Jahnava Nitai Das

The blue turban has reference in the writings of Nostradamus. There may be other sources, but this is what I have seen most recently.

When one boils the ganga water, Ganga Devi withdraws her presence, and one is left with ordinary water. The same is the case when one spits in the Ganga, washes clothes in the Ganga, brushes teeth in the Ganga, etc. Ganga Devi has the potency to manifest and withdraw her presence within any water according to the respect and worship. Even an ordinary pot of water becomes Ganga by invoking her presence, whereas even water form Rishikesh becomes ordinary water buy misuse. Having said that, I would invite you to go back and reread what I wrote, because I specifically said that "boiling Ganga" was in reference to trying to purify the water.

This reply is a little late. It depends what you want to do and see. Do you want to travel around india, or are you content with staying in one place and just studying? Also what do you want to learn about Hinduism? Is there a particular branch of Hinduism you want to study, or do you want to learn a little about everything?

Yeah, I didn't mention it because we are remaking it now and hoping to put it up this week.

Actually, there are a lot more things we are working on right now, but we are limited by time. Slowly we hope to get some of our ideas into their final stages. One thing we are working on now are multimedia flash presentations of Vaishnava philosophy and teachings. Also there are a number of websites that are in progress which should be completed sometime soon. At present we have indiadivine.com, sudarshana.org, and dragon-search.com. But there are a lot more coming.

Tirtha means "pure" or "sanctified". Every place the ganga touches becomes a holy tirtha. This is why ganga is known by the name tirtha-pada. The water from the ganga is itself called by the name "tirtham". And the water which washes the feet of the deity in abhisheka is similarly given this title "tirtham" or "caranamrita". Those who think tirthas only exist at the places of confluence are seeing only the external geography. They fail to understand the sanctity of the ganga water which is the creator of the tirthas. To them a temple on a high mountain is powerful, whereas one in their village is not; a holy place situated in a far away place (such as Rishikesh)is purifying, whereas the ganga water flowing by a neaby city (such as Calcutta) is not. They try to measure the divinity in material terms but fail, as the divinity is beyond matter.

One thing to keep in mind is that in India you can have a newspaper article published for a few hundred rupees. The reporters take bribes and publish anything regardless of whether it is true or not. As an example, here in Bangalore I have one friend, Dr. S.K. Jain. In these areas he is quite famous as an astrologer. His brother had put some court case against him for some property dispute or something. Then he had articles published in the newspapers that Dr. S.K. Jain was a drunkard, that he had all these bad qualities, etc. The reality is that Dr. S.K. Jain doesn't even drink cofee or tea, he strictly follows Prabhupada's rules and regulations. But the newspapers published false allegations against him just because they were paid some money. I would suspect Adri has given some money to reporters to change the story to make his enemies look bad. It is likely a case of some village criminal making bombs nearby to the Mayapur temple property (which is hundreds of acres). Everyone in Navadvipa is named 'Das', it means nothing. The fact that the police state these people had past criminal records make it clear that they are just local Navadvipa criminals.

Sorry for missing to answer this. Right now you can not save them to your computer, but I will modify this in a few days.

Tulasi does not serve the conditioned souls, she serves Sri Hari, as we are all meant to. By serving Sri Hari, she automatically benefits the entire universe.

With all due respect to Adridharan, the author of the above report, he has several court cases against him by the Mayapur temple, and he has had his bank accounts frozen by court order. Thus he certainly has some enmity against the Mayapur temple and would not hesitate to spread rumors. I can certainly say that devotees in Mayapur are not engaged in making bombs. Such far out stories are only rumors meant to discredit people. Navadvipa is full of criminals (mostly communists), and they sometimes misuse the mayapur land (which is quite huge) for their illegal activities.

In case it wasn't clear, the quote from Jagat above is a statement made by Srila Prabhupada on Hinduism.

