vanamali

The parrot reminds me of Bhu Devi's parrot!

BHU DEVI

Oh Bhumika, consort of Lord Vishnu

O black fertile mother earth

In your pink and green sari

May I be the parrot sitting on Your left hand!

Whisper to me all the secrets of

Divine love. Tell me the way

To the heart of Krishna.

First You came as Satyabhama

Bhumi, Your patience is well-known

But didn't You become impatient

At the sight of Krishna's big eyes!

You delighted Govinda with Your firey temper-

Rukmini is as close to Him as His life

But I really think, Devi, You were His favorite wife.

Then You came as Andal

Singing His praises

Crying with the pure-love tears

Of a latter-day gopi

And finally merged with the deity

At Sri Rangam

You, beautiful one,

Eyes the color of dark pools of water

You know, you know the way.

No one else wants to tell the secret

To spell it out in so many words.

Devi, make me Your disciple

Show me the trail made

By Your lotus footprints.

Andal

Krishna, Rukmini, Satyabhama

Tirupati Venkateshwara, Bhudevi, Sridevi

I think this is very interesting how the similar story gets passed around. I have heard this story from a taped discourse, however I don't think one version is more authentic than the other. Perhaps there are different versions for people at different stages. Really, I have noticed that people giving discourses have a knack for "reading the audience"... in other words, judging the level of the audience's understanding. Whether this is on purpose or not I don't know.

ksipram bhavati dharmatma sasvac-chantim nigacchati

kaunteya pratijanihi na me bhaktah pranasyati

He quickly becomes righteous and attains lasting peace. O son of Kunti, declare it boldly that My devotee never perishes.

yatra yogesvarah krsno yatra partho dhanur-dharah

tatra srir vijayo bhutir dhruva nitir matir mama

Wherever there is Krsna, the master of all mystics, and wherever there is Arjuna, the supreme archer, there will also certainly be opulence, victory, extraordinary power, and morality. That is my opinion.

Since you liked it I will share a poem with you that I have written.

BUTTERTHEIF

Why did you break my earthenware pot?

Krishna, naughty one

Curvy like a cruel hook

Dark like a stormcloud

Why did you steal my butter

Was it a blessing or an accident

Or acts performed in a past birth?

Or was it just your whim?

Why did you catch hold of my sari

As I walked by?

Why do you look at me that way

Daring me to kiss your red lips?

Why did you break my earthenware pot

And eat up all my butter?

It takes all the butter I can make

To pay your heavy tax

Now I stand before you empty-handed

Enraptured by your face

Unable to think of anything

But You.

Why did you break my earthenware pot

And eat up all my butter

And leave me longing for nothing more

Than to cover your tongue with buttermilk?

~vanamali

I think it is helpful for some to follow the path of serving radha alone

For others it is different

I think it is significant that in Bhagavatam Krishna is having 16,000+ wives. It is also said that the # of gopis is 16,000+. This indicates to me that Krishna never turns anyone away who is seeking His grace.

This isn't supposed to set an example for people to follow. Rama was the perfect man in this resepct. One wife, one lover, that's it. Krishna is the perfect god in this respect- anyone who comes to Him is accepted.

For some of those who are addicted to Krishna, the thought that He cannot be served directly is absolutely unthinkable.

But for other Krishna bhaktas it is helpful to think, okay, Radha makes Him happy, so give Him Radha. Her service is perfect and will make Him happy, and we can have a part of it by helping Her serve Him. In this way, one could also say "Only Radhe serves Krishna."

I think both of these are very well thought-out positions.

