sha

Here is an excerpt from the article 'Bhakti in Ramayana' written by Sri R.K.Tripathi and found in the English and Hindi translation of Sri Tulasdasa's 'Sri Rama Carita Manasa' by Professor R.C.Prasad.

Lord Shiva should not be confused as demigod. The verse 45 of 'Sri Brahma Samahitam' states the <big>transformation</big> of Lord Krishna - <font color="red">"kSIraM yathA dadhi vikAra vizeSa yogAt saJjAyate na hi pRthag asti hetoH yaH zambhu tAm api tathA samupaiti kAryAd govindam AdipuruSaM tam ahaM bhajAmi"</font> Meaning: Just as milk itself is transformed into curd (yogurt), but yet they both are neither SAME nor DIFFERENT from each other, so also I adore my Beloved primeveal Lord Govinda, Who has transformed Himself into Lord Shiva for the performance of divine lilas. Here are some more excerpts, taken from Brahma Vaivarta Purana in relation to Lord Siva. "Lord Siva is said to be a portion of Lord Krishna and arise out of the left side of Krshna's body. <font color="red">"vAmarddhAGgo mahAdevo dakSiNo gopikApatiH"</font> The left half became Siva and the right became the Husband of Gopis. He is dearly loved by Krishna. The BVP says it is sin to slander Siva, Who is dearer to Krishna than His own life. Krishna Himself declares: "Among my favorites Brahma is dear to Me. Lakshmi, ever residing on my chest, is dearer than Brahma. Radha is yet dearer, and my devotees are dearer still. Dearest of all is Shankara (Siva); no one is dearer than He. My heart resides with my devotees, My life with Radha. My Self with Sankara, who is dearer than My life." (Bkh,Pkh, KJkh of BVP) Those who are the Excellant Portions of Krishna are intensely devoted to Him. It is not surprising then that Siva, a Portion of Krishna, is His Devotee. We find frequent references to Siva as the BEST OF VAISNAVAS. Accordingly, Siva seeks to become the Servant of Krishna and confesses His own dependence upon the latter. Siva is often portrayed as in constant MEDITATION ON KRISHNA, WEEPING, DANCING with ECSTACY of devotion. Of all those who know Krishna, it is Siva, the BEST OF VAISNAVAS, who knows Him best. Thus, by Siva's Grace a votary may attain faith in Krishna. Siva in fact states that those who oppress Vaisnavas will be punished by Krishna and that the hearts of non-vaisnavas are impure He further exclaims that Vaisnavas are DEARER to HIM than HIS OWN followers. Krishna, Who is filled with Love for His devotees, has made Siva equal to Himself on account of Siva's DEEP Devotion. Krishna asserts that Siva is fully His EQUAL in splendour, knoweledge and virtue. Further, the Divine Forms or Bodies (Sat-Chit-Ananda vigrahas) of Siva and Krishna alone are Eternal, not those of other beings. It is through Siva's Devotion to Krishna, finally, not MERE EQUALITY, but actual IDENTITY is apparently attained: <font color="red">'svapne jAgaraNe zazvath kRSNa dhyAna rataH zivaH yathA kRSNA stathA zambhur na bhedo mAdhavezayoH"</font> (Brahma Vaivarta Purana-Prakriti khanda II.56.61) "Sleeping or awake, Siva is constantly absorbed in MEDITATION of KRISHNA. AS IS KRISHNA, SO