When She finally opened Her eyes, Krishna was the first person She saw!!!

Posted by dinesh

Radhashtami

Posted by krishnasmercy on August 27, 2009

"O Radha, you are dearer to me than my life even and I am like the same to you. There has been no point of separation or difference between us. Both of us have one and the same form." (Lord Krishna speaking to Radha just prior to their advent on earth, Brahmavaivarta Purana, Krishna-Janma Khand)

Radhashtami is the appearance day celebration of Shrimati Radharani, the eternal consort of Lord Krishna. Just as we take our spouse to be our partner for life, God has a life partner in His eternal consorts. Though He has different forms and incarnations such as Rama, Narasimha, Varaha, etc., according to the Brahmavaivarta, Vishnu, and Bhagavata Puranas, Krishna is the original form of God. Krishna's immediate expansion and pleasure potency is Radharani, often referred to just as Radha.

Radha is known as Krishna's pleasure potency, hladini-shakti. Krishna is the energetic and Radha is His energy, similar to the way wives are referred to as the better-half of their husbands. She is completely engrossed in thoughts of Krishna, loving Him purely and perfectly. Actually, it is not possible for one to love Krishna more than Radha does, for out of all the gopis, she is Krishna's favorite. Just as there are various forms of Krishna, so there exist many expansions of Radha. All the great demigoddesses and the various Lakshmis are all considered to emanate from her. Radhashtami is celebrated because it marks the anniversary of when she took birth on this earth some five thousand years ago.

Just like Krishna, Radha is eternal, so she technically doesn't take birth in the material world. For this reason, the occasion of her birth is referred to as her appearance day. According to the different Puranas, there are several versions of the story relating to the circumstances of her appearance. The reason for this is that God reenacts His pastimes on earth over and over again in the different kalpas, or creations. The general story is that Radha, Krishna, and their associates were enjoying their pastimes on the spiritual planet of Krishnaloka, when a misunderstanding arose between Radha and Krishna's friend Shridama over Krishna's playing with one of the gopis. As a result, Shridama cursed Radha to appear on earth and be separated from Krishna for one hundred years. This coincided with Krishna's appearance on earth, the purpose of which was to kill the demon Kamsa and to deliver His dependents. Naturally whenever God comes to earth, He brings His closest associates with him.

Radharani appeared fifteen days after Krishna did, as the daughter of Vrishabhanu and Kirtida.

"The birth of Radharani was not from the womb of any human being. She was found by her father in the field. While father was plowing, he saw one little nice child is lying there, and he had no children, so he caught it and presented to the queen, 'Oh, here we have got a very nice child.' 'How you got?' 'Oh, in the field.' Just see. Radharani's janma is like that." (Shrila Prabhupada, Lecture, Montreal, Aug. 30, 1968)

As the tradition goes, Radha actually didn't open her eyes for the first few days, a fact which worried her parents. They were concerned that she might be blind, so they invited the venerable Narada Muni to come and assess the situation. He was immediately taken aback after seeing Radha, for he knew she was no ordinary child. He advised Vrishabhanu not to worry and to hold an elaborate feast and invite Nanda and Yashoda, the foster-parents of Krishna. When baby Krishna came over, He crawled to Radha's crib to look at her. When she finally opened her eyes, Krishna was the first person she saw.

In their youth, the two enjoyed many wonderful pastimes in Vrindavana, but sadly the Lord would have to leave and finish His pastimes in Mathura and Dvaraka. Radha and the other gopis were left in Vrindavana always pining for the Lord. Such a separation may seem like a bad thing, but it actually brings about a pleasurable feeling. Worshiping the Lord in the mood of separation was the process recommended by Lord Chaitanya, for it is very blissful and arouses feelings of Krishna prema. Radhrani's separation anxiety was very great and she even declared that no one except Sita Devi, Lord Rama's wife, knew what she was experiencing.

"This type of grief was known either to Sita or to me. Compared to me, there is no one else in the three worlds whose mind is so painful. Can any woman believe in my pain after looking at me? Oh son Uddhava, what other women have faced such a type of grief? Among women, there is no one who is so badly suffering like Radha, who is suffering from separation from her Lord and is devoid of fortune and is completely grief-stricken. There is no one else among the damsels feeling more painful at heart than Radhika. In this universe the husband who happens to be the kalpavriksha (wish-fulfilling tree) was achieved by me, but I have been deprived of the same because of cruel destiny. With one look at His lotus-like feet as well as His moon-like face and His costumes, my birth and my life have become successful. With the hearing of whose name all the life airs become activated and sprout like flowers and the soul is filled with affection, the one who touched me at the time of conjugal pleasure and with that I enjoyed the glory of the three worlds. How can I forget such a lord by getting any amount of riches?" (Radharani speaking to Krishna's friend and envoy Uddhava, Brahmavaivarta Purana, Krishna-Janma Khand)

There is no difference between God and His name. Merely thinking of Him and reciting His name means we are in direct association with Him. In this way, there is actually never any separation between the Lord and His devotees. Devotees typically fast until noon on Radhashtami and then have discussions about Radha and Krishna. The best way to celebrate the grand pair is to always call chant their holy names found in the maha-mantra: "Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare". Krishna is the original name of God and Hare refers to the Lord's energy in the form of Radha. Jai Shri Radhe!

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Dinesh
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Radha Damodara...

Posted by dinesh

"When Srimati Radharani first saw Krishna, She suddenly became conscious of all transcendental happiness, and the functions of Her different limbs were stunned. When Lalita, Her constant companion, whispered into Her ear, the holy name of Krishna, Radharani immediately opened Her eyes wide. (Nectar of Devotion, pg 259)

"One day, in a joking mood, Krishna informed Radharani, 'My dear Radharani, I am going to give up Your Company.' Upon saying this, He immediately disappeared, and because of this, Radharani immediately fell down upon the ground of Vrindavana. she had practically stopped breathing, but when She smelled the flavor of the flowers on the ground, She awoke in ecstasy and got up.

"One night, Srimati Radharani was talking in a dream. "My dear Krishna", She said, "please do not play any more jokes on Me! Please stop! And please don't touch my garments either. Otherwise I shall inform the elder persons, and I shall disclose all of Your naughty behavior. She was talking like this in a dream. She suddenly awoke and saw some of Her superiors standing before Her. Thus Radharani became ashamed and bowed Her head"

Relationship between Sri Krishna and Srimati Radharani

The relationship between Sri Krishna and Srimati Radharani (maya-mrgam) indicates yogamaya in this context since Radharani is Krishna's hladini-sakti, His original internal pleasure potency. Because Krishna is Madana-mohana and Radharani is Madana-mohana-mohini, therefore mrgam means Krishna is like a deer that is controlled by the beautiful Radharani. Sri Radha always performs puja to bind Krishna because She cannot live without Him. Due to Radharani's aradhana, or worship, Krishna never leaves Vrndavana. He runs through the forests of Vrndavana (anvadhavat), playing with His friends and cows and engaging in amorous pastimes with His most desired object (ipsitam), Srimati Radharani.

All the gopis love to hear Mother Yasoda sing about the glories of Krishna. Radharani is especially keen to hear Krishna's pastimes, but She is particularly attracted to the Damodara pastime. Charmed by Damodara's mood of surrender in agreeing to be bound by Mother Yasoda's love, Sri Radha longs to have that same exchange with Krishna. She desires to express such intense love for Krishna that He will also agree to be bound by Her love. Appreciating this mood of Mother Yasoda to enhance Her own feelings for Krishna, She resolves to experience this same reciprocation of love. "(Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.9.20, purport.)

Radha-Damodara thus refers to Radharani's mood of intense attraction for this pastime between Damodara and Mother Yasoda. In celebration of this mood of love, She performs Katyayani vrata in the month of Kartik to receive the benediction to enter into this intimate relationship of loving exchange. By performing this vrata, Sri Radha is willing to undergo any austerities so that Krishna will agree to be bound by Her love.

According to Vedic civilization, during the month of Kartik unmarried girls are required to worship goddess Durga and perform austerities in order to get a good husband. In KRSNA book, the unmarried gopis perform Katyayani vrata to get Krishna as their husband. They eat only havisyanna—a bland kichari prepared by boiling mung dahl and rice together without any spices—to purify the body before enacting a ritualistic ceremony. After taking bath in the Yamuna River, they worship a deity of goddess Durga with sandalwood pulp, garlands, incense, lamps, fruits, grains, and twigs of plants. After worship, they pray for the benediction to become the wives of Krishna. (KRSNA, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, chapter 22)

Jiva Goswami has written that Srimati Radharani always performs austerities simply to bind Krishna more and more with Her love. Because without Krishna She cannot even bear to live. It is due to Sri Radha's aradhana, or worship, that Krishna never leaves Vrndavana. Gaudiya Vaisnavas consider Radharani to be the presiding Deity for the month of Kartik, which, significantly, is also called Damodara. Srila Rupa Goswami, in his Sri Utkalika-vallari, proclaims Radharani as Kartik-devi, the goddess of Kartik.

