krsna

There's a picture of him getting a gita from one ISKCON devotee. He's been staying in a small town called 'ramallah'. He must have chanted that name many times... RAMA-Allah !!!

Thank you . This is so good for Hari Bhajan.

All glories to Sri Sri Guru and His Grace !!!

Guru will come to you if you are sincere and pray to Krsna for one.

Act in such a way that Guru will 'see' you. You are not the 'seer' but the 'seen' in this transcendental relationship.

You are the object of Guru's loving grace and merciful glance. Give up the false notion of being the predominating subject and only then will Guru reveal himself to you by his causeless mercy.

<font color="red"> {No need for squirt guns at this gathering) </font color>

The sages of Naimisaranya were very respectful in hearing about Maharaja Pariksit because of his receiving knowledge from Sukadeva Gosvami by means of ardent hearing. Ardent hearing from the bona fide master is the only way to receive transcendental knowledge, and there is no need for medical performances or occult mysticism for miraculous effects. The process is simple, but only the sincere party can achieve the desired result."

Srimad-Bhagavatam 1:12:3 Purport

DON’T SLEEP IN CLASS

"... he thought, “Because I am king, I can start a religion.” So, that is not possible. Dharmam tu saksad bhagavat-pranitam na vai vidur ayo napi deva , na siddha-mukhya asura manuya [sB 6.3.19].

(Aside:) If somebody dozes, it gives me too much pain. I asked you to go and sleep. I tell you frankly, it disturbs me too much when I speak if somebody dozes. Better not to sit. Sleep twenty- four hours, but don’t make show like: “I am sitting here,” and then dozing. This is very much disturbing to me. Better to frankly sleep. Why should this be? What is the reason? You don’t have full sleep? If you don’t have enough sleep, then extend. Make it eight o’clock. But sleep sufficiently. If six or seven hours of sleep are not sufficient, then sleep for thirteen or fourteen hours. But don’t be dozing like this.

— Lecture in Gorakhpur, India, 12 February 1971

I need an elixir to get me up in the morning.

Krsna is everywhere

and everthing is in Krsna

and yet I can't see Krsna

although Krsna can see me.

Can I see Krsna

or see Krsna see me?

To see Krsna is believing

Krsna is the seer of all.

Friday, Oct. 22, 2004

Pope John Paul showed on Thursday that he still muses about one of the more forgotten elements of Catholic theology commonly associated with medieval thinking.

He asked theologians to think about it harder and come up with "a more coherent and enlightened way" of describing the fate of such innocents.

According to Catholic teaching, baptism removes the original sin which has stained all souls since the fall from grace in the Garden of Eden.

The Pope made his comments in an address to the International Theological Commission, which is discussing, in the Pope's words "the fate of babies born without baptism."

Limbo, which comes from the Latin word meaning "border" or "edge," is a state or place reserved for the unbaptised dead, including good people who lived before the first coming of Christ.

In the Divine Comedy, Dante passes limbo on his way into hell and writes:

"Great grief seized on my own heart when this I heard, Because some people of much worthiness I knew, who in Limbo were suspended."

Helping Prithu Prabhu

From Parvati devi dasi

Posted October 21, 2004

Dear Prabhus and Maharajas,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

There are many devotees who experience this kind of depression. This is due to all kinds of reasons, including false ceilings we tend to set up for ourselves. Recently we had an experience with a very dedicated devotee who had an accident, didn't chant his rounds for a couple days while hospitalized and in dire straits, and mentally flagellated himself for the better part of the year progressively into a catatonic depression.

Many senior brahmacaris here took it upon themselves to give him the benefit of their association, read to him, preach to him, endlessly. Finally they convinced him to seek help at a mental facility. He had to be carried out of his room, but he didn't resist. He probably spent one month there. The devotees took turns staying with him.

Thanks and appreciation from dipika.org to our sponsor and host,

Within a very short time of returning here, he was able to resume all of his normal activities, including the morning program, sitting in many morning and evening classes, and engaging in his normal service.

