Sridas

The Miracle of Mahaprabhu by the Grace of Srila B.R. Sridhara Maharaj<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:" /><o:p></o:p> Gaura lila is not only in a part of history occurring once, it is not like that. At a certain time in the day of Brahma the creator, in every kali-yuga there comes the yuga-avatara to preach the Name only. Then once in the day of Brahma in the 28th yuga, there is a selected time in Nabadwip for Gauranga to approach, and when in Vrndavan it is Swayam Bhagavan, Krsna coming. So what comes to us if we can enter with that particular part of our self, that can really appreciate and understand its affinity with His play, that is eternal lila. If we can enter into that we will find that grace of such infinite value. To appreciate the value of the treasure being given we must try to understand the environment of everything by qualitative reference. The standard of examining things that is very important for us. Some will say, "Oh this is just another story, Gaura lila, history, by some chance came once. There are many who belittle Gaura lila and there are some who are highly appreciative of His advent. So many sections are there in the Name of the Lord. <o:p></o:p> Chaitanya Mahaprabhu thought the people in general may take him as an ordinary man so He thought I have come to deliver the fallen souls, if they commit offence to Me there is no chance.” So He decided to take the dress of sannyas. Which is highly respected in India.<o:p></o:p> “A glass of water is valuable according to the degree of necessity.” Necessity is greater in separation, where there is hunger for a thing. From 7 years up to 12 years Krsna stayed in Vrndavan. He stayed in Dwaraka up to 125 years of age, so their whole life the gopis were in long standing separation. So the opposition side in the Vrndavan lila was coming from Mathura.<o:p></o:p> In Gaur-lila and Krsna-lila there is a similar parallel, Krsna’s life is similar to Mahaprabhu leaving Nabadwip. Mahaprabhu returned after 5 years conquering different scholars, the masses approached Him, crossing the Ganges the whole river was filled with human heads. And the whole jungle was cleared where they pushed forward to receive His dharsan, trodden down with their feet. First, eighteen years of scholarly life, then six years of sankirttan, He spent six years touring south India, six years in Puri with the devotees publicly, then twelve years retiring from public, tasting the separation from Radha- Krsna. <o:p></o:p> Eternal <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com<st1:place>Sunrise</st1:place></st1:City> <o:p></o:p> The sankirttan movement of Caitanya Mahaprabhu performed here over 500 years ago is still flowing and it may be possible to find somewhere in a corner of the solar system. That eternal sound is still flowing there with His figure and all His paraphernalia, the cause of all causes. This flow of vision that came here 500 years ago is also emanating, moving away. So with adjustment, greater speed, we can follow, we can find that Gaura-Nitya lila. Generally we cannot understand how the lila is nitya. <o:p></o:p> From this standpoint we can see the lila to be eternal. Just as the earth is moving everywhere there is morning. Here the sun is rising, then a mile off perhaps one minute after, the sun is still rising in another place, in this way the sun is always rising. If it were possible to catch a supersonic jet we could live in the constant rising of the sun, transforming our relative concept of the sun and time. So all the morning, <st1:time Minute="0" Hour="12">noon</st1:time> afternoon and evening, the sun is still rising here or somewhere else, so lila is also like that. It is coming here and passing away. That bhajan lila, finished here but in yet another place is beginning, and was previously extended from another quarter, simultaneously it is never ending in the Absolute sense. So everywhere, somewhere or other, every lila is eternally unfolding. Some are meditating on Krsna being born in <st1:City><st1:place>Mathura</st1:place></st1:City>, another devotee is worshipping Krsna with His mates keeping the cows in the jungle while others also have their relationships with Him in so many moods of devotion. If such thinking is possible in the heart of the devotee, it is all Krsna’s potency to reciprocate with all of his devotees eternally. So He is there in every moment at the centre of every atom, ever existent. His lila is of such infinite nature, He can express Himself everywhere in every mood in every possible aspect. It cannot be finalised, it cannot come under limitation. That is the characteristic of the infinite. Not only Krsna lila is nectar, but every part of Krsna lila is nectar. <o:p></o:p> The fundamental conception of the infinite is such, it is not static it is dynamic. It is flowing and time and space cannot limit it. We are under time and space, but time and space all come from Him. He is above time and space and forms everything in this way. So Krsna lila is eternally flowing not only wholesale, but every part of His lila also. That is difficult to understand,. His pastimes are eternal, we may understand it in that way. But every part of lila that is also eternal and co-existing. Janma lila here, another lila there, in this way everywhere at every time, every one can have conception of any part. So we are given to understand the unlimited in our limited position by the grace of those agents of divinity, it is very peculiar. Adhoksaja means transcendental and aprakrta is very similar to the mundane but not mundane. Very similar to the material conception of the world, but still that is eternal. Adhoksaja means a particular type of consciousness which pushes down all the knowledge of our previous experience, quite a new thing, transcendental, it’s super-subjective. <o:p></o:p> Out of His sweet will He can enter your consciousness and you may feel, "Oh some new experience I am having within my consciousness and when He withdraws it, "Oh where did that go? I cannot find it, but I liked it very much, it was very sweet and made me exceptionally happy." That is adhoksaja. It is Absolute good. Coming in His connection nothing can remain atheist. <o:p></o:p>

As i understand the nature of Krsnas' Consciousness is dynamic Everything he does is nitya lila. Just as we may not like repeating things mechanicly, so He too would no doubt be the most spontaneously present in each moment of eternal time, ever fresh and ever new. That pastime delivering Bhagavad gita could obviously only be spoken, couched in the setting relevant to the Kuruksetra environment. Krsna isn't a parrot, if He wanted too, He could speak the Gita backwards or sideways. He can sing it in a thousand dialects with a thousand variations if He chooses to, but the point is how much capacity does the receiver have to catch and digest what was being given? What to speak of the traumatic predicament Arjuna found himself in and then actually living thru it all in the next instant, violently losing relatives, friends, teachers. With mountains of mutilated flesh and rivers of blood all around. I think there would be an instant trigger in the mind to shut down all that just transpired afterwards Just the thought would be enough to send anyone over the edge. Maybe this is where trauma counciling originated. I tend to like the 'Uddhava Gita' myself but it doesn't apply to this mad world of duality as much as 'Bhagavad gita', because it seems man continually repeats his folly of solving his differences thru violent means and seems more excited by controversy and the warriors ways, rather than peaceful coexistence. Personally i'd love to hear another gita from the Lord applicable to the present time and circumstance. Not that the Bg Gita isn't. It'd be interesting how and where He'd deliver it.

Take some photo of your sri vigraha and worship them from where ever you are, after all they are omnipresent. Don't worry they are full of understanding. Failing that you could always take them with you like Vamsi das babaji, of course there aren't too many of his calibre these days or any days for that matter.

