he, mathura-natha kadavalokyase hridayam tvad-aloka-kataram, dayita bhramyati kim karomy aham</p>
<p>TRANSLATION: “O My Lord! O most merciful master! O master of Mathura! When shall I see You again? Because of My not seeing You, My agitated heart has become unsteady. O most beloved one, what shall I do now?” [Cc Antya 8.34]</p>
<p>ei sloke krishna-prema kare upadesa, krishnera virahe bhaktera bhava-visesha</p>
<p>TRANSLATION: In this verse Madhavendra Puri teaches how to achieve ecstatic love for Krishna. By feeling separation from Krishna, one becomes spiritually situated. [Cc Antya 8.35]</p>
<p>prithivite ropana kari’ gela premankura, sei premankurera vriksha — caitanya-thakura</p>
<p>TRANSLATION: Madhavendra Puri sowed the seed of ecstatic love for Krishna within this material world and then departed. That seed later became a great tree in the form of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. [Cc Antya 8.36]</p>
<p>prastave kahilun puri-gosanira niryana, yei iha sune, sei bada bhagyavan</p>
<p>TRANSLATION: I have incidentally described the passing away of Madhavendra Puri. Anyone who hears this must be considered very fortunate. [Cc Antya<br /> 8.37]</p>
<p>HH Bhakti Brhat Bhagavata Swami: So I speak primarily for my own purification and hopefully for your transcendental pleasure.</p>
<p>Srila Prabhupada said that the appearance and disappearance of the great personalities in our line as well as the appearance and disappearance of the Supreme Lord and His expansions and incarnations are like the rising and setting of the sun. Both are beautiful.</p>
<p>In the last days of Srila Prabhupada’s manifest pastimes with us on this planet he wasn’t even eating. His only nourishment was harinama – Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. So at the time the devotees, like HH Bhavananda Swami Maharaj, HH Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaj, HH Tamal Krishna Goswami Maharaj, HG Upendra Prabhu and others they pushed HH Kirtananda Swami Maharaj forward because he was the senior most in terms of the sannyasi initiation at that time, they pushed him forward and they said, “You should tell Srila Prabhupada, [practically instructing Srila Prabhupada] that you have to eat something. You have to eat something.”</p>
<p>So Kirtananda Swami Maharaj at that time felt very awkward to do that service. He was pushed by the other devotees, and was very awkward. And he said, “I am not like Mother Yasoda that I can do this.” In other words he is always remembering that Srila Prabhupada is his spiritual master. So how can he instruct his spiritual master to eat something. He couldn’t do that but eventually they pushed him, they coaxed him, “You have to do this.” So the other devotees were also reminded of the same pastime of Isvara Puri with Madhavendra Puri – how Isvara Puri gave such intimate service to Srila Madhavendra Puri. And especially in the same way as Srila Madhavendra Puri in his last stages of his life, he became completely invalid. Because he couldn’t move, Isvara Puri, as mentioned in these verses, was cleaning up his stool and urine.</p>
<p>Last year I was at the disappearance day festival of Srila Prabhupada in Vrindavan and I especially like the time after the disappearance time, which is around twenty-three minutes past seven in the evening and then the devotees begin speaking again in Srila Prabhupada’s house. So I felt very fortunate that for practically an hour and a half HG Abhirama Prabhu was speaking about Srila Prabhupada. And as we know Abhirama Prabhu was Srila Prabhupada’s constant attendant in the form of a nurse – bathing him, cleaning him, everything. I was so amazed that such intimate service was there.</p>
<p>Another disciple of Srila Prabhupda, very intimate disciple, HH Giriraj Swami, he recalled that in the last days when he went to see Srila Prabhupada, Srila Prabhupada was making some sound with his lips, “Mmm, mmm.” I am just paraphrasing as I recall it. So then he could understand that Srila Prabhupada, somehow he could understand Prabhupada making “Mmm, mmm”, without speaking a word. So he brought the funnel-like lota for Prabhupada to pass urine. He brought that to Prabhupada and Prabhupada passed urine into that. HH Giriraj Swami said that was the most ecstatic time that he felt in Krishna consciousness. Somehow it is like that.</p>
<p>In fact the stool and urine of the pure devotees smell like some word in Deity worship, I can’t get it – there is a fragrance that cannot be described within the material nature. You can only get that fragrance through purified senses and intelligence. Otherwise we will get the fragrance through our material mind and senses. In the same way with Narottama dasa Thakura and Lokanath Goswami.</p>
<p>So Srila Prabhupada said that how Isvara Puri was always chanting the maha-mantra to actually get the consciousness of Madhavendra Puri but Madhavendra Puri was feeling that my dear disciple is reminding me of Krishna. Just see there is a reciprocation between the spiritual master and disciple that each one is feeling humbled by each other’s presence while chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. And Srila Prabhupada said that Isvara Puri gave the best service to Sripada Madhavendra Puri and therefore Madhavendra Puri said, “My dear boy I can only pray to Krishna that He will be pleased with you.”</p>
<p>Srila Prabhupada quoted Srila Visvanath Cakravarti Thakura, our famous line from Guruvastakam</p>
<p>yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado, yasyaprasadan na gatih kuto ‘pi</p>
<p>That by the grace or mercy of spiritual master one is blessed by Krishna and by the mercy of Krishna simultaneously in reciprocation one is blessed by the spiritual master. And this goes on eternally. “Although a Vaisnava is protected by the Supreme Personality of Godhead,” Srila Prabhupada said, “he appears to become invalid just to give a chance to his disciples to serve him,” [Purport to Cc Adi 9.11]</p>
<p>In another place in relation to the same verse in Caitanya-caritamrta in Madhya lila chapter four there are several verses that also explain this verse. And there it is stated that the Kastubha Mani jewel is considered the most precious of all valuable stones. Similarly this particular verse on the board that we have recited is considered the best of poems dealing with the mellows of devotional service. The origin of this verse is that it was originally spoken by Srimati Radharani herself and by Her mercy it is manifest through the consciousness of Sripada Madhavendra Puri. That shows the transparent medium of the spiritual master. It shows the transcendental medium of the spiritual master.</p>
<p>This verse can only be understood by three personalities – Sripada Madhavendra Puri, Srimati Radharani Herself and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. No matter how much we try to understand this verse, we will never understand – but we can only try and we should try, we should continue to try so that our mind becomes purified. So Madhavendra Puri recited this verse again and again and again before he left from his manifest pastimes into his unmanifest pastimes in the spiritual nature. And who is Madhavendra Puri in the spiritual nature?</p>
<p>jaya sri madhavapuri krsna-prema-pura, bhakti-kalpatarura tenho prathama ankura [Cc Adi 9.10]</p>
<p>Madhavendra Puri is the bhakti-kalpatarura. Sometimes we say kalpa-vrksa tree, but this is specifically bhakti-kalpatarura. So bhakti-kalpatarura means the desire tree of devotional service in all mellows, whether it is in santa, dasya, vatsalya or madhurya or sakhya, friendship – in all mellows Madhavendra Puri is the desire tree of devotional service. Vrajadhamani istaha – he is eternally situated in Vraja Dhama.</p>
