Devotional Service and Impersonalism
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Comparisons – Impersonalism and Bhakti yoga. Impersonalism Arguments against impersonalism Impersonalism denies the existence of a personal God who cares for us and can provide us with love, guidance, and support. It leads to a sense of hopelessness and despair, as there is no ultimate purpose or meaning to life. It denies the possibility of
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Srila Vrindavan Dasa Thakura’s Disappearance Day
Giriraj Swami

Today is Srila Vrindavan dasa Thakura’s disappearance day. Sri Caitanya-caritamrta (Adi 11.55) states, “Srila Vyasadeva described the pastimes of Krsna in Srimad-Bhagavatam. The Vyas

a of the pastimes of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu was Vrndavana dasa.” In his purport Srila Prabhupada elaborates: “Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura was an incarnation of Vedavyasa and also a friendly cowherd boy named Kusumapida in krsna-lila. In other words, the author of Sri Caitanya-bhagavata, Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura, the son of Srivasa Thakura’s niece Narayani, was a combined incarnation of Vedavyasa and the cowherd boy Kusumapida.” Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura was the last initiated disciple of Sri Nityananda Prabhu.

In Sri Caitanya-caritamrta (Adi 8.33–40, 42, 44) Srila Krishnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami glorifies Srila Vrindavan dasa Thakura and his book Sri Caitanya-bhagavata (then called Sri Caitanya-mangala): “O fools, just read Sri Caitanya-mangala! By reading this book you can understand all the glories of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Thakura Vrndavana dasa has composed Sri Caitanya-mangala. Hearing this book annihilates all misfortune. By reading Sri Caitanya-mangala one can understand all the glories and truths of Lord Caitanya and Nityananda and come to the ultimate conclusion of devotional service to Lord Krsna. In Sri Caitanya-mangala [later known as Sri Caitanya-bhagavata] Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura has given the conclusion and essence of devotional service by quoting the authoritative statements of Srimad-Bhagavatam. If even a great atheist hears Sri Caitanya-mangala, he immediately becomes a great devotee. The subject matter of this book is so sublime that itappears that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has personally spoken through the writings of Sri Vrndavana dasa Thakura. I offer millions of obeisances unto the lotus feet of Vrndavana dasa Thakura. No one else could write such a wonderful book for the deliverance of all fallen souls. What a wonderful description he has given of the pastimes of Lord Caitanya! Anyone in the three worlds who hears it is purified. Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura has written Sri Caitanya-mangala and therein described in all respects the pastimes of Lord Caitanya.”

In his purport to text 45 Srila Prabhupada writes, “Sri Vrndavana dasa Thakura’s Sri Caitanya-bhagavata was originally entitled Sri Caitanya-mangala, but when Srila Locana dasa Thakura later wrote another book named Sri Caitanya-mangala, Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura changed the name of his own book, which is now therefore known as Sri Caitanya-bhagavata. The life of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is very elaborately described in the Caitanya-bhagavata, and Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami has already informed us that in his Sri Caitanya-caritamrta he has described whatever Vrndavana dasa Thakura has not mentioned. This acceptance of Sri Caitanya-bhagavata by Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami indicates his acceptance of the disciplic succession. A writer of transcendental literature never tries to surpass the previous acaryas.”

And he writes in his purport to text 48, “The subject matter of this book is so sublime that it appears that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has personally spoken through the writings of Sri Vrndavana dasa Thakura”—Srila Prabhupada explains, “The secret in a devotee’s writing is that when he writes about the pastimes of the Lord, the Lord helps him; he does not write himself. As stated in the Bhagavad-gita (10.10), dadami buddhi-yogam tam yena mam upayanti te. Since a devotee writes in service to the Lord, the Lord from within gives him so much intelligence that he sits down near the Lord and goes on writing books. Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami confirms that what Vrndavana dasa Thakura wrote was actually spoken by Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and that Vrndavana dasa simply repeated it.”

How blessed we are to receive knowledge of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu through our glorious parampara—and to be engaged in their service.

Hare Krishna.

Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami

BIHS to Hold Cosmology Conference in November
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Executive Director of BIHS Brahmatirtha Das speaks to participants The Bhaktivedanta Institute for Higher Studies (BIHS) will host an international conference, “Vedic Cosmology: Historical Perspectives and Current Research,” on November 17–19, 2023, at the BIHS Headquarters in Gainesville, Florida. This event is a natural outgrowth of three prior BIHS cosmology workshops – “Puranic Cosmography: Taking […]

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Inspiring Service in El Paso began with a ‘Chance’ Meeting at a Yoga Studio
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El Paso Community gathered in living room of Krishna Charan Das following El Paso’s first Ratha Yatra in October 2021.  All Photos courtesy of Krishna Charan Das. Krishna Conscious devotees have been visiting the border cities of El Paso and Juarez to preach at various yoga centers since the early 1970s, but they now have a permanent […]

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South African Preaching Project Inspires Devotees and Trains Young African Leaders
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Devotee sharing Krishna Consciousness on university campus Wake up South Africa (WuSA) is a newly established initiative by African devotees explicitly focused on African preaching in university settings. The active non-profit, recognized as an ISKCON affiliate for creative initiatives, is dedicated to sharing the principles of Bhakti Yoga to benefit society through five main objectives: […]

