Shantanu was surprised. Was his wife a goddess? The goddess of the Ganges River? He couldn’t believe it. “If you want, I can tell you what happened in your previous life and the reason that led … Read More
Sri Gopala Guru Gosvami explains the meaning of the name with these words: vijnapya bhagavat-tattvam cid-ghanananda-vigraham haraty avidyam tat karyam ato harir iti smrtah haraty sri-krishna-manah krishnahlada-svarupini ato harety anenaiva sri-radha parikirtita anandaika-sukha-svami syamah kamala-locanah … Read More
In the years that followed, she killed their seven children in the same way, drowning them in the river. “Now, I will have to go away. Do you remember the condition I imposed on you? If … Read More
Relationship, Method and Realization Sambandha, abhidheya, prayojana When the clouds and fog are gone, the Holy Name shines forth and manifests the highest kind of prema. The devotee receives that reward. The authentic Guru bestows knowledge … Read More
The chanting rules described in Hari-bhakti-vilasa are as follows: manah samharanam saucam maunam mantrartha-cintanam avyagratvam anirvedo japa-sampatti-hetavah Purification of the heart is necessary to gain attention. This means staying silent – that is, avoiding negative talk. … Read More
Veganism Question: Thank you for explaining how offering the milk of cows to Krishna may be liberating to the soul of the cow. Might it be more compassionate to offer only milk from cows that are … Read More
After Tulasi Puja, a nice set of 16 rounds or more of quality Japa. This means articulate pronunciation of the holy names for the pleasure of the Divine Couple. Quality Japa means when you don’t want … Read More
The eighth pregnancy came. When the baby was born, the queen took him and with chilling calm headed for the river with the obvious intention of drowning that baby too. But Shantanu could no longer tolerate … Read More
How Can the Ramayana be of Importance in Modern Reality? Despite its antiquity, the Ramayana is not obsolete. These poems exert a great fascination and possess an ever new freshness, so wonderful that they transcend the … Read More
Those who chant the name of Krishna with strong attachment gain the fruit of love for God in a short time. In Hari-bhakti-vilasa it is written:,,, tulasi kastha ghatitair manibhir japamalika sarvakarmani sarvesam ipsitartha-phala-prada gopucchasadrsi karya … Read More
Question I don’t mean anything extravagant, but at least whatever is enough to feel happy with the process and hopeful about pleasing Krsna. Answer Krishna gives mercy to everyone, devotees or not devotees. But, in … Read More
Shantanu, who had waited so long for his heir, was desperate, but he could not say anything, remembering the conditions she had set: he must not hinder or criticize his wife’s actions, otherwise she would abandon … Read More
The Mahabharata in the Vedas The Vedas are divided into various literary groups and one of them is called Itihasa. It is considered that Itihasa are only two books: the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. These are … Read More
The Naradiya Purana, quoted in the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, states: sad-dharmasyavabodhaya yesam nirbandhini matih acirad eva sarvarthah siddhaty esam abhipsitah Those who are steadfast in wanting to know the Absolute Truth, of all objects of desire, quickly attain … Read More
Notes Of Philosophical Nature The Ramayana also offers us some philosophical points which I consider important to address, albeit briefly. Man has always felt the need for a personal God. It could not be otherwise, since … Read More
“My name is Shantanu,” he replied, “and I am the king of these lands. It doesn’t matter if you don’t want to tell me your name for now, but know that you have already won my … Read More
The efforts of one who is steadfast in the performance of bhajana are described in the Hari-bhakti-vilasa: evam ekantinam prayah kirtanam smaranam prabhoh kurvatah parama-pritya krtyamanyan na rocyate bhavena kenacit prestha sri-murter anghri sevane … Read More
Now, as far as I am able, I shall describe the devotees who had previously appeared with the Lord in His Vraja pastimes. The cowherd boy named Sridama appeared in Lord Caitanya’s pastimes as … Read More
Geographical Hints Ayodhya is located in the state of Uttara Pradesh in northern India, not far from the large commercial center of Lucknow. It is a large and prosperous city, very beautiful. In Ayodhya the devotees … Read More
Syamananda Prabhu then went to Nrisinghpur where Narottama Dasa Thakura came to meet him after arriving from Nilachala. When Narottama Dasa Thakura went back, Syamananda Prabhu went to Chakulia accompanied by Rasikananda. There lived a … Read More
