Category: Nectar

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has arrived! Happy Gaura Purnima! Gauranga!

03/26/2013

Happy Gaura Purnima!
Below is the Sri Gauranga Ashtottara Shata Nama Stotram with 108 names of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu accompanied by beautiful pictures of the Golden Avatar in various ISKCON centres. It is recommended to chant this prayer with full faith and devotion on this special day.

Be sure to visit you local ISKCON center today (in many cases tomorrow) to partake in this transcendental festival!
Gauranga!

Sri Gauranga-Ashtottara-Shata-Nama-Stotram
by Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya

ISKCON Mayapur

1) namaskritya pravaksyami deva-devam jagad-gurum namnam-ashtotara-shatam caitanyasya mahatmanaha

After offering my respectful obeisances unto the Lord of Lords, Who is the spiritual master of the entire universe, I will now narrate 108 holy names of Lord Chaitanya, the great soul.

ISKCON Toronto

2) vishvambharo jita-krodho maya-manusha-vigrahaha amayi mayinam shreshto vara-desho dvijottamaha

Vishvambhara--He sustains the universe
Jita-krodha--He is victorious over the influence of mundane anger
Maya-manusha-vigraha--He assumes the illusory form of a human
Amayi--He is bereft of fraudulent behavior
Mayinam Shresta--He is the foremost of (transcendental) cheaters
Vara-desha--He appears in the best of lands
Dvijottama--He is the ultimate brahmana

ISKCON Vrindavan

3) jagannatha-priya-sutah pitri-bhakto maha-manaha lakshmi-kantah shachi-putrah premado bhakta-vatsalah

Jagannatha-priya-suta--He is the dearest son of Jagannatha Mishra
Pitri-bhakta--He is the devotee of His father
Maha-mana--He has great mental power
Lakshmi-kanta--He is the beloved husband of the Goddess of Fortune
Shachi-putra--He is the son of mother Shachi
Premada-He is the bestower of ecstatic loving devotion
Bhakta-vatsala--He is very affectionate to His devotees

ISKCON Atlanta

4) dvija-priyo dvija-varo vaishnava-prana-nayakaha dvi-jati-pujakah shantah shrivasa-priya ishvaraha
Dvija-priya--He is dear to the twice-initiated brahmanas
Dvija-vara--He is the best amongst the brahmanas
Vaishnava-prana-nayaka--He is the hero of the devotees' life & soul
Dvi-jati-pujaka--He is the worshiper of the brahmanas
Shanta-He is peaceful and saintly
Shrivasa-priya--He is very dear to Srivasa Pandita
Ishvara--He is the supreme controller

ISKCON Baltimore

5) tapta-kanchana-gaurangah simha-grivo maha-bhujaha pita-vasa rakta-pattah sad-bhujo 'tha chatur-bhujaha

Tapta-kanchana-gauranga--His complexion is like molten gold
Simha-griva--His neck is like the lion's
Maha-bhuja--His arms are very muscular
Pita-vasa--He wears yellow cloth (when a householder)
Rakta-patta--He wears red cloth (when a sannyasi)
Sad-bhuja--He exhibits a six-armed form
Chatur-bhuja--He exhibits a four-armed form

ISKCON Boston

6) dvi-bhujash cha gada-panih chakri padma-dharo 'malaha pancha-janya-dharah sharngi venu-panih surottamaha

Dvi-bhuja--He exhibits a two armed form
Gada-pani--He holds the mace
Chakri--He holds the discus
Padma-dhara--He holds the lotus
Amala--He is sinless
Pancha-janya-dhara--He holds the Panca-janya conchshell
Sharngi--He holds the bow
Venu-pani--He holds the flute
Surottama--He is the foremost of the demigods

ISKCON Chowpatty

7) kamalaksheshvara prito gopa-liladhara yuva nila-ratna-dharo rupya-hari kaustubha-bhushanaha