<p>So how can Madhavendra Puri be eternally situated in Vraja Dhama and at the same time appear as Madhavendra Puri preceding Caitanya-lila? How can this happen? When Madhavendra Puri appeared as our sampradaya acarya in terms of gopi-bhava, in terms of giving the mellows of conjugal love, his form is of the nature or consciousness of Srimati Radharani that is filtered through that particular form for us not to miss understand. For us not to misunderstand it! It is quite an amazing situation – Sripada Madhavendra Puri. Why? Because when Krishna left Sri Vrindavan Dhama and accepted the kingdom of Mathura – so therefore Mathura-natha, He had become the king of Mathura, Srimati Radharani out of ecstatic feelings of separation expressed how Krishna can be loved in separation.</p>
<p>Therefore devotional service in separation is the central point, Srila Prabhupada says, in this particular verse that we chanted together today. So when there is not service in separation, when there is worship in separation this is considered the Brahma Madhva Gaudiya Vaisnava Sampradaya. There is a difference between service in separation and worship in separation. So Prabhupada particularly says in relation to this verse in relation to Madhavendra Puri that there should be worship in separation. Service in separation is the actual nature of the eternal associates of the Lord. Worship in separation is the process in terms of sadhana to bhava to prema within the platform of sadhana bhakti.</p>
<p>So therefore such an ecstatic feeling of the highest form of devotional service was very much effected by Srimati Radharani given through the consciousness of Madhavendra Puri for us to properly understand and not imitate an advanced stage of Krishna consciousness. Otherwise we can become sahajiyas. Therefore when Krishna went to Mathura, Srimati Radharani was very much affected and She spoke this verse, ayi dina-dayardra natha he. But only She can do that. Only She can do that.</p>
<p>When Madhavendra Puri spoke this verse he wasn’t even conscious that he was reciting this. Srimati Radharani was conscious that She was speaking this verse through the agency of the pure consciousness of Madhavendra Puri. He wasn’t even conscious that he was speaking this verse. Therefore when this particular verse is spoken, krsna-prema-pura [Cc Adi 9.10] that Madhavendra Puri is the storehouse of love of God. He himself does not know that he is the storehouse of love of God. Therefore we find that it is a very important factor. This is called mahabhava-mayi. And mahabhava-mayi indicates that when someone is in the consciousness of ecstatic love of God they do not know that they are in that consciousness.</p>
<p>So therefore if somebody claims, “I am raganuga vaisnava”, that is bogus. When someone claims that, “I am in bhava-bhakti, bring others to me”, that is completely bogus. Because such a genuine personality does not know it is prema-mayi. They are overwhelmed in not knowing by the maya of the Lord – prema-mayi. So therefore this verse was chanted by Madhavendra Puri.</p>
<p>jaya sri madhavapuri krsna-prema-pura, bhakti-kalpatarura tenho prathama ankura [Cc Adi 9.10]</p>
<p>He doesn’t know. And how does he know he does not know? He does not know that too, that is prema-mayi. Therefore Sripada Madhavendra Puri is a desire tree of devotional service and it is in him that the seed for devotional service fructified. And who watered that seed? Srila Isvara Puri. And then that seed grew into the great tree in the form of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.</p>
<p>It is actually a fact that by feeling separation from Krishna one becomes properly spiritually situated. Similarly by feeling separation from Srila Prabhupada we become properly spiritually situated. There is no jumping over. Similarly if we feel separation from the devotees in our own community we become properly spiritually situated. That is the process. So there is no quick way of understanding the situation of Sripada Madhavendra Puri’s consciousness.</p>
<p>We find in relation to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s anniversary of five hundred years ago accepting sannyasa. There are some interesting facts given by Srila Prabhupada. One of the chief sannyasa disciples of Sripada Madhavendra Puri is Paramananda Puri. When Uddhava was sent by Krishna with a message to the gopis in Vrindavan, Uddhava came back to Mathura Dwaraka, but he became ‘contaminated’ by gopi-bhava. In other words when there is radha-bhava in terms of gopi-bhava we see very clearly that Radharani does not know that. She is in ecstatic love so therefore it is named after Her. It is named after the gopis.</p>
<p>So only someone outside of that who is observing it can say this is gopi-bhava and this is radha-bhava, and that is Uddhava. So he became ‘contaminated’ by the association of Srimati Radharani and the gopis in terms of experiencing gopi-bhava. But the gopis do not experience gopi-bhava. They simply only experience bhava. So therefore it is called outside of them, gopi-bhava. So when Uddhava came back Krishna asked, what is the news?” He couldn’t speak because he became ‘contaminated’ by gopi-bhava. And who is that Uddhava? It is the same Paramananda Puri, the chief sannyasa disciple of Madhavendra Puri. Therefore it is stated,</p>
<p>aji dhanya locana, saphala aji janma, saphala amara aji haila sarva-dharma prabhu bale aji mora saphala sannyasa, aji madhavendra more ha-ila prakasa [Caitanya-bhagavata, Antya-khanda Chapter 3 quoted in Purport to Caitanya Caritamrta Adi 9.13-15]</p>
<p>And Srila Prabhupada translates, according to this verse Mahaprabhu is speaking, “”My eyes, My mind, My religious activities and My acceptance of the sannyasa order have now all become perfect because today Madhavendra Puri is manifest before Me in the form of Paramananda Puri.”</p>
<p>So just see Srimati Radharani has given Her ecstatic love through the agency of Madhavendra Puri and Madhavendra Puri gave that ecstatic love through the agency of two of his principle disciples, Isvara Puri and Paramananda Puri. And because of Isvara Puri’s intimate service to Madhavendra Puri, Lord Caitanya accepted him as Guru. But yet at the same time we see that the form of Paramananda Puri, Mahaprabhu says that, ” I am only living in this world on the account of the behaviour of Paramananda Puri.”</p>
<p>So when Mahaprabhu went to Katwa to accept sannyasa Kesava Bharati offered Him sannyasa but Mahaprabhu accepted sannyasa from Paramananda Puri. There are two different perspectives. Someone can offer you sannyasa but you can accept it from somebody else simultaneously. The sannyasa danda was not given to Lord Caitanya by Kesava Bharati. The sannyasa danda was given by Paramananda Puri and therefore Lord Caitanya said, “Now my acceptance of the sannyasa order has become completely perfect.” Because He saw the ecstatic love of Madhavendra Puri through the consciousness of Paramananda Puri and that is sannyasa. Therefore gopi bhava svaya svaha.</p>
<p>So this is the same Uddhava appearing in Mahaprabhu lila as one of the chief disciples of Madhavendra Puri called Paramananda Puri. Parama-ananda – the supreme bliss of the ecstatic love of devotional service, But Srila Prabhupada says that according to some authoritative opinions although Kesava Bharati belonged to the Sankara-sampradaya he actually was formerly initiated by Sripada Madhavendra Puri. And some say that he, Kesava Bharati even took sannyasa from Sripada Madhavendra Puri. Therefore in the Gaura-ganoddesa-dipika quoted by Srila Prabhupada,</p>