The Servant of the Servant. It always come back to this <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:" /><o:p> </o:p> Service is the all important essence of real spiritual life, service, service, and more service, with no aspiration for position or power. Service without position. Naham vipro na ca narapatir napi vaisyo na sudro<o:p></o:p> naham varni na ca grhapatir no vanastho yatir va<o:p></o:p> kintu prodyan-nikhila-paramananda-purnamrtabdher-<o:p></o:p> gopibhartuh pada-kamalayor-dasa-dasnudasah <o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> A sannyasi, a jaminda, an erudite scholar, none of these worldly positions have any value there, but sacrifice is all in all. And that extreme is fully found in the example of the gopis. At the rajasurya yagna, Krsna told the pandavas, “When this yagna is finished, this bell will ring of its own accord, then when the bell rings automatically all will be satisfied that the sacrifice was perfectly performed.” Then Bhima asked Krsna, “If the bell isn’t ringing then what does that mean?” Krsna told him, “Then one thing is still incomplete, and that is vaishnava seva has not been done as yet.” “Even though You Yourself are taking food here, then who is he, and where is he to be found, this vaisnava?” Then Krsna suggested, “He is in the outskirts of the town in a small cottage, and he is of the lower caste.” So they went out and found him and took him to the sacrifice. Draupadi cooked for the sacrifice, as she was an expert cook, but when she saw this guest eating she couldn’t understand how the bell was still not ringing. One would think the bell would ring automatically. Then Krsna again told, “If the bell won’t ring there must be some defect in your attempts, something is still wrong. There must be some offense committed against the vaishnava.” They all wondered who has undermined him. Then Draupadi admitted, “It is I who has committed some offense, I was thinking I am a good cook I’ve prepared so many preparations perfectly and this man just mixed them all together, and I was fuming, thinking he comes from a lower family. He does not know how to appreciate this higher cooking. He cannot appreciate the higher culture. So all my attempts have been in vain, but so much attention I gave, I cooked so many curries in many beautiful ways, but he has just jumbled them all together.” Then Krsna told, “So this is the cause, now again you must go and fetch him, there is no other alternative, but to find him and satisfy him.” So they once more brought him to the assembly and all with folded hands were showing their reverential attitude of respect towards him awaiting for him to take his meal. At that time the bell began to ring automatically. So a vaishnava does not identify with any charming position of this world. Naham vipro na ca narapatir nanpi vaisyo na sudru. <o:p></o:p> Neither a brahman, a merchant, nor a sudra or sannyasi etc. but what is our positive position. Gopibhartuh pada kamalayor dasa-dasanudasah Our highest aspiration is to become a servant of the servant of that Gopinath, the Lord of the cowherd girls, the gopis worship, that is service to a particular standard and that is the highest of all surrender and dedication known to this world of experience. And my aspiration should always be concentrated in that direction, avoiding all other distractions and temptations for the different positions in life. No position do I want, only the servant of the servant in this particular camp where dedication is so high and noble. I only want to be a particle of their feet dust, as Uddhava told, “Let me be a blade of grass so naturally their feet dust will come to my head.” That is our beck and call from the inner world of charm and beauty. Then leaving aside all temptation offered to us from the different agents that will come automatically to divert, to examine, and to taste our validity, our chastity. So our aim should be focused one pointedly on that finest service of sacrificial love. As was told of Arjuna, when they finished training, Dronacharya put an artificial bird on the top of a tree, and then asked the different disciples, “please mark the eye of the bird,” then starting with Yuddhistir when each was asked, “What do you see?” “I see everything, the whole bird, tree, eye, everything.” But when Arjuna was asked, he replied, “I can only see the eye.” “Yes this is the correct attention, now shoot the arrow.” So our attention towards our goal will be of such standard, of that accuracy only. Centrally focused on the eye. All else outside is eliminated. This is Mahaprabhu’s direction from His own mouth from Chaitanya Caritamrta 13.80. Padyavali 63. Sudhir Goswami: The higher vaishnava can vibrate suddha-nama. When you quote Jagadananda Pandit saying, namaksara bahiraya bate nama kabhu naya. If only a pure devotee can praise the Name properly where is the value of chanting Krsna nama for a neophyte devotee. Srila Sridara Maharaj: Atah sri krsna namadi na bhaved grahyam indriyaih<o:p></o:p> sevon mukha hi jihvadau svayam eva sphuratyadah<o:p></o:p> We may take the Name for many ulterior purposes, there may well be dacoits -thieves who take the Name for their successful operation. Then there are those kamakandis who may take the Name for money, health, prestige etc. The Names of God may be exploited for various false goals but that will never be the Name proper. We cannot engage the supreme to serve our lower purpose. We will think we are using Him in our service, but He does not care to come to that level. So the pure Name is there when the relationship is proper, He is the master and we are the servant. And that is permanent, not temporary. He is our permanent Lord. With this idea when we take the Holy Name we will come into connection with reality, otherwise we are in the fictitious world. So the Name, Form and Pastimes, all concerning Krsna, are not within the purview of our senses. The physical tongue cannot pronounce Krsna properly, only the physical words we may produce on the physical tongue, but Krsna may not be there, He is only there in the spiritual connection. And this means wherever there is the serving attitude. In the domain of renunciation or material enjoyment, Krsna will not come. Sevon mukha etc. The connection with the original will only be there in the mood of service otherwise it is imitation. The service attitude takes us into connection with the higher substance and He, when pleased by my attitude, will come down into this material realm and dance on the tongue of his loving servant. He comes to me through the soul, then the mind, then the physical plane of the tongue, then dances and sings activated by His inspiration, then it is Krsna Nama. So sadhu is he who has no other aspiration but the seva of Krsna, Divine service. So it might all be imitation but no presence of Krsna in reality. This is the main thing in the presentation of the Gaudiya Mission’s teachings. The sahajiya conception is external, it isn’t real. To be real we must have this service connection then the pleasure of the higher substance will be ours. We cannot go up to Him but He can descend to us. He is not within the jurisdiction of our subjective attitude. But He will take the initiative and satisfied by our serving attitude He will come to us. The jiva soul is very fine compared with worldly matter, but compared to paramatma and Bhagavan we are very gross. But the gross cannot connect with the subtle. He voluntarily comes to contact us then we can have Him, otherwise by our ascending attempt we cannot go to Him, but we can feel He has come to capture us and we are an instrument, a player in His hands. I am a player by His sweet will. He can make me dance any way He likes, all initiative is flowing from the higher realm. So we must surrender and show submissiveness to draw His attention to our plight. “Please come in my heart to my level and touch me, give me your sweet company.” Through the negative attraction, the positive decision will be taken by Him then there will be connection between the soul and the supersoul. Aslisya va pada-ratam pinastu mam adarsanam mama-hatam karotu va<o:p></o:p> He may care for me or not care, ignore me totally, or embrace me it is His sweet will. All I can do is try to draw his attention towards me as a poor insignificant soul. Otherwise it will always be imitation. If I am thinking I have His connection all is hypocrisy. All may just be a hypocritical display to show the others, a false play for the lower section. Anyone who has a real connection is feeling my cry is not sufficient to attract Him. I haveno qualification, that is their nature. It is peculiar but still that attitude has Krsna, that will be the sign. The real devotee may feel his chanting is offensive but still Krsna’s presence is there within Him. Na prema-gandho sti darapi me harau<o:p></o:p> kandami saubhagya-bharam prakasitam<o:p></o:p> Whatever I am showing to the world, that is a mere show, otherwise if I had His connection by separation, I could not live at all None can live without Him, it is impossible to live without Him, so charming, so attractive. So in fact a devotee doesn’t say he is a devotee. By consultation of the scriptures and other devotees we have to find who has sincere attachment and devotion for the Lord. When the first connection will come in the heart of a devotee, those symptoms will appear that I have nothing I am nowhere. The mind and intelligence and other tendances, are looting what is due to devotion. Devotion is not getting its proper nourishment, its proper food. That is the dilemma of the baddha-jiva. Anyhow with the help of the scriptures and the living saints we have to improve our condition.Where there is mind and will there is a way. If we have a liking for that life, for that property within us. Ruchi, taste, that is the first thing, and sincerely we want to have that taste. We must sincerely want that thing first, then there will be a way out, and we must get it through our innermost hankering. Our hunger is to be increased, disease means no hunger. By the help of healthy people we have to live in such a way that the hunger may be increased in me, and the food will all be adjusted. Proper food and diet will help the lost health. On the whole we have to move in that way, we feel within if our health is being acquired or not. We should always remain vigilantly awake to our internal interest, monitoring our improvement or decay. The real nature is sacrifice, and dedication, learn to give yourself for the noble cause. Dedication is nobility, and that outer, so-called science, mukti karma-gnana etc will all try to misguide us. Slothfulness, idleness that is also a great enemy. Try to live in the energizing world. Idleness is slackness, not earnestness, trying to waylay our devotional activity. We should be careful about anti-bhakti, that we may not play with such company. Sometimes even in the higher stage practical activity may not nesacarily connect us. Not just any connection with the Absolute will get us out of this world. Kamsa and Sisupala are also connected with Krsna lila but they are still in the opposition party. That is not desirable company for the suddha bhakta. For they don’t wish to be arranged amongst the enemies of Krsna lila, that may also be connected in an indirect way with Krsna’s pastimes. This jealousy, we find Sisupala wanted to marry Rukmini, this is also connected in an unfavorable way, so we should aspire after a favorable serving connection.