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New Vrindaban Hosts Four-Day Devotee Care Training Led by UK devotees  
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Participants of the Devotee Care Training held in New Vrindaban. All photos are courtesy of Bhaktin Beverly Fifteen members of the New Vrindaban community recently participated in an intensive four-day Devotee Care Education and Training Course led by Jai Nitai Dasa and his wife, Bhava Bhakti Devi Dasi. Previous to their Devotee Care service, the […]

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History Made in Mexican Parliament with Visit by Vaishnava Leaders  
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Hanumatpresaka Swami gathered with Mexican officials and forum speakers in Parliament.  Photo courtesy of Govinda Pramodini Devi Dasi and NIOS On March 30th, the “Building Peace around Ancient Cultures” forum was held in the Legislative Palace of San Lázaro in Mexico City, coinciding with the Rama Navami festival. The Federal Commission for Culture and Cinematography […]

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ISKCON Constitution Project Seeks Devotee Input Worldwide
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The following letter from two ISKCON legal experts explains the current effort to seek input from ISKCON devotees worldwide in formulating a Constitution for ISKCON.  ISKCON News encourages all devotees to open the link, review the draft, share their thoughts, and help build the foundation for our society’s future.  ISKCON Constitution – Your Chance to […]

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Never In My Wildest Dreams
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By Moksalaksmi dasi In my wildest dreams it never occurred to me that I would spend Ramanavami practically on a battlefield but that’s how the day panned out. Accompanying my husband, Parasurama Das, we had already driven through seven countries in our round-about route to reach Ukraine. Ramanavami found me awakening in the Black Sea
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Durban Ratha Yatra welcomes thousands in South Africa
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Photos courtesy of Acyuta Gauranga Dasa via Facebook The Durban Festival of Chariots, one of the largest Ratha Yatra festivals outside of India, returned to the Durban North Beach Front this year for a second time after COVID restrictions in 2020. The festival, which has been running for almost forty years, allows devotees to come together […]

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Srila Vrindavan Das Thakur Disappearance
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Vrndavan dasa Thakura’s mother’s name was Sri Narayani Devi. Narayani Devi was the daughter of Srivas Thakura’s brother.  After the disappeareance of  Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Srivas Thakura went to live in Kumar Hatta. Srivasa Thakura had three brothers: Sripati, Srirama and Srinidhi.  He also had one son, but at a young age, his son passed away,  returning to the Lord’s supreme abode.

Srivasa Thakura had  previously lived in Sri Hatta, but because he wanted the association of devotees he went to live on the banks of the Ganges in Nabadwip. When Mahaprabhu revealed his divinity in the house of Srivasa, showing his true self to the assembled devotees there, Narayani devi was only a four year old girl. In the Caitanya Bhagavata it is written:

“The golden moon, Sri Gauranga, revealed himself as the soul of all souls. At that time he ordered Narayani to chant the name of Krishna. Although she was only four years old she became mad with love of  God. And crying, “O Krishna!” she swooned in ecstasy. As she laid on the ground in a trance of bliss, her eyes filled with tears, overwhelmed with divine love.”

Indeed it was by the mercy of the Lord’s prasada that Vrindavan dasa Thakura took birth in the womb of Narayani as the incarnation of Vyasa. Sri Gauranga and Sri Nityananda were the very life and soul of Vrindavana dasa Thakura.  

One may find many facts regarding the life of Vrindavana Dasa by going to Mamagachi, the village where Sri Narayani’s wedding took place. Soon thereafter, in Magagachi,  while Vrindavana dasa was still within the womb Narayani became a widow.  In the small room of a  poor brahmana, she lived in great poverty and hardship as a maidservant in the house of Vasudeva Dutt. 

Vrindavana Dasa Thakura was born, and soon began his studies. Vrindavana Dasa Thakura took birth four years after Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu accepted sannyasa. When Mahaprabhu had disappeared from this world and entered into his aprakrita-lila, Vrindavana Das was barely twenty years old.   

Soon thereafter, Vrindavan Das Thakura accepted initiation from Sri Nityananda Prabhu.  He is Nityananda’s eternal servant. Sri Vrindavana Dasa Thakura went with Sri Jahnava-devi to the great festival in Kheturi gram. 

At Mamagacchi in Modadrumadvipa (Navadvipa), Vrndavana Dasa Thakura establised Deities of Nitai-Gauranga and Sri Jagannatha. He lived there as a celibate and worshiped his beloved Deities. Vrndavana Dasa Thakura had many disciples including Gopinatha Brahmacari, a descendent of Sri Kesava Bharati.

In Krishna’s pastimes Vrndavana Dasa Thakura is Srila Vyasadeva. His samadhi is in the 64 Samadhis Area of Vrindavana.

    

SV35-Transition from Childhood to Adulthood in Krishna consciousness with Urmila Devi Dasi
→ Successful Vaisnavas – Personal Development for Hare Krishnas

In this interview we discuss Krishna conscious education, specifically helping our children successfully transition from childhood to adulthood. Topics we cover: Śrīla Prabhupāda’s instructions on education especially for youth traditional education Homeschooling The importance of academics Residential schools Boys and girls education Marriage Varnasrama College This interview was originally streamed live on Facebook… Interview with […]

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Srila Prabhupada’s Example as the Perfect Disciple by Mahatma Das
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The video discusses the importance of following the example of Srila Prabhupada, who deeply understood the teachings of his spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisidhanta, and dedicated his life to spreading Krishna consciousness. Despite receiving the order to spread Krishna consciousness in English at a young age, it was not until Prabhupada was 69 years old that
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