<p>mathurayam yajna-sutram pura krsnaya yo munih, dadau sandipanih so ‘bhud adya kesava-bharati [Gaura-ganoddesa-dipika 52 quoted in Caitanya Caritamrta Adi 9.13-15 purport]</p>
<p>So this Kesava Bharati was non other than Sandipani Muni who instructed Krishna and Balarama in Their youthful days, not in Their adult days – so to speak – when he took sannyasa. Therefore out of affection Kesava Bharati in the consciousness of Sandipani Muni, “Yes I will offer You sannyasa.” But He accepted sannyasa from Paramananda Puri because He accepted the danda from him. So it is he, Kesava Bharati who offered sannyasa, but Mahaprabhu accepted sannyasa from Paramananda Puri.</p>
<p>In other places Prabhupada also said that Kesava Bharati is also an incarnation of Akrura. This is also very significant because Akrura in a sense also means cruel. Cruel. So when he was taking away Krishna and Balarama from Vrindavan the gopis blessed him by cursing him but Akrura did them a favour – otherwise there will not be any vipralambha viraha, there will be no service in separation. For us it is worship in separation but for them it is service in separation. There will be no vipralambha viraha. But they cursed him. And that particular curse was in the form of Kesava Bharati and therefore he associated to some extent with the Sankara-sampradaya. But still Kesava Bharati had this srititual fatherly feeling for Lord Caitanya. It cannot be taken away. Eternally he is Sandipani Muni. So therefore, “I bless you to give You sannyasa.”</p>
<p>Srila Prabhupada says in one place that the central root amongst all other roots in terms of the Krishna consciousness movement, which grew into the form of the tree of Lord Caitanya, that central root is Paramananda Puri and from that root it spread in each direction of the other roots. Therefore that trunk of the tree became very firmly placed. And that trunk is Lord Caitanya, which was divided into two branches of Advaita Acaraya and Lord Nityananda. Therefore Prabhupada says that the Caitanya tree formed a cluster or society with great branches covering the entire universe. And then Prabhupada says that our International Society for Krishna Consciousness is one of the branches of that Caitanya tree. But at the same time we know that that branch is the principle branch on this earthly planet<br /> – the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.</p>
<p>There is another aspect, which we will conclude with. Sometimes there is a tendency of getting into the intimate pastimes of Radha Krishna. If we do not realise that Radha Krishna are one Supreme soul in two forms for the sake of rasa or pleasure then we cannot enter into understanding those pastimes. We have to see as one supreme soul. Otherwise we will see rasa in terms of our material experience as two different bodies. Then there is a problem. Krsnadasa Kaviraj Goswami gives so many examples – heat and fire; fragrance and musk; sunlight and the sun – they are one but at the same time they are different. That is Radha Krishna.</p>
<p>So who is that servant in the intimate exchanges? Who is that servant? It is not Rupa and Rati Manjaris because when the Divine Couple are together as one soul in two forms for the pleasure of rasa that is called,</p>
<p>nikunja-yuno rati-keli-siddhyai ya yalibhir yuktir apeksaniya tatrati-daksyad ati-vallabhasya vande guroh sri-caranaravindam [Sri Sri-gurv-astaka of Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura]</p>
<p>So that great spiritual master in the nikunjas, groves of Vrindavan is that bhakti-kalpataru. Just like when you go to Vrindavan you will see all these kunjas. They actually form a bower. And when they form a bower even the sun cannot enter. Even wind(or Vayu) cannot enter there. Nothing can enter. And the manjaris leave. When the Divine Couple, Who is One Supreme Soul become one again, that is all. And who is the witness? Is there any witness to that?</p>
<p>There is only one witness and there is only one other participant. Can you take an educated guess? Who is that? Bhakti-kalpataru, Sripada Madhavendra Puri himself because he is the kunja. He is the grove. Therefore nikunja-yuno rati-keli-siddhyai. So this is Sripada Madhavendra Puri, such an illustrious personality.</p>
<p>So we find that bhakti-kalpataru in the form of Sripada Madhavendra Puri is also Srila Prabhupada. And Srila Prabhupada has his desire tree. And his desire tree is the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Therefore Srila Prabhupada says that the way to develop love of the Gopis love for Krishna is to spread Krishna consciousness all over the world. Therefore the form of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness is Srila Prabhupada’s bhakti-kalpataru where we can develop our love for Krishna just as the gopis love for Krishna by spreading Krishna consciousness all over the world.</p>
<p>And I am reminded of one wonderful disciple of Srila Prabhupada, unique in various ways, HG Visala Prabhu. He gave a lecture one time in Vrindavan and he said that Srila Prabhupada said that if you want to develop love for the gopis – and he referred to Srila Prabhupada who said six words that gives us this desire tree of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. And then he said Srila Prabhupada said, “Chant Hare Krishna. Spread Hare Krishna.” Six words. And that is the consciousness of Sripada Madhavendra Puri and our disciplic succession. Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.</p>
<p>Thank you very much. Srila Prabhupada ki jaya! Sripada Madhavendra Puri ki jaya! [Applause.]</p>
<p>The time is over. Should we take some questions? Who is the authority here. If you bless us we can take some questions. If some of you would like to leave don’t feel obliged by me. You can continue with other services. You have any questions or comment or anything?</p>
<p>HH BV Narasimha Swami: I just like to enquire about what you said – that Paramananda Puri actually gave the danda to Lord Caitanya?</p>
<p>HH Bhakti Brhat Bhagavata Swami: Yes Prabhupada says, there is a verse. I can quote it for you. You can read it in Cc Adi 9. 13-15. [When Lord Caitanya accepted the renounced order, Paramananda Puri offered Him the danda. [Cc Adi 9.13-15] You can read it in the purport there.</p>
<p>HH BV Narasimha Swami: He gave Him ekadanda?</p>
<p>HH Bhakti Brhat Bhagavata Swami: Maharaja is asking whether it is a ekadanda or tridandi. Well that you will have to ask Paramananda Puri when you meet him. [Laughter.] I am not so intimately connected. I am just repeating what Prabhupada says.</p>
<p>HH Danavira Goswami: They asked Prabhupada that and he said, “Yes ekadanda. He was mayavadi.”</p>
<p>HH Bhakti Brhat Bhagavata Swami: He said ekadanda?</p>
<p>HH Danavira Goswami: Yes ekadanda.</p>
<p>HH Bhakti Brhat Bhagavata Swami: So Mahaprabhu is one and at the same time he is different. So ekadanda. But there are other reasons why they say that about Kesava Bharati – so that Lord Caitanya could be accepted, to be accepted of what he says in terms of sannyasa.</p>
<p>HH BV Narasimha Swami: Effectively His name was given by Kesava Bharati?</p>
