GLORIOUS KRISHNA |
- Offenses against the Holy Name of the Lord
- Chant from the Heart!
- Nectar of the Holy Name
- Kirtana
- Happiness in Suffering!
- Everything belongs to Krishna!
- Loving Exchanges between Devotees
- Making preparations for the final important event!
| Offenses against the Holy Name of the Lord Posted: 23 Apr 2012 12:27 AM PDT Ecstatic Symptoms of Love of God - Does that happen to us when we hear or chant the Holy Names of the Lord? Srila Visvanatha Cakravatri Thakura has pointed put that if upon chanting the Holy name of the Lord, one or more of the ecstatic symptoms of Love of God do not manifest in one's body, this means one is still guilty of committing one or more of the ten offenses of the Holy Name of the Lord. - HH Indradyumna Swami  |
| Posted: 22 Apr 2012 11:42 PM PDT |
| Posted: 22 Apr 2012 11:30 PM PDT (Taken from the Nectar of the Holy Name)  In Kali-yuga, simply by chanting the holy name one can attain the goal of life. The Srimad-Bhagavatam advocates nama-sankirtan as the essence of religion. In the age of kali chanting the holy name is the sum and substance of sanatana-dharma. In kali yuga Krsna has incarnated as the holy name in order to deliver the sinful who are suffering greatly in the age of logic, argument and disagreement, the chanting of Hare Krsna is only means of self-realization. Learned scholars in the age of kali worship lord Krsna through nama-sankirtana. The kaliyuga dharma, chanting the holy name, is introduced by lord caitanya. The best purpose of vedic rituals, vedanta philosophy and vedic mysticism is served by chanting the holy name: aho bata 'sva-paco'to gariyan yaj-jihvagre vartate nama tubhyam tepus tapas te juhuvuh sasnur arya brahmanucur nama grnanti ye te "O my lord, a person who is chanting your holy name, although born of a low family like that of a candala [dog-eater], is situated on the highest platform of self -realization. such a person must have performed all kinds of penances and sacrifices according to vedic rituals and studied the vedic literatures many, many times after taking his bath in all holy places of pilgrimage such a person is considered to be the best of the[ Aryan family]. Congregational chanting of the holy name fulfils the highest religious purpose in this age by chanting the holy name, one can be delivered regardless of caste, creed, colour or social position; the loud chanting of the holy name benefits even plants, creepers, insects, and animals. In this age Krsna has descended as sound vibration- as his holy name, the holy name is as perfect as the lord himself in fullness, purity, and eternity. There is no difference between meditating on the eternal forms of Radha Krsna and chanting the maha mantra. Even the faint light from the holy name brings liberation.  |
| Posted: 22 Apr 2012 11:27 PM PDT  You have to associate with kīrtana. The reading is also kīrtana, and chanting on the beads, that is also kīrtana. There is no difference. So make your life in such a way. Srila Prabhupada Lecture on BG 13.4  |
| Posted: 22 Apr 2012 11:23 PM PDT (Kadamba Kanana Maharaja, 7 April 2012, Durban, SA) When Krsna gives us austerity by taking things away, it is Krsna's arrangement to make us stronger. So Krsna tests us to give us the strength. The suffering in this world is in the design. Why is there suffering in the world? It is exactly for that purpose- to force us to become stronger and we can grow. When Krsna takes things away, we should not think that, 'oh, now He is punishing me! Oh, now I'm being tested! Oh, why do I have to go through all these difficulties?' No, we should think that Krsna wants me to grow and He's forcing me to go through these difficulties but it would make me stronger. So actually the struggle in this world is Krsna's blessing upon us. If there was no suffering in this world, imagine what it would be like…it would just be a little empty. No suffering but just a little empty because there would be no spiritual ecstasy. Maybe we would feel comfortable but then we will feel bored and empty and we wouldn't feel so motivated. But when we suffer, then we have to do something about it. So the suffering is an impetus to give us strength and as we are working on a solution, we gain strength and with that strength we come up. That is what Krsna wants from us; Krsna doesn't want us cheaply but Krsna wants us with quality. And therefore Krsna gives us tests so that we can grow. So that's His blessing…  |
