dasanudas

Bhakti Promode Puri Maharaj likewise was/is a very noble, honourable and humble vaisnava from whom all the vaisnavas today could take a leaf from his books like 'The Heart of Krsna.' I heard once Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Maharaj told that every Vaisnava should read this book. Very sweet! I had the good fortune of sharing his company on a number of occasions when he would come to stay with Srila Guru Maharaj in Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math. I loved his unassuming nature as he would reside dowstairs from Srila Guru Maharaj who he loved to be in the company of. Like a complete unknown in full respect of everyone, he was very approachable. This is what the ornament of humility creates, a heart connection to all. Srila Sridhara Maharaj had that same intensified mood. And yet on another occasion I saw him lead a parikram party to SCSM of apr. 15,000 devotees it took about 30 mins. for them all to take dharsan stretching from the other side of Gauranga bridge to the Math. He also had that same inner bhava you are talking about. I'm sure Jagat could tell a tale or two of his life.

Bhakti Promode Puri Maharaj likewise was/is a very noble, honourable and humble vaisnava from whom all the vaisnavas today could take a leaf from his books like 'The Heart of Krsna.' I heard once Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Maharaj told that every Vaisnava should read this book. Very sweet! I had the good fortune of sharing his company on a number of occasions when he would come to stay with Srila Guru Maharaj in Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math. I loved his unassuming nature as he would reside dowstairs from Srila Guru Maharaj who he loved to be in the company of. Like a complete unknown in full respect of everyone, he was very approachable. This is what the ornament of humility creates, a heart connection to all. Srila Sridhara Maharaj had that same intensified mood. And yet on another occasion I saw him lead a parikram party to SCSM of apr. 15,000 devotees it took about 30 mins. for them all to take dharsan stretching from the other side of Gauranga bridge to the Math. He also had that same inner bhava you are talking about. I'm sure Jagat could tell a tale or two of his life.

Gaura premanandi Hari Hari bol!

I remember the second time I travelled to Sri Vrndavan Dham I had learnt from the first or maybe it was Slila Prabhupad who recommended entering the dham the Brijabhasi way, on Tanga-Horse and cart, so we did that chanting all the way from Mathura I'll never forget that soft and gentle breeze blowing in our still dusty face, as parties of wandering pilgrims passed, exchanging the holy Names and you actually experience the whole panorama of the sounds, the sights, the scents, even if its only cow urine it will stay with you, the contact with the ground. The sight of Tulasi devi on the way, the calls of the peacocks and all the other birds who are greeting you to the dham that will forever wake eternal sentiments in your ancient memory bankes. The dham basis who have given up everything to reside in such a fortunate environment, the children playing on the way, the same as they ever did. Maybe the bulldust if you arrive at sundown turning the sun bloodred and bathing the land in a peace you'll never forget either, everywhere you look so much rememberance of their Lordships floods your senses so much it kinda' makes you want to get off the tangha and roll to Vrndavan. A very spiritually organic experience. But still the taxi when it arrives at Bhaktivedanta Swami Marg and perhaps you're alighting at Krsna Balaram temole can also give you some wonderful feelings like immediately seeing an old friend, or going sraight to take dharsan of the deities Prabhupad or anywhere else you go. But the ancient approach I found to be gradual and soothing in a slow and gentle way. You can gather your prayers. Even if it's all overwhelming, it's slowly overwhelming. Another thing is it's drawn out and can be savoured longer. I find with cars one tends to miss much of the connection. But if you ever do this coming back from Mathura, hire the whole kit and caboodle don't let 'em load ya tanga with no room to move. That's another story.

Or electricute your body with a cheap version if you use a metal bucket. Chances are the electricity will be load shedding at the time so it'll only serve as a little reminder That "In My world there is no need of electricity" Just kidding prabhu it's all part of the fun. It's a divine experience. If you take a walk up to Gangotri in the Himalayas, when you return to Vrndavan it feels quite tropical.You're a survivor mate and my feeling is, you'll be taken care of.

Is that why my friends call me a birdbrain?

It would be nice to keep this in Glorification of Sri Rupa and the Rupanuga Sampradaya. Our Heart and Soul Appreciate these posts Govinda Prabhu

