Tag Archive for: Mahanidhi Madana Gopala Dasa

,

Four Secrets of Gita

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

Do you know the four secret teachings of Bhagavad Gita? In chapters 1-6, Sri Krishna teaches the truth about karm, gyan and yoga. Then Krishna says, “O Arjun! Because you are NONENVIOUS (anusuya) of Me and very dear (ishto -si -me -drdham: 18.64), I will now tell you four secret teachings which will make your life perfect, sublime and successful.”

  1. Guhyam (secret knowledge) Knowledge of brahman or brahma-gyan 18.54 brahma bhuta. This is the knowledge that I am an eternal spiritual being, jivatma, etc. which is essential for liberation and described in Chapters 2-3.
  2. Guhyatara (more secret knowledge) Knowledge of Antaryami or paramatma-gyan (18.61-63). This is the knowledge to see Bhagavan as the background and essence of everything great as described in chapters 7-8.

It culminates in (18.61) where Sri Krishna says, “Bhagavan is in your heart as Antaryami directing you. So take shelter of Him (sharanam gaccha), and by Antaryami’s mercy (tat –prasadat) you will attain supreme peace in the eternal realm (param –shantim –sthanam –prapsyasi =shashvatam)”

  1. Guhyatamam (most secret knowledge) (9.1) This is bhagavat-gyan or personal knowledge about Bhagavan appearing in chapter nine which describes pure devotion, ananya: manasa, bhakti, cinta and bhak in verses 13, 14, 22, 30 and its characteristics.

Although pure, this devotion is devoid of prema-sambandha with Krishna and the relishing of rasa in personal loving exchanges. Guhyam is positive knowledge, guhyatara is comparative, and guhyatamam is superlative knowledge.

  1. Sarva Guhyatamam (18.65) (topmost secret of all secret spiritual teachings) Bhagavan and Krishna prema. This is the zenith of pure bhakti which is full of rasa and personal loving dealings with Sri Krishna.

man -manah -bhava -mad -bhakto,
mad -yaji -mam -namaskuru

Sri Krishna says, “Always think of Me, become My devotee, worship Me and offer obeisances unto Me. Then certainly you will come to Me. I promise you this because you are My very dear friend.” (Bhagavat Gita 18.65)

Sri Jiva Goswamipada tika: “In this verse (18.65) Sri Krishna shows His special love for Arjuna, and vows (satyam te) that those who become His devotees will return to the spiritual world.

Sri Visvanatha Cakravartipada:

“Man-mana -bhava means completely absorbing your mind in Me, Shyamsundar with beautiful eyes raining nectar in the form of glances of sweet mercy.

“Mad-bhaktah means be My devotee, dedicate all your senses to Me, and adore Me by hearing, chanting, seeing My mürti, picking flowers, etc.

“Mad-yaji means worship Me by offering Me scented oils, flowers, incense, lamp and naivedya.

“Mam –namaskuru means just offer respects unto Me by falling on the ground like a stick.

“Mam –eva –eshyasi means you can think of Me with the mind, serve Me with your senses, worship Me with items, offer dandavats to Me or just do one of these and YOU WILL ATTAIN ME (eshyasi).

“Satyam te means I swear and promise you without any doubt that in return for your offerings I will give My very self to you!’

“Hearing this promise, Arjun says doubtingly, ‘Well Krishna! People born in Mathura are famous for always making such “promises” in every other sentence. So how can I believe You?’

“Krishna replies, ‘That is true Arjun. So under oath (pratijane) I vow and declare that you are dear to Me (priyo se me). And no one ever cheats a person dear to himself.’”

Srila Prabhupada comments: “Now Krishna gives the most confidential knowledge (sarva guhyatamam). In (9.34), Krishna repeats the same instruction to stress that this is the ESSENCE of GITA, the ESSENCE of KNOWLEDGE, and the MOST IMPORTANT instruction in all the VEDAS. But [unfortunately] this essence is not understood by a common person!” (tika Bhagavat Gita 18.64)

Comments Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das: His heart melting with mercy, Sri Krishna speaks His supreme teaching (paramam –vacah Bg.18.64) in verse 18.65, which is the topmost secret of all secrets (sarva guhyatamam). This verse 18.65 says become Krishna’s devotee, think always of Krishna, and humbly worship, love and serve Krishna for His pleasure.

Krishna directs Arjun and all of us to fix our minds on Krishna in His supremely beautiful, rasika, and most complete transcendental form, Shyamsundara. Always think of Krishna as the most playful, carefree and romantic beautiful blue Prince of Vraja with bouncy black hair sporting fluttering peacock feathers in its crest.

Although Krishna gave so many spiritual teachings in Gita, His final word is that just by accepting Krishna’s love you can attain all spiritual perfection. Since this verse contains Krishna’s paramam –vacha, it means this teaching supersedes all others previously given in Gita.

It is crystal clear from Sri Krishna own words and the commentaries of all acharyas that 18.65, man manah bhava mad bhakto, is the topmost secret and essence of all the wisdom and teachings given in the wonderful Bhagavad Gita.

Nevertheless, many Bharatvasis believe that the essence of Gita is the following verse (18.65), which is the most well known and most frequently quoted verse of the Bhagavad Gita.

sarva-dharman -parityajya, mam -ekam -sharanam -vraja,
aham -tvam -sarva-papebhyo, moksha -yishyami -ma -shucah

Sri Krishna says, “O Arjuna! Give up all varna and ashram duties and just take shelter in Me alone. I will free and liberate you from all sins, do not grieve.”

Sridhar Swamicharan tika: “This verse describes giving up etc. Here Sri Krishna says, ‘You should have firm conviction that everything will come through devotion to Me. So give up your slavery to Vedic injunctions, and just take refuge in Me alone. And do not grieve (ma -shucah) that by living like this you will incur sin for neglecting your duties. For I will liberate from all sins.”

Love and attachment are the essential elements and basis of surrendering to another. First attraction, then love which leads to attachment and culminates in complete surrender. After teaching Arjuna and all of us the topmost secret of divine wisdom (sarva guhyatamam), namely love, submission and service, now Krishna encourages us to surrender everything without any fear.

If love and attachment are strong then one can give up everything for the sake of the beloved without any fear or hesitation. Absolute loving submission itself is a form of moksha, freedom from eons of bondage to ego.

In Gita, Krishna directs us to love and serve Him which inevitably leads to giving up everything for Krishna with the realization that such renunciation will bring the ultimate reward of transcendence to a divine realm of endless peace, joy and happiness in the loving service of Sri Sri Radha Govinda Yugala.

