Tag Archive for: RadhaKrishna

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Raganuga Bhakti: Proof & Facts

Mahanidhi Swami

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu personally taught sadhana bhakti and its two divisions, vaidhi and raganuga, to his chief followers Sri Ramananda Raya, Sri Sanatana Goswami and Sri Rupa Goswamipada.

Raganuga-bhakti means having a fervent desire and attraction to follow the feelings and sevas of a particular eternal Vrajavasi associate of Sri Krishna, who personifies the foundational loving relationship i.e. sthayi-rati, that you want to eternally have with Bhagavan Sri Krishna. For example, if you desire to love and serve Krishna as His household servant i.e. dasya-rati, you’ll emulate and Raktaka, Patraka etc.

Desiring friendship i.e. sakhya-rati (becoming a cowherd boy) with Krishna means to follow the moods and ways of Subala, Sridama, etc. For a parental relationship i.e. vatsalya-rati, your ideals are Nanda Baba and Yasoda Ma; and if you hanker for Krishna’s seva in amorous love i.e. srngara madhurya-rati, you will practice raganuga-bhakti in allegiance to Srimati Radharani, Lalita, Visakha, Sri Rupa or Tulasi manjari.

So you can see that there are four paths of raganuga-bhakti leading either to dasya, sakhya, vatsalya or madhurya ratis in Vrndavana.

FACT ONE:

However, the most startling and significant FACT IS that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Himself, the Six Goswamis, Sri Narottama Dasa Thakura, and Sri Visvanatha Cakravarti, and all the Gaudiya Vaisnava acaryas ONLY TAUGHT AND WROTE specifically about practicing raganuga-bhakti sadhana TO BECOME A SAKHI/MANJARI in srngara madhurya-rati to eternally serve Radha-Krishna in the kunjas of Vrndavana!

Therefore, as a Gaudiya Vaisnava where is the scope for anything else like becoming a cowherd boy, parent or servant in Vraja? Where will you find the sastras, the sacred books, the Gurus, the mantras, and the teachings to pursue any other sthayi-rati than srngara madhurya-rati to become a sakhi/manjari dasi maidservant of Sri Sri Radha and Krishna?

The answer is you won’t find help anywhere in the Gaudiya Vaisnava sampradaya.

YOU WILL BE LOST—stranded, alone and wandering without guidance, which is definitely a risky path to tread. Gaudiya Vaisnavism means raganuga-bhakti, and for Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the Six Goswamis and all our acaryas, RAGANUGA BHAKTI MEANS VRAJA GOPI BHAVA AND MADHUYRA RATI!

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Himself directly experienced, relished and taught ONLY ABOUT raganuga-bhakti in srngara madhurya-rati. Mahaprabhu also instructed all His DIRECT FOLLOWERS to do the same. Thus Sri Raya Ramananda, Sri Sanatana Goswami, Sri Rupa Goswamipada, Sri Raghunatha Dasa Goswami and Sri Krishna Dasa Kaviraja wrote extensively about practicing raganuga-bhakti to become a sakhi/manjari of Radha-Govinda Yugala in Vraja.

What is the proof for all these statements? Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s direct words and teachings are the proof that gopi/manjari bhava is the one and only way to attain success and spiritual perfection in Krishna bhakti bhajana.

The following quotations from Sri Caitanya Caritamrta will prove and establish all the truths revealed above. Please carefully read these verses and study them with your teachers. Also read these two chapters in order to fully grasp this subject: Sri Caitanya Caritamrta Adi-lila chapter 4; Madhya-lila chapter 8, and all the later chapters of Antya-lila.

In Sri Caitanya Caritamrta, madhhya-lila, chapter eight (Caitanya Caritamrita 2.8.57-191), Mahaprabhu asks life’s most crucial questions. What is the goal of human life and how to attain it? Mahaprabhu then directly empowers and enlightens Sri Ramananda Raya, who in turn gives the perfect answers, which Mahaprabhu patiently listens to. What follows is a summary of Mahaprabhu’s teachings on what is raganuga-bhakti, how to practice it, what wonderful result does it give the sadhaka?

First Mahaprabhu asks, “What is the way and the means (sadhana) to attain the ultimate goal (sadhya) of human life?

Raya Ramananda answers, “Vishnu bhakti is the goal, and one can perform it by following the rules and duties of one’s position, sva dharma acarane, aka following the varnasrama system.” (Caitanya Caritamrita 2.8.57)

Mahaprabhu replied, “This is external or irrelevant, so go forward and speak more about the means and goal of human life, eho bahya, age kaha ara.”

Raya Ramananda continued each time speaking what he thought was the essential goal of life, sarva-sadhya-sara. (Caitanya Caritamrita 2.8.59) Raya Ramananda then said karma arpana as the goal, and again Mahaprabhu rejected this practice saying speak more, go further.

Raya Ramananda mentioned svadharma tyaga (renouncing one’s sva-dharma); and jnana-misra bhakti (bhakti mixed with brahma jnana and yoga).

Mahaprabhu rejected both saying they are external, speak further.

Then Raya Ramananda said, jnana-sunya bhakti (bhakti free from brahma jnana), and Mahaprabhu said, “This is OK, but go further, speak more.” Raya Ramananda replied by saying Krishna prema bhakti is the goal. Nodding His beautiful golden head in approval, Mahaprabhu said, “Yes this is OK, but go further speak more about this.”

Raya Ramananda: “Dasya prema, serving Sri Krishna as a humble servant.”

“Yes this is OK, but go further and speak more about this said Mahaprabhu.”

Raya Ramananda: “Sakhya prema (serving Krishna like His friends Sridama or Subala), and vatsalya-prema (serving Krishna like Yasoda Ma).” Hearing this, Mahaprabhu smiled in joy saying, “Yes, these are the TOP, but go further, speak more, eho uttama, age kaha ara.”

Raya Ramananda said life’s perfection is kanta Krishna prema (serving Krishna as His transcendental amorous lover like Srimati Radharani and the Vraja-gopis). Then he perfectly defined it in 16 most wonderful verses (Caitanya Caritamrita 2.8.80-95). Hearing his elucidation, Mahaprabhu’s heart swelled and His beautiful lotus faced flushed with bliss as He replied, “Radha’s Krishna kanta prema is certainly the HIGHEST LIMIT OF HUMAN PERFECTION, sadhya avadhi suniscaya. Be merciful and speak a little more, krpa kari kaha age kichu haya.” (Caitanya Caritamrita 2.8.96-97)

After Raya Ramananda mentioned only three verses about Radhika’s exceptional Krishna prema, Mahaprabhu said, “By hearing about Radharani, I feel so happy! Your katha is a rushing river of unprecedented nectar, but speak more, age kaha, sunite pai sukhe, apurv amrta nadi vahe!” (Caitanya Caritamrita 2.8.101)

Raya Ramananda then uttered 18 of the choicest sastric praman verses to describe the matchless pure love of Srimati Radharani. (Cc. 2.8.98-116) Sighing in ultimate satisfaction, Mahaprabhu loudly proclaimed, “Now I have learned the topmost objective of all transcendental wisdom, saba tattva-vastu, haila mora jnana!! And now I understand the ultimate goal of human life and the means to attain it; but say a little more, janilun sadhya sadhana nirnaya, age ara anilun sadhya-sadhana-nirnaya ache kichu.” (Caitanya Caritamrita 2.8.117-118)

Raya Ramananda then expertly and fully explained all about Radha and Krishna’s transcendental forms (svarupa-tattva), rasa-tattva, prema-tattva, and Radha-Krishna prema tattva. However, when he mentioned Radha-Madhava’s prema vilasa varta, a bewildering revolution in divine amorous ecstasy, Mahaprabhu succumbed to prema, and covered Ramananda’s mouth with His hand, preme sva-haste tanra mukha acchadila. (Caitanya Caritamrita 119-193) Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu ki jai! Radha-Krishna prema ki jai!