<p>HH Bhakti Brhat Bhagavata Swami: Yes. There are some things that are external and there are some things that are internal. Externally when we preach people are repulsed and attracted by our behaviour on the external platform. So if it is externally given, the name by Kesava Bharati then the impersonalists will be silenced not to criticize. At the same time they will have some affection that, “He is one of us.” So there is an external situation of accepting sannyasa and there is also an internal situation. So because we are amongst our devotees I just discussed more the internal situation because of lack of time in the class. Is that okay? Thank you.</p>
<p>I am feeling a little embarrassed – they are senior to me in all respects and they are asking me questions. Please forgive me. As a service I will try to answer.</p>
<p>HH Candramauli Swami: Maharaja, you made the point that in order to understand Radha and Krishna lila that we have to understand that Radha and Krishna are actually one. That is the point you made?</p>
<p>HH Bhakti Brhat Bhagavata Swami: See, there is no Radha ‘and’ Krishna. There is no ‘and’ in-between. It is Radha Krishna. When you say Radha and Krishna you are separating them, which is not proper. So when we say Radha Krishna it indicates One Supreme Soul in two forms for rasa or pleasure. Now go ahead.</p>
<p>HH Candramauli Swami: So how is that related with the jiva and Krishna? What is the comparative definition or explanation between them because Absolute Truth is one but it is divided into many.</p>
<p>HH Bhakti Brhat Bhagavata Swami: Yes.</p>
<p>HH Candramauli Swami: So there are different aspects of that division so how does that also relate.</p>
<p>HH Bhakti Brhat Bhagavata Swami: I will attempt to answer in terms of my understanding of Prabhupada’s purports. Who is Radha? Who is Srimati Radharani? Srimati Radharani is the form of krsna-prema, is the form of krsna-prema. So if She is the form of krsna-prema what is our goal? Prema pumartho mahan. We cannot become the form of krsna-prema. She is the form of krsna-prema but we can attain krsna-prema. So therefore She offers our service to Krishna. We cannot take the place of Srimati Radharani. So that is the jiva.</p>
<p>HH Candramauli Swami: That is clear. My point was Absolute Truth is one but is divided into many. You are making that same point in relationship to Radha Krishna.</p>
<p>HH Bhakti Brhat Bhagavata Swami: Yes.</p>
<p>HH Candramauli Swami: So I was wondering the explanation of the different categories – the oneness in relationship to separateness.</p>
<p>HH Bhakti Brhat Bhagavata Swami: Yes.</p>
<p>HH Candramauli Swami: In terms of Radha Krishna and the jiva and Krishna. That was my question.</p>
<p>HH Bhakti Brhat Bhagavata Swami: Is your question answered?</p>
<p>HH Candramauli Swami: Yes, yes.</p>
<p>HH Bhakti Brhat Bhagavata Swami: Okay, we will have to stop. Srila Prabhupada ki, jai! Ananta koti Vaisnava-vrnda ki jaya! Sripada Madhavendra Puri Pada ki jai! Nitai Gaura-premanande Hari-haribol!</p>
<p><strong>Source:</strong> <a href="http://www.dandavats.com/?p=8221">http://www.dandavats.com/?p=8221</a></p></div>Srila Gopala Bhatta Gosvami – Disappearancehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/srila-gopala-bhatta-gosvami-disappearance2023-07-06T04:30:00.000Z2023-07-06T04:30:00.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p style="text-align:center;"><img class="align-center" src="https://i.imgur.com/8ihl9mG.jpg?profile=RESIZE_400x" alt="8ihl9mG.jpg?profile=RESIZE_400x" width="350" /></p>
<p>In the holy land of Vṛndāvana, where the Divine Couple Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Govinda are performing their eternal pastimes, resided a great devotee named Śrīla Gopāla Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī, one of the six Gosvāmīs of Vṛndāvana. But where did he come from? Why did he reside in Vṛndāvana? To know that we have to go to a holy place called Śrī Raṅgam.</p>
<p>In 1510, Mahāprabhu went to Śrī Raṅgam. Located in South-India, it is a major pilgrimage destination for Śrī Vaiṣṇavites. There, with His hands raised, He began chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa Mahā Mantra. The chant was so sweet that it attracted the local devotees. One of the local devotees was Shri Vyeṅkaṭa Bhatta, who detected the symptoms of a Mahāpuruś, a great personage in Mahāprabhu. After the kīrtan, Vyeṅkaṭa went to Mahāprabhu and asked for His mercy. Mahāprabhu embraced him heartily. Vyeṅkaṭa then asked Mahāprabhu if He could stay at his residence as Cāturmāsya was around the corner. Mahāprabhu agreed and resided at his residence for four months.</p>
<p>Vyeṅkaṭa ‘s son was Gopāla Bhaṭṭa and at the time of Mahāprabhu’s visit he was only a child. When the little boy offered his respects at the feet of Mahāprabhu, the Lord picked him up and held him on his lap, affectionately embracing the boy. Mahāprabhu used to call the boy and give him the remnants of his prasāda. By giving him his prasāda, he was blessing Gopāla Bhaṭṭa to become a great acharya in the future.</p>
<p>After spending four months in the house of Vyeṅkaṭa Bhatta it was time for Mahāprabhu to bid farewell to their family. Gopāla Bhaṭṭa fainted at the feet of Mahāprabhu. He then instructed Gopāla Bhaṭṭa to stay with his parents and serve them and later on come to Vṛndāvana where he would constantly hear and glorify the holy name of the Lord. After giving this instruction Mahāprabhu left their house.</p>
<p>In due course of time, Gopāla learnt Sanskrit and excelled in learning the bhakti-śāstras from his uncle Śrīlā Prabodhānanda Sarasvatī. After the passing away of his parents, he then left for Vṛndāvana.</p>
<p>When he came to Vṛndāvana, Śrīlā Rūpa and Sanātana Gosvāmī greeted him and treated him like a brother. At that time Śrīlā Rūpa Gosvāmī was preparing to send messages with some devotees from Vrindavan to Mahāprabhu in Purī. When Mahāprabhu heard about Gopāla’s arrival in Vṛndāvana He sent with the messenger kaupin and outer garments of the bābājī order, to be given to Gopāla Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī as symbols of his renunciation. Gopāla Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī accepted this with great happiness, considering it to the Lord’s mercy and prasāda.</p>
<p>Lord Caitanya ordered Gopāla Bhaṭṭa to write a book to check the spread of pseudo-loving rasas and negligence to Vaidhī-bhakti. In corroboration with Sanātana Gosvāmī he compiled the Hari-bhakti-vilāsa, the authorized book explaining the ritual and devotional practices of the Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava sampradaya. Gopāla Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī was responsible for originating the six thesis of Ṣaṭ-sandarbha later elaborately developed by Jīva Gosvāmī. He also wrote Sat-kriyā-sāra-dīpikā, a guide to Vaiṣṇava saṁskārāsand rituals for birth ceremonies, sacred thread initiations, marriage ceremonies, sannyasa, and funerals etc.</p>
<p>Śrīlā Prabhupāda wonderfully summarizes the works, role in Kṛṣṇa Lila and disciples of Śrīla Gopāla Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī in the purport of CC Adi 10.105. He writes “Śrīla Gopāla Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī compiled a book called Sat-kriyā-sāra-dīpikā, edited the Hari-bhakti-vilāsa, wrote a foreword to the Ṣaṭ-sandarbha and a commentary on the Kṛṣṇa-karṇāmṛta, and installed the Rādhāramaṇa Deity in Vṛndāvana. In the Gaura-gaṇoddeśa-dīpikā (184) it is mentioned that his previous name in the pastimes of Lord Kṛṣṇa was Anaṅga-mañjarī. Sometimes he is also said to have been an incarnation of Guṇa-mañjarī. Śrīnivāsa Ācārya and Gopīnātha Pūjārī were two of his disciples.”</p>
