valaya

Satyaraja das: You assume that any attempted explanations of inferences that are beyond reasoning faculties are `childish`. That, of course, puts you who rely on reason in a parental position in relation to the `children` here. Therefore you preach down to us in a patronizing way that many find offensive and even ignorant. Are you saying that the Absolute Truth can be confined by your reasoning abilities? Get serious, prabhu!!! Do not Hari/Hara have the capability and divine right to reveal themselves however, wherever, whenever and to whoever they choose? Are they not able to put themselves under the `control` of whomever they wish? Those sincere souls whose humble hearts have been cleansed by tears of remorseful longing and made porous through service in devotion should be considered suitable candidates for the personal mercy of Hari/Hara. Still `causeless` Divine Grace is needed even to arrive at that position. Of course, that's just my own humble opinion and experience. Do you not see that beating your head against all this only toughens it? First we must surely accept that the heart alone can realize, then concentrate our efforts to disolve it's stonelike exterior, somehow accumulated over countless lifetimes. Eventually, we may give up, realizing our completely hopeless and helpless situation. Only then can we become fully eligible to receive that which alone will suffice. From there some inkling of understanding may dawn in our receptive hearts concerning the relationship between Sri Hari and His saktis, which is so beautifully illuminated in the pastimes of Sri Sri Radha-Krsna, available through the six goswamis of Vrndavan. When we find ourselves actually entering into those divine activities emotionally on the side of Sri Radhika, by His Divine Grace, our progress is assured under the personal guidance and protection of the Internal Potency. JAI NITAI-GAURANGA! JAI SRI GURUDEVA! JAI JAI SRI RADHA! RR [This message has been edited by valaya (edited 09-19-2001).]

Thank you, prabhu. Very interesting because in many ways my involvement with Krsna conciousness, specifically Srimati Radharani, has made me more sensitive in very positive ways. While there is certainly plenty of fire and a lot of Aires influence, I think Pisces tend to be mystically inclined. Is that true about mysticism? Don't have much technical knowledge of these things myself, only personal experience.

The heritage of the smarta vaisnavism: Dear Vaisnavas, Today we were meditating on the generosity of Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur and his appreciation of other devotees, including those who search for the truth in other traditions. This sentiment of his is so outstanding and enchanting. Yet, it is surprising that even among those who claim to follow in his disciplic succession, an incredible amount of sectarianism and narrow mindedness still prevails. Some people teach their disciples that they are the only way to the highest truth. They utilize the high esoteric teachings of our acharyas in this connection. In other words they differentiate the surrender to one¹s spiritual master with the process of achieving highest bhakti. They go so far as to say that even initiated Gaudiya Vaisnavas Acharyas in our line are only vartmana-pradarsaka- gurus, and that neither they nor their disciples will be benefited with the highest truth save and except if they come to this particular person or his mission. That means that whoever preaches in this sectarian way denies the power of the maha-mantra, the mercy of the caitya-guru and the validity of our living tradition.In contrast to that, hear what Bhaktivinode said: "Those who are anxious for the blessings of God are our brothers in faith, whatever error there may be in their ideas and form of worship." Or what about his other quote: "Sectarianism is the worst enemy of truth." But it is not surprising that such distorted claims of uniqueness are coming even from people born in India, last not least India is the land where smart-Brahminism was born. To clarify, smart-brahmanism is the sense that people claim superiority over others on the basis of their birth or their knowledge disregarding the qualities or devotion which may be in others. Nobody denies the validity of association with a real loving saint, but loving saints do not destroy the Guru-disciple relationships or disregard the efforts others make to find the truth and to please Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. We are happy to say in contrast that there were others Vaisnavas Acaryas who thought and acted perfectly. The most outstanding example here is my own spiritual master Srila Prabhupad who even risked to give sannyas to his western born disciples, and who requested all of his disciples to become genuine spiritual masters in the Gaudy Vaisnava tradition. He never said that you should not start preaching until you have realized your spiritual form in the spiritual world. As a matter of fact he never told anybody of his own spiritual body in the spiritual world. But he realized the great need of real local Vaisnava saints if the movement of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was going to be successful all over the world because personal trust and personal relationship is a fundamental principal of surrender. A number of saints have carried this message forward. Srila Bhaktiraksak Sridhar Maharaj accepted and expanded on the work of Srila Prabhupad. He told us: "Everybody must be happily accommodated in the family of Krsna consciousness." He encouraged the disciples of Srila Prabhupad to initiate others in the spiritual life and he embraced all spiritual masters and his disciples in his loving mood. Srila Bhaktipramode Puri Maharaj agreed that western and Eastern followers of Lord Caitanya should work together as equals to defend the dignity of Lord Caitanya in the world. As president of the World V.A. he realized that to accommodate the feelings of other Acharyas, their disciples and their feelings for their gurus is not an easy thing. It is not synonymous with memorizing many slokas from rasik literature. It is not synonymous with personal name, fame and influence in the Vaisnava world. Neither is it synonymous with having a big mission or having the most exalted Guru himself; such mature realization which qualifies a person to become even the Guru of other Gurus, depends on the love and generous mercy which emanates from such a person, which attracts other Vaisnavas to them and which enables them to harmonize all the feelings in one great love and ecstasy. Such a soul is rarely found. I pray that these few lines may clarify some of the doubts which have arisen in the mind of many of my god brothers and other Vaisnavas as well in recent years. I offer my obeisances to all those readers of this article, and especially pray for the mercy of all those who sincerely try to please their spiritual masters, so one day I may become a sincere servant of my spiritual masters. Your aspiring servant, Swami B.A. Paramadvaiti [This message has been edited by valaya (edited 09-19-2001).]