Don’t be afraid, just do it! Fall in love with Krishna and fearlessly forget everything else!

So the conclusion is that divine love, rapturous Krishna prema, is the topmost of all secrets, the supreme essence of Gita upadesh (18.65), and the basis of one’s giving up the entire world for the loving embrace of Shyamsundara (18.66).

Gita shiksha sar ki jai! Krishna prema seva ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

,

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Mini Biography of the World’s Greatest Saint

Mahanidhi Swami

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada appeared in a family of pure Gaudiya Vaisnavas in 1896 in Calcutta. From early childhood he showed signs of pure devotion to Lord Sri Krsna.

At the tender age of five, he single handedly organized a neighborhood Ratha yatra festival to glorify Lord Jagannatha. He authentically decorated a small cart to resemble the Lord’s colossal chariot in Puri. Besides leading the kirtana party, he organized cooking and prasadam distribution.

With his enthusiasm and ecstatic love for Lord Krsna he engaged the community in chanting: Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.

Unlike other children his age who would waste their time playing, Srila Prabhupada preferred to visit the local Radha Krsna temple. For hours together, he would lovingly gaze upon the transcendental forms of Radha Govindaji, absorbing Their divine blessings and beautiful darsana.

In his youth, Maharaja Pariksit used to dress a Deity of Krsna. Similarly, from his childhood, Srila Prabhupada also began worshiping small Deities of Radha and Krsna. He quickly mastered the traditional beats and ragas on mrdanga and harmonium. With pure devotion Srila Prabhupada would sing sweet devotional bhajanas to please Radha Govindaji.

At twenty six, he met his eternal spiritual master Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura (Founder Acarya of Gaudiya Math). At their first meeting, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura gave Srila Prabhupada a divine command: “Go to the West and spread Krsna consciousness in the English language.”

In full faith Srila Prabhupada embraced the order as his life and soul. After realizing his guru’s teachings, he started writing and distributing Back to Godhead, an English language magazine on the science of Krsna consciousness. Although begun in 1944 in a small way, Back to Godhead now circulates worldwide in over fifty languages.

Srila Prabhupada, like all pure Vaisnavas, showed immense compassion for the suffering conditioned souls. Although they are rotting in the materialistic life of ignorance, the stubborn conditioned souls insist that they “have no time for spiritual life.”

Neither their indifference, nor the sizzling summer heat of Delhi could keep Srila Prabhupada from distributing the cooling balm of Krsna consciousness. Once while selling Back to Godhead he collapsed on the street from heat stroke. Yet he remained fixed in his determination to please his spiritual master.

He took sannyasa in 1959 after retiring from household life. Taking shelter of Vrndavana, he rented a bhajana kutira in the Radha Damodara temple where he absorbed the association of Sri Rupa and Sri Jiva Gosvamis. Srila Prabhupada spent the next six years performing intensive Krsna bhajana.

Regularly, he bathed in Yamuna, and took darsana of Madana Mohana, Govindaji, Gopinatha, and Radha Ramana. He prayed for the mercy of the six Gosvamis and continued writing and printing. During bhajana he would receive blessings, inspiration, and direct guidance from the all merciful Sri Rupa Gosvami.

At this time, he began his life’s main literary work, an English translation with commentary of the Srimad Bhagavatam. For Srila Prabhupada it was more of a devotional outpouring than a mere translation from esoteric Sanskrit to understandable English.

Gaudiya Vaisnava history reveals that some advanced devotees would begin crying in spiritual happiness while reading the Srimad Bhagavatam. Smearing the ink on the pages, their tears would make the lines illegible. Similarly, Srila Prabhupada once said that his Srimad Bhagavatam commentaries are actually expressions of his “devotional ecstasies.”

Working alone, Srila Prabhupada wrote, begged money to print, and personally hauled the paper to publish the first three volumes of Srimad Bhagavatam. Recollecting these times, he once said humbly to his disciples:

“I did not know anything about writing. But my spiritual master told me to spread Lord Krsna’s glories in English. So this is what I tried to do, following in the steps of my Guru Maharaja. He was such a transcendental aristocrat. I had no great personal qualifications. I just tried to follow his instructions.”

Other disciples of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura tried unsuccessfully to preach Krsna consciousness in English speaking Europe. Srila Prabhupada, however, had full faith in his guru and Krsna’s name. Fearless as Abhimanyu, he brought Krsna consciousness to the world’s most powerful country, America.

Besides speaking English and being a “super power,” America was leading the world in the sinful activities of meat eating, illicit sex, gambling, intoxication. If Americans would take up Krsna consciousness, thought Srila Prabhupada, then surely it would spread to “every town and village,” as Lord Caitanya predicted five hundred years ago. After all, “What’s a glorious victory without a glorious fight,” which Srila Prabhupada would sometimes say.

At the age of seventy, armed with karatalas and a crate of Bhagavatams, Srila Prabhupada set off to America in 1965 on the steamship “Jaladuta.” During the arduous forty day sea journey the ship met heavy storms. For two consecutive nights, he had severe heart attacks which almost killed him.

On the third night, Lord Krsna appeared to Srila Prabhupada in a dream. The Supreme Lord Himself was pulling the ship to America, encouraging Srila Prabhupada and giving him all protection. Srila Prabhupada penned this prayer upon reaching New York City:

“My dear Lord Krsna, You are so kind upon this useless soul, but I do not know why You have brought me here. Now You can do whatever You like with me. How shall I make them understand the message of Krsna consciousness?

“I am very unfortunate, unqualified, and most fallen. Therefore, I am seeking Your benediction so I can convince them. For I am powerless to do so on my own.

“O Lord, I am like a puppet in Your hands. So if You have brought me here to dance, then make me dance, make me dance. O Lord, make me dance as You like.”

In Manhattan, Srila Prabhupada struggled through the icy cold snowbound winter of l965. He continued writing and occassionally selling a few Bhagavatams. But for one year nothing really happened.

Gradually, a few yoga students began attending his classes on Bhagavad gita. The word spread that an “Indian swami was in town teaching a unique yoga method: chanting Hare Krsna.” After his room was robbed, he moved into a small storefront apartment at 26 Second Avenue in the Lower East Side.

In nearby Tompkins Square Park, Srila Prabhupada led the first public chanting of Hare Krsna in the Western world. On July 13, 1966, he founded ISKCON (The International Society for Krsna Consciousness) and initiated a dozen disciples.

To receive initiation disciples must promise to give up all forms of illicit sex, meat eating, intoxication, and gambling. Srila Prabhupada was well on his way to realizing his mission.

