Flower outfit darshan of Sri Sri Radha- Madhava

By Shyamagopika dd on Thu, 2009-12-31 16:55.

On the occasion of Sri Krishna Pusya abhisheka, Sri Sri Radha-Madhava were offered flower outfits. Preparations for making the outfit began a few days ago. During the past one week, under the dedicated planning, organizing and designing of HG Ramadevi mataji, the clothes designing, stitching of outfits, making butterflies and satin ribbons were done. Working on the outfit with the flowers began at 4 p.m. on 30th & continued till the morning. Mayapur community devotees, children along with students of Bhakti Shastri, Bhakti Vaibhava and Mayapur Academy engaged themselves in the service to Sri Sri Radha-Madhava. Enthusiasm of devotees increased when Yamuna mataji, Dinatarini mataji visited the sewing room in the evening.

Please visit the gallery for more pictures.

Yamuna mataji worked on the flower outfit of Small Srimati Radharani. Stuti mataji artistically decorated the altar with colorful flowers, bouquets and lights. In the evening, a spectacular flower abhisheka will take place after Sandhya Arti. Please take darshan of flower abhisheka live at www.mayapur.tv

New Year Resolutions

(This has been excerpted from a lecture given by H.H.Radhanath Maharaj in 2004.)

Traditionally throughout the ages amongst thoughtful people, the New Year coming is a time of reflection- what have I done during the past year, what have I achieved, what are my strengths and weaknesses and where am I today and in the coming year what do I wish to do?. The Bhagvatam declares that with every rising and setting of the sun, a person is one day closer to death, except those who take pleasure in hearing and chanting the Glories of the Lord. For them with every rising and setting of the sun they are one day closer to eternal life.

In the 11th chapter of the Bhagavad-Gita Krishna says, “Time I am, controlling everything within material nature, devouring ultimately all living beings.” Time is so important, so sacred; it is the manifestation of God Himself within material existence. And how we utilise our time will determine the value of our lives.

Srila Prabhupada quotes that a miserly person is one who attains this human life and dies without realising God, dies like the animals. Human life is the junction in which we actually can make the choice and perfect our existence, realise the true identity of the self and the unlimited treasure of happiness that we are meant to experience in relation to God. What is the nature of all the acquisitions we may achieve in this world? It is like a drop of water on the leaf of a lotus flower. It is there for a moment and then it slips away into oblivion. That is the nature of our wealth, body, our prestige, all of our abilities, all of our friends and family members. All of these connections and these relationships are extinguished by the power of time. But Mayadevi makes us think that we can be happy through temporary material enjoyment. And we put so much of our life's energies pursuing the mirages created by maya.

New Year's is the time of resolution, a time to introspectively question what do I really want in life - to take serious resolutions in our life to be determined to give up our bad habits, to really make an effort to overcome our weaknesses, to increase our enthusiasm to do the right thing, to be honest, to be truthful and to be compassionate and kind to others, to offer all respects and to be humble. Actually if we take one resolution, we can achieve life's perfection, “to strive to be humble like the grass, to be tolerant like the tree, to offer all respects to others and expect none in return”. There are three essential principles on this path of perfection. To

worship the lord in his avatar in the age of kali is by chanting His holy names,

“Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare,

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare”

serving the Vaishnavas sincerely from our hearts and being a compassionate well wisher of all living beings. And whatever is separating us from following these three principles that we should try to resolve to overcome. Let us pray to follow that path that will help us to always remember the Lord and never forget Him. If we pray sincerely for these things, Krishna will hear our prayers and will give us all help.

“ The secret of surrendering to Krishna is that such surrendered devotee sees that everything is part of Krishna's plan. Let me become absorbed in such service, never mind what it is. Let all other considerations be forgotten and only my desire to do the thing best for Krishna's pleasure is my motive.”                               Srila Prabhupada

Nectarean Advice Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura

Nectarean Advice

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura

(1) Obtaining the shelter of the lotus feet of a genuine guru is, without a doubt, a matter of both great fortune and great dilemma for the baddha-jiva (conditioned soul). If, however, a fortunate soul has a sincere longing and ardency to attain a true guru, he does so by the mercy of Sri Krishna.

(2) The baddha-jiva is extremely insignificant; it is impossible for him to realise the magnitude of Sri Guru.