Just think i could be rounding up cows instead of pulling the wool over ma fellow jivas eyes.

I once knew a self appointed newage type guru who had this saying over the entrance of his front door." Be still and know that I am God." But you can guess what his interpretation of it was. Sweet-hearts we like ....sweet-brains.... not so sure. I'll have to think about it. The use of silence can be more effective, than the misuse of sound.

Pends what dialect y' vibrate. this language thing can be o so rasa-bhasa...ish these days probably da kine but in the hood a' lalaland its that little ring a light sittin' pretty ova ya grateful dead. Of coarse another language might be a relief to the confusion of tongues that parades as vaisnava katha in this forum at times. It doesn't seem to matter what is said. Someone will stamp their ahankar mutation on it:crazy2: Thanks for the other lead Babe Ruth, How's your family these days? And who is this Agnideva anyway?

With gratitude prabhu.

The pranams sung in this video 'Prabhupada Padma Stavakam' to start with are written by Srila Sridhara Maharaj in praise of Srila Bhaktisidanta Saraswati Prahupad, not to Srila A.C.Baktivedanta Prabhupad. Don't know if they have their wires crossed. They chant this beautiful prayer thruout the Gaudiya maths, but i wasn't aware elsewhere. I was wondering if anyone knows where this recording might be found or purchased?

It's true the ocean can be a very therapeutic place to bathe, recommended in shastra, very exhilarating if you combine that with surfing, it can keep one very much in the pink of physical condition. In my younger devotional daze I surfed all around India including Jagganath Puri where I lived at Haridas's Samadhi on the beach. Where now stands a modern beach villa. I can relate to the saying 'Life's a Beeeach'. I would hit the waves after chanting japa every morning, occasionally in brahma muhurta hour, kirtan in the background, only surfer for thousands of miles, there was the occasional nice beach break, but it was that extra special feeling of surfing in that Holy of holy places, the presence of Mahaprabhu is everywhere in Puri but especially in the ocean. Then one day I had a similar experience to Mahaksa I was out in quite a large swell all alone and a large shark surfaced beside me, scaring the crap out of me, and i had to paddle thru an 8ft break to get in. The local fishermen who are also the lifeguards, told me that the sharks there were passive. They have been surfing standing up on their hand carved boats there for many centuries. Lucky there wasn't an Iskcon temple there or i would have been banned from participation with my devious mayic pastimes. I understand what Prabhupad was saying tho, as surfing does become an obsession, and most surfers think of little else, but unlike many other sports it does connect you to an energy of nature that only a surfer can understand, and offers a no-hassle zone in a stessed out psychotic world. Unfortuneately these days everyone dumps there psychosis in the waves on there fellow surfers in the form of wave rage. Alas the first waves of any new movement have much to be thankful for. So y' not goin' t' have a shot at Teahapuu huh? I would luv to watch it on a big day. Did you ever see that sequence there of the jetskier that droped in thru the roof on a guy right in the slot, jus missing his head?

Srila Sridara Maharaj would often say, "Our world is in the mind" And as Krsna has stated, "The mind can be our best friend... or worst enemy" And also "A man or woman are known by their ideal" Krsna has been supplying tangible faith to the theist and doubt to the athiest since time immemorial, or as He states... rememberance and forgetfulness. Obviously many so-called visions are no more than halucinations, the Lord no doubt knows each and every heart, and their verying degrees of sincerity, and we are told He will make himself known to us accordingly.We can also see He is attracted by guru-vaisnava seva, this is the key. Even a demon may see God but they don't want to serve God or his devotee, because that means sacrifice. I have found many of the greatest devotees are simply focussed on their seva and this is where the mystic transmission takes place. Many priceless gifts are bestowed on the servitor in the form of everincreasing hunger for more bhakti, realizations and revelations that relieve doubt, frustration, dissapointment, depression, fear, anxiety etc. Tangibly developing those pious qualities that automaticly connects us to real life, surrounding ones life with auspiciousness, in the form of favourable company that helps perpetuate firmer conviction in divinities Grace, giving deeper appreciation of the unlimited mercy and justice of the absolute that can be traced everywhere. This is seeing God, not nessacarily Swayam Bhagavan and his three folded bending form of charm and beauty, but by the grace of transcendental knowledge coming from the testaments of His inumerable surrendered saints, who help to reveal His presence everywhere, in each and every atom. If he wants to reveal more that is His sole Right. His full dharsan would probably melt us on the spot. I find it arrogant of people like Richard Dawkins to try to disabuse people of the notion of God so vehemently like he's doing the world a favor. In that sense, he is blind, and a fool, but unfortunately, his worldview in the end seems to be true True for him and perhaps those who are vulnerable to accept his reality. As Theist has pointed out, it is a subjective experience, try reading Srila Sridhar Maharaj's Subjective Evolution of Consciousness and see what that leaves you feeling, as to what or rather who is the Truth. Of course it also depends on our capacity to catch the Truth when He is given, one utterance of Krsna from a God realized soul can reveal God in an instant if we are receptive. Dawkins conception is devoid of satisfactory fullfilment, it is not our reality for it has no anandam when filed in our consciousness beside this Krsna conception. If it leaves you empty and depressed it may be because it is empty. I'd say this is also why Mahaprabhu warns us not to entertain the impersonalist doctrines. Don't give reception to them if they arn't fullfiling. As SSM has told; Only He knows what is the purpose of every atom, every atom has got its utility and He is the only one who knows that purpose and He sees the divine luminous form of all. He is conscious of the purpose of all existence and He is independent, not responsible to explain to anyone. Every atom’s purpose in life is to satisfy him, this is Hegel’s theory. Reality by Himself and for Himself “Every wave and every movement is to fulfill My purpose, you are also Mine, belonging to me wholesale, but now you have put yourself in such a position that you have to search for me.” <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:" /><o:p></o:p> Sometimes a man, a beast, tree, bird, creeper, the external understanding is according to the person who is relating to the object, the estimation is different according to the seer, the vision of the seer, the world is in the mind. The classification will be different according to the estimation of the reader how refined their vision may be. Like when Krsna entered the arena of Kamsa. <o:p></o:p> mallanam-asa-nirnrnam naravarh srina<o:p></o:p> smaro murtiman .<o:p></o:p> gopanam svajano satamksiti-bhujam santa svapriroh sisuh<o:p></o:p> mrtyur-bhoja-pater-virada-vidusam tattvam param yoginam<o:p></o:p> vrisninam paradevitetividito rangam gatah sagrajah <o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> According to their vision, everyone saw him with a different estimation, he was viewed according to the respective mentality of every spectator. The people saw him as a divine super human being, while the ladies saw him as the Lord of love and the cowherds as their kinsman while Kamsa saw him as death personified. Relative and Absolute. And the vast majority of the atheists in this world won't ever get to see him at all unless they come into contact with devotees then through His Name He starts to make Himself known. This is a collage that just sorta' came thru me last night while i was designing a bhakti yoga poster for some godrothers. It is interesting the jiva down below is perplexed Who am I? What is the purpose and goal of life, where am i going? etc. And the lady is the higher swarup shedding light through worship (arotik) on the way to go. I thought it may just be relevant to this thread. All these blue images came together, so i stitched em into a collage. After about 3 hours the process really transported me somewhere else and then my designing program crashed and it felt like i was going to too. I thought it had all dissapeared only to find it was recovered so I thought I'd share it. <o:p>Click on thumb to enlarge</o:p>

The Love of Prahlad turns Him into a purrrring pussycat and the touch of his nails a therapeutic massage! HK found out what tamasic was. The supreme chiropractor adjusting those grumbly bits in a bad attitude. What's the moral of the story? Don't ever mistreat My loved ones. Photo of relief at Angor or wat?