Mahaprabhu concluded, “O Raya Ramananda, without practicing raganuga bhakti sadhana this topmost goal of human life, Radha-Krishna prema, will never be attained, sadhya vastu sadhana vinu, keha nahi paya. So please tell Me (and all Gaudiya Vaisnavas) the means to attain, kaha pabara upaya, Radha-Krishna prema?” (Caitanya Caritamrita 2.8.197)

Raya Ramananda said, “Radha-Krishna lila is very deep and confidential. YOU CAN NEVER ATTAIN IT by dasya, sakhya or vatsalya bhava, i.e. being Krishna’s servant, cowherd boy or parent. There is one and only one way to attain the goal of Radha-Krishna’s pastimes and Their seva in the bowers of Vraja. One must adopt gopi-bhava and follow the Vraja-gopis, sakhi bhave kare anugati, radha krishna kunja seva sadhya sei paya, ara nahika upaya!” (Caitanya Caritamrita 2.8.204-205)

Raya Ramananda then spoke 16 amazing verses about the beautiful Vraja gopis. So how to attain all of this? Raya Ramananda answers, “You must worship Radha-Krishna on the path of raganuga-bhakti, raganuga marge bhaje, yei jana.” (Caitanya Caritamrita 2.8.221)

So how to practice raganuga-bhakti? Ramananda answers, “You must accept gopi-bhava, and day and night meditate on the pastimes of Radha and Krishna, ataeva gopi bhava, kari angikara, ratri dina cinte radha krishna vihara. Remember your eternal spiritual body, SIDDHA DEHA, and mentally serve Radha and Krishna. By doing this you will attain the perfection of gopi-bhava and the lotus feet of Radha-Krishna, siddha-dehe cinti kare sevana, sakhi bhave paya radha krishnera caraëa” (Caitanya Caritamrita 2.8.228-229)

After hearing Raya Ramananda’s perfect and complete description about the TOPMOST means and goal of human life, sadhana sadhya sara, Mahaprabhu tightly embraced him and started crying profusely in ecstatic love, eta suni prabhu, kaila alingana, karena krandana. (Caitanya Caritamrita 2.8.233)

Thus concludes the full and clear meaning of exactly what is raganuga-bhakti with all facts and proof from sacred sastra. Jai Jai Sri Radhe! Jai Srila Prabhupada! Jai Gurudeva!

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Raganuga Bhakti: Clearing Misconceptions

Mahanidhi Swami

For the last thirty years, we have often heard the following false statements and misconceptions regarding the topic of raganuga-bhakti from the leaders and followers of various spiritual missions.

By quoting Gaudiya Vaisnava shastra, this post will remove these misconceptions and establish the truth and real facts about the practice of raganuga-bhakti. The misconceptions will be followed by the truth and correct conception.

LIST OF POPULAR MISCONCEPTIONS ON RAGANUGA BHAKTI

  1. MISCONCEPTION: “You have to be a pure devotee or be a very advanced devotee to practice raganuga-bhakti.”

TRUTH: Wrong! Vaidhi bhakti and raganuga-bhakti are two parallel paths of sadhana bhakti. Practice of either path can begin at the stage of anartha nivrtti. Both paths progress through the stages of anartha nivrtti, nishtha, ruchi, asakti and culminate in prema. However, the prema perfection of vaidhi sadhana takes one to Vaikuntha or to the majestic, formal realm of Goloka, a vaibhava expansion Goloka Vrindavana. Whereas, the prema perfection of raganuga sadhana immerses one in the intimately sweet madhurya-lila seva of Radha-Govinda Yugala in Gokula Vrindavana, the topmost plane of spiritual attainment.

Shastra Proof: Vaidhi bhakti and raganuga-bhakti are two parallel paths of sadhana bhakti. (Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu 1.2.5) Vaidhi sadhakas attain Goloka not Gokula Vrindavana. (Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu 1.2.303, Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti tika; and Raga Vartma Chandrika 1.12)

yeṣāṁ tu vṛndāvane rādhā-kṛṣṇayor mādhuryāsvādane ‘bhilāṣaḥ athaca nyāsa mudrādi vaidhī mārgānusāreṇa bhajanaṁ teṣāṁ dvārakāyāṁ na rukmiṇī-kāntasya prāptis tatrābhilāṣābhāvāt. na vā vṛndāvane śrī rādhā-kṛṣṇayoḥ prāptiḥ rāga mārgeṇa bhajanābhāvāt. tasmāt teṣāṁ vidhi mārgeṇa bhajana kāryasya aiśvarya-jnānasya prādhānyaṁ yatra yathābhūtasya śrī vṛndā-vanasyāṁśe goloke śrī rādhā-kṛṣṇayoḥ prāptiḥ na tu śuddha mādhuryamaye vṛndāvane iti jneyam.

  1. MISCONCEPTION: “O, Prabhu, You are not qualified for practicing raganuga-bhakti sadhana.”

In this regard, we once heard a Guru address an audience of 100 disciples: “None of you are qualified to practice raganuga-bhakti. So don’t even think about it or reading anything about this. Just do your service!”

TRUTH: First of all, such statements are made because of personal interest or mission maintenance considerations. Secondly, how can anyone generically judge the content of another devotee’s attraction to Krishna, or the sweetness one feels in his/her heart regarding Radha-Govinda Yugala? The practice of raganuga-bhakti sadhana has nothing to do with age, gender, ashram, spiritual experience, titles or posts.

According to Sri Rupa Gosvami, if one’s mind and senses become even slightly attracted to and interested in seeing the beautiful murtis of the stunningly gorgeous Radhe-Shyama or Sri Sri Radha Raman or, or if one feels a sweet feeling of loving attraction in his/her heart after hearing the astonishing Vraja madhurya lila katha of Radha-Krishna and Their sakhi manjaris—then one is qualified to begin and to practice raganuga-bhakti sadhana.

In other words, qualification is based on one’s individual taste, attraction and the sweetness one experiences by living in Sri Vraja Dhama, worshiping and seeing Radhe-Shyama, and hearing/reading the Vraja lilas (especially asta-kaliya-lila) of Radha-Madhava and the gopis.

Shastra Proof: “Those who develop longing for the bhāva of the gopīs after seeing the sweetness in the deity of Krishna and the gopīs, or after hearing about His pastimes with the gopīs, are qualified for sādhana of either of these types of kāmānuga-bhakti [i.e. raganuga-bhakti sadhana following the gopis and manjari of Vraja]. The Padma Purāṇa says gender does not matter, so even men can attain the bhakti of the Vraja gopis.” (Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu 1.2.300)

śrī-mūrter mādhurīṁ prekṣya, tat-tal-līlāṁ niśamya vā
tad-bhāv ākāṇkṣiṇo ye syus, teṣu sādhana tānayoḥ
purāṇe śruyate pādme, puṁsam api bhaved iyam

Sri Jiva Goswamipada said, “When one REALIZES TO SOME DEGREE the sweetness of the love and activities of Sri Krishna’s eternal Vrajavasi associates through hearing from the scriptures such as Bhāgavatam, which describe these siddha devotees, his/her intelligence may develop disregard for the injunctions of scripture (śāstram) and logic (yuktim), though logic is certainly employed.” (tika Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu 1.2.292)

  1. MISCONCEPTION: “In raganuga-bhakti sadhana there are no rules, so you just follow your ‘bhava’ and serve Radha and Krishna according to your liking.”