<p>Śrīla Gopāla Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī was born in the year 1503 AD on the 13th day of the dark moon in the month of Pauśa. He lived within this world for 75 years. In the 1578 AD, on the sixth day of the dark moon, he left this world behind and entered into the eternal pastimes of the Lord.<br /> <br /> <strong>Source:</strong> <a href="http://www.dandavats.com/?p=76844">http://www.dandavats.com/?p=76844</a></p></div>Disappearance Day of Sri Rasikananda Prabhuhttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/disappearance-day-of-sri-rasikananda-prabhu2023-02-21T15:19:20.000Z2023-02-21T15:19:20.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}10970896471,RESIZE_400x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="289" alt="10970896471?profile=RESIZE_400x" /></p>
<p>Disappearance Sri Rasikananda Prabhu –HDGSP mentions this Great Devotee in His Books as follows–<br /> The temple of Ksira-cora-gopinatha still exists in this village, and within the temple the samadhi tomb of Rasikananda Prabhu, the chief disciple of Syamananda Gosvami, can still be found.<br /> >>> Ref. VedaBase => Madhya 4.12</p>
<p>Rasikananda was not born in a brahmana family. There are many instances in which a born brahmana took initiation from a person who was not born in a brahmana family.<br /> >>> Ref. VedaBase => Madhya 8.128</p>
<p>In the Christian year 1590 (Sakabda 1512), on the first day of the bright fortnight of the month of Kartik, during the night of the festival Dipamalika, when the houses are decorated with rows of lamps, Sri Rasikananda Deva made his appearance in this world. His father was Sri Acyuta Deva, the king of Rohini. After passing many years without having a male issue, Sri Acyuta Deva, by the mercy of Sri Jagadisa (Jagannath), was blessed with this jewel of a son. The village of Rohini or Royni was situated within the country known as Mallabhumi, encompassed on one side by the Suvarnarekha River (Suvarna meaning golden and rekha, a line). This Suvarnarekha River cleansed the sins of all the local people. Near Royni was another village of the name Barayita, by the side of which flowed the Dolanganadi River, whose banks were adorned with beautiful gardens. Raja Acyuta Deva very affectionately maintained his subjects and was famous for impeccably observing the rites attendant upon kings. In the village of Royni the son of King Acyuta appeared as the sun appears in the eastern sky and became dearly beloved by the people. He was known as Rasikananda and also Murari. As he grew up, shining qualities appeared by degrees in his person that caused the further exaltation of his family, just as the waxing moon gradually expands its influence in the night sky and causes the sea to rise. At a very young age he became quite proficient in all of the scriptures. He was very devoted to his parents, especially his mother, whose name was Bhavani. His father married him at very young age. Murari’s wife Syamadasi was a mine of good character who hailed from the village of Ghonta Sila, not far from Royni on the banks of the Suvarna Rekha, where in days of old the Pandavas had lived in exile. One day, Murari was sitting in a lonely place, wondering when and where he might become so fortunate as to get shelter at the lotus feet of a spiritual preceptor. Just then a voice from the sky addressed him, “Don’t be in anxiety, you will become the disciple of Sri Syamananda.” Having heard this proclamation, Rasik Murari became very jubilant, and began to repeatedly murmur the name Syamananda, as though chanting japa. From moment to moment his eagerness increased without diminition, as tears flowed from his eyes by his chanting of the name of Syamananda. He was in such a state that he spend most of the night sleeplessly, calling to his master Syamananda. Finally, towards the early morning, he drifted off to the land of dreams, where he saw his spiritual master, the very figure of charm and grace. Smilingly, Syamananda informed him, “When tomorrow the eastern sky becomes tinged with pink, you will obtain me.” Saying this, Syamananda disappeared. Rasikananda’s heart began to swell in ecstatic bliss. Then, with the first rays of morning which dispel the dense darkness of the world, the wise Murari sat silently watching the path. After some time Syamananda approached from the distance, looking as beautifully effulgent as the sun and surrounded by his disciples like Sri Kishora dasa and others. His smiling face was like the lotus flower that opens to greet its friend the sun, and his chest was as broad as a door. His captivating appearance was made all the more irresistable by the sweet sounds of ‘Sri Krsna Caitanya-Nityananda’ emanating from his lotus mouth. Absorbed in intense love he moved along the path like the clouds move in the sky. When Rasika caught sight of this divine form, he fell down in front of him to touch his lotus feet. In great ecstasy Shyamananda embraced him and began to bathe him with his tears of ecstatic love. Sri Rasika Murari then felt himself to be one of the most fortunate living beings within this universe. On an auspicious day Syamananda initiated Rasika and his wife in Radha-Krsna mantra. After that, Rasikananda began to travel with his guru, during which time he became a very intimate disciple. Syamananda then bestowed upon him the service of Sri Radha- Govinda Deva at Sri Gopiballabhapur. Rasikananda became totally engaged in their Lordships service, and the devotees were charmed by his excellent services. At Gopiballabhpur and other places he began to seriously take up the preaching of the message of Sri Gaura-Nityananda. By his influence many atheists and unbelievers were transformed into devotees of Sri Gaura-Nityananda. “By the tremendous influence of Rasikananda’s preaching, many rogues, robbers and atheists were delivered from their sinful activities and received his mercy. He distributed the jewel of devotion even to the infidel Mohammedans, as he travelled from village to village, in the company of his disciples. He even converted the wild elephant which was sent for his destruction into his disciple and engaged him in the service of Krsna and the Vaisnavas. That wicked miscreant who sent the elephant, a Mohammedan, bowed at his feet when he realised his mistake. It is not possible to count the number of living entities that were extricated from the ocean of material existence by Rasikananda Deva’s association. He was always intoxicated with the chanting of the Holy Name. Who cannot but be overwhelmed by hearing about his uncommon qualities?” [B.R. 15.86] By Sri Rasikananda’s mercy many Mohammedans, who were actually just impious and wicked atheists, became worshipers of the Supreme Lord. Also many virtuous kings and zamindars such as the king of Mayurbhanj named Vaidyanatha Bhanj, the king of Patashpur known as Gajapati and Candrabhanu, the king of Moyna, took shelter at his lotus feet. What to speak of those pious and noble gentlemen, even the sinful zamindar Bhima, the Mohammedan Suba Ahmadbeg and the wicked atheist Srikar also surrendered themselves at his lotus feet. A vicious, wild elephant was tamed by Rasikananda’s transcendental influence and henceforward was known as Gopala das. Later, two jungle tigers likewise gave up their ferocious nature. Accepting the order of his guru, Sri Syamananda, on his head, Rasikananda preached the message of Sri Gaursundar in the world for approximately 16 years. Thereafter he entered into his eternal pastimes through the lotus feet of Gopinatha at Remuna. On the first day of the bright fortnight in the month of Phalguna, Sakabda 1574 (Christian year 1652), Rasikananda quietly slipped out of the village Santa without anyone’s notice and walked to Remuna. Arriving there, he discussed Krsna-katha with the devotees there for a while and instructed everyone to serve Sri Krsna with devotion. Then, after requesting them to begin sankirtana, he entered the temple of Sri Gopinatha, and after touching Kshira-chora Gopinatha’s lotus feet, which bestow complete fearlessness, he entered into their ultimate shelter.</p>
