GLORIOUS KRISHNA

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Pleasure and Pain Posted: 16 Nov 2011 03:32 AM PST Walking down the road, a man sees some stool and the stool is soft, and he thinks, "This is nasty." And a little further down the road, he again sees stool, but it has been in the sun for sometime, and becuase it is hard, the man thinks, " This is good." - But he does not stop to consider that hard or soft, stool is stool. Pleasure or pain - they are the same. In this material world, pleasure is simply hard stool. But we are thinking it is so nice. - Srila Prabhupada to Brahmananda (Hare Krishna Explosion) Blog: www.gloriouskrishna.blogspot.com

Pleasure and Pain

Krishna is extremely tolerant Posted: 02 Nov 2011 03:27 PM PDT (Kadamba Kanana Swami, June 2011) Just imagine Krishna as the Supersoul and what He has to go through to be conscious of all these thoughts of all the living beings! Oh my God, just the thought of it makes my mind feel intense, and if I would know all the thoughts of everyone in this room, then that would really be too much! Can you imagine Krishna knowing all the thoughts of all living beings, in all of the universes as well as the spiritual world! It's just something else……inconceivable. But by just seeing the material universes, then Krishna has to deal with all these thoughts: The positive ones; the negative ones; the envious ones; the greedy ones, and so on. We would say: "Oh no! Here we go again. Oh my God……oh no not greed again! Not anger again!" If we read someone else's thoughts, then it's not only beautiful thoughts of nice poetry…..no! It can be all kinds of negative experiences. What to speak of the animal forms, such as Krishna being situated in the heart of the spider, that is sitting there in the sun waiting for the mosquito to fly into the net: "And then I will wrap my sticky string around this mosquito and strangle him for a bit. When he is sufficiently flat for a while, than I'll sting him with some poison, and I'll suck him dry!" What a consciousness, and Krishna has to tolerate all of this! So Krishna is extremely tolerant……extremely tolerant!

Krishna's appearance is like the sun Posted: 02 Nov 2011 02:38 PM PDT (Kadamba Kanana Swami, June 2011) As we understand from Srila Prabhupada's explanation that, Krishna's appearance is just like the sun. As the sun is rising and setting, it is not that actually the sun turns red in the morning and then turns red in the evening – as if the flame of the gas has been turned down, or something like that, and the colour changes. No! The sun keeps its same bright effulgence, but because the sun is disappearing from our vision, then from our perspective it appears to become reddish, and setting and so on. But the fact of the matter is that the sun is shining somewhere else! One who flies can experience that. For example, if you fly from Australia, towards Europe and you kind of leave at sunrise, then you can have sunrise for ten hours! The sunrise just stays – that's possible, you can have those kind of experiences. So a variable sun rise. It is from our own perspective that the sun has this reddish colour but actually the sun is always shining somewhere! In the same way the pastimes of Krishna are always going on somewhere else. Krishna lifted Govardhana Hill here five thousand years ago on this planet. Now in another universe………….just right now, Krishna is lifting Govardhana Hill! In another universe – just now, Krishna is killing Putana! And again, in another universe, Krishna is killing Aghasura. Like that these pastimes of Krishna are going on eternally in unlimited universes, and all are simultaneously going on. By Krishna expanding himself like that, is not a problem……or difficulty at all!

KKSblog.com - Krishna is extremely tolerant

Bhagavad-gita As It Is | Part [BG.12.05]
 

TEXT 5:

kleso 'dhikataras tesham
avyaktasakta-cetasam
avyakta hi gatir duhkham
dehavadbhir avapyate

 

TRANSLATION:

For those whose minds are attached to the unmanifested, impersonal feature of the Supreme, advancement is very troublesome. To make progress in that discipline is always difficult for those who are embodied.

 

PURPORT:

The group of transcendentalists who follow the path of the inconceivable, unmanifested, impersonal feature of the Supreme Lord are called jnana-yogis, and persons who are in full Krishna consciousness, engaged in devotional service to the Lord, are called bhakti-yogis. Now, here the difference between jnana-yoga and bhakti-yoga is definitely expressed. The process of jnana-yoga, although ultimately bringing one to the same goal, is very troublesome, whereas the path of bhakti-yoga, the process of being in direct service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is easier and is natural for the embodied soul. The individual soul is embodied since time immemorial. It is very difficult for him to simply theoretically understand that he is not the body. Therefore, the bhakti-yogi accepts the Deity of Krishna as worshipable because there is some bodily conception fixed in the mind, which can thus be applied. Of course, worship of the Supreme Personality of Godhead in His form within the temple is not idol worship. There is evidence in the Vedic literature that worship may be saguna or nirguna—of the Supreme possessing or not possessing attributes. Worship of the Deity in the temple is saguna worship, for the Lord is represented by material qualities. But the form of the Lord, though represented by material qualities such as stone, wood or oil paint, is not actually material. That is the absolute nature of the Supreme Lord.

