gHari

From the ocean of mercy known as the Sri Caitanya-caritamrita (Adi-Lila 7.4): <center> paJca-tattva avatIrNa caitanyera saGge paJca-tattva laJA karena saGkIrtana raGge </center> paJca-tattva--these five tattvas; avatIrNa--advented; caitanyera--with Caitanya MahAprabhu; saGge--in company with; paJca-tattva--the same five subjects; laJA--taking with Himself; karena--He does; saGkIrtana--the saGkIrtana movement; raGge--in great pleasure. These five tattvas incarnate with Lord Caitanya MahAprabhu, and thus the Lord executes His saGkIrtana movement with great pleasure. PURPORT In SrImad-BhAgavatam (11.5.32) there is the following statement regarding SrI Caitanya MahAprabhu: <center> kRSNa-varNaM tviSAkRSNaM sAGgopAGgAstra-pArSadam yajJaiH saGkIrtana-prAyair yajanti hi su-medhasaH </center> "In the Age of Kali, people who are endowed with sufficient intelligence will worship the Lord, who is accompanied by His associates, by performance of the saGkIrtana-yajJa." SrI Caitanya MahAprabhu is always accompanied by His plenary expansion SrI NityAnanda Prabhu, His incarnation SrI Advaita Prabhu, His internal potency SrI GadAdhara Prabhu and His marginal potency SrIvAsa Prabhu. He is in the midst of them as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. One should know that SrI Caitanya MahAprabhu is always accompanied by these other tattvas. Therefore our obeisances to SrI Caitanya MahAprabhu are complete when we say zrI-kRSNa-caitanya prabhu-nityAnanda zrI-advaita gadAdhara zrIvAsAdi-gaura-bhakta-vRnda. As preachers of the KRSNa consciousness movement, we first offer our obeisances to SrI Caitanya MahAprabhu by chanting this PaJca-tattva mantra; then we say Hare KRSNa, Hare KRSNa, KRSNa KRSNa, Hare Hare/ Hare RAma, Hare RAma, RAma RAma, Hare Hare . There are ten offenses in the chanting of the Hare KRSNa mahA-mantra, but these are not considered in the chanting of the PaJca-tattva mantra, namely, zrI-kRSNa-caitanya prabhu-nityAnanda zrI-advaita gadAdhara zrIvAsAdi-gaura-bhakta-vRnda. SrI Caitanya MahAprabhu is known as mahA-vadAnyAvatAra, the most magnanimous incarnation, for He does not consider the offenses of the fallen souls. Thus to derive the full benefit of the chanting of the mahA-mantra (Hare KRSNa, Hare KRSNa, KRSNa KRSNa, Hare Hare/ Hare RAma, Hare RAma, RAma RAma, Hare Hare), we must first take shelter of SrI Caitanya MahAprabhu, learn the PaJca-tattva mahA-mantra, and then chant the Hare KRSNa mahA-mantra. That will be very effective. Taking advantage of SrI Caitanya MahAprabhu, many unscrupulous devotees manufacture a mahA-mantra of their own. Sometimes they sing bhaja nitAi gaura rAdhe zyAma hare kRSNa hare rAma or zrI-kRSNa-caitanya prabhu-nityAnanda hare kRSNa hare rAma zrI-rAdhe govinda. Actually, however, one should chant the names of the full PaJca-tattva (zrI-kRSNa-caitanya prabhu-nityAnanda zrI-advaita gadAdhara zrIvAsAdi-gaura-bhakta-vRnda) and then the sixteen words Hare KRSNa, Hare KRSNa, KRSNa KRSNa, Hare Hare/ Hare RAma, Hare RAma, RAma RAma, Hare Hare . But these unscrupulous, less intelligent men confuse the entire process. Of course, since they are also devotees they can express their feelings in that way, but the method prescribed by SrI Caitanya MahAprabhu's pure devotees is to first chant the full PaJca-tattva mantra and then chant the mahA-mantra--Hare KRSNa, Hare KRSNa, KRSNa KRSNa, Hare Hare/ Hare RAma, Hare RAma, RAma RAma, Hare Hare. From Adi 7.168p Strictly speaking, when chanting the names of the PaJca-tattva, one should fully offer his obeisances: zrI-kRSNa-caitanya prabhu-nityAnanda zrI-advaita gadAdhara zrIvAsAdi-gaura-bhakta-vRnda. By such chanting one is blessed with the competency to chant the Hare KRSNa mahA-mantra without offense. From the introduction to Adi 8: In this chapter the glories of SrI Caitanya MahAprabhu and NityAnanda are described, and it is also stated that one who commits offenses in chanting the Hare KRSNa mantra does not achieve love of Godhead, even after chanting for many years. In this connection, SrIla Bhaktivinoda ThAkura warns against artificial displays of the bodily symptoms called aSTa-sAttvika-vikAra. That is also an offense. One should seriously and sincerely continue to chant the PaJca-tattva names zrI-kRSNa-caitanya prabhu-nityAnanda zrI-advaita gadAdhara zrIvAsAdi-gaura-bhakta-vRnda. All these AcAryas will bestow their causeless mercy upon a devotee and gradually purify his heart. When he is actually purified, automatically he will experience ecstasy in chanting the Hare KRSNa mahA-mantra. Adi 8.4p: KRSNadAsa KavirAja GosvAmI teaches us first to offer respect to the PaJca-tattva--SrI KRSNa Caitanya MahAprabhu, NityAnanda Prabhu, Advaita Prabhu, GadAdhara Prabhu and SrIvAsa Prabhu and other devotees. We must strictly follow the principle of offering our respects to the PaJca-tattva, as summarized in the mantra zrI-kRSNa-caitanya prabhu-nityAnanda zrI-advaita gadAdhara zrIvAsAdi-gaura-bhakta-vRnda. At the beginning of every function in preaching, especially before chanting the Hare KRSNa mahA-mantra--Hare KRSNa, Hare KRSNa, KRSNa KRSNa, Hare Hare/ Hare RAma, Hare RAma, RAma RAma, Hare Hare--we must chant the PaJca-tattva's names and offer our respects to them. From Adi 8.31p: It should be noted in this connection that the holy names of Lord KRSNa and Gaurasundara are both identical with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore one should not consider one name to be more potent than the other. Considering the position of the people of this age, however, the chanting of SrI Caitanya MahAprabhu's name is more essential than the chanting of the Hare KRSNa mahA-mantra because SrI Caitanya MahAprabhu is the most magnanimous incarnation and His mercy is very easily achieved. Therefore one must first take shelter of SrI Caitanya MahAprabhu by chanting zrI-kRSNa-caitanya prabhu-nityAnanda zrI-advaita gadAdhara zrIvAsAdi-gaura-bhakta-vRnda. By serving Gaura-NityAnanda one is freed from the entanglements of material existence and thus becomes qualified to worship the RAdhA-KRSNa Deity. From Srila Prabhupada's first tape recording (made by himself): <center> zrI-kRSNa-caitanya prabhu-nityAnanda zrI-advaita gadAdhara zrIvAsAdi-gaura-bhakta-vRnda </center> I offer my obeisances to SrI KRSNa Caitanya, Prabhu NityAnanda, SrI Advaita, GadAdhara, SrIvAsa and all others in the line of devotion. <center> hare kRSNa hare kRSNa kRSNa kRSNa hare hare hare rAma hare rAma rAma rAma hare hare </center> My dear Lord, and the spiritual energy of the Lord, kindly engage me in Your service. I am now embarrassed with this material service. Please engage me in Your service.

