How long will you sleep in the lap of the ugly witch Maya? How long? You have already slept for such a long time, lakhs and lakhs of lives. Do you want to sleep in the lap of the ugly witch Maya? Mahaprabhu is your only well-wishing friend. He loves you so much that He descended here! Krishna says, jivanam sarva- bhutesu - I am the life in all living entities." If you are not carrying Krishna in you, have you love? You have no life. You are dying at every moment. You are a dead body. You are living but dead. You are breathing like the bellows of a blacksmith. If there is no Krishna in you, what is the value of that life? That man or woman, who has no Krishna in them, is dead. Continue reading "Only Dead Bodies Stay In Their Houses!
→ Dandavats"

The husband as the guru of the wife is an interesting topic. Some men operate under the paradigm that since I am the guru of my wife, she is duty-bound to do anything I ask of her. I am not saying it is not the duty of the wife to submissively serve the husband, but the idea that a husband has a right to be over-demanding of his wife reflects a misunderstanding of the duty of the husband. You might think, "Are there really many men today in Iskcon who are that demanding?" Not only are there demanding men in Iskcon, some (perhaps many) are more demanding of their wives than men outside of Iskcon. My experience shows me that many men have misunderstood Prabhupada's statements about the duty of a husband and the duty of a wife. We have a higher divorce rate in Iskcon than in the outside society. We also have a high rate of unhappy marriages (devotees who remain married because they are dutiful, not because they are happily married). This problem is commonly caused by male devotees misunderstanding what it means to be a man. Continue reading "Husband as Guru
→ Dandavats"

Deity Worship Ministry seminar Part 2

Sadaputa Prabhu’s Books Are Back in Print.
“Now our PhDs must collaborate and study the 5th Canto to make a model for building the Vedic Planetarium” proved a mandate from Srila Prabhupada that entered deep into the heart of his disciple Sadaputa dasa, in 1976. Having received his PhD in Mathematics from Cornell University just two years prior, he would soon be inducted as one of the founding members of Prabhupada’s Bhaktivedanta Institute. In that capacity, he devoted over 30 years researching Vedic perspectives on cosmology and the natural world, producing 9 books and numerous writings on these and a variety of other subjects while drawing upon both his scientific mathematical background and devotional experience with Gaudiya Vaisnavism. He was so appreciated amongst his peers and devotees in general that he was affectionately dubbed the ‘transcendental genius’. And in accordance with Srila Prabhupada’s above mandate he also became the principle mastermind behind the main planetarium chandelier, displays and exhibits of the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium in Sridhama Mayapur before passing away in 2008. Indeed, because of his unique accomplishments and contributions to Vedic cosmology, the planetarium wing of the TOVP has been dedicated to him.
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/B3tFyf

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02.16.13
• VRAJA RAJA SUTAM ASTAKAM
1
nava-nîrada-nindita-kânti-dharam
rasa-sâgara-nâgara-bhûpa-varam
s’ubha-vankima-câru-s’ikhanda-s’ikham
bhaja-krishna-nidhim-vraja-râja-sutam

Complexion that conquers storm clouds gathering
Lord of lovers and great sea of all ecstasies
Peacock plume in his crown angled auspiciously
Worship Krishna dark jewel son of Vrindavan’s king
2.
bhrû-vis’ankita-vankima-s’akru-dhanum
mukha-candra-vinindita-koti-vidhum
mridu-manda-suhâsya-subhâshya-yutam
bhaja-krishna-nidhim vraja-râja-sutam

His eyebrows like rainbows both broadly bending
A million full moons fail to match his beauty
Sparkling speech on his lips ever smiling sweetly
Worship Krishna dark jewel son of Vrindavan’s king.
3.
suvikampad-ananga-sad-anga-dharam
vraja-vâsi-manohara-ves’a-karam
bhris’a-lânchita-nîla-saroja-dris’am
bhaja-krishna-nidhim vraja-râja-sutam

Due to Cupid’s confusions his limbs shivering,
Ever dazzlingly dressed for Vrindavan’s delight
Like two blue lotus blossoms his eyes shining bright
Worship Krishna dark jewel son of Vrindavan’s king
4.
alakâvali-mandita-bhâla-tatham
s’ruti-dolita-mâkara-kundalakam
kati-veshthita-pîta-patam-sudhatham
bhaja-krishna-nidhim vraja-râja-sutam

He whose ears are embellished by shark shaped earrings
Curling fringe frames his forehead of fairest beauty
Yellow silk hangs on hips that sway gracefully
Worship Krishna dark jewel son of Vrindavan’s king
5.
• kala-nûpura-râjita-câru-padam
mani-ranjita-ganjita-bhringa-madam
dhvaja-vajra-jhashânkita-pâda-yugam
bhaja-krishna-nidhim vraja-râja-sutam

On his ankles are bells which bewitchingly ring
Jingling gems driving bees fully into frenzy
Thunderbolt, fish and flag on his feet there we see
Worship Krishna dark jewel son of Vrindavan’s king
6.
bhris’a-candana-carcita-câru-tanum
mani-kaustubha-garhita-bhânu-tanum
vraja-bâla-s’iromani-rupa-dhritam
bhaja-krishna-nidhim vraja-râja-sutam

Sandalwood smeared upon his body so charming
Glowing with the Kaustubha eclipsing the sun
Among Braja’s bright youths the most brilliant one
Worship Krishna dark jewel son of Vrindavan’s king
7.
(sura-vrinda-suvandya-mu kunda-harim
sura-nâtha-s’iromani-sarva-gurum R
giridhâri-murâri-purâri-param R
bhaja-krishna-nidhim vraja-râja-sutam R

Crest jewel of all lords, leading every being
Praised by sages and devas Mukunda Hari
Giridhari Murari to Shambhu supreme.
Worship Krishna dark jewel son of Vrindavan’s king
8.
vrishabhânu-sutâ-vara-keli param
rasa-râja-s’iromani-ves’a-dharam
jagadîs’varam-îs’varam-îdya-varam
bhaja-krishna-nidhim vraja-râja-sutam

With Sri Radha forever in love revelling
Seen impeccably dressed as the best enjoyer
Within all of the worlds most exalted master
Worship Krishna dark jewel son of Vrindavan’s king

Brahma Samhita morning prayers
Posted in Bhajans at 7:51 am by Krishna Dharma
venum kvanantam aravinda-dalayataksam-
Barhavatamsam asitambuda-sundarangam
kandarpa-koti-kamaniya-visesa-sobham
govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami
Peacock plume on his head, blooming eyes like lotus petals
Form of boundless beauty like a brilliant bluish rain cloud
Incomparable loveliness charming countless Cupids
Govinda, primeval person, I worship you my Lord
angani yasya sakalendriya-vrtti-manti
pasyanti panti kalayanti ciram jaganti
ananda-cinmaya-sad-ujjvala-vigrahasya
govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami

Completely conscious in his limbs and supernal senses
Full of bliss, eternal truth and ever sparkling splendour
Who sees, maintains and manifests the entire existence
Govinda, primeval person, I worship you my Lord
Permalink Comments • Edit
04.24.11
Kabe Habe Bolo
Posted in Bhajans at 2:15 pm by Krishna Dharma
Text One
kabe ha’be bolo se-dina amar
(amar) aparadha ghuci’, suddha name ruci,
krpa-bale ha’be hrdoye sancar

