Author Archives: Vraja Kishor

This entire section of Bhāgavatam (Canto 4, Chapters 1 through 7) is really about Vaiṣṇava-aparādhā / Sādhu-ninda / offenses to spiritualists. Here is the latest section, (4.6.1~8). I will offer some comments afterwards. So all the gods, priests and guests were smashed and defeated, their limbs covered in wounds from the spears, tridents, blades, clubs, … Continue reading Begging Forgiveness

Śrīla Rūpa Goswāmī explains how to practice Rāgānugā-sādhana, in three verses of Bhakti-Rasāmṛta-Sindhu (1.2.294-296): kṛṣṇaṁ smaran janaṁ cāsya preṣṭhaṁ nija-samihitam tat-tat-kathā-rataś cāsau kuryād vāsaṁ vraje sadā “Remember Krishna with his beloved devotee whose love for Krishna exemplifies your own aspirations. Dwell there in Vṛndāvana by always discussing them and their love.” sevā sādhaka-rūpeṇa siddha-rūpeṇa cātra hi … Continue reading How to Practice Rāgānugā-Sādhana

Dakṣa’s Demise Rudra came before Bhṛgu and declared, “While you poured oblations into the fire, people warned you to dedicate some portion to Śiva. You merely smiled at this advice, and proudly stroked your beard…” Then he grabbed hold of Bhṛgu’s beard and tore it off. When Rudra came furiously before him, Bhaga fell to … Continue reading Kicking the God’s Asses & Killing Animals in Sacrifices

Rudra hurled himself towards Dakṣa’s sacrifice in the vanguard of an army of monsters, roaring with horrible eagerness for destruction and wielding a spear forged of death’s death. Even the anklets on his feet roared! At the sacrifice, night approached far too early. “What is this darkness?” everyone worried. They discovered that a dust storm … Continue reading That’s no Dust-Storm… It’s Disaster!

Nārada rushed to inform Śiva of Dakṣa’s contemptuous behavior, “Your wife has been destroyed, and the army of your associates has been scattered by Ṛbhus that sprang from the sacrificial fire.” Hearing this made Śiva’s rage erupt beyond all limits. He furiously clenched his lips between his teeth and his matted hair began became blazed … Continue reading Shiva’s Fury Erupts

Not to kill a significant portion of my astrological work, but to tell the truth: In everything I’ve read so far in Bhāgavatam (Cantos one through three) there was never once any mention of anyone consulting astrology to determine relationship compatibility, nor is there exact support for the idea that the parents select the marriage … Continue reading “Vedic” Marriage

She who annihilates her enemies then wrapped herself in a yellowish-saffron cloth, sanctified herself with water, and sat silently on the ground in the northern quarter of Dakṣa’s sacrifice. Closing her eyes, she set her sight completely on the paths of yoga: After establishing firm sitting posture, she equalized her inhalations and exhalations to concentrate … Continue reading Sati’s Suicide

Śrīla Rūpa Goswāmī defines the qualification in BRS 1.2.291-293: rāgātmikāika-niṣṭhā ye vraja-vāsī-janādayaḥ | teṣāṁ bhāvāptaye lubdho bhaved atrādhikāravān || “One is qualified for this [rāgānugā-sādhana] when he has strong desire to attain the devotional nature of a specific, definite rāgātmikā among the Vraja-vāsī.”  tat-tad-bhāvādi-mādhurye śrute dhīryād apekṣate | nātra śāstraṁ na yuktiṁ ca tal-lobhotpatti-lakṣaṇaṁ || … Continue reading Qualification for Rāgānugā

“In this entire world, no one but you could hate a person who is more kind and loving than anyone else, treats no one as an enemy, is completely impartial, and is the universal soul who is the beloved self of all embodied beings! “Good people try to discover some merit even in the flaws … Continue reading Satī Destroys her Father, Dakṣa

I’m working on clearly understanding and translating Śrī Jīva’s Tattva Sandarbha 58 ~ 61, which explain the main subject of Śrīmad Bhāgavatam: “āśraya” — the Ultimate Origin of Reality. Here are my edited notes so far: Determining the Ultimate Origin of Reality The verses immediately following those quoted above define the Ultimate Origin of Reality … Continue reading Is the Self the Origin of All Reality?

Śiva became silent, realizing that his wife would destroy her body regardless of whether she did or did not go. She herself could not make up her mind. Wanting to see her dear ones, she moved out the door, but then, trusting the advice of Bhava, she went back inside. She moved back and forth … Continue reading Anger of the Goddess!