TRUTH: Again, totally wrong! A raganuga-bhakti sadhaka FOLLOWS ALL THE RULES AND REGULATIONS of vaidhi sadhana plus more. Yes, a raganuga sadhaka rises by 4 a.m; attends mangala aratika; chants 16 rounds minimum; studies Srimad Bhagavatam and Goswami granthas; travels and preaches; distributes audios, videos, posts and books; follows the 4 regulative principles; daily bathes twice/thrice; only eats Krishna prasadam; wears devotional clothes…and so on.

In Raga Vartma Chandrika, Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti has clarified this point by saying, “A raganuga-bhakti sadhaka follows all the rules of vaidhi bhakti except the following [which today practically no one does anyway]:

1) Read & Meditate upon Sri Krishna’s Dvaraka lila (dvaraka-dhyana);

2) Worship the Dvaraka Queens (mahishi-puja);

3) Use mudras in puja;

4) Do nyasa to purify body;

5) Think, “I am Krishna” “Radha” or such and such istadevata (ahamgrahopasana)

Shastra Proof: (Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu 1.2.296 tika of Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti; and Raga Vartma Chandrika)

  1. MISCONCEPTION: “If the members of the mission start practicing raganuga-bhakti, no one will preach anymore and the mission will collapse.”

TRUTH: Again, wrong! As previously said, many famous raganuga sadhakas are also preaching worldwide, printing and distributing books and lecturing on Krishna consciousness.

Raganuga bhakti is a private, internal practice based one’s raga or personal attraction toward Sri Krishna and His eternal Vrindavana associates in a particular way. Just like a husband externally works hard to maintain his family while simultaneously internally deepening his love and commitment to his wife and children. The outreach practices of preaching, traveling and training disciples can easily go on side by side with raganuga-bhakti sadhana.

Shastra Proof: Raganuga-bhakti like vaidhi bhakti is a sadhana, a daily practice leading to spiritual perfection. (Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu 1.2.5)

Raganuga-bhakti sadhana ki jai! Manjari bhava ki jai! Jaya Jaya Sri Radhe!

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Srimad Bhagavatam & Seven Siddha Dehas

Mahanidhi Swami

Did you know that not less than 7 siddha dehas are clearly described in the SrimadBhagavatam? Yes, it’s absolutely true—confirmed by the highest authority: the Bhagavata, which is the topmost, perfect shastra pramanam, amala Purana and the Pāramahaṁsa-saṁhitā.

Whether one is a Sri Krishna krpa-patra or a spiritually perfected bhakta sadhaka, he/she WILL ATTAIN a beautiful and divine siddha svarupa or SIDDHA DEHA. By the mercy of Sri Guru and Bhagavan Sri Krishna, the following personalities attained siddha dehas and went eternally to the spiritual sky:

  1. BALAK NARADA MUNI

evaṁ kṛṣṇa mater brahman, nāsaktas yāma lātmanaḥ
kālaḥ prā durabhūt kale, taḍit saudāmanī yathā

“O Brahmin Vyasa! Giving up all material attachments, I focused my pure mind completely on Sri Krishna and gave up my material body. Instantly, without any time interval at all, I received my spiritual body (siddha deha), like lightning flashing simultaneously with lightning.

prayujyamāne mayitāṁ, śuddhāṁ bhāgavatīṁ tanum
ārabdha karma nirvāṇo, nyapatat pāñca-bhautikaḥ

“Having been awarded a transcendental body befitting an associate of Bhagavan Sri Vishnu, my material body made of five material elements and my karmas fell away.” (Srimad Bhagavatam 1.6.27-28)

Sridhar Swami tika:

The verse word prayujyamāne means that the siddha deha was personally brought by Bhagavan Sri Vishnu [from Vaikuntha] and given or awarded to Narada Muni at death.

Srila Visvanatha Cakravartitika:

Previously, after once giving His sakshad darshana to the boy sadhaka, Narada Muni, Bhagavan Sri Vishnu disappeared and spoke invisibly from the sky (akashvani), saying, “O Narada, when you give up this body of low birth, you will become My associate.” (SB 1.6.23) Here in verse 28, Sri Vishnu fulfills His promise as Narada Muni simultaneously gives up his material body and receives the spiritual body, siddha deha.

  1. YUDDHISTHIRA & PANDAVAS

“Hearing the arrangements of Sri Krishna and the proper situation of the Yadu family, without others knowing, Yudhiṣṭhira fixed his mind on attaining Krishna’s abode.” (Srimad Bhagavatam 1.15.32)

SrilaVisvanathaCakravartitika:

The word svah in this verse (Srimad Bhagavatam 1.15.32) usually refers to the celestial heavens, but here it means the spiritual realm of Vaikuntha, as proven four chapters later (Srimad Bhagavatam 1.19.20), which says, “sad yojahur bhagavat pārśva kāmāḥ, “The Pandavas attained Krishna’s abode in the spiritual sky.”

  1. PUTANA RAKSHASI

Just see the inconceivable and most astonishing compassion of Bhagavan Sri Krishna! A baby-killing, blood-sucking witch came to kill Him, yet Sri Krishna mercifully gave Putana a spiritual body as a nursemaid [dhatri] assistant to Yashodamaya in GolokaVrindavana.

aho bakī yaṁ stana kāla kūṭaṁ,
jighāṁs ayāpāya yadap yasādhvī
lebhe gatiṁ dhātry ucitāṁ ta tonyaṁ,
kaṁvā dayāluṁ śaraṇaṁ vrajema

Sri Uddhavji said, “O! The most evil Pūtanā, intent on killing Krishna, offered her poisonous breast to Krishna, yet she attained the position of a nurse in the spiritual world. Who else can be as merciful as Bhagavan Sri Krishna? Thus I surrender to Krishna!” (Srimad Bhagavatam 3.2.23]

  1. THE PERFECTED SADHAKA

Here Bhagavata describes the Vishnu/Krishna premi-sadhaka (anuragi Vaisnava) who experiences ecstatic symptoms of divine love just before leaving the material body to attain Vaikuntha and a spiritual form, siddha deha.

yac ca vrajantya-nimiṣām-ṛṣabh-ānuvṛttyā,
dūre-yamāh-yuparinaḥ-spṛhaṇī-yaśīlāḥ
bhartur-mithaḥ-suyaś-asaḥ-kathan-ānurāga,
vaiklav-yabāṣpa-kala-yāpulakī-kṛtāṅgāḥ

Sri Brahmaji said, “The dedicated followers of Bhagavan Sri Vishnu have transcended the rules and regulations (durayama) of yoga meditation and other austerities and even surpassed us. Possessing the most excellent qualities, they cry incessantly due to their intense attraction for Hari-katha and then enter Vaikuntha [which means attaining a siddha deha].” (Srimad Bhagavatam 3.15.25)

  1. BALAK DHRUVA MAHARAJA

Immediately on the spot, by the inconceivable shakti of Sri Vishnu, Balak Dhruva’s human body underwent transfiguration and became a spiritual body in this most amazing chapter of Srimad Bhagavatam.

parīt-yābhyarcya-dhiṣ-ṇyāgryaṁ, pārṣad-āva-bhivandya ca
iyeṣa tad adhiṣṭhātuṁ, bibhrad-rūpaṁ-hiraṇmayam

“Before boarding the transcendental Vaikuntha airplane, Balak Dhruva circumambulated and worshiped it; offered respects to the Vishnu parshads (associates); and assumed a golden form. Then that plane delivered him to Dhruvaloka, an outpost of Vaikuṇṭha within the material atmosphere.” (Srimad Bhagavatam 4.12.29)

Srila Visvanatha Cakravart itika:

Balak Dhruva worshipped the Vaikuntha airplane by offering flowers dipped in chandan while saying “Bhagavad vimānāya-namaḥ.”

