Srila Prabhupada says that Narada is a great personality and he was so pleased by the devotional attitude of Dhruva, that he could have just given him everything. He could have given Dhruva exactly what he wanted. Why didn’t he do it? [a devotee replies that it was because he wanted Dhruva to surrender to Krishna]. Yes, essentially that’s correct. He wanted him to follow the correct path, he wanted him to engage in devotional service.
You see, and this helps us to develop our perspective about
In 2016 and 2018, His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami took us to Varsana, the village of Srimati Radharani. It is here that various deities such as Lord Brahma and Lord Visnu have manifested themselves in the form of hills, as they carry the Lord and His devotees on their heads. Check out Maharaja’s full kirtans and lectures below, along with a few photos, at Varsana during Parikrama 2016 and Parikrama 2018.
There is Goloka Vrndavana, Bhumi Vrndavana and a third Vrndavana – the internal Vrndavana.
By Giriraj Swami
Today, Sri Rama-ekadasi, is a very special day. It is the first Ekadasi in the month of Kartik, or Damodara, and it has special significance as the day on which Srila Prabhupada completed his translation of Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, the most important book on the life and precepts of Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, which was originally published in seventeen volumes. Every devotee should read it. Actually, every devotee should read every book of Srila Prabhupada’s, from Sri Iso
Srila Prabhupada’s Penetrating Vision
Nara Narayan: The minute I sincerely begged, his eyes floated around to the side and he looked at me. I froze. That moment seemed like an eternity. He neither beckoned nor rejected, just observed. My whole system collapsed from the inside out. I said, “Oh my God.” All sorts of confusing emotions ran through me. I thought, “I must straighten myself out and think things through. I am not ready to become his disciple yet.”
Harivilasa: Prabhupada looked at me f
Through the arched window
I see a couple crossing
The road of intensity
No pleasant walk night here
Through that lofty window
Men are thinning the tree
I don’t know why
I wish I did though
Through this broad window
I can view four homes
Sheltering good families
Our neighbours and friends
Through the part-frosted window
I admire binds in flight
Not destined for the south
They wish to stay here
Through that wood-framed window
I am blocked from the air
I hear leaves are rustling
And people
अध्याय आठ -- गर्भोदकशायी विष्णु से ब्रह्मा का प्राकट्य
1 महा-मुनि मैत्रेय ने विदुर से कहा : राजा पुरू का राजवंश शुद्ध भक्तों की सेवा करने के लिए योग्य है, क्योंकि उस वंश के सारे उत्तराधिकारी भगवान के प्रति अनुरक्त हैं। तुम भी उसी कुल में उत्पन्न हो और यह आश्र्चर्य की बात है कि तुम्हारे प्रयास से भगवान की दिव्य लीलाएँ प्रतिक्षण नूतन से नूतनतर होती जा रही है।
2 अब मैं भागवत पुराण से प्रारम्भ करता हूँ जिसे भगवान ने प्रत्यक्ष रूप से महान ऋषियों से उन लोगों के लाभार्थ कहा था, जो अत्यल्प आनंद के लिए अ
By Madhava Smullen
Around forty-five women from Sweden, Switzerland, Brazil, Chile, and across the U.S. and Canada attended the fourth annual Urban Devi Retreat on October 17th, entitled “Welcoming Transformation” and held virtually on Zoom.
Co-hosted by Urban Devi and the Bhakti Center in New York City, the inspirational all-day event ran from 7:30am to 5:30pm EDT. It was organized by Urban Devi founder Rukmini Devi Dasi along with Brajarani Devi Dasi, Lila Devi Dasi, and Champakalata Sakhi Dev
Today is the appearance day of Sri Virabhadra Gosvami, who is described in Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi 11.8–12, as follows:
“After Nityananda Prabhu, the greatest branch is Virabhadra Gosani, who also has innumerable branches and subbranches. It is not possible to describe them all.
“Although Virabhadra Gosani was the Supreme Personality of Godhead, He presented Himself as a great devotee. And although the Supreme Godhead is transcendental to all Vedic injunctions, He strictly followed the Vedi
Back at the temple ashram, downtown Toronto, movers came over to empty out the excess paraphernalia thus freeing up the building from potential danger, such as the fire hazard it had created. A kind member of our community, Mukesh Gelda, allowed space in his warehouse, the new home of this paraphernalia; materials that are used in North America‘s largest Ratha Yatra, the Chariot Fest. We are grateful for the service he is offering and I want to thank Rudradev for organizing the move, as well as
By Srila Krsna dasa Kaviraja Gosvami
Sri Viracandra or Virabhadra Prabhu appeared on the ninth day of the dark fortnight of the month of Kartik. Krsna dasa Kaviraja Gosvami has given this description of Him in the C.c. Adi 11.8-12:
“After Nityananda Prabhu, the greatest branch is Virabhadra Gosani, who also has innumerable branches and sub-branches. It is not possible to describe them all. Although Virabhadra Gosani was the Supreme Personality of Godhead, He presented Himself as a great devotee
श्रीमदभागवतम तृतीय स्कन्ध – अध्याय सात विदुर द्वारा अन्य प्रश्न
1 श्रीशुकदेव गोस्वामी ने कहा : हे राजन, जब महर्षि मैत्रेय इस प्रकार से बोल रहे थे तो द्वैपायन व्यास के विद्वान पुत्र विदुर ने यह प्रश्न पूछते हुए मधुर ढंग से एक अनुरोध व्यक्त किया।
2 श्री विदुर ने कहा : हे महान ब्राह्मण, चूँकि पूर्ण पुरुषोत्तम भगवान सम्पूर्ण आध्यात्मिक समष्टि हैं और अविकारी हैं, तो फिर वे प्रकृति के गुणों तथा उनके कार्यकलापों से किस तरह संबन्धित हैं? यदि यह उनकी लीला है, तो फिर अविकारी के कार्यकलाप किस तरह घटित हो
In 2018, His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami took us to Ter Kadamba, which is famous for Srila Rupa Gosvami’s bhajana-kutir. It is also here where Krsna would climb onto a Kadamba tree and call out the names of the leaders of the various herds of cows. Check out Maharaja’s full kirtan and lecture below, along with a few photos, at Ter Kadamba during Parikrama 2018.