Srimad Rupa-pada-rajah Prarthana Dasakam Aspiring for the Dust of Srimad Rupa Goswami's Lotus Feet Paramahamsa Srila Bhakti Raksaka Sridhara Dev Goswami Maharaj 1 srimac-caitanyapadau cara-kamalayugau netra-bhrngau madhu dyau gaude tau payayantau vraja-vipina-gatau vyajayuktau samutkau bhatau sabhratrkasya svajana-gana-pater yasya saubhagya-bhumnah sa sri-rupah kada mam nija-pada-rajasa bhusitam samvidhatte Srila Rupa Goswami is the mine of the most precious treasure, the leader of the associates of Lord Caitanya (the Divine Succession being known as the Rupanuga Sampradaya, 'the followers of Sri Rupa'). In the company of his brothers, he was resplendent in (the province of) Gauda, causing the fervent twin bumblebees in the form of the lotus eyes of Sri Caitanyadeva to drink nectar, as the Lord's lotus feet moved on the pretext of visiting Vrndavana. When will that Srimad Rupa Prabhu grace me with the dust of his holy feet? 2 pita-sri-gaura-padambuja-madhu-madironmatta-hrd-bhrnga-rajo rajyaisvaryam jahau yo jana-nivaha-hitadatta-citto nijagryam vijnapya svanujena vraja-gamana-ratam canvagat gauracandram sa sri-rupah kada mam nija-pada-rajasa bhusitam samvidhatte At Sri Ramakeli Dhama, the king of bees - the heart of Sri Rupa - became intoxicated drinking the honey-wine of the lotus feet of Sri Gauracandra, and sacrificed its life (in Hari-kirtana) for the benefit of all the people of the world, summarily abandoning a life of kingly opulence. After informing his elder brother Sri Sanatana, Sri Rupa and his younger brother Sri Vallabha followed the footsteps of Sri Caitanyadeva, whose heart was absorbed in going (from Nilacala) to Sri Vrndavana. When will that Sri Rupa Prabhu grace me with the dust of his holy lotus feet? 3 vrndaranyat prayage hari-rasa-natanair nama-sankirtanais ca lebhe yo madhavagre jana-gahana-gatam prema-mattam janams ca bhavaih svair madayantam hrta-nidhir iva tam krsna-caitanyacandram sa sri-rupah kada mam nija-pada-rajasa bhusitam samvidhatte Sri Caitanyadeva returned from Vrndavana to Prayaga Dhama and performed Nama-sankirtana, surrounded by crowds of hundreds of thousands. Intoxicated with divine love, dancing, He melted the hearts of hundreds of faithful souls with His astonishing transcendental ecstasies. Sri Rupa, as though regaining his most precious treasure, thus found Sri Caitanyadeva in the direct presence of the Deity Sri Bindu Madhava. When will that Sri Rupa Prabhu grace me with the dust of his holy lotus feet? 4 ekantam labdha-padambuja-nija-hrdaya-prestha-patro mahartir dainyair-duhkhasru-purnair dasana-dhrta-trnaih pujayamasa gauram svantah krsnan ca ganga-dinamani-tanaya-sangame sanujo yah sa sri-rupah kada mam nija-pada-rajasa bhusitam samvidhatte At the sacred spot on the confluence of the Ganga and the Yamuna, Sri Rupa achieved intimate union with the lotus feet of the dearmost Lord of his life - the Lord who is Krsna within and Gaura without. In grave humility, with straw in mouth and with tears of sorrow, he along with his younger brother worshiped Sri Gaura-Krsna in intense love. When will that Sri Rupa Prabhu grace me with the dust of his holy lotus feet? 5 svasya prema-svarupam priya-dayita-vilasanurupaika-rupam dure bhu-lunthitam yam sahaja-sumadhura-sriyutam sanujan ca drstva devo 'titurnam stuti-bahu-mukham aslisya gadham raranje sa sri-rupah kada mam nija-pada-rajasa bhusitam samvidhatte Sri Caitanyadeva saw Sri Rupa and his younger brother rolling on the ground some distance away. Seeing His endeared one, His favorite, His love divine personified in natural beauty and charm, His exclusive alter ego in divine pastimes, the Lord swiftly approached Sri Rupa, profusely singing his glories, and embraced him in ecstasy. When will that Sri Rupa Prabhu grace me with the dust of his holy lotus feet? 6 kaivalya-prema-bhumav-akhila-rasa-sudha-sindhu-sancara-daksam jnatvapy evan ca radha-pada-bhajana-sudham lilayapayayad yam saktim sancarya gauro nija-bhajana-sudha-dana-daksam cakara sa sri-rupah kada mam nija-pada-rajasa bhusitam samvidhatte Sri Gaurahari knew that (as an eternal associate of the Lord) Sri Rupa was already proficient in wandering throughout the ambrosial ocean of all mellows, in the land of unalloyed love (in Vraja-rasa). Nonetheless, to expand His own pastimes, the Lord enabled him to drink the sweet ecstasy of servitude unto Sri Radha, and empowered him with the skill to distribute the nectar of His personal devotional service. When will that Srimad Rupa Prabhu grace me with the dust of his lotus feet? 7 gauradesac ca vrnda-vipinam iha parikramya nilacalam yo gatva kavyamrtaih svair vraja-yuva-yugala-kridanarthaih prakamam ramananda-svarupadibhir api kavibhis tarpayamasa gauram sa sri-rupah kada mam nija-pada-rajasa bhusitam samvidhatte When on the order of Sri Gauranga, Sri Rupa visited Sri Purusottama Ksetra after completing the circumambulation of Sri Vraja Mandala, He highly gratified Sri Caitanyadeva and the sagacious devotee assembly headed by Sri Svarupa Damodara and Sri Ramananda Raya by his ambrosial poetry on the pastimes of the Divine Couple of Vraja. When will that Srimad Rupa Prabhu grace me with the dust of his lotus feet? 8 lila-samgopane sri-bhagavata iha vai jangame sthavare 'pi sammugdhe sagrajatah prabhu-viraha-hrta-praya-jivendriyanam yas casid asrayaika-sthalam iva raghu-gopala-jivadi-varge sa sri-rupah kada mam nija-pada-rajasa bhusitam samvidhatte When the manifest lila of the Supreme Lord Sri Caitanyadeva was withdrawn, all beings including the immobile entities were mortified, deeply afflicted in sorrow. Sri Rupa and his elder brother were the only shelter for even the intimate devotees of the Lord, headed by Raghunatha, Gopal Bhatta, and Sri Jiva, who had almost lost their lives in the Lord's separation. When will that Srimad Rupa Prabhu grace me with the dust of his lotus feet? 9 sri-murteh sadhu-vrtteh prakatanam api tal-lupta-tirthadikanam sri-radha-krsna-padambuja-bhajanamayam raga-margam visuddham granthair yena pradattam nikhilam iha nijabhista-devepsitan ca sa sri rupah kada mam nija-pada-rajasa bhusitam samvidhatte By writing many, many books, he gave the world all the most cherished desires of his worshipful Lord Sri Caitanyadeva, principally - revealing the service of the Deity, establishing the pure code of conduct in devotion, revealing the lost holy places, and revealing the path of spontaneous devotion (Raga-marga) in transcendental loving service to Sri Radha-Govinda. When will that Srimad Rupa Prabhu grace me with the dust of his holy lotus feet? 10 lila-samgopa-kale nirupadhi-karuna-karina svaminaham yat padabje 'rpito yat pada-bhajanamayam gayayitva tu gitam yogyayogyatva-bhavam mama khalu sakalam dusta-buddher agrhnan sa sri-rupah kada mam nija-pada-rajasa bhusitam samvidhatte Just prior to the withdrawal of his manifest lila, my causelessly merciful Divine Master, Srila Saraswati Thakura, handed me over to the holy feet of that Divine Personality by having me sing the glorious prayer unto his lotus feet (Sri Rupa-manjari-pada). Despite my lowliness, when will - disregarding all my various qualifications and disqualifications - Srimad Rupa Prabhu grace me with the dust of his holy lotus feet?