  1. AJAMILA THE SINNER

After 80 years of grossly sinful life, the Brahmin Ajamila was saved from hell by Bhagavan Sri Vishnu. Then he went to Haridvartirtha to perform intense Vishnu bhakti bhajana. At death, he got a siddha svarupa [siddha deha] and liberation to Vaikuntha.

hitvā-kalevaraṁ-tīrthe, gaṅgā-yāṁ-darśan-ādanu
sadyaḥ-svarūpaṁ-jagṛhe, bhagavat-pārśva-vartinām

“After seeing the Vishnuduttas [messengers of Bhagavan Sri Vishnu], Ajamila gave up his body at Haridvara by Ma Ganga, and immediately attained a spiritual body as an associate of Bhagavan Sri Vishnu.”

Śrīnātha Cakravartī (Mahaprabhuparshad and Sri Advaita Prabhu shishya) said, the verse word SADYA means a seamless transfer; it occurred immediately without any break.

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das:

The Sanskrit word meanings in this verse are crystal clear.

Sadya; immediately Ajamila got it i.e. siddha deha.

Sva-rūpam; means his own individual spiritual form i.e. the siddha deha or “the siddha svarupa” as Sri RupaGosvami describes it in Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu.

Jagṛhe; means Ajamila adopted or assumed it.

Bhagavat-pārśva-vartinām; means Ajamila attained a spiritual body as an associate of Bhagavan Sri Vishnu i.e. samipya-mukti.

  1. GAJENDRA THE ELEPHANT

A couple of boys, a fiendish witch and a fallen papi Brahmin all got the mercy of Sri Krishna and attained spiritual bodies, siddha dehas, in the spiritual realm. Now just observe how the line of divine krpa extends even to beasts, as Sri Vishnu liberates a suffering jungle elephant.

yaṁ dharma-kāmārtha-vimukti-kāmā,
bhajan-taiṣṭāṁ-gatim-āpnuvanti
kiṁ-cā-śiṣorāt-yapi-deham-avyayaṁ,
karotu me ‘dabhra-dayo-vimokṣaṇam

Hati Gajendra prayed, “Persons desiring dharma, artha, kāma and mokṣa worship Bhagavan Sri Vishnu/Krishna, attain assorted material benedictions, the treasure of prema and a spiritual body too. May that unlimitedly merciful Bhagavan Sri Vishnu/Krishna also liberate me from samsara and give me an imperishable spiritual body [dehamavyayaṁ], siddha deha.” (Srimad Bhagavatam 8.3.19)

Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti tika:

Devotees having material desires also serve Sri Krishna. They desire dharma, kāma, artha and liberation which they get by worshipping Bhagavan Sri Krishna. Besides that, they also receive the most cherished goal of Krishna prema.

The Bhagavata says, “Bhagavan Sri Vishnu certainly gives the objects desired by His devotees. However, He gives them in such a way that the devotee, after enjoying them, will not ask for them again. Even though they don’t desire them, Sri Krishna lovingly gives His lotus feet to such motivated worshipers. (Srimad Bhagavatam 5.19.27)

Bhagavan Sri Vishnu gives the desired material objects, and also gives them a spiritual body as He did with Dhruva and others. Thus Sri Vishnu is unlimitedly merciful.

mmgd: The siddha deha that Gajendra prayed for here was attained in the next chapter of SrimadBhagavatam. This is a very very important point for sadhakas of bhakti. Following Gajendra’s example of intentionally praying to Sri Krishna for a siddha deha, we too should pray to Sri Krishna to kindly and mercifully reveal our personal siddha dehas.

However, unlike Gajendra, who seeing his life about to end in the jaws of the crocodile of death, prayed once at death to attain a siddha deha, sincere sadhakas SHOULD PRAY EVERDAY to Sri Krishna to please reveal their individual and beautiful siddha dehas right here and right now.

gajendro-bhagavat-sparśād, vimukto ‘jñāna-bandhanāt
prāpto-bhagavato-rūpaṁ, pīta-vāsāś-catur-bhujaḥ

“Because Bhagavan Sri Vishnu directly touched HatiGajendra, the elephant was totally freed from ignorance and samsara. Gajendra attained the Vaikuntha liberation of svarupya-mukti, i.e. the same transcendental bodily features as Sri Vishnu with four hands and a brilliant yellow dress.” (Srimad Bhagavatam 8.4.6.)

Conclusion:

Can anyone imagine the tremendous power, beauty and sweetness of bhakti in any form, be it karma/jnanamishra bhakti, shuddha-bhakti or even deceitful devotion masking murderous intents? Disregarding all mixed motives, Bhagavan Sri Vishnu/Krishna kindly purifies His worshipers, humbly fulfills their material desires, and gives them eternal spiritual forms in Vaikuntha even if they aren’t desiring them.

Children, sinful Brahmins, sincere sadhakas, prakrta-bhaktas, murderous witches and even beasts like elephants—all get the mercy and attain the spiritual sky by the infinite, divine compassion of Sri Vishnu/Krishna.

“O Sri Krishna, remembering all these success stories of Srimad Bhagavatam, I too hope one day to receive a drop of Your mercy, the embrace of Your love, and a spiritual form too. Please, O Sri Krishna, please, O please, don’t neglect this one piteously crying in Your divya dhama!” (verses from madan-gopal blogspot)

Sri Krishna krpa ki jai! Jaya Jaya Sri Radhe!

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Sri Radha in Bhagavata First Verse

Mahanidhi Swami

Eyes dipped in Krishna prema and mind suffused with rasa tattva and siddhanta gives Sri Visvanatha Cakravarti the power and vision to see Srimati Radharani EVERYWHERE, even in the first verse of the Srimad Bhagavatam Canto One Verse One.

janmādy asya yato ‘nvayad itaraś cārtheṣv abhijñaḥ svarāṭ
tene bhrama hṛdā ya ādi-kavaye muhyanti yat sūrayaḥ
tejo vāri-mṛdaṁ yathā vinimayo yatra tri-sargo ‘mṛśā
dhāmnā svena sadā nirasta-kuhakaṁ satyaṁ paraṁ dhīmahi
(Srimad Bhagavatam 1.1.1)

Translation:

“O Bhagavan Sri Krishna, son of Vasudeva, O all-pervading Personal God, I offer my respectful obeisances unto You. I meditate upon Bhagavan Sri Krishna because Krishna is the Absolute Truth and the primeval cause of all causes of creation, sustenance, and destruction of the manifested universes. Although Sri Krishna is directly and indirectly conscious of all manifestations, Krishna is independent because there is no other cause beyond Krishna.

“It is Krishna only who first imparted the Vedic knowledge unto the heart of Brahmājī, the original living being. Sri Krishna bewilders even the great munis and devatas, just as one sees water in fire or land on water. Because of Krishna alone the material universes appear factual although they are just temporary manifestations caused by the three modes of nature. I therefore meditate upon Bhagavan Sri Krishna who eternally exists in His transcendental abode, which is forever free from all material illusions. And I meditate upon Sri Krishna because Krishna is the Absolute Truth.”