Kulapavana Prabhu, dandavats, Do tell, what is the lesson you are learning? Don't leave us guessing.

It is true, it's a broad statement tarring all South Indian priests with the same brush, I think what our guest is saying is that if that precedent is set throughout the south it tends to be implemented everywhere with time, plus it may also effect other movements that don't espouse those values and that this isn't Srila Prabhupad's wish or instruction for his disciples and temples. Many priests these days like in the west are merely ritualistic wedding celebrants, giving licence for legalized dacoitry. There are no doubt many very pukka southern brahmins who keep a high standard of worship up. But with the influx of material wealth anywhere, even the most advanced devotees need to remain vigilant to their standard of sadhana otherwise they become vulnerable to corruption. When Srila Prabhupad left this world he hoped his disciples would aspire to the highest standards of purity and surrender possible so that he might see them all in the spiritual world, not to immerse themselves in the very thing that he preached against. Also I have found that the goal of Sri Laxmi- Narayan in Vaikuntha is more prominent in the South, than the conception of Sri Sri Gauranga-Radha-Krishna worship which is Sri Sad Goswami and Sri Asta sakhi seva, as introduced in our Gaudiya sampradaya by Srila Bhaktisiddanta Saraswati Thakur, which advocates a simple life like that of the Braja gopis or more recently the six Goswamis of Vrndavan, a life of non-attachment to wealth and opulence in the mood of awe and reverence. Whereas the Gaudiya teachings of Srila Saraswati Thakur are designed to cultivate complete surrender to Krsna if followed. Granted it isn't as easy for a Krsna devotee in this material world, but they are more than compensated with the inner wealth that a life of devotional service delivers. Even the Goddess of fortune Srimati Laxmi devi wants what a simple Krsna bhakta has in their heart. Real devotees are internal, living in residences of jewells in chintamani dham, and yet they have no desire for touchstones that can produce mountains of gold. This is 'the higher taste' Prabhupad wanted us savour. The adornments of the soul laden with Radha Krsna prema. And although Srila Prabhupad may well have the blessings and support of Laxmi Narayan to spread his mission it should'nt be confused that this sort of lifestyle is the goal or architype of his mission. The Goswamis lived happily in their simple bhajan khutirs, songs of praise their treasure and all material wealth that came to them was invested in establishing beautiful places of worship for their Lordships, for the devotees and for the public to get some incentive to go back home to godhead. I might add also that there is nothing wrong with external opulent devotional lifestyles if that is what a devotee thinks will attract others towards a progressive spiritual evolution, no problem. But that message shouldn't be mixed in the acharyas mission or temples to make out this is Srila Prabhupads desire or example, it wasn't. No one is the loser for following SP's program. Only by following will real opulence increase ad infinitum.

No worries it's just 'ole timers block' We were just never meant for this techno logical world Leave it to the young guns, see if they can do any better It's just so much easier to chant and be happy Still we're never satisfied and have a fascination for the techno wizardry Do we think we're missing something Not really, Krsna consciousness is self satisfying Strange how this world changes

Jagganath Misra prabhu, Ditto on your very lucid assesment, very much to the point! Wages for sages put sages in gold cages for ages Depend i.e.have faith in God and the devotees... you won't starve If you are doing nice seva will you be thrown out on the street Besides that the street is where Prabhupads sankirtan movement connects with the people. Was it not part of the motivating force when Srila Prabhupad arrived in America to preach with a very few bucks in his lungi or kirta wherever he put it. With total dependence on Krsna he prayed, I don't know what you have sent me here for, but if it is your wish to help these people in the land of materialism, impersonalism and voidism then please utilize me in your service. It is the sacrificial mood of our role models the Goswamis that cultivates faith that the Lord will not forsake us. He will protect us. If he is providing for zillions of living entities then will he neglect the needs of His surrendered servitors? There may be times when we strip down a little obesity but that will also be His mercy. God love the hungry too. How many temple presidents on the order of their Guru are prepared to go to a foreign country and start a new temple from scratch, what to speak of a whole movement. not that we can imitate, nor clone Srila Prabhupads DNA. But it is the substance of the mood of his faith and dedication that has built this empire of bhakti.... that ain't buckti. Srila Prabhupad was always impressed with the simple and austere attitude of St Francis of Assisi. A far cry from the the Vati-con or the Bis-con. I have seen temple leaders with 35,000 Rs. cell phones. Where does that money come from? They collect it in the name of spiritual activity and then divide it as salaries. As Jahnava Nitai Prabhu has touched on, this is the corruption of grace to disgrace. It will errode the foundations of any spiritual movement. When the layman give their donations to what they believe is a good cause and it goes cent per cent to that which the collectors said it would then that will become sukriti and a subliminal feeling of trust will encourage more charitable contribution. This is Krsna's system....give and get. Maybe they'll donate a temple next and move in to become a devotee to boot. But will people donate to a bramhachari on the street who is advertising it all goes to our seniors super-annuation fund, their childrens college education, wifes new sari and jewellry, or their high octane health program, their trips to that exotic land of India, maybe a brief sojourn in a villa on the way to de-stress, or perhaps I need a ghee and oil change at the latest Auryavedic health spa down in South India so I can stay at the top edge of m' devotional service. Whatsmore how long can the bramhachari continue to sustain their fired up sincerity, before they sneak out the back door or conclude the TP has reached the goal of life, i.e being served with the best of everything from the congregation. Of course if you are really serious just arrange for a condo outside the temple so's no one will cast any aspertions upon you. Don't get me wrong, I've got nothing against yukta vairagya if it truly gets dovetailed to the centre, by all means if you have the adhikhara of a Sri Pundarika Vidyanidhi or Sri Ramananda Raya go for it, but just make sure y' got it.

