Author Archives: H.H. Ramai Swami

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It’s been more than twenty years since I last visited our Jagannatha temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Since that time, the old building was pulled down and a new bigger temple was put up in its place. The deities looked … Continue reading →

Leaders from around Indonesia gathered for the ISKCON annual general meeting that was held at our beautiful temple in the Bahar area of Denpasar. Their Lordships, Sri Sri Radha Gopinatha, Jagannatha, Baladeva, Subhadra and Gaura Nitai are the presiding deities. … Continue reading →

Shri Mukunda Dasa, Shri Madhava Dasa and Shri Narahari Sarakara Thakura were three brothers who lived in Shri Khanda. Shri Mukunda Dasa Thakura’s son was Shri Raghunandan Thakura. Mukunda Dasa Thakura was the doctor in the court of the muslim … Continue reading →

I haven’t visited our Radha Govinda temple in Puncak, Indonesia for a while so it was great to take darshan of Their Lordships, Sri Sri Radha Govinda, Gaura Nitai and Lord Nrsimha Deva. Puncak is nestled is the hills outside … Continue reading →

When I go to Jakarta I always visit our Jagannatha temple in Pasar Baru. The name “Pasar Baru” translates to “New Market”, which in one sense is strange because it is one of the oldest markets in the city. It … Continue reading →

“I, the undersigned, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, disciple of Om Visnupad Paramhansa 108 Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaj Prabhupada, came in the United States in 1965 on September 18th for the purpose of starting Krishna Consciousness Movement. For one year … Continue reading →

A personal associate of Lord Gauranga, fully absorbed in pure love, Shri Lokanatha Goswami was the eldest of the Goswamis living in Vraja-bhumi. He shunned name and fame so much that he asked Krishna Dasa Kaviraja to keep his name … Continue reading →

Sri Gopala Bhatta Goswami (the son of a Vyenkata Bhatta, a Sri Vaishnava brahmana) appeared in Sri Rangam, South India. Lord Chaitanya once stayed four months in his home, and converted the family to Gaudiya Vaishnavism. A mere boy at … Continue reading →

Guru Purnima is observed on the full moon day in the month of Ashadha in honour of the sage Vyasadeva by worshipping him for His blessings. Formerly on this day, gurus who were the traditional teachers, were honoured by their … Continue reading →

Srila Sanatana Gosvami, one of the intimate associates of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, is a well-known personality in Gaudiya Vaishnavism. Mahaprabhu taught the sequence of advancement in devotional service through Sanatana Goswami. Sanatana Goswami was the oldest and most venerable among … Continue reading →

I was invited to give a talk at the new Bhakti Yoga Studio near downtown Seattle. It is a nicely set up facility and especially meant for young people who are searching after the meaning of life. When I arrived … Continue reading →

This year the Seattle Rathayatra was moved from early September to late June to accommodate more people being able to attend. Thousands of devotees ecstatically pulled Their Lordships, Jagannatha, Balarama and Subhadra Devi’s cart chanting and dancing for two and … Continue reading →

In the year 1908 Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura took the external ‘vesa’ dress of a ‘babaji’ at Satasana in Puri technically which is called his accepting ‘paramahamsa-sannyasa’, among the ‘Gaudiya sampradaya’; until 1910 he would move between Calcutta and Puri, and … Continue reading →

Sri Gadadhara was the consant companion of Mahaprabhu from the time of their childhood. His father’s name was Sri Madhva Misra and his mother’s name Sri Ratnavati-devi. They lived very near the house of Sri Jagannatha Misra in Mayapura. Ratnavati-devi … Continue reading →

srivas-pandito dhimaan yah pura narado munih purvataakhyo muni-varo ya aasin narada-priyah sa rama-panditah srimams tat-kanistha-sahaodarah “Intelligent Srivaasa Pandita had previously been Narada Muni, the best of the sages. Srivaasa’s younger brother, Sriman Rama Pandita, had previously been Narada’s close friend … Continue reading →

Sri Vakresvara Pandit was present with Sriman Mahaprabhu during His pastimes in Navadwipa and after his acceptance of Sannyasa he also accompanied Him to Jagannath Puri. During the time of the Lord’s residence in Puri he continued to live with … Continue reading →

Born as Duhkhi Krishnadasa in Orissa, Shyamananda Prabhu was raised in a humble, pious family. From a young age, he displayed detachment from material pleasures, deep love for the Holy Name, and sincere devotion.  He was sent by his guru, … Continue reading →

Snana Yatra is one of the most sacred and visually delightful festivals of Lord Jagannatha, celebrated on Purnima (full moon) of the month of Jyestha. On this day, Lord Jagannatha, along with Lord Baladeva and Subhadra Devi, receive a grand … Continue reading →

Once Bhimasena, the younger brother of Maharaja Yudhisthira, asked the great sage Shrila Vyasadeva, the grandfather of the Pandavas, if it is possible to return to the spiritual world without having observed all the rules and regulations of the Ekadasi … Continue reading →