So I present to you, who are concerned for the disciples of Prithu Prabhu, to also consider how much concern should be given to Prithu Prabhu himself. I don't know where is he is now, but I'm sure those of you who have some sort of relationship with him, or at least some respect for all his years of dedicated service to Srila Prabhupada, could work out some sort of program to give him the association he needs to get himself through this.

After seeing the results of proper medication and treatment to this other devotee, I highly recommend that some loving Godbrothers, associates, disciples, take this matter into their hands immediately—delicately and lovingly.

I respectfully submit this as an urgent agenda.

Your servant,

Parvati devi dasi

by Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Swami Maharaja

Can you see a sadhu? Do you have the vision to see a sadhu? You are a conditioned soul. You have defective vision. How can you see a sadhu? You have developed this motto, "Seeing is believing." You say, "If I see then I will believe. Can you show me? Can you show me the Lord? Then I will believe."

But you are not prepared to admit that you are blind. You have no vision to see the Lord. Even if I show you the Lord, how can you see without vision? You are not prepared to admit your shortcoming. You are such a crooked, pretentious, duplicitous person. You are always trying to hide your defects. You are not prepared to admit them. This is proof that you are not at all simple. You are a crooked person. Be simple! If you just once say with an open heart, "Krishna I am Yours!" then immediately Krishna will accept you. He is there in your heart, but you can't cry out to Him. Your heart is filled with such filth, such duplicity and crookedness. You are never simple. And Krishna knows it.

Experts probe 'tilting' Taj Mahal

By Jyotsna Singh

BBC correspondent in Delhi

Tilting in minarets has worsened over the decades, experts say

Indian authorities have launched an urgent investigation after historians reported that the Taj Mahal was leaning and in danger of sinking.

The government in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh has asked a committee of experts to report back in a week.

The historians fear the drying out of the nearby Yamuna river might have affected the Taj Mahal's foundations and want urgent action.

India's greatest tourist attraction marks its 350th anniversary this year.

Symbol of love

Earlier this month, two Indian historians warned the Taj Mahal may already be tilting and could crumble or sink if the government did not pay immediate attention to its ecological setting.

Now that the river bed is dry, the Taj is exposed to the elements

Agam Prasad Mathur,

historian

"Dangerous tilts in its minarets, first noticed in 1942 and mentioned in various reports, have continued to increase over the years," Ram Nath, a former head of history at Rajasthan University, told the Hindustan Times.

"They are caused by the dry river bed."

Another historian, Agam Prasad Mathur, said the dry Yamuna river bed must once again be filled if the monument was to be saved.

"Yamuna used to be full of water to maintain the monument's balance and absorb tectonic shocks. Now that the river bed is dry, the Taj is exposed to the elements," he said.

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav has asked experts to examine the causes of any tilting.

The investigating committee will include representatives from the culture, construction and water departments.

It will work under the guidance of the Archaeological Survey of India - the federal body responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of historical sites and monuments.

The Taj Mahal, revered as a symbol of love, was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a tomb for his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in childbirth.

The monument, in the city of Agra, drew over three million tourists last year, far more than any other Indian tourist attraction.

VHP Reconverts 336 in Orissa

http://www.hindu.com/2004/10/18/stories/2004101801951301.htm

ROURKELA, ORISSA, INDIA, October 17, 2004: In a major reconversion

drive by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), as many as 336 tribals of 80

families in 11 villages under Sundargarh district of Orissa were

reconverted to Hinduism at a special function in Baridia on Sunday.

Over 2,500 women in a kalas yatra arrived at the site where the tribal

Christians, including 144 men, 117 women and 75 children, were

reconverted to Hinduism through a Sudhikriya programme organized by the

VHP. The all-India general secretary, Mohan Joshi, conducted the yagyan

(fire worship) at the site in presence of several other top VHP leaders

of the State.The reconverted persons were offered dhoti, saree and

photographs of various Deities after the ceremony.

