One should practice bhajana for a few days. Through this discipline the practitioner must then mature, as explained in the second verse. To mature means that one should carefully avoid namaparadha as the word durdaivam indicates, … Read More
Rasa is the nature of Nama Rasa nama-svarupa The Name is akhanda-rasa[1] and it is the budding flower which blooms, disseminating itself throughout the universe in the form of Names, such as Krishna and others[2]. Rasa … Read More
The Nagas, having learned of Janamejaya’s intentions, inquired about the real possibilities of danger they might be in. Unfortunately, the news they received did not bode well; he had in fact invited the most powerful Brahmanas … Read More
A. In Srimad Bhagavatam (3.25.25) it is written: satam prasangan mama virya-samvido bhavanti hrt-karna-rasayanah kathah taj-josanad asv apavarga-vartmani sraddha ratir bhaktir anukramisyati (36) Talking about the pastimes and activities of the Supreme Lord in the company … Read More
Vira Devi is a little known Gopi but plays an important role in Radha Krishna’s pastimes. She lives in Yavata, the same town of Radharani’s during her years as a married woman and became very good … Read More
A few days after the king’s death, the vacant throne was taken over by his young son, Janamejaya. Years passed. As an adult, Janamejaya began to wonder what were the real reasons for the strange death … Read More
Priyah so’yam Padyavali (383), by Srila Rupa Gosvami. priyaḥ so ‘yaṁ krishnaḥ saha-cari kuru-kṣetra-militas tathāhaṁ sā rādhā tad idam ubhayoḥ saṅgama-sukham tathāpy antaḥ-khelan- madhura-muralī-pañcama-juṣe mano me kālindī-pulina vipināya spṛhayati My dear friend, now I have … Read More
It is written in Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu that even namabhasa destroys all sins and grants liberation. tam nirvyajam bhaja guna-nidhe pavananam sraddha-rajyan-matir atitaram uttamah-sloka-maulim prodyann antah-karana-kuhare hanta yan-nama-bhanor abhaso ‘pi ksapayati maha-pataka-dhvanta-rasim O holder of all good qualities, … Read More
Cit-sakti reveals the supreme substance Cic-chakti-dvara vastu-prakasa Cit-sakti reveals the Name, dhama, activities and forms of the Supreme substance. Krishna is parama-vastu[1] and His body color is dark. Goloka and others are Krishna dhamas where He … Read More
Then, he gathered the more experienced priests, who after having held council among them said: “Oh, king, in the Vedas there are innumerable sacrifices, including those destined for the destruction of some species considered harmful. Among … Read More
Those who are against Krishna Krishna-bahirmukha Both the karmis and the jnanis turned their faces away from Krishna. They do not appreciate the pleasure one gets from serving Him. The sukritis of those who favor Bhakti … Read More
Equating the Holy Name with other auspicious activities Anya subha-karmera sahita namake tulya-jnana One cannot equate pious activities, such as taking vows, penances, renunciations, yajnas and all other auspicious actions with the Holy Name. Glories, glories … Read More
The Method of Bhajana Bhajana-pranali Glory to Gadai-Gauranga! Glory to Nityananda! Glory to the Lord of Sita and the devotees of Gaura. Glories, glories, to the fortunate Mahajanas who renounce everything for the bhajana of Hari-nama. … Read More
Not everyone can know the exact moment of their death, and in this sense, Pariksit could consider himself lucky because he had the opportunity to spend those last seven days he had left to living in … Read More
During this process, if a desire for fame arose due to the company of non-devotees, it would lead to kutinati (diplomacy), which as a result leads to the downfall of the devotee. One should therefore … Read More
It is written in Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu: adau sraddha tatah sadhu-sango ‘tha bhajana-kriya tato ‘nartha-nivrttih syat tato nistha rucis tatah athasaktis tato bhavas tatah premabhyudancati sadhakanam ayam premnah pradurbhave bhavet kramah Pious activities such as serving unknowingly or … Read More
The place from where Lord Balarama saw the rasa-lila became celebrated as Doka Dauji. The word ‘doka’ is a corrupted form of ‘dekna’ or ‘to look’. Chandra-sarovara is the site of many other wonderful pastimes where Krishna and the gopis would … Read More
Another name of Tulasi is Vrinda-devi[1]. Srila Narottama dasa Thakura says: krpa kori koro tare vrindavana vasi, ”Dear Tulasi, please bestow your mercy upon me, so that I may forever reside in Vrindavana.” Pastime … Read More
“… The combination of the three modes, which are eternal and unmanifested, is the cause of the manifested state, and is called Pradhana …”[1] In the commentary to the verse Srila Prabhupada says: “… Pradhana is … Read More
Flower decorations made by Sri Lalita in her service There are numerous varieties of ornaments made of flowers: crowns (kiritas), hair bands (bala-pasyas), ear ornaments (karnapuras), forehead decorations (lalatikas), necklaces (graiveyakas), upper arm bracelets (angadas), waistbelts … Read More
