narayani

Hare Krsna, There are so many beautiful prayers to the Lord one hardly knows where to begin! Here are some links that I hope will help. These are prayers in glorification of Lord Krsna including the wonderful dasavatara-stotra of Jayadeva goswami in praise of the Lord's 10 main incarnations. http://www.stephen-knapp.com/prayers_to_lord_krishna.htm This link is to prayers specifically in glorification of Lord Narasimha. The Lord's half-man half-lion incarnation: http://www.stephen-knapp.com/prayers_to_lord_narasimhadeva.htm These are prayers recited by Brahma in glorification of Govinda. Very beautiful and my favorite:) : http://www.stephen-knapp.com/govindam_prayers.htm This link will take you to the songbook used in ISKCON temples around the world. Prayers to the Lord in his various forms and to His devotees are included in it. http://www.krishnamedia.orgVaishnava_Songbook.pdf Anyone can chant or sing them at anytime! There are no hard and fast rules. Just sing the glories of the Lord with joy!

Hare Krsna, Though my knowledge is very small, this is what I have understood about having more than one wife: It was common practice as described in the Mahabharata and Srimad Bhagavatam for kings to have more than one wife. Lord Krsna himself had 16,108 wives. I have run across this question before. Why is it not recommended in this day and age? What I have been able to grasp, most basically, is that it is not for kali-yuga. Just consider the differences when Lord Krsna himself walked the earth with His pure devotee and friend Arjuna. The life span was greater and the people in general were more religious. Each of Krsna's wives was taken care of beautifully. She even had her own palace. There was more respect for women and they were protected and honored. In today's society, children are not even safe. They are abused and raped as are women and even men. The divorce rate in America is over 50% as it is. Can you just imagine the chaos that would come from more than 1 wife!! God's! what a nightmare it would be!! Until there is a masive return to a GOd conscious society I don't see it happening and don't think it should. Those were different times with a different society. Many things that were appropriate then are not acceptable now, nor should they be. We cannot go into the forest for thousands of years and subsist on nothing but air, performing tapas. We do not have the power to perform the raja-suya yajna or other ancient fire yajnas properly. Some things, I think, are better left in the past. The common practice of more than one wife is one. Keeping one wife happy in marriage seems a difficult enough task as it is. WE don't have Lord Krsna's ability to expand ourselves and in that way be with each wife at the same time, therefore not neglecting the others. I hope this helps to answer your question.