That is not an unusual sentiment for an honest seeker trying to break free from some tough conditioning. I was a bit of a rogue over thirty years ago and also hesitated chanting the Mahamantra for fear of my acquired faults. I took to chanting the Panca-tattva mantra in my mind in business meetings, and at other times even aloud. Srila Prabhupada notes how Gaura and Nitai do not take offense. He also recommends that for even advanced regulated devotees that they should begin chanting the Mahamantra by first chanting the Panca-tattva mantra to become elevated. So you will hear even Srila Prabhupada when leading kirtanas begin with Sri-Krsna-Caitanya Prabhu-Nityananda Sri-Advaita Gadadhara Srivasadi-Gaura-bhakta-vrinda. When I was first instructed about chanting on beads, my gracious benefactor recommended saying the Panca-tattva mantra (or at least "Nitai-Gaura") after each round, just to keep me pure. I very often still to this day over thirty years later still hear a joyous "Nitai-Gaura" between rounds. Sometimes the chanting is too sweet and compelling to stop for a "Nitai-Gaura", but that's probably pleasing to Krsna too, seeing my heart torn between sweet "Krsna" and all-merciful "Gauranga". This is good advice. Soon enough, as the unwanted things fall away, you too will have the confidence to let the Mahamantra descend to your ears. Soon that's all you will want. Then you will know life's greatest joy. That is my wish for you. And that too is the all-powerful wish of Sri Sri Nitai-Gaura. Hare Krsna Click on the Kingdom below and hear Srila Prabhupada sing: <H2><center>Sri-Krsna-Caitanya Prabhu-Nityananda Sri-Advaita Gadadhara Srivasadi-Gaura-bhakta-vrinda</h2> </center> Nityananda-Gauranga Haribol

