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
All Vaishnavas reject Namaparadha Namaparadha sakala vaisnava-matrerai varjjaniya However, in order to achieve the opulence of bhakti, all Vaishnavas always avoid namaparadha. At the stage of Bhava-seva, Sevaparadha is negligible Bhava-sevaya sevaparadha vicara svalpa One who … Read More
When the wise Samika woke up, he found his son in front of him, who, with tears in his eyes, informed him of the whole incident. The father’s reaction was immediate. “What have you done?” … Read More
The difference between primary and secondary types of Holy Name Mukhya gauna bhede nama dui prakara Krishna has two different types of Names: primary (mukhya) and secondary (gauna). By taking shelter of the primary Names, … Read More
Yudhisthira asks: What are the duties for a man who wants to be happy in this world and in the next? Bhismadeva answers: You must avoid three negative actions performed by the body: 1) Destroy … Read More