Three meanings so far! RR

Excellent point, Satyraja prabhu! This is what makes it so difficult to match their strength of committment. Our western materialistic lifestyle is the real suicide! Still, the immediate physical threat must be addressed with everything at our disposal. Then we will surely have to face the consequences of what to a large extent we've brought on ourselves...good time for preaching, if only we can first realize! RR

That last post was inspired by the one immediately above it from Jayaradhe prabhu. It was not the reply I hope to give regarding marriage and devotee relationships. Still, there is a connection between our ability to relate with each other personally and our personal relationship with the Divine Absolute, which I trust is obvious to all here. RR

O.k. kiddies, g'nite sleep tight!

JRdd prabhu, the tears we cry no more belong to us than anything else! They're Her tears! Our separation is Her separation! We are Her's--lock, stock and barrel! Acintya-bheda-bheda must be realized in the heart. The intimacy we have with Her is almost unimaginable! All that's required is to feel strongly the need to share your heavy heart and the faith that it actually is possible to do so with Her personally. That, and giving up the desire to enjoy Krsna independently, knowing that He and everything else belong to Her only. SHE is the inner potency that is the basis of all the others and we are each infinitismal parts of HER! Really, our position is so vimmensely special and unique, prabhu. Please try to appreciate the mercy we are ALL receiving through Lord Caitanya, Prabhu Nityananda, and Srila Prabhupada (not to mention the Goswamis of Vrndavana and the entire parampara!). The baby cries and the Mother gently lifts it to Her breast, singing softly. Prabhuji, She is right here with us now and always!!! The only separation is between Her and Krsna and even that is only for the purpose of these wondrous pastimes constantly being created for US! For as much as we are Theirs', amazingly They are ours! It's just a matter of properly plugging into that energy in the right place--RADHA! That separation everyone is so desperate to avoid is the key to all that we really need! JAI SRI RADHE! RR

From Leyh on another thread: I've been reading Srila Prabhupada's "Elevation to Krsna Consciousness recently and in it,he writes: "We are Krsna's parts and parcels and have been created to give pleasure to Krsna. The chief pleasure potency is Radharani, and so Radha-Krsna are always together. Whereas the material energy is conducted by the external potency, Maya, the spiritual world is conducted by the internal potency, Radharani. We often pray to Radharani because She is the pleasure potency of Krsna. The very word "Krsna" means all-attractive, but Radharani is so great that She attracts Krsna. If Krsna is always attractive to everyone, and Radharani is attractive to Krsna, how can we imagine the position of Srimati Radharani? We should try humbly to understand and offer Her our obeisances, saying, "Radharani, You are so dear to Krsna. You are the daughter of King Vrsabhanu, and You are Krsna's beloved. We offer our respectful obeisances unto You. Radharani is very dear to Krsna, and if we approach Krsna through the mercy of Radharani, we can easily attain Him. If Radharani recommends a devotee, Krsna immediately accepts him, however foolish he may be. Consequently in Vrndavana we find that devotees chant Radharani's name more often than Krsna's. Wherever we go in India we will find devotees calling, "Jaya Radhe." We should be more interested in worshiping Radharani, for however fallen we may be, if somehow or other we can please Her, we can very easily understand Krsna. If we try to understand Krsna by the speculative process, we will have to spend many lifetimes of speculation; but if we take to devotional service and just try to please Radharani, then Krsna can be very easily realized. Radharani is such a great devotee that She can deliver Krsna."(Elevation to Krsna Consciousness,Chapter Five:Knowing Krsna's Energies)

April 11 = Fearless Aries. C'mon the rest of you, show and tell...