Kamalaksheshvara--He is the Lord of the lotus-eyed Lakshmi Prita--He is beloved to all living beings
Gopa-liladhara--He is the abode of cowherding pastimes
Yuva--He is supremely youthful
Nila-ratna-dhara--He likes to wear sapphires
Rupya-hari--He likes to wear silver necklaces
Kaustubha-bhushana--He is adorned with the Kaustubha gem

ISKCON Detroit

8) shrivatsa-lanchano bhasvan-mani-dhrik kanja-lochanaha tatanka-nila-shrih rudra-lila-kari guru-priyaha

Shrivatsa-lanchana--He is decorated with the mark of Shrivatsa
Bhasvan-mani-dhrik--His form is embellished with many beautiful jewels
Kanja-lochana--He has lotus petal-shaped eyes
Tatanka-nila-shri--His majesty is enhanced by sapphire earrings
Rudra-lila-kari--He sometimes enacts the pastimes of Lord Shiva
Guru-priya--He is very dear to His spiritual master

ISKCON Brisbane

9) sva-nama-guna-vakta-cha namopadesha-dayakaha achandala-priyah shuddhah sarva-prani-hite rataha

Sva-nama-guna-vakta--He is aware of the attributes of His own holy name
Namopadesha-dayaka--He imparts teachings about the holy names
Achandala-priya--He is dear even to the lowest outcastes
Shuddha--His character is totally immaculate
Sarva-prani-hite-rata--He is engaged in the welfare of all living beings

ISKCON Malaysia

10) vishvarupanujah sandhyavatarah shitalashayaha nihsima-karuno gupta atma-bhakti-pravartakaha

Vishvarupanuja--He is the younger brother of Vishvarupa
Sandhyavatara--He incarnated during the time of dusk
Shitalashaya--He is desirous of cooling the burning sufferings of living beings
Nihsima-karuna--His compassion is limitless
Gupta--He is very secretive
Atma-bhakti-pravartaka--He preaches devotion unto the true Self

ISKCON Houston

11) mahanando nato nritya-gita-nama-priyah kavihi arti-priyah shuchih shuddho bhavado bhagavat-priyaha

Mahananda--He is absorbed in the greatest bliss Nata--He behaves as a dramatic actor
Nritya-gita-nama-priya--He is fond of dancing, singing & chanting the holy names
Kavi--He is a learned scholar and poet
Arti-priya--He is dear to those who are suffering Shuchi--He is meticulously clean
Shuddha--He is spotlessly pure
Bhavada--He confers ecstatic loving emotions
Bhagavat-priya--He is intimate with the great devotees

ISKCON Hong Kong

12) indradi-sarva-lokesha-vandita-shri-padambujaha nyasi-chudamanih krishnah sannyasashrama-pavanaha

Indradi-sarva-lokesha-vandita-shri-padambuja--His divine lotus feet are worshiped by Lord Indra and all the rulers of various heavenly planets
Nyasi-chudamani--He is the crest jewel of renunciates
Krishna--He is the all attractive Supreme Personality of Godhead
Sannyasashrama-pavana--He is the purifier of the renounced order

ISKCON Baroda

13) chaitanya krishna-chaitanya danda-dhrig nyasta-dandakaha avadhuta-priyo nityananda-shad-bhuja-darshakaha

Chaitanya--He is the living force of all creation
Krishna-Chaitanya--He is the all-attractive living force
Danda-dhrik--He carries the staff of the renounced order
Nyasta-dandaka--He abandons the staff of the renounced order
Avadhuta-priya--He is dear to the divine madman (Srila Nityananda Prabhu)
Nityananda-sad-bhuja-darshaka--He shows His six-armed form to Nityananda

ISKCON Ottawa

14) mukunda-siddhi-do dino vasudevamrita-pradaha gadadhara-prana-natha arti-ha sharana-pradaha