 

A crude example may be given here. We may find some mailboxes on the street, and if we post our letters in those boxes, they will naturally go to their destination without difficulty. But any old box, or an imitation which we may find somewhere but which is not authorized by the post office, will not do the work. Similarly, God has an authorized representation in the Deity form, which is called arca-vigraha. This arca-vigraha is an incarnation of the Supreme Lord. God will accept service through that form. The Lord is omnipotent, all-powerful; therefore, by His incarnation as arca-vigraha He can accept the services of the devotee, just to make it convenient for the man in conditioned life.

Translation and commentary by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada


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

To make progress through impersonalism is always difficult but personal feature through Bhakti Yoga is simple and easy.BG#12.05

Everyone is eager to know the news all the morning without fail, be it president, ministers or any layman on the street. But no one is willing to know the news about the self which is really the breaking news for everyone. There's no news more important than this for the self. That too people are more interested in seeing Breaking News or Flash News. So the following is no ordinary news but a breaking news for human beings to listen to!


Yudhistra Maharaja said,




"This world full of ignorance is like a pan. The sun is fire, the days and nights are fuel. The months and the seasons constitute the wooden ladle. Time is the cook that is cooking all creatures in that pan (with such aids); this is the news"

Breaking News, Flash News

NOT ONLY FROM A MONKEY

via GITA COACHING by Akrura on 10/30/11

Everyone is in ignorance because the evolution is coming from the lower species of life, and in Western countries the Darwin's theory of evolution is very prominent, and they believe that man is coming from monkey. Of course, the Vedic sastra also says the birth of human being are from three sources: one from the cow, the other from the lion, and the other from the monkey. The "monkey" word is there. Those who are coming in the sattva-guna, modes of goodness, their last birth is as cow. And those who are coming through the rajo-guna, their last birth is lion. And those who are coming through the tamo-guna, their last birth is monkey.

Srila Prabhupada, Lecture: Bhagavad-gita 9.3 -- Melbourne, April 21, 1976

NOT ONLY FROM A MONKEY

INATTENTION WHILE CHANTING

via GITA COACHING by Akrura on 11/7/11

Super important instructions by Bhaktivinoda Thakura:

Harinama Cintamani – Bhaktivinoda Thakura

Chapter 12 - Inattention While Chanting

jaya jaya mahaprabhu jaya bhakta-gana

yanhara prasade kari nama-sankirtana

Haridasa spoke, "To Sanatana Gosvami in Puri and to Gopala Bhattawhen You travelled to South India, You taught the importance of performingone's chanting without inattention. Inattention is counted as one of theaparadhas. Even if one successfully overcomes all the other offenses inchanting, and one is chanting continuously, love of God may not come. Oneshould know that the reason for this is that one is committing the offenseknown as pramada, or inattention. This offense will block progress to prema.

"Pramada may mean madness, but here the meaning is inattention orcarelessness. It is from this offense that all other offenses spring. The wisemen recognize three types of inattention: indifference or no attention,laziness, and distraction (attraction to other objects).

"By good fortune, after getting faith, a jiva will take up the name.By chanting regularly, counting on a Tulasi mala carefully, he will developattraction for the name. However, until that attraction has actually developed,one must be very careful about how one chants. Naturally, the common man,having attachment to material things, will be attracted to these things evenwhile chanting. Though chanting japa daily, if his taste is elsewhere, he willshow indifference to the name. 

His heart will not be absorbed in chanting thename but in some material object. How can that benefit him? He may chant 64rounds counting strictly on his japa beads, but in his heart he has notreceived one drop of the taste of the name. This indifference or apathy towardsthe name is one type of inattention. In the heart of a materialist it isunavoidable.

"If indifference or lack of attraction for the name is present, oneshould take association of Vaisnavas who are properly chanting in some placesheltered from the material influence. By chanting in that situation, hisabsorption in material things will be reduced; being inspired by the conduct ofthe Vaisnavas, he will give up that fault. Gradually the heart will getattraction for the name and will be anxious for the nectar of the name. 

