The Three Most Beautiful Poems You’ll Ever Read
→ The Enquirer

Cc Adi 1.15

जयतां सुरतौपंगोर्मममन्दमतेर्गति।
मत्सर्वस्वपदाम्भोजौ राधामदनमोहनौ।।

jayataṁ suratau-paṁgor mama-manda-mater gati
mat-sarvasva-padāmbhojau rādhā-madanamohanau

I am crippled, and my mind has become slow,
But they are my best friends, and their lotus-like feet
Are everything to me.
May the sweetly romantic couple,
Rādhā-Madanmohan,
conquer all!

The word Suratau means a dearly beloved. In the sense that it applies to the author, it means “best friend.” In the sense that it applies to the divine couple it means “sweetly romantic.”

The author Krishnadās Kavirāja was extremely old when he wrote this. He is not being flowery, he really feels that he has become crippled and his mind has become slow – but is so greatful that Śrī Śrī Rādhā Krishna still dance within his heart, and that he has not lost the sense of absolute dedication to and adoration for their smallest qualities and needs (“lotus-like feet”)

16
दीव्यद्वृन्दारण्यकल्पद्रुमाधःश्रीमद्रत्नागारसिंहासनस्थौ।
श्रीमद्राधा श्रीलगोविन्ददेवौ प्रेषठालीभः सेव्यमानौ स्मरामि।।

dīvyad-vṛndāraṇya-kalpa-drumādhaḥ śrīmad ratnāgāra-siṁhāsana-stau
śrīmad-rādhā-śrīla-govinda-devau preṣṭhālībhiḥ sevyamānau smarāmi

My thoughts dwell on
Śrīmad Rādhā-Govindadeva
Seated on a couch
In a cottage of beautifully opulent jewels,
Beneath a wishing-tree
In the effulgent forest of Vṛnda,
Lovingly attended by their dear friends.

“Smarāmi” – this means I remember, I contemplate. We should contemplate Śrīmad Rādhā-Govindadevau in this way… they are on an opulent couch (siṁhāsana – or you can see it as a throne). The couch is in a cottage / bower (āgāra) made of beautifully opulent (śrīmat) jewels (ratna). Where does all this costly material come from? It is at the base of a wish-fulfilling tree! (kalpa-druma-adhaḥ) in divine/effulgent (dīvyat) Vṛndāvana.

They are being lovingly attended (sevyamānau) by their dear friends / sweethearts (preṣṭhālībhiḥ). That can be our “point-of-entry” in this meditation.

17
श्रीमान्रासरसारम्भी वंशीवटतटस्थितः।
करषन्वेणुस्वनैर्गोपीर्गोपीनाथः श्रिये’स्तुनः।।

śrīmān rāsa-rasārambhī vaṁśī-vaṭa-taṭa-sthitaḥ
karṣan veṇu-svanair gopīr gopīnāthaḥ śriye 'stu naḥ

May we be blessed
By Gopīnātha
As the sounds of his flute
Collect all the Gopīs
And bring them to him,
Standing beneath the Flute-tree on the riverbank
Thus declaring the commencement of the Rāsa Dance

We should adopt the authors point of view. Thus we should want to be blessed by Gopīnātha. What sort of blessing is that? It is none less than the bblessing to participate in the Rāsa Dance!

We want to be blessed with the opportunity to be a Gopī whose heart is forcibly dragged by the flute song out to the riverbank, to meet Krishna beneath the tree where he plays his enchanting song and is about the begin the Rāsa dance. The rāsa dance is "Rāsa-rasa" - In other words, Gopīnatha is above to begin enjoying the ecstatic mellows (rasa) of the Rāsa-līlā (rāsa).

We want to be blessed by this Krishna: Gopīnātha, the enjoyer of Gopīs, who is about to call us to his festival.

Considering the three poems together, you'll find that the first to Madana Mohan expresses the beginning of a relationship with Krishna - the establishment of a friendship with the Divine Couple, even from the limited and crippling state of material existence. Then you will notice that the second poem calls us to engage in the loving service of the Divine Couple. And the third poem defines the blessing of doing so: to participate in Gopīnātha-Krishna's Rāsa Līlā.

Therefore the three deities are addressed by Śrīla Krishnadās Kaviraja as representing each of the three phases of philosophy: Madanmohan, in the first verse, represents sambandha-tattva - wherein we establish our relationship with the Divine Couple. Govindadeva, in the second poem, represents abhideya-tattva - wherein we practice loving service to the Divine Couple. Gopīnātha, in the third verse, represents prayojana-tattva - the desired objective of our loving service: to love Krishna in the height of his pleasure. To participate in the highest expression of loving service - which occurs at Rāsa-līlā.

These topics are infinitely more profound than either the speaker or the listener realizes. It is our greatest fortune to even be able to touch the external letters of these three poems. We have recieved this fortune by the mercy of Śrī Guru. Hare Krishna.