When oh when will that day be mine
All offenses ceasing, taste for the name increasing
When in my heart your mercy brightly shines.
Text Two
trnadhika hina, kabe nije mani’,
sahisnuta-guna hrdoyete ani’
sakale manada, apani amani,
ho’ye aswadibo nama-rasa-sar
When shall I truly be, steeped in humility
So every misery I will bear patiently
Showing honour to all, free from false pride’s enthral
When I will taste forever, the holy name’s pure nectar.
Text Three
dhana jana ara, kobita-sundari,
bolibo na cahi deho-sukha-kari
janme-janme dao, ohe gaurahari!
ahaituki bhakti carane tomar
Wealth fame and followers, and every sense pleasure
Let me at last decide to ever cast aside
Gauranga my dear Lord, I beg that you award
purest loving bhakti, to you eternally
Text Four
(kabe) korite sri-krsna-nama uccarana,
pulakita deho gadgada bacana
baibarnya-bepathu ha’be sanghatana,
nirantara netre ba’be asru-dhar
When shall I show all signs of ecstasy divine
When loudly I proclaim Lord Krishna’s holy name?
Tears teeming from my eyes, choked with euphoric cries,
with my entire body, enrapt in love’s frenzy.
Text Five
kabe navadwipe, suradhuni-tate,
gaura-nityananda boli’ niskapate
naciya gaiya, beraibo chute,
batulera praya chariya bicar
When will I dance and weep In holy Navadwip?
Free from all sense of shame, shouting the holy name
Of Gaura Nityananda, by the graceful Ganga
In deepest love divine, seeming deranged in mind.
Text Six
kabe nityananda, more kori ‘doya,
charaibe mora visayera maya
diya more nija-caranera chaya,
namera hatete dibe adhikar
When will Nitai’s mercy, be showered upon me
So I shall ever be, from all illusion free.
Whenever will my Lord, make me his loving ward?
So I may spread the fame of his pure holy name?
Text Seven
kinibo, lutibo, hari-nama-rasa,
nama-rase mati’ hoibo bibasa
rasera rasika-carana parasa,
koriya mojibo rase anibar
Somehow I shall obtain, taste for the holy name
Pure rapture shall be mine, the deepest trance divine.
When I shall ever be, within the company.
Of bhaktas lost in bliss, oh how I long for this.
Text Eight
kabe jibe doya, hoibe udoya,
nija-sukha bhuli’ sudina-hrdoya
bhakativinoda, koriya binoya,
sri-ajna-tahala koribe pracar
With every great effort, careless of all comfort
When with a humble heart will I your fame impart?
With caring compassion to all in illusion
When will I at last find, that wondrous day is mine?
Permalink Comments • Edit
03.18.11
The desire tree of Lord Gauranga’s praises
Posted in Bhajans at 11:15 am by Krishna Dharma
(Gauranga stava kalpa vriksha)
By Raghunatha das Goswami
Seeing Gauranga’s graceful gait, one does all other grace decry
and gazing on his gorgeous face, does mock the full moon in the sky.
A great mountain of glowing gold, his speech is sweet felicity.
Awakening within my heart, that Lord completely maddens me.
Lovely with all signs of love, bedecked with gems of pure bhakti,
he trembles, weeps and laughs out loud, stuttering euphorically
Before the cart of Jagannnath, dancing majestically
May that Gauranga soon arise within my heart and madden me.
Reeling in rapturous delight, his streams of tears like showers of rain.
Biting his luscious lips in joy; dancing like a man insane.
Struck with deepest love divine, staggering in ecstasy.
May that golden Lord arise within my heart and madden me.
Tormented by the mournful mood of Radha’s parting from her Lord;
with body racked by anguished pangs, collapsing in Misra’s abode.
Tossed with grief upon the ground, groaning in great agony.
That sight of Gaura in my heart rises up and maddens me
How wondrous that impelled by love the Lord did pass three bolted gates
and cross beyond three steep high walls while wandering at night so late.
Until among the cows he fell, his limbs withdrawn invisibly.
Appearing thus within my heart, that Lord Gauranga maddens me.
Lost in longing for Vrindavan, his breath of life and very heart,
With words of wild delirium, mad mind by love all torn apart.
Chafing his face upon the walls, till blood flowed from his injuries.
That vision of Gauranga comes into my mind and maddens me
“O doorkeeper, my dearest friend, where now my Lord, my heart’s one hope?”
Seizing the temple servant’s hand in frenzied words of love he spoke.
Then dragging him that doorman said, “See your beloved, come quickly.”
That Lord Gauranga in my heart, rises up and maddens me
On seeing that great king of hills, named Chataka near Niladri,
He saw there holy Goverdhana, which drew his heart most ardently,
that in his madness thus he ran, chased by his friends full frantically.
May that Gauranga soon arise within my heart and madden me
When in a charming marquee sat Radha and Krishna on their swing
Gauranga watched with heart enthralled and in enchanting tones did sing,
with Svarupa and associates, those holy names of Lord Hari.
This scene arises in my heart and with divine love maddens me.
Narayana’s love for Garuda, is Gaura’s for Govinda.
Krishna’s love for his teacher, is Gaura’s for Ishvara.
As Gopala sees his friend Subal, so Gaura does Svarupa see.
May that Gauranga soon arise within my heart and madden me.
From a forest fire of affluence, this Ragunath so very low,
was saved by graceful Gauranga, who to Svarup’s care bade me go,
and gave me gifts so dear to him, though I am yet unworthy.
That Lord Chaitanya rises up within my heart and maddens me
This great wish granting tree of praise, bright branches of love’s poetry
its brilliant blossoms pure bhakti; when watered with steadfast study,
mixed with the herbs of firmest faith, bestows at once on one the sweet,
and heavy fruit of splendid sight of Lord Gauranga’s lotus feet.
Permalink Comments • Edit
10.05.10
Ode to Sri Radha (Radha stuti)
Posted in Bhajans at 2:24 pm by Krishna Dharma
Radha queen of loving mellows.
From Krishna’s breast does not depart
Her love all boundless bliss bestows
upon that Lord in every heart.
Krishna to her his life does give.
Divine expansion, form of truth.
First among all those that live.
Exquisite and eternal youth.
Transcendence pure, forever free
from matter’s clutch and quality.
Residing by the Kalindi.
Leader of the Vraj gopis.
In Goloka ever dwelling.
Mother to the cowherd boys.
Krishna’s ardent passions swelling.
Fills her with transcendent joy.
Lovely goddess of all graces.
Pleasing, peaceful and fulfilled.
Purifying holy places.
Ever chaste to Krishna’s will.
Queen of the gods please hear my plea
from this dark world of death and pain.
Please free me from this agony
and lift me to the Lord again.
Dear Radhika pray grant to me,
pure loving service to your feet.
Which praised by Brahma and Lakshmi,
renders Krishna’s bliss complete.
Vrishabhanu’s most dear daughter,
Vrindavan’s queen and deity.
Dazzling with a golden lustre.
Deeply loved by Lord Hari.
The highest love made manifest,
makes you to Madhava most dear.
By you we are with bhakti blessed,
thus do we your feet revere.
Permalink Comments • Edit
02.28.10
Parama karuna
Posted in Bhajans at 1:39 pm by Krishna Dharma
Sri Sri Gaura Nityananda Daya
Text One
parama koruna, pahu dui jana
nitai gauracandra
saba avatara-sara siromani
kevala ananda-kanda
Supremely merciful, those Lords of each and all,
Nitai Gauracandra.
Of avataras the best, who have the whole world blessed
with an endless sea of rapture.
Text Two
bhajo bhajo bhai, caitanya nitai
sudrdha biswasa kori
visaya chadiya, se rase majiya,
mukhe bolo hari hari
Dear brothers hear my cry, just worship Gaura Nitai,
with firm faith in their mercy.
Stop serving your senses, feel everlasting bliss,
chanting loudly Hari Hari!
Text Three
dekho ore bhai, tri-bhuvane nai,
emona doyala data
pasu pakhi jhure, pasana vidare,
suni’ janra guna-gatha
Dear brothers try to see, has ever such mercy,
within all the worlds been displayed?
Hearing of Gaura Nitai, the birds and beasts all cry,
And even the stones melt away.
Text Four
samsare majiya, rohili poriya,
se pade nahilo asa
apana karama, bhunjaye samana,
kahoye locana-dasa
Lochan regretfully, in sensuality,
seeks pleasure in these mortal worlds.
Caught up in my karma, punished by Lord Yama,
with no love for those loving Lords.
Permalink Comments • Edit
02.24.10
Suddha bhakata
Posted in Bhajans at 4:10 pm by Krishna Dharma
Verse One
suddha-bhakata-carana-renu,
bhajana-anukula
bhakata-seva, parama-siddhi,
prema-latikara mula
The dust from the feet of pure devotees,
Is the cause of Krishna bhakti.
Serving the Vaishnavas is life’s great perfection,
Leading to loving devotion
Verse Two
madhava-tithi, bhakti-janani,
jetane palana kori
krsna-basati, basati boli’,
parama adare bori
Ekadashi and Janmashtami,
are mothers of bhakti when kept carefully.
With all reverence I will make my home,
where Krishna’s loving lilas were shown.
Verse Three
gaur amara, je-saba sthane,
koralo bhramana range
se-saba sthana, heribo ami,
pranayi-bhakata-sange
In the company of pure devotees,
I wish the sacred places to see,
where Gaurasundara my beloved Lord,
performed his pastimes within this world.
Verse Four
mrdanga-badya, sunite mana,
abasara sada jace
gaura-bihita, kirtana suni’,
anande hrdoya nace
My mind always hankers to hear the beat,
of mridangas in the kirtan’s heat.
Hearing the songs Lord Gauranga did sing,
my heart in delight is dancing.
Verse Five
jugala-murti, dekhiya mora,
parama-ananda hoya
prasada-seba korite hoya,
sakala prapanca jaya
Beholding the forms of Radha Krishna,
fills my mind with supreme pleasure.
Taking prasadam I soon will destroy,
all thoughts that I can this world enjoy
Verse Six
je-dina grhe, bhajana dekhi,
grhete goloka bhaya
carana-sidhu, dekhiya ganga,
sukha na sima paya
While worshiping Krishna my home is blessed,
by Vrindavan dhama made manifest.
The Lord’s wash water becomes the Ganges,
before my eyes to bring me all bliss.
Verse Seven
tulasi dekhi’, juraya prana,
madhava-tosani jani’
gaura-priya, saka-sevane,
jivana sarthaka mani
Simply by seeing Srimati Tulsi,
I please Lord Krishna and feel ecstasy.
When I take the food Lord Gaura did eat,
my life’s perfection is complete
Verse Eight
bhakativinoda, krsna-bhajane,
anakula paya jaha
prati-dibase, parama-sukhe,
swikara koroye taha
Thus every day does Bhaktivinode,
gladly accept what is bestowed,
which will assist in the sublimely sweet,
service to Krishna’s lotus feet.
Permalink Comments • Edit
08.27.09
Sri Radhika Stava
Posted in Bhajans at 4:00 am by Krishna Dharma
radhe jaya jaya madhava-dayite
gokula-taruni-mandala-mahite

(refrain)
Radha loved by Lord Madhava all praise to you
The gopis of Gokula, all of them worship you
damodara-rati-vardhana-vese
hari-niskuta-vrnda-vipinese

Dressing so Damodara feels for you more love
O queen of Vrindavan, Lord Hari’s pleasure grove
vrsabhanudadhi-nava-sasi-lekhe
lalita-sakhi guna-ramita-visakhe

Full moon from the ocean of King Vrishabhanu
Lalita and Vishaka delight in your virtue
karunam kuru mayi karuna-bharite
sanaka-sanatana-varnita-carite
Compassionate Radha I beg for your mercy
Sanaka and Sanatan declare your divinity
Permalink Comments • Edit
02.10.09
The glories of the Six Goswamis
Posted in Bhajans at 6:45 am by Krishna Dharma
Sri Sri Sad-gosvamy-astaka
By Srila Srinivasa Acharya
1.
krsnotkirtana-gana-nartana-parau premamrtambho-nidhi
dhiradhira-jana-priyau priya-karau nirmatsarau pujitau
sri-caitanya-krpa-bharau bhuvi bhuvo bharavahantarakau
vande rupa-sanatanau raghu-yugau sri-jiva-gopalakau
Like oceans of loving ecstasy, they chant and dance in Krishna sankirtan
Granting freely Gauranga’s grace to all the world, assuaging all affliction.
Beloved to both the good and bad, worshipped by all, free from malevolence.
To Rupa, Sanatana, both Raghunathas, Gopal and Jiva, my obeisance.
2.
nana-sastra-vicaranaika-nipunau sad-dharma-samsthapakau
lokanam hita-karinau tri-bhuvane manyau saranyakarau
radha-krsna-padaravinda-bhajananandena mattalikau
vande rupa-sanatanau raghu-yugau sri-jiva-gopalakau
Expertly establishing from all scripture the essence of real religion
Shelter to all throughout all the worlds they bestow the highest benediction.
Ever enrapt with euphoria, serving Krishna in total loving trance.
To Rupa, Sanatana, both Raghunathas, Gopal and Jiva, my obeisance.
3.
sri-gauranga-gunanuvarnana-vidhau sraddha-samrddhy-anvitau
papottapa-nikrntanau tanu-bhrtam govinda-ganamrtaih
anandambudhi-vardhanaika-nipunau kaivalya-nistarakau
vande rupa-sanatanau raghu-yugau sri-jiva-gopalakau