The beauty of the heart shines on forever

The beauty of the heart shines on forever

This quote can be seen from another perspective Leyh which is very much in keeping with the vaisnava understanding of Guru i.e.That all approach divinity thru the agents of divinity that is one can't approach direct, just as you don't march into the presidents office and tell him you have some concern about how the country is being run, rather you go thru the correct channells to gain a meeting. Similarly in the kingdom of God we find this same arrangement we approach a genuine representive, enquire from them submissively about the Truth and then by their grace one is introduced to the Lord and His wonderful entourage. In Vaisnavism this is the same and it is called Parampara or disciplic succession. It's a very simple system but foolproof, and is put in place to protect the Lords teaching from misrepresentation from unscrupulous cheaters who come in the Name of God, but who have no validation from the God realized living agents that they are the genuine article. For the Truth to be the Absolute Truth it must be aligned to Sadhu (the Saints)Scripture and the Lord in our heart. If not then it is to be rejected> Krsna Confirms this Himself where He states verily it's not those who say they are my servant who are , but rather the servant of the servant of my servant they are truly my servant. This does'nt mean that everyone who is connected to a genuine spiritual master can give the Truth as there are varying degrees of sincerity within all spiritual lineages and insincerity. But for the transmission of Truth in Gaudiya Vaisnavism it must descend thru those who have it. Srila Prabhupad could say these same words and they would be just as true as Jesus. Unfortunately when such statements get into the heads of fundamentalist neophytes they are just used to light sectarian bonfires. My teacher and teachings are the only teachings of divinity, sadly we are watching this play out in the middle east and so many other misguided hotspots around the planet at present. But it is true what Jesus says and we can harmonise with this statement if it's not misconstrued.