Here is a poem I wrote about Lord Krishna

DON'T IMAGINE

Don't imagine His lips

They are not like any other lips

You may or may not have kissed

Instead, imagine the pink light

Of sunrise caressing the green

Grass of summer

Slowly and sweetly

Here's another

MANA-MOHANA

Krishna stands

In his tri-bhanga pose

Body curving dangerously

Do not drive that curvy road, sisters

Certainly you will lose control

Krishna plays

With the gopi's minds

Driving them mad with tenderness

Do not look into his eyes, young ladies

You may sink into them, and drown

Krishna gazes

Into your very soul

His bliss seeps into your very being

Uncovering you, filling you with Himself

Do not play with Krishna, girls

He steals without remorse

Ananyas chintayanto maam ye janah paryupasate

Tesham nityabhyuktanam yogakshemam vahamy aham

BG 9.22: But those who always worship Me with exclusive devotion, meditating on My transcendental form — to them I carry what they lack, and I preserve what they have.

/images/graemlins/smile.gifTHE MIRACLE VERSE /images/graemlins/smile.gif

There is a story about this verse. It is called the miracle verse, and this will show you why.

There was a poor man in a small village, who was a devotee of Lord Krishna and every day he used to chant this verse from the Gita, and even though he had no money, somehow every day he would get food, by the Lord's grace.

One day the poor man got up early, read Gita as usual, but did not receive any food. Evening came and still no food had arrived, and the mad began to feel very uneasy. "Krishna," he thought. "I depend on You completely for my wellbeing. I live in a poor villiage and have no money to buy food for my family. I trusted You to take care of me, but I see that even You don't care for me now!"

Weeping bitterly, the man took his copy of Geeta out to the river where he was accustomed to reading, and with a blade he cut out these two verses of the Geeta.

Ananyas chintayanto maam ye janah paryupasate

Tesham nityabhyuktanam yogakshemam vahamy aham

Meanwhile, the man's wife was cleaning the house when a man drove up to their house in a cart. The cart was filled with delectable foods, and moreover beautiful new clothes. The wife was startled when the cart-driver spoke to her, saying, "This is for you. Sorry I'm late."

The wife, confused but happy, took the gifts gratefully, touched the man's feet, and said. "Tell me, who are you? Why are you giving us these things? How did you know we were in need?" The cart driver only smiled.

"Please," said the wife. "Give me some indication of who is responsible for this, so I can tell my husband."

The cart driver didn't speak a word, but opened his mouth. There were two lines of blood on his tongue.

When the husband returned, and heard the story from his wife, he knew immediately who the man was... that it was the same Person who had always taken care of him, and always would.

I hope so too. Her legend tells us that at the end of her life, her in-laws were trying to break into the temple where she was worshipping Lord Krishna to drag her back home with them, but when they entered the temple they found only her sari draped at the feet of Sri Krishna.

I like her very much. After her death of course people started thinking "oh, maybe she's the incarnation of somebody." Legends say she is either Lalitha, Vishakha or even Radha, but nobody ever said that about her while she was living. She was just a mad woman to most people, especially her in-laws who tried to poison her. I bow to that Meera, who overcame the duality of praise and blame, surrendering only to Krishna.

Shyam has stained her with His blackness,

other ornaments Mira sees as mere glitter.

Tilakam on her forehead,

a bracelet, a japa mala,

beyond that she wears only her conduct.

Make-up is worthless

when you've gotten truth from a teacher.

the Dark One has stained me with love,

and for that some revile me,

others give honor

I simply wander the road of the sadhus

lost in my songs.

~Meerabai

It is not a Sanskrit Shloka, it is a Meera Bhajan

The English meaning is here.

I am crazy with pain,

And no one understands it.

Only the wounded knows the pain of the wounded

Saving the fire in his heart

Only the jeweller knows the values of the gem,

Not the one who lost it.

O Prabhu, Mira's pain will only go

when You are the healer.

Like water droplets from a lotus petal

The cares and difficulties of the material world

Slide from the mind that is absorbed in You.

Oh Krishna, O Venkateshwara, You are real

Everything else may be real or not real

But it has nothing to do with me.

Let others debate, I will chase You

To the end of my life, till I catch You

And bind You with the ropes of my love, Sauri!