IS SAMBHU; THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE between MADHAVA and ISA" <font color="red">'yo hariH sa zivaH sAkSAd yaH zivaH sa svayaM hariH ye tayor bhedamAti sthan narakAya bhave nnaraH</font> (Visnu purana.5.33.46) "Whoever is Lord Hari, He Himself is Lord Shiva indeed. Whoever is manifesting as Lord Shiva, He Himself is Lord Hari. Any humanbeing mistakes both the Lords to be different, he/she surely goes to hell. In Vishnu Purana also, VISHNU declares HIS NON DIFFERENCE from SIVA. (V.P.5.33.46-48) Here we find, full justification for the statement in the Narada PancaRatra concerning the BVP as teaching the NON DIFFERENCE between HARI AND HARA. Just as stated in Brahma-Samhita the relationship of Lord Siva and Lord Govinda are compared to that of milk and yogurt. Milk itself becomes TRANSFORMED into yogurt. Similarly, though They both are possessing the same transcendental attributes, They PERFORM different divine pastimes. <font color="red">"yathA ziva mayo viSNuH zivasya hRdayaM viSNur viSNoz ca hRdayaM zivaH</font> (Skanda Purana) Just as Lord Vishnu is pervaded by Lord Shiva, similarly, in Siva's heart Vishnu resides and Vishnu's heart is the abode of Shiva. <center><font color="red"> nimnagAnAM yathA gaMgA devAnAm acyuto yathA vaiSNavAnAM yathA zambhuH purANAnAm idaM tathA kSetrANAM caiva sarveSAM yathA kAzI hyonuttamA tathA purANa vratAnAM zrI mad bhAgavataM dvijAH "</font> (Srimad Bhagavatam 12.13.17) Just as the celestial Ganges is the most Holy among all the flowing rivers, just as Lord Krishna is the Supreme among all Divine Personalties, just as Lord Siva is the most Exalted Lover of Vishnu, just as the City of Kasi is the most Sacred among all Holy places, Srimad Bhagavatam is also the most fulfilling vow as well as the most elevated Scripture among all other auspicious Puranas. Prayers to Lord Shiva- <font color="red">jagadguro namastubhyaM zivAya zivadAya ca yogIndrANAm ca yogIndra gurUNAM gurave namaH"</font> "Salutations unto Thee, O Teacher of the universe. Thou art the Lord auspicious and the giver of bliss, the foremost of the perfect Yogis, the Teacher of teachers. Salutations unto Thee." (BVP 4.30.43) Another prayer for Shivaji says- <font color="red">haste 'kSa mAlA hRdi kRSNa tattvaM jihvAgra bhAge vara rAma mantraM yan mastake kezava pAda tirthaM zivaM 'mahA bhAgavatAM' namAmi"</font> Meaning- I salute to the Supreme Devotee, (Maha Bhagavata) in Whose hand is the a-ksha (A to Z) japamaala, in Whose heart is the reservoir of Divine Essence of Lord Krishna, on Whose tongue is ever residing the Name of His Beloved Rama, on Whose head is ever flowing Sacred water that washes the Lotus feet of Lord Keshava. Jai Hari-Hara, Mahaadeva Shambho! <center> <font color="blue"><big>brahma murAri surArcita lingam nirmalabhAsita zobhita lingam janmaja duHkha vinAzaka lingam tat praNamAmi sadAziva lingam</big></font> I bow before that Sada Shiva Linga, which is adored by Brahma, Vishnu and other Gods, which is praised by pure and holy speeches and which destroys the cycle of births and deaths.