Yeh, let's check in physically. Next April makes 58 for me. Hard to believe...

Now now, no need for envy! God has unlimited litters and you can be a runt, too. Course, I'll still be Her favourite...!

I felt no animosity from you, prabhu. That was actually my favourite. It's true, She took pity on the runt of the litter and still does! RR

Remember all the macho posturing in Iraq. They ended up kissing American soldiers' boots! We cannot allow public support to wane due to weakness. No time for sentimentality or even mercy. Ruthlessness must be the order of the day, I regret to say. Viet-nam style pacifisism will not have the desired effect this time; in fact, quite the opposite. The main worry is nuclear and biological weapons. We should try to prepare ourselves psychologically for the worst, during this brief calm before the storm. Devotees know they are not their bodies and simply chanting japa has a far reaching effect on everyone and everything. Keep the faith, prabhu! RR [This message has been edited by valaya (edited 09-18-2001).]

Dear Mr.D prabhu, I feel that your `dawning` rates a whole thread of it's own, so here 'tis along with my humble obeisances. valaya RR From Mr. Dasanudas:

No devotee wishes to cause pain to anyone or anybody. War is HELL!!! Much of what you see here and probably over other media is our side preparing to face it aggressively. We cannot afford to lose and this will require strong inner resolve and commitment more than in any previous conflict. We will NOT allow ourselves to become imtimidated or cowered by fear! The quickest way to unite and psyche ourselves for what will soon be upon us, is to demean and depersonalize the enemy. Sorry to say, like the inevitable physical and emotional suffering, It is a necessary part of this nasty package. We have to believe without a doubt that we are right and that right will be victorious. Doubt and fear are our worst enemies, especially when entering a prolonged fight against terrorism, as those are the subtle weapons being used against us. Please try to remember that and remind others when the dark cloud descends upon us all. RR [This message has been edited by valaya (edited 09-18-2001).] [This message has been edited by valaya (edited 09-18-2001).]

Believe it or not, I care for all the regulars on this forum. Therefore, everything posted is read. As I've already said, though, most of what you write is probably not appreciated fully by me. What to do? RR

Right on, prabhu! Maybe you could just ship that Holy Water... Can you imagine, perhaps, a tanker full??!! RR

Dear JRdd, Since you are opening up more, your depth and complexities become increasingly apparent. This communications medium does have it's limations, especially in trying to share personal feelings. So many times we tend to misinterpret one another. I really would like to talk to more of you over the phone, since meeting face-to-face seems impossible. Such a shame we can't talk over the kitchen table while taking prasadam! In spite of very limited finances and fixed income, I will pay for the calls on Sunday (cheap rate). Later at night is the best time. I can understand your reluctance, prabhu, so don't feel I'm pushing you. Will try to reply to your posts as best I can, after giving them the attention they deserve. One thing I'll say now, though, is that you're a lot stronger than you may think. It's just a certain type of strength that must be recognized. Like Mr.D said on another thread, we fall to the ground and the ground lifts us up. I can see clearly that you are gaining increased realization in that regard. JAI RADHE! RR [This message has been edited by valaya (edited 09-18-2001).]

1) Wouldn't want to blow up Maitreya, I'm sure he's gotten `bombed` enough times all by himself! Besides, I'm hoping he'll lug back gallons of Radha-kund water for us all. I've still got enough for a few years, but if we lose access to the Holy Places... 2) Can't help wondering how many would go on a pilgrimage that meant certain death! Might be one way to avoid those awful crowds... Also, would they be entitled to all those virgins on arrival in `heaven`, like the suicide bombers? Maybe there's a formula like, say, 20 instead of 50. I mean really, prabhus, half-a-dozen would be more than enough pour moi! RR

`Ladies` are the female equivalent of `gentlemen` by definition. This is not the same as saying `women and men` since it denotes certain noble qualities. Besides, women naturally become ladies in the presence of gentle men, don't they?

Wouldn't want to waste my final shot like that. The target I had in mind does begin with the letter `M`, though...

Aw bummer! I so wanted to be a suicide bomber!!! [This message has been edited by valaya (edited 09-18-2001).]

No `death` blows in Can'tada...!