Hare Krsna, One can chant anywhere and everywhere, however, it seems your question is refering to japa meditation? Srila Prabhupada describes japa as a form of tapas or yajna (sacriface). It should be done in a serious frame of mind. A quiet, peaceful place with minimal distractions. You can sit and chant or go on a "japa walk." One is trying to purify the soul by chanting so there are 10 offenses to be avoided while chanting. Srila Prabhupada describes them: Revatinandana: "The ten offenses to avoid in chanting the maha-mantra. The first is blaspheming the Lord's devotee." Just read them? Prabhupada: Yes. Revatinandana: "Second, considering the Lord and other demigods on the same level." Prabhupada: This is very important point, blaspheming the devotees. The Lord's devotee, in many countries, many places... Just like Lord Jesus Christ, he's also devotee of Lord. Muhammad, he's also devotee of Lord. So it is not that because we are Krsna conscious, we shall unnecessarily decry any other parts, any other devotee. It may be, according to time, place, and country, the method may be different, but anyone who is preaching devotion to God, he's a devotee of God. So he should never be blasphemed. Yes. Revatinandana: "Two. Considering the Lord and other demigods on the same level." Prabhupada: Yes. One should not put the Supreme Personality of Godhead... Just like the Mayavadi says, "The demigods and God, they are all the same." Because according to them, God has no form, so any form you accept, imagine, as the form of God, it is as good. But that is not the fact. There are demigods and the Supreme God also. So we should not place... Just like demigod, Lord Brahma or Lord Siva, Indra, Candra, they are demigods. So we should not place... In one sense, there is nothing except God, because everything expansion of God. But that does not mean I am equal to God. I am also expansion of God, that's a fact. Just like father and the son. Son is the expansion of father; still, the son is not the father. Don't mistake that. There is no difference between father and son because the same body is expanded as son, but still, the son is not the father. Father is father, son is son. This, I mean to say, variety, the Mayavadi philosophers, they do not understand. Then? Revatinandana: "...or assuming that there are many Gods." Prabhupada: God is one. There cannot be many Gods. If God is not one, there is no meaning of God. God means, according to Vedic definition, asamordhva. Asama means one who has no equal. Nobody is equal to God. And urdhva means nobody is greater than God. God is great. Nobody can be greater than God. Therefore God is one. Nobody is greater, nobody is equal. That means everyone is lower. Then? Revatinandana: "Neglecting the orders of the spiritual master." Prabhupada: Yes. This is one offense. These are offenses. When we accept spiritual master, it is understood that you cannot deny his order. Just like Krsna and Arjuna was talking as friends, but when Arjuna accepted Krsna as spiritual master, he was simply hearing, and whenever there was difficulty to understand, he was questioning. Not that he was equally arguing with Krsna. Before accepting Him, he was arguing. So this is the position. Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, He said that "My spiritual master found Me a great fool [Cc. Adi 7.71]." Caitanya Mahaprabhu is not a fool, but it is the good qualification of a disciple to remain a fool before the spiritual master. Therefore he'll never, I mean to say, dare to argue or disobey. That is offense. Now, go on. That does not mean that when you cannot understand, you cannot question. Question must be there. That is stated in this Bhagavad-gita, tad viddhi pranipatena pariprasnena sevaya [bg. 4.34]. Your relationship is to know from a spiritual master everything, but you should know that with three things. What is that? First of all you should surrender. You must accept the spiritual master as greater than you. Otherwise what is the use of accepting one spiritual master? Pranipat. Pranipat means surrendering; and pariprasna, and questioning; and seva, and service. There must be two sides, service and surrender, and in the middle there must be question. Otherwise there is no question and answer. Two things must be there: service and surrender. Then answer of question is nice. Yes. Revatinandana: "The fourth offense is minimizing the authority of the Vedas." Prabhupada: Yes. Scriptures, authority of Vedas, they must be accepted. Just like the other day I was explaining, the Veda says the conchshell is pure although it is a bone of an animal. In other places Veda gives you the injunction that bone of an animal is impure. But it says the conchshell is pure. It can be placed before the Deity, it can be used in the Deity room in His service. Now there may be argument, "Oh, this is a bone of an animal. How is that? Contradiction." No. So one should accept the injunction of the Vedas like that. Whenever it says this is impure, it is impure; when it says it is pure, it is pure. Now if there is any doubt, that should be understood by questioning submissively and with service from the spiritual master. The spiritual master is there. Then? But we should always accept the injunction of the scripture as truth. Just like there is a proverb, "Bible truth,Biblical truth." Nobody can deny Bible. This should be the attitude. Bible is also part of Vedas. Therefore Vedic injunction should be accepted as it is, without any interpretation. Just like Bhagavad-gita is Veda. Why Veda? The Supreme Personality of Godhead personally speaking; therefore it is Veda. There is no mistake. One should accept -- no interpretation -- as it is. Therefore