Theadvanced devotees have recommended that one live in a place where Krsna had Hispastimes, near Tulasi, in the company of Vaisnavas and gradually increase theperiod of chanting. Quickly the taste for material objects will go. Anotherremedy is to carefully chant in a room by oneself with the door locked, orconcentrate on the name by covering the eyes, ears and nose with a cloth or thelike to prevent stimuli from the exterior. Carefully chanting in this way, anattraction or taste for the name will develop and indifference will besuppressed.

"If one chants with a sluggish mind, or after chanting a little, onehas to stop before finishing his round, it is called laziness. From this, one'staste for the name cannot develop. The remedy for this is to take associationof Vaisnavas who do not waste time in material activity, but constantly chantand remember the holy name, being absorbed only in the name. One should followin their footsteps. 

When one sees how the true Vaisnava or sadhu does not wastetime in useless pursuits, he will develop a taste to do likewise. In his mindhe will think, "very good." By this, enthusiasm will come to the lazymind and he will overcome the offense of laziness or inertia. One will becomedetermined to increase his chanting everyday. By this eagerness in his roundsand by the mercy of the devotees, the offense of inertia will quickly go away.

"One should be careful to eliminate the third type of inattention --distraction. From distraction all types of inattention are born. This faultresides in attraction for women (or men, in the case of women) and wealth,attraction for material success or victory, desire for position, and thecheating propensity. If one has attraction in any of these categories, one willnaturally be inattentive to the holy name. One should be careful to eliminatethese fixations by following the proper Vaisnava behavior. 

On ekadasis andappearance days one should stop thinking of eating and all day and night chantin the association of devotees. In this way one will joyfully engage indevotional activities, listening to scriptures of the Lord in association withthe Lord's servants, in the Lord's dhama. Gradually the bhakti portion of one'smind will increase and the mind will rejoice in hearing topics about Krsna. Thehigher taste will come and the lower taste will go. 

Upon hearing songs aboutKrsna from the mouths of the pure devotees, one's mind and ears will taste thereal nectar. In this way the desire for low material objects will disappear andthe heart will be constantly fixed and attracted to singing the name. Byavoiding the offense of distraction, one will be able to indulge in the nectarof name.

"One should thus never be inattentive to complete one's prescribednumber of daily rounds. This should be noted day by day. When chanting theseprescribed rounds, one should avoid the different types of inattentiveness.Giving up the desire to increase the number of rounds for show, one shouldattempt to first concentrate nicely on what one can manage. 

Therefore, thedevotee starts by chanting with full concentration in a peaceful place for ashort time. He will always be praying to the Lord that he will chant clear,attentive rounds with the mind fixed on Krsna; for on one's own one cannotaccomplish anything. Krsna's grace is necessary to cross the ocean of materialexistence. Being anxious in heart, one should beg for mercy, and because Krsnais merciful, He will help. Whoever does not try for that mercy is veryunfortunate."

That person who has attained the ornament of the touchstone of the holyname still aspires for the two feet of Haridasa Thakura.

INATTENTION WHILE CHANTING

PAY ATTENTION

via GITA COACHING by Akrura on 11/7/11

The path of spiritual life is stated in the Vedas to be like the edge of a sharpened razor. A little inattentiveness may at once create havoc and bloodshed, but one who is a completely surrendered soul, always seeking protection from the Lord in the discharge of his entrusted duties, has no fear of falling into material contamination.

Not only must one come to the stage of pure Krsna consciousness, but one must also be very careful. Any inattentiveness or carelessness may cause falldown.

Inattentive hearing is offensive.

Because of association with the modes of material nature for a very long time, even liberated souls sometimes become captivated by the illusory energy due to inattentiveness in the transcendental position.

If one does not take shelter of Acyuta and Baladeva, then the senses, acting as the horses, and the intelligence, acting as the driver, both being prone to material contamination, inattentively bring the body, which acts as the chariot, to the path of sense gratification. When one is thus attracted again by the rogues of visaya -- eating, sleeping and mating -- the horses and chariot driver are thrown into the blinding dark well of material existence, and one is again put into a dangerous and extremely fearful situation of repeated birth and death.

