Thursday, October 10th, 2019
→ The Walking Monk


Tirupati, India

We Arrived

We arrived at this magnificent temple. It is my third visit here.  Pulling up at 4:11 in the morning, is rather auspicious.  Our three hour drive from Chennai was long and drawn-out.  Speed bumps are found on major roads.  But we are here, at last—Victor and I.  Yes, here we are in the land of sweet sweat.  Security guards who are up all night don’t feel the heat.  They are enveloped in winter wear to address the night chill.  I don’t feel it, but they do.

Victor is a newbie here in devotional India.  Here in our accommodations, we crash—sleep.  After rising, we have darshan (deity viewing), and something to eat.  Then Victor tries his newly acquired bhakti attire, a dhoti (lower garment), and kurta (upper garment).  He looked downright spiffy, with a tilak marking on his brow. 

“The two stripes joined at the base and at the bridge of your nose, represent the liberating divine footprint of Krishna,” I explained.  But more.  “The leaf-like shape of this same earth (mud from Vrindavan) represents the sacred tulasi leaf.”  I added, “You look good.”

For some reason or other, I seem to resonate with the young monks in India.  They are looking forward to the kirtans I lead, and maybe some simple dance steps.  Seven of them just showed up for my much needed massage.  They divided responsibilities, each taking a limb.  Really, it was a laugh.  Victor was humoured, also.

These benevolent massage therapists and I chanted all the way through the session.  I don’t get this in the West.

May the Source be with you!
6 km




Wednesday, October 9th, 2019
→ The Walking Monk


Frankfurt/Chennai

What Does a Monk Do…?

What does a Hare Krishna monk do on a plane?

Well, this one (me), isn’t walking, for sure. I covered a short distance, with Victor, at the Frankfurt airport.   https://www.instagram.com/p/B3bNzpdBmhS/?igshid=1ryg158k6onza

“We’re boarding,” he said, while in the queue, “and we’ll probably be flying over my homeland, Romania.” 

“You might be able to look down and see the house where you grew up,” I said. (Laughter)

So, what do I do while in flight?  My first order of business is to chant my prescribed or final amount of rounds on my meditation beads.  Secondly, today, I read a section of the Bhagavatam, the portion about the cosmic form of Vishnu. I also completed, from scratch, the writing of two entries for my daily blog.  (That took fifteen minutes each.) And since I just cannot get any sleep on the plane, I have some time to kill. Okay, so let’s have a look at “Hostile Planet,” a series of documentaries.  Good stuff! I captured a segment, on my phone, of penguins trying to feed their young.   https://www.instagram.com/p/B3bLQPmA7SQ/?igshid=1d564mukjl2oj

Not only do they struggle on land and in water, but it becomes inevitable that all wildlife in grasslands, oceans, mountains and jungles, go through amazing trials in life. 

Check out Chapter Eight, Text 16, of the Gita:

A brahma bhuvanal lokah
punar avartino ‘rjuna
mam upetya tu kaunteya
punar janma na vidyate

“From the highest planet in the material world down to the lowest, all are places of misery wherein repeated birth and death take place.  But one who attains to my abode, O son of Kunti, never takes birth again.”   From Bhagavad-Gita As It Is by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

We all struggle but certainly we can reduce pain, perhaps even attain a body of non-material qualities by altering our habits.  Let’s get clean, then no worries!

May the Source be with you!
1 km


Tuesday, October 8th, 2019
→ The Walking Monk


Toronto, Ontario

From a Cold Bum to High Altitude

Our group of one dozen monks sat down at our regular class time, 7:30 a.m., this morning, to hear about Krishna’s daily activities from Canto Ten.  In some respects, they are much like our own.  The difference being, however, that we are recipients of positive and negative karma, while we Learn that Krishna’s transcendental nature finds no room for karma.  It is indeed interesting to compare tiny souls to the magnet we know as Krishna.

Before my flight to Frankfort, and then on to Chennai, India, I organized a kirtan at Bellevue Square Park.  I was eager for some blessing in the form of chanting and interacting with people.  It is a piece of our tradition, as well as in our blood, that chanting pleases Krishna.

