"A person who calls one Vaishnava 'a big Vaishnava' and another Vaishnava a 'little Vaishnava' may be peaceful and happy for now, but for how long will he remain peaceful and happy? One should avoid a person who offends Vaishnavas, even if that person is otherwise very qualified. A little association with an offender will make one fall down."

The Needle and the Sieve

"Bhakti-devi completely disappears by committing Vaishnava aparadha. Vaishnava aparadha means to blaspheme, find fault, criticize or speak ill of devotees. Generally, this is done out of fear and enviousness. Vaishnava aparadha takes place where there are fear and enviousness."

"When Vaishnava aparadha is committed the offender will become very angry with that Vaishnava. He's afraid of that Vaishnava because he is a very powerful Vaishnava. Therefore, he thinks, 'He's making rapid advancement and I'm not making such advancement.' He becomes afraid and envious of that Vaishnava."

"Fear comes and therefore he criticizes, finds fault, and speaks ill of that Vaishnava. He commits Vaishnava aparadha and becomes angry with that Vaishnava. It is only because of enviousness of that Vaishnava that this hatred and criticism arises. And therefore, he speaks ill of that Vaishnava and concocts stories. The sieve is full of a thousand holes and he's criticizing the needle, 'Hey needle, there is a hole in your back.'"

"Are you perfect yourself? If you have some defects yourself, then why do you find fault with others? Sages say don't see bad in others, but see the bad in yourself. If you have that nature or tendency to see bad, then see what bad is there in yourself. But see the good in others."

"If you find something good in some person, then just accept that. Think, 'Yes, that is good in him. Let me accept that.' Close your eyes on the bad things, and open your eyes to the good things. Paramhamsas never see anything bad. In their vision everything is related to Krishna. Speaking ill of others is a great anartha for the sadhaka who has come to the path of bhajana."

Avoid Offenders-Story of the Needle and the Sieve

"Today or tomorrow this worthless material body will leave me and all the material happiness connected with it will also leave. Because material happiness is temporary, it should be understood to be only a mirage of the real happiness. O my mind, please abandon this false happiness and enjoy the real, eternal happiness of devotional service within the land of Vrndavana."

"You may experience either happiness or distress. You may know fame or infamy. The lowest persons may insult you, or the saintly devotees may praise you. You may know poverty or great wealth. You may obtain all valuable things, or you may not obtain anything. Whatever position your past pious or impious deeds may place you in, just make Vrndavana your life and soul."

"All glories to Sri Vrndavana which, with single particle of its glory, which cannot be understood even by Lakshmi, Siva, Brahma, and all the leaders of the demigods, makes numberless kamadhenu cows, kalpa-vrksa trees, and cintamani gems appear insignificant."

"May blissful, spiritual, wonderful Vrndavana which with its charming groves where Sri Sri Radhika-Muralimohana enjoy pastimes, milks the ocean of nectar, destroy my sins."

--Sri Vrndavana Mahimarta--

Sri Vrindavana Mahima

Sudama was a poor brahmin boy who became a close friend of Krishna in sage Sandipani's hermitage. Krishna learnt to chant from Sudama.

Once, Sandipani's wife asked Sudama and Krishna to get some wood from the forest. While they were collecting the wood, a storm came and they got lost. Sudama was scared. Krishna held his arms and assured his safety. When the storm was over, they found their way to t...he hermitage. Sudama was relieved. Sandipani blessed them with a long life and happiness.

After completing their studies, Sudama and Krishna went their own ways. Krishna became the king of Dwarka and married princess Rukmini, the goddess of prosperity. Sudama, on the other hand, married a simple brahmin girl and began to lead the life of a devotee, reading scriptures, praying, forsaking worldly pleasures. Everyone loved Sudama. His family was quite happy.

Then Sudama's wife gave birth to two children. Because of Sudama's austere life style, the family began to face difficult days, with little food to eat and no clothes to wear. Sudama's wife was extremely devoted to her husband but when her children began to suffer, she was concerned.