Our Radha Kunjavihari temple is in the Klungkung area of Bali about 90 minutes from Denpasar. It is one of the eight regencies of Bali and home to the famous Klungkung palace, which used to house the old kings. The … Continue reading →

It was wonderful to again visit Jagannatha Gauranga temple, which is one of our six major temples in Bali. The devotees have worked hard to worship the deities nicely and build up the facilities for programs and festivals. Besides the … Continue reading →

From her childhood Princess Sachi devi, the daughter of King Naresh Narayana of Bengal, showed unalloyed devotion to Lord Sri Krishna. She even refused to marry on account of her genuine attachment to Krishna. After her father’s demise she ruled … Continue reading →

Sri Baladeva Vidyabhusana appeared in the 1600’s near Remuna, Orissa. In his youth, he mastered Sanskrit grammar, poetry, and logic. After carefully studying the commentaries of Sankara and Madhva he took initiation in the Tattva-vadi disciplic succession of Sripad Madhvacarya. … Continue reading →

The mother of Srila Vrindavana dasa Thakura’s was Sri Narayani devi, the niece of Srivasa pandita. In his Sri Caitanya Bhagavata, Vrndavana dasa has described how his mother attained the affectionate fervour of Sri Gaurasundara. Vrindavana dasa was born four … Continue reading →

Five hundred years ago in the district of Puri, in the village of Bentapur, there lived a great devotee named Bhavananda Raya. Bhavananda had five sons, the eldest of which was Ramananda. It is said that Lord Caitanya visited the birth-place of … Continue reading →

Before Lord Caitanya appeared He sent His eternal associates like Sri Advaita Acarya, Sri Jagannatha Misra, Saci Mata, Madhavendra Puri, Isvari Puri to earth. Sri Madhavendra Puri took initiation from Sri Laksmipati Tirtha in the Madhvacarya sampradaya.  He had many but … Continue reading →

Sri Narasimha Jayanti is the auspicious appearance day of Lord Narasimha, the half-man, half-lion incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Lord Narasimha appeared at dusk on the Shukla Chaturdashi (the fourteenth day of the bright fortnight) in the month of Vaishakha. The … Continue reading →

Sri Narasimha Jayanti is the auspicious appearance day of Lord Narasimha, the half-man, half-lion incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Lord Narasimha appeared at dusk on the Shukla Chaturdashi (the fourteenth day of the bright fortnight) in the month of Vaishakha. The … Continue reading →

On May 1, 1977, the day before the festival honoring the appearance of Lord Nrisimha, Srila Prabhupada’s dear disciple Jayananda Dasa passed from this world.  Shortly thereafter, Srila Prabhupada wrote in a letter, “Jayananda’s death is glorious. . . . … Continue reading →

Sita devi was not born of a woman but of the Earth Goddess, Bhumi devi herself. In Maharishi Valmiki’s own words, Ramayana is known as the noble story of Sita — “Sita-ayah Charitam Mahat”.  Janaka Maharaj, the king of Mithila, … Continue reading →

One of the Saptadevalyas (seven ancient temples) of Vrindavan, Shri Gopinath Mandir was founded by Madhu Pandit whose glories are sung in the Bhakti Ratnakar. His Samadhi is found near the temple courtyard.  Madhu Pandit was the disciple of Shri Gadadhar Goswami … Continue reading →

The very word Akshaya means, “that which never diminishes”. Any service or charity one performs on this day will be paid back many times over. Most devotees know it as the beginning of Candana-yatra, but actually many of Lord Krishna’s … Continue reading →

Sri Gadadhar was the consant companion of Mahaprabhu from the time of their childhood. His father’s name was Sri Madhva Misra and his mother’s name Sri Ratnavati-devi. They lived very near the house of Sri Jagannatha Misra in Mayapura. Ratnavati-devi … Continue reading →

All glories to the Vyas of Chaitanya Lila, Srila Vrindavan das thakur, a dear devotee of Shri Chaitnaya Mahaprabhu and the disciple of Shrila Nityananda Prabhu, who wrote the Sri Chaitanya bhagawat, a book greatly treasured by all the vaishnavas.  … Continue reading →

Shri Abhirama Gopal Thakura  was also known as Shri Rama Das. He was a great devotee of Lord Nityananda.  On the order of Shri Nityananda Prabhu, he became a great acharya and preacher of Gaudiya Vaishnavism.  He was a very … Continue reading →

“Jesus Christ was such a great personality—the son of God, the representative of God. He had no fault. Still, he was crucified. He wanted to deliver God consciousness, but in return they crucified him—they were so thankless. They could not … Continue reading →

Shri Rupa Goswami mentions that one should bathe in Radha-kunda on Kartika Bahulastami. In “Mathura Mahatmya” (420), He cites the Padma Purana: “One who bathes in Radha Kunda on Bahulastami in Kartika becomes Haripriya, very dear to Shri Krishna.” However, … Continue reading →

Sri Syamananda Prabhu, Srinivasa Acarya and Sri Narottama dasa Thakura were the internal associates of Sri Gaurasundara. They incarnated in this world in order to spread the teachings of Sri Gaura-Krsna after His departure from it. Sri Syamananda made his … Continue reading →