The spiritual master should not be expected to just say what the disciple wants to hear. The spiritual master is not like a professional politician who will only
come and tell the disciple what the disciple wants to hear. A spiritual
master’s instruction may be very shocking, but the disciple should accept the
instruction with faith.

-By H.H. Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj

Two weeks after the first initiation I heard that Prabhupada was holding another initiation. I decided that this time I would not miss out. Prabhupada was going to hold the second initiation on September 23, 1966, on the appearance day of Radharani, Krsna's eternal consort. A week before that date, I went to Prabhupada's apartment and asked him if I could be initiated. "You know you'll have to be a strict vegetarian," Srila Prabhupada said.

"Oh," I replied, "I already am." Then Srila Prabhupada

Verse 60

Translation

Sri Krishna is performing such amazing love-sports in front of me! I can see such beautiful scenes all around me! My eyes are the very witnesses. Alas! Alas! I am trying to catch Him, but He is moving away. Oooh mummy! What is this! The whole universe has taken the form of the divine Kishor! 60.

rila Kavirâj Goswâ

Translation

Sri Krishna is performing such amazing love-sports in front of me! I can see such beautiful scenes all around me! My eyes are the very witnesses. Alas! Alas! I am trying to catch Him, but He is moving away. Oooh mummy! What is this! The whole universe has taken the form of the divine Kishor! 60.

rila Kavirâj Goswâmipâd sa

Adhi Shankaracharya wrote a number of vedantic works for imparting knowledge of the self and the universal spirit. He also composed a number of hymns to foster Bhakthi in the hearts of men. One of these hymns is the famous Bhaja govindam.

The way of devotion, is not different from the way of knowledge

Today my sweet words have garlanded You!

Verse 101

Translation

Your love made the Gopa-vadhus lose their shame; it agitated their hearts and made them humble. When they got You with Your surging youth they considered their lives worthy. In the same manner, today my sweet poetic words have obtained Your shelte

Today my sweet words have garlanded You!

Verse 101

Translation

Your love made the Gopa-vadhus lose their shame; it agitated their hearts and made them humble. When they got You with Your surging youth they considered their lives worthy. In the same manner, today my sweet poetic words have obtained Your shelte

Why does Sri Lilâshuk call Sri Krishna ‘emerald-like’ although He has a blue complexion?

When Murali-Manohar encounters the Vraja Gopis, their golden splendour mingles with His blue sapphire-like complexion and makes Him look like an emerald. E.g.-

“Sri Krishna looked exceptionally beautiful on the Râs-floor and He dazzled like an exquisite emerald amidst golden gems.”

-          (S.B. 10.33.6)

“Srimati Râdhârâni’s lightning-like lustre makes Sri Krishna’s splendour resemble an emerald and Sri Kr

Shri Krishna-Candrashtakam

Shrila Krishnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami

ambudanjanendra-nila-nindi-kanti-dambarah

kunkumodyad-arka-vidyud-amshu-divyad-ambarah

shrimad-anga-carcitendu-pitanakta-candanah

svanghri-dasyado ’stu me sa ballavendra-nandanah (1)

Shri Krishna’s effulgent bodily complexion defeats the luster of a fresh monsoon cloud,

anjana (collyrium used to line the eyes), and blue sapphire; His yellow cloth is more

effulgent than kunkuma, the rising sun, and a flash of lightning; and His entire form

i

Verse 59

Translation

 His face is the best ornament – why does He need any other jewellery? Moreover, it has beautiful lips that radiate splendour all around. This mass of radiance has an erotic style, has so many artistic abilities that it is beyond the comprehen