Mukunda-siddhi-da--He gives perfection to His devotee Mukunda
Dina--He behaves with meek and humble mannerisms
Vasudevamrita-prada--He gives nectar to this devotee Vasudeva
Gadadhara-prana-natha--He is the Lord of the life of Gadadhara
Pandita Arti-ha--He removes the distress of His devotees
Sharana-prada--He bestows ultimate shelter to His devotees

ISKCON Miami

15) akinchana-priyah prano guna-grahi jitendriyaha adosha-darshi sumukho madhurah priya-darshanaha
Akinchana-priya--He is dear to those who possess nothing
Prana--He is the life and soul of all creation
Guna-grahi--He accepts only the good qualities of others
Jitendriya--He is victorious over the influence of the material senses
Adosha-darshi--He is blind to the faults of others
Sumukha--He has a pleasant face
Madhura--He is supremely sweet
Priya-darshana--He is very precious to behold

ISKCON Juhu

16) pratapa-rudra-samtrata ramananda-priyo guruhu ananta-guna-sampannah sarva-tirthaika-pavanaha

Pratapa-rudra-samtrata--He delivers Maharaja Pratapa Rudra from obstacles
Ramananda-priya--He is the beloved of Ramananda Raya
Guru--He is the spiritual master of every living being
Ananta-guna-sampannah--He is endowed with limitless good qualities
Sarva-tirthaika-pavana--He is the sole purifier of all places of pilgrimage

ISKCON Montreal

17) vaikuntha-natho lokesho bhaktabhimata-rupa-dhrik narayano maha-yogi jnana-bhakti-pradah prabhuhu

Vaikuntha-natha--He is the Lord of the spiritual world of no anxiety
Lokesha--He is the Lord of all the material planets
Bhaktabhimata-rupa-dhrik--He assumes different forms according to the desires of His devotees
Narayana--He is the supreme shelter for all living beings
Maha-yogi--He is the greatest performer of yoga
Jnana-bhakti-pradah--He imparts intellectual knowledge of devotion
Prabhu--He is the Lord and Master of all

ISKCON Orissa

18) piyusha-vachanah prithvi-pavanah satya-vak sahaha oda-desha-jananandi sandohamrita-rupa-dhrik

Piyusha-vachana--His words emit showers of pure nectar
Prithvi-pavana--He is the savior of the earth
Satya-vak--He speaks truthfully
Saha--He can endure all forms of misery
Oda-desha-jananandi--He delights the people of Orissa
Sandohamrita-rupa-dhrik--He embodies the form of all universal nectar

ISKCON San Diego

19) yah pathed pratar utthaya chaitanyasya mahatmanaha shraddhaya parayopetah stotram sarvagha-nashanam prema-bhaktir harau tasya jayate natra samshayaha

It is recommended that upon rising in the morning, one faithfully approach and recite this transcendental sin-destroying prayer to Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the great soul. One who does will feel the awakening of ecstatic loving devotion unto Lord Hari; of this there is no doubt.

ISKCON Pune

20) asadhya-roga-yukto 'pi muchyate roga-sankatat sarvaparadha-yukto 'pi so 'paradhat pramucyate

Even if one is afflicted with an incurable disease, one becomes freed from all danger of the ailment. Even if one has committed all types of offenses, one becomes freed from their effects.

ISKCON Mississipi

21) phalguni-paurnamasyan tu chaitanya-janma-vasare shraddhaya paraya bhaktya maha-stotram japan purch yad yat prakurute kamam tat tad evachiral labhet

If one chants this great prayer with faith and transcendental devotion on Lord Chaitanya's appearance day (the full moon day in the month of Phalguna), then one perpetually attains the fulfillment of their each and every pure desire.

Jaya Gaur-Nitai (our Home)

22) aputro vaishnavam putram labhate natra-samshayaha ante chaitanya-devasya smritir bhavati shashvati

If a devotee couple wishes to have a child but are unable, then they will obtain a Vaishnava child without a doubt. And at the time of death, they will attain remembrance of Sri Chaitanya-deva and enter His eternal pastimes.