Divine intervention.

This is all so wonderful; I am without words. Krsna places the seed of devotion in your heart and the transformation begins. http://geocities.com/caitanyamahaprabhu/download.htm

Yeper. The conditioned soul enjoys only the illusion of free will. But really it's just eons of conditioning to accept/reject based on the total accumulation of experiences. Neo of Nama Loka

Conditioning Skinner box. Pain versus pleasure. Acceptance - rejection. Reward - Punishment. Food or electric shock. Pavlov's dogs. Training dogs. Training souls. Jump through hoops. Sit. Roll over. Play dead. Escaping the Conditioning harer nAma harer nAma harer nAmaiva kevalam kalau nAsty eva nAsty eva nAsty eva gatir anyathA

I think it's a plot from another camp. I won't mention any names, but a clever man knows the work of natas when he sees it.

Theist, I don't get the advanced commerntary on my screen, just more Audarya.

http://vedabase.net/bg/3/36/en http://vedabase.net/bg/3/37/en http://vedabase.net/bg/3/38/en http://vedabase.net/bg/3/39/en http://vedabase.net/bg/3/40/en http://vedabase.net/bg/3/41/en As one advances along the path, he learns that 'sin' means doing what does not please Krsna, and that 'punishment' is actually a reaction designed to correct this character flaw in the conditioned soul. It is all God's mercy, even though at times it may seem very rough. The more receptive to God's desire we are, the less force is required to change us. The more obstinate or out of control we are, the more dramatic the lesson needs to be to gain our attention and create the necessary change of heart.

jaḍa-vat http://vedabase.net/sb/11/11/17/en

Not a game, but an opportunity to perfect our love for God. Then we will become worthy of that Kingdom.

The answer to both questions is love. If you tell your son to make you a valentine, that is not as enjoyable for you as when your son forgoes his play time to draw a valentine for you simply out of affection. In His omnipotence, Krsna, God somehow creates innumerable living entities who have free will. That is no easy feat - being created by God, of God, in God, how can they possibly be independent? It is a mystery indeed. Surrender is the learning process, accepting God's guidance. While it is the prime devotional path, it later gives way to spontaneous love for God, in which one acts perfectly, automatically in their eternal relationship with God. This pure love of Krsna is the final goal. The metaphor given to understand how our environment (filled with friends, family, occupational duties, etc.) is dovetailed with God consciousness involves the truth that one has to water the root of a plant to make it healthy, for watering the leaves and flowers will not nourish the plant properly. It all comes down to <I>why</I> we do things, not <I>what</I> we do. I think you've got a good shot at this God thing, Saint Louie. I mean: Saint Boston.