we are presenting Bhagavad-gita As It Is. Yes. Go on. Revatinandana: "The fifth offense is interpreting the holy names of God." Prabhupada: Yes. No interpretation in the holy... Just like Krsna, the Mayavadi philosophers may... Just like Gandhi has written, "Pandava means the senses; Kuruksetra means this body; Krsna means the mind." No such nonsense interpretation. Krsna is Krsna. Yes. Go on. Revatinandana: "The sixth offense is committing sin on the strength of chanting." Prabhupada: Yes. Now we have explained the mantra that as soon as one chants Hare Krsna, immediately, bahyabhyantarah sucih, he becomes purified. Now if one takes advantage of this holy name, "Let me commit sins..." Just like sometimes in the Christian church they take advantages that by confessing sin one becomes free from sinful reaction. So go to church and confess, and again come out and do all sorts of sins, and again confess. This sort of (laughs) minimizing is nonsense. It is fact. When you confess before the church, before God, you are free from all sinful action. That's all right. But if you commit again, then next confession will not be accepted. They do not know this. You cannot... Suppose a child has committed some mistake. Father says, "All right, don't do this." If he again does it, there is no excuse. They do not know that. They think, "We shall commit sin and go to church and confess and finish. So let us do this balancing business." Yes. Similarly, don't do this balancing business, that "Because chanting Hare Krsna will wash off all my accounts of sinful activities, so in the morning, from morning to night, let me do all kinds of sinful activities, and at night, at bedtime, let me chant Hare Krsna. Then finish." No. (laughs) Don't do that. Don't do that. That is the greatest offense. Yes. You'll never be forgiven. Those who purposely do like that -- "I have got very nice instrument for washing off my sinful activities. So whole day let me do all sinful activities, and at night let me chant Hare Krsna. Let me meditate. That's all. Finish." -- no. You should note that the name, the holy name has got the power. Now, from this date, you are free from all sinful activities, reaction. But don't do it. That is the greatest offense. Yes. Revatinandana: "The seventh offense is instructing the Lord's name to the unfaithful." Prabhupada: Yes. Those who do not believe in God, atheists, what is the use of...? But not to bother him, but give him the chance of hearing. That will make him competent to come forward. Therefore we are distributing this holy name. Not that everyone will be immediately turned to Krsna consciousness, but we are giving chance. If they hear... You have got practical experience. Somebody's hearing, he's reforming. So we should give chance. But if one is staunch atheist, we should not talk very much with him about Krsna. He may say something against, offensive. Yes. Then? Revatinandana: "The eighth offense is comparing the holy name to material piety." Prabhupada: Yes. And another thing, just like we are holding this ceremony, initiation ceremony. It should not be accepted just we are functioning some ritualistic ceremony. No. It is different from ritualistic ceremony. Although it appears like ritualistic, it is transcendental. Ritualistic ceremony, they are meant for giving you advantage of become pious, from impious life. It also gives that, but this is not the ultimate aim. The ultimate aim is to give you love of God, which is far, far transcendental to the pious and impious activities. That is a different thing that belongs to the spiritual world -- love of God. It is not that it is a function to nullify your sinful activities. That is automatically done. Just like if you get one million dollars, the purpose of ten dollars automatically solved. Similarly, this acceptance of holy name of God will automatically wash off all your sinful reaction. That's a fact. But it is not meant for that purpose. It is meant for higher purpose, to attain to this platform of loving God, rendering transcendental loving service to the Lord. That is the aim. Yes. Revatinandana: "The ninth offense is inattentive while chanting the holy name." Prabhupada: Yes. This is ninth offense. While you chant, you hear also. You don't turn your attention to anything else, mechanically chanting and thinking of something. Thinking of Krsna is all right, but if I think something which is not in Krsna consciousness... Best thing is that I shall chant Hare Krsna and each word I shall hear; then it will be very much effective. Yes. Revatinandana: "The tenth offense is attachment to material things while engaged in the practice of chanting." Prabhupada: That I explained. This is the disease, aham mameti [sB 5.5.8]. The material disease means I am thinking this body, "I am," and everything belonging to this body or in relationship with the body -- "Mine." This is material disease. So we shall see. By chanting we shall see how much we are making progress, how much I am free from these two concept of life, that "I am this body, and anything belonging to this body is mine." This is the test, how we are becoming free from these two concept of life. If there is still the concept that "I am this body, and anything belonging to this body is mine," then you have to chant very cautiously to make progress. That's all. These ten kinds of offenses you should guard against. As a beginner, I know I commit these offenses. My mind is so difficult to control, It wanders every which way while I chant, but that doesn't mean I should stop. I just try my best and hope that eventually I will advance to a stage of spontanious enjoyment in the chanting of japa. Hope this helps some.

Hare Krsna, Here is an earlier discussion about Radha Krsna worship. Check it out:) http://www.audarya-fellowship.com/forums/hare-krishna-discussions/16773-radha-krishna-deity-worship.html Hope it helps.

Lord Krsna appears in all colors of the rainbow. Varaha was red. Lord Rama was green. The spiritual sky is full of variegation. The cowherd boys, gopis, even the cows are described as being green like new grass, or red like the bimba fruit, white like milk, yellow like the champa flower, blue like the sky, and golden, pale like the full moon, even multicolored like the peacock feather. Colors in the spiritual sky are not the same as they are here in the material world. The color of one's skin means nothing other than to enhace the beauty of Lord Krsna's devotee and to give pleasure to the Lord, because everything even a devotees skin color is for the purpose of pleasing Lord Krsna.

Hare krsna, Here are some lovely prayers in glorification of Srimati Radharani: http://www.stephen-knapp.com/prayers_to_srimati_radharani.htm This is Sri Radhika's pranama: tapta-kancana-gaurangi radhe vrndavanesvari vrsabhanu-sute devi pranamami hari-priye I offer my respects to Radharani, whose bodily complexion is like molten gold and who is the queen of Vrndavana. Your are the daughter of king Vrsabhanu and you are very dear to Lord Krsna. Sri Radhika Stava by Srila Rupa Gosvami: S'rî Râdhika Stava To the glory of Râdha (from 'Stava-mâlâ', 'a Garland of Glory') Intro: (D G A Bm A G A Bm) (D G<SUP>II</SUP> D<SUP>II </SUP>G) râdhe jaya jaya mâdhava-dayite RRâdha, all glories to Mâdhava's beloved, (A7<SUP>I</SUP> D Em A<SUP>II</SUP>) gokula-tarunî-mandala-mahite RGokula's girls all worship you. (1) (A7<SUP>I </SUP>D Em D) dâmodara-rati-vardhana-ves'e Attracting Damodhâr' by nicely being dressed, (A7<SUP>I </SUP>D G A<SUP>III</SUP>) hari-nishkutha-vrindâ-vipines'e Hari's pleasure, Vrindâvana's queen. (2) (D G<SUP>II</SUP> D<SUP>II</SUP>) râdhe jaya jaya mâdhava-dayite RRâdha, all glories to Mâdhava's beloved, (A7<SUP>I</SUP> D Em A<SUP>II</SUP>) gokula-tarunî-mandala-mahite RGokula's girls all worship you. (A7<SUP>I </SUP>D Em D) vrishabhânudadhi-nava-s'as'i-lekhe From Vrsabhânu's ocean, arose a new moon, (A7<SUP>I </SUP>D G A<SUP>III</SUP>) lalitâ-sakhi-guna-ramita-vis'âkhe Lalitâ's girlfriend, gentle binding Visâkhe. (3) (D G<SUP>II</SUP> D<SUP>II</SUP>) râdhe jaya jaya mâdhava-dayite RRâdha, all glories to Mâdhava's beloved, (A7<SUP>I</SUP> D Em A<SUP>II)</SUP> gokula-tarunî-mandala-mahite RGokula's girls all worship you. (A7<SUP>I </SUP>D Em D) karunâm kuru mayi karuna-bharite Always friendly and honest, full of compassion, (A7<SUP>I </SUP>D G A<SUP>III</SUP>) sanaka-sanâtana-varnita-carite Sanaka Sanâtana described your character O Radha! O beloved of Madhava! O You who are worshiped by all the young girls of Gokula! All glories unto You! All glories unto You! "0 You who dress Yourself in such a way as to increase Lord Damodara's love and attachment for You! O queen of Vrndavana, which is the pleasure grove of Lord Hari! O new moon who has arisen from the ocean of King Vrsabhanu! O friend of Lalita! O You who make Visakha loyal to You due to Your wonderful qualities of friendliness, kindness, and faithfulness to Krsna! O You who are filled with compassion! O You whose divine characteristics are described by the great sages Sanaka and Sanatana! O Radha, please be merciful to me!"