Under Srila Prabhupada’s pure guidance the Krsna consciousness movement quickly flourished. Within months ISKCON Radha Krsna temples opened in New York, San Francisco, Boston, Los Angeles, Montreal, and London. In the l970’s, he traveled around the world fourteen times, establishing 108 Radha Krsna temples in all the major cities of the America, Europe, Africa, India, Asia, and Australia.

He initiated a total of five thousand sincere disciples from different nationalities. He opened asramas and pure vegetarian “Govinda’s” restaurants. On every continent he started Vedic gurukulas and goshallas. Srila Prabhupada was the first spiritual master to introduce both elegant Deity worship of Radha and Krsna and the annual Ratha yatra festival of Lord Jagannatha in the western countries.

ISKCON’s Jagannatha Ratha yatra festivals, complete with three beautiful wooden carts carrying Lord Jagannatha, Lord Baladeva, and Lady Subhadra, a thunderous sankirtana procession, and massive prasadam distribution, take place every year in over two hundred cities worldwide.

Though constantly traveling and preaching to priests, princes, politicians, philosophers, scientists, and his disciples, Srila Prabhupada kept translating the Srimad Bhagavatam. He wrote over eighty books about Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Nectar of Devotion, The Science of Self Realization, and English translations with commentaries on Srimad Bhagavatam, Bhagavad gita As It Is, Isopanisad, Upadesamrta, Narada Bhakti sutras, Mukunda mala stotra, and Caitanya Caritamrta are some of his works.

Prabhupada’s books have been translated into fifty languages such as French, German, Italian, Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Japanese, Swahili, Hindi, Bengali. Almost a billion copies have been distributed worldwide.

In only eleven years, between the ages of seventy and eighty one, Srila Prabhupada accomplished his mission. He credited his phenomenal success to personal effort, an unshakeable faith in his spiritual master and the holy names of Lord Sri Krsna.

He was not an ordinary person. Srila Prabhupada was personally chosen and empowered by the Supreme Lord to spread Krsna consciousness and chanting Hare Krsna all over the world.

In Vrndavana, during the auspicious month of Kartika in l977 on November 14, while surrounded by loving disciples singing their hearts out in kirtana, Srila Prabhupada chanted Hare Krsna and entered the eternal pastimes of Radha Syamasundara. To this day ISKCON keeps growing through cooperation and strict following of Srila Prabhupada’s pure example and perfect instructions.

As one of the world’s most dynamic religious and cultural movemments, ISKCON has more than three hundred temples on five continents. Srila Prabhupada’s samadhi is in Vrndavana at the ISKCON Krsna Balarama Mandira.

(Book Excerpt: Gaudiya Vaisnava Biographies and Samadhis in Vrndavana by Mahanidhi Swami)

,

Is Our Bhakti Pure?

Mahanidhi Swami

In Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu (1.1.11), Sri Rupa Goswamipada gives the clearest, most perfect definition of suddha-bhakti or pure devotional, loving expression toward Bhagavan Sri Krishna. This verse is so crucial and important for all devotees to know, feel, realize, live and express that Srila Prabhupada quoted and explained it over 400 times!

Although we don’t know who wrote it, we offer our utmost respect and gratitude to the author of the following article which accurately describes pure bhakti; which we have modified for your pleasure. We humbly beg all devotees to deeply read, study and try your best to embody and practice these essential teachings. If you do then very soon your bhakti will become pure, and Sri Krishna will run toward you to fill your immaculate heart with His love and bliss eternal.

Sri Rupa Goswamipada’s definition of pure bhakti (uttama bhakti):

anya bhilashita shunyam, jnana karmad yanavrtam
anukul yena krishanu, shilanam bhakti uttama

Trans: Uttama-bhakti, or real, true and topmost loving service (bhakti) is devotion favorably offered to Krishna that is free from any type of selfish, personal motives or desires and devoid of jnana (brahma-jnana) and karma (desiring personal benefits and promotions). In other words, with all the actions of one’s body, mind and speech the pure devotee will try to please and satisfy Sri Krishna.

ANUKULYENA KRISHNA ANUSHILANAM

Anukulya means feelingly acting (with devotion) with a clear, selfless favorable mind only to make Krishna happy. Pleasing Shyama automatically pleases ourselves. Do it and taste the blissful difference between selfless and selfish actions.

Krishnanushilanam means continuous activity; bhakti is a lifestyle not just two hours of “chanting my rounds”. Krishnanushilanam means 24/7 pure bhakti flow, mood, feelings and movements all directed toward Sri Krishna.

However, uttama bhakti is not only restricted to the usual limbs of bhakti like hearing, chanting, remembering etc. The great devotional sage Srila Rupa Gosvami’s definition of uttama-bhakti includes everything connected with Krishna through the thread of surrender, devotion and favorability. Bhakti is a complete lifestyle; not something you do for part of the day and then forget about it. It’s not a job—Bhakti is our life, our heart and our entire existence.

The word anushilanam refers to all the activities one can perform either while awake, asleep or in deep sleep. At every moment a devotee should perform only Krishnanushilanam, activities to bring a smile on Shyama’s lotus face. For example, eating Krishna prasada, sleeping, dressing and exercising to maintain our bodies, which are on loan from Krishna for His seva, are all part of uttama-bhakti.

In Krishnanushilanam there are two modes of action: accepting or rejecting something (sankalpa/vikalpa). If you accept something, it must be anukula or favorable and pleasing to Krishna (and maybe not to you) and His devotees. Rejection of something is also based on the principle of being favorable to Sri Krishna. Krishnanushilanam includes Krishna, His associates and objects belonging to Krishna. Your actions should really satisfy the heart of Krishna; not that you force Krishna to say, “Thank you.”ANYA BHILASHITA SHUNYAM

Anyabhilashita-shunyam means acting for Krishna’s happiness without any ulterior motive, free from calculation and personal ambition. Generally a person desires some fruits from his endeavors. And if one does not desire something then at least one thinks ‘let this work be finished and I will feel happy.’

Such thinking is contaminated with the desire (abhilasha) for freedom, peace, mukti or jnana-avrtam, “Soon the job will be done and I will be free.” This means that one is not really interested in the seva, but in finishing it. Of course, the seva must be finished but not for our interest but for His—Sri Krishna. Desiring to finish quickly and be free means one will act passionately without feeling. This is not uttama bhakti.