Stages and Varieties of Faith

by Srila Thakur Bhaktivinode

People in various countries on various continents have a wide variety of natures. Although their principal nature is only one, their secondary characteristics are many—you will not find any two people in the world who have identical secondary qualities. Since even twins born of the same womb have some difference in form and quality, can one expect that people born in different countries can ever have exactly the same qualities? Different countries have different water, air, mountains, forests, and different eatables and clothing. Because of this, the people of these places have naturally developed different physiques, complexions, customs, clothing and food. Similarly, people’s mentalities differ. Thus various people’s ideas of God, though being basically similar, will differ in secondary details. When men in different places surpass the uncivilized stage, they then step by step come to the civilized stage, then the inquisitive stage, the moral stage and finally the devotional stage. In the civilized stage differences will arise in language, in the inquisitive stage differences in dress, in the moral stage differences in food, and in the devotional stage differences in mentality. This gives rise to differences in the mode of worship of God. Considered objectively, there is no harm in secondary differences. If there is agreement concerning the essential nature of God and his worship, there should be no obstacle in attaining the same result. Thus Mahaprabhu has taught that we should instruct everyone to worship the pure form of the Lord, but at the same time we should not criticize others’ modes of worship.5

Vibhinna-dharmera

Pancavidha-bheda

Five Types of Differences Between Religions

Because of the above reasons, we see the following differences amongst the religions of different countries:

1) Difference in teachers — acaryabheda

2) Difference in the worshiper’s mentality and consequent expression of reverence — upasakera manovrtti o bhajana-anubhava-bheda.

3) Difference in the method of worship — upasanar pranalibheda

4) Difference in the conceptions and conventional actions concerning the object of worship — upasya-tattvera sambandhe bhava o kriyabheda

5) Differences in God’s names and teachings due to linguistic differences — bhasa-bhedanusare nama o vakyadi-bheda.

1) Acarya-bheda

Differences in Spiritual Teachers

Thus people in some places give respect to the rsis, in other places they respect preachers like Muhammad, etc. In other countries they respect Jesus and other religious souls, and in many other places of the world people give respect to other various wise men. It is imperative that the people of each country give proper respect to their native saints. Although one may believe that the teachings given by a saintly person of one’s own country are superior to the teachings of the saints of all other countries, still one should not try to establish and preach such controversy in other countries. No good will come to the world from such preaching.

Prithu Prabhu Resigns

Forwarded by

the GBC EC

Posted October 19, 2004

From the EC:

Dear devotees,

Please accept our most humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

We are informing you, as the below posted letter indicates, that HG Prithu Prabhu wishes to resign from his services, both as member of the Governing Body of ISKCON and as an initiating spiritual master. Therefore the GBC are making arrangements to help all those affected by his resignation, and we thank him for all his service and look forward to his continuing to serve in whatever capacity he can in the future. We also wish him the best regarding his health and welfare.

Hoping this meets you in the best of health.

Your servants,

the GBC EC

AC Bhaktivaibhava Swami, Bir Krishna Dasa Goswami, Devamrita Swami, Praghosa Dasa, Radha Krishna Dasa

From Prithu Prabhu:

Dear devotees in the ISKCON family and outside,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

I wish to inform you of my present situation.

I have been suffering from some very serious health problems for the last few months. I have been going through a period of massive depressions, and my experience has been, and at times still is, a nightmare of intense unhappiness, utter hopelessness, coupled with feelings of abandonment and helplessness.

These difficulties may have possibly been exaggerated by both my hepatitis C condition as well as a recent severe fasting regime.

Yet there is an underlying spiritual cause to all of this, and I owe it to you to disclose it: I have been failing to follow our spiritual principles for a good while. The present intense bout of depressions are actually the deserved reaction for not practicing what I have been preaching, keeping the other very dark side of myself to myself and locked away from my family, my dear disciples, and the rest of the world.