This is the most popular translation of the Bhagavata verse one. But now just marvel at the following masterpiece of enlightened comments on this verse by our great rasika Gaudiya Vaisnava mahajana acarya, Sri Visvanatha Cakravarti:

“This verse means may we meditate (dhimahi) upon Sri Krishna from whom appears the highest adi rasa of śṛṅgāra-rasa (janma ādyasya). By meeting (anvayāt) with and separation (itarataḥ) from Radharani and the Vraja-gopis this adi rasa (adyasya) i.e. srngara-madhurya rasa is accomplished. In fact, the Bhagavatam itself is the scriptural form of madhura-rasa (pibata bhāgavatam rasam Srimad Bhagavatam 1.1.3)

“Aspiring for the highest goal, we meditate on Radha and Krishna from whom arises the height of madhura-rasa. Giving up all other gopī lovers (itarataḥ), Krishna followed Radha alone and became subservient (anvayāt) to Radha.

“Among all the gopīs, Sri Krishna experiences the summit of sweetness in the company the principal gopi, Srimati Vrndavanesvari. Because Krishna is a dhīra-lalita hero, Radhika alone remains with Her lover (svarāṭ) as a svādhīna-kāntā, a lover who controls Her beloved Sri Krishna.

“Abhijnah svarat means that Sri Krishna is a completely transcendental, independent gallant lover skilled in all nuances of rasa. The word abhijnah (omniscient) means Sri Krishna has complete knowledge and skill in everything suitable for rasa such as the sixty four arts. The word svarat means that unlike material heroes, who are affected by time and karma, Sri Krishna, the sole enjoyer of transcendental rasa, madhurya-rasa, is absolutely independent and transcendental.

“The phrase tene bhrama hṛdā ya ādi-kavaye means that Sri Krishna alone transferred the truth (brahma) about ādi-rasa (madhura rasa) into the mind and heart (hṛdā) of Bharata Muni (ādi-kavaye), the original exponent of material rasa. The Sanskrit dictionary says the word brahma can mean truth, Vedas etc.

“Or this phrase means that Krishna imparted this madhura rasa tattva into the heart of Suka Muni. Thus whenever advanced devotees (yat surayah) read the Srimad Bhagavatam, which is packed with rasa, they faint (muhyanti) in ecstasy from tasting it and undergo transformations (sattvik vikaras), just as fire, water and earth reverse their properties (tejo vāri-mṛdaṁ yathā vinimayo).

“For instance the moon gave up its quality of moving and became stunned like earth upon seeing the rāsa-līlā of Radha and Krishna at Candra Sarovara in Govardhana. Water turns solid like earth upon hearing Krishna’s flute and solid stones melt into water.

The phrase tri-sargo ‘mṛśā dhāmnā svena sadā means the creation of Krishna’s three classes of lovers: the Vraja gopis, Dvaraka queens and the Vaikuntha Laksmis.

“Satyam param dhimahi means we meditate upon Radha and Krishna, the topmost truth (satyam) with transcendental forms (param). Thus the worship Radha-Krishna Yugala is shown as the topic of verse one of the Srimad Bhagavatam.”

Radha-Krishna ki jai! Sri Visvanatha Cakravarti ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

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Vraja Seva & Bhajan Gives 1,000 x 1,000 Benefits

Mahanidhi Swami

Although it is a popular notion that one will suffer 1000 X reactions for any offenses committed in Vrindavana (aparadhas to Thakuraji, Guru, Vaisnavas, Nama, Vrajavasis, Yatris, and the dhama itself, this fact is not stated anywhere in the Srimad Bhagavatam, or any of the Gaudiya Vaisnava Goswami granthas.

In this regard, Srila Prabhupada said, “It is the verdict of Vedic culture that one must follow the authorities. Krishna also said this in the Bhagavad-gita (16.24), tasmad shastras pramanam te: ‘Whatever you do, you must follow the shastras.’ Otherwise it is not bona fide. So we cannot avoid shastras.” (751103CC.BOM)

The Srimad Bhagavatam ( 7.14.30-33) which is the shastra pramana, amala Purana for the entire Gaudiya Vaisnava sampradaya says: “The extremely, sacred transcendental pilgrimage sites (tirthas, dhamas) of MATHURA/VRINDAVAN, Pushkara, Kurukshetra, Gaya, Prayaga, Dvaraka, Varanasi, Badarikashrama, Citrakuta…etc., and places where Radha-Krishna murtis are worshiped are the purest places on earth (punya tamah deshah). If one wants to advance in spiritual life, one should visit these transcendental holy places again and again.

shreyas kamo hy abhikshnashah, dharmo hy atrehitah pumsam, sahasradhi phalodayah sahasra adhi  

“All good activities like dana (giving charity), tapa (observing fasts and austerities) puja, punya karmas, Thakuraji puja, and Radha-Krishna bhakti bhajan performed in these sacred place give MORE THAN a thousand times the result of the same activities performed in other places.” (Srimad Bhagavatam 7.14.33)

Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti tika: Acts performed in these places give a thousand times more result than at other places.

Vraja vasa, Harinama japa, kirtan and Krishna lila smaran ki jai! Jaya Jaya Sri Radhe!

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Real Radha Kunda Appearance Day March 31, 2018

Mahanidhi Swami

There is an amazing story behind this. The day before Caitra Purnima 2017, I met with 108 Pandit Sri Krishna Dasa Babaji Maharaja and had the following conversation:

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das: “Gurudeva, since Sri Sanatana Goswami says in (Srimad Bhagavatam 10.45.3) Vaisnava Toshani tika that today, Caitra Purnima midnight is the ACTUAL AND REAL APPEARANCE DAY OF RADHA KUNDA, should we bathe tonight to honor that wonderful, most merciful lila of Radha and Krishna?”

Gurudeva: (replied affirmatively while looking straight into my eyes from about one foot away), “Yes, you should!”

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das: “Should I tell all your disciples about this?

Gurudeva: “Yes, get a microphone, go around Radha-kunda and tell everyone.”

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das: “Really, Gurudeva, are you serious that I should do that?”

Gurudeva: “Yes, because the Karttika Bahulastami snana is NOT THE APPEARANCE DAY OF Radha-kunda. In Mathura Mahatmyam, Sri Rupa Gosvamipada says that devotees should BATHE ON THE KARTTIKA DAY OF BAHULASTAMI just to please Bhagavan Sri Hari. It says nothing about appearance day.

“According to our Gaudiya Vaisnava mahajana and supreme praman, Srimad Bhagavatam, today at midnight Caitra Purnima IS THE REAL APPEARANCE DAY OF SRI RADHA KUNDA!”

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das: (Since Gurudeva is 99 years old, I never expected him to say yes), but nevertheless, I curiously asked him the next question): “Gurudeva, would you like to join us and take Radha-kunda midnight snana tonight?”

Gurudeva: (Much to my surprise), Pandit Baba looked at me innocently like a child and said enthusiastically, “YES, I’LL WILL ALSO TAKE MIDNIGHT SNANA!”

And that’s how our first annual Caitra Purnima Radha-kunda Appearance Festival started. On behalf of Sri Advaita Prabhu, Sri Gurudeva and all the faithful followers of the six Goswamis, we invite all the devotees to come bathe at midnight on every Caitra Purnima to celebrate the actual, real APPEARANCE DAY OF RADHA KUNDA.

Radha-kunda Annual Avirbhava Mahotsava ki jai! Jaya Jaya Sri Radhe!

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Harinama Is Not Diksha

Mahanidhi Swami

Receiving the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra from a teacher is not called diksha; it is an expression of acceptance, care and compassion.