The Hari-bhakti-vilasa proclaims, "O learned brahmanas! Lord Damodara becomes very pleased if during the month of Kartik one worships a Deity of Radhika solely for Her pleasure." (Hari-bhakti-vilasa 16.95) For this reason, Vaisnavas perform austerities in the month of Kartik to please Sri Radha. They consider Kartik as the month of Radha-Damodara because of the following pastime in the Uttara-khanda of the Bhavisya Purana.

"Once in the auspicious month of Kartik, Krishna came late for a rendezvous with Radharani in Her kunja. In loving anger, Sri Radha looked at Krishna with frowning eyebrows. Using some golden vines, Radha then tied a rope around Sri Krishna's belly to punish Him for not showing up as promised. Krishna said He was late because Mother Yasoda kept Him home for a festival. Seeing Her mistake, Radha quickly untied Her beloved Damodara." (Radha Kunda Mahima Madhuri, by Mahanidhi Swami, page 50)

Radharani's desire to bind Krishna with Her love is fulfilled in this pastime. Therefore, Vraja Vaisnavas worship this Damodara who is bound by Radharani's love. Of course, Krishna is already famous as Damodara from His childhood. In fact, just as Krishna is eternal, so is His Holy Name. He is always known as Damodara, although it appears that His name comes into being as a result of the pastime with Mother Yasoda. Damodar also means one who is bound with ropes of love by his mother.

An example concerning Her beautiful form is given in Ujjvala-nîlamani, wherein Sri Krsna says, "O Radhe! The locks of Your hair curl beautifully, and You have a lotus-like face with elongated restless eyes. Your chest is adorned with lovely large and firm breasts. Your waist is attractively slender, Your head is bowed slightly in modesty, and Your fingernails are like rows of jewels. Your beautiful form is a festival of elegance and sweetness that crushes the vanity of the three worlds."

Concerning Her sixteen items of beautification, Subala says to Sri Krsna, "After bathing, Sri Radhika decorates the tip of Her nose with an effulgent jewel. She dresses in blue clothing, with a sash (nivibandhana) around Her waist. Her hair is plaited and She wears ornaments on Her ears. Her limbs are smeared with camphor, musk and sandal paste. She wears flowers in Her hair and a garland around Her neck. In Her hand She playfully carries a lotus flower. In Her mouth She has tambula, and on Her chin a dot of musk. She wears kajjala around Her eyes and on Her cheeks are muskpaintings of dolphins, etc. The bottoms of Her lotus feet are painted red and She wears tilaka on Her forehead."

Concerning Her twelve ornaments, Subala says, "Sri Radhika wears a diamond on Her head, golden earrings on Her ears, and tiny golden bells around Her hips. A golden locket hangs around Her neck. She wears a cakri-salaka (an elaborate ornament that encircles the entire ear and fastens at the top) over Her ears, bangles on Her hands, and a necklace around Her throat. There are rings on Her fingers and a group of star-like necklaces on Her bosom. She is adorned with jewelled armlets, jewelled ankle bells and radiant toe rings. She is very beautiful wearing these twelve ornaments."

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Dinesh
Blog:http://dinesh-krsna.blogspot.com

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What to Do on Radhastami?

Posted by dinesh

Question

What to Do on Radhastami?

Answer

Devotional service to Lord Krishna is the most auspicious activity, and Lord Caitanya, the combined incarnation of Radharani and Krishna, said that of all the devotional services one can perform, the chanting of Lord Krishna's holy name is the best. So why not chant the holy name more than you usually do?

If you can follow in Her footsteps and dedicate your life to Her Lord Krishna, that is the greatest gift. If you cannot give your life to Krishna, give your money. If you cannot give your money, give your intelligence. If you cannot give your intelligence, at least give your words.

Srila Prabhupada said that we can pray to Srimati Radharani that Lord Krishna might be compassionate upon us.

Source : Krishna.com FAQs
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Dinesh
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Why didn't Radha and Krishna Get Married?

Posted by dinesh

Why didn't Radha and Krishna Get Married?

Answer

Of course, there is a pastime of Radha and Krishna getting married. This is not told in the Srimad-Bhagavatam, but another authorized book, Sri Madhava-mahotsava, by Jiva Goswami, which has been produced in English by Mahanidhi Swami.

One reason generally given for Krishna not marrying Radha, or the other gopis for that matter, is that the parikiya rasa or unwedded love, is more risky from the social point of view and therefore a greater surrender or enthusiasm for Krishna is required to attain it, and this greater intensity makes it more palatable both for Krishna and the gopis.

Source : Krishna.com FAQs

Yours
Dinesh
Blog:http://dinesh-krsna.blogspot.com

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KKSblog.com - Chanting without offense Part 3

Posted by dinesh

Chanting without offense Part 3
Blessings are a great benefit
Bhagavatam knows what it's talking about!

Chanting without offense Part 3

Posted: 04 Sep 2011 03:37 PM PDT

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, Finland, 2011)

There are techniques you can use to control the mind. We can obviously chant in a peaceful place. We have to make sure that we have rested enough and things like that. We have to put business aside. These are the techniques for controlling the mind by discipline.

So there is an element of discipline that we are trying to control. The other element is that the mind becomes attracted by Krishna! That we actually become captured by Krishna! So I am interested in that part! That's what I want to develop that bigger and bigger….more and more!

When I am chanting that is what I am thinking about…Krishna's attractive features. What attracts me in Krishna, is that it inspires me. Sometimes before I chant, I first read until I get across something that really inspires me and then I start chanting…and then the chanting is very inspiring! Lke that I try to allow myself…my mind to be attracted to Krishna, because He is attractive!

Blessings are a great benefit

Posted: 04 Sep 2011 01:01 PM PDT

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, Finland, 2011)

Obviously there are many many superior personalities, who have somehow or other served the Supreme Lord. All throughout the universe, there are many great personalities such as Lord Siva, Lord Brahma and many other of the Devatas….or the manus…..there are many great devotees and all these devotees have blessed us! And can bless us more, since their blessings are a great benefit.

The blessing of the Spiritual Master is the greatest blessing! So all these devotees can bless us because they have credit with Krishna and therefore they can attract the mercy of Krishna! And in this way we can be uplifted even beyond what we deserve!

Bhagavatam knows what it's talking about!

Posted: 04 Sep 2011 12:55 AM PDT

As we are going through life so many times we just choose the wrong thing, knowingly. We just choose something in this temporary world and it's just love and this love and that love and so much love and then so much misery! It's amazing, it happens and again and again it happens. And we think, 'well this time it's real, absolutely. This time it's different.' But it's not any different at all, it's the same as all the other times! Exactly the same, again and again.

That is what Bhagavatam is telling us. And we say, 'no, no, no…Bhagavatam doesn't know what it's talking about! That's a book and this is life. Not everything in life can be in a book.' No, it's all in the book, it really is. It's all in there. Everything that's there in life, it's all in Bhagavatam. It's not that something hasn't been included in the Bhagavatam. It's all there, it's all there…

(Kadamba Kanana Maharaja, August 2010, Sweden)

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Dinesh
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Sri Radha’s Twenty-Five Principal Qualities

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Sri Radha's Twenty-Five Principal Qualities

Among Radha's innumerable transcendental attributes, She has twenty-five principal qualities.

1) Radharani is very sweet and most charming to look at; 2) Radha is adolescent and always freshly youthful; 3) Radhika's eyes are doe-like and restless; 4) Sri Radha's face is smiling and every blissful' 5) Auspicious, beautiful lines adorn Sri Radha's lotus hands and feet; 6) Radharani maddens Krsna with Her fragrant bodily aroma; 7) Srimati Radharani is the most exceptional singer and vina player; 8) Radha's words are charming and pleasing; 9) Radha is expert at telling jokes that delight Krnsa; 10) Srimati Radhika is exceptionally humble; 11) Radha is the embodiment of mercy and compassion; 12) Sri Radha's intelligence and wit surpasses all;

13) Radharani is expert at performing all activities of love: 14) Shyness is the shining gem in Radha's character' 15) Srimati Radharani is the beacon light of modesty and never swerves from the path of honesty; 16) radha is never perturbed by worldly sorrow or misery; 17) Sri radha has unbounded gravity and sublimity; 18) Radhika is ever fascinated to unite Herself with Krsna; 19) Radha possesses Mahabhava, the highest sentiments of love; 20) Radharani is the reservoir of loving affairs in Gokula; 21) Radha's transcendental glories are shining in all the worlds; 22) Sri Radha is most affectionate to her superiors; 23) Radhika is submissive to the love of Her senior girlfriends; 24) Radharani is the chief among Krsna's gopi lovers; 25) Radha always keeps Sri Krsna under Her control. Krsna submissively obeys Radha's command. (CS)

"Srimati Radharani always keeps Her hand on the shoulders of Her friends and Radha always talks and thinks of the pastimes of Krsna. Radharani forever offers Krsna a kind of intoxication by Her sweet talks. Sri radha supplies all the demands of Sri Krsna, and Radharani possesses unique and uncommon qualities meant for Krsna's satisfaction. Srimati Radhika is able to fulfill all the desires of Krsna. No one else can do so. Radha is so expert in all affairs that the damsels of Vraja come to learn the arts from her".