This verse is from an excerpt on 'Bhakti' written in 'Uttara Khanda' of Sri Rama Carita Manas by Saint Sri Tulasidasa and spoken by Lord Ramacandra Himself. Lord Ramacandra said: <big><font color="red">" aurau eka guputa mata sabahi kahaum kara jori, shankara bhajana binaa nara bhagati na paavai mori " </font><font color="blue">With folded hands I now lay before you one MORE SECRET doctrine: WITHOUT ADORING Lord Shankara NO MAN can ATTAIN loving DEVOTION to ME.</font></big>

When Lord Krishna and Radharani played the magnificent Divine dance of 'Maha Raasa Lila', Shankar Bhagavan entered the Lila as a Gopi. <font color="blue">Thus He became popular with the Name Gopi-Isvara. There is a temple in Vrindavan for Gopisvara, Whom all Vrajavasis including GVs worship with love.</font> -------------------- <font color="red">Every Gaudiya Vaishnava who prays to Pancha Tattva is worshipping Lord Shiva, as Sri Advaitacarya is Lord Shiva Himself. In Caitanya Caritamrita, Mahaprabhu's eternal Associate Sri Advaitacarya is said to be Lord Shiva, who always says, "I am the servant of Lord Krishna." Intoxicated by ecstatic Love for Krishna, He becomes overwhelmed and incessantly dances without clothing and sings about Lord Krishna's qualities and pastimes.</font> -------------------- <font color="blue">In Caitanya Bhagavata of Vrndavana dasa, there is a nice description of PRIVATE meeting of Mahaprabhu and Advaitacarya. It is again confirmed there that Lord Shiva Himself appeared as Advaitacarya. As it is clearly declared: Chapter nine. text 84. <big>Anyone who does not like one of these two Lords does not like both Lords. Lord Caitanya and Lord Advaita are like Lord Krishna and Lord Shiva.</big></font> -------------- An episode from Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu's Pastimes: "Lord Caitanya soon arrived in 'Jalesvara' village. He went directly to the TEMPLE OF SIVA, the main Deity in that village. The Siva-Linga Deity was well looked after by local brahmana priest. The floral decorations in the temple and on the diety were attractive and the smell of incense permeated the air giving the place an exhilarating devotional mood. Devotees in the temple were singing, playing musical instruments, and dancing. The Lord's anger (for Lord Nityananda breaking His sanyasi danda) subcided in that joyful atmosphere. He let the loving devotional feelings in His heart gradually flow and merge in with the music. Enlivened by His Dear Devotee's, (Lord Siva's) opulence and influence in the temple, Lord Caitanya began to dance happily. <center> </center> Lord Caitanya KNOWS the Lord Siva's glorious character, for He is the FAVORITE among His devotees. IF ANYONE DISRESPECTS LORD SIVA, NOT FOLLOWING the EXAMPLE OF LORD CAITANYA, THEN HE CAN NOT BE CONSIDERED A VAISHNAVA and ALL HIS SPIRITUAL ADVANCEMENT IS ANNULLED. As the Lord danced, He made joyful sounds so loud that the very mountains seemed to tremble. Lord Shiva's devotees were struck with amazement and thought that <font color="red"> LORD SIVA MUST HAVE APPEARED IN PERSON!</font> The musicians and singers reached a crescendo and the Lord became fully absorbed in dancing, losing all contact with the outside world. Meanwhile, His devotees arrived. Mukunda began to sing, joined by others. Seeing His beloved associates, the Lord experienced great joy and DANCED more vigorously while the devotees danced circling Him. The whole scene was dynamically TRANSFORMED. Tears flowed out effusively in a hundred streams from Lord's eyes. Who can describe all the happenings properly? <font color="blue">THIS TEMPLE OF LORD SIVA WAS SANCTIFIED BY THE LORDS PRESENCE AND DANCING IN FRONT OF THE DIETY OF SIVA-LINGA. THE REAL PURPOSE FOR WHICH THE TEMPLE WAS BUILT WAS FULFILLED."</font> (An excerpt from 'Caitanya Bhagavata', Antya-Lila chapter 2, page 453, by B.V.Puri Goswami)<small><font color="cfcfcf"> [This message has been edited by sha (edited 06-13-2002).]

Here is more to back up this statement regarding the worship of Bhagavan Shankar: 1. Puranas have described that the consort of Lord Vishnu, Lakshmi devi herself worshipped Lord Shiva, even offering her own bosom in place of lotus flowers, and thus the 'bael' fruit and tree had become very dear to Shiva. 2. Lord Rama also worshipped Shiva at Ramesvara and saints wrote that he too offered his lotus eyes to Shiva as a substitute for lotus flowers. 3. Mother Sitadevi worshipped the consort of Lord Shiva, Gauridevi and Shiva before the 'bow breaking' at her 'Swayamvara'. 4. Queen Rukmini worshipped Gauridevi, the consort (Svarupa shakti) of Lord Shiva prior to Lord Krishna's arrival at her wedding. 5. So did the Gopis of Vraja at Katyayani (Consort of Lord Shiva) Vrata. 6. Lord Caitanya had also met his consort Lakshmipriya devi and other maiden performing worship to Lord Shiva on the banks of Ganges and blessed them accordingly proving the oneness of their Lordships. 7. Saint Vidyapati also wrote in his poems that Sri Radha herself prayed to Lord Shiva for protection from the 'cupid' and for blessings offering her lotus hands and bosom as a substitute for flowers and fruits. 8. In 'Vidagdhamadhavam', Sri Roopa wrote Radhaji going to Gauridevi (consort of Lord Shiva) temple for worship. 9. In his "Hamsa Duta' kavya, Roopa goswami wrote Radha Herself worshipping Lord Shiva and praying for Her Beloved's return to Vraja. 10. The favorite saint of Mahaprabhu, Jayadeva kaviraja himself prayed to Lord Shiva in 'mangalacarana' of his compositions. Worship of Lord Shiva is a<big> 'bhushana' </big>for all Vaishnavas, so let us not indulge in<big> 'dushana'</big> of Lord Shiva.

<marquee bgcolor="#00ffff"><font color="red" size=+2><big> Harinam sankirtan ki Jaya </marquee></font></big> An excerpt from another board: <font color="white"> [This message has been edited by sha (edited 06-11-2002).]

What dispute? Where? I do not see any. Sri Jiva gosvAmi's message sent to Sri Gadhadara Bhatta: <font color="blue">anArAdhya rAdhA padAMbhoja reNuM anAzritya vRndAvanaM tat padAGkam asaMbhASya tad bhAva gaMbhIra cintAn kutaH zyAma sindhoH rasy AvagAhaH</font> <font color="red">Without worshipping the dust-particle of Radha's lotus feet, without taking the shelter of the sacred land of Vrindavan where Her blessed footprints can be traced, without delightfully learning the depths of Her Divine ecstasies from Her Rasik Saints, how one is supposed to understand or realize the Ocean of Nectar of Divine Love?</font><font color="white"><small> [This message has been edited by sha (edited 06-11-2002).]

<font color="red">"kRSNa prANAdhi devI sAta dadhIno vibhurya taH rAsezvarI tasya nityaM tadhA hI nona tiSTathi</font> Sri Radha is the life-breath of Sri Krishna and the Supreme Personality of Godhead is always under Her control. Radhaji being the Raseshvari, Goddess of Divine Love, She eternally associates with Lord Krishna, as He cannot exist without His Soul, Radha. <font color="blue">satyaM satyaM punaH satyaM satyameva punaH punaH rAdhA nAmnA vinA loke mat prasAdo na vidyate</font> (Narada Panca Ratram) Sri Krishna declares to Narada muni, "I am telling this<big> truth</big> again and again. Without lovingly remembering the<big> Names of My Beloved Radha Rani,</big> devotees can never achieve My Grace." (N.R.P.) <font color="red">'rA' sabdoccAraNAd bhakto bhaktim muktim ca rAti saH 'dhA' sabdoccAraNe naiva dhAvaty eva hareH padam</font> (N.P.R.) For<big> 'ra'</big> represents receiving unswerving devotion and service to Krishna's Lotus Feet and<big> 'dha'</big> represents dwelling together with Krishna for eternity. Sri Krishna also says, "Greater is My delight in hearing the<big> Name of 'Radha',</big> and dearer to Me than those who offer the sixteen kinds of worship, O Radha, is he <big>who utters 'rAdhA'</big>"(Brahma Vaivarta Purana) "Worship that Radha, the bestower of Prema. <big>Quickly</big> you shall go to Goloka, through Her favor and service. Bhaktas by serving Lord Krishna, (Who is unattainable by impersonal meditation),<big> in a long time,</big> after many, many births go to Goloka.

<center> Meaning: <big><font color="red">All glory (Jai) to Sri Radhika!! (Radhe!!)

<center></center>

<font color="red">nimnagAnAM yathA gaMgA devAnAm acyuto yathA vaiSNavAnAM yathA zambhuH purANAnAm idaM tathA kSetrANAM caiva sarveSAM yathA kAzI hyonuttamA tathA purANa vratAnAM zrI mad bhAgavataM dvijAH</font> (Srimad Bhagavatam 12.13.17) Just as the celestial Ganges is the most Holy among all the flowing rivers, just as Lord Krishna is the Supreme among all Divine Personalties, just as Lord Siva is the most Exalted Lover of Vishnu, just as the City of Kasi is the most Sacred among all Holy places, Srimad Bhagavatam is also the most fulfilling vow as well as the most elevated Scripture among all other auspicious Puranas. In the Padma Purana, it is said: <font color="blue">aradhananam sarvesam visnor aradhanam param tasmat parataram devi tadiyanam samarcanam</font> Once, Parvati-devi asked Lord Siva, "Of all kinds of worship, whose worship is best?" Then, Lord Siva told her plainly, "The worship and devotional service of Lord Narayana, Visnu, is the highest." Then Parvati became a little mortified and disappointed, thinking, "But I am serving Siva, so I hold a lower position." Then the next line came - <font color="red"> tasmat parataram devi tadiyanam samarcanam. "But higher than the worship of Narayana is worship of the devotees of Lord Narayana. That is even greater than devotion to the Lord Himself." </font> Then, Parvati smiled, thinking, "Then I am serving the devotee of the Lord. Siva is a devotee: vaisnavanam yatha sambhuh. So, I am doing the best thing." This is also confirrned by Krsna, in the Adi Purana : <font color="blue">ye me bhakta-janah partha ne me bhaktas ca te janah mad bhaktanam ca ye bhaktas te me bhaktatama matah</font> "Those who worship Me directly are not real devotees; real devotees are those who are devoted to My devotees." hari om! om namaha shivaye!

I liked the animation of Radha Krishna on the swing the most. Add some mythological stories like in the comic books for all children.

Very funny and enjoyable! Thanks, Syama.

"Edgar Hofer" Peace between Brothers Please forward this text to anyone you know - thank you. Beloved Brother, Brother in India, in Pakistan, beloved Brothers in Kashmir and all over the rest of the world: I really don't know if you call yourself a Hindu, Moslem, Christ, Jew, Buddhist or anything else. I don't care about that. What I want you to know, is: You are part of God, as everybody else is part of God. No Matter which religion, thoughts, believes, gender, nationality, morality, sins, lies or any other faults. Everybody is part of it, and in everybody there is a living part of God. In every living being, no matter if it is human, an animal or a plant. If you kill animals and plants for the reason of living, of surviving, of eating, it is o.k. – it is meant to be so, just now, just on this planet. If you kill each other for reasons like hate, being an enemy, whatever the reason may be, remember, you kill a part of god. If you are ruining this planet, you are ruining the one planet, which was meant to be and become paradise. There is no other paradise than earth. God will forgive you anyway, but can you forgive yourself? Killing your beloved brother? Brother, know well, in everybody of us is the same "I". In silence, there is no difference between this living "I". So you are only going to kill another instance of yourself. If there is no silence, there are plenty of thoughts, and this thoughts can be contradictory in each of you, it can be contradictory even in yourself – did you have the same thoughts and truths 10 years ago? So why killing just for some beliefs? If you kill your brother cause he killed someone you loved yesterday, his son will comeback tomorrow killing you. And your son will go on, and this will only stop if there is someone in the future who says, "STOP! IT IS ENOUGH – I FORGIVE YOU !!!". Why not start NOW? Why not YOU being this one, which starts to forgive and forget ? Maybe cause of this, tomorrow your son will sit with your enemy's son eating cookies and have a good laugh, how stupid you were. Did you totally misunderstand religion? Did you totally misunderstand the great teachings which came from Mohammed, Krishna, Jesus, Moses, Buddha and all the others? Maybe you follow one special Prophet, Messenger, Founder, Wise-One. But all of them told the same. There is no difference in their speaking, it happened just in different cultures and different times for different kind of people and their minds and ability to understand. But all of them talked about the same God. The same Existence, the same Universe, the same humans, the same Spirituality, the same LOVE, the same heaven, the same paradise, the same GOD! All of them could see, there is ONLY ONE GOD and there IS ONLY GOD and nothing exists outside of him. This God owns consciousness – even YOUR consciousness – owns thoughts – all thoughts – even YOUR thoughts, owns all the bodies, even YOUR body, owns the he whole universe, even THIS PLANET. He is the creator and the creation. He existed before there was a big-bang (in HIM) and he will go on existing even if this universe, which is just (a part of) HIM will eventually go to end. Beloved Brother in India: Did you never realize, that Mohammed is just another incarnation of Vishnu, like Krishna, was before, like Buddha was before, like even Jesus was before? Don't you know that Islamic people are just the same, believing in THE SAME GOD you believe? There is no God but Brahman, and if you call him Brahman or Allah, what's the difference? He does not care about names, nor does he have a name. Didn't you know, that "Allah" in the original language just means: "God" ? So, how can there be a difference? And Islamic people are just like you - very much devoted to God, which is also YOUR God! They are YOUR BROTHERS. Beloved Brother in Pakistan, in every Islamic country: Didn't you ever realize, that Allah, which is the one God, is the only God? There is no other God then Allah, even others may call him Brahman, Shiva or Vishnu. Allah does not care about names. He forgives. Nothing exists outside of Allah. Even your brother is part of Allah. Didn't you know, that all the Prophets spoke about the same God? Not only Mohammed, but Jesus, Krishna, Buddha, Moses too? They all found Allah, and they spoke about Allah. All this teaching came in times, where people believed there are many Gods. And the message of all the prophets was the same: There is only one God. Why don't you believe in your own religion? There is only one God – no matter which name you give him! And this God is A GOD OF LOVE !!! And this God is full of power, he is Almighty. He would NEVER allow to exist ANYONE outside of him. He would never allow anyone to exist, if there would not be, even deep inside one remaining silent part, which is JUST LOVE !!! Didn't you ever realize, that already the whole world is Islamic – in the essence of it ?? So: Stop killing your brother, hug them instead. Deep inside of them is the same love for god, the same devotion and the same little child which is full of fear. Hug this child, forgive them, and you will be forgiven. Beloved Brother in the United States: Beloved Brother in the White House! It is beautiful how far you developed. You reached a kind of freedom and independence, never anyone reached before. But, did you oversee, that now people are depended on YOU? There are still many brothers which live in a different culture, different time with different values of life. Your values of life are honestly good, but they are not the only possible values of life. This world is not created to be all the same in every corner. It is so beautiful to have different people, different nations, religions, cultures, beliefs. In this times you are almost responsible for what happens in EVERY part of the world. You wanted this role, now be a wise man. Whatever you do and whatever you say outside of the United States, do and say it in the consciousness of a human being, of a wise member of the whole world, of another part of god who is speaking to his brother. Outside of the United States nobody cares about the United States. And this has to be so. They have the same right to care about their country, their beliefs, their culture, then you have. There is nothing wrong in that. If you want to rule the world, do it as a King Solomon, not as a Caesar. Otherwise your rule could be over even tomorrow. Beloved Brother in Israel: Your wounds are still deep. And still you see enemies all around you. This makes you alert, but also, out of this alertness many misunderstand happens. Maybe sometimes you will overhear if there is a voice of love, because you still think the whole world (around you) hates you? Did you forget, that you came home to the world of your brothers? They stayed there while you where away. They too are the sons of Abraham. Isn't it time to make peace? You are a country of 6 Million people, while they grew to almost one milliard – and they gave you home, rest, country. Still, after 2000 years. Which other culture can talk about such a great gift? Why not feel as a guest first? Why not say "Thank you" to them? Isn't it time TO REALLY COME HOME ?? Beloved Buddhist Brother and all others: May we pray in silence for peace in the world and may ALL beings be happy. May we forgive other beings for their faults, as God is forgiving us for our faults. For in the Absolute there are no faults and God is all that is. LOVE from: divinelove2/message/6382