According to the Veda shruti, Sri Sanatana Goswami, Sri Jiva Goswamipada and all Gaudiya Vaisnava acharyas diksha means to receive the Krishna mantra (aka Gopala Mantra) from the spiritual master. Only this is diksha. Although it’s commonly thought that receiving harinama is diksha, it is not according to shastras, tradition and the teachings of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

To teach the example for everyone, Bhagavan Sri Rama, Sri Krishna, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the Panca Tattva and all Gaudiya Vaisnavas have taken diksha which means atma samarpana or surrender to Sri Guru, and hearing three times in the right ear the Gopala/Krishna mantra from Sri Guru.

The confusion arises because the terms nama and mantra are often mixed up and translated incorrectly. Mantra is called nama and nama is called mantra. But Nama DOES NOT MEAN MANTRA. Nama means names of Krishna i.e. the maha-mantra. Although called a mantra, it is actually a chant of divine names which is why it’s in the EIGHTH or vocative CASE, the vocative form of calling out to Bhagavan—“O Hare, O Radha, divine energy of Sri Krishna. O Krishna, please save me!”

The word mantra, however, refers to a collection of transcendental sounds in the FOURTH or dative CASE which by definition must contain a bija mantra (om, klim, srim, aim); and a verb (svaha, namah, vidmahe, dhimahi, prachodayat). In the following verse, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu clearly explains that the DIKSHA MANTRA is different than Krishna’s Divine Name, nama.

krishna mantra haite habe, samsara mocana
krishna nama haite pabe, krishnera carana

Sri Chaitanyadeva said, “Krishna mantra means the diksha mantra i.e. Gopala Mantra which acts to free the disciple from all anarthas, karmas and samsara. The name of Krishna i.e. Hare Krishna Hare Rama will give Krishna’s lotus feet.” (Caitanya Caritamrita. 1.7.73)

Practically all the Sanskrit and Bengali verses glorifying Sri Krishna’s Divine Name always use the word, NAMA and not mantra. For example, nama cintamani krsnas, hari nama harer nama harer nama, iti ñoòaçakaà nämnäà, nämnäm akäri bahudhä nija-sarva-çaktis, and there are hundreds of examples in Sri Chaitanya Caritamrita i.e. kali yuga yuga dharma namera pracara, etc.

Srila Haridasa Thakura is known as “Nama Acharya” not the mantra Acharya. Thus mantra means specifically our diksha mantras Gopal mantra and Kama Gayatri, and nama means the many, beautiful and amazingly attractive sweet Divine Names of Bhagavan Sri Krishna. Nama Sankirtana ki jai!

Real, proper and traditional diksha means a process of spiritual initiation through which the guru imparts the Vaisnava diksha mantra i.e. Krsna/Gopal Mantra and Kama Gayatri for Gaudiyas. By chanting the diksha mantras a disciple will obtain all transcendental knowledge and attain the association of Radha-Krishna. Unlike mantra, nama requires no diksha, tapa, vairagya or purascharana. Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Himself said, “Harinama is not diksha and does not require diksha. It stands alone and has its own purpose and function.

Mahaprabhu said:

dīkṣā-puraścaryā-vidhi apekṣā nā kare
jihvā-sparśe ā-caṇḍāla sabāre uddhāre

“Chanting Krishna nama IS NOT DIKSHA. One need not perform purascharya -vrata, or observe any rules and regulations. Just a touch of Krishna nama with the tongue is sufficient to deliver everyone one, even a dog eater.” (Caitanya Caritamrita 2.15.108)

Srila Prabhupada tika: Quoting Hari Bhakti Vilasa (2.6), Srila Prabhupada says, “If one has no diksha then ALL HIS ACTIONS ARE USELESS (sarvam nir arthakam), and one attains birth as an animal (pashu yonim avapnoti diksha virahito jana).” And further (2.10), “It is the duty of every human to take Vaisnava mantra diksha i.e. Gopala/Krishna mantra from Sri Guru.”

As far as the maha-mantra, Srila Prabhupada said, “The chanting of the holy name does not depend on the initiation process.” (Caitanya Caritamrita 2.15.108)

Diksha mantras act invisibly but powerfully within the disciple to clear and remove all previous bad tendencies and commitments to illusion. One begins a new life awakened in divine knowledge. By giving diksha, Sri Guru mercifully slackens the bondage of maya, infuses transcendental energy into the disciple’s heart via the mantra, and awakens an awareness of one’s eternal relationship with Sri Hari.

Contained within the diksha mantra i.e. the Gopala mantra alone is divya-jnana, transcendental knowledge which acts to purify one’s consciousness and reveal the form and identity of Bhagavan Sri Krishna (bhagavat-svarupa) along with knowledge of the sadhaka’s particular relationship with Bhagavan Sri Krishna (sambandha-jnana) and one’s eternal spiritual form i.e. siddha deha.

What special power and wisdom does the most wonderful Gopala/Krishna mantra contain? Sri Jiva Goswamipada answers:

divyam jnanam srimati mantre,
bhagavat svarupa jnanam, bhagavata sambandha vishesha jnanam

“Two types of divine wisdom are received from the beautiful diksha mantra i.e. Gopala Mantra—knowledge of Sri Krishna’s form and identity (bhagavat svarupa jnana), and knowledge of one’s special and specific relationship with Sri Krishna [i.e. sthayi rati and siddha deha].” (Bhakti-sandarbha 283)

In summary, this is the power, beauty and extraordinary effect of Gaudiya Vaisnava diksha which DOES NOT mean receiving harinama from a preceptor. Through the medium of the Gopala-mantra (Krishna-mantra), Sri Guru dispels the jiva’s aversion toward Krishna, and inspires and directs the disciple to serve Sri Krishna with love. Gradually, the surrendered disciple attains divine wisdom about Sri Krishna, the jiva and the material energy. This powerful wisdom in turn then completely destroys the disciple’s sins and ignorance.

Believe it or not, we have met many mature devotees who only have harimana and NO DIKSHA, even after ten years of sincere service to Sri Guru. This is most regrettable and unfortunate. It is seen everywhere that most Gaudiya Vaisnava Gurus GIVE DIKSHA within 1-4 years of knowing the candidate.

Disciple means surrender and Guru means diksha. This is the transcendental exchange between sad shisya and sad Guru. Simple logic: no surrender—no disciple; no diksha—no Guru. Giving diksha is the duty of Guru and receiving it is the right of the disciple.

So we deeply pray to our most beloved, sweet and dear Srimati Radhika and Giridhari-Shyam to bless all my friends known and unknown with the great treasure of Gaudiya Vaisnava diksha which means receiving the beautiful Gopala mantra, and sometimes getting the most enchanting and esoteric Kama Gayatri.

Sri Guru diksha ki jai! Sad Shishya ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe! Jai Jai Sri Vrindavana Dhama!

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Same Guru Every Life?

Mahanidhi Swami

Have you ever asked the question, “Will I really get the same Guru in every life? Does this principle only apply to “siddha gurus” and not “regular gurus?”

The answer lies with Sri Narottama Dasa Thakura who says, janme janme prabhu sei: “O Gurudeva! YOU are my Guru life after life!” in his famous “Sri Guru carana padma prayers. According to the Vaisnava conception, the word “sei” means the same one, or “that same Guru” who in this life gave me diksha mantras and transcendental Krishna bhakti knowledge.

It does not matter whether the Guru is a so-called “siddha”, “regular” or whatever Guru—diksha Guru is diksha guru—eternally, bas!

In summary, “sei” means that my diksha Guru today will also be my diksha Guru in every future life and after liberation too. This is the actual meaning of Sri Narottama Dasa Thakura’s realized words, janme janme prabhu sei. This is also confirmed by the fact that me and many other Vaisnavas have experienced an undeniable sense of recognition and acceptance immediately upon meeting a particular Guru for the “first time”.