Finally on a cold night, when her children were without blanket, she approached Sudama and humbly said, "Aren't you and Krishna, the Lord of Dwaraka, friends? And, Krishna married to the goddess of prosperity, Rukmini?"

Sudama replied, "Yes."

Sudama's wife dreamed of seeing an improvement in her family's poor condition. She earnestly said, "Go my lord, I beseech you, for the sake of our dear children, meet Krishna."

The very prospect of meeting Krishna, his old friend, made Sudama happy. "I will go and see him, but I will not ask him for anything." Sudama's wife could hardly conceal her joy. She happily said, "Even a visit to Krishna will bless our family. Do not ask anything from him. I will be content my lord."

Just before his departure for Dwarka, Sudama came to his wife. Both had the same thought. "What will I give to Krishna when I see him after such a long time?"

Sudama's wife suddenly remembered, "My lord you used to tell me that Krishna immensely loved Powa, the flattened rice!" Sudama too remembered Krishna's great liking for Powa. Sudama's wife ran to her neighbor's house and they happily gave her the gift of Powa in a small bundle. Sudama then set out on his long journey to Dwarka.

When Sudama came to the palace, surprisingly enough, no one stopped him.

He looked through various rooms and finally located Krishna and Rukmini. When Krishna saw Sudama he ran to embrace him. Then Krishna sat down and washed Sudama's tired feet with warm water and put sandalwood paste on them.

After the royal meal, they all settled down to chat. Krishna and Sudama exchanged the happenings of their lives since they departed from Sandipani's hermitage. Suddenly Krishna noticed a small bundle on Sudama's waist. He remarked, "Ah! You have brought a present for me!"

Sudama hesitated, "How do I give a king, a poor man's Powa?" When Krishna noticed that Sudama was ashamed to give him the bundle, he remarked, "Sudama, the poorest gifts given to me with love is dearer to me than the richest of gifts given without love." Krishna was thoughtful, "He has not come to ask anything for himself. He came out of love for his wife and me." Then he quickly snatched off the bundle and opened it. There it was, his favorite Powa! He tossed some in his mouth with great satisfaction. Then they talked and talked, as old friends, to their heart's content. Sudama could not ask anything from Krishna.

Next morning Sudama bid Krishna and Rukmini farewell. The long road back home did not seem to be that hard as he thought of Krishna. When he reached home, he was amazed to see that a huge mansion was standing in place of his poor hut. His wife and children, wearing new clothes, came to receive him. He could hardly recognize them. Sudama felt the touch of the all-knowing Krishna who had rewarded Sudama for his gift of love.

Sudama continued to lead the life of a hermit while his family enjoyed the generous gifts of wealth from Krishna.

Krishna washes the feet of Sudhama

"These two brothers, are like one body; They are identical manifestations. If you do not believe in Lord Nityānanda, you will fall down.

If you have faith in one but disrespect the other, your logic is like the logic of accepting half a hen.

It would be better to be an atheist by slighting both brothers than a hypocrite by believing in one and slighting the other."

These two brothers, are like one body

"One who has taken shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord, which are accepted as the most suitable boat for crossing the ocean of nescience, can achieve liberation as easily as one leaps over the holes made by the hoofs of a calf. Such persons are meant to reside in the abode of the Lord, and they have nothing to do with a place where there is danger in every step."

--SB.1.8.25 (purport)

Lotus feet of the Lord, which are accepted is the most suitable boat crossing the ocean of nescience

Jagannath Astaka Music Video - Shabda Hari Das

It's customary for newly wedded wives to get back home at this time
when the summer goes off and at the onset of rainy season. Also women
does nt go alone without men with them. Today it's other way
around,that men does nt go alone but women does... lol ;)
And ShriRadhe,the Queen of Vraja was also eager to get back home and
see the dark complexioned One. But her in-law Jatila was not willing
to send her back home. She insisted there were lot of house hold work
to do and will not send Sri Radha. Shri Radhe waits for 1,2...3days
but no one(male member of the family) came to pick her back home.
Somehow the message reaches her father Vrishabanu.