| Everything belongs to Krishna! Posted: 22 Apr 2012 11:22 PM PDT HH Kadamba Kanana Swami, Melbourne, Australia, October 2011) (Transcribed by Smita Krishna Devi Dasi)  At the time of initiation, we are receiving diksa or transcendental knowledge. Such transcendental knowledge means that we understand that: 'bahūnāṁ janmanām ante jñānavān māṁ prapadyate vāsudevaḥ sarvam iti sa mahātmā su-durlabhaḥ', (Bg 7.19). After many life times, we come to the point where we actually realise that Krishna is everything and that the ultimate goal of life is Krishna. So it's very rare, ' sa mahātmā su-durlabhaḥ'. 'Su-durlabhaḥ' means very rare. It is said, that mostly the living entities are busy with the material energy and they are trying to milk the material energy in various ways and get some benefit from the material energy and that is really what every one is doing in the world. Some are doing it in pious ways, by following the direction of the scriptures. Others are doing it in an impious way, but mostly people are hoping for material happiness therefore 'bahūnāṁ',its very rare that someone comes to this point to understand that Krishna is the real goal of life and actually everything is meant for Krishna. It's logical because everything was created by Krishna, He is Isvara-parama Krishna. He is the origin of everything and therefore naturally, we are returning to Him what belongs to Him, just like sometimes we take bath in the Ganga and we scoop up some water from there and offer it back to Ganga because the Ganga is pure. So we want to make pure offering, and therefore we are offering Gangajal to Ganga. Like this, we are offering to Krishna what belongs to Him already! Everything, even our bodies are also Krishna's energy, yes – everything in this world belongs to Krishna – including our very bodies, including our children, our house, including all our possessions! Therefore, everything is meant to be used for Krishna. We ourselves, of course, need to live. we need residence for the shelter, we need to eat and so on, but we are doing that all on behalf of Krishna. One should eat only remnants of what is offered to the Lord only that which is left over from yagna, no other things a devotee will take. It says because otherwise one gets involve in sinful reactions because whatever is the consciousness of the cook, will affect whatever is eaten and subsequently, it will effect our consciousness and thus, new material desires will be born. Therefore we are careful in our eating, we are careful that our house is Krishna's house and that we are in that house and only doing things that are favourable to Krishna. So that is what it means!  |
| Loving Exchanges between Devotees Posted: 22 Apr 2012 11:18 PM PDT by HH Devamrita Swami Krishna's devotees the ultimate yogis, are one another's life and soul. When we want to push past the neophyte level, cherishing the association of devotees, despite differences and even disagreements, is an essential ingredient of spiritual advancement. Just an effort in this department yields so much benefit. So how do the oldest devotees relate? I'll try to feed you a tasty illustration later in this note. But first . . . more urging. In our Vaishnava dealings sometimes disappointments and crises afflict us. But at least any quarrels or debates center, more or less, upon serving Krishna. Observe the world of material relationships—whether family, friendship, or romance. Though full of letdowns and mirages, still, who wants to go it alone? Are hermits everywhere? In both material and spiritual societies, humans are indeed social creatures, judged by the company they keep, tolerating differences. My advice to you: keep trying to increase your intimacy with Vaishnavas, through thick and thin. In case you're curious, here's an example, from my own efforts to execute what I recommend to you. For the occasion of the vyasa-puja of my Godbrother His Holiness Jayapataka Swami, I sent this letter, glorifying his spiritual exertion despite a stroke that debilitated part of his physical capacity. Dear Jayapataka Swami, Please accept my obesiances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. For the celebration of your most auspicious appearance day, let me offer an accurate record of a conversation among three of your Godbrothers, mid-March 2012, in Bali, as they discussed the glories of Srila Prabhupada's devotees. "Can you fathom Jayapataka Maharaja's bhakti determination!" "During the Navadvipa parikrama, he visited all seven parties, sometimes eating and sleeping in a car." "Devotees in the Russian parikrama parties would shed tears upon his arrival, feeling his immense determination to share Mayapur-dhama with them, despite his physical condition." "I watched him take a full 15 minute just to get out of a car, what to speak of go up some stairs. Yet, after the intensity of such labored efforts, when his devotee team finally got him to the top of the stairs, where I already was, the first words out of his mouth were: 'How are you feeling? How is your health? Is everything ok for you here in Mayapur?'" "How soft his heart is, tenderized by genuine love and concern for all!" In this way Niranjana Swami, Kavicandra Swami, and my lowly self tasted the nectar of devotion. your servant, Devamrita Swami Then Jayapataka Maharaja surprised me, by having his assistant transcribe a letter to me, sent from his mobile phone. Prepare for a shower of nectar pouring from the heart of an all-weather Vaisnava, whose service never ceases, no matter the circumstances. My Dear Godbrother Devamrita Maharaj, Please accept my humble obeisances! All glories to Srila Prabhupada! His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada was a great general (sena-pati) of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He