Initially, a faithful five of us sat on the grass but in the shade.  The earth on the buttocks sent some cold waves up the legs and thighs.  We moved to the square’s highest elevation, more warmth by the sun, and with fewer trees.  That was better.

Okay, so I had made my way to the counter for Lufthansa Airlines.  I was asked for my passport.  I was so proud to present my spanking new passport.  But there was a problem, however. There was no visa for India stamped in there.  The airlines asked if I had my old passport.  No, I didn’t.  There, a visa is stamped with an expiry date of 2020.  Victor, my companion for this trip, was as surprised as I was.  I needed that visa.  I called the temple, my residence, to fetch my old passport.  Jay delivered it. Time was tight.   So much sweat!  I was the last passenger on board.

May the Source be with you!
0 km

Monday, October 7th, 2019
→ The Walking Monk


Wasaga Beach/Toronto

Meaningful Talks

Radhika is one of the young girls from our Brampton ISKCON Centre, who has a knack for doing artistic things.  She is quiet, and not yet a teen (my guess), but she really excels in sketching and working with different mediums.  Attached is a rendering of youthful Krishna by Radhika.  It’s beautiful.  It was a birthday gift.  Thank you.

What was also beautiful was the sangha, or community gathering, that a few of us older guys indulged in.  Keshava, Vaisnava, Krishnadasa and I are in our early to late sixties.  Jiva Mukta will be sixty shortly.  We talked about Krishna who’s always youthful.  We talked about aging and the practical reality of needing facility for our members in their maturing years.  That spun off into other lively topics.  Of course, Donald Trump’s name came up.  I think his name comes up into regular conversations globally.

Ultimately, what we concluded in our word-tossing was how important our spiritual life is to all of us.  A return to transcendence is what is of paramount importance.  As our guru, Prabhupada, pointed out so often, each and every one of us are part and parcel of the Supreme.  Somehow or other, we came in contact with matter and thus ran into multiple complications.  Life needs to be simple.

Our time in talk near the beach in Wasaga was so well worth it.  My evening hours were also cherished over dinner (healthy it was) with Kevala and Taravali.  More discussions. 

End conclusions: surrender

May the Source be with you!
5 km






The reality of cultural imbalance
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 31 March 2018, Durban, South Africa, Ratha Yatra Human Relationships Lecture)

Human relationships in this modern world are scary. There is so much fear whether a relationship will last. For instance, will a marriage work out or not?  Why have we changed? 

This is because of the culture that we live in and the changes in the Western world and in the modern world that we witness around us. Previously, holding marriage as sacred was a very serious social thing. And if one wanted to break a marriage, it was considered as a disgrace, to the extent that the entire society and community would practically just turn those people into outcasts. I am speaking of the older days of the West, what to speak of India?

Before WWII in Europe, the idea of divorce was quite alien. After WWII, everything got destroyed. Faith got destroyed. Culture got destroyed and after that, the modernity in which we live now, where all these ancient cultural values existed, all broke down. This new attitude has gradually conquered the world. So these days, marriages are no longer being held together strongly by social structure. Now, marriages have to be held together on the strength of the relationship itself, otherwise they break. And in Indian society today, the funny thing is that most Indian fathers educate their daughters. A PhD is no longer good enough (laughter). I mean, a few PhDs would be better. Somehow or other, educating your daughters is the new culture. But so many Indian men refuse to marry such a lady because they feel intimidated by them. They want their regular house-wife who is submissive. And somehow or other, the Indian culture is a funny mix in this way. Because you can see the dichotomy, fathers that over-educate their daughters to the point that they do not want to, but they are driven and so they have to, and then potential husbands who do not want this anymore.

So there is a cultural imbalance that exists and it is a problem, because as soon as ladies become educated (which in the modern world is going to be a fact), marriage becomes a partnership. It cannot be a vertical relationship. The old fashioned men have to get off their high horse and that is a bit difficult because they have been in this position for a long time and have sort of become got glued to the saddle, making it hard to get them off.  I am sorry to say it so bluntly but the reality of this is something that we have to understand. We are living in a modern age, and ultimately partnership is where it will have to go in this modern society. A mutual respect and a genuine appreciation for mutual contributions will be crucial. So, I think that this would help in the modern world.

But human relationships are still scary in the modern world because that social support is no longer there. However, as devotees, we should become more generous. Relationships are all about generosity. One does not have to prove themselves as correct all the time. It is not a question of acceptance or rejection. It is not about having to prove yourself at each moment, or otherwise the relationship breaks down. No, marriage means that two people are together as devotees, and that they will put in the work to make that relationship work. Once this is understood, there will be a commitment to mutually work things out when there are obstacles, and such relationships will never become a serious problem.

The article " The reality of cultural imbalance " was published on KKSBlog.

A very special darshan of merciful Balaji!
→ Dandavats



A very special darshan of merciful Balaji! How it happened.
Bhakti Chaitanya Swami: Two days ago we visited the main temple of Balaji on top of the Tirumala Hill at Tirupati. The local devotees arranged very special darsana for us, so we were able to come right before Balaji, about 3 meters from Him, and stay there for about a minute, and in that way savor the amazing experience of being in His presence.

KARTIK INSPIRATIONS 2019 – DAY 4. 16 OCTOBER, 2019. By HH…
→ Dandavats



KARTIK INSPIRATIONS 2019 - DAY 4. 16 OCTOBER, 2019.
By HH Sacinandana Swami.
When you give your full attention to your spiritual practices, a profound shift in consciousness takes place!

To help you establish a divine connection I will recite an ancient verse now:

“My dear Lord Krishna. Although I have forgotten You for so many long years in the material world, today I’m surrendering unto You. I’m Your sincere and serious servant. Please, engage me in Your service.”

Take a few deep breaths. You might like to end this meditation with words of your own spoken in the mind.

Thank you, you are done. This simple meditation can be done at any time, in any circumstances. It can be done before you offer your light, or before you read or chant. It will help you enter into the presence of the Lord.

The Helpful Meditation

We are now into our fourth day of the Kartik month. Have you noticed that when you give your full attention to your spiritual practices, a profound shift in consciousness takes place? I would like to speak about this.

When I went out yesterday, I came to my favorite holy place and somehow there was not a single disturbance. No dog, no raging bull, not any of the unpredictable things that happen in India. It was calm and peaceful and I could enter the atmosphere.

Entering. That is what you need when you do your spiritual activity. Fully entering the activity with your consciousness. To help you do this I would like to offer you something practical today - a simple meditation. You can either do it now, or if you are not in a situation suited for meditation, you can replay it in the evening before your Kartik ritual.

Sit down in a peaceful place where you will not be disturbed. Sit upright and imagine you are completely on your own. Let everything around you slowly and gently disappear. If you have any thoughts or concerns, put them on a parking place. Take a few deep breaths, in and out, to relax yourself even further. Tell yourself: “I’m calm now. I’m ready to enter.”

Bhakti is not about a distant god, it is about the close god.

Krishna’s Message to You

In an interesting episode from the Damodara pastimes the demigods observed how Krishna was tied up and controlled by His mother. They wondered, ‘What is Krishna doing being bound by a rope?’ Krishna looked at them and explained, “Listen, I like it when my devotees bind Me out of love. Mother Yashoda thought, 'If I don’t control my boy, He will become restless and too cheeky. Now He only steals butter, but what will He do in the future?’ It’s love which motivates Yashoda. I don’t like ceremonial puja with golden and jeweled articles. I don’t appreciate the hymns which are spoken to Me in Vaikuntha. I do not really like the sacrifices which people do on altars made of gold. I want the love of my devotees.” This was Krishna’s message.

The Lord is hidden within our hearts as the greatest secret. But when He sees that the devotee approaches Him with a genuine attitude, genuine bhakti, He can no longer stay in the heart. He comes out, ready to interact with His devotees.

Yesterday I rode my red bicycle to a holy place where I could chant a bit in seclusion. On the way, I saw a devotee I knew and he stopped me and asked, “Maharaja, just a minute. How much time do you think will pass before I reach spiritual perfection? Will it be in the next life or the life after that?”