This is from the Vrndavan Institute But You may find more on the FOV if you contact Jagat His address is on his Jagganath Puri thread next door he may have their latest news. Something is happening in Vrindavan. The sewage water is not running into the Yamuna anymore. Srimati Radharani ki jay. Now it is time for all of us to become responsible and to think very carefully what is necessary to make our Yamuna ghat site the most beautiful site in India like Hrsikesh and Haridvar. We all have to cooperate with this to get the blessings of Yamuna mayi and Radha Krishna and of all the Vaishnavas and of all the visitors of the holy dham. If we can make the Yamuna front site a beautiful area the amount of visitors to Vrindavan will increase a lot and everybody will be so happy to take snan in the Yamuna. What do we have to do. 1. Cleaning First of all we want to thank so much to all who helped to get the improvements in Vrindavan. We have to rearrange the sewage system in such a way so that you cannot notice it. The holes where the old nails where running were running have to be filled by bulldozers. It must be prohibited to drop any garbage on the Yamuna site and to defecate in that area. There should be special garbage containers. Along the parikrama there should be garbage containers so that the pilgrims can drop the garbage there and not drop it on the ground. Every building should be presented nicely from outside. If possible the broken front sides should be fixed to give the Vrindavan ghat a more beautiful appearance. It is necessary to plant more trees on specific locations along the parikrama with very heavy duty trunk guards for protection from the animals. No advertisement should be put on the Yamuna site to destroy the medieval town ghat aspects. A beautiful Yamuna aratik like in Hrsikesh should be organized from Municipality side. 2. Fixing If technically possible the old sewage system should be removed or if not possible decorated to make sitting facilities for the pilgrims. This is our chance once for all to remove the eye sores which are present to all the pilgrims when they went on parikrama. Some places require landscaping with bulldozers to unify the way. 3. Planting It is highly recommendable to plant lots of bugambhira with fences which help them to grow up to give shade to pilgrims. Bugambhira is a very beautiful plant all the year around and once it is strong the animals do not disturb it. That will make the Yamuna front site so beautiful that everybody will come and just want to stay there and it will increase the fame of Vrindavan many fold. We pray to everybody to help remind the authorities that these things shall be considered and implemented. Please do not take any offense for making these suggestions. But this is a great necessity and as long as the black water was going in the Yamuna whatever you do would be useless, but now that the black water stopped flowing into the Yamuna we can really do a beautiful job here. We also request the Municipality to look into the case of Brahma kunda. This beautiful pond has become a whole to dump garbage in the middle of Vrindavan. That is another eyesauer.

Is that the same tall solid Parivrackacarya Swami with African descent took Sanyas from Srila Sridhara Maharaj. I liked his soft nature very much. If so, do you know where he might be now?

