dasanudas

This is a god point prabhu I 3rd the response.

I was wondering if anyone might know the story of Syamananda prabhu. I vaguely remember hearing Srila Sridhara Maharaj talking once about him being promoted from one rasa to madhura rasa owing to his enthusiastic service mood. Srimati Radharani directly intervened and converted him to Her service. But I can't find the tape anywhere.

The reason I ask is that this statement talking about Uddhava made me wonder if such souls seeing the devotion of the Vraja gopis are drawn to want to serve in such capacity.

Of course they are all complimenting that divine setting in some way as Mahaksa expressing so nicely over on Darma mela but it's a curious point.Any input on this, or should it be thrown to the acharyas?

Gaura hari bol

Maitreya Prabhu,

What happen to the last time you endeavoured to do pilgrimage? I hope you make it this time, whatever may happen physically, it definately opens up your life to a whole other world spiritually. I think you really have to go with your own feelings and the lord in your heart on medical options.

From my experience for what it's worth apr. 15 trips to the holy land over the last 30 years. I found my 1st pilgrimage one of the most dynamic, enlightening, traumatic, rich in experience and full of wonder. It's ones first impressions that seem to leave an indelible stamp on your soul.

I once expressed to Srila Guru Maharaj I had to leave Navadwip to go to Vrndavan. His reply was, "Only by the grace of guru and Gauranga will you ever go to Vrndavan" Of course he meant Vrndavan proper which is not so easy to reach. Still those early experiences gave me much encouragement and some unforgettable memories to inspire me on. Just associating with fellow pilgrims meeting inumerable vaisnavas, and actually doing what our great preceptors have recomended and encouraged us to do is such a reality wonder in itself. A great blessing prabhu, just thinking about your prospect excites me, because you've kept it all ahead of your whole devotional life. A nice position.

Your street wisdom should protect you from the jackals and wolves on the way never the less keep your valuables close to your heart especially on trains and particulaly on the train to and from Mathura. The first day i arrived in India a so-called brahman managed to fleece a camera from me and I was fairly seasoned in travel and i even had the firewall up, so let it be known there are some master theives in the land of Bharat. If you can afford it it's better to travel 1st class, especially long distance, for health and safty. If you want to experience 2nd class for some comic relief and tales to tell y frens, do a short trip you'll never forget it. The only way i ever travel 2nd is with a sankirtan party as you can take up a whole carriage and chant all the way, which is actually better than 1st class. Stay as short as possible in the capitol cities unless you've got friends there. Don't waste time getting to the Dham, diversions have been known to happen.

Theres a show on the tube I want to see just now, so I'll continue on later with some accomodation tips if you like.

Dear Dharma Prabhu dandavats,

Interesting information, altho I'm not so familiar with Vaastu shastra I have always had a kind of sixth sense to the environment i live in and have some knowledge of Feng shui but feel more comfortable with the Indian way. Many things you've touched on i find quite relevant to my present evolution of conciousness. I tend to like things to be in their most effective place where they enhance and compliment the rest of the environment, so as to give a soothing feeling of harmony and well being for myself and those who come to share the same space. I suppose it could be considered an art and I have a little artistic bent in me. I like that when anyone visits they leave feeling some relief not confusion, or storm clouds of judgement.

Originally posted by Dharma:

Definately such statues can bring prosperity. However the energy can be drained from the dwelling as well.

 

The Vedic sage whom vaastu was revealed to was meditating on how man could be free of the sufferings and insecurities that had even then plagued man for too long. The focus for the sages at that time was enlightenment not worldly gain. There were few dwellings and vaastu was used primrily for temple construction.

I, myself have a large stone stature of Lord Ganesh which i was rather drawn to out of affection and thru the instruction of Srila Rupa Goswami in the Nectar of devotion where he states Ganesh removes all impediments on the path of bhakti. But due to also having Gaur Nitai deities I understand Lord Gauranga also does this for the good of our spiritual advancment. So altho I don't worship Ganesh I still feel the benefit of his presence when he is in the home, He does drwer a few prayers and exchanges with him on the odd occasion, but tend to sometimes feel some guilt that i don't pay him proper attention and service due to him not being in our temple.