Namacarya Srila Haridas Thakura ki Jaya!

09/28/2012

Today marks the start of World Holy Name Week and an excellent way to start this week is to glorify Namacarya Srila Haridas Thakura who's disappearance day is marked today on the vaishnava calendar.

As this story indicates, we will be fortunate to develop a sliver of the taste of the holy name demonstrated by Srila Haridas Thakura and the honorific title of "namacrya" is most appropriate for the exalted Vaishnava personality. The following is the narration of one nectarean story...

Sri Haridas Thakura is an eternally liberated associate of the Lord. The associates of the Lord are worshipable wherever they make their appearance. Haridas Thakura appeared in a family of Yavanas (Mohammedans) but from his very birth he was very deeply devoted to the Holy Names of Sri Krsna.

When he came to live by the banks of the Ganges, Advaita Acarya was very happy to get his association. The brahmana residents of Fulia were very pleased to see how he worshipped the Holy Name, and they used to come everyday to have his darshan. Gradually word began to spread of his glories. When the Mohammedan administrator came to know of all this he began to burn with malice and went to the local Mohammedan king to inform him, “Though he is Mohammedan, he behaves as a Hindu, are therefore he should be brought here for trial.” Hearing the words of that sinful man, the local king who was also very sinful, had Hari das Thakur brought there immediately. [C. B. Adi 16.37].

The Mohammedan King told Haridas, “Just give up this chanting and say the Kalma (prayer of the Mohammedans).”

Haridasa Thakura replied, “The Supreme Lord is one, though His names might be different. The Hindu shastras are the Puranas and the Muslim sastra is the Koran. Everyone acts as he is inspired by the Lord, as also do I. Some yavanas become Hindus and some Hindus become yavanas, to worship the Lord. O Maharaja, you can now judge me.”

Hearing these words the Kazi replied that it would be necessary to punish him. Hearing the decree of the Kazi, the Muluk pati addressed Haridasa, “My brother, just follow your own religion. Then you will have nothing to worry about. Otherwise you will have to be punished.”

In reply to this Haridasa Thakura exclaimed, “Even if you cut my body into pieces, I will never give up the chanting of Hari nama.” [C. B. Adi 6.94]

After hearing these words of Haridasa spoken with great determination, the Kazi declared, “He should be beaten in twenty two market places. If he doesn’t die after this, then I will know that the learned gentleman speaks the truth.”

Thus having heard the words of the Kazi, the sinful Muluk pati then ordered that Haridasa Thakura be beaten in twenty two market places. Haridasa remembered the Lord by chanting “Krsna Krsna”, and in the happiness of that remembrance, he didn’t feel any bodily inconvenience. [C. B. Adi 16.102].

As the demoniac associates of Hiranyakasipu tried in so many ways to kill Sri Prahlada Maharaja, but were unsuccessful, similarly the demoniac Mohammedans, though they tried to harm Haridasa
Thakura, were unable to do so. Haridasa Thakur was immersed in the nectar of the Name and thus gradually the Mohammedans could understand that he wasn’t an ordinary person.

Thus they humbly submitted to the Thakura, “Haridasa! We can understand that you are a genuine saintly person. No one can do anything to you. But the Mulukpati won’t understand any of this. Rather he will have our heads.” Hearing their frightened pleas Haridasa’s external consciousness ceased and he entered into deep meditation on the Lord’s Holy Name.

Then the Mohammedans carried his body on their shoulders to the Mulukpati, who surmised that he was dead. Thinking as such he ordered that his body be thrown in the Ganga. Haridasa’s body floated down the Ganga until he reached Fulia ghat, where he got out of the water and began to loudly chant Hari Nama. Seeing the greatness of Haridasa Thakura, the Mulukpati became fearful. Along with the other Mohammedans he came there and begged Haridas Thakur to forgive him for his offence.