- From Prabhupada's books

PAY ATTENTION

A Letter To My Spiritual Master

Let me now invest my thinking, feeling and willing, which were so long engaged in different subjects and occupational duties, in the all-powerful Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa

By Padyavali Dasi

Sri Nimbarka Acarya comes in the line of the Kumara Sampradaya and is believed to have lived around the 11th and 12th centuries. Born in the modern Murgarapattam in the southern Dravidian province, he was the son of Aruni and Jayanti, a very pious brahman a couple of the Tailanga order. He was a great ascetic of the Tridandi order. He wrote many books according to the Dvaitadvaitavada and he lived most of his devotional life at a place called Nimbagrama near Govardhana at Vrindavana. While at Nimbagrama, he defeated a great Jain pandit in a discussion. The Jain had refused to dine with him saying that the Sun had already set and so he would not take any food. At this, Nimbarka by his own potency made the sun appear from a Nimba tree and the astonished Jain accepted his hospitality. It is said that his name Nimbarka or Nimbaditya has been derived from this miracle of Aditya or Arka meaning sun from a nimba tree.

Once in a village near the forest of Bilva Paksha, a group of brahmanas came to engage in the worship of Lord Siva. Just as Lord Visnu is very much pleased when He is offered the leaves of His most beloved Tulasi, so Lord Siva is pleased by offerings of leaves from the bilva or bael tree. Thus the brahmanas worshipped Lord Siva by offering bilva leaves, for a period of one fortnight and satisfied Lord Siva greatly. Amongst those brahmanas was one whose name was Nimbarka. He had been particularly attentive in his worship of Lord Siva. Being especially pleased with Nimbarka's devotion, Lord Siva personally appeared to him. "Nimbarka," said Lord Siva, "at the edge of this village is a sacred bael forest. There, in that forest, the four Kumaras are absorbed in meditation. By their mercy you will receive transcendental knowledge, for they are your spiritual masters, and by rendering service unto them you will receive all that is of value." After saying this Lord Siva disappeared.

Nimbarka immediately went to that place and with great determination he searched for the four Kumaras in every direction, until he finally found them, shining as brilliantly as the sun. They were seated on a very beautiful natural platform beneath a tree and they appeared like fire blazing on an altar. They were all very young, seeming to be no more than five years in age, but they appeared most noble in character as they sat there naked, rapt in meditation. Nimbarka was so excited that he cried out, "Hare Krsna!" This sudden sound startled the four brothers, breaking their meditation. Opening their eyes, they saw before them the blissful form of an ideal devotee, and with great pleasure they embraced Nimbarka, one after another. "Who are you," they asked, "and why have you come here? We are certainly ready to answer all your prayers." Nimbarka fell at the feet of the four brothers like a rod, and with great humility he introduced himself. With a sweet smile on his face Sanat Kumara then said, "The all-merciful Supreme Personality of Godhead, knowing that Kali-yuga will be extremely troublesome for the living entities, resolved to proagate devotional service to Himself. With this goal in mind, He has empowered four personalities with devotion and sent them into this world to preach. Ramanuja, Madhva, and Visnuswami are three and you are the fourth of these great souls. Laksmi accepted Ramanuja as a disciple, Brahma accepted Madhva, Rudra accepted Visnuswami and meeting you today we have the good fortune of being able to instruct you. This is our intention.

Previously we were engaged in meditating on the impersonal Brahman, but by the causeless mercy of Lord Visnu, we have been relieved of this sinful activity. Since I have realised that it is essential to preach pure devotional service, I have composed a literary work entitled Sanat Kumara Samhita. After taking initiation from me, you should follow the instructions I have set forth therein." Nimbarka was greatly enlivened at the prospect of taking initiation and he immediately ran to take bath in the Ganges. After this he quickly returned and prostrated himself once more before the effulgent brothers. "O deliverers of the fallen," said Nimbarka, in all humility, "please deliver this low-born rascal." In that sacred bael forest Nimbarka began to worship Sri Sri Radha Krsna according to the Sanat Kumara Samhita and he chanted the mantra they had given him. Very soon Radha and Krsna revealed Themselves to Nimbarka. They stood before him, spreading an effulgence which illuminated all directions. In sweet voices They addressed him thus: "Nimbarka, you are very fortunate, for you have performed Sadhana in Sri Navadwipa. We both combine, and assume one form, as the son of Sacidevi." At that moment Radha and Krsna combined and displayed Their form of Gauranga. Beholding this splendid vision, Nimbarka began to tremble. "Never," he said, "Never have I ever seen or heard of such a form at any time." Lord Gauranga then said, "Keep this form, which I now show you, a secret for the time being. Just preach about devotional service and the pastimes of Radha and Krsna, for I gain great satisfaction from this.

