Samksepa-arcana-paddhati The chanting of the holy names leads to total perfection, yet in one’s devotional life the various activities related to the arcana are very important. In the morning, after washing, the sadhaka should sit on … Read More
The happiness of seeing Krishna is described in the Jagannatha-vallabha-nataka. The gopis here express their contentment at having met Krishna after suffering from His separation. yada yato daivan madhu-ripur asau locana-patham tadasmakam ceto madana-hatakenahrtam abhut punar … Read More
Campakalata Campakalata is expert in supervising the messengers. She always conceals the intentions behind her actions and is most clever in logical speech. She reveals the inferiority of the opposing party and demonstrates the superiority … Read More
Visakha Sri Visakha is in her fresh blooming youth and is the personification of the highest auspiciousness. She is a priya-narma-sakhi and is proficient in all areas. She gives faultless and useful advice and is highly … Read More
Umbrella Umbrellas (chatram) are made by attaching strings of white flowers to thin wooden rods and decorating a wooden handle with golden juhi flowers. Bed A pillow is made by joining campaka and … Read More
In the Stavavali, Vraja-vilasa-sta (38) is written: tambularpana-pada-mardana-payo-danabhisaradibhir vrndaranya-mahesvarim priyataya yas tosayanti priyah prana-prestha-sakhi-kulad api kilasankocita bhumikah keli-bhumisu rupa-manjari-mukhas ta dasikah samsraye By offering Them betel nuts, massaging Their feet, bringing Them water, arranging Their secret … Read More
One is introduced to the deep love of the gopis for Krishna by listening to the great pain that the gopis in wandering through the forests of Vraja feel while thinking about Krishna. They express their … Read More
The various pastimes performed during the meeting of Radha and Krishna are described in the Ujjvala-nilamani as follows: te tu sandarsanam jalpah sparsanam vartma rodhanam rasa-vrndavana-krida-yamunady-ambu-kelayah nau-khela-lilaya-cauryam-ghatta-kunjadi-linata madhu-panam vadhu-vesa-dhrtih kapata suptata dyuta-krida-patakrstis-cambaslesau-nakharpanam bimbadhara-sudhapanam-samprayogadayo matah When Radha … Read More
The outward behavior of a devotee – the symptoms and activities of one who is situated in the prema – is described in the Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.2.40): evam-vratah sva-priya-nama-kirtya jatanurago druta-citta uccaih hasaty atho roditi rauti gayati … Read More
Astama-yama Sadhana Night Pastimes The method of bhajana and the place of residence of one who has achieved the contemplation mentioned above are explained in the Upadesamrta (8): tan-nama-rupa-charitadi-sukirtananu- smrtyoh kramena rasana-manasi niyojya tistan vraje tad-anuragi-jananugami … Read More
Experiencing intense feelings of separation, the moment they look at Krishna the gopis scold the creator for their eyelids. The following statement, taken from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.82.39), describes the state of the gopis as they meet Krishna … Read More
The desire to see the beloved Krishna is described in Krishna-karnamrta (40): he deva he dayta he bhuvanaika-bandho he krishna he capala he karunaika-sindho he natha he ramana he nayanabhirama ha ha kada nu bhavitasi padam … Read More
On hearing this proposal from Krishna, all the boys became very glad and said, “Certainly, let us all sit down here to take our lunch.” They then let loose the calves to eat the soft grass. … Read More
Offering obeisances and asking for blessings mukam karoti vacalam pangum langhayate girim yat krpa tam aham vande sri gurum dina-taranam I offer my respectful obeisances unto my spiritual master, the deliverer of the fallen souls. His … Read More
The gopis rebuked the providence for their separation from Krishna with these words which we find in Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.39.19): aho vidhatas tava kvacid daya samyojya maitrya pranayena dehinah tams cakrtarthan viyunanksy aparthakam vikriditam te ‘rbhaka-cestitam … Read More
Rupa Gosvami disturbed in his meditation While associating with devotees always be careful not to create any ill feelings in their hearts. By doing that you’ll experiment many impediments in your path. In this regard I … Read More
Śukadeva, an abode of matchless bhagavat-prema, sang the beautiful Bhāgavata verses to glorify Lord Krishna, and to enlighten the people of the world. Vṛndā’s two pet parrots, Dakṣa[1] and Vicakṣaṇa[2], recited verses to wake up … Read More
After undergoing severe penances and prolonged meditations, the sage Vyasa, who throughout his life had always kept faith in his vows and observed the practices of spiritual ascents, studied with great attention and seriousness the eternal … Read More
The reasons for Krishna’s mercy are inconceivable, that is, His mercy is causeless. This is confirmed by Srimad Bhagavatam (10.16.36): kasyanubhavo ‘sya na deva vidmahe tavanghri-renu-sparasadhikarah yad-vanchaya srir lalanacarat tapo vihaya kaman su-ciram dhrta-vrata O … Read More
Reaching the bank of Yamuna, the Gopis urged the boatman, “Please take us to the other side.” Krishna pretended to be on deep nap. Sri Sanjaya Kavisekhara says: Krishna said to Radha, “My dear young girl, … Read More