Fully grasping Gauranga’s transcendental truths that they narrate perfectly.
Freeing all fallen souls from all of their sins by Govinda’s pure eulogy.
Growing the ocean of bhakti bliss, and from mukti, our safe deliverance.
To Rupa, Sanatana, both Raghunathas, Gopal and Jiva, my obeisance.
4.
tyakva turnam asesa-mandala-pati-srenim sada tuccha-vat
bhutva dina-ganesakau karunaya kaupina-kanthasritau
gopi-bhava-rasamrtabdhi-lahari-kallola-magnau muhur
vande rupa-sanatanau raghu-yugau sri-jiva-gopalakau
Abandoning aristocracy as meaningless, they mendicants became.
Living simply in loincloths, to save all souls from suffering their one aim.
Swimming in a sea of ecstasy, in the pure mood of the gopis’ romance.
To Rupa, Sanatana, both Raghunathas, Gopal and Jiva, my obeisance.
5.
kujat-kokila-hamsa-sarasa-ganakirne mayurakule
nana-ratna-nibaddha-mula-vitapa-sri-yukta-vrndavane
radha-krsnam ahar-nisam prabhajatau jivarthadau yau muda
vande rupa-sanatanau raghu-yugau sri-jiva-gopalakau

Always worshipping Radha Shyam in Vraja dhama, bright abode of all beauties.
Where Peacocks, swans, cranes, and cuckoos call among the gems found round flowering trees,
Bestowing the boon of life’s greatest goal upon all souls, in great jubilance.
To Rupa, Sanatana, both Raghunathas, Gopal and Jiva, my obeisance.
6.
sankhya-purvaka-nama-gana-natibhih kalavasani-krtau
nidrahara-viharakadi-vijitau catyanta-dinau ca yau
radha-krsna-guna-smrter madhurimanandena sammohitau
vande rupa-sanatanau raghu-yugau sri-jiva-gopalakau

Spending their days chanting Krishna’s name and bowing down in a regulated way.
Ever enchanted by the loveliness and love, that Radha Krishna display.
Meek and mild with subdued senses they ever are emblems of all tolerance.
To Rupa, Sanatana, both Raghunathas, Gopal and Jiva, my obeisance.
7.
radha-kunda-tate kalinda-tanaya-tire ca vamsivate
premonmada-vasad asesa-dasaya grastau pramattau sada
gayantau ca kada harer guna-varam bhavabhibhutau muda
vande rupa-sanatanau raghu-yugau sri-jiva-gopalakau

Sometimes seen around Vamsivat and Radha Kunda and by the Yamuna’s shore.
Divine symptoms of delirious love of god manifesting more and more.
Always absorbed in the glories of Govindaji in blissful song and dance.
To Rupa, Sanatana, both Raghunathas, Gopal and Jiva, my obeisance.
8.
he radhe vraja-devike ca lalite he nanda-suno kutah
sri-govardhana-kalpa-padapa-tale kalindi-vanye kutah
ghosantav iti sarvato vraja-pure khedair maha-vihvalau
vande rupa-sanatanau raghu-yugau sri-jiva-gopalakau
All around sacred Vrindavan seeking their Lord, their loud shouts were heard each day.
Dear son of Nanda, Dear Radhika, Dear Lalita, where now your wondrous play?
By Goverdhan or Yamuna’s banks, where shall we see your sports of transcendence?
To Rupa, Sanatana, both Raghunathas, Gopal and Jiva, my obeisance.
Permalink Comments • Edit
02.01.09
Wasting my rare human birth
Posted in Bhajans at 9:53 am by Krishna Dharma
DURLABHA MANAVA JANMA
by
BHAKTIVINODA THAKUR
1.
durlabha manava-janma labhiya samsare
krsna na bhajinu — duhkha kahibo kahare?
Born in this rare human body, I did not worship you.
Now Lord I am left lamenting. Who shall I tell this to?
2.
‘samsar’ ‘samsar’, ko’re miche gelo kal
labha na koilo kichu, ghatilo janjal
My time passed in wordly pursuits, without the slightest gain.
My one and only profit was pure anguish and pain.
3.
kiser samsar ei chayabaji pray
ihate mamata kori’ brtha dina jay
This world has no more meaning than a magical display.
Caught up in it with no purpose, my life passes away.
4.
e deho patana ho’le ki ro’be amar?
keho sukha nahi dibe putra-paribar
When at last I drop down dead, what will I then possess?
How then will friends and family afford me happiness?
5.
gardhaber mata ami kori parisram
ka’r lagi’ eto kori, na ghucilo bhram

Why do I work just like an ass each and every day?
Despite my hard endeavour still in darkness I do stay.
6.
dina jay micha kaje, nisa nidra-base
nahi bhavi — marana nikate ache bo’se
Wasting my days in useless work, losing my nights in sleep.
Never seeing that by my side, death does his vigil keep.
7.
bhalo manda khai, heri, pari, cinta-hina
nahi bhavi, e deho chadibo kon dina

Dressing myself so carefully, eating just as I choose.
Living carefree I cannot see that soon this body I’ll lose.
8.
deho-geho-kalatradi-cinta abirata
jagiche hrdoye mor buddhi kori’ hata
In truth I am always anxious, to maintain me and mine.
Ever perplexed by pressing woes, crushing my heart and mind.
9.
hay, hay! nahi bhavi — anitya e saba
jivana bigate kotha rohibe baibhava?
Alas, alas, for my poor plight; unheeding of my death.
What in this world will still be mine after my final breath?
10.
smasane sarir mama podiya rohibe
bihanga-patanga tay bihar koribe
Then this body will lie quite still in the cremation ground
Jackals and crows, ants and worms, will soon gather around.
11.
kukkur srgal sab anandita ho’ye
mahotsava koribe amar deho lo’ye

They will then be in ecstasy, enjoying a great feast.
This body will be a festival, for every bug and beast.
12.
je deher ei gati, ta’r anugata
samsar-baibhava ar bandhu-jana jata
Thus ends my beloved body, with house and family.
And all that I proudly possess, will all but dust soon be.
13.
ataeva maya-moha chadi’ buddhiman
nitya-tattva krsna-bhakti korun sandhan

Be wise then and abandon now, your worldly illusion
Seek out at once the only truth; Krishna’s pure devotion.
Permalink Comments • Edit
12.30.08
Pastimes in the Spring
Posted in Bhajans at 1:43 pm by Krishna Dharma
VASANTA RASA
By Srila Narottama das Thakur
Hear it sung here by Ranchor prabhu (the second half of the recording after ‘Sri Rupa Manjari Pada’)
1.
Vrndavana ramya-sthana dibya-cintamani-dhama
ratana-mandira manohara
abrta kalindi-nire raja-hamsa keli kore
tahe sobhe kanaka-kamala
Vrindavan, resplendent abode, of transcendental touchstone,
Jewelled temples divine, enchanting the mind
Yamuna with gentle waves flows, where swans swim within shaded groves.
A lotus of gold on that water shines.
2.
tara madhye hema-pitha asta-dale bestita
asta-dale pradhana nayika
tara madhye ratnasane bosi achen dui-jane
syama-sange sundari radkhika
Golden altar within its whorl, where eight bright petals unfurl,
where stand the sakhis led by Lalita.
Sitting in the centre of them, on a throne of brilliant gems,
are the radiant Shyama and Radhika.
3.
o-rupa-labanya-rasi amiya poriche khasi
hasya-pariasa-sambhasane
narottama-dasa koy nitya-lila sukha-moy
sadai sphuruka mora mane
Their beauty, their sweetness and smiles; their talks and their teasing and wiles,
exudes showers of ecstatic nectar.
Narottama dasa does pray, that this divine loving play,
may in my heart stay seated forever.
11.24.08
Radha Krishna Bol Bol
Posted in Bhajans at 7:32 am by Krishna Dharma
Radha Krishna bol bol.
By Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur
From Gitavali (Nagara Kirtan)
(1)
‘rādhā-kṛṣṇa’ bol bol bolo re sobāi
(ei) śikṣā diyā, sab nadīyā
phirche nece’ gaura-nitāi
(haribol! Bolo krishna, bolo re sobai)
(miche) māyār bośe, jāccho bhese’,
khāccho hābuḍubu, bhāi

Radha Krishna chant now, chant the holy names
This was the preaching and the teaching
Of Gaura Nitai when they came
(Haribol! Call out Krishna, chant the holy name!)
Maya’s great waves have swept you away
Up and down again and again.
(2)
(jīv) kṛṣṇa-dās, e biśwās,
korle to’ ār duḥkho nāi
(kṛṣṇa) bolbe jabe, pulak ha’be
jhorbe āńkhi, boli tāi
Our faith strong that we belong
to Krishna, will destroy all pain.
With tearful eyes, our hairs will rise,
when calling out Lord Krishna’s name.
(3)
(‘rādhā) kṛṣṇa’ bolo, sańge calo,
ei-mātra bhikhā cāi
(jāy) sakal’ bipod bhaktivinod
bole, jakhon o-nām gāi
My humble plea, with Vaishnavas be,
And chant Radha Krishna’s names.
Says Bhaktivinod, all dangers go,
When those names he does proclaim.
Permalink 2 Comments • Edit
11.22.08
The fruits of karma
Posted in Bhajans at 1:34 pm by Krishna Dharma
ANADI KARAMA PHALE
(The fruits of beginningless karma)
by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur
(From Gitavali)
1.
anadi’ karama-phale, padi’ bhavarnara jale,
taribare na dekhi upaya
ei visaya-halahale, diva-nisi hiya jvale,
mana kabhu sukha nahi paya
Worldly works without origin, cast me in a whirlpool of sin,
from which I see no means of release.
The poison of sinful desire, burns me like a blazing fire,
and still my mind finds neither joy nor peace.
2.
asa-pasa-sata-sata, klesa deya avirata,
pravrtti-urmira tahe khela
kama-krodha-adi chaya, batapade deya bhaya,
avasana hoilo asi’ bela

Countless cords of carnal longing, bind me to boundless suffering,
tossed by the waves of my voracity.
I face six fearful enemies, led by lust, anger and envy.
And all of them are quickly killing me.
3.
jnana-karma-thaga dui, more pratariya loi,
avasese phele sindhu-jale
e heno samaye, bandhu, tumi krsna krpa-sindhu,
krpa kori’ tolo more bale
Worldly learning and ambition, a pair of cheating charlatans,
have hurled me in a sea of misery.
In this condition please see me, dear Krishna, great sea of mercy.
Be kind and by your strength pray rescue me.
4.
patita-kinkare dhari’, pada-padma-dhuli kari’,
deho bhaktivinoda asraya
ami tava nitya-dasa, bhuliya mayara pasa,
baddha ho’ye achi dayamaya
At your lotus feet please place me, as your servant let me ever be.
Bhaktivinoda prays for your protection.
Forgetting you are my master, tightly tied by ropes of matter.
Save me Lord, O ocean of compassion!
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11.16.08
Nagara kirtana
Posted in Bhajans at 9:27 am by Krishna Dharma
Sri Nagara Kirtana (From Gitavali by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur)
Song One
nadiya-godrume nityananda mahajana
patiyache nam-hatta jivera karana
In Nadiya Godruma Nityananda has begun
For all souls a marketplace of Sri Krishna sankirtana
(sraddhavan jan he, sraddhavan jan he)
prabhura ajnay, bhai, magi ei bhiksa
bolo ‘krishna,’ bhajo krishna, koro krishna-siksa
(All those of faith please hear, all those of faith please hear.)
On the order of the lord I am here beseeching
Call out Krishna, worship Krishna, follow Krishna’s teaching.
aparadha-sunya ho’ye loho krishna-nam
krishna mata, krishna pita, krishna dhana-pran