(Teachings of Lord Chaitanya Chap.31 by HDG Swami Srila Prabhupada)
By:Gauridasa Pandita Dasa Prabhu

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Dinesh
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Worshipping Sri Radha's Lotus Feet!!

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Worshipping Sri Radha's Lotus Feet

: By Prabodananda Sarasvati

The lotusfeet of Sri Radhika are my only treasure

(from Sri Radha-rasa-sudha-nidhi)

alam visaya varta ya naraka koti bibhatsaya
vrtha sruti kathasramo bata bibhemi kaivalyatah
paresa bhajanon mada yadi sukadayah tatah kim
parantu mama radhika pada rase mano majjatu

May my mind always float in the ocean of divine nectar emanating from the lotus feet of Srimati Radharani. No more fear of millions of hells. Studying of the scriptures has become simply troublesome. Merging into the brahman effulgence is terrible. The ecstatic symptoms of devotion to the Lord that are felt by the great devotees like Suka have lost their charms.

upasya caranambuje vraja bhrtam kisori ganaih
mahad bhirapi purusair apari bhavya rasotsave
agadha rasa dhamani svapada Padma seva vidhau
vidhehi madhuroj jvalam iva krtim mamadhisvari

O Radha! You are my sole Ruler and only shelter. Countless gopis of Vraja swarm around Your lotus feet and worship them wholeheartedly. Your lotus feet are an inexhaustible fountainhead of the quintessence of universal love and are inconceivable to great saints. That is perhaps the reason why great devotees are striving with ever increasing courage and hope to catch the sweetness and beauty of the grace that flows from Your lotus feet. O Queen! Will You be pleased to show me the particular manner in which I should serve Your lotus feet?

atisnehaduccair api ca hari namani grnatah
tatha saugandhadyair bahubhi rupa carais ca yajatah
paranandam vrndavana manu carantam ca dadhato
mano me radhaya padamrdu lapadme nivasatu

Lotus chanting of the holy name of Lord Hari with love attracts my mind towards Sri Radha's feet. This attraction becomes very strong as soon as the delicious ingredient of Sri Radha's service is added to the chanting. Meditation on blissful Krsna as He roams about in Vrndavana has put me under the shade of the tender feet of kind Sri Radha.

kamam tulikaya karena harinayalatka kairankita
nanakeli vidagdha goparmani vrdai tatha vandita
ya sanguptaya tatha upanisadam hrd yeva vidyo tate
sa radha carana dvayi mama gatih lasyai kalilamayi

My only shelter is Sri Radhika's lotus feet which I yearn to worship with love and devotion. These lotus feet of Srimati Radhika are painted by Krsna's soft fingers with a feather dipped in the most fragrant red-colored juice. The gopis follow Krsna's example and worship the same feet for the happiness of all living entities. These feet are glorified in the Upanisads, and are found in the depth of the hearts of pure devotees.

vrndavanesari tavaiva padaravindam
premamrtaika makaranda rasau gha purnam
hrdyar apitam madhupate smaratapa mugram
nirvapayat parama sitala ma srayami

O Vrndavanesvar! O Sri Radhe! I pray for the shelter of Your lotus feet. Your lotus feet are treasure house of nectar of divine love. Syamasundara keeps them safely and dearly in His heart. These feet are the supreme cooling remedy for the blazing fires of this material world.

yadi snehad radhe disasi ratilam payata padavi
gatam me svaprestam tadapi mamnistham srunu yatha
kataksai raloke smita saha carair jata pulakam
sama aslisyamyuc cai atha ca rasaye tvatpadarasam

O dear Sri Radha! When out of sheer compassion, and moved by Krsna's overwhelming love for You, will grant Him His prayers to message Your lotus feet? At that time, I shell look at the ecstatic smiling faces of both of You, and so encouraged I shall hug Your feet with my hands, and taste the nectar of Your lotus feet to my full satisfaction.

yasya aste bata kinkarisu bahusas catuni vrndatavi
kandarpah kurute tavaiva kim api prepsuh prasadotsavam
sadrananda ghananuraga lahari nisyanda padambuja
dvandve sri vrsabhanu nandini sada vande tava sripadam

O Vrsabhanu-nandini! I bow down to Your lotus feet with great awe and reverence, from which selfless love is ever pouring forth in abundance. In His ceaseless and tireless efforts to win Your grace, Sri Krsna, the God of love of Vrndavana and Supreme Almighty, always solicits the favors of Your servants with love and affection.

radhapada saroja bhaktim acalam udviksya niskaitavam
pritah svam bhajatopi nibhaira maha premnadhikam sarva sah
alingatyatha cumbati svavadanat tambulam asyer apayet
kante svam vanamali kamapi mama nyasyet kada mohanah

I know, and it has been confirmed by all reliable authorities that Madana-Mohana Krsna would be so ecstatically delighted to see pure devotion unto Sri Radha's lotus feet that he would descend from His worshipped throne to embrace, kiss, give His chewed betel nuts, and garland to Sri Radhika's devotee. When shall I be blessed with such devotion, getting such treatment from Krsna as my reward for devotion to Radha's lotus feet?

sat premasindhu makaranda rasau gadhara
sarana jasramabhitah sravada sritesu
sri radhike tava kada caranaravindam
govinda jivana dhanam sirasa vahami

O Radhika! When shall I enjoy the fortune of having my head used by You as Your footstool? Your feet, which are the life-treasure of Govinda, will then be a crown on my head. They will further bathe my head with a pure nectarine flood of love that always flows among Your devotees.

Śri Rūpa-cintāmaṇi - ''The Cintāmaṇi Jewel of Beauty''
Srila Vishvanath Cakravarti Thakura

01. cchatra - Umbrella
02. ari - Disc
03. dhvaja - Flag
04. valli - Flowery Twig
05. puṣpa - Flower
06. valayan - Jewelled Bangle
07. padma - Lotus
08. urdhva-rekha - Upward line
09. ankusham - Elephant Goad
10.ardhendu - Half Moon
11. yavaṁ - Barleycorn
12. śaktiṁ - Spear
13. gadaṁ - Club
14. syandanam - Chariot
15. vedi - Sacrificial Altar
16. kuṇḍala - Earrings
17. matsya - Fish
18. parvata - Mountain
19. daraṁ - Conch
The Lotus Footprints of Srimati Radharani with symbols
cchatrari-dhvaja-valli-puṣpa-valayan padmordhva-rekhaṅkuśan

ardhenduṁ ca yavaṁ ca vamam anu ya śaktiṁ gadaṁ syandanam
vedi-kuṇḍala-matsya-parvata-daraṁ datte 'nv asavyaṁ padaṁ

taṁ radhaṁ ciram unaviṁśati-maha-lakṣmy-arcitaṅghriṁ bhaje

cchatra - parasol; ari - ari; dhvaja - flag; valli - vine; puṣpa - flowers; valayan -bracelets;padma - lotus; urdhva-rekha - ūrdhva - rekhā; aṅkuśan - elephant - goad; ardhendum - half - moon; ca - and; yavam - barleycorn; ca - and; vamam - left; anu - following; ya - which; śaktim - potency; gadam;club; syandanam - flowing; vedialtar; kuṇḍala - earrings; matsya - fish; parvata -mountain; daram - conchshell; datte - places; anu - following; asavyam - right; padam - foot; tam -Her;radham - Rādhā; ciram - eternally; unaviṁśati - 19;maha - great;lakṣmi - opulence; arcita - endowed; aṅghrim - feet; bhaje - I worship.