Here is the unique conception of Gayatri as revealed by His divine grace Srila B.R. Sridhara Maharaj for those who have'ntread for those who have another reading is always everfresh. by "The gayatri mantra will excite us to be mindful about Srimati Radharani's lotus feet, to obey her orders." "Radha-dasyam, the service of Srimati Radharani, is the ultimate meaning to be extracted from the gayatri mantra." The Mantra om bhur bhuva sva tat savitur varenyam bhargo devasya dhimahi dhiyo yo na pracodayat om om - the seed mantra which contains everything within it; bhur - the physical world; bhuva - the mental world; sva - the intellectual world; tat - that, the three planes of experience; savituh - the soul; varenyam - worshipable, venerable; bhargo - the supersubjective area, the svarupa-sakti; devasya - who is beautiful and playful, Krsna, Reality the Beautiful; dhimahi - come meditate; dhiyah - of meditation, of service; yo - who; na - us; pracodayat - enthuses our capacity; Translation "Above the three planes of mundane experience, bhu, bhuvah, svah is the soul, savitur, who shows us everything just like the sun. Above the soul is the supersubjective plane which is varenyam, most venerated and worshipable. That worshipable plane of existence is called bhargo, brilliant and illuminating. The supersubjective area, bhargo, is the plane known as the svarupa-sakti which is the internal pleasure potency of deva, Krishna, Reality the Beautiful. That bhargo is His own divine potency Srimati Radharani. Let us meditate upon the lotus feet of Srimati Radharani, whose extended self and essential nature, mahabhava, is the svarupa-sakti, and who enthuses our capacity of devotional service. Let us surrender unto Her divine service." Introduction The meaning of the brahma gayatri must bring us to the conclusion of Srimad-Bhagavatam. The gayatri mantra and the Srimad-Bhagavatam are one and the same. It is the very gist of the Vedanta-sutra. Srimad-Bhagavatam is the elaborate commentary of gayatri: artho 'yam brahma-sutranam bharatartha-vinirnay gayatri-bhasya-rupo 'sau vedartha-parivrmhita "The meaning of the Vedanta-sutra is present in Srimad-Bhagavatam. The full purport of the Mahabharata is also there. The commentary of the brahma-gayatri is also there and fully expanded with all Vedic knowledge." ( Garuda Purana ) The meaning of the gayatri mantra must be in the line of Srimad-Bhagavatam. If we analyze how this is possible, we shall uncover the steps leading the gayatri mantra, to the Srimad-Bhagavatam. What is the meaning of gayatri ? The word gayatri is a combination of two Sanskrit words: ganat (what is sung) and trayate (gives deliverance). This means, "A kind of song by which we can get our salvation, relief, emancipation. Gayatri is known as veda-mata, the mother of the Veda. If we examine the Vedic conclusion from it's most condensed aphorism to its most extensive expression, we shall find that it begins with omkara : the Vedic symbol OM. That truth is expressed as the gayatri mantra, then it appears in the form of the Vedas, and then as the Vedanta-sutra. Finally, the Vedic conclusion is given its fullest expression in the Srimad-Bhagavatam. Since the meaning, the purpose of Vedic knowledge progresses in this line, the gayatri mantra must contain within it the meaning of Srimad-Bhagavatam ---that is, that the Krsna conception of Godhead is the highest. This must be the meaning of the gayatri mantra, but the problem is how to extract Srimad-Bhagavatam-----the Krsna conception------ from within the womb of gayatri. I heard that Jiva Goswami has given such an interpretation, but I could not find where it is written. I heard that he has given the meaning of gayatri leading to Krsna consciousness. Anyhow, the tendency awakened in me to draw the meaning to the Krsna conception. The general meaning of gayatri is "that song which grants liberation." Liberation must have some positive meaning. Liberation means not freedom from the negative side, but positive attainment. This is the definition given in Srimad-Bhagavatam : muktir hitvanyatha rupam svarupena--- unless and until we attain the highest possible positive position, real mukti, real salvation, has not been effected. Mere withdrawal from the negative plane cannot be called liberation. Hegal has said that the object of our life is self-determination. We must determine our normal function in the organic whole---not mere emancipation in a positive function in the domain of service. This is considered to be the highest attainment of life. This is the real meaning of gayatri. The word gayatri comes from two Sanskrit roots: ganat and trayate. Trayate means positive attainment to the final stage (sva-rupena vyavashitih ). And ganat means not mere sound, but musical sound. That musical sound which grants us the highest positive deliverance indicates the sankirtana of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and the flute song of Sri Krsna. Brahma-Gayatri-Bhasya bhvades-tat savitur-vavarenya-vihitam ksetrajna-sevaya-arthakam bhargo vai vrsabhanuja-atma-vibhava-eka-aradhana sri-puram bhargo jyotir-acintya-lilana-sudha-eka-aradhana-sri-puram bhargo dhama-taraga-khelana-sudha-eka-aradhana-sri-puram bhargo dhama-sada nirasta kuhakam prajnana lila-puram devasya-amrta-rupa-lila-rasa-dheraradha-dhi-prerina devasya-amrta-rupa-lila-purusasyaradha-dhi-preyasina devasya dyutisundara-eka-purusasyaradhaya-dhi-preyasina gayatri-muralisÝa-kirtana-dhanam radhapadam dhimahi gayatri-gaditam mahaprabhu-matam radhapadam dhimahi dhir-aradhanam eva nanyad-iti-tad-radhapadam dhimahi srila sri-bhaktiraksaka sridhara deva-gosvami maharaja Purport The purport of the brahma-gayatri is as follows: The first word is OM. Om is the seed mantra which contains everything within it. The next word is bhur. Bhur is where we are--Bhu-loka-- the world of our experience. The next word is buvah. Buvarloka is the world of mental acquisition. It is the support, the background of our experience. Our present position of experience is the effect of our mental acquisition. That we are here in the world of experience is not an accident; we have acquired this position by our previous karma. The physical sphere, this present world of experience, is only the product, the outcome of our previous mental impulses. And the subtle world of previous karma, the mental sphere, is known as Bhuvarloka. The next word in the mantra is svah. Above Bhuvaloka is Sva-loka. The mental world (Bhuvarloka) means acceptance and rejection: what to do and what not to do--"I like this, I don't like that." Sva-loka, however, is the plane of decision, the world of intelligence (Buddiloka). Our intelligence tells us, "You may like this, but you don't do that, for then you will be the loser." That plane, the plane of reason, is known as Sva-loka. In this way, this material world is composed of three general layers, bhur, the physical world, bhuvah, the mental world, and svah, the intellectual world. Of course, a more detailed analysis will reveal seven layers: Bhur, Bhuvah Svah, Maha, Jana, Tapa, and Satyaloka. This has been dealt with in detail by Sanatana Goswami in his Brhad-Bhagavatamrtam. Here, these seven strata have been summarized in three planes of existence: physical, mental, and intellectual. And these three planes of experience have been summarized in a word, tat. The next word in the brahma-gayatri is savitur. Savitur generally means surya, the sun. And the sun means, figuratively, that which shows or illuminates; that by which we can see. The three gross and subtle strata within this world are shown to us by a particular thing, savitur. What it that? The soul. Actually, the world is not shown to us by the sun, but by the soul. What really gives us perception and allows us to see gross things? It is not actually the sun that helps us to see; we see with the help of the soul. This is found in Bhagavad-gita (yatha prakasayaty ekah krtsnam lokam imam ravih). The soul reveals this world to us just as the sun does. The sun can show color to our eyes, the ear can reveal the sound world, and the hand can reveal the touch world. But really in the center is the soul. It is the soul who gives light to this world, who gives us an understanding of the environment, the world of perception. All perception is possible only because of the soul. Here, the word savitur, which generally means sun, can only mean soul, like the sun, shows us everything. All seven strata of our existence-represented by bhur, the physical plane, bhuvah, the mental plane, and svah, the intellectual plane-have here been reduced to one entity: tat-"that.That" is shown by the sun which in this context indicates the soul. Here soul means individual soul. The individual soul is the cause of his world. Not that the mind is in the world, but the world is in the mind. Berkeley has said that the world is in the mind. Here it is being expressed that everything is seen with the help of the sun. If there is no sun, everything is dark- nothing can be seen. So without light, nothing can be seen. And in a higher sense, light means the soul. The soul is the subject and the soul's object is the seven planes of experience within this world. The next word in the gayatri mantra is varenyam. Varenyam means puja: worshipable, venerable. This indicates that although within this plane--the objective world--the is the subject, there is another domain which is to be venerated and worshipped by the soul. That is the Supersoul area. That worshipable plane of existence is known as bhargo. Bhargo means the super subjective area, the area of the Supersoul. This is mentioned in the first verse of Srimad-Bhagavatam: dhamna svena sada nirasta-kuhakam satyam param dhimahi. Srila Vysadeva says that here he is going to deal with another world whose pristine glory is so great that by its own ray, all misconceptions are brushed aside. The subject is the soul, and its object is all these worlds of experience. And the super subject, is the venerable area which is superior to the subject, the soul-- that is the super subjective area. The word bhargo means"more subtle than the soul," and "holding a more important position than the soul." So this means the Supersoul, the Paramatma. In general, of course, the word bhargo ordinarily means light. Just as an X-ray can show us what the ordinary eye cannot see, bhargo is svarupa-sakti: higher, more powerful light that can reveal the soul. And that energy--bhargo--belongs to whom? It belongs to deva. What is the meaning of the word deva? Deva means "who is beautiful an playful," that is, Sri Krsna: Reality the beautiful. He is not a nondifferentiated substance, but is full of lila, pastimes. Deva means pastimes and beauty combined and this is Krsna. His domain is bhargo, brilliant, and it is varenyam, to venerated by the jiva soul. What is the nature of the svarupa-sakti? It is the vaibava, the extend body of Srimati Radharani. She holds the full service responsibility and the energy to serve Krsna. bhargo is no less than the vaibava, the extended body of Srimati Radharani, which contains everything for the service of Krsna. Bhargo represents Mahabava, the predominated moiety, and deva, Krsna, is Rasaraja, the predominating moiety. In the gayatri mantra, we are requested, bhargo devasya dhimahi: "come meditate". What sort of meditation is possible in that plane of dedication? Not abstract meditation, but service cultivation, krsnanusilanam. Dhimahi means " to participate in the spontaneous flow, the current of devotion in Vrndavana." And what will be the result (dhiyo yo nah pracodayat)? The capacity of our cultivation will be increased. As we serve, a greater capacity and willingness to serve will be given to us in remuneration-- just as interest is added to capital in the bank(dasa kari' vetana more deha prema-dhana). In this way, our dedicating principle will be increased again and again. Dhimahi means aradhana, worship. It cannot but be explained in terms of aradhana, puja, seva-- worship, adoration, loving service. The word buddhi means that which we cultivate with the help of our intelligence. But here, dhi is a reference to that venerable intelligence which descends into this plane to help us cultivate service. So dhimahi does not mean abstract meditation, but devotional service. This is the underlying meaning of the gayatri mantra. Gayatri, the song of deliverance, also means sankirtana. Kirtana is also sung, and it also improves us towards the highest goal. The sankirtana of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu also reinstates us in out highest serving position. So brahma-gayatri in connection with Mahaprabhu comes to mean krsna-kirtana. Then it reaches Vrndavana and the flute-kirtana. And when we enter Vrndavana, we shall find that the sweet sound of Krsna's flute helps to engage all the Lords servants in their respective duties. When the flute is sounded, the gopis and others are adjusted in their respective duties. At night, the gopis, hearing the sound of the flute will run to the Yamuna, thinking, "Oh, Krsna's is there." And when Yasoda hears the song of Krsna's flute, she thinks, "My son is there. He is coming home soon." In this way, the sound of the flute engages all the servants of the Lord in their respective positions and inspires them to be mindful of their service. In my Sanskrit commentary on the gayatri mantra, I have written dhiraradhanam eva nanyaditi tad radha-padam dhimahi : All other services are represented fully in Radhika. Like branches they are all part of her. Madhura rasa is the chief or mukhya-rasa, the combination of all rasas. Srimati Radharani is Mahabhava--she represents the entire serving attitude. The flute-song of Sri Krsna, expressed as the gayatri mantra, is reminding us and engaging us in our service. And what is our service? Our service must be to surrender ourselves in the service of Srimati Radharani-to accept the suggestion of Radharani. The gayatri mantra will excite us to be mindful about Srimati Radharani's lotus feet, to obey her orders. She is mainly representing the whole service area. So to try to engage ourselves in her service, under her order- to accept her direction and to obey her- that is the service of Sri Radha. In this way, the meaning of the gayatri mantra has been drawn to radha-dasyam, self-determination (svarupena vyavasthitih ). In the meantime, the partial representations in vatsalya and sakhya rasa are also part and parcel of the original mellow of conjugal love, madhura rasa. The vatsalya rasa devotees will serve Nanda and Yasoda, the sakhya rasa devotee will serve Sridama and Sudama, but ultimately, the whole system in one conception is included in Radharani. Radha-dasyam, the service of Srimati Radharani, is the ultimate meaning to be extracted from the gayatri mantra. That is the supreme end of our life. It cannot but be so. Srimad-Bhagavatam is the ultimate or full-fledged theism to be extracted from the Vedas, Upanisads, and so many scriptures. All the revealed truth rises to its acme, to its highest position, in the conception given by Srimad-Bhagavatam. And Srimad-Bhagavatam teaches us that the highest realization, self-determination, is the service of Srimati Radharani-that under her guidance we may serve Sri Krsna. We aspire for a direct connection with her service. What, then, is the inner meaning or purport of the word bhargo? Bhargo means the sum, or "who shows us by light." Radharani is the daughter of Vrsabhanu. I have selected the word bhanu. To represent her personal extended self, I have given the word vaibhava. Vaibhava means, "what comes out," or "extended self." Prabhava is the central representation and vaibhava is the outer extension. The very gist of svarupa-sakti is Srimati Radharani, and the whole svarupa-sakti is her extended self. The town of her beautiful service is the whole svarupa-sakti. Just as rays of light extend from the sun, the whole internal potency is an extension of Mahabhava, Sri Radhika. She has developed herself into such a beautiful area of brilliance, of internal energy, and thereby she serves her Lord. All these necessary things have sprung from her. To help her in serving her Lord, they all come out. When the entire internal energy is condensed in a concise form, it is Mahabhava, Radharani. And when Radharani wants to serve, she extends herself in limitless different ways. And with some contribution from Baladeva and Yogamaya, the whole spiritual world, including Vrndavana, Mathura, and Vaikuntha, evolves to assist Srimati Radharani in the service of Sri Krsna. In this way, I have drawn out radha-dasyam, the service of Srimati Radharani as the meaning of the gayatri mantra and have tried to represent it in the above Sanskrit verse.