What can I say Prabhu Who am I, and who are they, where am i, and where are They. It appears to me that Krsnas heart is wrapped around the little finger of Madhana Mohana Mohini. She is the very pulse, the heart and halo of His existence and yet how are we to understand the unthinkable, separation for a single moment, what kind of consolation can possibly fill the void of their parting? In this way I can understand a little. It's all Srimatis mercy, for she is the Hladini reservoir of all our existence, she is truly the life of our life. Otherwise if she were not, in Her infinite kindness allowing Him to share His love with us, which includes Her in various ways, we just would'nt exist. This is called pure selfless love for not only the super-subjective Lord of Her soul- Krishna, but simultaneously for each and every part of Krsna. Which when we wake up to our real swarup and we realize ourselves as servants to Their Loving pastimes, accordingly in varying degrees of inner fullfillment, thats potentially all of us there, somewhere according to our intrinsic seva capacity, we will find our place in the assistence of Their pleasure and satisfaction. If we can somehow aquire but a drop of the maha sukriti derived from serving those surrendered lovers of Her, amongst the millions of Her expansions. All our divine prospect rests in this one hope and aspiration. This is why I think Srila Das Goswami prays thus. If you could be a little more spacific in phrasing your question as there is a vast ocean in just one of Srila Sridhara Maharajs pointsThen I can probably give you another unsatisfactory answer perhaps you can offer it to various acharyas and we can all catch theier angles of vision. In the Beauty of Radharani, Krsna has excelled Himself so that He may be able to love beauty and be loved by beauty just as she can for Him, for otherwise is someone tasting or experiencing something more than Him when He is the Supreme enjoyer, He has to be the best at everything. This is where the Finite starts to conquer the infinite. This is where that nice exchange at Imli tala took place. Hence the advent of our Golden Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and who knows what other miraculous revelations exists in Radha and Krsnas Consciousness. Infinite possibilities are there prabhu if we per chance connect to those truly living in Their Consciousness. And Their loving search campaign wants us to be there. Right now there are such rare souls living on this planet who are sharing their glorious existence with us, who open the doors to eternity every time we meet, if only we can throw ourselves at their feet. But I'm just a frustrated 2 fingered typist that can't express every direction my mind explodes into fast enough. Please forgive my limitations. Sorry for falling short of a satisfactory answer to your very deep and delightfull question. I have a whole line of people pulling on me to give some attention at this junction. But no doubt, it and more will be answered more fully shortly either directly or indirectly, Their magical mystical ways can't be kept from the sincere inquisitive heart. I'm finding much is now happening in the Gaudiya Vaisnava World, you could say it has to, it's in emergency mode. Gaura Hari How much do you want pasted prabhu? Heres a starter Rupanuga Nama The followers of the rupanuga sampradaya can never deviate from that consciousness in their chanting of the maha-mantra. And with this conception, they go on with the service of Hari-Hara, Radha-Krishna. They absorb themselves in radha-dasyam. They cannot think of anything else but that. And once having fully attained that plane, they can never come down from that level, from the interest of Radha-Krishna. They cannot allow themselves to be out of that circle. That is the position of our highest aspiration, and according to a devotees's adhikara, or spiritual qualification, that sort of meaning will awaken in one's mind. It will be awakened, discovered by sadhana. At that time the covering of the heart will be removed and divine love will spontaneously spring up from the fountain of the heart as the inner function of the soul. Once, the Diwan of Bharatpur had come on a pilgrimage with his family to the holiest of places, çr^ Radha-kunda, the holy lake of Srimati Radharani. He and his family were circumambulating Radha-krsna. They would fall flat on the ground, offering obeisances lying down with their arms outstretched. Every time they bowed down in this way, they would mark the spot where their fingertips touched the earth. Then they would slowly rise, step forward to where that spot had been marked, and again fall flat, offering their obeisances with great respect and adoration. In this way they were circumambulating the entire Radha-kunda. Upon seeing such intense worship, Paramananda Prabhu, an intimate disciple of our guru maharaja srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura, intimated to Prabhupada that the Diwan and his family must have great respect for Radharani to circumambulate the Radha-kundaa in such a fashion. At that time Prabhupada said, "Their angle of vision towards Radha-kunàa and Radharani and Radharani is different from ours. They recognize and reverse Krishna. And because Radharani is Krishna's favorite, they also have some reverence for Radha-kundaa. But our vision is just the opposite. Our concern is with Radharani. And only because She wants Krishna do we have any connection with Him." And so, the Gaudiya Vai£òavas know only Radharan^. They are concerned only with Her, and Her duties, Her necessities. They are ready to serve Her in all respects, and cannot contemplate any service without Her. That is the highest achievement of the Gaudiya Vaisnavas, that is the special feature of Mahaprabhu's party, and that was announced by Raghunatha Dasa Goswam^in his Vilapa-kusumanjali (102): aßabharair-amùta-sindhu-mayaiè kathancit kalo mayatigamitaè kila samprataì hi tvaì cet kùpam mayi vidhasyasi naiva kiì me pranair vraje na ca varoru bakarinapi This verse is a direct prayer to Radharan^. It expresses a particular type of hope which is so sweet and reassuring that it is compared with an unlimited ocean of nectar. He says, "There is a hope which is sustaining me and nurturing my existence. With that hope I am somehow passing my days, dragging my life through these tedious times. That nectarine ocean of hope is attracting me and keeping me alive. But my patience has reached its end. I can't endure it any longer. I can't wait any more. "At this moment if You do not show Your grace to me, I am finished. I shall lose my prospect forever. I shall have no desire to continue my life. It will all be useless. Without Your grace, I can't stand to live another moment. And Vrindavana, which is even dearer to me than my life itself-I am disgusted with it. It is painful; it is always pinching me. And what to speak of anything else, I am even disgusted with Krishna. It is shameful to utter such words, but I can have no love even for Krishna unless and until You take me within Your confidential camp of service." This is the prayer of Raghunatha Dasa. When Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Prabhupada would begin to explain this verse, his figure would be come transformed. He would become full of emotion; his face would become like that of a phantom. In this verse, Raghunatha Dasa Goswami, taking an extreme risk, says, "O Radha, if I do not get Your favor, I don't want anything. I want You and You alone. To have an independent relationship with anyone else, eliminating You, is impossible in my life. You must be first, and then others. Without You, we can never even think of a separate relationship with Krishna." Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaja has written that without Radharani's company, Krishna is not beautiful. Everything is realtive-dependent. A teacher depends on the student, and the student depends on his teacher. Although Krishna is the enjoyer, He is completely dependent on the enjoyed, Srimati Radharani. The two are correlative; one cannot be separated from the other. As the enjoyed, Radharani is also absolutely dependent on Krishna, the enjoyer. Radharani says, "My fate is lost forever because I have given Myself, I have sold Myself to many palces. When I heard flute, I dedicated Myself to the song of the flute. When I heard the name of Krishna, I dedicated Myself to that sound. And when I saw a beautiful picture of Krishna, I wholly dedicated Myself to that picture. So in three places I have sold Myself completely, with no possibility of any happiness or peace in My life. If I had dedicated Myself to only one thing, there might have been a possibility of peace, but because I have dedicated Myself in three different places, I am hopeless. "Seeing the picture of Krishna, I could't contain Myself to that beautiful figure, and so I dedicated Myself fully. The name if Krishna also purchased Me fully. And the sweet sound from the flute-that has also drawn Me to the extrreme of dedication. So how can I hope for peace in My life? It is impossible, My friends." Radharaò^ did not not it at that time, but the source of Krishna's flute, His name, and His beauty are one. If She could have seen how all three of these meet together, then it would have been possible for Her to have peace of mind. But it is difficult to understand this principle. How is it that the sound of Kù£na's flute, the sound of His name, and a picture of His form are nondifferent from Krishna Himself? Idealism. In Hegel's word, ideal realism. The absolute idea is not to be dismissed as an abstract thing; rather, it is the basis of all existence. Reality is there, but it is ideal realism. And the foundation of the reality of Vùndavana is given by Nityananda, Baladeva: nitaiyer koruna habe, braje radha-Krishna pabe, dharo nitai caraòa du'khani. After Bhaktivinoda Thakura describes the postion of Radharani in his çaraòagati, he says, "i want to serve those who have the service of Radharan^ in their heart. ^want to serve the feet dust of those whose only wealth is the service of Sri Radha. I want to fall before them and take the dust of their holy feet. If you cannot fix your mind in the service of Radharan^, then all your attempts to serve Krishna are useless. If you cannot achieve earnestness in the service of Srimati Radharani, then all your labor for Krishna has gone to hell." We cannot concceive of a sun without heat, nor can we conceive of Godhead without His potency. So also, no conception of Krishna is possible without çrimat^ Radharan^. We can't know any Madhava without Radha. She is Krishna's other half-in Srila Bhaktisiddhanta's language, the predominated moiety. Devotional service as a whole is represented by Her, because both the intensity and the comprehensiveness of Her service to Krishna are unparalleled. There are so many examples of chaste and pious ladies in the ancient history of the Puranas: çac^, the faithful wife of Indra; Sati, the wife of Lord çiva; Laksmidevi, the Goddess of fortune; Satyabhama, Krishna's wife in Dwaraka; Rukmini, the principle queen of Krishna in Dwaraka; and even the antagonist of Radharani, headed by Candravali. All of them represent different aspects of Radharani. They all spring from the main postency which is known as Radha.