Translation

I worship Śri Rādhā, whose feet are endowed with the 19 great opulences of, on the left foot, the parasol, ari, flag, vine, flower, bracelet, lotus,ūrdhva-rekhā, elephant-goad, halfmoon, and barleycorn, and on the right foot, the śakti, club, chariot, altar, earrings, fish, mountain, and conchshell. (Sri Rupa Cintamani)

Description and the locations of the imprints on the lotus feet of Srimati Radhika

Text 1 & 2

are manas cintaya radhikaya vame pade 'ngusthatale yavari
pradesini-sandhi-bhagur dhvarekha makuncitama carana arddham eva

madhya tale 'bja-dhvaja-puspa-vallih kanisthakadho' nkusam ekam eva
cakrasya mule valayata patre parsnau tu candra arddha mathanya-pade

O mind! Please meditate on the left lotus of Srimati Radharani which is decorated with the following auspicious markings:

Below the toe of the left foot is a barleycorn and a disc. Starting from mid point between the main toe and the second toe, continuing for half the length of the foot, is a shining upward-line. Below the middle toe are a lotus, flag, flower and a twig. Below the little toe is an elephant goad. Below the disc is an umbrella, and below that is a bracelet. On the heel is a beautiful looking half-moon.

Text 3

parsnau jhasam syandana-sailam urdhve tat-parsvayoh sakti-gade ca sankham
angustha-mule 'tha kanisthakadho vedim adhah kundalam eva tasyah

Please remember the right lotus feet of Srimati Radhika with the following descriptions of the markings:
On the heel of the right foot is a fish. Above that is a chariot. Above the chariot is a mountain. On one side of the chariot is a sakti weapon, and on the other side is a club. Above the club is the conchshell, which is at the root of the toe. Below the little toe is a sacrifice altar, and below the sacrificial altar is an earring.

'Pada Sevanam - Meditation on the Lotus Feet and Hands of Their Lordships', Text 1-3

Descriptions from Radha-Krsna ganoddesa dipika
atha carana-cihnani sankhendu-kunjara-yavav
ankusas ca ratha-dhvejau damaru-svasti-matsyadi
subha-cihnau padav api

The auspicious markings on Srimati Radharani's lotus feet includes the signs of the conchsell, moon, elephant, barleycorncorn, elephant goad, chariot, flag, small drum, svastika, and fish.

Descriptions from Sri Rupa Cintamani by Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura

chatrari-dhvaja-valli-puspa-valayan padmor dhvarekhankusan
arddhendun ca yavan ca vamamanu ya saktim gada syandanam
vedi-kundala-matsya-parvata-daram dhatte 'nv asavyam padam
tam radham ciram unavimsati-mahalaksmy-arcitanghrim bhaje

I worship Sri Radha whose lotus feet are endowed with nineteen great auspicious markings of: on the left foot are eleven markings of an umbrella, disc, flag, vine, flower, bracelet, lotus, upward-line, elephant-goad, half-moon, and barleycorn, and on the right foot are eight markings of the sakti, club, chariot, sacrificial altar, earrings, fish, mountain, and conch-shell.

Descriptions from Ananda Candrika
atha vamacaranasya angustha mule yavah tat-tale cakram tat-tale
chatram tat-tale valayam tarjanyan gustha sanhimarabhya vakra gataya yavad arddha
carana murdhva rekha madhyama tale kamalam kamakatale dhvajah sapatakah
kanistha tale 'nkusah parson arddha candrah tad upari valli puspanca ityekadasa

There is a barleycorn below the toe of the left foot of Sri Radhika. Below that is a disc, and below that is an umbrella, below the umbrella is a bracelet, and then there is an upper-line which starts from mid-point between the second toe and the main toe and goes down in a crooked way till it covers half the foot. Below the middle toe is a lotus, and below that is a flag. Below the little toe is an elephant goad. On the heel is a half-moon, and above that is a flower. Thus there are eleven auspicious markings decorating the left foot of Srimati Radharani.

atha daksinasya angustha mule sankhah kanisthatale vedi tat-tale
kundalam tarjani madhya mayos tale parvata parsnau Matsya martsyopari rathah
tathasya parsvadvayo sakti gade ityastau militva unavimsatih

There is a conch-shell at the origin of the toe of the right foot of Srimati Radharani. Below the little toe is a sacrificial altar, and below that is an earring. Below the second and the middle toe is a mountain. On the heel is a fish, and above the fish is a chariot. Thus there are eight markings on the right foot of Srimati Radharani. When combining these eight with those of the left foot, it becomes nineteen auspicious markings. In this way, the nineteen auspicious markings on the feet of Srimati Radharani are eternally remembered.

"Oh, Supreme Goddess of the Vrndavana forest! Your lotus feet are brimming full of flowing rasa extract, the essential honey of full-blown love nectars. Holding such feet to His chest, Madhupati (Krsna), the Lord of all sweetness, extinguishes the burning fever of Cupid. So supremely cooling, I now take shelter of them.

That which is present deep within the heart of all the Upanisads in the most well hidden secret; this pair of Sri Radha's divine lotus feet is my refuge - simply full of Her own feminine dancing playfulness."

"Radha Rasa Sudhanidhi" by Srila Prabhodananda Sarasvati Thakur

Right Lotus Foot:
8 Most Auspicious Marks

01. Sacrificial Altar
02. Mountain
03. Conch
04. Earring
05. Club
06. Chariot
07. Spear
08. Fish

Left Lotus Foot:
11 Most Auspicious Marks
01. Barleycorn
02. Disc
03. Upcurving line
04. Lotus
05. Umbrella
06. Elephant Goad
07. Flag
08. Bracelet
09 . Flower
10. Creeper
11. Half Moon
Meaning of the Auspicious Marks:

HALF-MOON (ardha-candra) - This mark symbolizes how lotus feet truly provide the desired objectives of the devotees. It signifies that even devatas like Lord Siva (whose symbol is a half moon) have decorated their own heads with the soles of the feet. It also shows that devotees who likewise decorate their own head with the feet can become exalted like Lord Siva. Just as the moon showers nectar with its cooling rays, similarly the lotus feet shower nectar upon the devotees, extinguishing the threefold material miseries. So that the minds of the devotees may reside at the feet, they bear the symbol of the moon (which is the devata or presiding deity of the mind) upon the feet. Just as the moon is one, yet it destroys the darkness seen by many people simultaneously, similarly the Lord is one and yet by His cleverness can deliver many souls at the same time. The half-moon also indicates that since Lord's toenails appear like ten splendorously full moons, the real moon has shriveled up in shame and appears in half-form.

PITCHER (kalasa) - This mark shows that lotus feet hold the golden pitcher full of purely nectarean ambrosia to be freely consumed by the surrendered souls; indeed, they will never be bereft of nectar for this pitcher always remains full. This mark also indicates that the feet can pour out nectar that extinguishes the blazing three-fold miseries of the separated devotees. The full pitcher is a symbol to show that no inauspiciousness can come near the devotees. Rather the feet bring ripples of happiness emanating from divine auspiciousness.

BOW (dhanu) - This mark reveals that those who take shelter of the lotus feet will be perpetually free from all worries and difficulties. It also shows that those who are stupefied in the material world remain motionless like a target and do not come to lotus feet. Whereas those who come to the ultimate goal of the feet remain there and never go back to the material world. Further, when the mind of the devotee meets the target of the feet, then prema condenses as a result and overflows as the tears showering from their eyes.

SKY (ambara) - This mark indicates that the feet are all pervading throughout the entire creation, both within and without all manifestations. It also shows that even though the feet are everywhere, they are unattached just like the sky.

COW-HOOF (gospada) - This mark signifies that for those who have taken full shelter of uninterrupted meditation on the feet, the great ocean of worldy existence becomes very small and insignificant like the water held in a calf's hoof-print and is thus easily crossed over.

FISH (matsya) - This mark shows that just as a fish cannot live without water, similarly the surrendered devotees cannot live a moment without directly associating with the feet. It also shows that all the most cherished desires and longings of those who resort to lotus feet will be truly fulfilled. It also means that the mind is very fickle, just like a fish who wavers this way and that, and so only after much meditation do the feet finally come into the heart. It also indicates that lotus feet will come to live in one's heart only if the heart has been liquefied by soft loving emotions; the feet do not thrive where it is dry.

CONCH (sankha) - This auspicious mark indicates that those who take shelter of the lotus feet are always rescued from all sorts of distress. Just as during the arati ceremony the conchshell is used to hold water that is offered directly after the fire of the ghee-lamp, similarly lotus feet hold transcendental water that soothes His devotees from the blazing fire of material miseries. Also this symbol proclaims ultimate victory for the devotees, since the conchshell mark on the feet contains the entire ocean of material existence that may now be easily crossed. This mark also shows that those who resort to lotus feet become completely fearless.

DISK (cakra) - This mark cuts down the six enemies of the devotees - lust, anger, greed, illusion, envy and bewilderment. It indicates teja-tattva, or the principle of brilliance by which Lord destroys the darkness of sins from within His devotee's hearts.