When I make My appearance and perform My education pastimes, you will also appear. Taking birth in Kashmir as a great pandit, you will tour all over India defeating all opposition. Your reputation and learning will be celebrated everywhere and you will be known as KESAVA KASHIMIRI. Whilst wandering in Sri Navadwipa you will come to Sri Mayapur. Simply by hearing your name all the great pandits flee

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

Sri Nimbarka Acarya - Part -1

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Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 10.31.9
tava kathāmṛtaḿ tapta-jīvanaḿ kavibhir īḍitaḿ kalmaṣāpaham śravaṇa-mańgalaḿ śrīmad ātataḿ bhuvi gṛṇanti ye bhūri-dā janāh
SYNONYMS
tava — Your; kathā- amṛtam — the nectar of words; tapta-jīvanam — life for those aggrieved in the material world; kavibhiḥ — by great thinkers; īḍitam — described; kalmaṣa- apaham — that which drives away sinful reactions; śravaṇa- mańgalam — giving spiritual benefit when heard; śṛīmat — filled with spiritual power; ātatam — broadcast all over the world; bhuvi — in the material world; gṛṇanti — chant and spread; ye — those who; bhūri-dāḥ — most beneficent; janāḥ — persons.
TRANSLATION
The nectar of Your words and the descriptions of Your activities are the life and soul of those suffering in this material world. These narrations, transmitted by learned sages, eradicate one's sinful reactions and bestow good fortune upon whoever hears them. These narrations are broadcast all over the world and are filled with spiritual power. Certainly those who spread the message of Godhead are most munificent. PURPORT King Pratāparudra recited this verse to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu during Lord Jagannātha's Ratha-yātrā festival. While the Lord was resting in a garden, King Pratāparudra humbly entered and began massaging His legs and lotus feet. Then the King recited the Thirty-first Chapter of the Tenth Canto of the Śrīmad- Bhāgavatam, the songs of the gopīs. The Caitanya-caritāmṛta relatesthat when Lord Caitanya heard this verse, beginning tava kathāmṛtam, He immediately arose in ecstatic love and embraced King Pratāparudra. The incident is described in detail in the Caitanya- caritāmṛta (Madhya 14.4-18), and in his edition Śrīla Prabhupāda has given extensive commentary on it.

Certainly those who spread the message of Godhead are most munificent

A self realized person sees things as it is. He knows very well that while eating, sleeping,walking,evacuating&moving about, only the material energy is in action&he is simply an observer only making the choice of desiring different things. If we deserve, we get what we desire. So first we have deserve defore we desire.

The more we desire to Lord over the material nature,the more the sufferings that are imposed upon us. So when we are suffering too much physically&mentally, it means we have undergone too much Sense enjoyment in the past.
A sudra is never satisfied by whatever he obtains. So when you give him more than what he deserves,it spoils him even more because he engages the excess he obtains in Sense enjoyment. One example here is the rickshaw drivers who misuses the extra money you give in drinking or smoking,so this is not the place to apply our compassion. If we can give the excess wealth to qualified Brahmana,he doesnt misuse because he knows the problem in Sense enjoyment&he utilizes everything for the good of the whole society by performing sacrifices for the Supreme Lord. But unfortunately,today the whole society is lead by degraded men who are actually sudras but have undertaken the administration&therefore they dont know what's good for their self as well as for the public.
Therefore the whole society is ruined now.

Use Compassion at the right place!

Dear Friend,Sorry for the unknown spam notifications from my facebook id. I fixed the issue now!