Krishna nee begane baaro

Ragam: Yamuna Kalyani

Thalam: Chappu

Composer: Kanaka Dasa

Krishna nee begane baro

begane baro mukhavane thoro

Krishna nee begane baro

kaalalandhige gejje neeladhabanavuli

nilavarnane natyamadutha baro

Krishna nee begane baro

Odiyalli odigejje beralalli onggura koralalli hakithavayjayanthimale

Krishna nee begane baro

kaasi peethaambara kaiyalli kolalu pusitha

Sreegandha mayalli chendha

Krishna nee begane baro

thaayige baayalli jagavannu thorida jagadoddhaaraka

namma uduppi Sree krishna

Krishna nee begane baaro

Meaning:

pallavi: krishna nee bEganE baarO - Krishna ! Come soon !

anupallavi: bEganE baarO mukavannu tOrO - Come hither soon! Show (me) your face!

caraNam 1: kaalaalandhigE gejje niladhabaavuli - Beautiful anklets adorn your feet! Sapphire bracelets (on your arms)!

nilavarNane naaTya maaduta baarO - "(Oh!)Blue coloured one.. (Please) come hither dancing !

caraNam 2: Odiyalli odigejje beraLalli ongura - Waistbands with bells adorn your waist! Ring(s) on your finger(s) !

koraLalli haakita vajayantimaalE - "Vaijayanthi mala garlands your neck !

caraNam 3: kaasi peeTambara kaiyalli koLalu - (Sacred). cloth from Kashi (covers you) ! (a) flute in your hand(s)!

pushita shreegandha mayallOLagamma! - Oh dear! Your body is anointed with sandal paste !

caraNam 4: taayige baayalli jagavannu torita - The one who showed his mother the universe in his mouth

jagadhOdhaaraka namma uDupi shree krishna - (that)Benefactor of the world (Is) our Udupi Shri Krishna !

Contributed by Jayaram Suryanarayana.

Time to trade in the blazing fire of Samsara for a different blazing fire altogether.

My score is one

1-5: Terrier. You're a lovable doggie

True dat

/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I think it's all too easy in the "virtual world" to forget to watch your words. It's so easy to just say whatever we feel without worrying too much about how our words will be taken.

Govindaram, I would love to say what is the problem I'm having with bhakti yoga, but it is rather too sensitive an issue to mention here. I do not have anyone I am comfortable talking with here. I guess I have to work through it alone.

Anyway, as for the above replies, the kind ones and sharp (by unidentified guest) ones are both appreciated. Anyway, if I've hurt your tender flower-like hearts I'm truly sorry prabhujis.

Jai Sri Krishna!

~Vanamali

Thank You. It's good to know that I'm doing okay, at least here in the virtual world. /images/graemlins/smile.gif

I liked that "Haribol sister soul" part.

Jai Sri Krishna!

/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I don't remember offending anyone, but I'm really in a fix here. So just in case, I'm trying to cover all my bases. The influence of devotees can be very powerful.

I am experiencing some spiritual setbacks, and I think it may be because I have offended some of you devotees.

I offer you my utmost apology if I have upset any of you. Please forgive me. I am desparate.

Thank You,

vanamali

You might be a desi if you wonder what that song is you've been humming all day, and you realize it's the song your car sings when it's backing up.

You might be a desi if you know who Gujus and Gulus are, and why in the US you can always find the latter working in software, and the former owning dunkin' doughnuts, gas stations and hotels (aka. Mr. Patel's Hotel)

Sorry if that last one was mean /images/graemlins/smile.gif

~Vanamali

You might be a desi if, you have a bought a video camera just before

a trip to Niagara falls and returned it after you got home

You might be a desi if, you keep switching your internet service

provider because the first month is free.

You might be a desi if, you keep comparing prices at circuit city

for the phone you bought six months ago.

You might be a desi if, if you bought a Toyota or Honda car only

because it has better resale value.

You might be a desi if, you go back to your apartment for lunch.

You might be a desi if, you ask for a small drink at fast food

restaurant because the refill is free.

You might be a desi if, spent 2 days cleaning your apartment

before leaving so you can get full security refund from your

landlord.

You might be a desi if,you don't know any American outside your work

You might be a desi if, the lawyer handling your green card is on

your speed dial.