GOAD (ankusa) - This mark indicates that meditation on lotus feet brings the elephants of the devotee's minds under control and keeps them on the right path. It also shows that those who thus stay on the path toward the feet become superior among men, just as one riding on top of an elephant travels far above the rest.

FLAG (dhvaja) - This mark announces that for the devotees meditating on the feet, They give security and safe protection from all sorts of fear.

THUNDERBOLT (vrajra) - This mark reveals that meditation on lotus feet smashes to pieces the mountain of the devotee's karmic reactions to past sins. It also indicates that whoever holds on to the feet becomes as exalted as Lord Indra (whose weapon is the thunderbolt).

LOTUS (kamala) - This mark increases greed for nectar in the minds of the beelike devotees who meditate on lotus feet. The lotus also signifies that just as a lotus grows out of water, similarly those whose eyes swell with tears upon holding the Divine lotus feet to their heart receive the highest benefit. This mark also shows that the goddess of fortune, Sri Laksmi Devi always resides at His feet rendering humble service. It signifi es that His feet are so soft that they can only be compared to lotus petals; indeed upon first glancing at the lotus feet, you would think you are directly seeing fresh lotus blossoms. It also reveals that just as a lotus blooms by day and contracts by night, similarly those who remain steeped in meditation on lotus feet always feel the blossoming unfoldment of brilliant sattvika ecstasies that dispel the darkness of ignorance. It also means that the bee of the devotee's mind cannot fly beyond the bondage of dry jnana (knowledge) and vairagya (renunciation) without the temptation offered by the superior nectar of the lotus feet.

FLOWER (puspa) - This mark shows that the divine fame of the feet spread everywhere just like the fragrance of a flower. It also shows that the feet are not hard, but soft as flower petals. And it means that just as every fruit comes into being after the plant blooms, similarly all spiritual fruits come into being after first blossoming at the soles of the feet.

CLUB (gada) - This mark is to show that lotus feet are capable of chastising the elephant of sinful lust. It further indicates that for whoever takes shelter of the feet, all their ancestors will also receive benefit.

ALTAR (vedi) - This mark proclaims that the sins of those who meditate upon the feet are burned up as if on the
altar of sacrifice. Furthermore, it indicates that just as the universe is nourished by the brahmanas offering fire-sacrifices, similarly those who offer their minds in sacrifice to the feet stimulate universal nourishment
that affects all of creation.

UMBRELLA (catra) - This mark proves that those who take shelter of lotus feet are shielded from the incessant rainfall of material miseries. It also denotes that those who sit in the shade of the feet become exalted just like maharajas (great kings), who usually have umbrellas held over their heads.

By:Gauridasa Pandita Dasa Prabhu

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Dinesh
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Sri Radha Krishna

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Picture of the day!
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KKSblog.com - Service attitude

Posted by dinesh

Service attitude
Special Treasure!
Developing Nobleness and Saintliness
Service to the holy name

Service attitude

Posted: 01 Sep 2011 09:30 PM PDT

Towards everyone, always have a service attitude. Whenever we see a vaisnava we should always think how can I serve this vaisnava. Every vaisnava is a very important person and must be treated special. If we could just have that service attitude then that would do it. When there's a service attitude then automatically we can chant Hare Krsna because then we get into the mood of taking shelter.

(Kadamba Kanana Maharaj, August 2011, Germany)

Special Treasure!

Posted: 01 Sep 2011 02:12 PM PDT

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, Finland, 2011)

By the association of the vaisnavas, we are getting mercy….we are getting purified…………………………..We can all take inspiration from each other! That's a nice thing about vaisnava association. It's not like top down. Everyone can take initiation from each other, because every devotee carries some special treasure!

Developing Nobleness and Saintliness

Posted: 01 Sep 2011 01:47 PM PDT

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, Finland, 2011)

Once there was a hunter who was hunting in the forest, by killing different animals. Then he came upon a tiger and the roles became reversed. Instead of the hunter chasing animals, the tiger started to chase the hunter! The hunter was running for his life and went up the tree. He climbed up the tree and as he went up higher in the tree, there was a bear in that tree. The hunter looked at the bear and then he looked down at the tiger. Then the tiger spoke to the bear:

"There is our mutual enemy! Kick him down and I will finish him off!"

The bear said:

"No! No I cannot do that because he came to my home, so he is my guest. I have to give him shelter. So no I can't kick him down".

And the tiger said to the hunter:

"Look, if you kick this bear down. I'll eat the bear and I won't eat you!"

So the hunter kicked down the bear, and the bear was falling and falling. Then somehow or other he managed to grab a branch and was hanging onto the branch. He climbed back up and he was back into the tree, right at top.

Then the tiger said:

"Look at that hunter…you gave him shelter and he betrayed you! He just mercilessly kicked you down. See what kind of a character he is. Kick him down now and I will just finish him off!"

The bear said:

"No! I can't do that because he is still my guest, and even if he misbehaves, that doesn't give me a license to also misbehave".

In this way our noble bear really showed integrity of character, which was extraordinary, and this is the result of saintliness. So not only are we meant to be servants of Krishna. Not only are we meant to engage in devotional service and follow the four regulative principles, but we are also meant to develop qualities of saintliness. It's not only about what we do…it is also about who we are. That we must also become very noble personalities like the bear, or like Sita…..and of course also like Hanuman!

Service to the holy name

Posted: 01 Sep 2011 02:23 AM PDT

Not only did Prabhupada introduce the chanting of the holy name but he also introduced rendering service to the holy name, which is service to the sankirtana movement.

(Kadamba Kanana Maharaja, August 2011, Germany)

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Dinesh
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KKSblog.com - Chanting without offense Part 1

Posted by dinesh

Chanting without offense Part 1
The cold shower…
Satisfaction!
The golden age

Chanting without offense Part 1

Posted: 02 Sep 2011 03:24 PM PDT

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, Finland, 2011)

If one is committing offenses in the matter of chanting the Holy name, then one may chant for many many births, and still one will not attain the desired success of this chanting is Krishna prema!

So although the Holy name is Krishna, it is also mentioned that there are certain ways to access the name. Sometimes if we commit offenses in the matter of chanting the Holy name, we chant for so many births and still not attain Krishna prema, because Krishna withdraws from the name. Generally only a little but He is not fully available.

So chanting in this stage where we are still making offenses in the matter of chanting the names, means that Krishna is not fully manifest, then 'śuddha-nāma' the pure name is not manifest….then what is manifest is only 'nama- abhase' or the dim reflection of the name!

Srila Haridas Thakura gives a analogy which is described by Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami in The Caitanya Caritamrta….and there it is described that:

' Early in the morning, the light of the sun begins to appear in the sky, and immediately all the fears of the night; fears for thieves; fears for ghosts…all those fears are immediately eradicated! But yet, the sun globe itself has not yet appeared above the horizon! It is first the light that appears – the 'abhase' or the light emanating from the sun, but not the full sun globe! That comes a little later, and of course then gradually the sun fully rises. After sometime the sun comes to full strength.'

So in this way the Holy name is also manifesting and it is said:

'At first there is the dim light of the Holy name. As the dim light of the Holy name is manifesting, we will not have a direct experience of meeting Krishna face to face! Although we are, but yet because we don't have the purity at that stage – we cannot yet experience the Lord face to face, while we are chanting. But this 'nama- abhase' or this dim reflection of the pure Holy name (as Haridas Thakura says) can do two things:

1) It can destroy all sinful reactions from the heart!
2) It can reward us liberation from birth and death'

So these are only the side benefits of chanting or becoming purified from sinful reactions and attaining liberation from birth and death. These are only side benefits because the essence of all chanting is that one attains love of God – Krishna prema!

The cold shower…

Posted: 02 Sep 2011 07:47 AM PDT

Why are we chanting japa? Why don't we just chant with music all the time? When we are chanting in kirtan, we are being carried by others enthusiasm, by the whole atmosphere that is created and we are just going along with that and we feel very enlivened. When we are chanting japa, we are going alone before Krsna, it's us before Krsna and we get exposed. It's like a cold shower almost, like a reality check- we see who we really are! The mind goes everywhere and there we are facing our own shortcomings much more direct. So it is of course what has been given to us by the acaryas. We see that in the Adi purana it is said that it is our time where we are directly associating with Krsna, we are alone with Krsna. So at that time we have to really leave everything behind and just say, 'okay I'm going before Krsna and I'm making my offering.'

(Kadamba Kanana Maharaja, August 2010, Sweden)

Satisfaction!