In uttama-bhakti, one must perform actions favorably for Krishna’s pleasure whether it takes little time, a lot or a lifetime. The backing motive is the key factor. A real pure devotee thinks, acts and feels, “My beloved Sri Krishna, Radharani and all Their wonderful devotees should be happy and pleased with me and that’s all! You first, you second, everything for you—that’s my life, my purpose and my joy. Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

ANYA ABHILASHITA means to have no other desire but ONE: the desire to serve and please Priyatama Sri Krishna. When one desires to serve Sri Krishna, then there is no question of “let me finish this seva quickly so I will be free.” Uttama-bhakti means absorption in service, moment to moment favorable activities for the happiness of Sri Krishna and His devotees.

Let’s all examine our hearts and motives. Now once and for all time let’s throw away and kick out all our selfishness, holding back, profit calculating, and benefit trading feelings and mentalities. A life of pure love awaits the pure hearted, and this is what Radha and Krishna want. They want selfless, dedicated loving devotees who just want to be with, serve and please Radha-Govinda Yugala forever in Vraja Dhama.

Jai Jai Sri Radhe! Suddha bhakti ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe! Radhe! Radhe! Radhe! Radhe! Radhe! Radhe! Radhe! Radhe!

,

Hare Krishna Japa 16 Tips for Beginners – October 1, 2018

Mahanidhi Swami

  1. Dawn and dusk are best for japa because the air is pure and the density of distracting vibrations is less.
  2. Bathe or just wash hands, feet, face, and mouth before sitting for japa.
  3. Observe silence (besides japa) and avoid all distractions, both internal and external.
  4. Sit in the same place at the same time daily. Facing east or north enhances concentration.
  5. Resolve to complete a certain minimum number of repetitions. (rounds or malas)
  6. Recite prayers before the recitation.
  7. Repeat the mantra aloud for a few minutes, and then recite silently. If the mind wanders, recite loudly again or whisper for some time. Return to mental japa as soon as possible.
  8. Focus your attention exclusively on the mantra sound.
  9. Close your eyes, and mentally recite the mantra slowly with devotion and one-pointed attention (ekagrata). As the mind becomes still and concentrated, mental japa speed will automatically increase.
  10. When you repeat the mantra, visualize that Bhagavan Sri Krishna is sitting in your heart, sending purity into your mind. The mantra is elevating you to the spiritual dimension of seeing your eternal identity. The mantra is liberating you from all your negative karmas, worldly desires and cravings for unnecessary things.
  11. Do not perform japa in a hurried manner.
  12. Be vigilant and alert during japa. Open your eyes or stand if dullness overcomes you.
  13. Be regular in the number of daily rounds (malas or recitations of the Holy Name).
  14. Maintain your japa practice with tenacity and perseverance.
  15. Recite japa during any free time, especially at the daily junctures (morning, noon, and evening) and before sleep.
  16. Upon completing japa, sit a few minutes meditating on God and your relationship with Him. Think how you can be a better person by trying to live moment to moment for the pleasure of God and the happiness of everyone around you.

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

Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

2017 GITA JAYANTI: How To Properly Observe?

Mahanidhi Swami

To celebrate the advent of the immortal song of surrender, devotion and perfection in bhakti, one should worship Bhagavan Sri Krishna in His eternal form as the Bhagavad Gita as follows:

** Place the Holy Scripture on a decorative cloth or asana on your altar or some other dedicated area. Then…

  1. Perform acamana (offer all articles below to grantha Sri Bhagavad Gita)
  2. Offer Tulasi manjaris with sandalwood paste
  3. Offer fragrant flower garland
  4. Offer milk sweet with Tulasi leaf
  5. Offer arotika (incense, ghee lamp, conch water)
  6. Do parikrama of Gita book
  7. Glorify Gita with prayers
  8. Chant each Gita sloka
  9. Conclusion of 18 chapters, offer dandavats to Gita, Bhagavan Sri Krsna, Arjuna, Sanjaya & Sri Gurudeva, begging them to accept your Gita jayanti puja.
  10. Also try to read or hear the Padma Purana “Gita Mahatmya” chapter which describes a lila and the benefits of chanting each chapter of Gita.

***NOTE: As suggested in # 7. One can chant the following prayers penned by Sripad Adi Shankaracharya and taken from the BBT Bhagavad-gita As It Is Introduction:

1

gita adhyaana-shilasya, pranayama-paraasya cha

naiva santi he paapani, purva janme kritani cha

If one reads Bhagavad Gita very sincerely and with all seriousness, then by the grace of Krsna, the reactions of his past misdeeds will not act upon him.

2

mala nirmochanam pumsam, jala snanam dine dine

sakrid gitambhaasi snanam, samsara mala nashanam

One may cleanse himself daily by taking a bath in water, but if one takes a bath even once in the sacred Ganges water of Bhagavad Gita, for him the dirt of material life is altogether vanquished.

3

gita sugita kartavya, kim anyaih shastra vistaraih

ya svyam padama nabhaayasa, mukha padmad vinih srita

Because Bhagavad Gita is spoken by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one need not read any other Vedic literature. One need only attentively and regularly hear and read Bhagavad Gita

4

bharat amrita sarvasam

vishnor vaktrad vini sritam

gita gangodakam pitva

punar janma na vidyate

One who drinks the Ganges water attains salvation, so what to speak of one who drinks the nectar of Bhagavad Gita? Gita is the essential nectar of Mahabharata and is spoken by Krsna Himself, the original Visnu.

5

sarvo panishado gavo

dogdha gopala nandanah

partho vatsah sudhir bhokta

dugdham gita amritam mahat

This Gitopanishad is just like a cow and Krsna is a famous cowherd boy, who is milking this cow. Arjuna is just like a calf and learned scholars and pure devotees are to drink the nectarean milk of Bhagavad Gita.

6

ekam sastram devaki-putra-gitam

eko devo devaki-putra eva

eko mantras tasya namani yani

karmapy ekam tasya devasya seva

Let there be one common scripture for the whole world—Bhagavad Gita. Let there be one God only—Sri Krsna; and one prayer only—chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra; and let there be one work only—Krishna bhakti.

Gita Jayanti ki jai! Srimad Bhagavad Gita ki jai! Jaya Jaya Sri Radhe!

 

,

Boons of Bhagavad Gita

Mahanidhi Swami

The Padma Purana “Gita Mahatmya” describes many amazing stories to illustrate the astonishing spiritual power, benefits and results of reciting each chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, the quintessence of all Upanishadic wisdom.

To encourage everyone to daily read a chapter, a few verses or even half a verse of the most perfect and wonderful Bhagavad Gita, we present the shruti phalas i.e. the fruit or benefit received by hearing, reading or chanting each chapter.