I reflected and then answered, “See, I don’t think your approach is proper. So many spiritualists are occupied with the afterlife. When will I go back to Godhead? When will I take up my eternal form and go into the direct service of the Divine Couple? Or in other religions: What does paradise look like? Will there really be milk flowing in rivers?”

These spiritualists are so concerned with their afterlife that they forget the now. Bhakti has to happen in the now, in the present moment. Bhakti is not about a distant God, attained somewhere at some distant time, in the future. No, it’s about the close God.

Krishna makes it very clear in the Gita that He is situated in everyone’s heart and that by bhakti alone one can come to know Him. And bhakti has to happen now. I have to act for Krishna now. I have to use my body, mind and heart now and I have to have the desire to please Him now.

Dallas to Houston and Back
Giriraj Swami

Tomorrow I will drive to Houston, where I will stay for two weeks, including Rama-ekadasi, Thursday, October 24; Dipavali, Sunday, October 27; and Govardhana-puja, Monday, October 28. On Tuesday, October 29, I will return to Dallas, for Srila Prabhupada’s disappearance day on Thursday, October 31—and to catch my return flight to Santa Barbara on Tuesday, November 5.

I hope to serve you along the way.

Hare Krishna.

Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami

Hyderabad, Secunderabad and Bangalore TOVP Tour Visits a Grand Success
→ Dandavats

By TOVP staff

From October 12 – 14 Their Graces Ambarisa and Braja Vilasa prabhus, lead by Lord Nityananda’s Padukas and Lord Nrsimha’s Satari visited the Twin Cities of South India, Hyderabad and Secunderabad, as well as Bangalore, for TOVP fundraising events. Aside from the fundraising events, they also met with local government officials and received a great deal of attention from the print media. Continue reading "Hyderabad, Secunderabad and Bangalore TOVP Tour Visits a Grand Success
→ Dandavats"

Hyderabad, Secunderabad and Bangalore TOVP Tour Visits a Grand Success
- TOVP.org

From October 12 – 14 Their Graces Ambarisa and Braja Vilasa prabhus, lead by Lord Nityananda’s Padukas and Lord Nrsimha’s Satari visited the Twin Cities of South India, Hyderabad and Secunderabad, as well as Bangalore, for TOVP fundraising events. Aside from the fundraising events, they also met with local government officials and received a great deal of attention from the print media.

Two programs were held in Hyderabad, one for local businessmen who were eager to meet Ambarisa prabhu, the great grandson of Henry Ford, and the second for the local devotee congregation. Almost 1,000 devotees attended and enthusiastically joined in the kirtan, abhisheka and presentations. In Secunderabad over 500 devotees attended and 150+ at the Bangalore event. Over $500,000 in pledges was raised from all the participants!

Of special significance were the meetings between Ambarisa and P. Muralidhar Rao, National General Secretary of the BJP political party for all of South India, and the Governor of Telangana in Tamil Nadu, Dr. Tamilisai Soundrajan. Mr. Rao was especially enthusiastic and promised to arrange programs for Ambarisa in the future.

The media took great interest in Ambarisa’s visit and five articles appeared in the press:

The Hindu (Hyderabad):
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/ford-heir-seeks-support-for-iskcon-project/article29675281.ece

The Telangana Today:
https://telanganatoday.com/iskcons-mayapur-in-west-bengal-temple-to-be-worlds-biggest/amp

The Telangana Today:
https://telanganatoday.com/alfred-ford-on-mission-to-fund-biggest-temple/amp?p=332450&__twitter_impression=true

Trending Telugu News
https://trendingtelugunews.com/telugu/henri-ford-great-grandson-building-worlds-largest-hindu-temple-in-mayapur-west-bengal/

The Deccan Chronicle (Hyderabad)

We would especially like to thank His Holiness Jayapataka Swami, the local GBC for his support and encouragement, and the following devotees who made all the arrangements for the programs, special meetings and press interviews:

In Hyderabad
H.G. Varada Krishna prabhu
H.G. Radhesyam prabhu
H.G. Vedanta Caitanya prabhu
H.G. Sitaram prabhu
H.G. Sarasiromani prabhu
H.G. Visnuprasad prabhu

In Secunderabad
H.G. Yudhisthira Govinda prabhu
H.G. Sahadeva prabhu

In Bangalore
H.G. Varada Krishna prabhu
H.G. Harikshetra prabhu

 
[See image gallery at tovp.org]  

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The post Hyderabad, Secunderabad and Bangalore TOVP Tour Visits a Grand Success appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Ramdas update
→ Dandavats



Ramdas update.
After physical therapy in the morning, the doctor said Ram das is much more responsive and present. We make sure to spend time with Ram das doing some movements with him and massaging his arms and legs. He also seems to enjoy and respond a bit to hearing recordings of chanting and songs or melodies that he has written. The other day we were blessed with a wonderful surprise - he opened his eye wide, looked right at his wife Dhrti and gently smiled! He managed to do this 3 times. Then he moved his leg and foot. This has been more activity than we have seen in a couple of weeks since his infection. Needless to say, we are overjoyed by this unexpected gift!

Seminar: Krsna Yoga – Be fit to serve Krishna (Oct. 19-20)
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

We are excited to announce that HG Gaura Nataraj das will be visiting Toronto to conduct a seminar entiteled "Krsna Yoga - Be fit to serve Krishna". The seminar will take place on October 19th and 20th and is divided into to three parts:

1. Krsna Yoga Part 1 : Understanding discipline of yoga and structure of the self (pancha kosa) and creation.. mentioned in Bhagavad-Gita , Upadeshamrita, Srimad Bhagvatam  and Yoga Sutras

2. Krsna Yoga Part 2 : Practical application in terms Yukatahara , vihara etc and controlling Atyahara etc as in Gita and above mentioned scriptures

3. Krishna Yoga part 3 : Deeper aspects of meditation. Concentrated offenceless chanting  and maintaining mode of goodness throughout life aimed at systematically studying and inculcating Bhagavatam.


Gaura Nataraj Das is an Author, Master Yoga teacher, Astrologer, Marriage counselor, Yogic diet consultant and spiritually a Bhakti yoga practitioner. He has traveled all over India and the United States teaching yoga and counseling individuals and families using traditional sciences like Yoga and astrology.

ISKCON Tirupati
→ Ramai Swami

Devotee leaders from around the world were invited by Revati Raman Prabhu, the TP of our Tirupati temple, to attend the mid-term GBC meeting.

The temple was opened about a decade ago and the deities of Sri Sri Radha Govinda and Astha Sakhis are so beautiful. The temple and grounds are also a cultural spiritual experience and magnificent.

How can we connect with people during outreach while staying detached from the world’s illusions?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Answer Podcast

The post How can we connect with people during outreach while staying detached from the world’s illusions? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Vyasa-puja Celebration for His Holiness Rtadhvaja Swami, October 13, Dallas
Giriraj Swami


——————-
“Before coming here I thought of a verse of the Bhagavad-gita that describes you and because you are such an avid reader and preacher of Bhagavad-gita I would like to offer this to you.”

“One who is not envious but is a kind friend to all living entities, who does not think himself a proprietor and is free from false ego, who is equal in both happiness and distress, who is tolerant, always satis?ed, self-controlled, and engaged in devotional service with determination, his mind and intelligence ?xed on Me – such a devotee of Mine is very dear to Me.” Bhagavad-gita 12.13-14.

————————————-
Vyasa-puja Address (Right click to download)

Happy Cow Arati
→ ISKCON News

Happy Cow Arati is a happy time for the cows. Throughout the year ISCOWP offers Arati (auspicious Vedic ceremony) to their Giriraj diety and the cows. After the Arati, they offer the cows either treats or they call them to a new fresh pasture. They love this time as they love treats and fresh grass. A video by ISCOWP.