Posted: 02 Sep 2011 07:44 AM PDT

(Kadamba Kanana Maharaja, August 2010, Finland)

As a holiday job I used to work for the post office and if you worked at night they would pay almost double so then in a short time you could make a lot of money. My job was to throw bundles of mail in bags. These bags were hanging in racks- maybe 50 bags and I was just throwing bundles. So it was sort of a sport to get a bundle in the bag and I was getting better at it because the whole night I was doing it and I was getting faster and faster and I was like 'whoosh! Whoosh!' and throwing these bundles in the bag, really fast. And then some heavy guys came to me and they said, 'stop it! Stop it! We don't want this here! You're working too fast! Slow down!'

And that's really what it's like…people go to work and they sit down behind their computer and they go on the internet when the boss is not around. And then as soon as the boss comes up they quickly change the screen and they are working….and everyone is just filling his pockets with paper clips and rubber bands from the office and taking it home and pens and anything that they can get. They feel, 'it's my right, I'm working so hard here and they hardly pay me anything. The least I can do is take some paper clips and rubber bands and whatever else…' So like that, as little work as possible and take as much as possible. That is the mood of the worker and the result is that everyone is doing half work and nobody is satisfied.

But in devotional service when we actually try to do really nice quality service for Krsna then there is some sort of strange feeling called 'satisfaction!' Something that is unknown…. 'What is this? What is this strange feeling?' It's called 'satisfaction!' That gives us the taste in spiritual life. Making a sacrifice for Krsna, that is satisfying, knowing that Krsna is pleased that we did the best we could…

The golden age

Posted: 02 Sep 2011 07:37 AM PDT

A golden age means that everyone will be an ecstatic devotee. No one will be just a pious devotee, no one will just be a well behaved devotee, nobody will just be a moral devotee….everyone will be an ecstatic devotee, a spontaneous devotee! It will just burst out from everyone's heart! Everywhere will be temples. And yes, there will be kirtan parties spontaneous on the street, people will walk out of the house with mrdangas and kartalas and the kirtan would begin. Someone will bring the prasadam, there's no need to organise anymore…

(Kadamba Kanana Maharaja, August 2010, Sweden)

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Dinesh
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The Holy Name is the Most Valuable Possession I Have-Must Read!!!

Posted by dinesh

The Holy Name is the Most Valuable Possession I Have

Without the holy name I would practically have no spiritual life, no real happiness, no intimacy with Krishna, no peace of mind, and no ability to control my senses. My entire relationship with Krishna, the most important relationship in my life, is revealed through His holy name. Without the holy name I would be lost, miserable, spiritually weak and destitute. Yet sometimes I treat this most valuable relationship as a botheration, something that gets in the way of me doing "more important" things or "more desirable" things. What helps me in these times is to remember that I get to chant, that I want to chant, that I love to chant (deep down inside). To think I have to chant reinforces the idea thatchanting Krishna's lovely names is something I'd rather not be doing.

Bad Chanting Becomes the Norm

After chanting bad japa for extended periods of time, bad chanting starts to become my default setting. I then believe that due to the circumstances I am in this is the best I can do. Bad chanting thus reinforces itself with more bad chanting. And since bad chanting produces little or no nectar or realization, becoming Krishna conscious becomes more of a pie in the sky ideal than a possible reality. Chanting thus becomes totally a matter of duty and can easily become automatic, heartless, and robotic. Badchanting reinforces the belief that my chanting can't or won't get much better. The real problem is that I believe this and I am ok with this.

Killing Some Time While Chanting

My mind derives great pleasure from thinking. So I have a problem when I chant because while I am chanting my mind goes pleasure hunting and wants to contemplate so many interesting thoughts and not listen to the holy name.. This happens most often when I am bored with chanting. It is sometimes really difficult to just hear the mantra because my mind says, "This is not interesting. Think of something interesting, like, what you are going to say in your next class, or how you are going to do this or that project in new creative ways." My mind resists just listening to me chant because it's always looking for something to ponder, something to do. And when it starts pondering some interesting thoughts, even though my lips keep moving with the mantra, I disconnect myself from my chanting and live in my little mental dream world. I realize I often do this when I am bored chanting in order to "kill some time" during japa and keep myself entertained. After all, just thinking of the mantra and nothing else can sometimes be torture for the mind.

Give It All I Got

To the degree that I give my all and all to my chanting, to that degree Krishna reciprocates and thus bhakti increases in my heart. As one popular song of the sixties said, "The love you give is equal to the love you take." What I put into my japa is what I get back. Devotion doesn't come back where devotion is not put out (garbage in, garbage out).

My daughter is learning to play violin and to inspire her we watched a virtuoso eleven year old violinist on You Tube. This eleven year old was so good we couldn't believe it. As I watched in disbelief I thought, "If I took my japa as seriously as this kid takes her violin, I would be completely Krishna conscious by now. The reality is that if I only give 50% of my energy to my japa, then 50% is going somewhere else. If I want to properly chant and hear the holy names and reap the results that the holy name can offer, I need to give all my energy to my japa (both physical and mental). If I really value my relationship with Krishna, I will do this. And doing this shows Krishna how important that relationship is to me.

I Have No Time to Chant

Most of us who are raising families are challenged to find two undisturbed hours a day to solely focus on our rounds. Yet many of the activities that take our time away fromchanting are activities that we specifically have chosen to do. Afer the second retreat I thought that the reason I have so much on my plate that takes me away from chantingis simply because I don't like chanting enough. It's what Prabhupada calls the "self created burden." If I am finding it difficult to finish my rounds because of a lack of time, I am ultimately the one who chose to do all the activities that are getting in the way of my chanting. Even when I can't really avoid all the work and responsibilities, still I am the one who is organizing those activities in a way that chanting often takes a back seat to the other things I do.

The Mind is Like a Loud Truck

While I was chanting the other day, a truck drove by that was so loud that I couldn't even hear myself chant. As it got further away I could again hear the mantra coming out of my mouth. As this was happening I immediately thought that the truck is exactly like the mind. Sometimes the mind is so loud that I can't even hear myself chant. It just takes over and the maha mantra gets drowned out by the volume of my mind. When I think of controlling my mind, I think of turning down the volume on all of its chatter. Once that chatter stops, I can hear the maha mantra. When I constantly work on turning the volume down, eventually my mind starts to peacefully listen to the chanting.

The Acarya of Multi-Tasking Japa

Too often I chant like a robot. Maybe someday things will get so bad that we'll have japa robots and we can just put our beads in their hands and they will chant to a recording of our japa.

Although that sounds far fetched, I am like that robot. I have chanted Hare Krishna for so many years that I can do it my sleep, I can do it while driving, I can even do it while reading. I can do it while shopping, talking, sight seeing – you name it and I can do it and chant simultaneously. I am the acarya of multi-tasking japa. Chanting is so programmed into my cells that I can do it without even thinking about it. Someone might say, "Well that's good." No, it's horrible because I can do it without even being aware that I am doing it, what to speak of being aware that I am associating with Radha and Krishna. It's like someone shot Novocain in my heart and my heart has become numb and thus I am not feeling a thing while I chant.. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta said the name is not lip deep, it is heart deep.

Chanting is Boring

When I commit offences to the Holy Name, chanting becomes boring. In this consciousness chanting is tasteless, troublesome, and outright uninteresting, and it's the last thing I want to do. Thus I do it only out of duty while my mind is totally disengaged from chanting. My mood is simply to get my rounds finished as soon as possible. This is a sign to me that my spiritual life is lacking. When I don't do something to correct this, the bad chanting creates a domino reaction of less Krishna consciousness in my life, which then produces more bad chanting, which continues to produce less Krishna consciousness, which produces more bad chanting. And this could lead to something even worse than bad chanting. It could lead to no chanting.

Give Yourself A Gift

Prabhupada said the highest realization is to save yourself. I have so often neglected to chant well that I sometimes feel like I am dying of thirst for the nectar of the name. On the 64 rounds day (at the retreat, one day is reserved for 64 rounds and a vow of silence) I was finally taking the time to give myself the nectar that I so desperately needed. But because I had dried up so much over the years and thus was so thirsty, no matter how much I drank the name I still was thirsting for more. By the 64th round my thirst was just starting to become satisfied. 64 rounds is the most wonderful gift I have ever given myself. At least I should give myself the gift of 16 good rounds every day.

Does the Holy Name Really Work?

Yes, the holy name does really work. Well, let me restate that: The holy name does really work if I chant the holy name the way the holy name is meant to be chanted. If I don't properly chant the holy name, then I start thinking the chanting can't really uproot my deepest anarthas. Because I am not experiencing Krishna while I chant, I lose faith in the value and power of the holy name. Going to the retreat and being facilitated to chant some really good rounds was a major faith builder. The holy name began to work on me more deeply than ever. It was real, vibrant, active, and dynamic, as compared to the usual dead mantras I chant. Dead mantras were producing a dead Mahatma Das. But the maha mantra is a living thing and when I chant a living mantra I get life.