Dear Harerama, Kindly accept my respects, Hope does spring eternal, even though it too appears to dry up, turning our life into a barron desert, with nothing but mirages of oasis that merely disolve into more of the same old sand, and nothingness. I'm no psychiatrist but i can relate to a number of issues you are facing here, your dilemna appears to be that of many devotees and aspirants on the spiritual journey. Sraddha is a subtle and delicate substance, but my gurudev would say it's the fundamental foundation of our life from the basics all the way to our eternal serving swarup, Sraddha devi.... Faith will direct us to our lifes destinations and stear us thru the different adversities time may place upon us. Like the example of Queen Kunti devi the more intense the difficulty, the deeper the opportunity for our faith to flourish to full capacity. There's no use being in a grass shack in a hurricane. We are to try to count the tempestuous forces as friendly, pushing us to higher ground, better company, and stronger resolve. I can sympathize with your migraine attacks, in my younger days I too suffered from this horrid condition for many years. I eventually de-toxed, put my finger on a number of impeding habits. Eliminated them from my diet and had one session of electric accupuncture in Hawaii, and somehow it re-established the currant to my central nervous system, never to experience another attack for the past 30 years. It definately takes a lot of pressure from many other areas in ones life. You never know it may also work for you even tho we all have different constitutions. It was nothing short of miraculous for me because I know these blockages can squeeze us into a very black and limited space.... feeling much like the inverse experience of liberation. When I reflect in retrospect i think I was doing a lot of naughty things in my past youth that may have caused such a condition. I also practiced different forms of Yoga, Kundalini included, which may not have helped, if not monitored carefully even with an experienced guide that sort of energy is to be utilized with Xtreme care and caution. Devotees practicing bhakti will naturally reap the benefits of all other yoga systems like watering the root of the tree. Krsna will endour us with what we need to do the nessacary, we can't squeeze an experience out, rather His reverlations come as a divine and gracious gift from divinity. I've found over the course of my meagre devotional life, that the very greatest fullfillment comes thru doing some tangible seva to His beloved servitors, nothing even comes anywhere close on the richter scale of contentment and sustained happiness. It's a pure gold investment. If we can somehow connect to and engage in the pleasing potency of a real Radha dasyam servitor then automaticly the reservoir of pure pleasure will flow back to us, and if we are fortunate enough to read and practice the will of such a servitor, who is non-different from that of the original cause of causes Sri Govinda, then all success is virtually guaranteed, and that initial faith will fully bloom into the ripened fruit of ruchi... nista ... asakti... bhav and ultimately prema. It all exists, it's not a fabrication and if we can find the right association that doesn't tamper with theprocess that has been given from the genuine agents of divinity or manipulated to invent some concocted version of the Truth, then we will get confirmation that yes! What I am searching for is real. It's all in the currant we connect too. There's around six billion opinions out there at present, and amongst them there may be a few very rare souls who's purity will have this whole jungle of misconception in perspective. It's the rarest of the rare. So if we are to pursue this Krsna conception a starting point is to accept the chalenge He lays down as in the Gita where he states manusyanam sahasresu kascid yatati siddhaye yatatam api siddhanam kascin mam vetti tattvatah Out of many thousands among men, one may endeavor for perfection, and of those who have achieved perfection, hardly one knows Me in truth. Or brahmananam sahasrebhyam satrayaji visisate satrayaji-sahasrebhyam sarvavedanta-paragam sarva-vedanta-vit-kotya visnu-bhakto visisyate vaisnavanam sahasrebhyam ekantyeko visisyate Out of many thousands of brahmanas, one who performs sacrifice for Visnu is best. Out of thousands of such yaj-ika-brahmanas, one who knows the meaning of Vedanta is best. Out of millions of those who know the meaning of Vedanta, a devotee of Visnu is best. And out of thousands of Visnu-bhaktas, one who is an unalloyed devotee of Visnu is the best. (Hari-Bhakti-Vilasa, 10.117, and Bhakti-Sandarbha, 117) Then there is this rajobhim samasamkhyatam parthivair-iha jantavam tesam ye kecanehante sreyo vai manujadayam prayo mumuksavastesam kecaneiva dvijottama mumuksanam sahasresu kascin mucyeta sidhyati muktanam api siddhanam narayana-parayanam sudurlabham prasantatma kotisvapi mahamune In this material world, there are as many living entities as there are atoms. Among these living entities, few are human beings, and among them, few are interested in following religious principles. Among those who follow religious principles, only a few desire liberation from the material world. Among thousands of those who wish for liberation, one may actually achieve it, giving up material attachments to society, friendship, love, country, home, wife, and children. And among many thousands of such liberated persons, one who can understand the true meaning of liberation is very rare. Out of millions of perfected and liberated souls, one may be a devotee of Krsna. Such devotees, who are fully peaceful, are extremely rare. (Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.14.3 - 5) So soldier on to become one such rare soul, if it's possible for one soul we are all ultimately no less potential candidates to go all the way. 'Faint heart never won fair Krsna', as Prabhupad said nothing is impossible. I know many may argue against this and there are no doubt exceptions. But as i understand with Gayatri, Hari Nam or any mantra much depends on the giver and receiver as to the conception and potency of the seed that is planted at the time of diksa. To receive the Truth personified one must approach a saint who knows the Truth personally to introduce us to Reality the Beautiful. It's a heart to heart- soul to soul affair. And actually the activating potency once again is in serving the servant of the servant that bestows such a sacred gift upon us, this is the system that empowers our breath, our recitation, our activities, our desire to give what we have received, our increase in Vaisnava seva, our compassion for the suffering animation, everything. Hari Nam and Gayatri are an induction into the eternal heart of guru's and Krsna's consciousness. Sometimes the darkest hours are before dawn but they can also be the most auspicious to motivate us out of our lethargy and apparent hoplessness. At present the whole world is hoping for positive and progressive change, like waiting for the sun to come, the atmosphere is apprehensive and pensive, so you definately arn't alone. Like a pervasive cloud over our collective consciousness the material energy is pulling every trick out of the book. But simultaneously if we can be instrumental in helping the Holy Names into the collective consciousness of the environment then the rays of Sri Sri Nitai Gauranga will illuminate the face of the earth. Jaya Satchinandana Gaura Hari. They've come along way from Sri Mayapur to dance thru the streets of the western world in their Names spreading joy, inviting everyone to join Their campaign, so let us endeavour to assist in their movement. Excuse the long winded rely but perhaps i was a little insensitive in my last post.