Considering him to be a holy man, they all offered their salutations and thus were delivered from their offences. Having witnessed the pastimes of the Thakura the devotees were in ecstasy.

And in this way we can understand the exalted position of Namacarya Sri Haridas Thakura. It would be very nice that as harinam takes place in markets around the world we can remember the mood of Sri Haridas Thakura as he was immersed in the holy names.

Let World Holy Name Week be an impetus for us to honour Namacarya Srila Haridas Thakur in glorious and innovative ways so we can give more and more people the taste of this nectar.

This also serves as a reminder that with Gauranga's mercy it does not matter what caste or creed we are born with, whether we are white bodied or brown bodied, born in a Christian, Muslim or Hindu family, the Holy names reign Supreme...

Happy Radhastami!

09/22/2012

1 Comment

Below is an excerpt of a lecture by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada from Radhastami 1968 in Montreal. It explains the song "radhe jaya jaya madhava-dayite" or Radhika Stava.
Please meditate on Srila Prabhupada's words as you watch the following video.
__________________________________________________________________

radhe jaya jaya madhava-dayite
gokula-taruni-mandala-mahite
damodara-rati-vardhana-vese
hari-niskuta-vrnda-vipinese
vrsabhanu-dadhi-nava-sasi-lekhe
lalita-sakhi guna-ramita-visakhe
karunam kuru mayi karuna-bharite
sanaka-sanatana-varnita-carite
radhe jaya jaya madhava-dayite

This song was sung by Rupa Gosvami. He is the real person, actual person, to understand Radha and Krsna. So he says, "All glories to Radharani." radhe jaya jaya madhava-dayite. "She's so dear to Krsna." Krsna, everyone is trying to love Krsna, but Krsna is trying to love somebody. Now how great She is. Just try to understand. Everyone, the whole world, the whole universe, all living entities, they are trying to love Krsna. Krsna-prema. Lord Caitanya describes, prema-pumartho mahan. And Rupa Gosvami described that "You are distributing krsna-prema." Sokrsna-prema is so valuable, but Krsna is after Radharani. Just see how Radharani is great. Just try to understand the greatness of Radharani. Therefore She is so great, and we have to offer our respect. Radhe jaya jaya madhava-dayite. How She is?

Gokula-taruni-mandala-mahite. Taruni, taruni means young girls. You'll see the pictures, they are all young girls. But of all the young girls, She is the most beautiful. She is enchanting to the young girls also. She is so beautiful. Gokula-taruni-mandala-mahite, damodara-rati-vardhana-vese. And She always dresses Herself so nicely that Damodara, Krsna, becomes attracted by Her beauty. Hari-niskuta-vrnda-vipinese. And She is the only lovable object of Krsna, and She is the "Queen of Vrndavan." This "Queen of Vrndavan" you'll find in Vrndavan, if you go to Vrndavan, everyone is worshiping Radharani. Rani means queen. They are always speaking, "Jaya Radhe!" Radharani. All the devotees in Vrndavan, they are worshiper of Radharani.

Hari-niskuta-vrnda-vipinese, vrsabhanu-dadhi-nava-sasi-lekhe. And She appeared as the daughter of King Vrsabhanu, and Her companion, Lalita-sakhi and Visakha-sakhi, and the devotees. So on behalf of the pure devotees of Krsna, Rupa Gosvami is praying, karunam kuru mayi karuna-bharite. "Oh, my worshipable Radharani, You are full of mercy. So I am begging of Your mercy because You are so merciful, very easily You offer, bestow Your mercy. So I am begging Your mercy." Karunam kuru mayi karuna-bharite, sanaka-sanatana-varnita-carite. Now somebody may say, "Oh, you are so great, learned scholar, you are so great saintly person, and you are begging mercy from an ordinary girl? How is that?" Therefore Rupa Gosvami says, "Oh, this is not ordinary girl." Sanaka-sanatana-varnita-carite. "This girl's description is possible to be made by great saintly persons like Sanaka-Sanatana. She is not ordinary."

