amanpeter

Anyone have any opinions on this?

No fair, gentlemen don't fight back! But I still like your jokes, Atma! ------------------ Radhe Radhe ALWAYS Radhe!

O.K. This is the only clean one I could think of. How do you change a woman's mind? Blow in her ear!

There is a devotee website on this subject: http://www.geocities.com/perister/index.html

TESTING TESTING...TESTING TOLERANCE...TESTING TESTING...

Jagat, I know what you mean about VNN.It was like no one was home.Hopefully they will change that when they reorganize. MC >> At least we'll have a choice...Peter ------------------ Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

What Should We Think About Or Meditate Upon While Chanting Hari-Nama? When we are chanting hari-nama, and at all times, we should be remembering how Srila Gurudeva is making our relationship with Sri Sri Radha Krsna. He does this in two forms, as sadhaka and siddha. caksu-dana dila jei, janma janme prabhu sei divya-jnana hrde prakasito prema-bhakti jaha hoite, avidya vinase jate vede gaya jahara carito "He gives me the gift of transcendental vision and enlightens my heart with divine knowledge. He is my master birth after birth. From him emanates prema-bhakti, divine loving devotion, by which ignorance is destroyed. The Vedic scriptures sing of his character." (From "Sri Guru-Carana-Padma" by Srila Narottama dasa Thakura) Who is teaching us in sadhaka form, here in this world, will also be teaching us in siddha form in Goloka Vrndavana. He is Sri Radhika's personal, confidential servant. So, because of our relationship with him we have a relationship with Sri Sri Radha Govinda. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is Sri Krsna Himself and has two types of lila. Vraja lila and Navadwipa lila. When He is playing with all the Vraja Gopis, He is tasting all rasa in His all attractive Syamasundara form. When He is in Navadwipa lila He is tasting Sri Radhika's great merciful rasa. This is Her vipralamba mood - the bhava of separation. He is always tasting this great rasa. And always he is rasa-raja-mahabhava. He is tasting devotional love, pure rasa. So, we should remember all these things and always be engaged in His service. Gaura lila is the topmost lila. When we will have separation mood then smaranam (remembering), sphurti (transcendental visions), avirbhava (the appearance of our transcendental form), will come. In this mood Sri Radhika is feeling Sri Krsna is going away. Sometimes She is remembering Him in this separation mood, suffering so very much. Like in the Spring season where there are blossoming flowers everywhere, a very nice seen, but Radhika is feeling very far away from Her beloved Sri Krsna, "He is not here! I am falling far away." Then She has a vision of Sri Krsna coming to her, talking to Her. She feels greatly, deeply humbled, weeps and speaks many beautiful verses. Sometimes She is fainting in Her deep mahabhava. The same is Mahaprabhu's mood. When we are chanting hari-nama we should pray in this mood and always remembering Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. We should remember what is said in Sri Caitanya Caritamrta and all the great books of the Goswamis. Gaura-Premanande! Tridandi Swami Bhaktivedanta Tirtha MaharajaH ------------------ Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

How about RASA without the gula? ------------------ Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Dear MC, Ramakrishna Mission has many books on Christ and vedanta you may be interested in. Their ultimate conclusion is, unfortunately, impersonal. The phone number for San Francisco is 415-922-2323. Dear Satyaraj, This forum has a spell checker you may find useful as sometimes your posts can be misinterpreted. There are other features there, also, like a theasaurus. Peter ------------------ Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare [This message has been edited by amanpeter (edited 05-18-2001).]