Hey Theist are you privvy to something we're not? Maybe it just means the purports are are in our own backyard. Or just in extending it to others, hence more audarya. The riddle deepens..... are we going in circles? now we have to get the purport ourselves. Hellllpp!!!!

You mean the rickshaw wallahs. Giriraj caranamritam ki jaya. I remember being with Srila Gurudev for the inaugural instillation of Giriraj, strolling on the shores of Manasaganga. Brings back sweet moments. Can't hold those everfresh youths with white beards back from a good festival.

I'm probably more like a flea in a dogs paw so I'm not so sure my scraps will yield much nourishment. Indeed you are most fortunate I agree, Srila Guru Maharaj revealed that hidden treasure in so many sweet,sweeter and sweetest ways we can't measure or conceive his most noble position in the Hearts of Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Govindajui. I love that story, wonderful way to start the day. Sometimes I feel like I'm one of the red eyed beasts of burden to my Guru Maharaj, born in a year of the buffalo. Srila Govinda Maharaj seems to have a mystic affinity with the heart of the living entities especially many types of animals. In Sri Caitanya Saraswat Math he has stared flaring cobras eye to eye, untill his pet guard dog interjected and sacrificed his life to save him. Then there is a video I seen where a mongoose comes to take his feetdust while talking casually on Srila Sridhar Maharajs history, so it is he who has a lifetime of selfless service to share of both Srila Swami Maharaj and Srila Guru Maharaj for whoever may be interested. His timeless recollections are nectar to the ears and heart. I have heard many wonderful pastimes of their early relationship together and actually without his visa we wouldn't have so much access to the infinite ocean of bhakti rasamritam that is Srila Sridhara Maharaj and Srila Swami Maharaj. Apart from being a grand acharya of an ever increasing mission which he didn't desire, his nature is very down to earth and unassuming. I personally knew him before his acarya rupa became manifest and he was always aproachable and super-personal, overwhelmingly friendly, even as acharya he is still this way with all those he meets, each new disciple he treats like an old friend as if they have come to help him serve the living reality of Srila Sridhara Maharaj's presence. And each old friend he treats with extreme vaisnava ettiquette like royalty. Another unique distinction he exhibits is his almost childlike wonder at the simple things of life that breaks down our preconceived mental conceptions of awe and reverence, that we are conditioned to believe is the light a saint should be seen in. In turn drawing us too into that land of wonder, without saying a word. So much to share we'd need Visvarup to give befitting praise, and so little time to extend it, but i'm sure there are many others who can share their insights, dharshans, and realizations, as they all will with time.