(3) One who, birth after birth has accumulated bhaktiunmukhi-sukriti, or spiritual merits leading to bhakti, will, in one birth, come face to face with the devotee of Sri Krishna, Sri Guru, by Sri Krishna’s mercy. By the mercy of that krishna-bhakta (devotee of Krishna, Sri Gurudeva) one hears krishna-katha (topics of Krishna) from his mouth and gradually experiences the appearance of devotion in one’s heart. By the light of the sun, one sees the sun. Similarly, in the light of the sadhu’s mercy one can comprehend the sadhu’s svarupa (eternal nature), and an acute hankering awakens to engage in hari-bhajana (worship of Krishna) in the shelter of his lotus feet.

(4) The sadhu (saintly personality, Sri Guru) mercifully gives mantra initiation (diksha) and instructions (siksha) in the path of hari-bhajana to that sincere and surrendered person.

(5) As a result of accepting the shelter of a sadhu’s lotus feet, a person performs hari-bhajana, and as he gradually becomes free from anarthas (unwanted impressions in the heart), he becomes cognizant of the nature of the transcendental reality.

(6) Only a sadhu who knows the imports of all sastras (scriptures), who is devoted to Bhagavan and who is intent on bhajana, is a genuine guru. Those who speak in order to appease the fancies of the baddha-jiva’s mind and thus try to attract it are not worthy of the title guru; rather they are the jiva’s enemies. Never associate with them no matter how fond of their charming words you may be.

(7) Know that the entirety of instructions given by the karmis (material enjoyers), jnanis (impersonalist speculators), yogis and pseudo bhaktas to the jiva so he can obtain his own pleasure contain no message of eternal, supreme auspiciousness. The association of such persons is always to be rejected, no matter how enjoyable it is.

(8) One cannot understand that the association of nondevotees brings utter inauspiciousness until, as a matter of fortune one achieves the pure devotee’s mercy, which results from Sri Krishna’s grace.

(9) The words of pure devotees are contrary to our sense gratification. No matter how pitiless and harsh their words may seem if we can sincerely submit to them with our body, mind and words, our eternal welfare is assured.

(10) Maha-bhagavata Vaishnavas (exalted devotees of Sri Krishna) are the eternal, dear associates of Gaura-Krishna (Lord Chaitanya and Lord Krishna). If a soul has not accumulated an unlimited amount of bhaktiunmukhi-sukriti, the association and shelter of such Vaishnavas does not come within the scope of his fortune.

(11) Merely maintaining the arrogance that one has received the mercy of pure devotees does not actually award that mercy or the position of being their disciple.

(12) A genuine disciple is just as rare as a genuine guru.

(13) Sri Bhagavan, as antaryami, resides in the hearts of all. Since pure devotees are the antaryami of even Bhagavan, they can serve Him according to His internal desires and thus please Him. Thus they are known as bhagavat-preshtha. Even after becoming the genuine disciple of such a person, one must understand the inner desire of Sri Gurudeva and serve him accordingly.

(14) One cannot charm Sri Gurudeva with a display of external emotions, gestures and formalities. If one becomes a disciple without sincerely surrendering oneself at Sri Gurudeva’s lotus feet, it is like trying to cheat a blacksmith regarding iron, and one is bound to be cheated of his own welfare.

(15) Only at the time of Sri Gurudeva’s disappearance can one recognise the actual identity of his disciples. One can then understand who has approached Sri Guru with what intention.

(16) Even after taking shelter of a sad-guru’s lotus feet, some disciples secretly strive to occupy the seat of Sri Gurudeva at the time of his disappearance. Their acceptance of the shelter of Sri Guru’s feet was merely deceit. They are, in fact, hostile and inimical to guru.

(17) Moreover, some disciples try to misappropriate the opulence and paraphernalia intended for the service of Sri Guru-Gauranga. This is not understood while Sri Gurudeva is still present, but after he has disappeared from this world, it assumes a terrible form. Know these disciples to be hypocrites, enjoyers and offenders.

(18) Even at the time of Sri Gurudeva’s manifest presence, some try to control their godbrothers instead of regarding them as worshipable. Thus, they become severe offenders of the Vaishnavas.v

(19) Those who have been appointed to the position of temple-manager, but who do not serve in mutual cooperation with others and are reluctant to give due respect to their godbrothers, are sense enjoyers, that is, enjoyers of the temple. Instead of serving Bhagavan they are greedy to enjoy His property. They are a disgrace to the title “disciple”.

(20) Many, who are disciples in name only, even try to destroy the institution when Sri Gurudeva disappears because the honor they receive decreases at that time. These people are most inimical to guru and most certainly condemned to hell.