My spiritual master was quite averse to keeping religious icons deities or even pictures if they weren't served with love and devotion.

At the same time I'm quite partial to the way Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad distributed so much rememberance in the form of art, magazines and every possible way he could bring divinity into our eyes and ears, and I fully appreciate this kind of mass distribution. As wherever anyone sees the beautiful forms of the Lord it must help in some small way. so I guess if they are neglected then the energy will definately change for the worse, but if they are served nicely then ones home becomes like Goloka.

Due to us all not being able to live in a temple, the next best thing, or maybe even better thing, is to make ones home a temple, fit for their Lordships to reside in. Easier said than done. But often times far more relatable for Grhastas. I like very much to appreciate the demigods all around in the environment, seeing them all respectively serving in relation to Krsna.

I do understand the difference between deity and idol tho. You can definately feel Their presenceand Their absence for that matter.It seems everything turns to stone when you stop seeing it as divine.

Or perhaps it is sacrifice. That is the ancient way. Something is given, something is received. It takes much more energy on a devotees' part and certainly a sacrifice of time and energy and perhaps some money to travel to a temple to pray. Many times the statues are placed in the home for convenience of inhabitants or as decorative objects. I can see what you are saying and the philosophy ofthe statement about how can keeping a statue of a god in your home be bad for your life.

 

On the other hand the focus of vaastu was originally for liberation of human suffering not for material gain. If the prosperity is bringing happiness and liberation to people then that is very good. However it has not been my experience with wealth. Prosperity in general just gives more freedom or oppertunity to run from or manage one's sorrow in my experience.

I agree here prabhu, as Krsna has stated to those he favours He sometimes removes their wealth. So in this regard we have to decide what form of devotion we aspire to practise Demigod, Vaikuntha, Ayodya, Dwaraka or Braja

Seva. And accept what the Lord gives or removes to facilitate that life unconditionally. It's sometimes a bitter pill to swallow but ultimately for our own development and benefit.

Those who employ vaastu know that it is good to keep the NE corner of the home free. Since this is called deva moola many will place their alters right in the NE corner. There is a sanskrit saying that translated says "closed northeast-dead plot." To close this corner is like blocking the windpipe or lifeforce of the home. There is a measurable difference when the NE is blocked be it with a bookcase or a religious statue.

So unlike Feng shui where each individual has different auspicious directions, are there fixed rules for the deity, as it seems the deity is supposed to face the rising sun from what i've heard?

 

Removing the statues made a measurable difference in my home. I would logistically or philosophically thought there would be no difference. The gods are still there just not in statue form.

How is your wealth increasing, materially and spiritually speaking? Thanks for the food for thought prabhu. I'm going on a house changing rampage.

>>> Note from JNDAS: I fixed the quotes. You need to put [ /quote ] on the end of the quotes.

[This message has been edited by jndas (edited 05-30-2001).]

I get the picture Kailash, one must learn to crawl before we can walk or in turn fly, otherwise we can cause much disturbance. Mahaprabhu and our guardians came to distribute this most valuable treasure to one and all, but in a very protective way so as not to cheapen it. Rather the way in which it is presented thru our Samdandha, abhideya and prayojana Acharyas all can be happily satisfied according to their adhikari at the same time one should be sensitive to the environments capacity to digest what we are giving.

"You can lead a devotee to nectar but you can't force them to drink it"

The Absolute can be traced everywhere. All perfection will be revealed to those with sincere desire and patience to wait for it.

QUOTE]Originally posted by kailasa:

My respectful Dasanudasa Prabhu!

This perfection sidhanta - Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga.

One thing for sure this is a sad story for the potato, once the king of vegetables ending its life of dedication in the humble soil, only to associate with potential mad cows, better to get the hoofdust of a raging bull on the bankes of the Jamuna.

Could they be considered humbler than the straw that composts them above?

Whatever you do don't read too much into my post, you may think I am the eggplant-man

coo coo c-chu.