From Jagat (on another thread): ********************************************* HARIBOL Jagat prabhu! I wholeheartedly agree with the necessity of recognizing and appreciating the individuality and unique service of anyone and everyone helping maintain ISKCON temples. There must be a feeling of equality and recognition of oneness in devotional service (Sri Radha). There was an ugly incident in Toronto where a pujari showed contempt for a pot washer friend of mine who took after him with a kitchen implement, resulting in the police being called and the loss of one very important pot washer who had been quite content to tackle mountains of huge pots caked with burned on food (do harried cooks ever consider this?). It happened during Rathayayatra when the two were alone in the temple (everyone else enjoying at the island picnic) and both were of Indian descent. Not only did caste come into it, but also place of birth. Certainly there must be zero tolerance for such nonsense within Lord Caitanya's Sankirtan Movement. Unfortunately, in my view, diferential treatment of devotees was there right from the start since big book distributors were rewarded in many ways. Krsna is providing all that is needed. It is up to those in management and positions of authority to act wisely and always honour each and everyone profusely as well as encouraging if not demanding that individual devotees do likewise. Imagine if the gurus continuously repeated that our service to each other was actually the best service to them. Srila Prabhupada emphasized the need for co-operation, true, but he didn't say, like Lord Jesus, "What is done unto the LEAST of these you do unto me." Cliques and castes have no place here and will end up destroying the very essence that keeps us together and strong. As an ex-military officer, I know the importance of morale in the ranks. Every soldier has to feel of immense value to the mission and equal to everyone else, whatever their position or rank. Resentment of officers by enlisted men can be immediately removed by working hand-in-hand alongside each other when necessary. All for one and one for all. In my realization, that one is Srimati Radharani alone. My commission in the Canadian airforce came from the queen and it was never each other that we saluted, but always her. That is how I see the offering of obeisances to each other as vaisnavas. We must try to see HER in all and thus recognize everyone as at least potential vaisnavas. Devotion is present in everyone--we must become expert at dovetailing it smoothly and naturally, both in ourelves and others. Service is our basis and anyone assisting the pure devotee is to beconsidered a devotee by each and every other devotee, regardless. As one who has been around the movement for 30 odd (in every sense of the word...) years without ever becoming part of the heirarchy or even initiated, much was/is revealed to me, especially when working alongside `guests` who just like to help out. As you indicated, Jagat, not everyone is ready or, for whatever reason, capable of following all regulative principles, etc. etc. Still we must consider them devotees! For myself, I was always happier looking up to full-time devotees and assisting them in whatever way I was permitted. Whether or not I was acting like a devotee was not something I wanted to dwell on due to my prideful tendencies. Identifying me as a devotee, let alone an `advanced` one, always created problems whereas others truly appreciating my help, or even simply my personally caring, was most encouraging. The relationship between Radhika's maidservants and Herself, as well as with each other, is the most intimate possible. Secrets and emotions are shared. Physical services are really only incidental. I honestly believe that the bond between us all is so much deeper than most realize. I came to appreciate these things from Radha, within my heart of hearts. This is HER realm, not Krsna's. The importance of what we are to each other and how we interact with one another in our personal relationships cannot be overestimated. I pray that all of you prabhus will take this in the best possible way, as intended, and consider carefully and deeply not only what was said here, but where it's coming from and why. ------------------ Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

------------------ >>Unless, of course, you keep putting your FOOT in it... ------------------ Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

"Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness." ------------------ Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Ramakrishna Mission here has pictures of Lord Jesus, Lord Buddha, Sri Ramakrishna, and his mother (Holy Mother) on their altar. Perhaps Vivekananda as well, but I've forgotten. Only a few white people attend the services, though.

Do you have it or have you read it, prabhu? I hope you will remain open to personally investigating these things/persons when you visit India and reporting back to us here your honest assessment. I still regret allowing others to negatively influence me, thus wasting precious opportunities that will not come again. Believe it or not, your opinion means something to me. ------------------ Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Vraja chandrendriya grama vishrama vidhushalika Krishna sarvendriyonmadi radhety akshara yugmaka (Srila Raghunatha Dasa Goswami’s 108 names of Sri Radhikha 45) "Although Krishna is the pleasure giving like cooling moon for all the inhabitants of Vraja, still Srimati Radharani is the resting place for all of His senses which She completely maddens with the two syllables of Her name Radha.” Yaj japah sakrideva gokulapater akarshakas tat kshanad Yatra premavatam samasta purushartheshu sphuret tucchata Yan namankita mantra japana parah pritya svayam madhavah Shri krishno’pi tad adbhutam sphuratu me radheti varna-dvayam. (Sri Radha Rasa Sudhanidhi 95) "May the two strikingly wonderful syllables "Ra-dha”, that immediately attracts the Lord of Gokula (Krishna) when they are pronounced even once, that reveals the insignificance of all human pursuits (other than bhakti sadhana and prema) when there is love for Them, that are included in the mantra-formula repeated with great love by Lord Madhava (Vishnu) and even by Sri Krishna himself, appear in my heart !” Kalindi tata kunja mandira gato yogindravad yat pada Jyotir dhyana parah sada japati yam premashru purno harih Kenapy adbhutam ullasad rati rasanandena sammohitah Sa radheti sada hridi sphuratu me vidya para dvy akshara (Radha Rasa Sudhanidhi 96) "May the surprisingly fine, bliss giving, spiritually tasteful, endowed with the flavour of absolute transcendental shringara-love, wish fulfilling and charming two syllables of Radha’s name, which represent the highest supreme cognition and are muttered by Sri Hari (Krishna) who like a great yogi sits in a bower’s temple on the bank of the Yamuna, meditating on the effulgence of Shri Radha’s lotus feet with streaming tears of love, be always revealed in my heart ! Devanam atha bhakta mukta suhridam atyanta duram ca yat premananda rasam maha sukhakaram coccaritam prematah premnakarnayate japaty atha muda gayaty athalisv ayam jalpaty ashrumukho haris tad amritam radheti me jivanam (Radha Rasa Sudhanidhi 97) "The divine ambrosial transcendental name of Sri Radha, that remains difficult to utter by the demigods, the devotees in general, the liberated souls and Krishna’s friends, is even repeated and described with love by Hari (Krishna). He listens to this name of Radha being sung to him by the sakhis and also chants it congegationally with them in ecstasy. This name of Radha that consists of the greatest spiritual love, gusto and bliss, is my very life.” Radha namaiva karyam hy anudinam militam sadhanadhisa kotis Tyajya nirajya radha padakamala sudham sampumarthagra kotih Radha padabja lila bhuvi jayati sada’manda mandara kotih Sri radha kinkarinam luthati caranayor adbhuta siddhi kotih. (Radha Rasa Sudhanidhi 144) "If one can simply get into the habit of daily chanting only the holy name of Radha, millions of best spiritual practises (exept the different limbs of bhakti sadhana) will be naturally depreciated and given up. Millions of greatest human goals of life just worship the transcendental nectar of Sri Radha ‘s lotusfeet, and are thus of no interest for those worshipping Them. There are Millions of wishyielding trees in Sri Radha’s playground (Vraja) which is always decorated by Her foot marks, and millions of wonderful mystic perfections roll at the feet of Sri Radha’s manjaris, but are simply uncared for by them.” Anulikhyanantan api sad aparadhan madhupatir Maha premavistas tava parama deyam vimrisyati Tavaikam sri radhe grinata iha namamrita rasam Mahimnah kah simam sprisatu tava dasyaika manasam (Radha Rasa Sudhanidhi 155) "O Sri Radhe! Madhupati (Krishna) doesn’t take into consideration the innumerabile offenses committed to Saints by anyone who relished even once the sweetness of repeating your delicious holy name, but rather considers, overwhelmed with great ecstatic love, to bestow the highest gift of Your personal service to such a person. Then how can we ever think to understand the greatness of someone whose mind always dwells on Your service.” Jaya jaya radha nama vrindavana yara dhama Krishna sukha vilasera nidhi Heno radha guna gana na shunilo mora kana Vanchita korilo more vidhi (Prema Bhakti Chandrika 108) "Glory, glory to the holy name of Radha, that permanently dwells everywhere in Vrindavana, and that is the ocean of Krishna’s blissful transcendental pastimes. Due to my bad luck I didn’t hear the glorification of such a Radha.” ------------------ Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare [This message has been edited by amanpeter (edited 05-15-2001).]