(21) Those disciples who deviate and engage in numerous acts of malice against Sri Guru when he disappears were undoubtedly hidden deceivers at the time of his manifest presence.

(22) Those in the stage of sadhana, who are not careful about obeying Sri Guru and avoiding offenses to Vaishnavas, fall down even though they may have reached an elevated level.

(23) Those who take shelter at the lotus feet of a sadguru with a desire to do hari-bhajana should simple-heartedly follow Sri Gurudeva’s instructions with their body, mind and words. If they fail to drive extraneous desires from their hearts, the prohibited endeavours for karma and jnana will present numerous deterrents to remaining on the path of suddha-bhakti.

(24) If the disciple’s heart is not clean, Sri Guru’s heart does not reflect in it. Only out of immense fortune does the moon of bhakti that exists in the heart of Sri Gurudeva, maha-bhagavata, manifest within the heart of the disciple.

(25) A simple-hearted disciple, who desires his true benefit, practically never meets a bad end.

(26) A disciple surrendered at the lotus feet of a sad-guru should always keep in mind the teachings from “Sri Rupa-siksha” in Sri Caitanya-caritamrita. In this way he should serve Sri Guru without duplicity, and with utmost caution he should cultivate the limbs of sravana and kirtana of sri hari-katha.

(27) If the sadhaka’s life lacks simplicity and caution, he will achieve the opposite of his cherished ideal.

(28) Among all the jivas who are wandering throughout the universe, one who has accrued spiritual merit over many lifetimes obtains the seed of the creeper of bhakti, or sraddha. This takes place when the jiva, by Krishna’s mercy, is favoured by His dear associates. Endowed with that sraddha, the disciple as a gardener, plants that seed in his heart. He waters it by hearing and chanting the instructions flowing from the mouth of Sri Gurudeva. Thus by these activities, the creeper sprouts and gradually climbs to the lotus feet of Sri Krishna.

(29) That creeper of bhakti passes beyond this universe, and beyond the Viraja River, Brahma-loka and Paravyoma, the spiritual sky, and goes to Goloka Vrindavana where it climbs the kalpa-vriksha (wish-fulfilling tree) of Sri Krishna’s lotus feet. The gardener, still in this world, continues to irrigate the creeper with the water of sravana and kirtana and thus welcomes the fortune of tasting the fruit of prema.

(30) If, in the stage of sadhana (spiritual practice in this world), innumerable weeds, such as the desire for enjoyment, liberation, material gain, worship and fame grow, as well as the tendency to engage in prohibited behaviour – cheating, violence, and so forth – then the main plant cannot grow. At the time of watering it, the practitioner will first cautiously cut the weeds so that they don’t grow.

(31) One fault can arise that is most detrimental to the practitioner. It is known as vaishnava-aparadha (offenses to devotees of Krishna) and it can either uproot or cut the creeper of devotion like a mad elephant uproots a plant. As a result, the creeper of devotion immediately dries up. Therefore, the practioner is to remain diligent to ensure this does not happen. If gurva-avajna (disobeying guru) and vaishnava-aparadha occur, all one’s progress in Krishna consciousness is destroyed.

(32) I have instructed those who have taken shelter of me to always remain cautious in this regard. I have tried to the best of my ability to repeat the instructions of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, His associates and our Sri Guru-varga. Nevertheless, those who remain inattentive and consequently not cautious about committing offenses to great personalities or about uprooting the weeds cannot be helped. After I leave this body, none of you (my followers) should commit offenses and thus act to cause even slight damage to the institution. If all of you cannot cooperate to perform hari-bhajana together according to my instructions, it is better that you either enter household life or move to a place of pilgrimage and perform hari-bhajana.

Excerpt from Sri Upadesamrta by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura

Sastra about cow protection

namo brahmanya-devaya go-brahmana-hitaya ca
 jagad-dhitayakrishnaya govindaya namo namah
“My Lord, You are the well-wisher of the cows and the brahmanas, and You are the well-wisher of the entire human society and the world.” (Vishnu Purana 1.19.65)

Five thousand years ago, the Supreme Personality of Godhead appeared to perform many pastimes here on earth. He spent much of His youth herding the calves and cows of Vrindavan. About 4,500 years later, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appeared in Mayapur Dham. Since He was Krsna Himself in the mood of Radharani, His greatest devotee, He was especially merciful to all living entities, and also had deep love for the cows. The following verses are from Chaitanya-charitamrita (Madhya 17.194-196):

“When Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu passed through Vrindavan, herds of grazing cows saw Him and immediately surrounding Him, began to moo very loudly. Seeing the herds approach Him, The Lord was stunned with ecstatic love. The cows began to lick His body out of great affection. Becoming pacified, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu began to caress the cows, and the cows, being unable to give up His company, went with Him.”