Free from all offenses call out the name of Krishna
Krishna is your life and soul, your father and your mother
krishnaera samsara koro chadi’ anacar
jive doya, krishna-nam-sarva-dharma-sar
Abandon sin and please Krishna by doing your duty
Harinama is pure dharma, and manifests the most mercy.
Song Two
gay gora madhur sware
Lord Gauranga so sweetly sings
hare krishna hare krishna krishna krishna hare hare
hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare
grhe thako, vane thako, sada ‘hari’ bole’ dako,
sukhe duhkhe bhulo na’ko, vadane hari-nam koro re

In the forest or family, keep hold of the name of Hari
In happiness or misery remember the name constantly
maya-jale baddha ho ‘ye, acho miche kaja lo ‘ye,
ekhona cetana pe’ye, ‘radha-madhav’ nam bolo re

Tightly tied up in illusion, working in worthless exertion,
Now with your real senses reclaimed, call out Radha Madhava’s names.
jivana hoilo sesa, na bhajile hrsikesa
bhaktivinodopadesa, ekbar nam-rase mato re
Life may not last one moment more, while Madhava you do ignore
Thus Bhaktivinoda proclaims, taste once those nectarean names
Permalink Comments • Edit
11.09.08
Gopinath (Pt.3)
Posted in Bhajans at 7:16 am by Krishna Dharma
Gopinath (Part Three)
1.
gopinath, amara upaya nai
tumi krpa kori’, amare loile,
samsare uddhara pai

Gopinath, there is no other hope for me,
but that by your mercy, your servant I may be,
from birth and death forever free.
2.
gopinath, porechi mayara phere
dhana, dara, suta, ghireche amare,
kamete rekheche jere
Gopinath, I’m fallen in a worldly whirlpool.
With wealth and family, ever entangling me,
I’m under lust’s complete control.
3.
gopinath, mana je pagala mora
na mane sasana, sada acetana,
visaye ro ‘yeche ghora
Gopinath, my mind is seized with insanity.
It sees itself as free, from all authority,
absorbed in sensuality.
4.
gopinath, hara je menechi ami
aneka jatana, hoilo bifala,
ekhano bharasa tumi
Gopinath, I must at last accept defeat.
My every endeavour, has found only failure.
My only hope your lotus feet.
5.
gopinath, kemone hoibe gati
prabala indriya, bosi-bhuta mana,
na chare visaya-rati
Gopinath, how can I attain perfection?
My senses are so strong, they drag my mind along,
always to worldly attraction.
6.
gopinath, hrdoye bosiya mora
manake samiya, laho nija pane,
ghucibe vipada ghora
Gopinath, within my heart forever stay.
And thus my mind subdue, to bring me unto you,
and drive all danger far away.
7.
gopinath, anatha dekhiya more
tumi hrsikesa, hrsika damiya,
taro ‘he samsrti-ghore
Gopinath, seeing me to be so helpless.
You are the Hrisikesh, take hold of my senses.
Oh, save me from this dark abyss.
8.
gopinath, galaya legeche phasa
krpa-asi dhori’, bandhana chediya,
vinode koroho dasa

Gopinath, I’m wrapped in ropes of worldliness.
With the sword of your mercy, please quickly cut me free,
and place me in your loving service.
Permalink Comments • Edit
11.05.08
Gopinath (Pt. 2)
Posted in Bhajans at 9:30 am by Krishna Dharma
Gopinath (Part Two)
By Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur
(Hear it sung here)
1.
gopinath, ghucao samsara jwala
avidya-jatana, aro nahi sahe,
janama-marana-mala
Gopinath, please free me from the fierce inferno,
of birth and death again, the ignorance and pain,
through which I can no longer go.
2.
gopinath, ami to’ kamera dasa
visaya-basana, jagiche hrdoye,
phadiche karama phasa
Gopinath, lust has now become my master.
Forever do I find, such sin within my mind,
binding me in bonds of karma.
3.
gopinath, ami to’ kamera dasa
visaya-basana, jagiche hrdoye,
phadiche karama phasa
Gopinath, when will I wake from my slumber,
to slay this enemy, dwelling deep inside of me,
so in my heart you may appear?
4.
gopinath, ami to’ tomara jana
tomare chariya, samsara bhajinu,
bhuliya apana-dhana
Gopinath, I am your servant, that is sure,
but turning far away, toward the worldly sway,
I turned from an untold treasure.
5.
gopinath, tumi to’ sakali jano
apanara jane, dandiya ekhano,
sri-carane aeho sthano
Gopinath, you know all this undoubtedly,
and as your property, you should please punish me,
and shelter me eternally
6.
gopinath, ei ki vicara taba
bimukha dekhiya, charo nija-jane,
na koro’ karuna-laba
Gopinath, how this is just I cannot see.
For having been averse, to you it seems I’m cursed,
shunned and shorn of all your mercy.
7.
gopinath, ami to murakha ati
kise bhalo hoya, kabhu na bujhinu,
tai heno mama gati
Gopinath, I am a fool most certainly,
for never do I see, what will be best for me,
thus I remain in misery.
8.
gopinath, tumi to’ pandita-bara
mudhera mangala, tumi anvesibe,
e dase na bhavo’ para
Gopinath, wisest and most learned person.
You can thus ascertain, what is my greatest gain.
Accept me always as your own.
Permalink Comments • Edit
10.31.08
Gopinath
Posted in Bhajans at 4:33 pm by Krishna Dharma
Gopinatha (Part one)
By Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur
Text One
gopinath, mama nivedana suno
visayi durjana, sada kama-rata,
kichu nahi mora guna

Gopinath, my Lord, please heed my humble plea.
Self-serving and shameless, immersed in sinfulness,
no virtue will you find within me.
Text Two
gopinath, amara bharasa tumi
tomara carane, loinu sarana,
tomara kinkora ami
Gopinath, I have no other hope than you,
I fall down at your feet, your shelter do I seek,
Your service ever to pursue.
Text Three
gopinath, kemone sodhibe more
na jani bhakati, karme jada-mati,
porechi somsara-ghore
Gopinath, I do not see how you will free me,
bereft of all bhakti, dulled by cupidity,
fallen in fearful misery.
Text Four
gopinath, sakali tomara maya
nahi mama bala, jnana sunirmala,
swadina nahe e kaya
Gopinath, all I see here is illusion.
No knowledge I possess, completely powerless,
controlled by worldly conditions.
Text Five
gopinath, niyata carane sthana
mage e pamara, kandiya kandiya,
korohe karuna dana
Gopinath, at your feet forever keep me.
Weeping incessantly, a sinner though I be,
I pray and plead for your mercy.
Text Six
gopinath, tumi to’ sakali paro
durjane tarite, tomara sakati,
ke ache papira aro
Gopinath, you can act completely freely.
All sinners can you save, your grace I therefore crave,
no other shelter do I see.
Text Seven
gopinath, tumi krpa-parabara
jivera karane, asiya prapance,
lila koile subistara
Gopinath, ocean of complete compassion.
Your pastimes you display, to free us from the sway,
of ignorance and illusion.
Text Eight
gopinath, ami ki dose dosi
asura sakala, pailo carana,
vinoda thakilo bosi’
Gopinath, what evil does exist in me?
That though the demons rose, into your own abode,
I fail to find my liberty.
Permalink Comments • Edit
08.25.08
Gurudeva!
Posted in Bhajans at 6:57 am by Krishna Dharma
Gurudev!
By Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur (from Saranagati)
1.
Gurudeva!
krpa-bindu diya, koro’ ei dase,
trnapekha ati hina
sakala sahane, bala diya koro’,
nija-mane sprha-hina
Grant me your mercy, so that I shall be,
More humble than a blade of grass.
Help me to always be, strong in adversity,
And like you, free from worldliness.
2.
sakale sammana korite sakati,
deho’ natha! jathajatha
tabe to’ gaibo, hari-nama-sukhe,
aparadha ha ‘be hata
Pray give to me the strength, to show due deference,
To every living entity.
Then chanting joyfully, the name of Lord Hari,
From all offense shall I be free.
3.
kabe heno krpa, labhiya e jana,
krtartha hoibe, natha!
sakti-buddhi-hina, ami ati dina,
koro’ more atma-satha
When shall I finally, gain your great mercy,
so my life shall know all success?
Without wisdom or strength, dropped into darkest depths,
as your servant let me be blessed.
4.
jogyata-vicare, kichu nahi pai,
tomara karuna-sara
karuna na hoile, kandiya kandiya,
prana na rakhibo ara
You will not see in me, any good quality,
other than your causeless mercy.
Bereft of your mercy, I will weep endlessly,
until at last my life leaves me.
Permalink Comments • Edit
08.01.08
Arunodaya Kirtan
Posted in Bhajans at 8:54 pm by Krishna Dharma
Arunodaya-kirtana – Kirtana songs to be sung at dawn (from Gltavali)
‘Udila Aruna’
1
As the redness of sunrise tinges the skies,
Crest jewel of the brahmins Gaura does arise,
And with his devotees he crosses the land,
To chant and dance on sankirtan.
2
The clash of the karatalas rings out rhythmically.
While the drums are beaten in sweet harmony.
With jingling foot bells, in full ecstasy,
Gauranga glows brilliantly
3
Mukunda, Madhava, Yadava, Hari,
Lord Gaura calls out to the people he sees.
Stop spending your lives in illusion and sleep,
on your lips these names always keep.
4
Blessed with the boon of a rare human body;
you waste such a wonderful chance to be free.
Just worship the boy dear to Yashoda’s heart,
or in great grief this life depart.
5
Rising and setting the sun snatches swiftly
the time you spend searching for wealth ardently.
Why then are you lazy to serve sincerely
the lord of endless ecstasy?
6
This life is a source of all sorts of sorrow,
and that it will end we must certainly know.
Seek shelter therefore in the name of Hari,
whilst doing your daily duty.
7
The nectar-like name of the Lord has thus come
into this bleak world to bless everyone.
It shines in the heart like the brilliant sun,
destroying our dark delusion
8
Relishing the rapture of Krishna’s pure name
does Bhaktivinoda his sublime bliss proclaim.
Within all the worlds nothing else will be found
more precious than that sacred sound.
Jiv Jago
1
Wake up sleeping souls, loudly calls Lord Chaitanya.
You’ve languished too long in the lap of witch Maya.
2
“I’ll worship you Krishna”, in the womb did you vow,
but in ignorance you forget that promise now.
3
To save you from all sorrow I did here descend,
within this dark world who else can you call a friend?
4
To remedy the illness of all illusion
please take from me the maha mantra medicine
5
Thus Bhaktivinoda fell flat before Lord Krishna
respectfully receiving the maha mantra.
Permalink Comments • Edit
11.24.07
Jagannathastakam
Posted in Bhajans at 10:08 pm by Krishna Dharma
SRI JAGANNATHASTAKAM
(Said to be composed by Lord Chaitanya)
Hear it sung here
1)
kadacit kalindi-tata-vipina-sangitaka-ravo
mudabhiri-nari-vadana-kamalasvada-madhupah
rama-sambhu-brahmamara-pati-ganesarcita-pado
jagannathah svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me
With songs and sweet music, strolling gaily through groves, by the Kalindi.
A bee seeking nectar from the lotus-like faces of the gopis.
Praising him are Shiva, Brahma, Indra, Ganesh and Goddess Lakshmi.
Jagannatha Swami, Lord of all beings, be visible to me.
2)
bhuje savye venum sirasi sikhi-puccham kati-tate
dukulam netrante sahacara-kataksam vidadhate
sada srimad-vrndavana-vasati-lila-paricayo
jagannathah svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me
Sporting fine silken cloth, peacock plumes on his head, a flute in his hand.
Sending sidelong glances at his dear devotees, who around him stand,
Most pleased with these pastimes performed in Vrindavan dhama eternally.
Jagannatha Swami, Lord of all beings, be visible to me.
3)
mahambhodhes tire kanaka-rucire nila-sikhare
vasan prasadantah sahaja-balabhadrena balina
subhadra-madhya-sthah sakala-sura-sevavasara-do
jagannathah svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me
Standing on the seashore, a blue-spired palace is golden glowing.
There with Balabhadra, and sister Subhadra, he is bestowing
on all pious persons his personal service opportunity.
Jagannatha Swami, Lord of all beings, be visible to me.
4)
krpa-paravarah sajala-jalada-sreni-ruciro
rama-vani-ramah sphurad-amala-pankeruha-mukhah
surendrair aradhyah sruti-gana-sikha-gita-carito
jagannathah svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me