Mountain-dwelling Śiva looked kindly upon his beloved, whose friends and family were so beloved to her. In reply, he tried to remind her of the heart-breaking, cruel insults her father had delivered at the assembly of the cosmic creators. “My dear beauty,” said the beautifully blessed god, “you have spoken beautifully: Friends and relatives do … Continue reading Shiva’s Words of Wisdom, to Sati

This enmity between the father-in-law, Dakṣa, and son-in-law, Śiva, remained constant even after a great deal of time had passed. Meanwhile, Dakṣa became the foremost of all Brahmaṇas and the leader of all the Prajāpatī. He expressed his pride by conducting a Soma ceremony more opulently than even the Veda prescribes. As required, he then … Continue reading Sati begs Shiva to Attend her Father’s Grand Ceremony

When Bhṛgu heard these curses upon the twice-born Brāhmaṇas, he retaliated with the Brāhmaṇa’s weapon: an inescapable curse of punishment: “Heretics and hypocrits shall be they who follow the ways of Śiva! Far-wandered be they from the true path of scripture! Lost be their cleanliness! Dulled be their minds! By tangling their hair and wearing … Continue reading Curses on Shiva’s Followers!

Even after all this criticism, the mountain-dwelling Śiva remained quiet and did not retaliate. Angry Dakṣa, on the other hand, ritually sprinkled himself with drops of water in preparation for pronouncing a curse: “Whenever sacrifice is offered to the gods, Indra and his followers will receive portions but Bhava shall not – for he is … Continue reading Curses on Shiva! Curses on the Brahmins!

“Great sages, please hear me,” Dakṣa exclaimed. “Divinities and fire-gods please listen, too. I will speak about the ways of good conduct.” Seeing Dakṣa staring intensely at Śiva while saying this, everyone became nervous. Dakṣa did not want them to interrupt, so he said, “I will not speak out of hatred, but I cannot ignore … Continue reading Insulting Shiva

Question I was singing before prasadam: maha-prasade govinde nama-brahmani vaisnave svalpa-punya-vatam rajan visvaso naiva jayate I realized I have no idea what it is about. After finding a translation for it I still have no idea what it is about. Aside from having the words maha-prasade in the verse, what relevance does it have? Why … Continue reading “Mahaprasada Govinde…”

Once, the creators of the cosmos assembled with all the greatest sages, immortals, scholar-led schools of philosophers, and fire gods. When Satī’s father, Dakṣa, entered the assembly, the sages saw that he was as brilliant and luminous as the sun, making the entire assembly shine without darkness. Even the fire gods were deeply impressed by … Continue reading Dakṣa Feels Insulted by Śiva

The Ultimate Origin is the entity upon whom the cosmos exists, becoming manifest and unmanifest to the perception of living beings. It is known by words like Brahman and Paramātmā. [2.10.7] Here, the words “manifest” and “unmanifest” refer to the creation and destruction of the cosmos. “Upon whom the cosmos exists” refers to the sustained … Continue reading The Ultimate Origin — Āśraya

When he heard that her father, Dakṣa, had ruined her marriage, Vidura asked, “Bhava is the best among the virtuous, and Dakṣa was affectionate towards his daughters. So how could he have done something so hateful and uncaring towards his own daughter, Satī? “Bhava is calm, self-satisfied, and inimical to no one,” Vidura continued. “And … Continue reading Who Could Hate Shiva? Who Could Hate His Own Daughter?

Destruction occurs when living beings and their energies fall into sleep along with him. [2.10.6] Here, “living beings” refers to the souls within the cosmos. Their “energies” are all their ambitions and self-conceptions. “Along with him” means along with Hari, Viṣṇu. When Hari falls asleep, all living beings also fall asleep. If they still cling … Continue reading Destruction & Liberation — Nirodha & Mukti

Prasūti’s daughter Svadhā married the Ancestral Pitṛ, who takes many forms. In the forms of Agnisāttva (“Offerings of Fire”) and Ajyapā (“Offerings of Butter”) the Ancestral Pitṛ accept offerings through the sacred fire. In the forms of Barhiṣada (“Offerings of Grass”) and Saumya (“Offerings of Soma juice”) the Ancestral Pitṛ accept offerings without sacred fire. … Continue reading Ancestrals – Prasūti’s Grandchildren Through Svadhā

Question: What is your relationship to ISKCON? ISKCON is not a monolith. There are great sādhus in ISKCON, there are jerks in ISKCON, and there is everything in between. It’s not black and white. So how shall I answer a question about my relationship to it? ISKCON is an idea, a social abstraction, a concept… … Continue reading ISKCON & Me

Q: How does Krishna benefit all living entities by being the supreme enjoyer? Very nice question! Why are you attracted to a beautiful woman? A darling child? A cute puppy? Have you ever thought about this? I have thought about it and come to the conclusion that consciousness needs something to be conscious of. We … Continue reading How does Krishna benefit us by being the Supreme Enjoyer?

