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Since Sunday, June 25th, devotees at New Mayapur in France have been experiencing a week-long blackout after a catastrophic failure of their electrical transformer, which supplied power to the property. The 100-year-old Château d’Oublaise castle, now known as New Mayapur, is situated in the serene countryside of Centre-Val de Loire, France, and was established in […]
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Sri Sanatana Gosvami appeared in 1488, five years before Sri Rupa Gosvami, in a Sarasvata brahmana family in Bengal. Sanatana and his two brothers, Rupa and Anupama, were always absorbed in bhava bhakti from early childhood. Remembering Vrndavana, they named the forests in which they played after Vraja’s twelve forests (Talavana, Madhuvana, Kamyavana, Mahavana). They called their favorite bathing ponds Radha-kunda and Syama-kunda.
In his youth, Sri Sanatana dreamt that a beautiful brahmana boy gave him a Srimad Bhagavatam. Feeling ecstatic he awoke. But seeing neither the boy nor the Bhagavatamhe felt sad. When Sanatana began his puja that morning, however, Krishna Himself, disguised as a beautiful brahmana boy, came and said, “Take this Srimad Bhagavatamfrom Me, always study it, and you will attain perfection.”
Forced to submit to the ruling Muslim government, Sri Rupa and Sri Sanatana became ministers and lived at Ramakeli. But their real engagement was teaching sastras which they learned from Vidyavacaspati, brother of Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya. Pandits and brahmanas from all over India came to study under the two brothers. Sri Rupa and Sanatana were acclaimed as the “crest jewels of the Gaudiya Vaisnava scholars.”
After the Lord visited Ramakeli and freed them, they renounced everything for Lord Gauranga’s service. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu ordered Sri Rupa and Sanatana Gosvamis to move to Vrndavana and perform four services: (1) Uncover Sri Krishna’s pastime places. (2) Install Deities, arrange for Their puja. (3) Compile bhakti scriptures. (4) Propagate the rules of devotional life.
“Entering Lord Caitanya’s service, they resolutely gave up power, riches, and position to live in Vrndavana as humble beggars absorbed in bhajana. One cannot properly perform Krishna bhajana until one renounces all attachments both internally and externally, and adopts a life of simplicity and humility.” (Sri Vraja Mandala Parikramd).
They traveled extensively through Vraja mandala discovering many lila sthanas [pastime places] of Radha-Madhava. Having no fixed residence, they would catch a few winks of sleep (no more than one and a-half hours per day) under a tree or bush. Sri Rupa and Sri Sanatana Gosvamis spent all their time writing, discussing Krishna’s pastimes, and chanting Krishna’s holy names.
To maintain himself Sanatana would beg some wheat flour, roll it into a ball by adding a touch of Yamuna water, and drop it in smoldering coals to cook. He would offer this bati (salt-free, baked bread ball) to his Deity of Madana Mohana. Giving up all kinds of material enjoyment, the Gosvamis accepted the poorest way of life as mendicants. They ate just enough to maintain their bodies.
Sri Sanatana Gosvami spent forty-three years wandering from village to village in Vrndavana. The Vrajavasis would affectionately care for him treating him like their father. With patience and concern he listened to their problems. Then he would please all the villagers by his preaching and practical advice on everything from increasing crop yields to solving family quarrels.
In his last years, he left his beloved Deity of Madana Mohana with Krishna Dasa brahmacari, his disciple. He did bhajana on the banks of Manasi Ganga next to Cakalesvara Mahadeva at Govardhana. Daily he walked the twenty-four mile parikrama (original longer route) of Govardhana Hill. Although he was sixty-five years old, he kept his daily vow of offering 1,008 obeisances to Govardhana Hill and to any Vaisnava whom he met.
Sanatana Gosvami’s firm determination to complete his daily devotional vow pleased Sri Madana Mohana (Krishna). But in the loving dealings between the Lord and His pure devotee, Krishna’s desire to please His devotee often defeats the devotee’s desire to please Him. So out of loving compassion for His devotee, Sri Krishna stood on a large flat stone (Govardhana sila)taken from Giriraja. He played His irresistable flute. The Govardhana sila melted in ecstasy, capturing the impression of Krishna’s lotus feet.
Presenting this to Sanatana, Krishna said, “If you circumambulate this sila everyday it will be the same as going around Govardhana Hill everyday. You will keep your vow intact and not compromise your religious principles.” Seeing that Giriraja Himself (Sri Krishna) had given the sila, Sanatana Gosvami gratefully accepted. One can still see that Govardhana sila in the Radha Damodara temple.
In the form of Labanga manjari Sanatana Gosvami serves Srimati Visakha sakhi in Radha-Madhava’s nitya nikunja-lila. Sanatana Gosvami’s samadhi is behind Radha Madana Mohana’s temple.
In August of 2023, the global Hip-Hop community will celebrate the 50th anniversary of this influential cultural movement. Hip-Hop music has not only served as a platform for artistic expression but has also become a powerful tool for broadcasting specific qualities of consciousness. To discover the intersection of Hip Hop and Krishna Consciousness, ISKCON News […]
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The 2023 BBT Bhadra Purnima marathon has begun with a goal to distribute at least 55,000 sets of Srimad Bhagavatam all over the world in multiple languages. The target date for the 2023 goal is September 29th. Launched in 2017 by the BBT MCI Team (Marketing, Communications, and Innovation) under the expert leadership of HG […]
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New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced this week that the State Assembly and the State Senate have passed a bill making Diwali a New York City Public School holiday. The bill is expected to be signed into law by Governor Kathy Huchul. Diwali is a five-day festival commonly observed by illuminating candles or lamps […]
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“Krishna – My Best Friend” is a new book written by Gourangi Gandharvika Devi Dasi and Acintyapriya Davi Dasi and published by the Congregational Development Ministry – Bhakti Kids. Their intention behind writing this book is to help children develop a personal connection with Krishna, viewing Him as their best friend rather than approaching Him […]
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Soweto, South Africa – In a harmonious endeavor that transcends cultural boundaries, the Hare Krishna Mzansi Choir is making waves with its innovative fusion of African choral music and traditional Vaishnava bhajans. Led by the dynamic duo Caru Candi and her husband, Ujwala, this choir has captivated audiences and stirred hearts with their soul-stirring performances […]
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Photo by Pixabay Allen Ginsberg wrote, “I saw the best minds of my generation Destroyed by madness, starving hysterical naked” Mr. Ginsberg, sad to say, they went mad Thinking that God came to America In the form of a fix or an LSD pill. But you found out from Swami Prabhupada That God came to us […]
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Feeling guilt, shame, or both in our lifetimes is almost inevitable. Guilt applies when an individual does not achieve what he/she feels was expected of them. Shame applies when someone does something themselves that they would consider highly embarrassing, an embarrassment that doesn’t go away. Shame can become a long-term problem that interferes with all […]
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Photo courtesy of HH Sivarama Swami disciples and well-wishers Facebook Group. Devotees worldwide have sent their heartfelt prayers to His Holiness Sivarama Swami Maharaja, who was recently hospitalized in Budapest on Sunday, June 25th. He has faced several health challenges over the last few months, most especially chronic spinal issues, making walking difficult. He successfully […]
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