Thanks for the information, if my memory serves me well, which it does'nt always, this account appears to be in line with what I've heard from SSM. I fully agree with the Saragrahis approach of seeking the essence. As the devils disturbance seems to come into the details of different applications. That is not to say we should accept anything and everything in the name of Swayam Bhagavan, as the perversion of the supreme gift of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu will benefit no one and will only cause more confusion. Regarding my Gurudevs instruction on Vaidhi and Raghanuga marg he has spoken many different things in different dharsans according to time and circumstance. Here is one example: A bona-fide student will avoid all kinds of imitation, sahajiyism. We have to cross Bhu, Bhuvah, Maha, Jana, Tapa, Viraja, Brahmaloka, Vaikuntha to Goloka, step by step. Anuraga, our affinity for the Supreme Personality is not a very cheap thing. We have to understand who Krishna really is. Those without dedication should not deceive themselves into thinking they can find Him in the area of the material zone. Madhvacaryya gave one hundred points against mayavadism - mere renunciation. And our Guru Maharaj gave prakrita-rasa-sata-dusani one hundred points against this sahajiyism to guard against imitating Krishna-bhajan in material life. So many ways, at every step we have to make decisions to go this way or that. Every moment we are at the crossing, but on the whole my sincerity will guide me. Deception and illusion are there, but the grace of the Lord is also there in the background. But he won’t allow these agents of deception to misguide me if I don’t associate with them. Srila Rupa Goswami says we must observe vaidhi bhakti (regulative practice) for as long as we can’t get admission into the level of raga bhakti (spontaneous affection). Das Goswami also says we shall show reverence to raga bhakti, but we shall try to live within vaidhi bhakti, rules and regulations, shastra regulated devotion. But the arrogant do not care for this instruction of the followers of Sri Chaitanya Maharapbhu. There was one party in Vrindavan, that did not admit the necessity for formal devotion. Many others you will find in Vrindavan also. This party say they have connection with the Gopal Bhatta Sampradaya - Gaudiya vaisnavism with a little deviation. They want to begin with raga bhakti, anu raga. Disciple: If they don’t have regard for vaidhi bhakti (regulated devotion )and go directly to raga-nuga,(spontaneous devotion) isn’t this something like sahajiyism? Srila Sridhara Maharaj: Worse than sahajiyism. Sahajiyism formerly accepts everything, but they want easy entrance to do only what comes naturally without work, and they don’t admit the necessity for formal devotion. They are lazy in their practice, preferring the enjoying mood to the serving mood, but service means sacrifice. So the atmosphere is dangerous and any theistic awakening we should mark with all attention and care so that we may not go down again to the depths of nescience. Very carefully we shall try to collect our wealth. Real progress towards the Infinite gives the idea, “That I am nothing, I am in great danger.” Progress towards the Infinite is like that. “Thinking I have it, I am above.” This is a foolish feeling , foolish statement. The very nature of advancement is that, “I am low, I am undone, I am the most helpless.” The closer we are the further away we will feel, whereas the further away we actually are from divinity, we may complacently feel we are close. As much as we come into the relativity of the Infinite, we cannot but conceive ourselves to be the lowest of the low. That is the criteria. The very sign of real progress will show I am nothing, I am the most needy, the most wretched and the most helpless. The negative aspect must be improved to attract the positive. If one point of the negative will say, “I am positive” then immediately it will be rejected, you are under the false control of maya. Rather to think, “I am the meanest of the mean,” that will attract the attention of the high. This is the science of devotion proper. When I first came here to Nabadwip, one boy used to dress as a woman. He would tell, “Oh, I have seen Krishna and I have shown so many.” When he came to me, I said, “No, no, no. We know a little of what is Krishna and how to see Him, also who can see Him. Some knowledge we have gathered from different scriptures and saints.” So I related some of it. Then he persisted, “I have shown Krishna on the branch of this tamarind tree, so many have witnessed that.” I said, “In spite of your statement that you have shown Krishna to so many, I disregard that.” Summarily this is all bogus. “Why are you cheating yourself”? I asked. “You are cheating the public and yourself, so be careful of that.” Then after some months that man came back to me and said, “What you say is all true.” SSM Of course Srila Guru Maharagj was never deterring anyone from approaching raga that would be contradictory to preach against the goal of our spontaneous devotional life would be avaisnavism His fame and honor is no doubt appreciated right across Gaudiya spectrum and beyond. But we must understand the name he was given Sri Bhakti Raksaka (the guardian of devotion) by Srila Bhaktisiddanta Saraswati Thakur was not random but thru the divine vision of the Thakur who recognized this protective quality within him. And this vision has served the whole Vaisnava arena from the most subtle deviations. For this I for one am eternally greatful. There is one place where Srila Bhakivinode Thakur has expressed that our practice of Vaidhi when purified, becomes Raghanuga. As I understand this it does'nt mean we give up the simple vaidhic process of offering or observine those those activities recommendied in Sri Rupas NoD, it's just that the ritual becomes saturated in pure spontaneous divine love, we can't sleep without it, we can't eat or move without it, we can't breathe without engagement, body mind and soul, in all those activities that give pleasure to Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Gandhavika Govindasundarajui. Rather it just expands from a limited circle to every atom, moment and opportunity that is presenting itself to us in the environment, for Their service, which is truly everywhere in our ears and eyes in varying degrees according to Their Grace. I'm just an insignificant soul , I don't know so much, I'm just trying to take the essence like you recommend and perhaps extend a little of that to others.hopefully this will help my spiritual advancment towards that distant Ideal Reality.