Svāhā and Agni produced three children from their pride. They named the boys Pāvaka, Pavamāna, and Śuci and gave them the task of consuming the offerings sacrificed into fire. Svāhā (“Self-Sacrifice”) represents the sacrificial offering. Her marriage to Agni (“Fire”) represents an offering given to fire. Their three children represent what fire proudly does to … Continue reading Fire Gods (Prasūti’s Grandchildren Through Svāhā)

Everything was supremely auspicious when they were born. In space, in the wind, in the waters, and on the land – everything became happy, carefree, and pleasant. Music vibrated through the heavens, and flowers fell like rain. Satisfied sages chanted auspicious mantras. Gandharvas and Kinnaras sang. Celestial women danced. Brahmā and all the gods offered … Continue reading The Divine Sages: Nara-Nārāyaṇa

Kardama’s daughter Kalā (The Refiner) and her husband Marīci (The Lightray) had a boy named Kaśyapa (The Sunray) and a girl named Pūrṇimā (The Moonlight). Kaśyapa had many children; we will discuss this later. Pūrṇimā had two sons, named after two important qualities of light: Viraja (The Illuminator – primarily a quality of sunlight) and … Continue reading Refinement of Light – Children of Kalā and Marīci

I’ll start by sharing my English treatment of Bhāgavatam’s 4.1.2 through 6 – a section that involves marriage between twin siblings and, if examined with care reveals the essence of Rādhā and Krishna’s parakīya-bhāva. With his wife’s approval Manu allowed his daughter Ākūti (inspiration) to marry the sage Ruci (desire), on the condition that Manu and … Continue reading Parakīya-Bhāva in the Fourth Canto! Sibling Marriage?

Very fortunate Bhṛgu got two sons and a daughter from his wife Khyāti. This marriage represents coming to the precipice (bhṛgu) of fame (khyāti). The daughter of Bhṛgu and Khyāti is named Śrī, because auspicious fortune (śrī) is both the cause and effect of rising (bhṛgu) to fame (khyāti). This daughter was an exalted devotee … Continue reading Fame!

Śānti, who is also known as Citti, gave Atharvā a son named Dadhyaṇca, who followed strict vows and is famous for wearing a horses head. Thus when thoughtfulness (citti) is primary (atharvā) we naturally minimalize our external affairs and become “thin” (dadhyaṇca). Tagged: Austerity, Thoughtfulness

Arundhatī is also known as Ūrjā. She gave her husband Vasiṣṭha seven spotless spiritual sages named Citraketu, Suroci, Virajā, Mitra, Ulbaṇa, Vasubhṛdyāna, and Dyumān. Thus, when we apply our skills (vasiṣṭha) with great enthusiasm (ūrjā), the results are sure to be powerful (dyumān), helpful (vasubhṛdyāna), abundant (ulbaṇa), endearing (mitra), without defect (virajā), sparklingly beautiful (suroci) … Continue reading How to Be Empowered

Chapter One of Bhāgavatam’s Fourth Canto can read like a boring, irrelevant family tree. But if we dig into the names of all these parents and children – amazing revelations and wisdoms unfold. Here is an example of what unfolds from the simple family tree described in 4.1.34 & 35 Trust (Śraddhā) first bore four daughters … Continue reading Children of Trust and Acceptance

On the surface, the First Chapter of Canto Four of Śrīmad Bhāgavatam reads something like one of those books of the Old Testament, “Ruth begot So and So… So and So begot So and So.” But if we translate the names of the “So and Sos” in this chapter, amazing things happen. I’ll show you … Continue reading Enlightenment through Satisfaction of Desires

“Beauty is the summary of all good qualities.” – Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 4.1.52 [mūrtiḥ sarva-guṇotpattiḥ] Tagged: Beauty, Srimad Bhagavatam, Virtue

The book is available through VrajaKishor.com

I’ve just published “Varāha, Vidura, & Kapila – Śrīmad Bhagavatam’s Third Canto.” Please visit vrajakishor.com to find out about it! Please help me by letting your online and inlife friends know this new book has been released! Tagged: Bhagavata Purana, Srimad Bhagavatam

Sciences, philosophies, and arts are like huge mountains of importance to humanity. All of them are clustered at the roots of the Vedas, whose peaks soar high in the far distance. If all the mountains of the Vedas — even the enormous spire called Mahābhārata, with its golden summit called Bhagavad-Gītā — combined along with … Continue reading Butterflies on a Mountain

Devahūti felt unfit to live in such a beautiful place. Though she was naturally lotus-eyed and beautiful, after so many years of austerity her breasts and body were caked with dust, her hair was ruined and matted, and her clothes were worn-thin. “O Hesitant Lady,” her husband Kardama said, reassuringly, “Before ascending into this palace, please … Continue reading A Yogi’s Beauty Salon!

“My dear,” Kaśyapa patiently but firmly tried to explain, “He seems like a devilish fiend only because he is completely impartial to externals. If he were truly a wild creature, great sages would not become freed from the knots of ignorance by emulating his unimpeachable character. Unfortunate people who mock his behavior, ignorant of his … Continue reading Rudra

At the February 15th Kīrtan Party, I will try to explain that India has a few different philosophies. Philosophies of “0″, “1”, “2”, and “1&2.” — Intro — Buddha created the philosophy of “0.” Śaṅkara created the philosophy of “1.” Madhva created the philosophy of “2.” Caitanya created the philosophy of “1&2” — Zero and … Continue reading India’s Philosophies – 0, 1, 2, and 1&2