A great sea of mercy, beautifully blackish like the thunder clouds.
A flawless full lotus, pleased by the mild anger shown by Lakshmi’s words.
Worshipped by the Vedas, the sages and the gods in sweet eulogy.
Jagannatha Swami, Lord of all beings, be visible to me.
5)
ratharudho gacchan pathi milita-bhudeva-patalaih
stuti-pradurbhavam prati-padam upakarnya sadayah
daya-sindhur bandhuh sakala jagatam sindhu-sutaya
jagannathah svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me
Brahmins present praises and prayers of pure love when he mounts his cart.
Hearing those hymns as he rides along the road he is pleased at heart.
Ocean of compassion, caring for all creatures, along with Lakshmi.
Jagannatha Swami, Lord of all beings, be visible to me.
6)
para-brahmapidah kuvalaya-dalotphulla-nayano
nivasi niladrau nihita-carano ‘nanta-sirasi
rasanando radha-sarasa-vapur-alingana-sukho
jagannathah svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me
Eyes like lotus petals, the crest jewel crowning supreme transcendence.
Feet atop Ananta, adorning Niladri; regal residence.
Ever in ecstasy, for the rapturous embrace of Radharani.
Jagannatha Swami, Lord of all beings, be visible to me.
7)
na vai yace rajyam na ca kanaka-manikya-vibhavam
na yace ‘ham ramyam sakala jana-kamyam vara-vadhum
sada kale kale pramatha-patina gita-carito
jagannathah svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me
Most certainly I ask not for a kingdom, gold, gems or great riches.
Nor do I desire a beautiful wife, as any man wishes.
I long for only he, of whom Shiva ever sings the great glory
Jagannatha Swami, Lord of all beings, be visible to me.
8.
hara tvam samsaram druta-taram asaram sura-pate
hara tvam papanam vitatim aparam yadava-pate
aho dine ‘nathe nihita-carano niscitam idarn
jagannathah svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me
Dear Lord of all gods please remove soon my useless life of worldliness.
Destroy my stock of sins that expands without end causing deep distress.
O Yadu Lord, surely, for the fallen and poor your two feet are free.
Jagannatha Swami, Lord of all beings, be visible to me.
The self-retrained, virtuous soul who recites these eight verses glorifying Lord Jagannatha becomes cleansed of all sins and duly proceeds to Lord Vishnu’s abode.
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11.19.07
Gaurangera duti pada
Posted in Bhajans at 8:29 pm by Krishna Dharma
Savarana Gaura Mahima
(The Glories Of Lord Gauranga )
By Narottama Das Thakur

gaurangera duti pada jar dhana sampada
se jane bhakati-rasa-sar
gaurangera madhura-lila jar karne prabesila
hrdoya mirmala bhelo tar

When Gauranga’s two lotus feet, are one’s wealth and assets complete,
one grasps the great truth of prema-bhakti.
When Gauranga’s pleasing pastimes, catch hold of the heart and the mind,
one will attain perfect purity.
je gaurangera nama loy tara hoy premodoy
tare mui jai bolihari
gauranga-gunete jhure, nitya-lila tare sphure
se jana bhakati-adhikari

He who calls out Lord Gaura’s name, feels at once the pleasure of prema.
I praise that pure person ardently.
He who weeps tears of ecstasy, on hearing of Gaura’s mercy,
shall the Lord’s loving lila soon see.
gaurangera sangi-gane nitya-siddha kori mane
se jay brajendra-suta-pas
sri-gauda-mandala-bhumi jeba jane cintamani
tara hoy braja-bhume bas
By knowing Gaura’s companions, as ever free from illusion,
one soon will live within Vrindavan.
When in Navadwipa we do dwell, seeing it to be eternal;
in truth we reside in Vraja dhama.
gaura-prema-rasarnave se tarange jeba dube
se radha-madhava-antaranga
grhe ba banete thake ha gauranga bole dake
narottama mage tara sanga

Diving deeply into the sea, of Lord Gaura’s loving mercy,
takes us to Krishna’s intimacy.
As householder or sannyasi, if Gauranga’s pure devotee,
Narottama craves your company.
Attachment to Lord Nityananda
by
Narottama das thakur
(aka. Manah Siksha – Teachings to the mind)
nitai-pada-kamala, koti-candra-susitala
je chayay jagata juray
heno nitai bine bhai, radha-krsna paite nai
drdha kori’ dharo nitair pay
The lotus feet of Lord Nitai, like ten million moons in the sky,
flood this fevered world with cool relief.
Without knowing Nitai’s mercy, Shyam and Radha we shall not see.
Hold firm his feet with firmest belief.
se sambandha nahi ja’r, brtha janma gelo ta’r
sei pasu boro duracar
nitai na bolilo mukhe, majilo samsara-sukhe
vidya-kule ki koribe tar
He who does not Nitai attain, passes his precious life in vain.
Beast-like, engrossed in sinful excess.
Never calling Nitai’s pure name, sensual without any shame.
His birth and learning are all useless.

ahankare matta hoiya, nitai-pada pasariya
asatyere satya kori mani
nitaiyer koruna habe, braje radha-krsna pabe
dharo nitai-carana du’khani
When we push Lord Nitai aside, maddened with pretension and pride,
we take the unreal to be real.
By gaining graceful Nitai’s grace, we soon see Krishna’s smiling face.
Grasp hold of Nitai’s feet with great zeal
nitaiyer carana satya, tahara sevaka nitya
nitai-pada sada koro asa
narottama boro dukhi, nitai more koro sukhi
rakho ranga-caranera pasa
Nitai’s feet stand eternally, bestowing immortality.
Pray for their shelter perpetually.
Narottam is feeling so sad, Nitai by your grace make me glad;
right by your reddish feet please keep me.
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11.01.07
Bhajahu re mana
Posted in Bhajans at 5:01 pm by Krishna Dharma
BHAJAHU RE MANA
by
GOVINDA DAS KAVIRAJ
bhajahu re mana sri-nanda-nandana
abhaya-caranaravinda re
labha manava-janama sat-sange
taroho e bhava-sindhu re
Worship Hari, dear mind, and you will quickly find,
freedom from all anxiety and fear
In this rare human birth, seek saints of highest worth,
and rise above this mournful, mortal sphere.
sita atapa bata barisana
e dina jamini jagi re
biphale sevinu krpana durajana
capala sukha-laba lagi’ re
All sorts of misery, ceaselessly trouble me,
as I stay sleepless through the day and night.
Throughout this life of pain, vile men I served in vain,
for fleeting happiness so very slight
e dhana, yaubana, putra, parijana
ithe ki ache paratiti re
kamala-dala-jala, jivana talamala
bhajahu hari-pada niti re
How can we be happy, with friends and family,
bound up in bodies transient and frail?
There is no certainty, we one more day will see,
therefore worship Lord Hari without fail.
sravana, kirtana, smarana, vandana,
pada-sevana, dasya re
pujana, sakhi-jana, atma-nivedana
govinda-dasa-abhilasa re
Hearing about Hari, chanting his great glory,
recalling him always in prayerfulness.
That I should ever be, absorbed in pure bhakti;
the deep desire of Govinda das.
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10.28.07
Sri Krishna Chaitanya Prabhu
Posted in Bhajans, Uncategorized at 9:18 am by Krishna Dharma
Savarana-sri-gaura-pada-padme
Sri Krsna Chaitanya Prabhu
A Prayer to the Lotus Feet of Sri Gauranga
By
Narottama das Thakur
(Also known as ‘Punah Prarthana’, “Praying repeatedly for the mercy of Lord Chaitanya and his devotees”)
1)
sri-krsna-caitanya prabhu doya koro more
toma bina ke doyalu jagat-samsare
Sri Krishna Chaitanya, my Lord, be merciful to me,
For who within this world of pain can more gracious be?
2)
patita-pavana-hetu tava avatara
mo sama patita prabhu na paibe ara
You descended to deliver the fallen and forlorn.
Then save me soon my Lord I pray; no worse wretch was born.
3)
ha ha prabhu nityananda, premananda sukhi
krpabalokana koro ami boro duhkhi
O my dear Lord Nityananda, full in ecstasy,
grace me with your glance and free me from my misery.
4)
doya koro sita-pati adwaita gosai
tava krpa-bale pai caitanya-nitai
O most merciful Advaita, look kindly on me,
Then Gaura and Nityananda, I shall surely see.
5)
ha ha swarup, sanatana, rupa, raghunatha
bhatta-juga, sri-jiva ha prabhu lokanatha
O six glorious Goswamis, hear my plaintive plea,
Swarup and Lokanath my lord, be gracious to me
6)
doya koro sri-acarya prabhu srinivasa
ramacandra-sanga mage narottama-dasa
Srinivasa, O great teacher, please show me mercy.
Narottam with Ramachandra, would forever be.
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10.25.07
Hari Hari Biphale
Posted in Bhajans, Uncategorized at 8:11 pm by Krishna Dharma
Here is another great favourite of Srila Prabhupada. It can be sung in a number of ragas or melodies, including for example the melody generally used for the Guru Vandana prayers. The first line should be sung separately, as a kind of crie de couer, a refrain along with the following two lines. Again, with a little practice the English verse will work with any of the melodies. Enjoy.
Ishtha-deve Vijñapti
Prayer to One’s Beloved Lord
by
Narottama das Thakur
hari hari! bifale janama gonainu
manusya-janama paiya, radha-krsna na bhajiya,
janiya suniya bisa khainu
O Lord Hari, my life has passed uselessly.
Though as a human I was born, I have not worshiped you my Lord.
Thus did I drink poison purposefully.
golokera prema-dhana, hari-nama-sankirtana,
rati na janmilo kene tay
samsara-bisanale, diba-nisi hiya jwale,
juraite na koinu upay
The treasure of Vrindavan prema, descended with the Holy name,
yet no attraction awoke within me.
The poison of worldly desire, burns my heart like blazing fire,
but I refuse to take this remedy.
brajendra-nandana jei, saci-suta hoilo sei,
balarama hoilo nitai
dina-hina jata chilo, hari-name uddharilo,
tara saksi jagai madhai
Krishna came as Gauranga, Balaram as Nityananda,
to give the nectar of the name freely.
And any fallen sinful soul, can thus find freedom eternal,
Jagai and Madhai prove this perfectly
ha ha prabhu nanda-suta, vrsabhanu-suta-juta,
koruna karoho ei-baro
narottama-dasa koy, na theliho ranga pay,
toma bine ke ache amara
O hear me please dear Lord Krishna, along with your most dear Radha,
give to me your magnanimous mercy.
Narottama dasa prays, please do not push me away,
for you Lord are my beloved only.
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10.22.07
Gauranga Bolite Habe
Posted in Bhajans, Uncategorized at 7:33 pm by Krishna Dharma
A great favourite of Prabhupada’s. He particularly wanted us to know and sing the songs of Narottama. With a little practise the English verse here works with all the standard Bengali tunes.
Gauranga Bolite Habe
by
Narottama das Thakur
gauranga’ bolite habe pulaka-sarira
‘hari hari’ bolite nayane ba’ be nira
When will I quake with ecstasy
when chanting Gaura’s name?
And when, calling Hari Hari,
will I weep without shame?
ara kabe nitai-cander karuna hoibe
samsara-basana mora kabe tuccha ha’be
When will Nitaicandra bestow
on me his great mercy?
So all my worldly wants and woe
shall cease to trouble me.
visaya chadiya kabe suddha ha’be mana
kabe hama herabo sri-vrndavana