So the lesson is that we should not treat Radharani as ordinary girl, or Krsna as ordinary man. They are the Supreme Absolute Truth. But in the Absolute Truth, there is the pleasure potency, and that is exhibited in the dealings of Radha and Krsna. And Radha's expansion all the gopis, and Krsna is the Supreme Lord.

Thank you very much. Chant Hare Krsna.

~ Srila Prabhupada

1 Comment

Janmastami 2012 has been uploaded!

09/19/2012

Photos from Janmastami 2012 have been uploaded!

CLICK HERE TO JUMP TO THAT PAGE

Sri Sri Radha Shyamasundar's Janmastami has become an grand annual tradition. First comes actual Janmastami for our "first love" and adorable Sri Sri Radha Gopinatha which of course is followed by the appearance day of our beloved spirtual master, Srila Prabhupada. So about a week later devotees and friends including Godbrothers & Godsisters as well as kirtaneers gather in front of the always merciful Sri Sri Radha Shyamsundar and celebrate His appearance day in a grand way. We do this annual function to simply please Radha Shyamasundar since They so mercifully came to our home and the least we can do is to celebrate Their Appearance day in a special way once a year.

This year we had some challenges with rain but with last minute tents on the stage as well as the grounds it made for a different experience with even better light effects and more intimacy for the many hundreds that attended. Devotees enjoyed kirtan, talks and an eleven course feast. The anticipated highlight is the now famous baby Krishna drama where an actually baby comes dressed as Krishna every year surrounded by exuberant gopas and gopis and of course Mother Yasoda and Nanda Baba.
His Holiness Bhakitmarga Swami & His Holiness B.B. Bhagavat Swami lead the festivities along with the “Gaura Shakti kirtan band” which immersed the crowd into the nectar of the holy names

Thank you to all the devotees who helped, participated and attended to make Sri Sri Radha Shyamasundar a grand festival and may He shower His blessing on all those sincere devotees.

Srila Prabhupada Vyasa Puja New Remuna Dham

08/29/2012

Beautiful pictures of Srila Prabhupada on his vyasa puja and a few pictures of us making our offerings in an humble attempt to glorify our spiritual master and saviour who has given us his causeless mercy...

Sri Sri Radha Gopinatha at New Remuna Dham (ISKCON Toronto) Midnight Darshan 2012!

08/23/2012

Hare Krishna! All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Sri Sri Radha Ksirchor Gopinatha! New Remuna Dham ki Jai!
Here is an upload of a few pictures from the very special midnight darshan of Sri Sri Radha Gopinatha in Their Janmastami flower outfit.

{Minakshi has them in high res images...contact: minakshidevidasi@hotmail.com}

Just catching up on filing pictures and postings :-)

Krishna is swinging Srimati Radharani and then Krishna joins Srimati Radharani on the swing...

07/29/2012

Photo from Jhulan Yatra at ISKCON Vrindavan

And with great fortune all the assembled devotees are able to swing Radha Govinda! Today and only for the next three days we are able to participate in this pastime since we celebrate Radha Govinda Jhulana Yatra from today until the appearance day of Lord Balaram, which falls on Wednesday, August 1st.

We will have additional nectar in brijbasi spirit for Jhulana Yatra over the next couple of days. However wanted to start the posts with two nice passages by Srila Prabhupada on this auspicious and ecstatic beginning of Jhulana Yatra....

"Regarding Jhulana-yatra Ceremony, during these five days the Deities'
clothings should be changed everyday, and there should be nice Prasadam
distribution and Sankirtana as far as possible. If you are able to do it, a
nice throne may be constructed on which the Deities can be placed. This
throne may be swung gently during Kirtana. That will be very good, and
surely the Deities will enjoy the function."
~ Letter to Jayapataka (Swami), Los Angeles, 1 August, 1969

This week we have had our Annual General Meeting at ISKCON Toronto and thus this quote may resonate in the hearts of many. Srila Prabhupada has given us a full resolution to "frustration and confusion" by fully absorbing ourselves in festivals such as Jhulana-yatra and so many festivals throughout the year...