Hare Krsna, I know there are many types of kavacas. I am only familiar with the Nrsimha kavaca. Basically it's a hollow metal tube, usually gold or silver, prayers are written on some paper or a leaf etc. in glorification to Lord Nrsimhadeva. The prayers are rolled up and sealed in the kavaca. They can be worn on the body around the neck, on the left arm for women, and on the right for men. Usually it is worn for protection against harm (spiritual and material). Here is a link to the Nrsimha kavaca: http://www.stephen-knapp.com/prayers_to_lord_narasimhadeva.htm Hope this helps a little.

Yes, Lady Subhadra and Arjuna were cousins. I guess it was a practice that was not as frowned upon as it is in today's society. Actually, even in the western world, all the way up through the early 20th, century marrying a cousin wasn't much of a big deal. Now that I think on it, Arjuna was technically Lord Indra's son with Kunti devi, so they were distant cousins at best.

Hare Krsna, You're right. I haven't heard much about Her pastimes either. The little I know is from the Mahabharat. After hearing of her beauty the pandava Arjuna fell in love with her, and after hearing of Arjuna's glories she also fell in love with him. When Arjuna was on a tirta-yatra he stayed in Dwarka for the rainy season. Krsna advised him to disguise himself as a sadhu. Arjuna was then placed under the care of Lady Subhara where their love for each other grew. At the end of the rainy season Lord Balaram was planning on arranging her marriage to Duryodhana? however on Lord Krsna's advice and help Arjuna decided to Kidnap her. While Lady Subhadra was leaving a temple Arjuna came to her in Krsna's own chariot and took her away. Lord Balaram was furious and set out to do battle with Arjuna. Lady Subhadra, herself, put on armor and took the reins of Arjuna's chariot. She is known to be well versed in the use of all weapons and expert at driving a chariot. Lord Krsna pacified Balaram and the Yadus all set out to Indraprasta to celebrate the wedding of Arjuna and Subhadra in style. Before the wedding, however, Arjuna was afraid that Draupadi would be angry so he told Lady Subhadra to dress as a cowherd girl and meet with Draupadi. Sri Draupadi was charmed by Lady Subhadra's sweet nature and teased Arjuna, saying she could completely understand how he had come under her spell, thus she gave Arjuna leave to marry the Lovely Lady Subhadra. Just a little nectar!

Hare Krsna, I'm posting this here for more exposure. I'm looking for the songs of the vaisnava acharyas written in the original sanskrit/bengali with translations if possible. I have a BBT copy with the roman transliteration but would like to see the original script. If anyone has info it would be greatly appreciated. thanks.

hare krsna, Kurma has great cook books! you can order them from him on www.kurma.net you can also get the books used on www.amazon.com. Each have international shipping. His newest book Vegetarian World Food has "continental" recipies as well as some indian dishes. Good luck. happy cooking!

Thanks! They look great!

If your looking for excellent recipies check out www.kurma.net. I can't tell you enough how awesome his recipies are!! He's got a good selection posted on his site as well as vegetarian and vegan recipie of the week. I also own all of his cookbooks: Cooking with Kurma, Great Vegetarian Dishes, Quick Vegetarian Dishes, and Vegetarian World Food. Every prep comes out wonderfully and tastes great. I've had nothing but successes with his cooking. He also has a blog and an ask questions section. He is very good about responding to emails (only a day or two). Here is a sample: Olde English Saffron Cake Tinted marigold yellow with saffron threads, this English bread was a favourite for tea in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries in Cornwall and the south-west of England. In the Victorian period, cooks called it “cake” rather than bread, but it was cooked as bread or buns. It is highly delicious with a prominent heady flavour from the saffron infusion. Note that this bread dries out quite quickly, so eat it fresh, although it can be toasted. The recipe calls for plaiting of the loaf rather than using a bread tin. Because of the loaf’s intricate shape and the fact that it is baked “free-standing”, be sure to use a strong bread flour. As far as plaiting is concerned, if you have ever plaited hair, you’ll get it first time. If not, try practising with three tightly rolled-up tea towels on the kitchen table. If you can’t get it, just make a solid loaf. It will still taste delicious. 2 teaspoons saffron thread, ground and soaked in a little hot water for 1 hour 1/3 cup boiling water ½ cup butter 4–4½ cups unbleached plain bread flour 1 teaspoon salt 1½ teaspoons dried yeast 1 tablespoon sugar 1 cup warm milk ¼ cup buttermilk 1 teaspoon nutmeg 1 teaspoon ground caraway seeds ½ teaspoon cinnamon powder ½ teaspoon mace powder 8 cloves, powdered 1 1/3 cups currants For the Glaze 3 tablespoons sugar 2 tablespoons water ¼ teaspoon lemon juice Combine the saffron, butter and boiling water. Set aside. Sift the flour and salt together in a large bowl. In another bowl, combine the warm milk, yeast and sugar. Set aside in a warm place for 10 minutes, or until the mixture is frothy. Combine the saffron mixture with the frothy yeast mixture. Add the buttermilk, nutmeg, caraway, mace and cloves powder. Whisk in 2 cups of flour and combine until very smooth. Gradually stir in enough of the remaining flour to make a soft dough. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 10 minutes, or until smooth and elastic. Shape the dough into a ball and set it aside, covered for 1½ hours, or until doubled in size. Punch down the dough, roll it on a lightly floured surface into a 10 inch circle. Sprinkle evenly with the currants, fold the edges towards the centre to form a ball, working the currants into the ball. Rest the dough for 10 minutes. Divide the mixture into thirds. Shape each third into a 14-inch rope. Place the ropes side by side on a large baking sheet. Beginning at one end, braid the dough, tightly interweaving the pieces without stretching them. Pinch the ends of the strands together, and tuck them under. Leave the loaf to rise again, covered with wax paper for one hour or until doubled in size. Heat the sugar and water together for the glaze in a small saucepan. Boil 1 minute, remove from the heat, and add the lemon juice. Pre-heat the oven to 210 C/410 F. Bake the bread in the centre of the oven for 10 minutes. Then reduce the heat to 195 C/ 385 F and bake for another 20 minutes, or until the bottom sounds hollow when tapped. Remove the bread from the baking sheet and place it on a wire rack. While the bread is hot, brush it all over with the sugar glaze. Cool and serve. HOpe this helps:)

Another great place to look is in the Srimad Bhagavatam. Specifically, 7th canto chapter 9: Prahlad pacifies Lord Nrsimha with prayers. Look online at http://vedabase.net/sb/7/en. Vedabase is a great source of info. You can click on each verse and get the complete sanskrit, word-for-word, translation, and purport. Not only bhagavatam, but the bhagavad Gita, Caitanya caritamrta, Nectar of Devotion and others. Hope this helps:)

Hare Krsna, When I got the deities I had a little instalation ceremony. It's just me so I made a nice little feast and did an arti ceremony. Very simple. The way I worship is the best I can do. I offer all foodsruffs, offer inscense daily, and chant. I only have two complete outfits right now so I only change clothes once a week. On Sundays. I'm working on putting together more outfits, but they take time to make. It's like I said earlier. I know I'm not a great deity worshiper, but I love my Gaura-Nitai and I do my best. It is a joy worshiping Them:)

Hare Krsna, Another thing to consider is, death is always accuring somewhere as is birth. Many many people are born and die on the same day throughout the world. I guess the significance would be as another post stated: if the person is near and dear to you.