When shall at last my mind be free
from all mundane desire?
For then I shall Vrindavan see.
What fortune can be higher?
rupa-raghunatha-pade hoibe akuti
kabe hama bujhabo se yugala-piriti

When will I study eagerly
the six great Goswamis?
for then I will know perfectly
divine pastimes of bliss.
ei chaya gosai yara-mui tara dasa
tan’-sabara pada-renu mora panca-grasa

I shall but serve that person who
serves the six Goswamis.
And I shall have as my best food
dust from his holy feet.
Permalink Comments • Edit
10.20.07
Manasa Deha Geha
Posted in Bhajans, Uncategorized at 7:37 am by Krishna Dharma
manasa, deho, geho, jo kichu mor
arpilu tuwa pade, nanda-kisor!
Body, mind and family, all that I own,
Nanda Kishor my Lord, I offer you alone.
sampade vipade, jivane-marane
day mama gela, tuwa o-pada barane
Prosperity or penury, in life or in death,
I never will worry with you as my breath.
marobi rakhobi-jo iccha tohara
nitya-dasa prati tuwa adhikara
Whether I live or die Lord, choose as you will.
For my place is ever your wish to fulfil.
janmaobi moe iccha jadi tor
bhakta-grhe jani janma hau mor
If by your behest, I be born again,
I pray that your pure servant’s house I attain.
kita-janma hau jatha tuwa das
bahir-mukha brahma janme nahi as
Born as a worm in your bhakta’s abode,
is better than a Brahma, forgetful and proud.
bhukti-mukti-sprha vihina je bhakta
labhaite tako sanga anurakta
I long but to always be in the company
of your sinless servants, who praise you purely.
janaka, janani, dayita, tanay
prabhu, guru, pati-tuhu sarva-moy
Father, mother, lover, guide, son and protector,
you to me are everything, forever my Lord.
bhakativinoda kohe, suno kana!
radha-natha! tuhu hamara parana
Bhaktivinoda prays, please Krishna hear me,
you are my life and soul Lord, eternally.
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10.14.07
Sri Damodarastakam
Posted in Bhajans, Uncategorized at 7:47 am by Krishna Dharma
Here is the Damodarastakam. I have endeavoured to render it into eight English verses that can be sung to the standard tune. In doing so I have worked from the literal word for word translation. Much of the translation found in ISKCON songbooks is an unpacking of Satyavrata Muni’s expressions drawn from the Bhagavatam. However, to try and repack that into eight English verses presents an impossible task, so I have had to settle for the straight translation. I hope it conveys enough of the wonderful meaning of these prayers. Sung in conjunction with the original Sanskrit, I believe it helps English readers (not fluent in Sanskrit) to go at least a little more deeply into the bhava. I pray that I may not have missed any of the essential meaning, or worse still, allowed any rasabhasa to enter. Please do not hesitate to point out any such aberrations if you should see them.
SRI DAMODARASTAKA
(found in the Padma Purana of Krsna Dvaipayana Vyasa, spoken by Satyavrata Muni in a conversation with Narada Muni and Saunaka Rsi.)
“In the month of Kartika one should worship Lord Damodara and daily recite the prayer known as Damodarastaka, which has been spoken by the sage Satyavrata and which attracts Lord Damodara.” (Sri Hari-bhakti-vilasa 2.16.198)
(1)
namamisvaram sac-cid-ananda-rupam
lasat-kundalam gokule bhrajamanam
yasoda-bhiyolukhalad dhavamanam
paramrstam atyantato drutya gopya
I bow down to Damodara, the form of full joy,
eternity and wisdom, within Vrindavan.
Whose shining earrings swung as he so swiftly ran
from mother Yashoda who caught that naughty boy.
(2)
rudantam muhur netra-yugmam mrjantam
karambhoja-yugmena satanka-netram
muhuh svasa-kampa-trirekhanka-kantha-
sthita-graivam damodaram bhakti-baddham

Captured by Yashoda, crying repeatedly,
he rubs his reddish eyes with his trembling hands.
On his conchlike neck his necklace shakes as he pants.
I bow down to Damodara, bound but by bhakti
(3)
itidrk sva-lilabhir ananda-kunde
sva-ghosam nimajjantam akhyapayantam
tadiyesita-jnesu bhaktair jitatvam
punah prematas tam satavrtti vande
Thus bathing Gokula in a great lake of bliss;
he shows love defeats him, devoid of reverence.
Conquered only by those in complete confidence,
I offer him unlimited loving praises.
(4)
varam deva moksam na moksavadhim va
na canyam vrne ‘ham varesad apiha
idam te vapur natha gopala-balam
sada me manasy avirastam kim anyaih