Thanks and appreciation from dipika.org to our sponsor and host,

For me to get to a better place it is clear that I need first of all to be honest with myself and with all of you. Further, I need to resign from my service of initiating guru and discontinue guiding my disciples in that capacity. Last, but not least, I wish to resign from my position as member of the Governing Body of ISKCON.

As for the future:

There is no question in my mind as to my ongoing dedication to Srila Prabhupada and his movement. What exact form that service might take is not clear to me as yet, and I would appreciate your feedback.

I am sorry and apologize to you for being a disappointment. Let me ask for forgiveness for offences I have committed over the years to many of you.

I pray that you be kind to this poor soul, pray for me, and give me your support at this trying time.

My heart goes out to my beloved disciples, who have been wonderful friends to me all these years, a great source of happiness and support, especially in the last very trying days. May Sri Krishna bless them more and more and be able to drag me home, back to Godhead.

Thank you for listening to my story— the story of one who went out to save the world while being on the inside a deeply troubled, helpless, and unhappy soul.

Your servant,

Prithu das

© dipika.org October 19, 2004

INTERNATIONAL 10.17.2004 Sunday

UN: 10,000 People Dying Monthly in Darfur

In the Darfur region of western Sudan, nearly 10,000 people per month have lost their lives from malnutrition and disease adding up to 70,000 deaths since the crisis started in February of 2003.

The World Health Organization's (WHO) Darfur Representative, David Nabarro, described what was happening in the region as the worst humanitarian crisis in the world and added that aid was insufficient. The United Nations (UN) is reportedly undergoing financial troubles and may suspend humanitarian aid operations. While the US defines the events in the region as genocide, Sudan indicates that years of tribal conflict in the region and famine were the real causes of the deaths. Sudan claims that the West is interested in the natural resources in the region rather than the people and that it is trying to divide the country. Leaders in Libya, Egypt, Sudan and Chad are meeting in Libya today regarding a possible solution. The next round of discussions among the five leaders will be held on October 21st. The first round of discussions was held in Nigeria. Libya was selected despite the fact that the neighboring country of Sudan provides better security for the delegates of western countries. Chad and Libya in particular have been playing an important role in resolving the crisis in Darfur, although both countries are accused of arming some of the tribes in Darfur. It is expected that the first team of 4,500 people from the Africa Union Peace Force will be sent to the region today.

Amitabh Bachchan Voted "Hottest Vegetarian"

http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/7242_1057269,00180007.htm

MUMBAI, INDIA, October 14, 2004: Legendary Bollywood actor Amitabh

Bachchan has been voted the "hottest vegetarian alive" for the third

consecutive year in an online poll conducted by the People for the

Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). Hollywood actress Alicia

Silverstone was adjudged the "hottest vegetarian alive" in the women's

category. The 62-year-old Bachchan edged out actors Dev Anand and

Shahid Kapoor and cricketer Anil Kumble to extend his monopoly on the

title, instituted three years ago. Long-time PETA activist Silverstone

became the first international star to claim the title, beating former

title-holder and supermodel Yana Gupta, actress Pamela Anderson and TV

personality Mandira Bedi. Other top finishers in the men's category

were James Bond movie star Pierce Brosnan and Lord of the Rings star

Orlando Bloom, while actress Amrita Arora, former Spice Girl Victoria

Beckham and Avanti Birla finished as top contenders for the women's

title. Bachchan, who has graced the silver screen for the last three

decades, has also received international acclaim for his role in

founding the Asian Conservation Awareness Programme (ACAP), which is

dedicated to protecting endangered wildlife and their habitats. "From

Bollywood to Hollywood and all places in between, everyone is realizing

that the best thing they can do for the animals and themselves is to

adopt a healthy, humane and delicious vegetarian diet," PETA India

chief functionary Anuradha Sawhney said.