In one sense, Ter Kadamba is the most important place for us because it is where Rupa Gosvami resided for quite some time. Ter Kadamb
In 2017 and 2018, His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami took us to Sanket, the meeting place for Srimati Radharani and Krsna. Check out Maharaja’s full kirtans and lectures below, along with a few photos, at Sanket during Parikrama 2017 and Parikrama 2018.
Sanket is the place where Radha and Krsna meet. They reside at Varsana and Nandagrama but Sanket is in the middle at the half-way point, and this is where They meet. Sanket is representative of where Krsna meets His devotee half-way. So like Radha
Today is Bahulastami or appearance day of Radha-kunda . In this month of Kartik, the presiding deity of the month is Srimati Radhika and in the same month is also the appearance day of the lake which is the embodiment of the Love of Radharani. On this day, devotees from Mayapur visit Sri Caitanya Mutt and take holy dip in Radha Kunda snana on Bahulatami & do Parikrama.
Following is the description of Radha Kunda in Navadvipa Dham by Sri Nityananda Prabhu, Bhakti vinoda thakura and Sri Chaitanya
Wherever in this world there were great manifestations of love between Radha and Krsna, not only was it an extraordinary experience for those who were present there, but actually that entire place also became transformed.
Various places in Vrindavan, where Radha and Krsna had great exchanges of love, are very potent with powerful mercy that becomes available to us as well. The appearance of Radha-kund, the lake of Srimati Radharani, is a most special occasion, as it is said that Radha kund is t
Kartik is very auspicious for spiritual advancement. Another name for Kartik is Urja-vrata. Urja means power. The supreme power, the original power, is Srimati Radharani. So Urja-vrata, or Kartik-vrata, is for Srimati Radharani. Many important pastimes took place in the month of Kartik. On the full-moon night, Sri Krishna played upon His flute and enjoyed the rasa-lila, which is considered the best of His pastimes. Also during Kartik, Krishna saw that the residents of Vrindavan were preparing to
krsnasyoccaih pranaya-vasatih preyasibhyo ’pi radha
kundam casya munibhir abhitas tadrg eva vyadhayi
yat presthair apy alam asulabham kim punar bhakti-bhajam
tat premedam sakrd api sarah snatur aviskaroti
“Of the many objects of favoured delight and of all the lovable damsels of Vrajabhumi, Srimati Radharani is certainly the most treasured object of Krishna’s love. And, in every respect, Her divine kunda is described by great sages as similarly dear to Him. Undoubtedly Radha-kunda is rarely att
अध्याय छह --- विश्र्वरूप की सृष्टि
1 मैत्रेय ऋषि ने कहा : इस तरह भगवान ने महत-तत्त्व जैसी अपनी शक्तियों के संयोग न होने के कारण विश्र्व के प्रगतिशील सृजनात्मक कार्यकलापों के निलंबन के विषय में सुना।
2 तब परम शक्तिशाली भगवान ने अपनी बहिरंगा शक्ति, देवी काली सहित तेईस तत्त्वों के भीतर प्रवेश किया, क्योंकि वे ही विभिन्न प्रकार के तत्त्वों को सम्मेलित करती हैं।
3 इस तरह जब भगवान अपनी शक्ति से तत्त्वों के भीतर प्रविष्ट हो गए तो सारे जीव प्रबुद्ध होकर विभिन्न कार्यों में उसी तरह लग गये जिस तरह कोई व्य
In this unprecedented period in the world’s history where health has been come a constant source of concern, a pure devotee can give us some secrets of health.
What is the most important secret of health? Srila Prabhupada reveals it in his purport to Srimad Bhagavatam 1.1.10:
“In Kali-yuga, the duration of life is shortened not so much because of insufficient food but because of irregular habits. By keeping regular habits and eating simple food, any man can maintain his health. Overeating, over
I went for another shiatsu session with my yogi friend, Devananda, a.k.a. Marc Handelman, and it was a job well done. From there I had a great opportunity to walk back to the ashram via the Cedarvale ravine. Trekking in these ravines changes hearts.
Why?
Well, one reason I can think of is that you are removed from cars. These nice ravines, which are like tight green valleys, restrict the automobile. In that natural setting you are in a sattvic environment, which allows you to feel safe. I believ