No doubt we've all meditated and wondered about the beautiful three fold bending form of Krsna and I often wonder just how accurate these artistic impressions are. Srimate Radharani Had her pictures of Krsna in His absense. Love to see that picture! Then Visnupriya devis deity Of Sri Gauranga which is presently existing in Navadwip, is supposedly designed according to her heart and vision of her beloved Lord Gauranga. Jayaradhe do you know if you can still paste pictures or animated gifs on these forums like VNN if it won't load the cache too much? If so I'd like to paste some photos from my own collection but you never told us how to do it from our own files I don't think. This question is also open to our kind host Sripad Jndas Prabhu who is allowing us to associate in his 'Audarya Fellowship' to whom I am very greatful I hope the sacrifice is not too demanding on top of your regular contributions to the forums, and you have some assistance if need be. Unfortunately I can't offer to help as it seems it's all in your good hands, but feel free to adjust me personally if I'm not living up to nessacary standards of ettiqette and civilized manners we should endeavour to keep on such public forums. I often feel like I'm a guest in some ones house and should act accordingly, not just treat it as though we are free to act and say anything in the name of free speech. Audarya (Nice Name)is giving the message of divinity and not demonicy. Just thought I'd drop that in while it was moveing me to, sorry if I strayed from the beauty thread for awhile, I'll be back.

No doubt we've all meditated and wondered about the beautiful three fold bending form of Krsna and I often wonder just how accurate these artistic impressions are. Srimate Radharani Had her pictures of Krsna in His absense. Love to see that picture! Then Visnupriya devis deity Of Sri Gauranga which is presently existing in Navadwip, is supposedly designed according to her heart and vision of her beloved Lord Gauranga. Jayaradhe do you know if you can still paste pictures or animated gifs on these forums like VNN if it won't load the cache too much? If so I'd like to paste some photos from my own collection but you never told us how to do it from our own files I don't think. This question is also open to our kind host Sripad Jndas Prabhu who is allowing us to associate in his 'Audarya Fellowship' to whom I am very greatful I hope the sacrifice is not too demanding on top of your regular contributions to the forums, and you have some assistance if need be. Unfortunately I can't offer to help as it seems it's all in your good hands, but feel free to adjust me personally if I'm not living up to nessacary standards of ettiqette and civilized manners we should endeavour to keep on such public forums. I often feel like I'm a guest in some ones house and should act accordingly, not just treat it as though we are free to act and say anything in the name of free speech. Audarya (Nice Name)is giving the message of divinity and not demonicy. Just thought I'd drop that in while it was moveing me to, sorry if I strayed from the beauty thread for awhile, I'll be back.

How come there are no responses to this thread?