You might be a desi if, you talk to Americans as if you represent

your whole country.

You might be a desi if, you frequent to yard sales every week.

You might be a desi if, your dinner involves spreading newspaper

on the living room floor.

You might be a desi if, you are compelled to visit ever major city

in US, just so as to say that "Yes I have been there"

You might be a desi if, you have a bucket in your bath tub.

You might be a desi if, you have to borrow luggage from friends

for a visit back home.

You might be a desi if, the smoke detector goes off whenever your

are cooking dinner.

You might be a desi if, you use grocery bags as garbage bags.

You might be a desi if, office supplies mysteriously find their

way in your house.

You might be a desi if, you don't want to buy a printer because

you can always use the office printer.

You might be a desi if, you have Rin (detergent soap cake) in your

bathroom.

You might be a desi if, you have taken pictures of your car and

mailed to your folks back home.

You might be a desi if, you know all of your friends salary.

You might be a desi if, there are more that 4 guys living in a

2-bedroom apartment.

You might be a desi if, you spend at least 2 evenings in a week at

WalMart.

You might be a desi if, you split the tax from your common

grocery bill.

I don't live in India, and I've not yet visited Vrindavana. I live in the middle of "small town USA" in Kansas. /images/graemlins/smile.gif However the Hindu Temple in Kansas City is very nice.

/images/graemlins/smile.gif

It is a problem. I am very troubled by quarrels among people that are supposed to be a guiding force. Basically I only attend the Hindu temple because I don't find any arguing there. I also attend satsang only there. It seems like people have many different viewpoints, but it doesn't seem to bother them, and they don't fight amongst themselves. No one is interested in "changing other peoples minds" or "brining them to the truth." People just live their lives. I like to be left alone, frankly, and have some inner peace. I find it quite anti-conductive to bhakti to become involved or basically come in contact with people who fight over God or base their faith on raw intellectualism.

I'm not saying that you should do this, but that's what worked for me. Anyway, hope I didn't offend anyone.

My guru is also my husband. Be careful when choosing a guru, but I hope you find him soon!

Sorry for that /images/graemlins/smile.gif Good luck!

~vanamali

Hey, that's pretty psycho too, Govindaram. Good job!

/images/graemlins/smile.gif

~Vanamali

Giving of hair at tirupati is a donation because it can be sold for money.

It is also an offering because you are giving up something that makes us feel like we look good, as a sacrafice of ego to the Lord.

there's a story about why it's special to tonsure at tirupati, but I think I already posted it under Spiritual Discussions under "preparations for tonsure"

~Jai Sri Krishna

~Vanamali

Basics:

God is formless and all-pervading but also has form. The aspect with form is more important because we can conceive of Him, we can relate to Him, and most importantly by setting our minds on Him and loving Him, we become able to serve Him. If we remember Him throughout life, and especially at the time of death, we will go to Him.

If we mess up during this life and aomehow after death we do not reach Him, we get another chance to make it up. This is reincarnation. We should be careful to try our best in this life though, because you never know what your situation could be in the next life (you could be better off - born in a family of devotees- or worse off- born in a family of evil people, or worse, depending on your past deeds.

According to ISKCON I believe that Krishna is considered THE definitive person through which all other incarnations emanate aka. "Supreme Personality of Godhead". (The way I was taught was a little different)

God is not limited to His form as Krishna. He can come in any form or no form, but Krishna is special. He is easily accessbile, and is a very loving God. He is all-attractive, with beautiful eyes, face, dress, etc. He has the power not only to kill demons, like other incarnations, but to transform them through mere contact with Him (Putana, for example).

But I cannot begin to explain the full glories of Krishna here. Basically I would advise you that if you don't have time to read the whole Gita, CHAPTER 12-Bhakti Yoga is the best place to start.

Can you talk to Krishna? Yes, you can. He is very accessible. You can even be His friend. Krishna is love overflowing, and once you get to know Him, you will become addicted to His presence just like I have!

Love and peace!

~vanamali