Though these questions are not sincere (and only asked to try to show others as wrong), I will answer them anyway in case anyone else is interested in these points. The smritis do not prohibit the use of Tulasi in the service of the Lord. Actually, they instruct us to do this. It is described that the benefits of offering the champaka flower to the Lord is one thousand times greater than offering other flowers; the benefit of offering a lotus to the Lord is one thousand times greater than offering a champaka; the benefit of offering a white lotus (considered the top most flower) to the Lord is one thousand times greater than offering a common lotus; and the benefits of offering Tulasi to the Lord is one thousand times greater than offering a white lotus to the Lord. Thus offering tulasi to the Lord is the greatest benefit for the devotee. Those who follow the shastras prepare tulasi japa malas as on offering to the Lord. The smritis such as hari-bhakti-vilasa provide detailed instructions on the procedures for offering the tulasi mala at the feet of the deity (Krishna) and performing worship to it with upacharas. Afterwards the mala is taken by the devotee as prasadam and further used in the service of the Lord for mantra-japam. One may use the leaves of tulasi in the service of the Lord either by picking them from the plant or by picking the fallen one's them from the ground. In either case it should only be for the direct service of the Lord, and not for our functional use. In order to pick leaves from tulasi, the smritis instruct us in the procedure we must follow, which includes first worshipping the plant, and chanting specific mantras to her. The shastras state that tulasi leaves are the only leaf or flower which may be offered in worship without considering the "freshness" of the offering. No matter how old or dry the tulasi leaf is, it is fit for puja. This is not the case for ordinary plants and flowers. Krishna does not accept any offering without the presence of tulasi. The glories of tulasi are mentioned in the Bhagavata Purana. By carrying the tulasi leaves offered to the Lord's feet, the Ganga becomes sanctified and purifies the three worlds: ya vai lasac-chri-tulasi-vimisra- krishnanghri-renv-abhyadhikambu-netri punati lokan ubhayatra seshan kas tam na seveta marishyamanah "The Ganga (Ganges River) carries the most auspicious water, which is mixed with the dust of the lotus feet of the Lord and tulasi leaves. Therefore that water sanctifies the three worlds inside and outside and even sanctifies Lord Shiva and other demigods. Consequently everyone who is destined to die must take shelter of this river." One who has not smelled the aroma of tulasi leaves offered to the Lord is no better than a dead body: jivan chavo bhagavatanghri-renum na jatu martyo 'bhilabheta yas tu shri-vishnu-padya manujas tulasyah svasan chavo yas tu na veda gandham "The person who has not at any time received the dust of the feet of the Lord's pure devotee upon his head is certainly a dead body. And the person who has never experienced the aroma of the tulasi leaves from the lotus feet of the Lord is also a dead body, although breathing." Tulasi is the topmost among plants, and most dear to the Lord even in the spiritual realm: mandara-kunda-kurabotpala-campakarna- punnaga-naga-bakulambuja-parijatah gandhe 'rcite tulasikabharanena tasya yasmims tapah sumanaso bahu manayanti "Although flowering plants like the mandara, kunda, kurabaka, utpala, campaka, arna, punnaga, nagakesara, bakula, lily and parijata are full of transcendental fragrance, they are still conscious of the austerities performed by tulasi, for tulasi is given special preference by the Lord, who garlands Himself with tulasi leaves." Lakshmi devi's service to the Lord is offering tulasi leaves at His lotus feet: vapishu vidruma-tatasv amalamritapsu preshyanvita nija-vane tulasibhir isham abhyarcati svalakam unnasam ikshya vaktram uccheshitam bhagavatety amatanga yac-chrih "The goddesses of fortune worship the Lord in their own gardens by offering tulasi leaves on the coral-paved banks of transcendental reservoirs of water." Lord Krishna can be purchased by worshipping Him with tulasi: tulasi-dala-matrena jalasya culukena va vikrinite svam atmanam bhaktebhyo bhakta-vatsalah "Shri Krishna, who is very affectionate toward His devotees, sells Himself to a devotee who offers merely a tulasi leaf and a palmful of water." [This message has been edited by jndas (edited 10-30-2001).]