<p>Rasikananda prabhu’s samadhi is at the Temple of Kshira-chora Gopinath at Remuna just in front and to the right as you go in the main gate, with the temple to the left, and admin’ offices straight ahead.</p>
<p>Sri Rasikananda had three sons: Sri Radhananda, Sri Krsna-Govinda and Sri Radha-Krsna. The present servants of Sri Sri Radha-Govindadeva at Gopiballabhapur are their descendents. He composed Sri Shyamananda-sataka, Srimad Bhagavatastaka as well as other hymns and songs. His Sripat Gopiballabhpur can be reached from Calcutta by taking a train to Khavagpur, and a bus to Gopiballabhpur from there. There is also a temple of Rasikananda at Puri. One year, during Lord Jagannatha’s Ratha-yatra festival, Rasikananda Deva was preaching somewhere in the country, but when he realised that it was time for Ratha-yatra he dropped everything and rushed like the wind in order to come to Nilacala in time for the festival.<br /> But in the meantime the festival had already begun. Lord Jagannath, Who felt reciprocal separation from His dear devotee Rasikananda, caused the Rath to stop. Though the king summoned his elephants to push the Ratha, under no circumstances could they budge it, not even an inch. Then Lord Jagannatha, seeing that the king was becoming frustrated, informed him that he was waiting for His devotee Rasika. Finally Rasikananda Deva arrived, carrying with him many offerings of silk clothes and other presents. He fell down to offer his dandavats before Lord Jagannatha, and the king requested him to pull the rope at which the cart began to easily move along the road, just as the clouds move in the sky. Later the king requested Rasikananda to accept a gift of land so he might establish a temple there. Rasikananda requested the place known as Fultota Math, which is now known as Kunja Math. There he installed the Deity of Sri Bat Krsna. The Deity is now known as Sri Sri Radha-Rasika Raya.<br /> <br /> <strong>Source: </strong><a href="http://www.dandavats.com/?p=82893">http://www.dandavats.com/?p=82893</a></p></div>Why did my last email make you cry? by Giridhari dashttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/why-did-my-last-email-make-you-cry-by-giridhari-das2020-07-11T10:56:08.000Z2020-07-11T10:56:08.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p style="text-align:center;"><img class="align-center" src="https://i.imgur.com/mNHQNnS.jpeg?profile=RESIZE_584x" width="550" alt="mNHQNnS.jpeg?profile=RESIZE_584x" /></p>
<p>The disappearance of the stalwart disciple and loving servant of Srila Prabhupada, His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami, on Saturday 4th July 2020 not only leaves a massive vacuum in the lives of the entire ISKCON community, but also represents a huge loss to the whole world. We’d like to join the chorus of tributes in gratitude to Maharaja with these few humble words.</p>
<p>In the service of His Grace Tribhuvanatha prabhu we are a small group of devotees in the UK traveling and holding Harinams and public facing Hare Krishna festivals as well as Rathayatras. We serve alongside Parasurama prabhu, his Food For All team and with the UK devotee community. His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami has been a huge source of kind encouragement and inspiration for all of us throughout the decades.</p>
<p>Excerpts from Bhakti Charu Swami</p>
<p>20/6/2013<br /> ” I am very happy to hear about your preaching engagements. The Glastonbury music festival seems like a wonderful way to attract people to Krishna consciousness. During the early days when I was able to spend more time in England, I used to go to that festival. I remember going there twice. The youth those days used to be more open and receptive, and we used to have a good time there, preaching”</p>
<p>The way Bhakti Charu Swami explains his understanding of Srila Prabhupada’s mission is very much international and all inclusive</p>
<p>07/12/2017<br /> ” Hare Krishna festival team have played a great role in helping the movement to reach a different level of audience and I am really appreciative of that “.</p>
<p>We were delighted to welcome Bhakti Charu Swami to talk at our public hall program in Dartford, East London in 2015. To our embarrassment an audience of only 20 or 30 guests showed up initially. However as the Maharaja arrived then began to explain the philosophy of Bhagavad Gita many more people streamed in, bringing the numbers up to over 250. We were relieved, but Maharaja said it does not matter whether numbers are great or small we shall just try our best to preach. His great spirit of unity in the diversity of all people was also manifest in our kirtan tent at Janmastami in 2017</p>
<p>23/09/2017<br /> ” I too very much enjoyed being present in your tent during the Janmashtami celebrations at Bhaktivedanta Manor. The tent was very nicely done depicting the mood from where Srila Prabhupada started this movement, I could see that this tent attracted lots of Westerners and I was very pleased to see that. We definitely need the movement to reach everyone and I can see that you all are really dedicated to spread Krishna Consciousness among the westerners. Please continue to serve nicely like this going forward “.</p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JD0ZpTN1gVQ" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p>
<p>Many of us will be overwhelmed by the departure of our unique spiritual leader Bhakti Charu Swami; perhaps this letter – sent to his disciple Ratnavali (a dedicated member of our festival team) 18 years earlier – can offer some solace at this difficult time of loss…</p>
<p>Letter from Bhakti Charu Swami<br /> 10/05/2002<br /> ” Dear Ratnavali. Please accept my blessings. All glories to Srila Prabhupada</p>
<p>Why did my last email make you cry? Accept everything as Krishna’s mercy and move forward. That is what Krishna Consciousness is meant for. Krishna is our dearmost friend and greatest well wisher. Therefore, whatever happens according to his arrangement is for our ultimate benefit.</p>
<p>Yes, a devotee always looks at things from a positive perspective. Krishna Consciousness means all to gain and nothing to lose. The quotation from Srila Prabhupada you mentioned, “We have to transcend the gross and subtle platform and come to the spiritual platform” is very correct. That is our goal to become totally free from material bondage. Both gross and subtle platforms are material bondages. When we become situated on our spiritual identity then it is like waking up from a dream. We wake up in another plane altogether and all that happened to us on the material platform does not bear any significance.</p>
<p>Srila Prabhupada, the founder Acharya of ISKCON is the guru for everyone in ISKCON. His siksa in the form of his books is the foundation of ISKCON and he is worshipped by everyone everyday during mangal arati and guru puja.<br /> I am becoming more and more aware of the fact that my role as a spiritual master is simply to represent Srila Prabhupada and assist my disciples to approach his Divine lotus feet. I hope this meets you well.</p>
<p>Yours in the service of Srila Prabhupada<br /> Bhakti Charu Swami “</p>