Dandavats Gaurachandra Prabhu,

For a hard copy you may still find one at Sri Caitanya Saraswat Math but I think they're as rare as suddha bhaktas. Otherwise you can probably find an electronic version at:

http://www.mandala.com.au

it may not be complete, but most of it will be there. It's truly one of the crown jewels, Good luck and good relishing.

Originally posted by Gauracandra:

Haribol Anudasa,

 

I always wanted to read "The Golden Volcano of Divine Love" by Srila Sridhar Swami. I've seen it but never picked it up to read when I had a chance. Since first seeing it everyone I've spoken to loves it. So I think I should search it out.

 

Gauracandra

Who needs genetic engineers?

Just keep an eye out for us in the rainy season prabhus, I take up shelta in a big purple house, some devotee told me it was Mahaprabhus favourite veg. goes to show y' can't believe everything ya hear.

Hmmm carrot milk! Is that from a kalpa-vrksa surabhi?

Originally posted by Maitreya:

This exact conversation came up on VNN some time back.Of course nothing was resolved but there were some fun times,people were posting dancing carrots etc.

 

I gotta go anyway, its chore time, time to milk the carrots.

 

MC

 

 

Maybe they could start a Sattvic slowfood chain with the profits of their lawsuit, if they win that is.

"One mans' meat is another mans' potato"

I think it could be time to move on, on this one fellars I was kinea attracted to the fellar-ship conception. If you've ever noticed how temples become empty it's generally by the conduct of the sadhakas in them same thing applies to how how temples fill up to overflowing.

In the Caitanya-caritamrta (Mad. 25.271), Krsnadasa Kaviraja Goswami explains his conception of the difference between gaura-lila and krsna-lila:

krsna-lila amrta-sara, tam sata sata dhara,

dasa-dike vahe yaha haite

se caitanya-lila haya, sarovcira aksaya,

mano-hamsa caraha' tahate

He says, "There is no doubt that we find the highest nectarine taste of rasa in krsna-lila. But what is gaura-lila? In gaura-lila, the nectar of krsna-lila is not confined to a limited circle, but is being distributed on all sides. It is just as if from all ten sides of the nectarine lake of krsna-lila hundreds of streams are flowing."

Our highest aspiration is to achieve the service of Srimati Radharani, but in the beginning, we must approach Sri Nityananda Prabhu through His manifest representation, the guru. Nityananda Prabhu consolidates the foundation which helps us progress further in devotion. Quick progress without a good foundation invites a negative reaction, so the mercy of Nityananda Prabhu is our primary necessity. This approach culminates in the service of Srimati Radharani (nitaiyer-karuna habe braje radha-krsna pabe).

To be reinstated as a servant of the servant to the extreme degree is the philosophy of Gaudiya Vaisnavism. Our goal is not to become one with Krsna—to receive service—we want to render service. The predominated moiety of the Absolute Truth is negative potency—the energy that serves—and the predominating moiety receives that service. Our best interest will be reached when, according to our constitutional nature, we attain our position in the line of servitors in the negative, predominated moiety; not by considering ourselves one with the positive, predominating moiety.

By the grace of Nityananda Prabhu, we develop our attraction for Sri Gauranga. If we receive the grace of Sri Gauranga, we receive everything in the highest degree. And that is the safest way to approach Radha-Govinda. If we try to achieve Radha-Govinda in some other way, our attempt will naturally be artificial and defective; if we approach Radha-Govinda directly, avoiding Sri Gauranga, there will be great difficulty.