And he sends Sri Dham to get Shri Radhe back home. It's customary to
send food items to the bride-groom's house when getting the bride back
home. So Jatila was pleased by providing the food items. But Jatila
warned Shri Radhe not to mingle with that dark complexioned One.

Shri Radhe when back home was in the garden swinging with other gopis.
Swinging is also very common during this time as it brings so much
breeze when going back and forth at this sultry season.
This news somehow reaches Krishna and He having adorned Himself like a
Gopi, in guise of a girl, comes to the Garden where Shri Radhe is
swinging.
He pushes the swing so heavily that Shri Radhe went extremely high as
the ropes are so lengthy unlike our swings here. And She gets
frightened and out of fear she hugs the gopi next to her who is none
other than the dark complexioned One.
This way Krishna likes to hug Shri Radhe most of the times but Shri
Radhe somehow manages to escape due to the customs.
This pastime happens in the whole of Vrindavan dham all the time
everyday and the other gopis take pleasure in serving the divine
couple in Their intimate pastimes. This day, the appearance day of
Lord Balaram marks the end of the jhulan pastimes of divine couple Sri
Radha Krishna. The Lordships are very happy to see us pulling Them in
Their swing.Most people think that Rama in the Hare Krishna mantra
means Lord Ramachandra but He is Lord BalaRam. Krishna is so stubborn
and hard like Himalayan mountain. He can never be shaken but Shri
Radhe by Her Love breaks Him like anything. It's the mysticism of the
Bhakti tradition that we can even shake the One who is shaking all of
us by our Devotional Service of swinging Them. I feel so hard and
unqualified to pull Them as there's so much contamination in the heart
that I could not afford to invite Them to reside in my heart. Pulling
Them also means that we are trying to pull Them to our heart. How can
They come into a dirty place such as my heart which is full of lust,
greed, pride, anger, envy, madness???
-Excerpt from Lecture on appearance day of Lord Balaram by HG.Sumithra
Krishna Prabhu + my own feelings in the end.

--
Yours
Dinesh

Lord BalaRam Appearance day Maha Utsav!

Hare Krishna Kirtan by Amala Kirtan Das & Karnamrita Dasi

Kirtan -the Yoga Bliss tour-2010 with Amala Kirtan das : Krishna

Kirtan -the Yoga Bliss tour-2010 with Amala Kirtan das : Krishna

Sometimes called the national anthem of Vrindavan, here is Sri Sri Radha-kripa-kataksha-stava-raja. It is considered the king of prayers which petitions the merciful sidelong glance of Srimati Radharani. It is from the Urdhvamnaya-tantra. Spoken by Lord Shiva and composed in a lovely meter, this exceptional prayer is sung daily in a charming melody by many Vrajavasis. In the final verse Lord Siva states, "Upon hearing this most astonishing prayer of mine being recited by a devotee, may Sri Vrishabhanu-nandini (Radharani ) constantly make him the object of Her most merciful sidelong glance. At that time all his karmic reactions - whether mature, fructifying, or lying in seed - will be completely destroyed  and he will gain entrance into the assembly of Nandanandana's (Krsna's) eternal loving associates." 

Sri Sri Radha-kripa-kataksha-stava-raja

Text 1

munindra-vrinda-vandite triloka-shoka-harini

prasanna-vaktra-pankaje nikunja-bhu-vilasini

vrajendra-bhanu-nandini vrajendra-sunu-sangate

O goddess worshiped by the kings of sages, O goddess who remove the sufferings of the three worlds, O goddess whose face is a blossoming lotus, O goddess who enjoy pastimes in the forest, O daughter of Vrishhabhanu, O companion of Vraja's prince, when will You cast Your merciful sidelong glance upon me?

Text 2

ashoka-vriksha-vallari-vitana-mandapa-sthite

pravala-vala-pallava-prabharunanghri-komale

O goddess staying in a vine-cottage by an ashoka tree, O goddess whose delicate feet are as splendid as red blossoms, O goddess whose hand grants fearlessness, O abode of transcendental opulence's, when will You cast Your merciful sidelong glance upon me?