Sripad Raghunatha das Gosvami's 'Stavavali": bhajami radham aravinda netram smarami radham madhura smitasyam vadami radham karunabharardram tato mamanyasti gatir na kapi "I worship lotus-eyed Radha, I remember Radha with Her sweet smile on Her countenance, I speak of Radha, who melts of compassion. Thus I have no other shelter."

Verse 75 of Sri Radharasa Sudhanidhi gaurange mradima smite madhurima netrancale draghima vakshoje garima tathaiva tanima madhye gatau mandima shroNyam ca prathima bhruvoh kutilima bimbadhare shoNima shri radhe hridi te rasena jadima dhyane'stu me gocarah "O Sri Radhe! May the softness of Your transcendental golden body, the sweetness of Your smile, the wideness of Your eyes, the abundance of your bosom, the slimness of Your waist, the lightness of your gait, the wideness of Your hips, the crookedness of Your eyebrows, the redness of Your cherry-lips and the numbness of Your heart saturated with aesthetic loving sentiments, be present in my meditation."

VNN forums have been off for some time, but are supposedly coming back on soon. It will be interesting to see if old battle scars remain or if all will be wiped clean. There is another devotee forum called dharma-mela you may enjoy: www.islandnet.com/krsna/homepage/istagosi/mela/mela.htm although it tends to get contentious, as well. My name there is valaya. ------------------ Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