Fasting til sunset:D

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Karna cursed by a brahmin to die when he was least prepared and in a helpless state? Karna had killed the brahmin's son thinking he was an animal. Krsna was ensuring the brahmin's words would come to be. Just think of his great fourtune. He died directly in the presence of the Lord, if we could all be so lucky!! Mare Krsna rake ke rake krsna mare ke. If krsna wants to kill you no one can save you and if Krsna wants to save you no one can kill you. All part of the Lords glorious pastimes!

According to the Vaisnava calender I have, break fast is at sunset.

Dear Guest, I know exactly how you feel. It is hard sometimes especially when you are alone. I am in the military at the moment and association is dificult to come by. I just try to do the best I can. I read Bhagavad Gita daily, I offer all my foodstuffs, I have pictures of Krsna in my home. These are all little reminders that there is more than just this material world. Recently, Their Lordships SRi Sri Nityananda and Gauracandra have blessed me by agreeing to live in my home. Having deities is a big help to me. I see Them everyday. I have a little altar set up for Them. With Them in my home I am much more aware of my actions. Is this behavior appropriate to do in front of the deities? I have become more conscious of my actions. Also in my work place there are no other vaisnavas. Everyone I work with thinks I am a little strange so there is no problems with me talking about Krsna consciouness with them. They know I am "into" things that are not mainstream so I can teach them about what my beliefs are. A great avenue for me, is cooking. We have potlucks and such. I will always make some prasadam for everyone to try; or if the is a feast day, such as the upcoming Rama Naumi, I will tell everyone I have a religious holiday and in my traditions we distribute prasadam. So I cook a little feast for everyone and explain the purpose behind it. Needless to say, it is a constant struggle. I always wish I was more regular and devout. I don't chant my japa rounds as much as I would like but I keep trying. I think that is a big help. Just keeping trucking along as best as you can. Krsna will help make things easier just keep trying. Isn't said if you take one step towards the Lord, He will take a thousand toward you?

I purchase some clothes from Krishna dot com. They are nice but quite large. I can sew fairly well so I am able to make outfits for Them. I prefer to make the clothing myself. I enjoy sewing for Their Lordships and the clothing is tailored to fit!

They are soo cute aren't They? I love them! Their forms are brass which I painted. What looks like chandan on Their faces is actually gold. The lighting in the pics isn't so great, sorry about that. They are 8 inches tall including bases. I got them trough krishna. com. Having Sri Gaura Nitai with me again is soo enlivening! I see Them first thing in the morning and last thing at night.

Here are the promised pictures. [ATTACH]1054[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]1055[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]1056[/ATTACH]

Hare krsna, I'm looking for Songs of the Vaisnava Acharyas written in sanskrit/bengali rather than roman transliteration, especially Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur's Gitavali. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Or if there is any accurate translation software. I could try to figure it out myself but I'm still learning and still make may errors and accuracy is a must. Thank you.

Dear Allen, I think it is very good that you are still interested in Krsna consciousness. Any small service and advancement adds up and is not lost. I understand from previous posts that you are still eating meat? This is definately a hinderance to your spiritual advancement. I think it would be good to try becoming a vegetarian again. If you think you can't go "cold turkey" try giving meat up for one whole day, then the next week give meat up for two days and so on until you are no longer eating meat. Also a big help is to have good vegetarian cook books. Check out Great Vegetarian Dishes, Quick Vegetarian Dishes, and Cooking With Kurma, all by Kurma Das. They are AWESOME books! Easy to follow recipies, dishes from around the world, and every one I have tried has been excellent. We, each of us, have issues with which we are struggling in our Krsna Consciousness. Have faith in Srila Prabhupada, have faith in Krsna, and try your best to serve them. Hare Krsna.