PRAY FOR PEACE BETWEEN INDIA AND PAKISTAN Prayer of Compassion Grant me, 0 God, the heart of a child, pure and transparent as a spring; a simple heart, which never harbours sorrows; a heart glorious in self-giving, tender in compassion; a heart faithful and generous, which will never forget any good or bear a grudge for any evil. Make me a heart gentle and humble, loving without asking any return, large-hearted and undauntable, which no ingratitude can sour and no indifference can weary; a heart penetrated by the love of Jesus whose desire will only be satisfied in heaven. Grant me, 0 Lord, the mind and heart of thy dear Son. -- Prayer found in, "The Oxford Book of Prayer," Oxford University Press

You have said some thing very special and sweet! May Sri Radhikaji bless your heart with more and more Divine Love! Don't they say beauty lies in the beholders eyes?

You have said some thing very special and sweet! May Sri Radhikaji bless your heart with more and more Divine Love! Don't they say beauty lies in the beholders eyes?

Dear Atmaji, Your genuine questions do need profound answers. I am afraid no simple message would sufficiently cover explaining all your questions, as it would raise more and more queries. If you have a Rasik Spiritual guide (Sat Guru) or teacher, you can inquire more confidentially from that person. (on one to one basis) But I'll post some general information collected in this regard from other boards. You can also read C.C.2.8- Mahaprabhu's discussion with Ramananda Raya, His teachings to Roopa and Sanatana in other chapters. More philosophical truths are also revealed in Adilila. Mahaprabhu had explained this as: 1. Sambandha 2. Prameya 3. Prayojana

<font color="blue">AzliSya vA pAdaratAM pinaSTu mAm adarzanAn marmahatAM karotu vA yathA tathA vA vidadhAtu lampaTo mat prANa nAthas tu sa eva nAparaH</font> (Sikshashtakam. 8) Yes, this unconditional love can be experienced only in the highest Madhurya Rasa of Gopis (Sri Radha) as Sri Prabhu Himself is expressing this verse in<font color="blue"> Radha Bhava,</font> addressing the Lord as 'lampaTa' meaning, Playboy or Debauchee. No other devotee belonging to any other 'Rasa' like Dasya, Sakhya, or Vatsalya has 'adhikara' - privilege or right to address the Lord with that much intimacy! This verse itself supremly glorifies the Madhurya Rasa of Gopis.