How to Make a Mountain by jahnavi It's that time of year again. Today is Govardhan Puja, when we remember Sri Krishna's incredible lifting of a sacred mountain in Vrindavan. In the Vaishnava calendar there are so many festivals and as the years go by they stack on top of one another like layers of sediment. I imagine my life so far as a rock - each layer a testament to the moments that I spent thinking about Krishna - the thick, densely packed areas,  or not - those are the crumbling parts. I can remember so many distinct Govardhan pujas - many spent in the soggy English October, inside a white marquee, huddling in front of blow heaters while we listened to narrations of the amazing story. As children one of our favourite parts of the day was the creation of 'the hill'. This is a giant mound of sweets, dressed to mimic Govardhan Hill - usually complete with ponds of honey, boulders made of milk sweets and bright green shredded coconut for grass. The hill would be covered with plastic animals - deer, birds and lots of cows. After everyone had performed the puja of walking around the hill three times, the sweets would start to be handed out, and along with them, the plastic animals. My toy cupboards at home were full of the most prized- the cows. My small herd grew each year, and I would eagerly look forward to e ach year's festival, when I would wait with hands outstretched as a priest plucked animals off the mound and dropped them into the reaching palms of all the kids. So why build a hill of sweets? It's definitely fun, but deeper than that, it's just one way to remember the miraculous activities of Krishna, and help our love for him to grow. It's also a beautiful way to celebrate Govardhan Hill, also known as Giriraj - the king of mountains. In Krishna's world, everyone has personality - nothing is just stone, or just a tree. Everything is full of life, full of love, full of desire to serve. Giriraj is considered to be one of the greatest servants of Krishna, since he limitlessly gives the bounty of his forests, waterfalls, minerals and more to the villagers of Vrindavan. Last year I spent Govardhan Puja in Vrindavan, where it is extra special, since the real Govardhan Hill is only miles away. In the central courtyard of the Krishna Balaram temple, I stood on a raised platform with six other girls, scooping handfuls of scorching, fragrant halava and pressing them onto the plastic covered frame of the hill. Our hands quickly became tender, burnt by the steam, and we slid about as the hot ghee oozed from the mound around our feet. In the meantime, raucous, joyful kirtan thundered away. The following week, I was staying at the foot of Govardhan itself. It was one of the most sacred, deep experiences of my life. Each day I would wake and watch the sun light pass over the rocky face of the hill, and after a day absorbed in chanting and hearing about Krishna, I would sit in a small grove of trees a nd listen to the night songs of the crickets. I never believed I would really feel that a hill was a person, but after seven days, I felt his deep presence, blessing all who came near him to pray. At the end of my time there, I built a tiny house of stones. Some people do this to pray to Giriraj for a safe, happy home to live in, but I prayed that however long it took, I may one day live there in that sacred place. These days I stay in Manhattan on the 21st floor. Outside my windows the tops of towering buildings remind me of his ridges and peaks, and I realise that whether here or there, his blessings are near.   jahnavi | October 27, 2011 at 2:58 pm

[New post] How to Make a Mountain

Hare Krishna: Bhisma Deva on the all-powerful Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa: ‎.

‎"Bhismadeva said: Let me now invest my thinking, feeling and willing, which were so long engaged in different subjects and occupational duties, in the all-powerful Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa. He is always self-satisfied, but sometimes, being the leader of the devotees, He enjoys transcendental pleasure by descending on the material world, although from Him only the material world is created."

Hare Krishna: Bhisma Deva on the all-powerful Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa

New post on The Little Conch

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How to Make a Mountain <http://jahnavi.wordpress.com/2011/10/27/how-to-make-a-mountain/>

by jahnavi <http://jahnavi.wordpress.com/author/jahnavi/>

It's that time of year again. Today is Govardhan Puja, when we remember Sri Krishna's incredible lifting of a sacred mountain in Vrindavan. In the Vaishnava calendar there are so many festivals and as the years go by they stack on top of one another like layers of sediment. I imagine my life so far as a rock - each layer a testament to the moments that I spent thinking about Krishna - the thick, densely packed areas,  or not - those are the crumbling parts.

I can remember so many distinct Govardhan pujas - many spent in the soggy English October, inside a white marquee, huddling in front of blow heaters while we listened to narrations of the amazing story. As children one of our favourite parts of the day was the creation of 'the hill'. This is a giant mound of sweets, dressed to mimic Govardhan Hill - usually complete with ponds of honey, boulders made of milk sweets and bright green shredded coconut for grass. The hill would be covered with plastic animals - deer, birds and lots of cows. After everyone had performed the puja of walking around the hill three times, the sweets would start to be handed out, and along with them, the plastic animals. My toy cupboards at home were full of the most prized- the cows. My small herd grew each year, and I would eagerly look forward to e ach year's festival, when I would wait with hands outstretched as a priest plucked animals off the mound and dropped them into the reaching palms of all the kids.