<div><strong>Source: </strong><a href="http://www.dandavats.com/?p=87287">http://www.dandavats.com/?p=87287</a></div>
<div> </div></div>Along with all of you, his disappearance breaks my heart, toohttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/along-with-all-of-you-his-disappearance-breaks-my-heart-too2020-07-08T11:22:42.000Z2020-07-08T11:22:42.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p style="text-align:center;"><img class="align-center" src="https://i.imgur.com/vHk5Wls.jpg?profile=RESIZE_584x" width="500" alt="vHk5Wls.jpg?profile=RESIZE_584x" /></p>
<p><strong>By Nrsimhananda das</strong></p>
<p>If the purpose of bhakti is to love Krishna and all of his parts and parcels, no one exemplifies it more than Bhakti Charu Swami.</p>
<p>He lived by an unstated maxim that was demonstrated in all of his relationships: it was to love whoever was around to be loved. He didn’t just shower affection on his immediate peers; he was an equal-opportunity care-giver. Being in his presence, you got the idea that you were as important as any of his most intimate friends.</p>
<p>That “talent” was not “grown”; it was a manifestation of his spiritual nature. I recently told someone that the camera loved Maharaja. He could say anything on screen and would always come out smelling like (offered) roses. He had a “star” quality. Superstar, really. There was only one Bhakti Charu Swami in Iskcon; he is irreplaceable. His presence will continue through his lectures and activities, but, especially, in the disciples whom he nurtured and counseled.</p>
<p>There is a saying that like attracts like, so, maybe, there are some of his chelas who will partially fill the void left by his departure. Nothing will replace it entirely. If I were to be so bold as to offer any advice, it would be to fully indulge yourselves in that paralyzing sense of profound loss. It is an emblem of your love and dedication to your gurudev. In the future, it will be a memorable access to the gratitude and inspiration which you received by his physical presence.</p>
<p>Just a few days before he departed for the US, he called me in the wee hours of his night. “What are you doing up so early, Maharaja?” It was 2am IST. He was thinking how the society could put Srila Prabhupada more in the center. He was concerned for the future, and was unable to sleep just thinking about it. We spoke for half an hour. I consider that last conversation with him one of the great blessings of my life. He was so pure-hearted. I loved him. For him, Iskcon was his family – a found family, and we were all his brothers and sisters. The unspoken problem with found families is exactly the same as the problem with every other sort of family. There is no perfect structure, no single set of rules, that can guarantee that people will always be decent to each other, will ever not get their hearts broken. Maharaja knew this secret all too well. He wore his devotional heart on his sleeve – easy for anyone to see, appreciate, feel, and, also, hurt. It is what made him a moon among stars.<br /> <br /> <strong>Source:</strong> <a href="http://www.dandavats.com/?p=87214">http://www.dandavats.com/?p=87214</a></p></div>Disappearance of HH Bhakti Charu Swami – Offering by Bhakti Raghava Swamihttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/disappearance-of-hh-bhakti-charu-swami-offering-by-bhakti-raghava2020-07-07T11:07:55.000Z2020-07-07T11:07:55.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p style="text-align:center;"><img class="align-center" src="https://i.imgur.com/SXqTUqR.jpg?profile=RESIZE_400x" width="400" alt="SXqTUqR.jpg?profile=RESIZE_400x" /></p>
<p>Maharaja, please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.</p>
<p>The last time we met was in the month of May, 2018, in California where we were both attending a Cow Culture Conference. It was the first time I was hearing from you about your project in Florida where you explained that in North America we must provide special facilities for cows due to the harsh temperatures. You had recently acquired 120 acres of land for that purpose close to Orlando. I was happy to hear of your initiative to help make more devotees become aware of the importance of cow care.</p>
<p>I had the good fortune of meeting you right there in Sridham Mayapur in the year 1976 as you often would reminisce with devotees whenever we would meet over the years. On that first day of your visit with Sarvabhavana prabhu, his wife Shubhangi and their infant Abhimanyu, you had come to take darshan of Sri Sri Radha Madhava and somehow, I happened to be giving the Bhagavad-gita class. First impressions, lasting impressions. You somehow found it most fascinating that a foreigner would be giving the class and you fondly carried that memory throughout your life.</p>
<p>Like all of us in Mayapur who met Bhakta Kishore in those early days we could all sense that here is a special soul sent to help Srila Prabhupada’s movement. Young Bengali devotees were rare in those days, especially educated Bengali devotees who spoke impeccable English. Within but a short few days, I remember how Satadhanya had announced that he was going to shave you up and he did; you thus became a full time new devotee practically on the spot. I remember thinking to myself, oh, this is too sudden, but I was proven wrong.</p>
<p>Your service to Srila Prabhupada is so illustrious. Such special mercy Srila Prabhupada showered upon you. From Bhakta Kishora, to Kishora Gopinath das to Bhakti Charu Swami, all within but a few months. Your entire life has been most exemplary and you are a testimony to Srila Prabhupada’s glorious and exalted position as a fully dedicated soul to his spiritual master Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur Prabhupada and Lord Caitanya’s movement. It is difficult to express in words your contribution to Srila Prabhupada’s mission. It is truly awesome. Being empowered by Srila Prabhupada, during your devotional career you have touched the hearts of so many souls.</p>
<p>All of us, in particular your disciples, are devastated by your sudden departure but we know you are with Srila Prabhupada and Lord Krishna. May we all find solace in your exemplary qualities of humility, compassion, dedication, enthusiasm and total surrender to the orders of Srila Prabhupada. You will remain a beacon of that ideal Vaisnava Thakur whose nature, qualities and wonderful accomplishments will continue to attract the praise and inspiration of devotees for generations to come.</p>
<p>Thank you Maharaja and kindly forgive any offenses committed at your lotus feet.</p>
<p>Your servant in Srila Prabhupada’s mission,</p>
<p>Bhakti Raghava Swami</p>
<div><strong>Source: </strong><a href="http://www.dandavats.com/?p=87140">http://www.dandavats.com/?p=87140</a></div></div>HH Vishwesha Teertha Swamiji’s Disappearancehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/hh-vishwesha-teertha-swamiji-s-disappearance2019-12-29T11:40:00.000Z2019-12-29T11:40:00.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p><strong><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3795245002,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3795245002,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3795245002?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="205" /></a></strong></p>
<p><strong>By Deena Bandhu Das</strong></p>
<p>Hare Krishna Dear devotees,<br /> On this Auspicious Disappearance day of HH Srila Jiva Goswami and Sri Jagadisha Pandita, Sri Vishwesha Teertha Swamiji of Pejawar Mutt left this world!</p>