I beg not from you Lord, who can grant any boon,
even liberation or life in your abode.
Let memories of Gopala be ever bestowed,
for what other favour offers such great fortune?
(5)
idam te mukhambhojam atyanta-nilair
vrtam kuntalaih snigdha-raktais ca gopya
muhus cumbitam bimba-raktadharam me
manasy avirastam alam laksa-labhaih
Your dark, crimson hued curls encircle your face,
lovely like a lotus, with lips of ruby red;
kissed by Yashoda; within my mind be seated.
A billion other boons could not grant such grace
(6)
namo deva damodarananta visno
prasida prabho duhkha-jalabdhi-magnam
krpa-drsti-vrstyati-dinam batanu
grhanesa mam ajnam edhy aksi-drsyah
O Damodara, Ananta, O almighty Vishnu,
I fall down prostrate, pray be pleased upon me.
Blinded and sinking in a sea of misery,
grace me with your glance that I shall ever see you.
(7)
kuveratmajau baddha-murtyaiva yadvat
tvaya mocitau bhakti-bhajau krtau ca
tatha prema-bhaktim svakam me prayaccha
na mokse graho me ‘sti damodareha
Dear Damodara, the sons of Kuvera you saved,
while a baby, by breaking the trees they became.
As you granted them prema, pray grant me the same,
I want not salvation, your love alone I crave.
(8)
namas te ‘stu damne sphurad-dipti-dhamne
tvadiyodarayatha visvasya dhamne
namo radhikayai tvadiya-priyayai
namo ‘nanta-lilaya devaya tubhyam
I bow down to the bright rope that binds your belly,
within which the cosmos is completely contained.
To your beloved Radha I bow yet again,
and to you the hero who plays wonderfully.
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10.11.07
Jaya Radha Madhava
Posted in Bhajans, Uncategorized at 6:24 am by Krishna Dharma
Jaya radha-madhava kunja-bihari
gopi-jana-vallabha giri-vara-dhari
jasoda-nandana, braja-jana-ranjana,
jamuna-tira-vana-cari
Praise to the Lord’s loving pastimes within Vrindavan
With Radha and with all the cherished cowherd maidens
Yashoda’s dear son and the holder of Govardhana
Seen always strolling by the Yamuna
In groves and gardens, enchanting Vraja
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10.05.07
Gaura Arti
Posted in Bhajans, Uncategorized at 7:00 pm by Krishna Dharma
Here is Bhaktivinoda Thakur’s blissful arti song. A vision of pure ecstasy.
GAURA ARTI
jaya jaya goracander aratiko sobha
jahnavi-tata-vane jaga-mana-lobha
All glories to Lord Gauranga’s greatly gorgeous arati.
Attracting all living beings, by the sacred Jahnavi.
Gaurange arotik sobha, jaga jana mana lobha (refrain)
Gauranga’s glorious arti, attracts all living entities
daksine nitai-cand, vame gadadhara
nikate advaita, srinivasa chatra-dhara
By his right side stands Nityananda, by his left is Gadadhara,
In front Advaita and Srivasa, bearing an umbrella.
vosiyache goracand ratna-simhasane
arati korena brahma-adi deva-gane
On a golden throne of jewels sits the glorious Gaura,
While the devas offer worship headed by Lord Brahma.
narahari-adi kori’ camara dhulaya
sanjaya-mukunda-vasu-ghos-adi gaya
Narahari and companions cool the Lord with bright white fans
Mukunda, Vasugosh and Sanjay, sing the sweetest sankirtan.
sankha baje ghanta baje baje karatala
madhura mrdanga baje parama rasala
The sound of conch and karatalas, blends with bells and beating drums.
Making thus a melody, that most beautiful becomes.
Sankha baje ghanta baje, madhur madhur madhur baje (refrain)
Conch and karatal, drums and bells, how sweet is the sound that swells
bahu-koti candra jini’ vadana ujjvala
gala-dese vana-mala kore jhalamala
Gauranga’s brilliant beauty, conquers millions of moons
His garland of forest flowers shines like the proudest plumes
siva-suka-narada preme gada-gada
bhakativinoda dekhe gorara sampada
Shiva, Shuka and Narada, are all choked with ecstasy
Thus does Bhakativinoda, see Lord Gaura’s great glory
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10.01.07
Tulasi Arti
Posted in Bhajans, Uncategorized at 2:31 pm by Krishna Dharma
Here are the very beautiful prayers to Tulasi.
Sri Tulasi Kirtan
namo namah tulasi! krsna-preyasi
radha-krsna-seva pabo ei abhilasi
Obeisance to you, Tulasi loved by Lord Krishna, Obeisance to you. (refrain)
Serving Radha Krishna is, all that I desire to do.
je tomara sarana loy, tara vancha purna hoy
krpa kori’ koro tare brndavana-basi
He who seeks your shelter finds, all his wishes satisfied.
For by your boundless mercy he, will in Vrindavan soon reside
mor ei abhilas, bilas kunje dio vas
nayane heribo sada jugala-rupa-rasi
Thus my wish is that you place, me in Vraja’s pleasure groves
So I shall forever see, the Lord’s sublime pastimes of love
ei nivedana dharo, sakhir anugata koro
seva-adhikara diye koro nija dasi
I beg your mercy that I may, follow the gopis faithfully,
Make me your maidservant and bless, me with the boon of pure bhakti.
dina krsna-dase koy, ei jena mora hoy
sri-radha-govinda-preme sada jena bhasi
This poor servant of Krishna prays, that I may forever stay,
Deep within the swelling sea, of the Lord’s loving ecstasy.
vrndayai tulasi-devyai
priyayai kesavasya ca
visnu-bhakti-prade devi
satya vatyai namo namah
All respect to Vrindadevi
Tulasi loved by Lord Vishnu
O goddess who bestows bhakti,
the highest truth resides in you.
yani kani ca papani
brahma-hatyadikani ca
tani tani pranasyanti
pradaksinah pade pade
By this circumambulation
around the sacred tulasi plant,
from all of our sinful trangressions
she soon will full freedom grant.
09.29.07
Namas te Narasimha
Posted in Bhajans, Uncategorized at 8:16 am by Krishna Dharma
Pressing on with my attempt to render the standard temple songs and better known bhajans into an English equivalent, here are the prayers to Lord Nrsingha. Again, with just a little practise you will find that it can be sung to the normal tune. What we do in my house is first sing each verse of these songs in their original language, and then sing the English verse straight after. We do find it helpful to have some understanding of the song as we sing it.
namas te narasimhaya
prahladahlada-dayine
hiranyakashipor vaksaha
shila-tanka-nakhalaye

To Lord Nrsingha my respect.
Who to Prahlad gives all pleasure.
Whose steel-like nails swiftly dissect
the stone-like chest of Prahlad’s father.
ito nrisimhah parato nrisimho
yato yato yami tato nrisimhah
bahir nrisimho hrdaye nrisimho
nrisimham adim sharanam prapadye
Nrsingha is here and Nrsingha is there,
Nrsingha our Lord exists everywhere.
Within and without, our supreme shelter,
To Nrsingha our source we surrender.
tava kara-kamala vare
nakham adbhuta-shringam
dalita-hiranyakashipu-tanu bhrigam
keshava dhrita-narahari-rupa
jaya jagadisha hare
O lion-headed lord of the universe,
Who crushed the wasp-like demon,
With your bright nails, Hiranyakashipu, the world’s curse.
Praise to Nrshingha, your ferocious form, Keshava the Supreme one.
Permalink Comments • Edit
09.26.07
Ohe Vaishnava Thakur
Posted in Bhajans, Uncategorized at 2:31 pm by Krishna Dharma
Here is a beautiful song by the great Vaishnava acharya Bhaktivinoda. Again, the translation can be sung to the original Bengali melody. You can hear that melody by going here
OHE VAISHNAVA THAKUR
By
Bhaktivinoda Thakur
ohe! vaisnaba thakura, doyara sagara,
e dase koruna kori’
diya pada-chaya, sodho he amaya,
tomara carana dhori
O saintly Vaishnava, ocean of mercy, be merciful to me, your servant.
Give me shelter at your feet, free me from conceit, to follow you is all that I shall want.
chaya bega domi, chaya dosa sodhi
chaya guna deho’ dase
chaya sat-sanga, deho’ he amare,
boshechi sangera ase
Teach me self control, rectify my wrongs, bless me with the best of qualities.
Let me always be, in the company, of the Lord’s pure devotees.
ekaki amara, nahi paya bala,
hari-nama-sankirtane
tumi krpa kori: sraddha-bindu diya,
deho’ krsna-nama-dhane
Alone I lack the strength, hardly have I hope, to chant with love Lord Krishna’s holy name.
Grant me thus your grace, a fragment of your faith, so I shall that greatest treasure gain.
krsna se tomara, krsna dite paro,
tomara sakati ache
ami to’ kangala, ‘krsna ‘krsna ‘boli’,
dhai tava pache pache
The Lord belongs to you, held ever in your heart, your blessing can bestow him upon me.
Calling Krishna Krishna, I follow at your feet, crying for your causeless charity.
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09.22.07
Narottamadas Thakur’s Lament
Posted in Bhajans, Uncategorized at 9:48 pm by Krishna Dharma
Here is an English translation that can be sung to the usual melody. I have taken the liberty of adding a verse to Srila Prabhupada. By special request I have also added a verse glorifying his disciple Hladini mataji.
Sapârshada-bhagavad-viraha-janita-vilâpa
Lamentation Due to Separation from the Lord and His Associates
je anilo prema-dhana koraun pracur
heno prabhu kotha gela acarya-thakur
Srinivasa, saint full of mercy, sea of compassion.
Who gave the treasure of divine love, where now have you gone?
kaha mora swarup rupa kaha sanatan
kaha dasa raghunatha patita-paban
Where is Swarupa, where is Rupa, where is Sanatan?
Where is Ragunatha dasa, who saves the fallen man?
kaha mora bhatt-juga kaha kabiraj
eka-kale kotha gela gora nata-raj
Where now are both blessed Bhattas, where is Krishnadas?
To where did dancing Lord Gauranga so suddenly pass?
pasane kutibo matha anale pasibo
gauranga gunera nidhi kotha gele pabo
I will smash my head on stone, and into fire fall,
For the glorious Gauranga can’t be found at all
se-saba sangira sange je koilo bilas
se-sanga na paiya kande narottama das
Without my loving Lord Gauranga and close companions
Narottama sheds tears of sorrow, feeling all alone.
(Prabhupada, eternal master, ocean of mercy,
without you this world will always seem dark and empty)
(Prabhupada’s devoted daughter, dearest Hladini
Gone so soon, a hidden jewel, hardly we could see.)
Permalink Comments • Edit
09.13.07
Sri Sri Gurvastakam
Posted in Bhajans at 5:00 pm by Krishna Dharma
samsara-davanala-lidha-loka-
tranaya karunya-ghanaghanatwam
praptasya kalyana-gunarnavasya
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
Within this fire of worldly existence
The guru’s mercy falls like a cooling rain
drawn from the Lord to extinguish all our pain
To his auspicious feet I pay obeisance
mahapraboh kirtana-nritya-gita-
vaditra-madyan-manaso rasena
romancha-kampashru-taranga-bhajo
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
In divine bliss he trembles, chants and dances
With streams of tears and instruments in hand
Enthused by Lord Chaitanya’s sankirtan
To his auspicious feet I pay obeisance
sri- vigraharadhana-nitya-nana
shringaira-tan-mandira-marjanadau
yuktasya bhaktamsh cha niyunjato pi
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
Dressing the deities in full resplendence,
He cleans their temple in total reverence
Engaging us in such subservience
To his auspicious feet I pay obeisance
chatur-vidha-sri-bhagavat-prasada-
swadv-anna-triptan hari-bhakta-sanghan
kritwaiva triptim bhajatah sadaiva
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
Offering Krishna foodstuff in abundance
Of every type and taste ambrosial
Pleased when the prasadam is placed before all
To his auspicious feet I pay obeisance
sri-radhika-madhavayor apara-
madhurya-lila-guna-rupa-namnam
prati-kshanaswadana-lolupasya
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
Eager to hear of Radha Krishna’s romance
and ever speak of their supreme splendour
Aspiring to be in this always absorbed
To his auspicious feet I pay obeisance
nikunja-yuno rati-keli-siddhyai
ya yalibhir yuktir apekshaniya
tatrati-dakshyad ati-vallabhasya
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
Dear to the Lord for his expert assistance
Shown to the gopis in their affairs of love
With Radha Krishna within Vrindavan’s groves
To his auspicious feet I pay obeisance
sakshad-dharitvena samasta-shastrair
uktas tatha bhavyata eva sadbhihi
kintu prabhor yah priya eva tasya
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
Worthy of worship in highest exultance
Declared divine by all authority
Due to the Lord’s loving proximity
To his auspicious feet I pay obeisance
yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado
yasyaprasadan na gatih kuto ‘pi
dhyayan stuvams tasya yashas trisandhyam
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
By his grace we gain divine benevolence
Without his grace no progress can be made
Always I offer him all accolade
To his auspicious feet I pay obeisance
Vishvanatha Chakravarti Thakur says, “One who, with great care and attention, loudly recites this beautiful prayer to the spiritual master during the Brahma-muhurta obtains direct service to Krsna, the Lord of Vrndavana, at the time of his death.”
Permalink Comments • Edit
09.09.07
Radhika Stava
Posted in Bhajans at 8:42 pm by Krishna Dharma
radhe jaya jaya madhava-dayite
gokula-taruni-mandala-mahite
(refrain)
Radha loved by Lord Madhava all praise to you
The gopis of Gokula, all of them worship you
damodara-rati-vardhana-vese
hari-niskuta-vrnda-vipinese
Dressing so Damodara feels for you more love
O queen of Vrindavan, Lord Hari’s pleasure grove
vrsabhanudadhi-nava-sasi-lekhe
lalita-sakhi guna-ramita-visakhe
Full moon from the ocean of King Vrishabhanu
Lalita and Vishaka delight in your virtue
karunam kuru mayi karuna-bharite
sanaka-sanatana-varnita-carite
Compassionate Radha I beg for your mercy
Sanaka and Sanatan declare your divinity
Permalink Comments • Edit
09.08.07
Vaisnava bhajans
Posted in Bhajans at 9:07 pm by Krishna Dharma
I am trying to convert Gaudiya Vaishnava bhajans into English songs that can be sung in their usual Bengali tunes. My hope is that this will better enable English speakers to enter the bhava of the song, which is quite difficult when you don’t really know what the words mean as you sing them.
Here’s one, the Guru Vandana, which is sung each morning to Srila Prabhupada in ISKCON temples.
sri-guru-carana-padma, kevala-bhakati-sadma,
bando mui savadhana mate
Dear Prabhupada, your lotus feet – are the only way to pure bhakti.
I bow to them with care and reverence.
jahara prasade bhai, e bhava toriya jai,
krsna-prapti hoy jaha ha’te
By your grace and great mercy – we cross the sea of misery.
Gaining Lord Krishna’s loving presence.
guru-mukha-padma-vakya, cittete koriya aikya,
ar na koriho mane asa
My only wish is that my heart – is purified by truths you impart;
releasing me from all ignorance.
sri-guru-carane-rati, ei se uttama-gati,
je prasade pure sarva asa
Attachment to your lotus feet – makes life’s perfection complete.
Granting my desires in abundance
cakhu-dan dilo jei, janme janme prabhu sei
divya-jnan hrde prokasito
You open wide my long closed eyes, making me divinely wise.
You are my lord birth after birth.
prema-bhakti jaha hoite, avidya vinasa jate,
vede gay jahara carito
You emanate pure ecstasy – and from my darkness I am freed.
The Vedas sing of your virtue and worth.
Sri-guru karuna-sindhu, adhama janara bandhu
lokanath lokera jivana
You are a sea of boundless grace -the poor and fallen you embrace.
O lord and master of the devotees.
ha ha prabhu kora doya, deho more pada chaya
ebe jasa ghusuk tribhuvana
(prabhupada patita pavana!)
My lord be merciful to me – at your feet pray let me be.
Let your fame be spread endlessly.
Prabhupada you set the fallen free
Prabhupada I sing of your glory.