As a side note, the smritis state it is an offense to even chew tulasi leaves with our teeth. And if one plucks more than four leaves together it is considered brahma-hatya (killing of a brahmana). [This message has been edited by jndas (edited 10-29-2001).]

BHAGAVAD-GITA 2:53 sruti-vipratipanna te yada sthasyati niscala samadhav acala buddhis tada yogam avapsyasi TRANSLATION When your mind is no longer disturbed by the flowery language of the Vedas, and when it remains fixed in the trance of self- realization, then you will have attained the divine consciousness. PURPORT by Srila Prabhupada To say that one is in samadhi is to say that one has fully realized Krsna consciousness; that is, one in full samadhi has realized Brahman, Paramatma and Bhagavan. The highest perfection of self-realization is to understand that one is eternally the servitor of Krsna and that one's only business is to discharge one's duties in Krsna consciousness. A Krsna conscious person, or unflinching devotee of the Lord, should not be disturbed by the flowery language of the Vedas nor be engaged in fruitive activities for promotion to the heavenly kingdom. In Krsna consciousness, one comes directly into communion with Krsna, and thus all directions from Krsna may be understood in that transcendental state. One is sure to achieve results by such activities and attain conclusive knowledge. One has only to carry out the orders of Krsna or His representative, the spiritual master.

Humility includes the humbleness to offer an elevated seat to one who speaks the Bhagavatam. This is an honor offered to glorify the Bhagavatam, not just the speaker. Anyone who speaks on this glorious scriptures should be respected for their connection to the Bhagavatam. Every hari-katha or pravachan in India includes an elevated seat for the speaker. This is an offering to the book being recited. This is something all Hindus understand, except our friend who posted this message. While speaking of humility, they lack the humility to respect others, especially sadhus who recite the narrations of the Lords pastimes, such as Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Please read my poem above. Its a haikoo. And it answers your questions. Regarding the boiling of ganga water, it is in reference to trying to purify the water of material contaminations. Please refer the SMRITHEES for further clarification. Further, one cannot wash one's clothes in Ganga water, nor brush one's teeth in it (in the general sense). There are procedures for purifying one's cloth while bathing in the ganga, but it is another topic. Tirthas are not to be used for mundane things.

Hello Marco (Melvin), I hope you learned from your past mistake and don't spam nonsense in these forums again. Otherwise I will have to ban your IP address, which I don't want to do. Then there will be no more reincarnations for you.

Website on the Nimbarka Sampradaya: http://www.golokdham.org/main.html

By taking the tulasi leaves offered to the Lord, one will automatically receive medicinal benefit.

Devotees of Krishna should not use Tulasi for medicinal purposes, unless it is an extreme emergency. Even the prasadam tulasi leaves should not be boiled. If I remember properly Srila Prabhupada told his disciples in Berkeley not to make tulasi tea even for Lord Jagannatha, when he is 'sick' after the snana-yatra. [This is from memory, and I may be wrong about it.] But for devotees, the tulasi should be taken as it was offered to the Lord. It should not be ground, boiled, etc. In the same way, ganga water should not be boiled or filtered (except through a cloth to remove fish, insects or debris). The Ayurveda, dealing from a practical point of view, explains the medicinal properties of Tulasi. This is because it is only seeing the material ingredients involved, and not the spiritual divinity of tulasi devi. [This message has been edited by jndas (edited 10-29-2001).]