"... this Deity, although we know that we have made it from stone, He’s not stone. He is stone to the stone-hearted. If one is stone-hearted, then Krsna will stand as stone forever.

But if one is soften-hearted by chanting Hare Krsna mantra, then he’ll talk with Krsna. That is the difference. Krsna is always present."

(Lecture 17th August 1971. Srimad Bhagavatam 1:1:2. at London, England)

/images/graemlins/smile.gif

http://www.prabhupadaconnect.comgaur_nitai_ottawa5.jpg

<font color="blue"> "Locana dasa Thakura says,

'My dear brother, you just try and examine this.

Within the three worlds there is no one like Lord Caitanya or Lord Nityananda, because Their merciful qualities are so great that They make even birds and beasts cry, what to speak of human beings.'

Actually, when Lord Caitanya passed through the forest known as Jarikhanda, the tigers, elephants, snakes, deer, and all other animals joined Him in chanting Hare Krsna. It is so nice that anyone can join. Even the animals can join, what to speak of human beings. Of course, it is not possible for ordinary men to induce animals to chant, but if Caitanya Mahaprabhu could inspire animals to chant, at least we can encourage human beings to adopt this path of Hare Krsna mantra chanting.

It is so nice that even the most stonehearted man will be melted. Pasano means stone. It is so nice that even stone will melt."

</font color>

From Sri Sri Gaura-Nityanander Daya

by Locana Dasa Thakura,

Purport by Srila Prabhupada

Srila Gour Govinda Swami

"In our minds there are hundreds and thousands of desires giving

duhsanga to us. Is your stupid mind thinking about Krishna? Is your

stupid mind thinking about the instructions of sadhu-guru-vaisnava?

Is your stupid mind thinking about the instructions of Mahaprabhu

and His dear devotees? If the stupid mind is not thinking about

these things, then you are doing duhsanga, asat-sanga. You are not

doing sadhu-sanga at all. Externally or apparently you are staying

in the temple but you are really doing asat-sanga."

Srila Gour Govinda Swami

"The sad-guru or Sri Guru is an eternal associate of the Lord. When he disappears he enters into the nitya-lila of the Lord and goes to the abode of Krsna. But if he has accepted someone as his disciple, and if he has not rejected that disciple, then he is responsible for

taking that disciple to the lotus feet of Krsna.

As we speak of sad-guru, similarly there is sat-sisya. As it is very difficult to find a sad-guru, it is similarly difficult to find a sat-sisya, a true disciple."

- The Worship of Sri Guru, 'Sri Guru My Eternal Master.'

"One who is very, very eager and very, very inquisitive, prays to his spiritual master, "Oh my spiritual master, you have departed. You are not physically present, so I cannot understand. I am such an ignorant fool. I have no qualification. Though your instructions are there, I cannot understand what you have said. Please help me."

In Another Form

So guru will also come, but not in the same form. He may come in the form of a s&#257;dhu, a very dear devotee, who is also very dear to your spiritual master. Through him this will be revealed. Doubts will be cleared. Through him you will be able to understand tattva, purport. You should think, "My guru is teaching me, he is speaking to me in this form." Don’t think, "My guru is not here. He has departed. What shall I do?" Pray fervently to your spiritual master. He must help you. We have personal experience. We have been helped in this way. "

SRI CAITANYA BHAGAVATA

Adi Khanda Chapter 9 Text 1 - Text 11

All glories to Sri Krsna Caitanya, the unlimited ocean of mercy. All glories to Lord Nityananda, the dearest friend of the distressed.

All glories to Lord Caitanya, the life's treasure and soul of Sri Advaita Acarya, and the priceless treasure house of Sri Gadadhara Pandita. All glories to Lord Visvambhara, the son of Sri Jagannatha Misra and Mother Saci. All glories to all the devotees who are such dear associates of the Lord.

Lord Ananta Sesa appeared in the Radha district on an order given previously by Sri Caitanya. He remained in the material world according to Mahaprabhu's transcendental desire.