1: End material misery; attain eternal service of Bhagavan Sri Krishna

2: Quickly attain full knowledge, devotion and the mercy of Sri Krishna.

3: Frees one’s ancestors from ghostly bodies or bondage in hell, and gives them sarupya mukti to Vaikuntha.

4: Frees one from tree form of life; gives devotee family birth; destroys material desires and awards Krishna bhakti.

5: Attain complete purity, purify anyone contacting you, and go to Vaikuntha.

6: Attain deep detachment, and the service of Bhagavan Vishnu’s lotus feet.

7: Freedom from all sins and Vaikuntha liberation.

8: Gives immense joy and Vaikuntha liberation to you and all your ancestors.

9: Removes fear, destroys sins and aparadhas, and gives constant remembrance of Sri Govinda’s lotus feet.

10: Freedom from the effects of curses, and attain the darshana of Bhagavan Sri Vishnu.

11: Gives full sense control, continuous remembrance of Jagat Ishvara Sri Vishnu and Vaikuntha liberation.

12: Attain divine powers and Sri Krishna bhakti.

13: Attain complete freedom from sinful reactions and Vaikuntha sarupya-mukti.

14: Attain Vaikuntha liberation and Sri Vishnu’s nitya seva.

15: Attain Vaikuntha liberation.

16: Attain immense peace, amazing powers and the lotus feet of Bhagavan Sri Krishna.

17: Attain Vaikuntha sarupya-mukti.

18: Destroys all material desires, gives unlimited bliss and Vaikuntha liberation.

The author of this article and millions of other fortunate souls worldwide have all received unlimited wisdom, solace, peace, purity and bliss from reading, hearing, studying, teaching and distributing Bhagavad Gita As It Is by Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. The following quote from his wonderful introduction to this most sacred grantha will close this post.

Srila Prabhupada said, “The ways and means for ultimate realization and attainment are stated in the Bhagavad Gita which is open for everyone. If one adopts the principles enunciated in Bhagavad Gita, one can make his life perfect and permanently solve all the problems of life. If one properly follows the instructions of Bhagavad Gita, one can be freed from all miseries and anxieties in this life.”

Sri Bhagavad Gita ki jai! Srila Prabhupada ki jai! Gitya Mahatmya ki jai! Jaya Jaya Sri Radhe!

,

Shiva’s Real Marriage

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

It is a widespread idea that Shiva Ratri is the day Sri Shivaji married Srimati Sri Parvati-devi. The Bengali yearly calendar, circulated in the millions, boldly proclaims: “Shiva Ratri, the day Lord Shiva married Parvati.”

However popular this idea is, it is not found in the sacred texts of India. To know the real facts regarding transcendence, divine personalities, and reality in general one must refer to three different sources of Vedic knowledge i.e. prasthana-traya.

1) Shruti Prasthana: (108 [major] Upanisads and Vedic mantras)

The Upanisads are the crown jewel of the Vedas, eternally existing as the sound incarnation of Bhagavan meant to bring (nishidati) one near (upa) the Absolute Truth. The wisdom of the Upanisads is called rahasya-vidya, secret knowledge, because one realizes it in the heart after receiving it from Sri Guru.

2) Nyaya Prasthana: (Vedanta-sutra)

3) Smrti Prasthana: (Gita, Mahabharata, Puranas)

Among the many Puranas (smrti-prasthana), the most comprehensive and authentic source of knowledge regarding Lord Shiva is the Shiva Purana.  Here we will fine the real marriage day of Shiva and the meaning of Shiva Ratri.

The Shiva Purana (chapter 9, vidya-sara “Rudra Samhita”) says that SHIVA RATRI IS THE PUJA DAY, when Sri Vishnu and Brahmaji performed the first worship of Lord Shiva. Once Sri Vishnu and Brahmaji came to Kailash Parvata to have darshana of Shivaji.

After waiting sometime, they suddenly saw an unlimitedly huge stambha (“Jyotira-linga”). Neither Vishnu nor Brahmaji could find the beginning or end of that linga. Then Lord Shiva personally manifested before them, and Vishnu and Brahmaji worshiped Shiva with pancha-upacaras, five puja items.

Feeling joyful with their puja, Shiva said, “I am very pleased by your worship. From now on this day will be called “Shiva Ratri”. I will be fully bless anyone who honors this day by worshiping me.” Thus began the tradition of worshiping Lord Shiva on Shiva Ratri.

Regarding the actual, true marriage date of Srimati Parvati and Lord Shiva, the Shiva Purana says, “They were married in Chaitra month (march-april) shukla trayodashi, which means the 13th day of the waxing moon.

We hope this information will increase everyone’s awareness and understanding of Lord Shiva, who is the best Lord Sri Krishna’s devotees, vaishnavanam yatha shambhuh [Srimad Bhagavatam 12.13.16],  and one of the 12 authorities (mahajanas) of Vaisnava wisdom, svayambhur naradah shambhuh…[Srimad Bhagavatam 6.3.20].

Har Har Mahadeva ki jai! Om Namo Shivaya! Jaya Jaya Sri Radhe!

,

Shivaji Discovers Radha Kunda

Mahanidhi Swami

One day during the wave of a kalpa rising and falling in the endless ocean of time, Shankara Mahadeva visited Vraja Mandala and came to Govardhana Hill.

Astonished, amazed, overwhelmed and plunged into the ocean of Krishna prema, he gazed at Radha-kunda. Entering a deep state of prema samadhi, then and there Shivaji saw the beautiful divine forms of Radha and Krishna, realized Their sweet all-attractive qualities, and became tantalized with enchantment upon seeing Their nitya lilas, going on right before his prema-filled eyes.

Mahadeva clearly saw and realized the oneness of Radha-kunda—Shyama-kunda with sakshat Mahabhava Prema-svarupini Radha and Rasikashekara Srngara Rasaraja Sri Krishna. To glorify the power, mercy and sweet beauty of Sri Radha-kunda, Shivaji, trembling in divine bliss, spontaneously uttered a beautiful prayer which he called “the king of all prayers”.

Concluding his stotram, Shivaji gave a benediction (shruti-phala) combining his prayer and the endless mercy Sri Radha-kunda. Shivaji said, “Any sādhaka who recites this stava 100 times (Pandas say 108) while standing inside Sri Radha-kunda up to the thighs, navel, chest or neck will attain complete perfection in (dharma, artha, kāma, mokṣa) and ATTAIN KRISHNA PREMA!