Monday, November 18th, 2013
→ The Walking Monk

Don’t See But Know

Toronto, Ontario

Flight 1485 American Airlines was somewhat rough in its landing at Toronto Airport.  Coming underneath the clouds gave passengers a surprise with the strong air current.  The wind, you can’t see, but you could feel it.  Ask the survivors in the Philippines.

The same can be said of the soul’s presence.  It can’t be seen, but felt through various symptoms.

I did, after landing, take advantage of a walk downtown.  I have forgotten that Christmas fever starts early in recent times.  It means the city is lit up more than usual in the night.  On occasion I had looked up at the glorious moon when a high-rise would allow it.  It made me wonder once again about the powerful presence of the elements and of matter, of energy, and where it all comes from.

Before resting, I took a few moments to relax my mind with some reading material before my eyes.  In the publication “Easy Journey to Other Planets” by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, I revisited the following passage:

“Matter itself has no creative power.  When it is manipulated by the living energy, material things are produced.  Matter in its crude form, is therefore, the latent energy of the Supreme Being.  Whenever we think of energy, it is natural that we think of the source of energy.  For example when we think of electrical energy, we simultaneously think of the powerhouse where it is generated.  Energy is not self sufficient, it is under the control of a superior living being.  For example, fire is a source of two other energies, namely light and heat.  Light and heat have no independent existence outside of fire.  Similarly, the inferior and superior energies are derived from a source which one may call by any name.  That source of energy must be a living being with a full sense of everything. “

May the Source be with you!

7 KM

Coffee Talk
→ The Enquirer

tava-kathāmṛtam tapta jīvanaṁ
kavibhir īḍitaṁ kalmaṣāpaham
śravaṇa-maṅgalaṁ śrīmadātataṁ
bhuvi gṛṇanti ye bhūri-dā janāḥ

Discussion of Śrī Krishna is immortal nectar for the tormented soul.
Poets have put it into beautifully elaborate words.
Hearing them casts out all distress, and expands all auspiciousness.
Those who vibrate these words in this world,
Are the most beneficent of all people.

 


Chanting Is Not Just A Process
→ Japa Group


Chanting is Not Just a Process, it’s a Relationship.
  • We are repairing a broken relationship with Krsna
  • When we chant, we are crying to Krsna, begging, “Please accept me, please accept me.”
  • This kind of chanting makes us aware that we once turned away from Krsna, and that we still have the tendency to turn away from Krsna.
  • We chant with remorse for having broken this relationship and with a prayerful desire to reestablish this relationship.
From Japa Workshop Principles
by Mahatma dasa

Nothing but a seeker
→ KKS Blog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 23 July 2013, Durban, South Africa, Lecture: Journey of faith)
kks_young
I had been in India and had searched for more spiritual depth but I had not yet found what I was looking for. I used to sing a song that I had written, ‘I am nothing but a stranger always around, I’m nothing but a seeker for what I’ve never found.’
That is what it was. I was looking for something. I wasn’t sure what it was but I knew that when I found it then I would know. I was looking for the truth but I had no idea where to look. I had never thought that it would be Krsna!

Ghost Rattle
→ Load Film in Subdued Light

Camera: Polaroid Automatic 220 Film: Fuji FP-100C

Camera: Polaroid Automatic 220
Film: Fuji FP-100C

I still have a ton of film and Polaroid negatives to scan in and post from this past summer. But instead, last week, I grabbed the Polaroid 220 and spent a rainy afternoon shooting bits of Seattle. It’s been so long since I’ve taken pictures of anything, I just wanted to get back into it. Honestly, not much turned out, but this one made me pretty happy.

It’s the underbelly of the Monorail terminal near the Space Needle. The entire Seattle Center is usually the domain of tourists, but I always enjoy visiting.

I’ve got a few more that I’ll get around to scanning and posting this week, I hope. My scanning computer died a horrible death and though I’ve gotten a new one, I’m still getting used to the ridiculousness of Windows 8. Usually I run Linux, but I don’t like the Linux software for my scanner (Epson v500).


the potential to be great!
→ everyday gita

Verse 4.28: Having accepted strict vows, some become enlightened by sacrificing their possessions, and others by performing severe austerities, by practicing the yoga of eightfold mysticism, or by studying the Vedas to advance in transcendental knowledge.

The Olympics. Although I rarely think of the Olympics when they aren't on tv, by the time they roll around I am hooked and gripped in Olympic-fever.

These talented individuals not only make everything they do look easy but they do so with such focus, determination and confidence. Although the external draw may be the palpable drama and uncertainty of not knowing who will win the gold, there's a huge lesson that we can learn from these individuals.

Everyone has the potential to be great; it just requires proper coaching, faith and focus.

These three elements are necessary for success in all endeavors and even more so when specializing and trying to excel.

1. Proper coaching - this one element could arguably be the most important component to achieving success. Everything else stems from it. Not only does a coach, teacher, guru or guide enable one to learn and hone their skills, such persons provide a support system which is something we all need and crave.