spread Krishna Consciousness to every continent of the world. In 1968 Srila Prabhupada told me to be a member of Lord Krishna Caitanya Mahaprabhu's army. I joined this transcendental army. I got wounded but in spite of this I am still serving in Lord Krishna Caitanya's army, under Srila Prabhupada. We don't use weapons of violence. We should try to give out the mercy of Nitai-Gaurasundar. I am trying to do this in spite of physical impediments. It would be great spiritual bliss to be able to do anything in service to guru and Gauranga. You have qualified [commended] me but I can't do anything without blessings of Lord Krishna and Srila Prabhupada. If I do anything, it is only due to their mercy. I take this opportunity to offer my heartfelt obeisances to you. I am very grateful you remember me. I hope I can have your prayers and blessings to serve our spiritual father with every breath until I breathe my last in this body. I hope this finds you healthy & blissful in Krishna Consciousness. Your servant, Jayapataka Swami   |
| Making preparations for the final important event! Posted: 22 Apr 2012 11:06 PM PDT Evening program At night, before another full audience, Srila Prabhupada continued to discuss the plight of the great Maharaja Pariksit. The Emperor had been cursed to die. Now he had to make preparations for that final important event -- death.  The human form, Prabhupada explained, was a unique opportunity to understand death and the change of body. In all other species that facility was absent; only after passing through at least 8,000,000 species did one come to the valuable human birth. Still, most people didn't take advantage, and thus suffered accordingly. He gave the example of a tree. Just as schoolboys who misbehaved were obliged to stand up for prolonged periods, similarly if one liked to be naked, he would be obliged to stand as a tree for thousands of years. This, was nature's "stand-up punishment". One's position, Prabhupada explained, was precarious. "Maharaja Pariksit, such a powerful king, he has been cursed: 'You must die within seven days.' So he is preparing. He has got time, seven days. But what we have got? We haven't got even seven minutes warning. At any moment we can die." Prabhupada described with impeccable reasoning and logic the soul's travail through conception, to birth, childhood, boyhood, youth to old age, then to death and a new body, that is 'put on just as a man puts on pants and coat'. Srila Prabhupada presented a stunningly clear piece of logic: one could not claim that the soul was formless, because the body has arms and legs. He explained further: one put on clothes formed with arms and legs. Why then did the body have arms and legs? Because the soul had arms and legs! Finally, Prabhupada requested everyone to kindly take advantage of his offering. "We are presenting the Krsna consciousness movement very genuinely and authorisedly. The centre is now open. Now it is up to you to take advantage of it and be benefited." In question time, a devotee asked whether the soul in an animal's body would have a different shape to the soul in a human body. Prabhupada explained further. "The shape has been taken according to his desire. Every animal has got these four things. Just like a bird, it has got two wings, two legs. The animal has got four legs. And the man has got two hands and two legs. So the same parts of the body are appearing in a different type. But the four limbs of the body are there." The questions continued in the same vein. Yasomatinandana asked whether the eternal form of the spirit soul was human. "Yes," Prabhupada replied. "Human form. God is also human form. 'Man is made after the shape of God.' I think there is in the Bible, is it not? So God is also like human form. Here you see Krsna, two hands, two legs." But Hari-sauri had a doubt. "How do we understand, then, that there are peacocks and flowers and trees in the spiritual world? Are these not eternal forms?" "Yes," explained Srila Prabhupada. "They are more covered. Just like if you cover your body with blankets, the hands and legs are invisible. But you are not the blanket. So the trees and plants, they are more covered. They are not in full manifestation. The human form is the full manifestation of the soul." Hari-sauri wondered whether they were covered in the spiritual world. "Not in the spiritual world. There that is voluntary. Some devotees want to serve Krsna as flowers; they become flowers there. If he wants that 'As a flower I shall lie down at the lotus feet of Krsna', he becomes a flower, voluntarily. And he can change his form, from flower to human body. That is spiritual life. There is no restriction. If some devotee wants to serve Krsna as a cow, he serves Krsna as a cow, as a calf, as a flower, as a plant, as water, as ground, field, or as father, mother, friend, beloved, anything. Ye yatha mam prapadyante tams tathaiva bhajamy aham. That is Krsna's all-powerfulness." - From "The Great Transcendental Adventure" by HG Kurma Prabhu  |
Yours
Dinesh
Blog:http://dinesh-krsna.blogspot.com
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