Therefore, we should invest all our energy in the service of Sri Gauranga. Then, we shall automatically find ourselves being lifted towards the highest level. Prabhodananda Saraswati Thakura prays:

yatha yatha gaura padaravinde

vindeta bhaktim krta punya rasih

tatha tathot sarpati hrdy akasmat

radha padambhoja sudhambhurasih

As much as we devote ourselves to the lotus feet of Sri Gauranga, we will automatically achieve the nectarine service of Srimati Radharani in Vrndavana. An investment in Navadwipa Dhama will automatically take one to Vrndavana. How one has been carried there will be unknown to him. But those who have good fortune invest everything in the service of Gauranga. If they do that, they will find that everything has automatically been offered to the divine feet of Srimati Radharani. She will accept them in Her confidential service and give them engagement, saying, "Oh, you have a good recommendation from Navadwipa; I immediately appoint you to this service." Srimati Radharani is introduced in the form of Gauranga with the added element of magnanimity. No selfish sensualism can enter our consideration of the pastimes of Sri Gauranga, for there He appears as a sannyasi and a devotee.

Of course, if we are to analyze Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, we shall find Krsna in the garb of Radharani. According to the impersonal philosophers, when negative and positive combine, they become non-differentiated oneness, but Vaisnava philosophy says that when both positive and negative aspects of Godhead are combined, personality is not lost. Rather, in the garb of the negative, the positive is converted and begins searching for Himself in the mood of the highest searcher. According to Vaisnavism, when positive and negative combine, they do not create equilibrium; rather, their dynamic character is always maintained. The combination of Radha and Govinda is Sri Gauranga, and by the grace of Nityananda Prabhu, we may be attracted to Sri Gauranga.

From the Golden Volcano of Divine Love

By Srila B.R.Sridhara Maharaj

In this regard Audarya Fellowship is very pleasing name for a forum, to extend the Golden Gift of the Golden Lord is indeed very magnanimous.

Affectionately

dasanudas

Dandavats Kailash Prabhu,

I didn't get to see your previous post for whatever reason, it took me some time to register on this forum it turned out to be a typo.

Anyway my sentiments wholeheartedly agree with your post and i was thinking along the same lines as you at the same time.

Originally posted by kailasa:

Lord Caitanya taught people in general the method of vipralambha-sevä, which is the method of rendering service unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead in the feeling of separation. The six Gosvämés also taught worship of Krisna in the feeling of the gopés in separation. The prayers of Çréniväsäcärya about the Gosvämés explain these matters very clearly. Çréniväsäcärya said that the Gosvämés were always absorbed in the ocean of transcendental feelings in the mood of the gopés. When they lived in Våndävana they were searching for Krisna , crying, “Where are You, Krisna ? O gopés, where are You? Where are You, Çrématé Radharani?” They never said, “We have now seen Radha and Kåñëa, and therefore our mission is fulfilled.” Their mission remained always unfulfilled; they never met Radha and Krisna .

 

So Caitanya Mahäprabhu’s teaching is that vipralambha-sevä. By His practical life. He’s finding out Krisna . Govinda-viraheëa me. Çünyäyitaà jagat sarvaà govinda-viraheëa me. What is that verse? Cakñuñä prävåñäyitam, cakñuñä prävåñäyitam, çünyäyitaà jagat sarvaà govinda-viraheëa me. He’s crying like torrents of rain coming out of the eyes, and He’s feeling everything vacant for want of Krisna, separation. Vipralambha. So sambhoga and vipralambha. There are two stages of meeting Krisna . Sambhoga means when He’s personally present. That is called sambhoga. Personally talking, personally meeting, personally embracing, that is called sambhoga. And there is another, vipralambha. The two ways a devotee can be benefited.

 

. Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu taught us this method of worship in separation, vipralambha-sevä. Not that “Oh, I have seen yesterday. Last night, I have seen Krisna . He was snatching my cloth.” These are sahajiyäs. Actually, our worship should be in separation. The Gosvämés also taught us like that. He rädhe vraja-devéke ca lalite he nanda-süno kutaù. They in the Våndävana remained authorized persons. They were also searching after Krisna. They never said that “We have got Krisna ,” never said. He rädhe vraja-devéke ca lalite he nanda-süno kutaù

 