As living beings, we are inspired by loved and encouragement and that's exactly what a qualified coach provides. They also serve as motivators who push us to do more than we ever believe ourselves to be possible of. This is why the concept of guru or a qualified teacher, is brought up again and again in the bhakti texts. It is not only integral to yoga but to life itself.

2. Faith - without having strong conviction that our pursuits are worthy and that we are capable of accomplishing them, it's extremely easy to get distracted and quit. That's why it is important to remember that our faith must constantly be fed. It's not a one time thing! When we associate ourselves with individuals who not only believe in us but are also pursuing a similar path or goal, our faith naturally increases. That's why like-minded association is invaluable.

3. Focus - focus is the result of having a solid foundation of support (through coaching) and faith. It's what allows us to sacrifice and set aside our short-term desires for the long-term goal. Similar to faith, it is something that has to be constantly fed and one of the ways to keep it alive and well is by controlling the mind. The Gita specifically talks about this at length and gives the answer to how we can become focused - through practice and detachment. We continue to do our very best everyday and if we become distracted, we do not dwell on it but pick ourselves up and get back on track.

It's important to remember though that these principles which can lead one to greatness are not reserved for a selected few but are available to everyone. The fact is we all have the potential to be great and are meant for greatness!

We have collected £5,000 of the much needed £10,000 for purchasing the land for…
→ Mahavishnu Swami

We have collected £5,000 of the much needed £10,000 for purchasing the land for our upcoming Cow Protection Goshalla project in Uganda. Please help if you can by donating for this exciting and important project for Africa!

http://mahavishnuswami.com/please-help-with-cow-protection-and-conservancy-for-krishna-in-uganda/


Please help with Cow Protection and Conservancy for Krishna in Uganda. | Mahavishnu Swami
mahavishnuswami.com
Please help with Cow Protection and Conservancy for Krishna in Uganda.Posted on 15 November, 2013 by admin Cow Protection and Conservancy for Krishna, Uganda.First of all I want to thank Jai Nitai Prabhu and the ISKCON London Temple Congregation for their support and also inviting me to make this... Continue reading →

Remembering Shrila Prabhupada
→ Matsya Avatar das adhikari



PART I
In the sacred occasion of the departure of Bhaktivedanta Swami Shrila Prabhupada, we pray Shri Krishna to empower us with strength so that we could carry in our hearts the example of His extraordinary life, character, deeds and works forever. Those who were able to witness His life and teachings, had the greatest luck to testify the changes in their lives and in the lives of so many people.
These transformations are the great events from which we can draw an inexhaustible inspiration: Shrila Prabhupada gave us the opportunity to live in the spiritual awareness. The path traced by Him is followed by hundreds of thousands of people, and the most favored are those who welcomed Him in the heart, dedicating their service to the realization of His dream, that is make available the love of God to as many people as possible regardless of race, creed, culture, social position, politics or religion.
36 years ago Shrila Prabhupada left His physical body and this material world to return to where He came from, the spiritual universe. We pray Bhagavan Shri Krishna to give us the purity to be able to celebrate His glories properly. By celebrating His glories we become aware of his greatness, and becoming aware of the greatness of a pure devotee of the Lord, we can experience the greatness of God. In this way, practicing the nine paths of Bhakti, we can realize our divine nature and become purified from the distortions of psychic structure and its conditionings.
We take this special opportunity to increase our sincere attachment to the lotus feet of Shrila Prabhupada, to humbly serve His teachings and His way of life so as to bring us closer to Him and to Shri Krishna through the nine paths of love mentioned before.
Shrila Prabhupada allowed hundreds of thousands of people to transform their lives by changing their vision, allowing them to get rid of the identification with the material structure that covers their eternal Self. Shrila Prabhupada gave the possibility to understand the difference between the spiritual Self, the body and the mind and to realize the divine potential of each person regardless of age, gender, social status and culture. The term Acarya means exemplary. Through His example and model of life, Shrila Prabhupada made the teachings of the Shastras feasible.
A person can take the Bhagavad-gita, read some sublime passages and reflect: "How nice it would be to live like that, but who is able to? I would not be capable of doing that for sure." We need a model, an example, there must be someone who lives the teachings of the Bhagavad-gita constantly, faithfully, coherently, and joyfully. The sacred work becomes a person, and the highest aspirations become applicable in our lives. It is exactly what happened to all of us. Why? Because Shrila Prabhupada experienced Bhakti so intensely and joyfully, no matter what life presented to Him in terms of ordeals, difficulties and obstacles to overcome. His relying on Krishna at all times without ever becoming fatalistic allowed this great Acarya to live in this world in pure spiritual consciousness. Faith is not a fatalism, it is an evolutionary creativity for searching the best solution for the existential problems; if we direct our efforts towards the spiritual evolution with commitment and faith, such solution will appear as Paramatma in the heart, as well as through the expert guidance of the Spiritual Master in the outer world.