“Everything that sadhaka says will come true and he/she will obtain Sri Radhika’s darshana, seeing Her even with his present eyes! Being supremely pleased with that sadhaka, Sri Radha will also grant darshana of Her dearly beloved Syamasundara.

“Then Vrajadhipa Syama, the Master of Vraja-dhama, will grant one entrance into His eternal pastimes (asta-kaliya-lila). Other than this, nothing more is ever hankered for by sincere devotees.” (Urdhvāmnāya-tantra v. 16-19) [Just see the kindness! Can there be any other lila-sthali in Vraja Mandala more merciful and beautiful than Sri Radha-kunda.]

This wonderful, divinely empowered stotram, the king of all prayers, forever plays in the minds and hearts of all the Radha-kunda Vrajavasis. It regularly dances upon their lips as they gaze upon Srimati Radharani, and heart fully express their love, gratitude and appreciation to Swamini for the blessing of  their birth in Radha-kunda, the daily darshana of Her most compassionate and accessible divine form, and the most rarely attained golden opportunity of being able live in and serve Sri Radha Kunda.

All the brahmana children and others in Radha-kunda learn this prayer by the time they are five-years-old! And it is our constant prayer that birth after birth we will take birth in Sri Radha Kunda Dhama till that one merciful day when Lila Yugala grant me Their loving darshana and take me into Their eternal asta-kaliya-lilas…. ki jai!

For the pleasure of Radha Giridhari Shyama, Radha Ramana, Gopeshvara Mahadeva, Sri Advaita Prabhu, the Vrajavasis, Sri Gurudeva and all the devotees, we herein present Sri Shankara’s amazing prayer.

Śrī Rādhā-Kṛpā-Kaṭākṣa-Stava-Rāja

Spoken by Sri Shivaji to Sri Gaurī in Urdhvāmnāya-tantra

munīndra-vṛnda-vandite tri-loka-śoka-hāriṇī
prasanna-vaktra-paṅkaje nikuñja-bhū-vilāsini
vrajendra-bhānu-nandini vrajendra-sūnu-saṅgate
kadā kariṣyasīha māṁ kṛpā-kaṭākṣa-bhājanam? (1)

  1. Lord Siva said, Adored by all the best of sages, Radha removes all the miseries of the three worlds. Radha’s joyful face blooms like a lotus flower. In Vraja’s secret groves Radha delights in pastimes of love. Bhanunandini Radha is the charming daughter of King Vrsabhanu, and Radha always associates intimately with Sri Nandanandana. Radha, O when will You shower upon me Your sidelong glance of mercy?

aśoka-vṛkṣa-vallarī-vitāna-maṇḍapa-sthite
pravāla-vāla-pallava-prabhāruṇāṅghri-komale
varābhaya-sphurat-kare prabhūta-sampadālaye
kadā kariṣyasīha māṁ kṛpā-kaṭākṣa-bhājanam? (2)

  1. Radhika rests upon a flower throne beneath a canopy of creepers and boughs of Asoka. Kisori’s soft lotus feet radiate a pinkish glow like the rising sun or coral-colored freshly sprouted leaf buds. Rasesvari’s upraised hand bestows the benediction of fearlessness upon Her devotees. Radha is the abode of abundant opulences.

Radha, O when will You shower upon me Your sidelong glance of mercy?

anaṅga-raṅga-maṅgala-prasaṅga-bhaṅgura-bhruvāṁ
savibhramaṁ sasambhramaṁ dṛganta-bāṇa-pātanaiḥ
nirantaraṁ vaśī-kṛta-pratīti-nanda-nandane
kadā kariṣyasīha māṁ kṛpā-kaṭākṣa-bhājanam? (3)

  1. Radha’s eyebrow brows, curving like bows, suddenly unleash the invincible arrows of Her sidelong glances, which pierce Nandanandana with amorous delusion and bring Syama into reverential submission. In this way, Kṛṣṇa eternally comes under Radha’s complete control. This is further enhanced by Srimati’s crookedly-bending eyebrows that dance with the most auspicious sportive interest of the god of love! Radha, O when will You shower upon me Your sidelong glance of mercy?

taḍit-suvarṇa-campaka-pradīpta-gaura-vigrahe
mukha-prabhā-parāsta-koṭi-śāradendu-maṇḍale
vicitra-citra-sañcarac-cakora-śāva-locane
kadā kariṣyasīha māṁ kṛpā-kaṭākṣa-bhājanam? (4)

  1. Radhika’s form has a fair complexion brilliantly more effulgent than a combination of pure gold, lightning, and campaka flowers. The splendor of Candramukhi’s face defeats the glory of a million Autumn moons. Priyaji’s restless eyes, moving to and fro like young cakora birds, display astonishingly new and wonderful expressions at every moment. Radha, O when will You shower upon me Your sidelong glance of mercy?

madonmadāti-yauvane pramoda-māna-maṇḍite
priyānurāga-rañjite kalā-vilāsa-paṇḍite
ananya-dhanya-kuñja-rājya-kāma-keli-kovide
kadā kariṣyasīha māṁ kṛpā-kaṭākṣa-bhājanam? (5)

  1. Srimati Radhika is madly intoxicated with the beauty of Her own youth. Manini Radha is always adorned with Her pre-eminent ornament, that delightful sulking mood known as māna. Radha is colored by the delight of Her darling’s love for Her. Vilasini Radha is supremely expert in the art of loving affairs. In the incomparable realm of wonderful kuñjas, Kunjesvari is the most learned in all of love’s novelties. Radha, O when will You shower upon me Your sidelong glance of mercy?

aśeṣa-hāva-bhāva-dhīra-hīra-hāra-bhūṣite
prabhūta-śāta-kumbha-kumbha-kumbhi kumbha-sustani
praśasta-manda-hāsya-cūrṇa-pūrṇa-saukhya-sāgare
kadā kariṣyasīha māṁ kṛpā-kaṭākṣa-bhājanam? (6)

  1. Srimati Radhika is adorned with profound loving sentiments for Kṛṣṇa (e.g. anurāga, dhirādhira, kilakincita) that manifest as amorous gestures, ecstatic moods and gentle manners, which shine on Her person like a diamond necklace. Radha’s lovely breasts are plump like a pair of golden water pots or the cranial globes of a baby elephant. Radha resembles a swelling ocean of happiness full of (not water, but) the soft pollen of Her most glorious mild sweet smile. Radha, O when will You shower upon me Your sidelong glance of mercy?

mṛṇāla-vāla-vallarī taraṅga-raṅga-dor-late
latāgra-lāsya-lola-nīla-locanāvalokane
lalal-lulan-milan-manojña mugdha-mohanāśrite
kadā kariṣyasīha māṁ kṛpā-kaṭākṣa-bhājanam? (7)