Report: Humans stripping away planet's resources http://edition.cnn.com/2006/TECH/science/10/24/humans.planet.reut/index.html

Sometimes we wake up and can't remember our dreams. But sometimes we retain glimpses of them. Sometimes we even try to go back to sleep quickly because the dream was so pleasant. It is again as with everything around us, always shouting the Truth could we hear, reminding us about the elephant who rolls in the dust after taking its bath.

A muni is said to be able to continue finding arguments for both sides of a question inexhaustibly, without reaching a conclusion. Perhaps we should strive only for the truth - not for ownership of the victory of one or another posture. Then differences of opinion can become less agitating. [Note to self: take your writings to heart too, my friend. If guru moves your fingers, then the eyes, mind and heart must respect their service]

CHAKRA has reprinted a Palm Beach news story that is somehow filled with nectar and hope. Be sure to click on the multimedia portion: http://chakra.org/news/newsOct24_06_02.html Jaya Gaura-Nitai

From http://education./reference/dictionary/entry/culture;_ylt=AhvgLkIi0JAFuofK6tUZoGiugMMF Culture: 4. A high degree of taste and refinement formed by aesthetic and intellectual training.

Case in point.

Culture is not measured in quality of life, dollars per capita, churches per person, age of cars, gross national revenue, etc. Srila Prabhupada made his point very directly, very perfectly. I don't understand how anyone cannot see the obvious here, unless of course they are uncultured themselves.

Agreed. Humility is overrated.

I certainly hope I did not propose such foolishness that everyone is Narayana, Mayavadi? Visnu-tattva and jiva-tattva are quite separate in my mind and I thought also in my posts. I will happily explain any misunderstanding in my words, and try not to be so obtuse in the future. I am sorry my words gave you that impression, for I am anything but a Mayavadi. Indeed, I am as far away from mayavadi as is possible. http://vedabase.net/cc/madhya/24/285/en http://vedabase.net/bs/5/46/en http://vedabase.net/sb/3/21/32/en http://vedabase.net/cc/adi/3/71/en http://vedabase.net/sb/1/3/28/en

Bhakta Harry, you are addressing a very senior disciple of His Divine Grace. You should not place more store in your mind's ability to juggle words than in Sriman Mahaksa. Humility is required, even more than intelligence.

Krsna does whatever pleases Him, and also as Lord Narayana He does whatever pleases Him. I am known by many different names in the boardroom, baseball diamond, and park, and perform different pastimes in each - but I am always Gary no matter how I dress, or what I do, or whether my fans call me "Rocketman" or "Chairman of the Board" or "sweetheart".

Am I not Gary when I wear my baseball uniform and pitch ball, just as I am Gary when in the park with my girlfriend or in the boardroom as the CEO? Krsna-tattva: Narayana is Krsna, Krsna is Narayana, with all His potencies even though many of Sri Krsna's qualities and potencies will not be prominent or even visible in His Narayana pastimes. Never disrespect or minimize the glory of Lord Narayana; all incarnations and expansions are like innumerable candles, all lit by one candle. Sri Krsna is that one primal candle, and yet He is simultaneously all candles. There is one God, and He presents Himself in a variety of ways according to His desire and pastimes. Seeing the Diety of Lord Narayana, one should think "Oh Krsna, You are so wonderful".

I heard that India became filled with impersonalists who surrounded the personalists. To save His devotees, Krsna incarnated as Buddha and preached an impersonalist philosophy to attract the impersonalists. He then led them out of India. At the same time He offered mercy to them for they were now indeed worshipping Him even though somewhat indirectly.