Not sambhoga. Vipralambha. Vipralambha-sevä: “Oh, I am so wretched, I could not serve Krisna. How I can see Krisna ? It is not possible.” In this way. That is the teaching of Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu. “But even though I do not see Him, neither it is possible for me to see Him...” Means: “What I am? I am insignificant person. Why Krisna come and see me?” This is right. “Why shall I aspire after seeing Krisna ? What qualification I have got?” This is bhajana. This is bhajana. Why should I be proud that “Now I shall see Krisna ”? What I am? That is the teaching of Caitanya Mahäprabhu. Äçliñya vä päda-ratäà pinañöu mäà marma-hatäà karotu vä adarçanät. Adarçana. “Without giving me audience, You kill me, You break my heart; still, You are my Lord, You are my worshipable Lord, nobody else.” This is love. This is love. (Bengali Asan kåñëa galai diba naiva beja tata(?). Not like that. “Krisna may not come. I may not see Krisna for thousands and thousands of lives. I may rot in the hellish condition of life for many, many births. That doesn’t matter. Still, I cannot give up Krisna consciousness.” This is required. I may be sent to hell, heaven; it doesn’t matter. What qualification I have got that I want to see back to home, back to Godhead? It is not so easy thing. So why should I be sorry for that? I should be happy even in the hell simply by thinking of Krisna. That is wanted. That is wanted. That is Krisna consciousness.

 

But so far we see of Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu and His immediate successors, Gosvämés, they are mad after Krisna . They never said that “We have seen Krisna .” This is called bhajana by separation, vipralambha-sevä.

So if we become mad after Krisna , that is perfection, not that “We have seen Kåñëa.” We may see, but so far the Gosvämés are concerned, they are simply seeking. Ghoñantäv iti sarvato vraja-pure khedair mahä-vihvalau. Vihvalau means mad—“Where is Krisna ? Where is Krisna ? Where is Krisna ? Where is Krisna ?” That is self-realization.

 

Prabhupäda: Search of Radha. That is Gaudiya Vaisnava, vipralambha, in separation, feeling “Where is Krisna ? Where is Krisna ? Where is Krisna ?” Govinda-viraheëa me. Çünyäyitaà jagat sarvaà govinda-viraheëa me.

 

vipralambha-sevä, thinking of Krisna in separation, as Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu did, is far better than serving Krisna directly.

Dayal Sri Sri Ma Jahnava-Nitai.

Dandavats to all the contributing devotees of such a wonderfully purifieing topic. The glorious extentions of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhus merciful campaign. If only it could continue ad infinitum. This is exceedingly sweet vibration for the soul to feast upon, engaging our ears and hearts in such service is indeed a very merciful act.

This Keturi festival is one of my favourite pastimes as it illustrates the way in which vaisnavas should show proper ettiqette and honor to each other in the absence (Vapu) of our divine master. It also illustrates how we are to somehow continue in this material world, as is revealed in much of the writing of Srila Narrotama Das Thakurs songs of seperation. So near yet so far.

Ye anilo prema-dhana koruna pracura

heno prabhu kotha gela acharya thakur

There appears to be a little difference in the translation from the version I have by Mahayogi Maharaj. Where he translates. "in the midst of that kirtan , Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu, accompanied by Nityananda prabhu and all his eternal associates made his divine appearance. Who can describe the overflowing ecstasy felt by the assembled devotees there in Kheturi Grama on that Day? those who could remember that festival attained eternal fame."

This reminds me somewhat of the Rath festival in Jugganath Puri where all simultaneously felt the Lord dancing in their respective sankirtan parties or of course the Maharas Lila where the Lord is simultaneously fullfilling all the wishes of his innumerable divine servitors in union and separation. This is the very Spirit of real vaisnavism. I hope you can continue to elaborate on the life of Sri Ma Jahnava Devi.

All glories to her inconceivable seva swarup.

dasanudas bodo dhuki, nitai moro koro sukhi

rakho ranga-caranera pasa

In the eternal service of all the honorable and worshipable vaisnavas I lay my body prostrate begging for a tiny morsel of your divine grace.

Nice forum Jndas Prabhu! Here's hoping by Their grace you may keep it that way

Jaya guru dev

Dayal Nitai

Dayal Ma Jahnava

Gaura Premanandi hari hari bol