Being bound by love
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 8 April 2019, Amritsar, India, Srimad Bhagavatam 1.6.37)

Devotional service binds us to Krsna in responsibility. The first time we do little seva, we gradually start to develop our service and the more service we take, the more we continue to develop our service. For example, Srimati Radharani came from Yavat to Mother Yashoda’s house everyday to cook for Krsna. Radharani took that service very seriously. It was her responsibility to cook for Krsna, and she was bound to that service. So one might think, what freedom is there in such service when it looks like the duty is actually limiting one’s freedom? Heavy duty…

So this is our dilemma, because we want our freedom. We want to make our own choices. Being bound by duty or by obligation is like signing a contract… it is all too oppressive. This puts great stress on the mind and creates a disturbance. But it is out of love that one can both be bound and be happy at the same time. If you bind me with duty or with ropes or with chains, I will not be happy. But if you bind me with love, I will be happy. Oh yes, then you can bind me (laughter). When one is bound by love, one is actually not loosing their freedom.

The article " Being bound by love " was published on KKSBlog.

Month of Kartika—Pure Devotion on Sale for Less
→ Karnamrita's blog

(this blog is recorded on the full page: quick time player needed)
Yashoda tries to bind Krishna
[Reposted from 10-11-2011]One of the recommendations for advancing in devotional service is the observance of Kartika Vrata (special devotional practices) especially in Vrindavana, India, or at some holy place, but anywhere that we worship Krishna during the Vedic month of Kartika, or Damodara, which corresponds to October-November. It began yesterday on the full moon and continues to the following full moon. As the next month of Margashirsha represents Krishna, [Bg 10.35] this month represents Shri Radha, who is the feminine compassionate aspect of Krishna. Shri Radha is considered the best devotee of Krishna, and she is both Deity and ideal of devotion for Gaudiya Vaishnavas.

We try to please Radha, and our gurus who represent her, to obtain the favor of Krishna, which means engaging in His devotional service eternally. Our aim is not so much to obtain Krishna, but love of Krishna, or prema, because wherever prema exists, Krishna lives! Thus by the grace of the Divine Couple, Shri Radha and Krishna, Radha’s month is considered like a special sale, where the ordinarily very difficult ideal of pure devotion, becomes easily available for a small price. Ours is truly a path of mercy, though as much as possible we also follow the recommendations in the scriptures for our daily spiritual practices.

read more

Month of Kartika—Pure Devotion on Sale for Less
→ Karnamrita's blog

Author: 
Karnamrita Das

(this blog is recorded on the full page: quick time player needed)
Yashoda tries to bind Krishna
[Reposted from 10-11-2011]One of the recommendations for advancing in devotional service is the observance of Kartika Vrata (special devotional practices) especially in Vrindavana, India, or at some holy place, but anywhere that we worship Krishna during the Vedic month of Kartika, or Damodara, which corresponds to October-November. It began yesterday on the full moon and continues to the following full moon. As the next month of Margashirsha represents Krishna, [Bg 10.35] this month represents Shri Radha, who is the feminine compassionate aspect of Krishna. Shri Radha is considered the best devotee of Krishna, and she is both Deity and ideal of devotion for Gaudiya Vaishnavas.

We try to please Radha, and our gurus who represent her, to obtain the favor of Krishna, which means engaging in His devotional service eternally. Our aim is not so much to obtain Krishna, but love of Krishna, or prema, because wherever prema exists, Krishna lives! Thus by the grace of the Divine Couple, Shri Radha and Krishna, Radha’s month is considered like a special sale, where the ordinarily very difficult ideal of pure devotion, becomes easily available for a small price. Ours is truly a path of mercy, though as much as possible we also follow the recommendations in the scriptures for our daily spiritual practices.

read more

World Record for Largest Addiction Awareness Festival set by ISKCON
→ Dandavats

By Padasevan Bhakta Das

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) celebrated an annual Mega Youth Fest ‘UDGAAR – An Expression of Goodness and Joy’, on October 6th at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi. It was based on the theme ‘Anti-Addiction: Making India Addiction Free’. A world record for “Largest Addiction Awareness Festival” was awarded in the event by World Book of Records, London to His Holiness Gopal Krishna Goswami, ISKCON GBC, in presence of Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Unioun Health Minister. A total of 15,000 thousand people participated in the event Continue reading "World Record for Largest Addiction Awareness Festival set by ISKCON
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Endless Mellows
→ KKSBlog

Set amidst the rolling hills of the Ardennes, Radhadesh is an ideal setting to celebrate the holy name. Whilst the beautiful forest, exquisite deities and peaceful location all contribute to the sweetness of the festival, the most wonderful quality about the Radhadesh Mellows festival is that it attracts the most sincere and dedicated kirtan lovers around.