It's All About a Relationship

Although chanting revives our relationship with Krishna, chanting is also our relationship with Krishna. We are there with Radha and Krishna while we chant. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta said to welcome the holy name. Radha and Krishna come to me when I chant. Do I realize this when I chant? Do I welcome them and take care of them when they come? Do I worship them when they come? Or do I think, "Oh no, I still have six rounds left?" If I think this way, I simply take chanting as a process, a process that often I can't wait to end so I can get on to "more important" things.

Watering the Weeds Japa

Poor chanting can actually produce misery, guilt, unhappiness, frustration, boredom, lack of energy and a host of other negative emotions and experiences. When I chant badjapa it doesn't make me feel like I am a blissful spiritual being; it makes me feel defeated for not applying myself. It also makes me both upset with myself for failing to come closer to Krishna and guilty because I know my guru expects more of me and I could do better. It leaves me entering my day on a failed note. Wow! The very thing that is supposed to make me so happy when done properly has the potency to make me feel awful if not done well. Hopefully I can take this misery as a kick in the rear end and let it push me into chanting better rounds.

First Become Conscious, Then Become Krishna Conscious

It's amazing how many bad japa habits I have not confronted even though I know how much these habits hurt me. They exist, I see them destroying my good japa, yet I ignore them. They have a tendency to somehow camouflage themselves in a way that says, "I am here but don't worry about me." And I believe them and think, "Ok, I won't confront you. Why? Am I afraid it will be too difficult or too much work to change? I must think it's less painful to change than to suffer the consequences of bad japa? I was forced to become fully conscious of these habits, confront them and deal with them at the retreat. This was one of the best things I've ever done. If I didn't do this, I don't know how long these habits would have continued to undermine my potential for better japa.

What I Do Today Affects My Chanting Tomorrow

What I do when I am not chanting affects the quality of my rounds. For example, if I am critical of devotees (or even of non-devotees), it will be more difficult to chant good rounds. If my mind is engaged in activities from morning to night that have nothing to do with Krishna, my attraction to chanting the next day will diminish. However, if I make an effort to be as Krishna conscious as possible during the day, my rounds the next day are easier to chant and more relishable. My activities today are linked to the quality of myjapa tomorrow. One devotee told me that if he goes out and gives people the maha mantra, his rounds are always better the next day.

All I Want

When it comes down to it, all I want is to chant well, feel Krishna's presence while I chant, relish the nectar of the name, and be a servant of the name. Bhaktivinoda Thakura says there is nothing else in the three worlds but the holy name. Krishna has shown this to me by allowing me to observe other devotees' transformations (at the retreats) through good chanting. As their chanting improved, their desires changed. As they relished the sweetness of Krishna, they wanted more of it and realized this is all they really want. When Krishna is kind enough to give a drop of the taste of the nectar for which we are always anxious, we realize how much we have in our life that is not giving us this nectar (amrita-deathless) and how much we have in our life that is actually producing death.

Talks With Dad

I once read a book in which a woman said that the walks she took with her dad when she was young were the most valuable moments in her life because she learned so much from him during those walks. I have always felt the same way about japa. My time with the holy name is the most valuable time of my day. Good chanting always gives me realization, strength, determination, and taste. Those two hours with the holy name is the most valuable time of my day, and to waste those two hours on bad japa is the greatest loss. Once I blow those two hours with bad rounds, that's it; I can't buy them back. Thus, I miss the opportunity to have Dad really and enlighten me that morning.

Krishna Enchants Me

When I chant well and am relishing Krishna's name, then Krishna's form, words, and pastimes all become more attractive to me. On the evening of the 64 rounds day, Dravida Prabhu recited poems while showing slides of Krishna. Those pictures, one's I've seen many times before, all of a sudden were especially attractive and alluring to me. And those poems, although I've read them before, enchanted my mind like never before. My senses became purified and thus everything about Krishna became more attractive. And the wonderful consequence of this is that everything not related to Krishna became less attracted to me. That's Unacceptable

Bad chanting is unacceptable to me. I now have set the bar higher and when I go below the acceptable level, red flags go off in my mind. Poor chanting is not making me Krishna conscious, so I reject it. The consequences of poor chanting are so undesirable that simply being aware of those consequences gets me back on track. I have accepted unacceptable japa too often-and that's simply not acceptable any longer. If it is acceptable to me it means I am satisfied with poor chanting and not overly concerned about doing anything to improve. And if I am not concerned about improving my japa, it won't get better on its own.

Good Chanting Produces More Good Chanting

How do I know I have chanted good rounds? One of the best indicators for me is that when I finish my rounds I want to keep chanting because I am getting such a nice taste. If I am relieved to put my bead bag down after my last round, that's an indicator that my chanting is not being done properly. Good chanting always produces a taste to chant more. Prabhupada said sixteen rounds is the minimum; that constant chanting is the goal.

Courtesy : His Grace Mahatma Das(ACBSP)

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Dinesh
Blog:http://dinesh-krsna.blogspot.com

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Sign of a Devotee

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So, what is the symptom of a devotee? How do you recognize a devotee? Do we recognize a devotee by his birth? By his material condition? By his material situation? No, the sign of a devotee is through his surrender to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. It doesn't matter from whatever category, whatever background one comes. Like candalo'pi dvija-shrestho hari- bhakti-parayanah. One maybe a candala but hari bhakti parayanah, when he becomes a devotee of Hari, Krishna, then he is dvija shrestha, he is superior, he is greater than a brahmana.

Here also we are seeing that so many devotees, as I just mentioned like they are born in a demoniac family. By birth they are demons, Prahlada Maharaja, Bali Maharaja, but why they have been recognized as great devotees, exemplary devotees? Because of their devotion to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore, it has been pointed out that vaishnavera nahi jati kuladi vicara. There is no consideration for jati, kula. Jati means caste and creed of a Vaishnava. Vaishnava can appear in any family.

What to speak of human beings, even an animal can become a devotee of Krishna. A wonderful example is Hanumana. In the community of monkeys
there is Hanumana and there are so many other monkeys who are great devotees. The bird can be a devotee. Example is Garuda, example is Jatayu, example is Sampati. They are birds, but they are great devotees of the Lord.

So the Vedic Karma Kanda section may have consideration for caste and creed but when it comes to devotional service there is no such consideration. Because the devotional service is the activity of the soul, soul's activity. Now, the soul can, any soul at any place can become a devotee. But what is the criteria for becoming a devotee?When can one become a devotee, or when does one get the opportunity to become a devotee? That is the most important consideration. One can become a devotee only by coming in contact with a devotee. Without the contact of a devotee it is not possible to become a devotee. That is
why the devotional consideration is not of birth or any other criteria.

Yes, to be a brahmana generally one has to be born in a brahmanas family, generally. But that also is not sufficient. One may be born in a brahmana family but he has to practice as a brahmana. He has to become qualified. In our scriptures we find there are many…brahmanas, they actually were demons. Like Ravana, he is born of an exalted
brahmana father, Vishrava. Hiranyakasipu, Hiranyaksa [born of] Kashyapa, son of Brahma. So, by birth they may be very exalted, but their activity is making them into demons. Whereas the devotion can be practiced by…but to receive, how can one become a devotee? The answer is only by coming in contact with a devotee. That is why it is important that the devotees go out and preach. Preach means provide the opportunity to others to become a devotee.

(H.H Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaj)

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Dinesh
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Teach me,Oye Vaishnava Thakura!

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Oh Vaishnava,ocean of mercy,Teach me to control the six
passions,rectify my six faults,give me six positive qualities,offer me
the six kinds of holy association

The six passions are of
1.words
2.mind
3.anger
4.tongue
5.stomach
6.genitals

The six positive qualities are
1.Enthusiasm in practicing Devotional Service
2.Firm faith in Devotional processes
3.A strong desire to attain Prema-Bhakti
4.A favourable Service attitude
5.Avoidance of non-devotees-asat sanga tyaga
6.Appreciation of the company of devotees-sat sanga

The six faults are
1.Overeating
2.Attachment2material things
3.Inability to follow the regulative principles
4.Sense gratification
5.Useless idle talk
6.Impure habits.