No I really am scared. (note the teeth) They look like wabbits teef I thought that was a grin! my eyes could'nt see the teeth chattering, sorry! At least you still have some that's a plus, do you think we could pull off a lawsuit against Coca cola? Imagine putting your trust in someone you don't even know, letting them do al kinds of things inside your head. And we all do it, all the time. Do we ever, I've just been visiting an Indian GP recently to have some blood tests done, because I found out this Doc has a lot of Aurevedic background. At the expense of our Medicare system I get to talk some Hari Katha for an hour. But anyway he did reveal to me the clinic he works in, every doctor is stoned out of their intelligence everyday on prescription drugs. And they just don't have an answer to the river of suffering that flows thru their doors any more, nor do they care. Now that's reassuring. If I have to resort to the dentist, I just sincerely request they use fully sterilised, if not new everything, and it stuns them because hardly anyone bothers to ask. It has to make you wonder what kinea' people can practice this profession. O.K. you have my hand on this one, it's scarewy. You know talking about teeth on this Ekadashi fast, my whole body is throbing with aches, I agree, give us one of those eternal models.

Just a glint of insight into this very sacred pastime from 'Loving Search for the Lost Servant' this to me illustrates the deepest appreciation that our most beloved masters have for the Divine Heart of Her Loving Grace.Jaya Sri. Victory Of Devotion Once, Radharani left the rasa lila when She saw that all the gopis were being dealt with almost equally by Krishna. Equal treatment towards one and all did not satisfy Her. So She decided to display a composition of singing and dancing to please Krishna in a most wonderful trancendental way. Radharani showed Her skill in various ways, and then at the last moment, She suddenly disappeared. And as Krishna was engaged in that combined singing and dancing, He suddenly found that Radharani was absent. So He left everyone to search for Radharani. He met Her on the way, and after walking for some time, Radharani told Him, I can't move, I can't walk anymore. If You would like to go on, You will have to carry Me. I cannot go further. And suddenly, Krishna disappeared. A disciple of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura once asked him why Krishna had disappeared in such a way. But our guru maharaja was very disturbed to hear such a question. In this lila, Krishna is apparently showing some disregard for Radharani. So our guru maharaja, by his very nature, could not even tolerate such a question. He had so much partiallity towards Radharani that he was not disposed to hear anything against Her. And so, in a rather excited mood he answered, Do you find any devotion here? What bhakti do you find here that you have asked me this question? The question was rejected. He could not tolerate even an enquiry regarding that pastime. When this news came to me, I tried to find what Bhaktivinoda Thakura had written in his words about this verse of srimad-Bhagavatam in his own translation, Bhagavatarka-Marici-Mala. Bhaktivinoda Thakura has harmonized the difficulties in the verse. He explains that Krishna was thinking, I would like to see what will be the mentality of separation in Her. Only to appreciate the depth of the separation She felt from Him did Krishna disappear. Then of course Krishna returned after some time. But our guru maharaja could not even tolerate the idea. "Where is devotion to be found here" But Bhaktivinoda Thakura interpreted this pastime to mean that Krishna was driven to see what kind of happiness in separation Srrimati Radharani would experience. He took this as an example of how the absolute becomes subservient to His devotee. And so we find that the negative, Srimati Radharani, is so powerful that the positive, Krishna, becomes powerless near Her. It is as if the positive loses its separate existence. This is the victory of devotion. Devotion is represented in the negative side, drawing from the positive. There is the juice in a fruit and the one who extracts the juice from the fruit. The highest devotion is found where the extraction is in its most intensified condition there is the victory of the devotees. Where the absolute accepts defeat before his servitors. This reveals the real presence of devotion, dedication, surrender.

Thats cause they were adi das Prabhu Can't you just picture a head bouncin' down the street in a pair of adi das Singing 'Krishna is the greatest' Jaya Krsna Jaya Sri krsna

Thank you kindly Dharma for the time you are taking to explain this practical advice. you're just like Krsna I make a plan and He comes along and completely rearranges it. So what am I going to do with a choice block of two acres that faces the Pacific ocean in the East, looks like we may have to move to Western Australia. Never mind we have even been considering the southwest coast of India. I've been getting strong messages attracting towards this neighbourhood, i'm keeping it open for now. Anyway I've taken your advise on board and saved it for future ref. Starting to feel a bit dizzy observing Nirjal Ekadasi I think I better take some rest. We're living in a sub-trocical zone called the Sunshine Coast Queensland Australia. Very suchi environment, pretty well unscathed.If anyone is passing thru they are more than welcome to share their grace with us, we have plenty of room and always look forward to vaisnava company.

It's definately strange how we adopt all this stuff around us and it takes all different temporary shapes as it moves thru time huh? You can't fool us JayaRadhe we've seen your fearlessness.Conditioned soul, sure.

Nothing surprising, as many other great Vaisnavas who also were residents in Vrinadava at her time also had rejected Goswamis' association and their belief in Sri Caitanya's divinity such as Hit Hari Vamsh, Hari Ram Vyasa, and so on. [/quote Satyaraj Prabhu Is this Hit Hari Vamsa the one who invented a new concoction of the Goswamis teachings rejecting vaidhi bhakti and such observation of Ekadasi etc and eventually lost his head in Vrndavan? I think a branch developed from Vallabhacharya line. Srila Sridhara Maharaj tells that they were servants of Chandravali, in opposition to Radharanis Supreme position. This history is on tape but not published, for obvious reasons.