And Kadamba Kanana Swami has been a staunch guest kirtaneer for many Mellow years. And judging from his 2020 schedule he might just appear again for RM2020! Until that time you can relish hours and hours of kirtan by expert singers and other musicians. And yes, Kadamba Kanana swami also took part in 2018, beautifully recorded and mastered into an exquisite three piece mp3 album!

The RM2018 album (mp3 and digital) will be launched on the 13th of Oct 2019 and you can already pre-order it. Visit the Radhadesh Mellows online shop or check your local temple for a copy!

Radhadesh Mellows 2018

(pre) Order now!

Previous years

Already since 2009 Kadamba Kanana Swami has been part of the mellows family. Here is a sample track from the 2014 album. For other years please visit the Mellows shop..

https://radhadeshmellows.com/product-category/albums

The article " Endless Mellows " was published on KKSBlog.

Sri Murari Gupta’s Disappearance Day
Giriraj Swami

Today is Sri Murari Gupta’s disappearance day. Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi 10.49–51, describes him:

TEXT 49

sri-murari gupta sakha—premera bhandara
prabhura hrdaya drave suni’ dainya yanra

TRANSLATION

Murari Gupta, the twenty-first branch of the tree of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, was a storehouse of love of Godhead. His great humility and meekness melted the heart of Lord Caitanya.

PURPORT

Sri Murari Gupta wrote a book called Sri Caitanya-carita. He belonged to a vaidya physician family of Srihatta, the paternal home of Lord Caitanya, and later became a resident of Navadvipa. He was among the elders of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Lord Caitanya exhibited His Varaha form in the house of Murari Gupta, as described in the Caitanya-bhagavata, Madhya-khanda, Third Chapter. When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu exhibited His maha-prakasa form, He appeared before Murari Gupta as Lord Ramacandra. When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Nityananda Prabhu were sitting together in the house of Srivasa Thakura, Murari Gupta first offered his respects to Lord Caitanya and then to Sri Nityananda Prabhu. Nityananda Prabhu, however, was older than Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and therefore Lord Caitanya remarked that Murari Gupta had violated social etiquette, for he should have first shown respect to Nityananda Prabhu and then to Him. In this way, by the grace of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Murari Gupta was informed about the position of Sri Nityananda Prabhu, and the next day he offered obeisances first to Lord Nityananda and then to Lord Caitanya. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu gave chewed pan, or betel nut, to Murari Gupta. Once Sivananda Sena offered food to Lord Caitanya that had been cooked with excessive ghee, and the next day the Lord became sick and went to Murari Gupta for treatment. Lord Caitanya accepted some water from the waterpot of Murari Gupta, and thus He was cured. The natural remedy for indigestion is to drink a little water, and since Murari Gupta was a physician, he gave the Lord some drinking water and cured Him.

When Caitanya Mahaprabhu appeared in the house of Srivasa Thakura in His Caturbhuja murti, Murari Gupta became His carrier in the form of Garuda, and in these pastimes of ecstasy the Lord then got up on his back. It was the desire of Murari Gupta to leave his body before the disappearance of Caitanya Mahaprabhu, but the Lord forbade him to do so. This is described in the Caitanya-bhagavata, Madhya-khanda, Chapter Twenty. When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu one day appeared in ecstasy as the Varaha murti, Murari Gupta offered Him prayers. He was a great devotee of Lord Ramacandra, and his staunch devotion is vividly described in the Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila, Fifteenth Chapter, verses 137 through 157.