The six methods of association are
1.To go to the assembly of devotees
2.To invite devotees to one's home
3.To discuss and hear Devotional topics-sharing secrets
4.To take the maha-prasadam of devotees
5.To offer maha-prasadam to devotees
6.Accepting and receiving gifts among devotees
-Bhakti Vinoda Thakura in Oye Vaishnava Thakura,Stanza#2,Saranagati

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Dinesh
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Relationship of Varnashrama to Bhakti Yoga

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Urmila Edith Best The relationship of varṇāśrama to bhakti-yoga

Bhagavad-gītā Chapter 12

In order of preference:

1) Fixed mind and intelligence on Kṛṣṇa

If one can't do that, then:

2) Following sadhana (practice) yoga to develop a desire

If one can't do that, then:

3) Do some work for Kṛṣṇa and assist His devotees

If one can't do that, then:

4) Give in charity

If one can't do that, then:

5) Cultivate knowledge of one's spiritual identity

If one can't do that, then:

6) Meditate on oneself as being one with the Supreme

If one can't do that, then:

7) Follow the rules of varṇāśrama

Relevant quotes:

Just fix your mind upon Me, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and engage all your intelligence in Me. Thus you will live in Me always, without a doubt. 12.8

My dear Arjuna, O winner of wealth, if you cannot fix your mind upon Me without deviation, then follow the regulative principles of bhakti-yoga. In this way develop a desire to attain Me. 12.9

From the purport: To practice the regulative principles of bhakti-yoga one should, under the guidance of an expert spiritual master, follow certain principles: one should rise early in the morning, take bath, enter the temple and offer prayers and chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, then collect flowers to offer to the Deity, cook foodstuffs to offer to the Deity, take prasādam, and so on. There are various rules and regulations which one should follow. And one should constantly hear Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam from pure devotees. This practice can help anyone rise to the level of love of God, and then he is sure of his progress into the spiritual kingdom of God. This practice of bhakti-yoga, under the rules and regulations, with the direction of a spiritual master, will surely bring one to the stage of love of God.

If you cannot practice the regulations of bhakti-yoga, then just try to work for Me, because by working for Me you will come to the perfect stage. 12.10

From the purport: If one has sufficient money, he can help in building an office or temple for propagating Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Or he can help with publications. There are various fields of activity, and one should be interested in such activities. If one cannot sacrifice the results of his activities, the same person can still sacrifice some percentage to propagate Kṛṣṇa consciousness. This voluntary service to the cause of Kṛṣṇa consciousness will help one to rise to a higher state of love for God, whereupon one becomes perfect.

If, however, you are unable to work in this consciousness of Me, then try to act giving up all results of your work and try to be self-situated. 12.11

From the purport: by the practice of giving up the fruits of one's activities one is sure to purify his mind gradually, and in that purified stage of mind one becomes able to understand Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Of course, Kṛṣṇa consciousness is not dependent on any other experience, because Kṛṣṇa consciousness itself can purify one's mind, but if there are impediments to accepting Kṛṣṇa consciousness, one may try to give up the results of his actions. In that respect, social service, community service, national service, sacrifice for one's country, etc., may be accepted

If you cannot take to this practice, then engage yourself in the cultivation of knowledge. Better than knowledge, however, is meditation, and better than meditation is renunciation of the fruits of action, for by such renunciation one can attain peace of mind. 12.12

From the purport: As mentioned in the previous verses, there are two kinds of devotional service: the way of regulative principles and the way of full attachment in love to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. For those who are actually not able to follow the principles of Kṛṣṇa consciousness it is better to cultivate knowledge, because by knowledge one can be able to understand his real position. Gradually knowledge will develop to the point of meditation. By meditation one can be able to understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead by a gradual process. In the cultivation of knowledge there are processes which make one understand that one himself is the Supreme, and that sort of meditation is preferred if one is unable to engage in devotional service. If one is not able to meditate in such a way, then there are prescribed duties, as enjoined in the Vedic literature, for the brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, vaiśyas and śūdras, which we shall find in the last chapter of Bhagavad-gītā. But in all cases, one should give up the result or fruits of labor; this means to employ the result of karma for some good cause.Wall Photos

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Dinesh
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Bhakti>Yoga>Dharma

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1. Earth will yield its products when all good qualities manifest in
people especially in the leader.
2. A qualified leader is one who has the qualities recommended in
scriptures. A real king should have both rajo and sathva guna inorder
to fight and also be detached and have compassion to living entities.
3. When we please the Supreme Lord automatically the devathas and
earth are also pleased. Dharma also pleases the lord, so he tells when
dharma is destroyed he comes here.
4. Higher than dharma is jnana and higher than jnana is yoga and
higher than yoga is bhakti.
5. It is not necessary that one has to do all sacrifices , if one
simply performs bhakti one can please the lord.
6. One's advancement in bhakti is the sign of pleasing the lord.
-HH.Bhanu Swami Maharaj(SB#5.15.10)
Source#SB notes from Priyadarshini Mataji

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Dinesh
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Being a devotee of the Lord is the most successful thing

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1. Avataras are expansions of the Lord and they show some other
qualities of the Lord.
2. Certain jivas are given power by the Lord.devathas-demigods,
sages,manus are all posts, where new set of the above come and replace
the old.
3. Kings rule over the citizens and all is arranged by the Supreme
Lord and the Kings allow them to enjoy but also regulate them.
4. Thus simultaneously satisfying the jiva and also offering them a
stage so that they can get out.
5. Kings were ruling very nicely, they were able to maintain all
principles , did all sacrifices, beyond that one should be a devotee
of Lord Krishna and that is the most successful thing.
-HH.Bhanu Swami Maharaj(SB#5.15.1)
Source#SB notes from Priyadarshini Mataji

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Dinesh
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Being most attached to Him&His devotion is really the most detached(from false identification)

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1. One of the qualities of bhakti is, liberation will be considered to
be insignificant.
2. Renunciation is associated with desire for liberation. When one is
not interested in liberation it is difficult to give up.
3. In Bhakti, attachment to the Lord is so wonderful that one is saved
from bondage in material world.
4. Bhakti destroys karma, ahankar, avidhya and so on..liberation is
already achieved and these are secondary results and not the goal of
bhakti
5. Goal of bhakti is to attain more attraction for the Lord and more
Devotional Service.
6. At the stage of prema, the Lord becomes most attracted to His devotees.
-HH.Bhanu Swami Maharaj (SB#5.14.44)

Source#SB notes from Priyadarshini Mataji

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Dinesh
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Bhakti creeper is destroyed only by the elephant of offences!

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1. One of the Qualities of bhakthi is,it is very rare. To attain
bhava stage one has to go through sadhu sanga, bhajana kriya ..and so
on,it cant be attained by any other process.
2. Even though the Lord reveals himself in the bhava stage there may
be a slight tinge of maya.
3. Effect of our sinful activities are destroyed but the effects of
aparadha(offences will remain even during bhava stage.
4. But even when there is a fall in bhava stage we should not
criticize just like how we dont talk ill of the moon even though there
are spots.
5. Process of bhakthi alone leads one,to the stage of bhava and then
to prema. One destroys punya-piety by enjoyment but the effect of
bhakthi is not destroyed unless one commits aparadha-offences.
-HH.Bhanu Swami (SB# 5.14.42)
Source#SB notes from Priyadarshini Mataji

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Dinesh
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Spiritual life is not bound by rules/rituals but whatever works for devotion is just the priority

Posted by dinesh

1. Kings were expert in dharma but they are materialistic leaders
they conquer regions, get wealth but they end up in death.They dont
strive for eternal happiness.
2. Kings follow the varnashrama system, even in ideal varnashrama
system people are predominantly interested in material life.
3. To perform jnana and yoga one should be brahminical for which most
people are not qualified.
4. Even if one is in the varnashrama system or not one can strive for
success by the process of bhakthi.
5. One should surrender to the devotees of the Lord and through them
they surrender to Krsna.
6. One can try to bring good qualities but overemphasis on good
qualities is not an anga of bhakthi.Ultimately spiritual life is not
bound by Rules
-HH.Bhanu Swami Maharaj(SB#5.14.40)

Source#SB notes from Priyadarshini Mataji

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Dinesh
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Eternal Happiness!

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1. In the whole material world suffering is never completely
extinguished, but it is designed in such a way so that one cannot give
it up.
2. There is necessity that we have to take shelter of devotees
through them ultimately we take shelter of krsna. Through devotees we
get knowledge of the supreme lord , inspiration to serve and leave the
material world. 3. The idea of leaving the material world should not
only be because of miseries , if the suffering aspect is more
prominent it becomes mixed devotion.
4. In pure bhakthi the motivation is to simply please the supreme lord.
5. When we tell chant and be happy our promise is for their eternal happiness.
-HH.Bhanu Swami Maharaj(SB# 5.14.36)

Source#SB notes from Priyadarshini Mataji

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Dinesh
Blog:http://dinesh-krsna.blogspot.com

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