The point is we are discussing a statement made by someone else (Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada). Thus when discussing his statement, we should try to see what meaning he gives to the words he uses. 30 years later Shvu, sitting in America, is saying I disagree with this because the word 'Hindu' means something different to me. If that's the case, then we should be discussing Shvu's statements, not Prabhupada's. He has a particular meaning to the word he uses, and it is clear from his writings. The fact that he glorifies Ramanuja, Madhva, etc., shows that he does not consider them Hindus. If this is too much for you to understand, then there is nothing much that can be discussed with you. Most Indians accept the British definition for Hindu, which includes everything. Prabhupada did not accept this definition. But it interesting to note that very few 'Hindus' in India have ever read the Gita. I have spoken to over 20,000 high school and college students in India, and out of them hardly 1 percent have read Gita. I make it a point to ask them all, because it immediately makes them understand their 'hinduism' is pretty meaningless and blind. Those who have read Gita have mostly just memorized a few sanskrit verses for competitions without knowing the meaning. It is quite pathetic. Their Hinduism is certainly just dried up branches of the Vedic tree. I use the modern definition for Hinduism in a general sense as common people will understand it. Thus to me the word Hinduism means something different than the definition Prabhupada had before. It does not mean his definition is incorrect. Actually his definition is more correct, as 'Hindu' itself is a foreign word. But to explain that to people who don't even know or care what hinduism is is a waste of time. To most people in the world, anyone with a turban is a hindu. To give such people a detailed description of what the origins of the word Hindu are, and what it really refers to is not very effective. [This message has been edited by jndas (edited 10-29-2001).]

Just for the record, majic is the same person as Jijaji. Both IPs are identical, and very unique. Please stop playing this childish game. What do you hope to accomplish by congratulating yourself under another identity? Does it inflate your ego and satisfy you?

Bhagavad Gita 2:52 yada te moha-kalilam buddhir vyatitarisyati tada gantasi nirvedam srotavyasya srutasya ca TRANSLATION When your intelligence has passed out of the dense forest of delusion, you shall become indifferent to all that has been heard and all that is to be heard. PURPORT by Sri A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada There are many good examples in the lives of the great devotees of the Lord of those who became indifferent to the rituals of the Vedas simply by devotional service to the Lord. When a person factually understands Krsna and his relationship with Krsna, he naturally becomes completely indifferent to the rituals of fruitive activities, even though an experienced brahmana. Sri Madhavendra Puri, a great devotee and acarya in the line of the devotees, says: sandhya-vandana bhadram astu bhavato bhoh snana tubhyam namo bho devah pitaras ca tarpana-vidhau naham ksamah ksamyatam yatra kvapi nisadya yadava-kulottamasya kamsa-dvisah smaram smaram agham harami tad alam manye kim anyena me "O my prayers three times a day, all glory to you. O bathing, I offer my obeisances unto you. O demigods! O forefathers! Please excuse me for my inability to offer you my respects. Now wherever I sit, I can remember the great descendant of the Yadu dynasty [Krsna], the enemy of Kamsa, and thereby I can free myself from all sinful bondage. I think this is sufficient for me." The Vedic rites and rituals are imperative for neophytes: comprehending all kinds of prayer three times a day, taking a bath early in the morning, offering respects to the forefathers, etc. But when one is fully in Krsna consciousness and is engaged in His transcendental loving service, one becomes indifferent to all these regulative principles because he has already attained perfection. If one can reach the platform of understanding by service to the Supreme Lord Krsna, he has no longer to execute different types of penances and sacrifices as recommended in revealed scriptures. And, similarly, if one has not understood that the purpose of the Vedas is to reach Krsna and simply engages in the rituals, etc., then he is uselessly wasting time in such engagements. Persons in Krsna consciousness transcend the limit of sabda-brahma, or the range of the Vedas and Upanisads. [This message has been edited by jndas (edited 10-28-2001).]

This is humorour. First you were against quotes, books, and verses. Then you recommend us to read a book. Everyone should just reply like you did and say there should be more than books and quotes. I think the real point is you don't like bible quotes, but you like quotes that fit your view, like the book you are recommending.

You are mistaken about the purpose of these forums. They are not simply to discuss Gaudiya Vaishnavism. They are for spiritual discussions, which include discussions of the Bible. Now, if someone starts a thread on the bible, and if you come along and start speaking some nonsense about those things which you hate, with no connection to the thread, then you are not following the ettiquete of the forums.