From the "Book of Radha": 84) Single-Minded Devotion to the Mellows of Radha's Lotus Feet: Topics of material sense-gratification are useless indeed fearsome like millions of hellish tortures The hard labor of studying the statements of scripture is also a waste of time Horrors! I am terrified of impersonal liberation! And what is the use of going mad worshipping the Supreme Lord like Sukadeva and the others? Instead--may my mind deeply submerge in the liquid mellows of Radhika's lotus feet... 71) Sri Radha: The One and Only Chintamani for Her Bhaktas: ...On the border of the Vrindavan arbors... New love's experience causes fickle twitching of crooked eyebrows--the slightest quiver mesmerizing the Jewel of Vraja... Herself the one and only desire-fulfilling Jewel for Her faithful devotees Like a Jewel from which flows the nectar of highly condensed ecstatic mellows Her extremely brilliant effulgence flashing like millions of lightning-bright creepers arising --an indescribable Crest-Jewel amongst lovely maidens-- --enchantress of all the worlds 17) The Serving Mood of Sri Radha's Maidservants: ...Staying awake in the sportive blissful company of the Topmost Artistic Love-maker within the bower-house throughout the night... ...After nice bath, and fed nice breakfast of sweets... Radhe! When will you fall asleep with your feet gently fondled by my very hands? 56) A Manjari's Resolute Devotional Loyalty to Sri Radha: "This maidservant is the object of mercy for the Mistress of My Life..." --Thus thinking He kisses me, embraces me, makes me go wild by the honey-wine of intoxicating amorous love Behaving with a most astonishingly wonderful increase of specially attentive affection towards me --Yet still, Sri Radhe! My mind only remains absorbed in the amazing rasa-pastimes of Your lotus feet 82) The Great Souls Who Remain Incognito: Not marking their shoulders with conch-shell, disc, club and lotus Not wearing the wonderful tilaka mark upon their foreheads Not even decorating their necks with lovely strands of Tulasi beads --Due to the power of worshipping their guru-- Who are these highly intelligent souls in this world? ***By Sri Srila Prabodhananda Saraswati Goswami (trans. Dasaratha-suta dasa, Nectar Books) ------------------ Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Well, here goes nothing. Lord Caitanya is linked to Madhva's lineage to indicate support for his position against mayavadis. Actually He has taken elements from each of the four sampradayas. Although Mahaprabhu is distributing pure Krsna-prema in the mood of Srimati Radharani, who is way beyond religion, as Krsna He must establish the principles of religion somehow or other. Unfortunately most who worship God in awe and reverance were/are unable to accept Sri Caitanya as anything other than a sentimentalist without the `proper` background being established. After His disappearance Sahajiyism ran rampant so there was/is a need to establish legitimacy. Does this make any sense whatsoever to you, Shvu, or anyone else. Personally, credentials no longer concern me, though maybe they should. Trouble with establishing legitimacy is we end up with religious establishments each claiming sole legitimacy. My faith remains in His Divine Grace Herself out of sheer necessity.JAI SRI RADHE! ------------------ Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Dear Jijaji prabhu, I never realized you typed everything by hand! Just want to thank you for sharing so much here and at Dharma-mela. Peter ------------------ Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

From "Radha-Krsna Nectar", Nectar Books (trans. Dasaratha-suta das): Sri Visakha: Mother--Sudaksina. Father--Pavana. Husband--Vahika. Complexion--vidyut, like lightning. Cloth--taravali, clusters of stars. Grove--situated to the Northeast, named Visakanandada, is megha or raincloud-like; all things therein are colored of red, green, yellow and black. Service--Divine Couple's clothing and ornaments. Age--14/2/15, exact same age as Radha (born at the exact same moment). Mood--svadhina-bhartrka, heroine who dominates her beloved, taming him according to her whims. Temperament--adhika-madhya, moderately exalted. Favorite instrument--mrdanga. Favorite tune--raga saranga. Maidservant--Vilasa-manjari. 8 Girlfriends--Madhavi, Malati, Chandra-reka, Kunjari, Harini, Chapala, Surabhi, Subhanana. Special talents--since her father is very scholarly, she is similarly fully learned in many branches of knowledge; a wise counselor and diplomat in amorous affairs; expert at joking; formulates various methods of arranging the Divine Couple's meetings to facilitate Their tasting of different mellows; skillful in painting leaves and vines on bodily limbs, plus making various types of crowns with flower garlands, and also sewing colorful embroidery on clothes; most intelligent and adept of all the messengers; she also supervises the sakhis and dasis who produce and take care of clothing, as well as Vrinda Devi's maidservants who maintain the flowers, vines, and trees of Vrindavan. Identity in Gaura-lila--Ramananda Raya. Prayer: Whose complexion glows with the luster of a host of lightning-flashes Who wears charming cloth the graceful radiance of star-clusters O Sri Radhike! Whose charecteristics and qualities are similar to Your own Who is engaged in serving nice fragrances and sandalwood paste--I take shelter of Viasakha! ------------------ Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Cyber Babajis, Sai Baba--Say, now I get it! Thanks Satyaraj prabhu, for clearing up my raganonsense with your astute punditry!

How about a separate forum category accessible only by secret password (kind of like the `adult` section in a video store--not that I've ever been there), where protagonists could REALLY duke it out, no holds barred! Anyone complaining would lose his/her password privileges. Then the administrator could just say, "Go to your room!" and we actually COULD!

As so often happens, my post was misconstrued and tossed back in my face. Allow me to attempt clarification, though why I don't know. First, I do not aspire to be anything, in this or any world, other than Radhika's for which I am depending solely on Her grace (see previous post on another thread). Second, I meant one particular babaji appearing as the next guru/acharya in line within the parampara, also by Her grace. As for my appearing fallen, you'd have to see for yourself. The `illusion` is so close to perfect that it even fools me! ------------------ Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare