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
6. Sastha-yama Sadhana Bhajana during the evening Bhava (The transcendental emotion) The external symptoms of perfection are found in the Siksastaka (6): nayanam galad-asru-dharaya vadanam gadgada-ruddhaya gira pulakair nicitam vapuh kada tava nama-grahane bhavisyati … Read More
6. Sastha-yama Sadhana Bhajana during the evening Bhava (The transcendental emotion) The external symptoms of perfection are found in the Siksastaka (6): nayanam galad-asru-dharaya vadanam gadgada-ruddhaya gira pulakair nicitam vapuh kada tava nama-grahane bhavisyati … 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
The qualifications and processes for performing nama-kirtana are listed in the Siksastaka (3) as follows: trnad api sunicena taror iva sahisnuna amanina manadena kirtaniyah sada harih The holy names of the Lord are to be … 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
When the holy name blossoms, the emotions of the devotees manifest themselves, and they are enchanted by divinity. He Himself is enchanted by His own beauty. In Srimad Bhagavatam (3.2.12), Uddhava says to Vidura: yan martya-lilaupayikam … Read More
The cultivation of chanting the holy names in a favorable mood in the company of pure devotees to the level of attachment is described in Srimad Bhagavatam (11.3.30 / 31) as follows: parasparanukathanam pavanam bhagavad-yasah mitho … Read More
In Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu it is written that the devotee in raga-marga is situated in two kinds of service at the same time – in his sadhana-deha and in his siddha-deha. seva sadhaka-rupena siddha-rupena catra hi tad-bhava-lipsuna karya … Read More
An introduction to aparahna-lila (the afternoon pastime) is given by Govinda-lilamrta: sri radham prapta-geham nija-ramana-krte klrpta nanopaharam susnatam ramya-vesam priya-mukha-kamalaloka-purna- pramodam sri krishnam caivaparahne vrajam anucalitam dhenu-vrndair vayasyai sri radhaloka-trptam pitr-mukha-militam matr-mrstam smarami (22) I remember … Read More
The need to take refuge at the lotus feet of Srimati Radharani is described in the Sri Sva-sankalpa-prakasa-stotra of the Stavavali with these words: anaradhya radha-padambhoja renum anasritya vrndatavim tat padankam asambhasya-tad bhava-gambhira cittan kutah syama-sindho … Read More
The six symptoms of abandonment, according to Vaisnava-tantra, are: anukulyasya sankalpah pratikulyasya varjanam raksisyatiti visvaso goptrtve varanam tatha atma-niksepa-karpanye sad-vidha saranagatih The six divisions of surrender are: accepting the things favorable to devotional service, rejecting the … Read More
Such a devotee prays for Krishna’s mercy as described in Srimad Bhagavatam (10.14.8): tat te ‘nukampam su-samiksamano bhunjana evatma-krtam vipakam hrd-vag vapurbhir vidadhan namas te jiveta yo mukti-pade sa daya-bhak My dear Lord, he who sincerely … Read More
The glories of hearing the holy name from the mouth of a sadhu are described in Srimad Bhagavatam (4.20.24): na kamayate natha tad apy aham kvacin na yatra yusmac-caranambujasavah mahattamantar-hrdayan mukha-cyuto vidhatsva karnayutam esa me varah … Read More
As we progress, let us offer prayers like those of Prahlada Maharaja in Srimad Bhagavatam (7.9.39): naitan manas tava kathasu vikuntha-natha sampriyate durita-dustam asadhu tivram kamaturam harsa-soka-bhayaisanartam tasmin katham tava gatim vimrsami dinah Dear Lord of … Read More