This transcendental phenomena of birth after birth recognition of one’s eternal Guru is arranged by Sri Krishna within the heart who sends the disciple to exactly the same Guru from the previous life. Diksha establishes AN ETERNAL LINK WITH Guru.

And for the true and sincere disciple, Sri Krishna maintains that sweet loving, beautiful and compassionate relationship forever! Jai Gurudeva!

ACHARYA VANI PRAMAN:

Srila Prabhupada tika:

[Sri Narottama Dasa Thakura’s verse means] “The [diksha] guru should be considered the disciple’s master, life after life. (Srimad Bhagavatam 6.7.21) So where there is separation [from your diksha Guru], he is birth after birth your prabhu. (folio: 750721MW.SF) One [the diksha Guru] who has opened the eyes, he WILL REMAIN MY MASTER LIFE AFTER LIFE.” (folio: 760805BG.NMR)

Sri Ananta Das Babaji Maharaja tika:

“Therefore, Sri Narottama Dasa Thakura says that Sri Guru, the giver of love of Krishna and knowledge of Krishna, is my master birth after birth, and I am his servant birth after birth. This clearly indicates the PERMANENT NATURE of the relationship between Sri Guru and the disciple. The wandering jiva is born into various wombs and establishes connections with different mothers and fathers, friends and relatives.

“But the guru-shishya relationship is much different. At a suitable time after many births, the VERY SAME GURU WILL REAPPEAR before the disciple and cause him or her to drink the sweet rasa of bhajana; attain the gift of prema and enter the kingdom of Radha-Krishna lila for the direct seva of one’s beloved Sri Sri Radha-Madhava. Ah! Just see the mercy of Sri Guru! Nothing compares with this!” (tika: Prema Bhakti Chadrika 5 Sri Guru shishya nitya seva sambandha ki jai! Jaya Jaya Sri Radhe! Jai Gurudeva!

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Karttika Vrata: A Great Way to Please Srimati Radharani – October 8, 2018

Mahanidhi Swami

Before introducing a most wonderful and simple Karttika vrata, we will highlight the ultimate vow of austerities to please Sri Sri Radha Govindadeva.

In 1972, during his Karttika vrata in Vrndavana, one devotee asked, “Srila Prabhupada, this is the beginning of Urja-vrata. Can you describe what that is and how it should be observed?”

Srila Prabhupada: “Urja-vrata means—you chant the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra twenty-four hours a day for one month. That’s all. And don’t sleep and don’t eat. This is Urja-vrata. Can you execute it?” (Vrndavana Days (1972/Hayagriva Dasa)

Indeed, Srila Prabhupada prescribed the ultimate Karttika vrata for those rare, austere few who have acquired such a refined taste for Sri Harinama, which comes, according to the Puranas, after hundreds of births of chanting Hare Krishna! The majority of devotees, however, will opt for a more feasible vrata which suits their status.

And since Karunamayi Srimati Radharani is in charge of dispensing the results and benefits of all Karttika vratas, one can certainly expect to receive lots of mercy and spiritual strength from any pure hearted simple vrata regularly performed to please our beloved Swamini Sri Radha during the most beautiful and auspicious month of Karttika.

As the perfect transcendental exemplars of the topmost form of immaculately pure and self-less love, Sri Sri Radha-Govindaji derive the greatest happiness by praising, serving and satisfying each other. This truth is seen in all the writings of the Gaudiya Vaisnava rasika mahajanas i.e. Sri Rupa Goswamipada, Sri Raghunatha Dasa Goswami, Sri Narottama Dasa Thakura and Sri Visvanatha Cakravarti.

Our Gaudiya Vaisnava acaryas have written many amazing prayers in praise of Sri Krishna, Sri Radha, Radha-Govinda Yugala, Radha/Syama Kunda, Govardhana, Vrndavana, Yamunaji and more. Reciting their perfect prayers greatly pleases the Divine Couple.

And it simultaneously purifies, enlightens, enriches, satisfies and delights the heart of the reciter. As a great way to please Srimati Radharani during Karttika, you can daily recite the following astonishing prayer written by Radha-kunda nivasi, Sri Raghunatha Dasa Goswami.

Sri Sri Govardhana Vasa Prarthana Dasakam
Sri Raghunatha Dasa Goswami

***This prayer is in “mallini meter”. The / mark in each line indicates the break between chanting the first half of the line and the second.

  1. nija-pati-bhuja-daṇḍac/-chatra-bhāvaṁ prapadya
    pratihata-mada-dhṛṣṭod/ daṇḍa-devendra-garva
    atula-pṛthula-śaila-/ śreṇi-bhūpa priyaṁ me
    nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ /dehi govardhana tvam
  2. pramada-madana-līlāḥ / kandare kandare te
    racayati nava-yūnor / dvandvam asminn amandam
    iti kila kalanārthaṁ / lagnakas tad-dvayor me
    nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ / dehi govardhana tvam
  3. anupama-maṇi-vedī/-ratna-siṁhās anorvī-
    ruha-jhara-dara-sānu/-droṇi-saṅgheṣu raṅgaiḥ
    saha bala-sakhibhiḥ-saṅ/ khelayan sva-priyaṁ me
    nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ / dehi govardhana tvam
  4. rasa-nidhi-nava-yūnoḥ /sākṣiṇīṁ dāna-keler
    dyuti-parimala-viddhāṁ/ śyāma-vedīṁ prakāśya
    rasika-vara-kulānāṁ / modam āsphālayan me
    nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ / dehi govardhana tvam
  5. hari-dayitam apūrvaṁ / rādhikā-kuṇdam ātma-
    priya-sakham iha kaṇṭhe / narmaṇ āliṅgya guptah
    nava-yuva-yuga-khelās/ tatra paśyan raho me
    nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ/ dehi govardhana tvam
  6. sthala-jala-tala-śaṣpair/ bhūru hac-chāyayā ca
    pratipadam anukālaṁ / hanta samvardhayan gāh
    tri-jagati nija-gotraṁ /sārthakaṁ khyā payan me
    nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ / dehi govardhana tvam
  7. sura-pati-kṛta-dīrgha/-drohato goṣṭha-rakṣāṁ
    tava nava-gṛha-rūpas/ yāntare kurva taiva
    agha-baka-ripuṇoccair/ datta-māna drutaṁ me
    nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ / dehi govardhana tvam
  8. giri-nṛpa hari-dāsa-/ śreṇi-varyeti-nāmā-
    mṛtam idam uditaṁ / śrī-rādhikā-vaktra-candrāt
    vraja-nava-tilakatve/ kḷpta-vedaiḥ sphuṭaṁ me
    nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ / dehi govardhana tvam
  9. nija-jana-yuta-rādhā/-kṛṣṇa-maitrī-rasākta
    vraja-nara-paśu-pakṣi-/ vrāta-saukh yaika-dātaḥ
    agaṇita-karuṇatvān / madhuri –kṛtya- tāntaṁ
    nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ/ dehi govardhana tvam
  10. nirupadhi-karuṇena / śrī-śacī nandanena
    tvayi kapaṭi- śaṭho ’pi / tvat-priyeṇ ārpito ’smi
    iti khalu mama yogyā/ yogyatāṁ tām agṛhṇan
    nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ / dehi govardhana tvam

SRUTI PHALA

rasada-daśakam- asya/ śrīla-govardhanasya
kṣitidhara-kula-bhartur / yaḥ prayatnād adhīte
sa sapadi sukhade ’smin/ vāsam āsādya sākṣāc
chubada-yugala-sevā-/ ratnam āpnoti tūrṇam