Sri Nityananda Prabhu, the Lord of the Gaudiya Vaisnavas, appeared in the village of Ekacakra. His father was a brahmana named Hadai Pandita and his mother was Srimati Padmavati devi.

From His early childhood Sri Nityananda Prabhu had a serene disposition and was highly intelligent. He was a reservoir of excellences. His charming beauty overshadowed the attractiveness of millions upon millions of Cupids.

From the time of Nityananda's birth, everything became auspicious in the district of Radha. Famine, poverty and all kinds of disturbances were totally dispelled.

On the day of Lord Caitanya's appearance in Navadvipa, Sri Nityananda, who was still in Radha, roared with jubilation.

The sound of that roar filled the universe and robbed everyone of their senses.

Some people speculated, "It must be a thunderclap." Others thought it was the sound of some impending disaster. Still others said, "We know the reason for this sound. Lord Nityananda, the Lord of the Gaudiya Vaisnavas, is roaring in ecstasy."

People offered different opinions on this subject, but no one actually knew Lord Nityananda in truth due to his illusory potency.

Lord Nityananda concealed his identity and played gleefully with the other young children of His age.

Caitanya Caritamrta

Madhya-lila

Chapter 9 Text 11

Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's Travels to the Holy Places

TEXT 11

vaisnavera madhye rama-upasaka saba

keha 'tattvavadi', keha haya 'sri-vaisnava'

SYNONYMS

vaisnavera madhye--amongst Vaisnavas; rama-upasaka saba--all worshipers of Lord Sri Ramacandra; keha--someone; tattva-vadi--followers of Madhvacarya; keha--someone; haya--is; sri-vaisnava--devotees following the disciplic succession of Sri Ramanujacarya

TRANSLATION

At the time, all the South Indian Vaisnavas were worshipers of Lord Ramacandra. Some were Tattvavadis, and some were followers of Ramanujacarya.

PURPORT

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura points out that the word "Tattvavadi" refers to the followers of Srila Madhvacarya. To distinguish his disciplic succession from the Mayavadi followers of Sankaracarya, Srila Madhvacarya named his party the Tattvavadis. Impersonal monists are always attacked by these Tattvavadis, who attempt to defeat their philosophy of impersonalism. Generally, they establish the supremacy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Actually the disciplic succession of Madhvacarya is known as the Brahma Vaisnava sect; that is the sect coming down from Lord Brahma. Consequently the Tattvavadis, or followers of Madhvacarya, do not accept the incident of Lord Brahma's illusion, which is recorded in the Tenth Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam. Srila Madhvacarya has purposefully avoided commenting on that portion of Srimad-Bhagavatam in which brahma-mohana, the illusion of Lord Brahma, is mentioned. Srila Madhavendra Puri was one of the acaryas in the Tattvavada disciplic succession, and he established the ultimate goal of transcendentalism to be attainment of pure devotional service, love of Godhead. Those Vaisnavas belonging to the Gaudiya-sampradaya, the disciplic succession following Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, are distinct from the Tattvavadis, although they belong to the same Tattvavada-sampradaya. The followers of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu are therefore known as the Madhva-Gaudiya-sampradaya.

The word pasandi refers to those who are opposed to pure devotional service. In particular, these are the Mayavadis, the impersonalists. A definition of pasandi is given in the Hari-bhakti-vilasa (1.73), wherein it is stated:

yas tu narayanam devam

brahma-rudradi-daivataih

samatvenaiva vikseta

sa pasandi bhaved dhruvam

A pasandi is one who thinks that the Supreme Lord Narayana, the Personality of Godhead, is on the same level with the demigods, headed by Lord Brahma and Lord Siva. The devotee never considers Lord Narayana to be on the same platform with Lord Brahma and Lord Siva. The Madhvacarya-sampradaya and Ramanuja-sampradaya are mainly worshipers of Lord Ramacandra, although the Sri Vaisnavas are supposed to be worshipers of Lord Narayana and Laksmi and the Tattvavadis are supposed to be worshipers of Lord Krsna. At present, in most of the monasteries belonging to the Madhva-sampradaya, Lord Ramacandra is worshiped.