Text 3

ananga-ranga-mangala-prasanga-bhangura-bhruvam

sa-vibhramam sa-sambhramam drig-anta-bana-patanaih

nirantaram vashi-krita-pratiti-nandanandane

O goddess who, playfully shooting the arrows of Your glances from the curved bows of Your auspicious, amorous eyebrows, have completely subdued Nanda's son [Krishna], when will You cast Your merciful sidelong glance upon me?

Text 4

tadit-suvarna-campaka-pradipta-gaura-vigrahe

mukha-prabha-parasta-koti-sharadendu-mandale

vicitra-citra-sancarac-cakora-shava-locane

O goddess whose form is as splendid as champaka flowers, gold, and lightning, O goddess whose face eclipses millions of autumn moons, O goddess whose eyes are wonderful, restless young chakora birds, when will You cast Your merciful sidelong glance upon me?

Text 5

madonmadati-yauvane pramoda-mana-mandite

priyanuraga-ranjite kala-vilasa-pandite

ananya-dhanya-kunja-rajya-kama-keli-kovide

O young girl intoxicated with passion, O goddess decorated with cheerful jealous anger, O goddess who passionately love Your beloved Krishna, O goddess learned in playful arts, O goddess expert at enjoying amorous pastimes in the kingdom of the peerlessly opulent forest groves of Vrindavana, when will You cast Your merciful sidelong glance upon me?

Text 6

ashesha-hava-bhava-dhira-hira-hara-bhushite

prabhuta-shatakumbha-kumbha-kumbhi kumbha-sustani

prashasta-manda-hasya-curna-purna-saukya-sagare

O goddess decorated with a pearl necklace of bold amorous hints, O goddess as fair as gold, O goddess whose breasts are great golden waterpots, O ocean of happiness filled with the scented powders of gentle smiles, when will You cast Your merciful sidelong glance upon me?

Text 7

mrinala-vala-vallari-taranga-ranga-dor-late

latagra-lasya-lola-nila-locanavalokane

lalal-lulan-milan-manojna-mugdha-mohanashrite

O goddess whose arms are lotus stalks dancing on the waves, O goddess whose dark eyes are dancing vines, O playful, beautiful, charming goddess, when will You cast Your merciful sidelong glance upon me?

Text 8

suvarna-malikancita-trirekha-kambu-kanthage

tri-sutra-mangali-guna-tri-ratna-dipti-didhiti

salola-nila-kuntala-prasuna-guccha-gumphite

O goddess who wear a golden necklace on the three-lined conchshell of Your neck, O goddess splendid with three jasmine garlands and three jewelled necklaces, O goddess whose moving locks of dark hair are decorated with bunches of flowers, when will You cast Your merciful sidelong glance upon me?

Text 9

nitamba-bimba-lambamana-pushpa-mekhala-gune

prashasta-ratna-kinkini-kalapa-madhya-manjule

O goddess who wear a sash of flowers on Your curved hips, O goddess charming with a sash of tinkling jewelled bells, O goddess whose beautiful thighs punish the regal elephant's trunk, when will You cast Your merciful sidelong glance upon me?

Text 10

aneka-mantra-nada-manju-nupurarava-skhalatsamaja

raja-hamsa-vamsha-nikvanati-gaurave

vilola-hema-vallari-vidambi-caru-cankrame

O goddess whose anklets' tinkling is more beautiful than the sounds of many mantras and the cooing of many regal swans, O goddess whose graceful motions mock the moving golden vines, when will You cast Your merciful sidelong glance upon me?

Text 11

ananta-koti-vishnu-loka-namra-padmajarcite

himadrija-pulomaja-virincija-vara-prade

O goddess worshiped by Brahma, O goddess to whom countless millions of Vaishnavas bow down, O goddess who give blessings to Parvati, shaci, and Sarasvati, O goddess whose toenails are anointed with limitless opulence's and mystic perfections, when will You cast Your merciful sidelong glance upon me?