  1. Radhika’s soft arms are like fresh, delicate lotus stems playfully swaying in the waves of a river. The restless roving glances of Radha’s deep blue eyes dance seductively like vine-tips in the breeze. Radha’s playful and alluring movements entice lovely meetings, and fascinate Mohana Himself to take refuge in Her charms. Radha, O when will You shower upon me Your sidelong glance of mercy?

suvarṇa-mālikāñcita-tri-rekha-kambu-kaṇṭhage
tri-sūtra-maṅgalī-guṇa-tri-ratna-dīpti-dīdhiti
salola-nīla-kuntala-prasūna-guccha-gumphite
kadā kariṣyasīha māṁ kṛpā-kaṭākṣa-bhājanam? (8)

  1. Srimati Radhika wears a pure golden necklace on Her neck which is as graceful as a lovely conch enhanced with three lines. Sobhangi is decorated with small jasmine garlands, and ornaments made with glistening jewels of three colors (diamond, emerald and pearl) that swing from Radha’s trisūtra (three auspicious cords tied around the neck of a new bride). Sundari Radha’s luxuriant black tresses, artfully woven with clusters of colorful flowers, sway to and fro. Radha, O when will You shower upon me Your sidelong glance of mercy?

nitamba-bimba-lambamāna-puṣpa-mekhalā-guṇe
praśasta-ratna-kiṅkiṇī-kalāpa-madhya-mañjule
karīndra-śuṇḍa-daṇḍikā-varoha-saubhagoruke
kadā kariṣyasīha māṁ kṛpā-kaṭākṣa-bhājanam? (9)

  1. Radha’s rounded hips are decorated by a belt of dangling flowers. Tiny tinkling jewel-bells hang from the flower belt on Radhika’s charmingly slender waist. Vrndavanesvari’s most beautiful thighs taper gracefully like the sloping trunk of the king of the elephants. Radha, O when will You shower upon me Your sidelong glance of mercy?

aneka-mantra-nāda-mañju-nūpurā-rava-skhalat
samāja-rāja-haṁsa-vaṁśa-nikvaṇāti-gaurave
vilola-hema-vallarī-viḍambi-cāru-caṅkrame
kadā kariṣyasīha māṁ kṛpā-kaṭākṣa-bhājanam? (10)

  1. Radharani’s captivating golden ankle bells, sweetly resounding with a host of Vedic mantras as She walks, resemble the warbling of a flock of royal swans. The elegant beauty of Gaurangi’s limbs as She walks along, mocks the grace of undulating golden creepers. Radha, O when will You shower upon me Your sidelong glance of mercy?

ananta-koṭi-viṣṇu-loka-namra-padmajārcite
himādrijā-pulomajā-viriñcajā-vara-prade
apāra-siddhi-ṛddhi-digdha-sat-padāṅgulī-nakhe
kadā kariṣyasīha māṁ kṛpā-kaṭākṣa-bhājanam? (11)

  1. Srimati Radhika is humbly bowed to by all the Lord Brahmas in the countless millions of universes created by Lord Visnu. Rasapriya Radha is worshiped by Śrī Lakṣmī, the goddess of unlimited millions of Vaikuṇṭha planets, Śrī Pārvatī, Sarasvati, and Indrāṇī (Indra’s wife and daughter of Puloma) to attain benedictions from Her. Meditation on even one of Gandharvika’s radiant toenails grants an infinite variety of mystic perfections and opulent prosperities. Radha, O when will You shower upon me Your sidelong glance of mercy?

makheśvari! kriyeśvari svadheśvari sureśvari
triveda-bhāratīśvari pramāṇa-śāsaneśvari
rameśvari! kṣameśvari pramoda-kānaneśvari
vrajeśvari vrajādhipe śrī rādhike namo ’stu te (12)

  1. O Makheśvari Radha, Queen of Vedic sacrifices (especially of the topmost yugala milana-yajña);

O Kriyeśvari Radha, Queen of all pious activities (Who are the root of all potencies, mūla-śakti);
O Svadheśvari Radha, Queen of all that is natural and spontaneous;
O Sureśvari Radha, Queen of all the demigods and goddesses;
O Triveda-bhāratīśvari Radha, Queen of all the knowledge of the three Vedas;
O Pramāṇa-śāsaneśvari Radha, Queen of the enforcement of all scriptural principles;
O Rameśvari Radha, Queen of all the goddesses of fortune (Ramā-devī, the goddess of fortune);
O Kṣameśvari Radha, Queen of forgiveness;
O Pramoda-kānaneśvari, Queen of the most pleasurable forest of Vrndavana;
O Vrajeśvari Radha, Queen of the entire realm of Vraja (especially of the delightful keli-kuñjas in Vṛndāvana);
O Vrajādhipe Radha, the owner, maintainer, and the one and only authority of Vraja;
O Sri Radhika! I perpetually forever offer my most respectful obeisances unto You! [O Radha, when will You mercifully make me Your dāsī and grant me the qualification to render service in Your amorous pastimes with the prince of Vraja?]

 

BOONS AND BENEDICTIONS (Shruti Phala)

itīmam adbhutaṁ-stavaṁ niśamya bhānu-nandinī
karotu santataṁ janaṁ kṛpā-kaṭākṣa-bhājanam
bhavet tadaiva sañcita-tri-rūpa-karma-nāśanaṁ
bhavet tadā vrajendra-sūnu-maṇḍala-praveśanam (13)

  1. O Vṛṣabhānu-nandinī! Upon hearing this most astonishing prayer, please make me the perpetual object of Your merciful glance. O Srimati Radhika! By the influence of Your causeless mercy, may all the reactions to my karma be destroyed and, realizing my internal identity as a mañjarī, may I enter the circle of Your confidential sakhīs to participate in Śrī Vrajendra-sūnu’s eternal pastimes in Sridhama Vrndavana.

rākāyāṁ ca sitāṣṭamyāṁ daśamyāṁ ca viśuddha-dhiḥ
ekādaśyāṁ trayodaśyāṁ yaḥ paṭhet sādhakaḥ su-dhiḥ
yaṁ yaṁ kāmayate kāmaṁ taṁ taṁ prapnoti sādhakaḥ
rādhā-kṛpā-kaṭākṣeṇa bhaktiḥ syāt prema-lakṣaṇā (14-15)

14-15. If a sādhaka with purified intelligence recites this prayer with a fixed mind on the lunar days known as the full-moon day, the bright (shukla) aṣṭamī, daśmī, ekādaśī and trayodaśī, then each and every one of his desires will be fulfilled.