In the book known as Adhyatma-ramayana, there are statements in Chapters Twelve to Fifteen about the worship of the Deities Sri Ramacandra and Sita. There it is stated that during Lord Ramacandra's time there was a brahmana who took a vow to fast until he saw Lord Ramacandra. Sometimes, due to business, Lord Ramacandra was absent from His capital for a full week and could not be seen by citizens during that time. Because of his vow, the brahmana could not take even a drop of water during that week. Later, after eight or nine days, when the brahmana could see Lord Ramacandra personally, he would break his fast. Upon observing the brahmana's rigid vow, Lord Sri Ramacandra ordered His younger brother Laksmana to deliver a pair of Sita-Rama Deities to the brahmana. The brahmana received the Deities from Sri Laksmanaji and worshiped Them faithfully as long as he lived. At the time of his death, he delivered the Deities to Sri Hanumanji, who, for many years, hung Them around his neck and served Them with all devotion. After many years, when Hanumanji departed on the hill known as Gandha-madana, he delivered the Deities to Bhimasena, one of the Pandavas, and Bhimasena brought Them to his palace, where he kept Them very carefully. The last king of the Pandavas, Ksemakanta, worshiped the Deities in that palace. Later, the same Deities were kept in the custody of the kings of Orissa known as Gajapatis. One of the acaryas, known as Narahari Tirtha, who was in the disciplic succession of Madhvacarya, received these Deities from the King of Orissa.

It may be noted that these particular Deities of Rama and Sita have been worshiped from the time of King Iksvaku. Indeed, they were worshiped by the royal princes even before the appearance of Lord Ramacandra. Later, during Lord Ramacandra's presence, the Deities were worshiped by Laksmana. It is said that just three months before his disappearance, Sri Madhvacarya received these Deities and installed them in the Udupi temple. Since then the Deities have been worshiped by the Madhvacarya-sampradaya at that monastery. As far as the Sri Vaisnavas are concerned, beginning with Ramanujacarya, they also worshiped Deities of Sita-Rama. Sita-Rama Deities are also being worshiped in Tirupati and other places. From the Sri Ramanuja-sampradaya there is another branch known as Ramanandi or Ramat, and the followers of that branch also worship Deities of Sita-Rama very rigidly. The Ramanuja-sampradaya Vaisnavas prefer the worship of Lord Ramacandra to that of Radha-Krsna.

RASCAL MIND

Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Swami Maharaja

Based on Thakur Bhaktivinode’s Gitavali; 9.1

O stupid mind, rascal mind, mad mind, chant,

“hare krsna hare krsna

krsna krsna hare hare

hare rama hare rama

rama rama hare hare!”

Then all stupidity will be destroyed. “Get out, stupidity!” Drive out all stupidity by chanting the holy name. bhaja-re bhaja-re, mana ati manda — My mind is stupid, evil mind, and it will only be purified by chanting the holy name under the guidance of a pure devotee. bhajan vina gati nai re — There is no other way out. You should understand that you have come here to do bhajana. There is no other way out.

bhajana vina gati nai re —The only way is to do bhajana —

“hare krsna hare krsna

krsna krsna hare hare

hare rama hare rama

rama rama hare hare.”

This special mercy depends totally on Krsna who is in fact totally independent ?

Causeless mercy from Krsna is completely without cause or reason for receiving it. Someone gets it and someone else does'nt. Why is that?

This special mercy of Krsna usely descends through empowered pure devotees who cast their merciful glances on fallen souls. Also these sadhu gurus Vaisnavas leave their remnants and footdust for conditioned souls to partake and get purified. Why are most people not greedy enough to honor such sanctified substances ?