We have got Janmastami, Sri Rama-navami, Dola-yatra, Jhulana-yatra. So there
are twelve months, but we have got twenty-four festivals as big as this
Ratha-yatra Festival. So if you kindly take to them, then as advised by Lord
Caitanya, kirtaniyah sada harih [Cc. adi 17.31], you will always be in Krsna
consciousness, and there will be no scope of your frustration and confusion.
~ Ratha-yatra lecture July 5, 1970 San Fransisco

Thank you Srila Prabhupada for being the torch light of knowledge for all these nectar filled festivals.

Radha-Govinda Jhulana Yatra ki Jaya!

We leave you with fresh Jhulan Yatra nectar from ISKCON's Krishna Balaram Temple in Vrindavan...

Jhulan Yatra - ISKCON Vrindavan - Jai Gaur Nitai!

Jhulan Yatra - ISKCON Vrindavan - Jai Krishna Balaram!

Jhulan Yatra - ISKCON Vrindavan - Jai Radha Shyamsundar!

Hariyali Teej. Additional nectar from ISKCON's Krishna Balaram Temple

07/23/2012

Yesterday's post was pure nectar from the Groves of Vrindavan with some description and pictures from Hariyali Teej festivities. However it was incomplete since our very own Gaur-Nitai, Krishna-Balaram and Radha Shyamasundar from ISKCON Vrindavan were not in the collage.

We are fortunate since Srila Prabhupada instructed us to do topmost service and day in and day out pujaris and devotees work tirelessly to please Their Lordships.

Let's once again immerse ourselves in Vrindavan as Their Lordship are right in middle of the groves...

Elevated bhava of Gauranga. Honouring Sri Vamsidasa Babaji.

07/22/2012

Today marks the disappearance day of Sri Vamsidasa Babaji and we are unqualified to glorify this elevated Vaishnava saint since his bhava and renunciation is beyond ordinary grasp.

HH Bhakti Vikasa Swami who occasionally visits Toronto has written a book with research and antidotes of Sri Vamsidasa Babaji who left his earthly pastimes just in 1944.

Our grand-guru (or great grand-guru for many readers), Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, not only met with Sri Vamsidasa Babaji but also wrote about him in Sajjana-tosani. In Navadwip, Sri Vamsidasa Babaji said "Someone very close to my Gaura has come to me." when he blessed Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura. But Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura also once told his disciples " But you are not able to understand this bhava."

So to glorify Sri Vamsidasa Babaji we are going to simply repost some pastimes and with this nectar we can get some drops of understanding of his elevated state.

When Vamsidasa was visiting Puri during Ratha Yatra, the cart stopped closed to where he was standing. Despite the efforts of everyone assembled the cart would not move. Then Vamsidasa came and after some intimate conversation with the Lord, the cart moved on with ease.
Once Vamsidasa went to the sea in Puri, to give Bala-Gopala a bath. Arriving on the shore be beckoned the sea 'Come here, come here!' Huge waves crossed over the beach and Vamsidasa was able to bathe his Deities.

While crossing the river Mahanandi, Vamsidasa instructed the boatmen to drop him near a point where he claimed was a snake. When the boatman dropped Vamsidasa and his associates at the point, a yellow snake appeared. Holding his Bala-Gopala Deity Vamsidasa exclaimed, 'See Anantadeva has come!' After some time the snake went away.

Once on a full moon night of Ashvini, Vamsidasa instructed his associates not to set up any tent but camped out in the open. At this time fifty attractive women, dressed in white, came and offered obeisances to Vamsidasa and left without saying. Despite the late hour, they were unescorted, something that never happens in rural India, and none of the locals had any knowledge of them. The devotees concluded that they were demigoddess who had come to get the blessings of Vamsidasa on this auspicious day.