So why build a hill of sweets? It's definitely fun, but deeper than that, it's just one way to remember the miraculous activities of Krishna, and help our love for him to grow. It's also a beautiful way to celebrate Govardhan Hill, also known as Giriraj - the king of mountains. In Krishna's world, everyone has personality - nothing is just stone, or just a tree. Everything is full of life, full of love, full of desire to serve. Giriraj is considered to be one of the greatest servants of Krishna, since he limitlessly gives the bounty of his forests, waterfalls, minerals and more to the villagers of Vrindavan.

Last year I spent Govardhan Puja in Vrindavan, where it is extra special, since the real Govardhan Hill is only miles away. In the central courtyard of the Krishna Balaram temple, I stood on a raised platform with six other girls, scooping handfuls of scorching, fragrant halava and pressing them onto the plastic covered frame of the hill. Our hands quickly became tender, burnt by the steam, and we slid about as the hot ghee oozed from the mound around our feet. In the meantime, raucous, joyful kirtan thundered away. The following week, I was staying at the foot of Govardhan itself. It was one of the most sacred, deep experiences of my life. Each day I would wake and watch the sun light pass over the rocky face of the hill, and after a day absorbed in chanting and hearing about Krishna, I would sit in a small grove of trees a nd listen to the night songs of the crickets. I never believed I would really feel that a hill was a person, but after seven days, I felt his deep presence, blessing all who came near him to pray.

At the end of my time there, I built a tiny house of stones. Some people do this to pray to Giriraj for a safe, happy home to live in, but I prayed that however long it took, I may one day live there in that sacred place. These days I stay in Manhattan on the 21st floor. Outside my windows the tops of towering buildings remind me of his ridges and peaks, and I realise that whether here or there, his blessings are near.

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jahnavi <http://jahnavi.wordpress.com/author/jahnavi/> | October 27, 2011 at 2:58 pm | Tags: festival <http://jahnavi.wordpress.com/?tag=festival>, giriraj <http://jahnavi.wordpress.com/?tag=giriraj>, govardhan <http://jahnavi.wordpress.com/?tag=govardhan>, moutain <http://jahnavi.wordpress.com/?tag=moutain>, sacred <http://jahnavi.wordpress.com/?tag=sacred> | Categories: Inspiration! <http://jahnavi.wordpress.com/?cat=107>, Krishna Consciousness <http://jahnavi.wordpress.com/?cat=1121468>, Photos <http://jahnavi.wordpress.com/?cat=304>, Seasonal <http://jahnavi.wordpress.com/?cat=17354> | URL: http://wp.me/p1Fgd-cm

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

Fwd: [New post] How to Make a Mountain

One can engage in all 9 devotional processes, or 8 or 7 or atleast in 1, and that will surely make one perfect [BG.11.44]

Taking on personal responsibility Posted: 26 Oct 2011 03:10 PM PDT (Kadamba Kanana Swami, Melbourne, Australia, October 2011) In the gṛhastha-āśrama we cannot take full advantage of the temple – it's not possible. Temple devotees they live in the temple and there is a full program, whether they want it or not. For instance, with maṅgala-ārati sometimes they do not want it: "I hope that there will be no maṅgala-ārati today." But it goes on everyday, without fail! That is the nature of the temple. So therefore, in the temple there is so much push to help us to overcome our weakness. In the gṛhastha-āśrama it is not so. In the gṛhastha-āśrama, one has to take personal responsibility. If a brahmacāri did not go to the maṅgala-ārati for a few days, then he will be chastised and pulled up: "What's going on! Pull your socks up!! It cannot go like this! Understood? Or else sanctions will follow!" But it's not like that for the gṛhasthas, since they have to do it……..it's difficult….very difficult, but together it becomes possible. So therefore, between the two of them, one must inspire the other, by setting an example: 'A competition of who can get up first…..who can get up the earliest – not who can get up the last! And the last one loses! The one who gets up first, wins for the day. Let's see who is going to win the next day'. Like that, we must try and invest in our spiritual life!

The weekend is for Krishna! Posted: 26 Oct 2011 03:02 PM PDT (Kadamba Kanana Swami, Melbourne, Australia, October 2011) The weekend is for Krishna. In the weekend we go to the temple as much as we can and partake in different things. In that way in the weekend we are free to be ourselves. In the week, all right we have to play the game in our profession, and work life. The kids have to go to school, which is the same since we have to be part of the worldly side of life. But that isn't what we really want! We really want Krishna!