TRANSLATION

Sri Sri Govardhana Vasa Prarthana Dasakam
Sri Raghunatha Dasa Goswami

  1. O Govardhana Hill! Held by the staff-like arm of your personal Master, You became an umbrella to destroy the pride of Devendra, the intoxicated, bold and arrogant one. Thus, O Govardhana, You are the incomparable King of mountains. And You are so dear to me, so please give me residence near You!
  2. O Govardhana! Please grant me residence near You, so I can get a chance to see the youthful Divine Couple, Radha-Govinda, as They enthusiastically enjoy maddening amorous pastimes in Your many caves.
  3. O Govardhana! In great delight, Krishna, Balarama and the cowherd boys play many games in Your plentiful valleys, caves, waterfalls, the hollows of Your trees, on the peaks of Your hills, and Your incomparable bejeweled thrones. O Govardhana! You are so dear to me, so please give me residence near You!
  4. O Govardhana! By manifesting as the splendorous and fragrant blue stone platforms at Dana Ghati, You witness the tax lila of Radha-Krishna—the youthful Divine Couple and the ocean of rasa. Thus You increase the ecstasy of all rasika Vaisnavas! O Govardhana! Please give me residence near You!
  5. O Govardhana! You affectionately and secretly embrace the neck of Your dearest friend, the unprecedented Radhika kunda, the beloved of Hari. O Govardhana! Please give me residence near You, so I can see the confidential pastimes of the youthful Divine Couple!
  6. O Govardhana! The full meaning of Your name, “sustainer of the cows” is established by Your many shady trees and pasture lands full of succulent grass. Alas! At every moment and with their every step the cows are being fully nourished by You. Thus You are famous throughout the three worlds. O Govardhana! Please give me residence near You!
  7. O Govardhana! Agha/Bakaripu honored You immensely by engaging You as a new home for the Gosthavasis to protect them from the sustained anger of Surapati Indra. Please give me residence near You!
  8. O Girinrpa! Because the nectar of your name as “Haridasa varya” arose from the moonlike mouth of Sri Radhika, and was recorded in the Srimad Bhagavatam (10.21.18), You are famous in the Vedas as the nava tilaka of Vraja. O Govardhana! Please give me residence near You!
  9. O Govardhana! You are a dear friend of Radha-Krishna and Their families. And You give special happiness to all the Vrajavasis, and the hosts of animals and birds attached to You. Out of Your immeasurable mercy and sweetness, O Govardhana, please accept this tired and unhappy one and give him residence near you.
  10. O Govardhana! Although I am certainly vile and deceitful, Your dearmost, endlessly merciful Sri Sacinandana has offered You to me. Without considering whether I am qualified or not, O Govardhana, please give me residence near You!

Final Blessing Verse (phala-sruti)

By carefully reciting these ten rasa-bestowing verses praising Sri Govardhanaji, the beautiful ruling Master of all mountains, one will quickly obtain a blissful residence here, and the most auspicious jewel of Radha-Govinda Yugala’s direct blissful seva.” (translation: Mahanidhi Madan Gopal das)

Sri Girirja dharana teri sarana ki jai! Giriraja Baba ki jai ho!
Sri Raghunatha Dasa Goswami ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

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Doing Sadhana: Me or Krishna?

Mahanidhi Swami

Who is performing our daily sadhana of chanting Hare Krishna japa, dhyana, Thakuraji puja, and other sevas? Is it me, or is Krishna Himself actually doing everything?

It’s Krishna Himself who is permitting and empowering us to do all the sevas we perform for His pleasure. The great cirana jiva Maharishi Sri Markendeya confirms this fact in the Srimad Bhagavatam (12.8.40):

“O Almighty Bhagavan Sri Vishnu! How can I possibly describe You? For it is You alone who move the prana or vital air within all living entities beginning with Sivaji and Brahmaji , which in turn impels the mind, senses and power of speech within everyone to act. But for those who worship You, You become their intimate loving friend.”

Tika Sri Jiva Goswamipada:

“The Brhad-aranyaka Upanisad (4.4.18) says, “Sri Vishnu is the life of the prana (vital air), the power of eyesight, the power of hearing, and He is the power of mental discrimination.” (Bk. San.144)

Tika Sri Visvanatha Cakravarti:

“Sri Vishnu, it is You who moves the life air, mind, senses and voice within all living entities. The Sruti says, ‘Bhagavan Sri Vishnu is the ear of one’s ear.’

“Kena Upanisad (1.2) says, ‘O Sri Vishnu! It is You alone who enable Your devotees to worship You by enlivening their minds and senses. And then like a friend You become controlled by the love of Your devotees. And most astonishingly, You feel indebted to Your loving servitors, and that You can never repay them for their worship. Thus You become controlled by their love. Just see the greatness of Your mercy!’”

To further prove that Krishna and not us is doing our daily sadhana, Sri Rupa Goswamipada says, “Krishna and His transcendental names cannot be grasped, experienced or perceived by the material senses (atah sri krishna namadi, na bhaved grahyam indriyaih) However, when a devotee develops a service attitude (sevon mukhe hi jihvadau), or the tendency to accept Sri Krishna’s nama and rupa, then Sri Krishna spontaneously manifests (svayam eva sphuraty adah) on the tongue and in the other senses of the devotee.” (Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu 1.2.234; Padma Purana)

Tika Sri Jiva Goswamipada:

“By the mercy of Bhagavan Sri Krishna, not only humans can chant His transcendental divine names, but Sri Krishna even empowers and enables animals to chant Vishnu nama. ‘When Bharata Maharaja gave up his body of the deer, he smiled broadly saying, “All respects to Sri Narayana Hari.’” (Srimad Bhagavatam 5.14.45)

‘Thereafter, the elephant king Gajendra fixed his mind in his heart with perfect intelligence and did japa of a mantra memorized from his prior human birth as Raja Indradyumna. By the grace of Sri Krishna, he remembered this mantra.’” (Srimad Bhagavatam 8.3.1)

Summary: The above shastras prove that we are not chanting Hare Krishna japa. It is being done by Krishna who is empowering us to chant by appearing on our tongue. By His sweet will Krishna appears, stays for some time, and may also leave us whenever He chooses. Every step in bhakti and every devotional expression is Krishna’s mercy alone. We are not and never will be—THE DOER!

However, the good news is that Sri Krishna agrees to become a “bhava bandhu”, a loving friend, to anyone who serves Him. Krishna is our dearest friend (bandhu) because Krishna gives us bhakti, devotion to Him, and gives us the desire, power and ability to serve and love Him.

It is Sri Krishna alone who is giving us ideas to serve Him; moving our senses for His pleasure and making us speak His charming sweet glories. Devotees are happy puppets dancing on the strings of a sweet puppeteer named Shyama.

The conclusion is that independence is an illusion. Sri Krishna is doing everything, beginning with creating our initial attraction and interest in bhakti. Sri Krishna is maintaining our devotional practices as well. And it is Sri Krishna who is causing us to become weak, strong, stay or go away.

Our spiritual advancement, success and perfection in Krishna consciousness is completely in Krishna’s hands. We can’t plan or force bhakti or prema to appear within us. The fruit ripens in its own time. We have surrendered our lives to a benevolent, carefree, independent eternal master, Bhagavan Sri Krishna. And He can do whatever He deems best. Just remember: “All is His will, and His will ever be!”

(concept: madangopal blogspot)

Zero independence ki jai! Sri Krishna samarpanam ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!