One day Vamsidasa cooked sweet rice for Bala-Gopala, but before offering it he angrily threw it away, accusing Gopala of having already eaten sweet rice with "gur" in the Radha-Govinda temple in Vrindavana. One of the persons who happened to hear this sent a letter to the temple priest inquiring about the offering to Radha-Govinda on that particular date-time. A reply soon came indicating that the offering on the day was indeed sweet rice cooked with "gur".

Once a man suffering from cholera lay outside the hut of Vamsidasa, expecting him to cure him. For three days he lay there moaning with intense pain, without eating and drinking anything. Finally Vamsidasa came outside and place a Tulasi leaf on his tongue. The man was instantly cured and he got up and went home.

When Vamsidasa became too old and infirm, he would have trouble going out to do madhukari (begging food). Once in such a situation he exclaimed to his servant, "Did you hear what Gauranga was saying? He has told Vamsidasa, 'you do not go begging for three days. Now you are too old, so I will feed you.' This Gauranga wants to feed me!" Saying this Vamsidasa fetched a stick and waved it threateningly at his Gaura Deity. "You do not have to go outside for serving me. If You go outside, I will break Your legs!"

And this last pastime recounted above demonstrates why we cannot understand this bhava.

Sri Vamsidasa Bahbaji expressed this bhava in his songs...just see these 2 verses...

kena giya chilama ganga-tire o nagari
nyana kataksa bane gaura kaila mana churi
ami ekhana ki kari o nagari ki kari

"O Nagari! How I repent having gone to the bank of Ganga. Gaura cast a side long glance at me and stole my heart. What shall I do now, O Nagari! What shall I do?"

bala go nagari gaura kallena ki
grha gela kula gela mana kela curi
sajani! ekhana ami ki kari
nayana kone, kane kane gaura kallena ki
ami je prana mari gaura kallena ki

"Tell me O Nagari what Gaura has done to me, He winked and whispered and did, I do not know what to me. O Sakhi! Now I know not what to do, Life is running out of me. O! What has Gaura done to me?"

Gauranga! if we can attain just a sliver of this love of Gauranga our life will be sublime. Gauranga!
Jaya Sri Vamsidasa Babaji

Hariyali Teej festival in the green groves of Vrindavan

07/22/2012

The monsoon season has come (Shravan) and temperatures are cooling in Vrindavan. The groves of Vrindavan are full green leaves, fragrant flowers, chirping birds and fresh seasonal fruits. Of course when devotees see these fresh fruits and fragrant flowers their first thought is how Krishna will enjoy them.

Thus today is known as Hariyali Teej and "hara" (green) is offered to Krishna. Quite often a green dress along with nature's bounty. In the Shravan month in some temples even the jhoola (swing) festival starts from the 3rd day of the bright fortnight and it will continue until Poornima.

Daily after Sandhya Utthapan to the end of Sandhya Aarti, Krishna and His abode his adorned with fresh decoration of natural leaves and flowers. Sweets and delicacies such as Feni, Ghevar, Gujhias, Balooshahee, Imarti, Ladoos and seasonal fruits are offered to Krishna on this occasion. Thousands of devotees will visit different temples and witness Krishna taking pleasure His Vrindavan Groves.
And thus we daily pray to Sri Tulasi Maharni...mor ei abhilas, bilas kunje dio vas
nayane heribo sada jugala-rupa-rasi
My desire is that you will also grant me a residence in the pleasure groves of Sri Vrndavana-dhama. Thus, within my vision I will always behold the beautiful pastimes of Radha and Krsna

We are grateful to Deena Bandu Prabhu, Vallabha Chaitanya Prabhu and Banke Bihari Prabhus for sharing these pictures from Vrindavan dham earlier today...