Lord Chaitanya, being Krishna Himself, told an astrologer:

“In My last birth, I was born in the family of cowherd men, and I gave protection to the calves and cows. Because of such pious activities, I have now become the son of a brahmana.” (C.C.Madhya 17.111)

Lord Chaitanya was referring to His appearance of Krishna in Vrindavan and, playing the part of a jiva soul, spoke of how association and service with the cows can only enhance one’s material and spiritual life.
One may ask, “What exactly is so important about the cow?” Here are some scriptural quotes that can illustrate her glories:

• In the Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.21.18, Govardhan Hill is glorified as the best devotee because of supplying water, soft grass, caves, fruits, flowers, and vegetables to Krsna, Balarama, the cowherd boys, and the cows.
• In the Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.16.10, Krsna Himself states, “The brahmanas, the cows, and the defenseless creatures are My own body.”

All throughout the Vedic literature, it is mentioned how dear brahminical culture and cows are to Krsna, and how important they are in human civilization.

“Lord Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is the prime protector of brahminical culture and the cow. Without respecting these two, one cannot realize the science of God, and without this knowledge, welfare activities or humanitarian propaganda cannot be successful.” (SB 4.21.38)

It is said that cows and brahmanas belong to the same family. They are both in the mode of goodness. The brahmanas are qualified to chant Vedic mantras, and the cows supply the ingredients for sacrifices. Parasurama said in the Gomati-vidya from Vishnu-dharmottara:

“Only by the combination of brahmanas and the cows, is the performance of sacrifice for the pleasure of Visnu complete.”

In fact, Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.8.21 indicates that human prosperity depends on two items: brahminical culture and cow protection. Lord Krishna in never satisfied where these are lacking.
In the Brihat Parasara-smriti, it is written:

“Simply by eating grass, the cows give us milk. From milk, ghee is produced by which demigods become satisfied. So how can one neglect the cow ? Simply by her association, a person becomes purified. By serving her, one achieves unlimited wealth, and by donating cows, one can transfer himself to heaven. There is no wealth superior to the cow. All the demigods reside in different parts of her body. By serving the cow with devotion, Lord Hari becomes pleased. Her milk nourishes human beings. How can such a cow not be worshipable.”

Actually, the cow is one of the seven mothers, for she nourishes us with her milk, the miracle of aggregate food values, and other milk products. Many mothers who cannot nurse their babies, turn to cow’s milk. In the same way as a father supplies food for the family, the bull is meant to help in the production of grains and vegetables by plowing the fields. Srila Prabhupada states:

“The bull is the emblem of the moral principle (dharma), and the cow is the representative of the earth.” (SB 1.16.18, purport)

Srila Prabhupada further comments (SB 1.17.3, purport) that indeed it is a law of nature that one can earn happiness by pleasing the bull and the cow. When the bull and cow are in a joyful mood, it is to be understood that the people of the world are also in a joyous mood.
When the perfect king, Maharaja Parikshit, was touring the earth, he witnessed a man dressed as a king mercilessly hurting a cow. The saintly king of the world had never even imagined that anyone would think of harming mother cow. A king’s duty is to protect all citizens especially the brahmanas, the cows, the elderly, women and children. The criminal was Kali, the personality of sin personified. At that time, it was the beginning of Kali-yuga, which is the age of quarrel and hypocrisy.

“The principal sign of Kali-yuga is that lower class sudras, or men without brahminical culture and spiritual initiation will be dressed like administrators or kings and the main business of such rulers will be to kill the innocent animals—especially the cows and bulls who shall be unprotected by the bona fide vaisyas.” (SB 1.17.1, purport)

The symptoms of Kali-yuga are intoxication, illicit sex, gambling, and animal slaughter. By abstaining from these four vices, we can transcend Kali’s influence. It is not surprising to devotees of the Lord that these ancient words of wisdom have indeed come to pass. The International Society for Krsna Consciousness is working hard to educate and train people in brahminical culture and cow protection.
The Gomati-vidya by Parasurama says:

“Wherever the thirsty cow drinks water from, that body of water is as good as the Ganga, Yamuna, Sindhu, or Sarasvati. In the body of the cows, all holy places and rivers are present. Lakshmidevi resides in cow dung. Simply by the cow’s touch and sight, she purifies all living entities. Among all purified objects, she is most pure, and among all auspicious objects, she is the most auspicious.”