TEXT 50

pratigraha nahi kare, na laya kara dhana
atma-vrtti kari’ kare kutumba bharana

TRANSLATION

Srila Murari Gupta never accepted charity from friends, nor did he accept money from anyone. He practiced as a physician and maintained his family with his earnings.

PURPORT

It should be noted that a grhastha (householder) must not make his livelihood by begging from anyone. Every householder of the higher castes should engage himself in his own occupational duty as a brahmana, ksatriya or vaisya, but he should not engage in the service of others, for this is the duty of a sudra. One should simply accept whatever he earns by his own profession. The engagements of a brahmana are yajana, yajana, pathana, pathana, dana and pratigraha. A brahmana should be a worshiper of Visnu, and he should also instruct others how to worship Him. A ksatriya can become a landholder and earn his livelihood by levying taxes or collecting rent from tenants. A vaisya can accept agriculture or general trade as an occupational duty. Since Murari Gupta was born in a physician’s family (vaidya-vamsa), he practiced as a physician, and with whatever income he earned he maintained his family. As stated in Srimad-Bhagavatam, everyone should try to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead through the execution of his occupational duty. That is the perfection of life. This system is called daiva-varnasrama. Murari Gupta was an ideal grhastha, for he was a great devotee of Lord Ramacandra and Caitanya Mahaprabhu. By practicing as a physician he maintained his family and at the same time satisfied Lord Caitanya to the best of his ability. This is the ideal of householder life.

TEXT 51

cikitsa karena yare ha-iya sadaya
deha-roga bhava-roga,—dui tara ksaya

TRANSLATION

As Murari Gupta treated his patients, by his mercy both their bodily and spiritual diseases subsided.

PURPORT

Murari Gupta could treat both bodily and spiritual disease because he was a physician by profession and a great devotee of the Lord in terms of spiritual advancement. This is an example of service to humanity. Everyone should know that there are two kinds of diseases in human society. One disease, which is called adhyatmika, or material disease, pertains to the body, but the main disease is spiritual. The living entity is eternal, but somehow or other, when in contact with the material energy, he is subjected to the repetition of birth, death, old age and disease. The physicians of the modern day should learn from Murari Gupta. Although modern philanthropic physicians open gigantic hospitals, there are no hospitals to cure the spiritual disease of the spirit soul. The Krsna consciousness movement has taken up the mission of curing this disease, but people are not very appreciative because they do not know what this disease is. A diseased person needs both proper medicine and a proper diet, and therefore the Krsna consciousness movement supplies spiritually stricken people with the medicine of the chanting of the holy name, or the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, and the diet of prasadam. There are many hospitals and medical clinics to cure bodily diseases, but there are no such hospitals to cure the spiritual disease of the spirit soul. The centers of the Krsna consciousness movement are the only established hospitals that can cure man of birth, death, old age and disease.

*   *   *

Also, as stated in the Foreword to Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, “The chief historical sources for the life of Sri Krsna Caitanya are the kadacas (diaries) kept by Murari Gupta and Svarupa Damodara Gosvami. Murari Gupta, a physician and close associate of Sri Krsna Caitanya’s, recorded extensive notes on the first twenty-four years of His life, culminating in His initiation into the renounced order, sannyasa. The events of the rest of Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s forty-eight years were recorded in the diary of Svarupa Damodara Gosvami, another of His intimate associates.”

Sri Murari Gupta ki jaya!
Srila Prabhupada ki jaya!

Hare Krishna.

Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami

Srila Prabhupada on Deity worship by Vaishnavis
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Deity worship by Vaishnavis.
Srila Prabhupada’s letter to Amsu das on 13 August 1974:
“Regarding the worship of our Gaura Nitai by women pujaris, we worship Lord Chaitanya in His householder life when He was with His wife, and not as a sannyasi. So, it is alright for women to do this service. But, besides this, service is spiritual and there can be no material designation. In Bhagavad-gita it is stated by Lord Krsna: striyo vaisyas tatha sudras te’pi yanti param gatim. The principle is that everyone who is properly initiated and following the rules and regulations can worship. This activity cannot [be] on the material platform.“


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