<p>He was a profound seer of the Madhava Sampradaya and a close admirer of Srila Prabhupada and a dear friend of HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaj! He was the one who first accepted the Teachings of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu among the 8 Mutts of Udupi</p>
<p>My Humble Obeisances to the Departed Soul of Swamiji and my deep condolences to his family of Udupi Mutts!</p>
<p><strong>Source:</strong> <a href="https://bit.ly/2EYYVUb">https://bit.ly/2EYYVUb</a></p></div>Srila Jiva Goswami Disappearance by Ramai Swamihttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/srila-jiva-goswami-disappearance-22019-12-28T07:30:00.000Z2019-12-28T07:30:00.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p><strong><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}2515223046,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="225" alt="2515223046?profile=original" /></strong></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Srila Jiva Goswami made his appearance in 1533 and disappeared from view at the age of 85 in 1540.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">As a child, Sri Jiva took up the worship of Rama-Krsna Deities. Carefully decorating Them, and offering bhoga and arati, he served Them attentively. Even when playing, Jiva’s games were often connected with Lord Krsna’s pastimes.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Later, in a dream, Sri Jiva saw that Rama-Krsna had taken the forms of Nitai-Gauranga, and They were dancing. Giving him the dust of Their lotus feet, the two Lords then disappeared. Friends suggested that he go to Navadvipa to bathe himself in the coolness emanating from the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda Prabhu.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Sri Jiva enjoyed various pastimes with Nityananda Prabhu, touring the nine islands of Navadvipa and taking darshana of the holy places of the Lord’s pastimes.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Sri Jiva later traveled to Vrndavana, where he joined the company of his two uncles, Sri Rupa and Sri Sanatana. Jiva stayed with Sri Rupa, who taught him Srimad Bhagavatam and gave him mantra initiation.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">While in Vrndavana, Sri Rupa took up the service of Sri Sri Radha-Damodara. According to the Sadhana dipika, this Deity of Damodara was fashioned by Rupa Goswami’s own hand for his dear disciple, Sri Jiva.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>Source: </strong><a href="http://www.ramaiswami.com/srila-jiva-goswami-disappearance/">http://www.ramaiswami.com/srila-jiva-goswami-disappearance/</a></p>
<p><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}2515223238,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="194" alt="2515223238?profile=original" /></p></div>Sri Narahari Sarkara Thakurahttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/sri-narahari-sarkar-thakura2019-11-23T06:10:00.000Z2019-11-23T06:10:00.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}2515045360,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}2515045360,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="320" alt="2515045360?profile=original" /></a></p>
<p>The Disappearance day of Srila Narahari Sarakara Thakura. Sri Narahari Sarkar Thakura was born at Sri Khanda. Sri Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami describes that the residents of Sri Khanda formed a branch of the desire tree of love of God. "Sri Khan davasi (the residents of Sri Khanda) Mukunda and his son Raghu nandan were the thirty ninth branch of the tree, Narahari was the fortieth, Chiran Jiva the forty first and Sulocana the forty second. They were all big branches of the all merciful tree of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. They distributed the fruits and flowers of love of Godhead anywhere and everywhere. [Chaitanya Charitamrita Adi-lila 10:78-79] Srila Jagannatha das Babaji Maharaj once stated - "Navadwip is the abode of Goloka. Vrindavana is the abode of Gokula. And Sri Khanda is the abode of Vaikuntha."</p>
<p>Sri Narahari Sarkar Thakura was a very expert singer as well as poet. He has composed many songs about the pastimes of Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityananda. He composed a Sanskrit work entitled Sri Bhajanamrta. Gaurviraha-gita pada kalpataru is also attributed to him, although some scholar devotees doubt whether it is really his own composition. Narahari was the only devotee who had the adhikara (right) to do Gaura-kirtana in Gaurasundara's presence. Ordinarily, if anyone would praise Mahaprabhu in His presence, or chant His Holy Name, He would block His ears and call out "Visnu! Visnu!" Narahari, however, enjoyed the special privilege of being able to sing about Mahaprabhu in a very unique mood and with sweet descriptions of His transcendental beauty without objection from Mahaprabhu.</p></div>Sri Ramanujacharya Disappearance Day by Giriraj Swamihttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/sri-ramanujacharya-disappearance-day-by-giriraj-swami2019-02-15T07:00:00.000Z2019-02-15T07:00:00.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="http://girirajswami.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Ramanujacharya-with-his-beloved-Lord.jpg"><img src="http://girirajswami.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Ramanujacharya-with-his-beloved-Lord-300x300.jpg" alt="" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Today is the disappearance anniversary of Sripada Ramanujacharya, the principal acharya in the Sri, or Lakshmi, sampradaya. Srila Prabhupada wrote that “We find great shelter at the lotus feet of Sri Ramanujacharya because his lotus feet are the strongest fort to combat the Mayavadi philosophy.” (letter 22.11.1974) And in the early days of ISKCON in India, before we had Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavad-gita As It Is translated into Hindi, he would refer people to read the Hindi edition of the Gita with Sri Ramanujacharya’s commentary.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Prabhupada often told a story about Sri Ramanujacharya’s merciful, compassionate nature. As he related it in Ahmedabad in 1972, “The servants of Krishna take all risk for Krishna’s sake. Just like Ramanujacharya. Sri Ramanujacharya’s spiritual master said, ‘My dear son, the mantra which I am giving, you chant silently and you will be delivered. It is so powerful. Don’t chant this mantra loudly so others can hear.’</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“Ramanujacharya thought, ‘If this mantra is so powerful that if others hear it they’ll also be delivered, then why not?’ He immediately went to the market and began to chant the mantra. So, his spiritual master became very angry, that ‘I told you not to chant loudly, so others may not hear.’ And Ramanujacharya replied, ‘My Lordship, I have done offense unto you. That’s all right. For this I am prepared to go to hell. But if this mantra is so powerful, I must speak it to everyone.’ ”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">In this mood, following in the footsteps of Sripada Ramanujacharya, Srila Prabhupada broadcast the Hare Krishna maha-mantra and the teachings of the Bhagavad-gita everywhere, to everyone.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">We pray and aspire to follow in their footsteps.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>Source:</strong> <a href="http://www.girirajswami.com/?p=13992">http://www.girirajswami.com/?p=13992</a></p></div>