Text 12

makheshvari kriyeshvari svadheshvari sureshvari

triveda-bharatishvari pramana-shasaneshvari

O queen of Vedic sacrifices, O queen of pious activities, O queen of the material world, O queen of the demigods, O queen of Vedic scholarship, O queen of knowledge, O queen of the goddesses of fortune, O queen of patience, O queen of Vrindavana, the forest of happiness, O queen of Vraja, O empress of Vraja, O Sri Radhika, obeisance's to You!

Text 13

iti mamadbhutam stavam nishamya bhanu-nandini

karotu santatam janam kripa-kataksha-bhajanam

Upon hearing this most astonishing prayer of mine being recited by a devotee, may Sri Vrishabhanu-nandini constantly make him the object of Her most merciful sidelong glance. At that time all his karmic reactions - whether mature, fructifying, or lying in seed - will be completely destroyed, and then he will gain entrance into the assembly of Nandanandana's eternal loving associates.

King of Prayers

Preparing for Balaram Purnima

Lord Balaram -The spiritual strength of devotees!

When I was a small boy I could not understand the difference between
the conscious and dead matter. And therefore when I saw the burnt out
remnants such as bones and skull of the body of my own father,I felt
heart-broken, thinking that he would have undergone the pain of
burning the body. But the soul already left the body&there would be no
consciousness and the pain.This is the defect of dehätmì-one who
considers the body as the self. Of course there would've been enormous
pain while leaving the body due to intense attachment to wife,
children and the body itself. This was a real life experience to
understand what is death in a close proximity. We'll never be able to
contact the person once the soul leaves the body. So we've to always
make sure that we are properly understood by people around us and also
express our gratitude for everything that we get from others before it
gets too late :)
We are conscious of only ourself and only Krishna knows who's where
and what's their destination.But because we are going to depart,we
cannot act too detached in our dealings with family and the society.
We need to have affectionate support from our devotee Friends and
family to run our day to day life but with proper knowledge and on the
basis of Krishna Consciousness.

--
Yours
Dinesh

Conscious Vs Dead matter!

1. If one has money , he spends it for sense gratification when that
becomes uncontrolled one does sinful activities.
2. In varnashrama dharma one has rules , they are allowed to have
money but it should be spent in a lawful way and not sinful.
3. According to the guna also the rules changes , a person in sathva
gun has to follow more rules than the others.
4. Bhakthi is beyond the gunas and it is for everybody , one who is in
or above or below varnashrama dharma can practise bhakthi.
5. Only qualification is for bhakthi is faith and the hope is that
one will ultimatly transcend the whole system and simply dedicate
everything to the supreme lord.
6. The principle of bhakthi is superior ,when other rules obstruct
bhakthi they can be given up-HH.Bhanu Swami Maharaj SB#5.14.7
Source#SB notes from Priyadarshini Mataji

--
Yours
Dinesh

Drops of Bhakti!

• FreedomA wonderful movement of wonderful devotees
• from Frustration Part 2
• Being complete human beings

A wonderful movement of wonderful devotees Posted: 11 Aug 2011 02:17 PM PDT (Kadamba Kanana Swami, Cologne, August 2011) Devotees should be very complete personalities.  It is about developing all aspects of our personality, and we should be complete human beings. This is something that really attracts me to Prabhupada, mainly that, not only is he the great exalted pure devotee completely on the topmost transcendental platform, but that at the same time, he is so human, so very human in his dealings.  And that endears him to me very much. I'm thinking that if we also can react like that, then that would be wonderful.  Sometimes we see devotees may reach up to Lotus Feet of Krsna in great devotion, but they don't come back down. So then I feel it's incomplete.  When there's a movement of devotees who are spiritually very deep and realised, and at the same time human – on the human platform – then that's very nice. That's when I feel like, 'Yes, yes, I want to be part of this movement. Then I want to be a Hare Krsna after all!' Then I'll say, "Okay then, I'll do it. I'll be there!" That's what I want: a wonderful movement of wonderful devotees!