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

KKSblog.com - Taking on personal responsibility

Symphony. by jahnavi I am writing without really knowing why. Sometimes writing is motivated by a new understanding, a 'realisation'. But what realisation do I have? You can realise something, as in understand it, but surely to truly realise something means to 'bring it into reality', to live it. So to truly have a realisation means to understand something and then apply it every day. So what have I realised lately? In small ways, like gathering scraps and snippets and threads, I have begun to understand that the things I thought were important - security, companionship, money - are not as important as they seem. Sometimes it seems like we are all living a great misunderstanding. We need so little, and the smallest things are the greatest treasures. To sing, to love, to dance. To smile as we fall asleep and as we wake. We can choose to do these things, or choose not to. I have begun to glimpse that life is like a symphony of beauty and pain in equal measures. The music plays on, and each of us must decide how to play. We can choose to play with grace and humility. We can choose to play in such a way as to always push ourselves beyond our perceived limits. We can choose that if we trip up on a few notes, we smile and play on, no problem. We can choose to look up from the safety of our sheet music at the conductor, and feel safety and guidance in the movement of his hands. We can choose to play alone, and sometimes that is how the music is supposed to go. But at other times we are surrounded by a full orchestra, and we can feel the joy of harmony, the thrill of delicious syncopation. Or if we are feeling insecure, we can watch the hands and faces of our fellow musicians and feel strength in togetherness. We can sing a painful song together. Or we can even fall silent. In times when our voices will not sing and our hands will not play, we can just listen to the music that washes within and without, steady like a timeless tide.  -- Yours Dinesh Blog:http://dinesh-krsna.blogspot.com

Symphony - By Jahnavi Harrison

Bhagavad-gita As It Is | Part [BG.11.43]
 

TEXT 55:

mat-karma-krin mat-paramo
mad-bhaktah sanga-varjitah
nirvairah sarva-bhuteshu
yah sa mam eti pandava

 
TRANSLATION:

My dear Arjuna, he who engages in My pure devotional service, free from the contaminations of fruitive activities and mental speculation, he who works for Me, who makes Me the supreme goal of his life, and who is friendly to every living being—he certainly comes to Me.

 

PURPORT:

Anyone who wants to approach the supreme of all the Personalities of Godhead, on the Krishnaloka planet in the spiritual sky, and be intimately connected with the Supreme Personality, Krishna, must take this formula, as stated by the Supreme Himself. Therefore, this verse is considered to be the essence of Bhagavad-gita. The Bhagavad-gita is a book directed to the conditioned souls, who are engaged in the material world with the purpose of lording it over nature and who do not know of the real, spiritual life. The Bhagavad-gita is meant to show how one can understand his spiritual existence and his eternal relationship with the supreme spiritual personality and to teach one how to go back home, back to Godhead. Now here is the verse which clearly explains the process by which one can attain success in his spiritual activity: devotional service.

 

As far as work is concerned, one should transfer his energy entirely to Krishna conscious activities. As stated in the Bhakti-rasamrita-sindhu (1.2.255),

 

anasaktasya vishayan
yatharham upayunjatah
nirbandhah krishna-sambandhe
yuktam vairagyam ucyate

 
Translation and commentary by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

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

1who engages in My PureDevotionaService,1who works4Me,1who makes Me d Supreme Goal of his Life,1who is friendly2every LvingBeing,certainly comes2Me [BG.11.43]

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May that Lord Jagannatha become the object of my vision!

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Refreshing our enthusiasm! Posted: 24 Oct 2011 03:09 PM PDT (Kadamba Kanana Swami, Melbourne, Australia, October 2011) On just patience alone, how long can one function? We are not so strong in this age. In our determination, we do not have so much patience. Therefore, we need to refresh our enthusiasm! So for that we can do things: We can make pilgrimages; we can go to Vrindavan; we'll go regularly to the temple; we are with devotees; we take the trouble to go on harinama and so on, because such things renew our enthusiasms!

Only Krishna gives Krishna-prema Posted: 24 Oct 2011 02:42 PM PDT (Kadamba Kanana Swami, Melbourne, Australia, October 2011) Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva can give so many benedictions, but they cannot give what Lord Vishnu can give, which is liberation from birth and death! Of course, Lord Vishnu cannot give what Lord Krishna can give – that is Krishna-prema. Therefore, we understand that demigods are to be respected but they cannot compare to Vishnu. We worship Lord Vishnu but our deity is Lord Krishna….especially, because Krishna….only Krishna can give us Krishna-prema – the love of God that exists in Goloka!

KKSblog.com - Refreshing our enthusiasm!

On Care!!!