Yes this is true but part of the expression of samadhi is singing and dancing the soul is active by nature when one feels the bliss of self realization, some souls are just not satisfied and hanker to trace where such anandam springs from, the reservoir of all pleasure which leads such exalted souls as Lord Brahma to follow his heartspring which may lead to God realization and upon the Lords dharsan sing with such honor and reverence songs or kirtans like Govindam adi purusham chintamani prakara-sadmasu kalpa-vriksha- laksavriteshu surabhir abhipalayantam lakshmi-sahasra-shata-sambhrama-sevyamanam govindam adi-purusham tam aham bhajami I worship Govinda, the Primeval Lord, the First Progenitor Who is tending the cows, yielding all desires, in abodes built with spiritual gems, surrounded by millions of purpose-trees, always served with great reverence and affection by hundreds of thousands of Lakshmis or Gopis. Venum kvanantam aravinda-dalayataksam barhavatam samasitambuda-sundarangam kandarpa-koti-kamaniya vishesha-shobham govindam adi-purusham tam aham bhajami I worship Govinda, the Primeval Lord, Who is adept in playing on His flute, with blooming eyes like lotus petals, with head bedecked with peacock's feather, with the figure of beauty tinged with the hue of blue clouds, and His unique loveliness charming millions of cupids. Alola-chandraka-lasad-vanamalya-vamshi- ratnangadam pranaya-keli-kala-vilasam shyamam tribhanga-lalitam niyata-prakasham govindam adi-purusham tam aham bhajami I worship Govinda, the Primeval Lord, round Whose neck is swinging a garland of flowers beautified with the Moon-locket, Whose two hands are adorned with the flute and jeweled ornaments, Who always revels in pastimes of love, Whose graceful three-fold bending form of Shyamasundara is eternally manifest. angani yasya sakalendriya-vrittimanti pashyanti panti kalayanti chiram jaganti ananda-chinmaya-sad-ujjvala-vigrahasya govindam adi-purusham tam aham bhajami I worship Govinda, the Primeval Lord, Whose transcendental form is full of bliss, truth, substantiality and is thus full of the most dazzling splendour. Each of the limbs of that Transcendental Figure possesses in Himself, the fullfledged functions of all the organs, and eternally sees, maintains and manifests the infinite universes, both spiritual and mundane. Because each and every vibration of such glorified descriptions of our lords holy name form and pastimes give an unparalleled prema that can't be found anywhere else that our senses may worship or focus. Therefore we sing Their praises. jaya radha-govinda radha-govinda radhe (rupa goswamir prana-dhana he)

No hidden meanings it's simply like 'Bhakti begets more bhakti.' Appreciation of something divine brings more of that substance. Anyone who is greatful for the nectar of Srila Sridhara Maharaj I could happily post his harmonising conclusions day and night. So your common interest places me at your service. We can only aspire to somehow mingle in the feetdust of the suddha bhaktas and thru their example eventually their infectious affection may infuse us with that currant of loving exchange. Yes when will that time come our way?

Dandavats Bija, appreciation will get you everywhere! Seeing as you are so grateful, here's another extended sweet treat from 'the guardian of devotion' SSM. Mahaprabhu- is Harmony<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:" /><o:p></o:p> "Everything is part and parcel of the Original, therefore God is manifested in everything. And it is not that we can sacrifice or negate everything and only God remains, otherwise why are we here? Our individuality and existence is real, so both sides must have some recognition. Harmony between them is Truth proper, this is the conception of Mahaprabhu, polarity, unity and harmony, and that is all-important. Dislocation is unhealthy, proper adjustment is necessary, maya (misconception) means dislocation. Provincial and local interests are clashing with each other, as well as with the Absolute. But proper adjustment comes through achieving understanding of the Absolute, such understanding brings true harmony. All these things should be discussed and understood.<o:p></o:p> Disciple: How can we practically understand and apply the principle of harmony?<o:p></o:p> Srila Sridhara Maharaj: In your conception what does harmony mean? <o:p></o:p> Disciple: I understand that strictly speaking, harmony is a musical term referring to different musical tones which are in balance with each other.<o:p></o:p> Srila Sridhara Maharaj: In a choir or an orchestra, many instruments are being played or many singers are singing so the variety will be a credit to the harmony. Different types of instruments are being played but there must be harmony there, and the highest harmony depends upon how the many different instruments are playing, preparing the music, yet they must all be attuned to the conductor. So sacrifice, dedication in its highest degree, will be of such nature that it can accommodate and tolerate all difference. Therefore by tolerance, harmony will increase. The highest type of harmony can tolerate any type of opposition, it is all-accommodating. In this way, the highest conception of dedication means there is the accommodation of an infinite variety within it, and its sweetness will increase more and more.<o:p></o:p> So there are different instruments making different tunes from different strata of sound but they are all tuned to one. Plurality is connected to one center and is giving some sweet, soothing feeling of sentiment. <o:p></o:p> Similarly we can see that the earth and all the planets are each moving in their individual ways but are connected to another force. The moon is moving around the earth, and there are so many planets moving in relation to other planets which in turn are moving in their own way, but all are moving around the sun. Variety meets unity in different planes of movement. That is harmony. This applies everywhere, including the plane of color and the plane of sound. Many branches meet together in the trunk of a tree, the trunk harmonizes the many leaves, this is the movement of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. We must see a common master, and work around the will of that master or conductor.<o:p></o:p> Disciple: In the Absolute sense does discord bring harmony?<o:p></o:p> Shrila Sridhara Maharaj: In the highest Absolute there is room to accommodate everything, otherwise it can’t be Absolute. If we consider something to be Absolute but can still find something outside of that, then it cannot be Absolute. The Absolute accommodates everything, in Him even the enemy is friend. The center is everywhere, there is no circumference. In that plane only God can be traced everywhere and He cannot be our enemy. <o:p></o:p> The theistic school says, “Absolute” means Absolute Good, it is not zero, everything is fully represented there. The whole is so great that it can accommodate all. However Sankacharyya sacrificed plurality and accepted only oneness, saying, “Enemies and friends all become nothing. They become jumbled together.” Such a thing is possible only in the zero-conception . However Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu explained, “What Sankaracharyya gave is not full and proper acceptance of the revealed Truth, both variety and oneness must be recognized.”<o:p></o:p> In one Upanishad it is said, “There is no variegatedness.” And Sankaracharyya says, “There is no plurality but only oneness, brahman.” Yet Mahaprabhu says, “No! Variety also exists,” otherwise there would be no necessity of saying anything whatsoever, as all would unanimously agree. Rather, there is one who is the master and all else are subordinate, and they are active in a system - the controlled and the controller. “If you say that variety does not exist then what is the necessity of so much discussion? To whom have you come to preach? And if there is no variety then what is the necessity of preaching to those who are already one with you? Illusion also has its existence, otherwise why have you come to try to remove illusion? If Maya (misconception) does not exist then why are you preaching? It is a reality that there is always the possibility of misconception, therefore there is always the necessity of a fully realized Guru to teach the truth. There is not only the Absolute conception, but also the relative, provincial conception. And they both co-exist. This is called cid-vilasa which is not the negation of a particular thing but the adjustment of everything with the whole, the Absolute, the center. Variety and oneness both exist simultaneously and Mahaprabhu calls this achintya bhed-abheda tattva, and this is the all-accommodating conclusion of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Still Shankaracharyya accepts only one part. His conception is limited and not all-accommodating."SSM.<o:p></o:p>