In the Agni Purana, Dhanvantari said to Acharya Susruta:

“To caress and to bathe the cow is like cleansing ones sinful reactions.”

According to the Gavopanisad:

“One should see, offer obeisances to, and circumambulate the cow. By doing so, one is supposed to have circumambulated the entire earth with its seven islands. The cow is the mother of all. She gives happiness to everyone. People who desire prosperity should daily circumambulate the cow.”

For those interested in spiritual and devotional advancement, milk is said to be religious principles in liquid form. In the Mahabharata it is written:

“Oh Bharata, nothing is rare for a devotee of the cow. Whatever such devotees desire, they achieve. A lady who is devoted to the cow can have her desires fulfilled by the cow’s mercy. One who desires a son or a daughter, who desires wealth, one who desires piety, or knowledge — all can get their desires fulfilled by the mercy of the cow.”

Benefits of cow products

“The bull and cow are symbols of the most offenseless living beings because even the stool and urine of these animals are utilized in human society.” (SB 1.17.13, purport)

Please see the list below to find out what the Ayurveda says about the benefits for human health of each cow product.

Milk

Contains every nutrient that is required for the growth of the human body; increases the physical, mental, and spiritual power of the human being; a complete food, it slows down the aging process and increases intelligence and strength; regulates and increases the duration of life.

Yogurt

Gives strength to the body; makes food tasty, nourishing and pure; stimulates the body; removes gas; increases intelligence; cures piles and stomach ailments.

Butter

Beneficial, makes one fair, shiny, and bright; cures tuberculosis, piles, and coughing; especially essential for children.

Ghee

Gives a shining complexion; enhances memory; increases strength; nourishes body; regulates air and mucus imbalance; removes tiredness; destroys bile; cures heart disease; increases fire in stomach.

Cow urine

Stops gas disorders; cures all ailments born from mucus, bile, and gas; helps with acidity, stomach disease, and more; removes leprosy and other skin diseases.

Cow dung

Purifying, antiseptic agent; stops gas disorders; pesticide and fertilizer; in India, dried dung is used like charcoal; it is also a form of energy producing methane gas.

Prayers to the Lord’s Weapons

Prayers to the Lord’s Weapons

By Shyamagopika dd on Thu, 2009-12-03 15:56.

 Please take today’s darshan of Lord Nrisimhadeva adorned with shining silver divine weapons in His arms. Not very often, we get darshan of Sri Nrisimhadeva, adorned with silver weapons. “May there be good fortune throughout the universe, and may all envious persons be pacified. May all living entities become calm by practicing bhakti-yoga, for by accepting devotional service they will think of each other’s welfare. Therefore, let us all engage in the service of the supreme transcendence, Lord Sri Krishna, and always remain absorbed in thought of Him.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 5.18.9)

Prayers to the Lord’s Weapons

To the Chakra

chakram yugantanala-tigma-nemi
bhramat samantad bhagavat-prayuktam
dandagdhi dandagdhy ari-sainyam ashu
kaksham yatha vata-sakho hutashaha
Set into motion by the Supreme Personality of Godhead and wandering in all the four directions, the disc of the Supreme Lord has sharp edges as destructive as the fire of devastation at the end of the millennium. As a blazing fire burns dry grass to ashes with the assistance of the breeze, may the Sudarshana chakra burn our enemies to ashes.

To the Club

gade ‘shani-sparshana-visphulinge
nishpindhi nishpindhy ajita-priyasi
kushmanda-vainayaka-yaksha-raksho
bhuta-grahamsh churnaya churnayarin
O club in the hand of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, you produce sparks of fire as powerful as thunderbolts, and you are extremely dear to the Lord. I am also His servant. Therefore kindly help me pound to pieces the evil living beings known as Kushmandas, Vainayakas, Yakshas, Rakshasas, Bhutas and Grahas. Please pulverize them.

To the Conchshell

tvam yatudhana-pramatha-preta-matri
pishacha-vipragraha-ghora-drishtin
darendra vidravaya krishna-purito
bhima-svano ‘rer hridayani kampayan
O best of the conchshells, O Panchajanya in the hands of the Lord, you are always filled with the breath of Lord Krishna. Therefore you create a fearful sound vibration that causes trembling in the hearts of enemies like the Rakshasas, Pramatha ghosts, Pretas, Matas, Pishachas and brahmana ghosts with fearful eyes.