Freedom from Frustration Part 2 Posted: 11 Aug 2011 01:13 PM PDT   (Kadamba Kanana Swami, Sweden, 2010) Transcribed by Madhumati Devi Dasi Uddhava was very qualified as he was the disciple of Brihaspati. Brihaspati is the spiritual master of the demigods and he is the Lord of speech, because he had unlimited knowledge. He really knew everything about everything. There may be many spiritual masters who all have perfect knowledge because they know, what is the goal of life. They know what is the essence, although they may not know every tiny detail that is described in the scriptures. Brihaspati was truly like a living encyclopaedia. So as soon as you brought up a topic, Brihaspati knew everything about it. So there was a constant river of information coming out from his mouth and therefore his disciple Uddhava was extremely learned! It was Uddhava who was chosen by Krishna to remain behind after Krishna had already left the planet, so that he could enlighten the devotees who stayed behind. One day Krishna instructed Uddhava in great detail so that he could remain behind. It was Vidura who met Uddhava. Vidura realised how Krishna had instructed Uddhava, so that he could instruct him. Just by seeing how Krishna had made arrangements for him, had deeply touched Vidura making him over whelmed with tears. So, Krishna captures so many devotees by making arrangements for them, and in that we find freedom. So, it is difficult to understand how one becomes a servant and surrenders and surrenders……and how is it that one becomes free? Because it looks like we are giving our freedom by voluntarily surrendering, even though it is out of love, but still we are getting freedom from frustration! In this world, one is always frustrated to some degree, some less, or some more. That is the nature of material world – to be frustrated! It is said that one speaks being frustrated, well that is our condition. We are just not getting what we want, we are getting something else instead, which is alright, but it is not exactly what we wanted and therefore we are not satisfied. But in Krishna Consciousness one becomes fulfilled!

Being complete human beings Posted: 11 Aug 2011 08:36 AM PDT (H.H. Kadamba Kanana Swami, Cologne, Germany, August 2011) (Transcribed by Yadurani Mataji) Devotees should be very complete personalities, it is about developing all the aspects of a personality and we should be complete human beings. This is something that really attracts me to Prabhupada, namely that not only that he is the great, exalted, pure devotee and completely on the topmost transcendental platform but at the same time he is so human, so very human in his dealings. And that endears him to me very much, that combination. I'm thinking that if we also can reach that then that will be wonderful. Sometimes I see devotees, they reach up to the lotus feet of Krsna in great devotion and there they do very good but they don't come back down in their human dealings. Then I feel that it is incomplete because when there is a movement of devotees who are spiritually very deep and realised and at the same time on the human platform, then that's when I feel, yes,yes I want to be a part of this movement. Then I want to be a Hare Krsna after all. Then I can say okay then, then I'll do it, then I'll be there. That's what I want, a wonderful movement of wonderful devotees.

KKSblog.com - A wonderful movement of wonderful devotees

Of purifiers I am the wind, of the wielders of weapons I am Rama, of fishes I am the shark, and of flowing rivers I am the Ganges.

1. Seeds are planted in a land but there are lot of weeds which keep
on growing . The weeds are like attachment to the material world.
2. But just as how a fish cant be a enjoyer in land, our attempts in
the material world to be happy is impossible , as its contradicts the
nature of jiva.
3. When the jiva tries to enjoy independant of the lord he accepts the
ahankar , this is called ignorance. To come out of this ignorance we
have to
* know that we are not the body
* realize that we are not the enjoyer but the supreme lord is the enjoyer.
4. When we strive for our enjoyment we get suffering . So we give up
all our enjoyment and try to give enjoyment to the lord by which we
get bliss.
5. It is difficult to remove the weeds one by one as it will again
rise up so we have to remove the root which is ignorance. For which we
have several process like jnana and yoga and bhakthi.
6. In jnana one destroys the false conception of we are the body , in
yoga one stops the mind from material conscious. In bhakthi it is to
activate our relationship with the supreme lord , for that faith is
the qualification , after which we engage ourselves in the service of
the lord.
- HH.Bhanu Swami Maharaj ( SB#5.14.3)
Source# SB notes from Priyadarshini Mataji

--
Yours
Dinesh

Bhakti lata

KKSblog.com - Freedom from Frustration Part 1