Copied message from another board: Another copied message from the same board :

"vANI guNAnukathane zravaNau kathAyAM hastau ca karmasu manas tava pAdayor naH, smRtyAM ziras tava nivAsa jagat praNAme dRSTiH satAM darzane 'stu bhavat tanUnAm" (Srimad Bhagavatam 10.10.38) ..When child Krishna releases the twin sons of Kubera from the curse of being two Arjuna trees by uprooting them and restoring the young men to their original form, the twins ask for a boon from the Lord --- "O Lord, please grant us that our tongues may always be engaged in singing Your praises and glories, our ears in hearing them, our hands in doing Your service, our minds in the contemplation of Your holy feet, our heads in prostrating to the entire world which is Your dwelling and our eyes in the vision of the holy persons who are Your embodiments." --- Swami Shantananda Puri Source: SCRIPTURAL TEXTS Text No. 8: Srimad Bhagavatam by Swami Shantananda Puri Chapter X Nirodha Skandha http://www.geocities.com/radhakutir/homepage.html

The Blessed Wife of Maha Vishnu, Sri Mahalakshmi of Vaikuntha, did penances for thousands of years to enter the Maha Rasa Lila of Lord Krishna, but was not granted. kasyAnubhavo 'sya na deva vidmahe tavAGghrireNu sparzAdhikAraH yadvAJchayA zrIrlalanAcarattapo vihAya kAmAn suciraM dhrutavratA (Padma Purana - and Bhagavatham 10.16.36,- and C.C.Adilila 5.223) According to Padma Purana, Mahalakshmi had spent thosands of years in penance to attain the status of Gopis in Madhurya rasa but was not granted. The Lord allowed her to stay on His chest. She received only the Madhurya rasa of Queen Rukmini in Dwaraka. Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu lovingly reminded the worshippers of Sri Lakshmi-Narayan that how much Mahalakshmi had longed for the Vraja Madhurya rasa while Gopis of Vrindavan did not care for the Aiswarya rasa of Narayana, as they showed no interest in the Mahavishnu form of Krishna. (C.C.1.17.277-293)<small><font color="white"> [This message has been edited by sha (edited 06-04-2002).]

Arundhati Roy on Nuclear Danger "When India and Pakistan conducted their nuclear tests in 1998, even those of us who condemned them, balked at the hypocrisy of Western nuclear powers. Implicit in their denunciation of the tests was the notion that blacks cannot be trusted with the Bomb. Now we are presented with the spectacle of our governments competing to confirm that belief. As diplomats' families and tourists disappear from the subcontinent, Western journalists arrive in Delhi in droves. Many call me. 'Why haven't you left the city?' they ask. 'Isn't nuclear war a real possibility? Isn't Delhi a prime target?' If nuclear weapons exist, then nuclear war is a real possibility. And Delhi is a prime target. It is. But where shall we go? Is it possible to go out and buy another life because this one's not panning out?" Read the rest of this powerful essay by the famed Indian author and activist Arundhati Roy at The Nation's website currently: ARUNDHATI ROY: War Talk: Summer Games with Nuclear Bombs http://www.thenation.com/doc.mhtml?i=special&s=roy20020604 A rare statement of the most basic sanity and humanity in a world in which mad has come to mean not individual anger or craziness but mutually assured destruction, this essay underscores why Roy has become one of the world's most powerful proponents of social equality, environmental sanity and economic justice. And if you're moved by Roy's words here, check out "Power Politics," her latest collection of essays recently published by SouthEnd Press. For information, including how to order copies online, go to: http://www.southendpress.org/books/powerpolitics.shtml You can also find much more info about Roy, her work and her activism at the Arundhati Roy Website at: http://website.lineone.net/~jon.simmons/roy/

Sri Roopagoswami has also confirmed this in Sri Ujjvala Nilamani. 2.18-20.