“And by the merciful sidelong glance of Śrī Rādhā, he will obtain devotional service that has the special symptom of being imbued with pure, ecstatic love of God (prema).

16-19. Any sādhaka who recites this stava 100 times (Pandas say 108) while standing inside Sri Radha-kunda up to the thighs, navel, chest or neck will attain complete perfection in (dharma, artha, kāma, mokṣa) and ATTAIN KRISHNA PREMA! [If old,weak, ill or both], just sit in water up to waist]

“Everything that sadhaka says will come true and he/she will obtain Sri Radhika’s darshana, seeing Radharani with his present eyes! Being supremely pleased with that sadhaka, Sri Radha will also grant darshana of Her dearly beloved Syamasundara.

“Then Vrajadhipa Syama, the Master of Vraja-dhama, will grant one entrance into His own eternal pastimes of ecstatic daily sports (asta-kaliya-lila). Other than this, nothing more is ever hankered for by the sincere devotees.” (Urdhvāmnāya-tantra v. 16-19)

Shankara Bhagavan Mahadeva Gopeshvara ki jai! Radha-kunda ki jai! Shyama-kunda ki jai! Jaya Jaya Sri Radhe!

,

Panditji & Swamiji

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

One of the oldest and most famous Gaudiya Vaisnava scholars in Vraja today is 99 year old Pandita Sri Krishna Dasa Babaji Maharaja, Bhakti-tirtha.

Srila Prabhupada and Pandita Sri Krishna Dasji became friends in the 1960’s after meeting in Bon Maharaja’s college in Vrindavana. A few years ago, Pandita Baba recounted his memories of Prabhupada for a book titled, “Our Srila Prabhupada—A Friend to All”.

Here we share those memories, and invite our readers to relish the sweet and sometimes humorous exchanges between the liberated ones.

Pandit Sri Krishna Dasa Babaji:

“I was a Sanskrit student and scholar in the early 1960’s, and I often visited Bon Maharaja’s Sanskrit college, which was across from where the ISKCON temple is now. At that time, Srila Swami Maharaja also was living in Sri Vrindavana Dhama. He was writing translations and purports to the beginning three volumes of his Srimad Bhagavatam series in the English language.

“At the college, there was an informal gathering of local Gaudiya and Vrajavasi scholars and writers who met regularly every few weeks or each month to share their work and ask for suggestions regarding the Sanskrit or whatever. I attended those writers’ meetings and so did Srila Swami Maharaja. That is how we began our acquaintance and friendship.

“I remember how delightful his countenance was. Swamiji was very charming, and full of realization, humor and affection. He was so kind upon me. I was a much younger man, junior in all ways. Yet Swamiji treated me just like a son or a very little brother. He always encouraged me, asked about my welfare, and shared hari-katha from his writings.

“He was a valuable friend during that time. Although his material circumstances were then so poor, he always seemed to me to be one of the richest devotees in spiritual blessings. He was a very learned and humble Vaisnava. He worked very diligently on his manuscripts, and often spoke about the order from his guru maharaja, His Divine Grace Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Prabhupada.

“I have one special remembrance of something that occurred during our regular meetings at Bon Maharaja’s college. Swamiji had every intention to somehow spread this Krishna knowledge in the West, despite all obstacles.

“He would often speak of this task of service, and was always looking for opportunities to somehow arrange to travel there. Most of us at that time were quite doubtful that he could succeed to go. He was practically penniless then, without sponsors or connections. Many of us were not so favorable for any Indian to go to the mleccha [western] countries, so we did not encourage him. Nevertheless, he was undaunted.

“I recall how Swamiji came one day in great happiness and excitement. I think he had just completed his third volume of the Srimad Bhagavatam and he was carrying all three in his hands. He then explained to our group how he had finally printed the last texts and now the books were ready to go to the West.

“In a very sweet way, he formally asked if we would all please bless his books that they would be able to go across the ocean and be successful in spreading Krishna consciousness in the western countries. Of course, we were willing to do that. So he carefully passed around the stack of three, brick-red, cloth bound books, and asked each of us to touch them and give our blessings, which we did.

“Immediately after this he did something quite remarkable. Swamiji explained with deep seriousness how these Bhagavata books, now blessed, could not go across the ocean by themselves. Someone would have to take them to the west, popularize them, and distribute them properly to the public. So he then humbly requested, with folded palms, that our assembly would also bless him to accompany the books and preach on their behalf. In this way he took us all by surprise.

“We all then felt moved to finally give our full blessings to his mission. I thought at that time how remarkable a Vaisnava he was, to request such blessings and to arrange for receiving them so wonderfully. I remember when I gave my blessings to him, I felt a spiritual surcharge in my heart.

“Many years later, and now still it stands strongly in history how Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaja [Srila Prabhupada] was successful in carrying our heritage and philosophy to the whole world. I feel honored to have been some very small part of that glorious success.”

Srila Prabhupada ki jai! Pandit Sri Krishna Dasji Babaji Maharaja ki jai!

Jaya Jaya Sri Radhe!

,

O, How Glorious are Devotees!

Mahanidhi Swami

 

In the last article, we heard about the glories of brahmanas.

Here Sri Narottama Dasa Thakura reminds us of the power and position of the saintly devotees of Bhagavan Sri Krishna. May we always be blessed with the darshana, sanga and seva of the wish-fulfilling angels of mercy gracing this gloomy world in the form of Krishna bhaktas, the Vaisnavas.

 

“The lotus feet of the saintly Vaisnavas are the greatest wealth in this world. O my dear brothers! Please listen attentively. One who takes shelter of the Vaisnava and worships Krishna is never forsaken by Krishna. Others die without reason.

“The water that has washed the feet of a Vaisnava gives divine strength to a person engaged in loving devotional service. Nothing else is more powerful than this. The dust of the feet of the Vaisnavas upon my head is the only decoration needed at the time of death.

“The Puranas and bhakti discourses often mention the purifying power of tirtha jal. However, the water from the feet of a Vaisnava far surpasses the benedictory power of such sacred water. In fact, all of one’s desires are fulfilled by taking the water from the feet of a Vaisnava.

“One experiences great bliss in associating with Vaisnavas discussing hari-katha. Becoming impatient due to forgetfulness of Krishna, Narottama dasa thus laments. (Prarthana 5.44)

Satam prasangam ki jai! Koti koti bhakta gana ki jai! Jaya Jaya Sri Radhe!