Gita verse-by-verse Podcast

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Ramanujacarya, of the Sri Sampradaya, was born in India during the year 1017 A.D. His parents were Asuri Keshava and Kantimati, both from aristocratic families. Ramanjua passed his childhood days in Shriperumbudur, the village of his birth. At the age of 16 he was married to Rakshakambal.

Ramanuja presented the living entities’ relationship with Godhead as being one of eternal service. Once having reached the Vaikuntha world, the soul engages in eternal service to the Supreme Person, Narayana (Vishnu). This sublime message was daily imparted by Ramanuja to his listeners.

Although he lived for many years as a successful householder, Ramanuja was destined to accept the path of renunciation. Eventually he took up the renounced order of life, sannyasa, by going before the Deity in the Temple and praying to be exclusively engaged in the service of Godhead.

Ramanuja continued living at Sri Rangam, serving the Deity of Narayana and imparting enlightenment to whoever came to him until he was 120 years old.

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 30 August 2009)

What benefit will renunciation alone give us? Simply by fasting, simply by giving up the world will we get the mercy of Krsna?

No! By embracing devotional service to Krsna is how we will get the mercy of Krsna. But in the course of that service, there is so much to renounce. Within the course of devotional service to Krsna we have to give up so many things but separate renunciation is not required. It is not that he who eats less than everyone else and he who sleeps less than anyone else will he please Krsna the most? No.

Krsna says in Bhagavad-gita, “The devotee who is preaching my glories, he is most dear to me.” YES!
Glorifying Krsna remains the activity that attracts the most mercy of Krsna.

Deity Worship Ministry seminar Part 1

“Simply Wonderfuls for a simply wonderful spiritual master!”
Rupa-vilasa: We were spending a little time with Prabhupada’s God-brother Krsna das Babaji Maharaj with whom he had a very affectionate relationship.
He was telling us the story of Prabhupada’s taking sannyas and he said,
“The ceremony was going on. With Kesava Maharaj overseeing and conducting the initiation, Narayana Maharaj was chanting the mantras and I was doing bhajan. But as is my habit I got a little too loud.
“So Kesava Maharaj was making a gesture with his hand palm down as if to say, "Not so loud.” Krsna das Babaji said, “And as soon as he would turn his head, your Prabhupada would go like this.” (turning his palm up indicating to chant louder).

“Then Krsna das Babaji laughed as he always did and he said, “It was then that I knew he would be the leader of the Hare Krishna movement.”

Years later in Dallas when the main airport was Love Field we were escorting Prabhupada through the airport terminal with a roaring kirtan.

I took over the kirtan and began leading but as we entered the main terminal I thought,

“Okay, I’d better bring this kirtan to a close.”

Because all the people were looking really startled and I started to wind down the kirtan the way you do by signaling the mridangas.

Prabhupada saw what I was going to do and he immediately looked at me and made the same gesture with his hand palm up conducting me to continue with the loud kirtan.

I was realizing that chanting was Prabhupada’s life and soul under all circumstances.

There was a room full of Indian visitors in Vrindavan and Kundali was fanning Prabhupada with the chamara.

All of a sudden the door burst open and it was Vishal and Vishalani carrying platters of Simply Wonderfuls.

At the top of his voice he announced as he burst through the door,

"Simply Wonderfuls for a simply wonderful spiritual master!”

Prabhupada started grinning because he was often highly entertained by Vishal.

Then Vishal and his wife went around distributing Simply Wonderfuls to everybody in the room.

Vishal then took one of Prabhupada’s books off the shelf, opened it up and began to glorify Prabhupada and all of his books and his writing and what a fantastic personality Prabhupada was.

Then he went around and distributed books to the people in the room and got donations.

Kundali was describing that his mind was completely blown by all of this because he’d never seen anybody act like this around Prabhupada.

Then Vishal finished up his little book distribution excursion.

Prabhupada the whole time was just smiling, nodding his head and then Vishal said to Prabhupada on his was out, “Prabhupada, just one thing.”

“Yes?” He said, “I haven’t got Srimad-Bhagavatam 7th Canto Part 3 yet. Can I borrow yours?”

Prabhupada said, “Take it!”

Whenever Prabhupada would circumambulate the temple in the morning in Vrindavan, Vishal would be standing with his hands folded chanting prayers from the Bhagavatam and then give the English translations.

On this particular morning there was water on the temple steps because it had just rained.

Prabhupada just snapped at Vishal and said, “Do something practical,” “Clean this up.” (laughs)

So that was his response to the glorification.

Prabhupada ordered him to do some cleaning.

—Rupa-vilasa
.
.
Excerpt from “Memories-Anecdotes of a Modern-Day Saint”
by Siddhanta das

Srila Ramanujacarya and Mayapur.
HG Jananivas Prabhu: Tomorrow is the disappearance of Srila Ramanujacarya. I will speak a little bit on his relationship with Mayapur dham. He visited Puri with his disciples. He was conquering the whole of India with his philosophy visistadvaita-vada. He was conquering and at that time he was in Puri and he was questioning the pundits that the system of worship recommended in Kali Yuga is pancaratrika worship but you all are using vaidiki worship because vaidiki worship, tantric worship. Pancaratriki worship is slightly in between. It is a mixture of both. Vaidiki worship consists of lots of long mantras, tantric, lots of rituals and things like that.

Pancaratriki worship is a little different or in between. So he said that, “It is recommended in kali Yuga that that Pancaratriki worship should go on. So you should change.” They got upset with him. The pundits became very, very scared. He was a very, very powerful personality at that time. He was influencing everyone. So the king also said, “You have to do something.” So the pundits prayed to Lord Jagannath “He is trying to change our seva.” So Jagannath was very old and he had the same seva going for long. Maybe He didn’t like changes also. (People don’t like changes when they get old.) Anyway he said, “Better you leave here.” He followed the Ramanujacarya seva.

He woke up in the morning and he wasn’t in Puri anymore. He was in … miles and miles away. Anyway Bhaktivinode Thakur mentions in the Navadvip Dham Mahatmya that actually Jagannath spoke to him. He said, “Anyway leave things as they are. But you should go and visit Mayapura – very special abode, Navadvip – My very favoured abode. You should go there. Then he woke up in Navadvip that next day. Then Jagannath spoke to him and said, “This is My eternal abode that has descended by the influence of My inconceivable potency. There is no place of maya here. This is the spiritual realm here. Here I appeared in the form of Lord Gauranga. I am teaching pure devotional service.”

Ramanujacarya said, “I have heard this name of Gauranga. It is there in scripture but it is kind of secret. Now You are speaking about it I can understand where it is all coming from. There are so many statements in the sastra about Gauranga’s appearance but it is all kept secret. Now I can understand what all this means.”

Then the Lord appeared to him as his worshipable Lords Laxmi narayan. So he was in ecstasy. Then Lord Narayan – they disappeared and They became Gauranga. He saw this beautiful form as Lord Gauranga. He said, “This is that form.” So he said, “Now I understand what the sastras are saying. It happens in Kali Yuga. So now I am going to go out and preach pure unalloyed devotional service to Krishna in these different mellows of Vrindavan. Just order me, just order me, I am ready to go conquer.”

Lord Jagannath said, “No, no, no. When I come I will do that. For the time being you cultivate and preach up to dasya rasa. Within your heart you can worship Me as your lover but you preach up to dasya rasa. When I come then I will present this.” He said, “I must be here when you perform Your pastimes.” So the Lord gave him the benediction that he would be here. So he appeared as Sri Ananta in Gauranga’s pastimes. He is also an incarnation of Anantasesa. It is also said it the Navadvip Dham Mahatmya that Anantasesa, Nagaraj went to see Visnu and he was offering so many prayers to the Lord. Then he said, “You are showed me so many of Your forms. You revealed to me so many things. Now I would like to see that form of Radha and Krishna, that original form.” He had gone to Svetadvip.

Lord Visnu said, “What are you asking Ananta? Even I can’t see Radha and Krishna’s pastimes. Brahma has to perform tapasya for hundred years and you are asking. After all you are a snake. You are not very intelligent. But if you are asking this question i can understand you must be the greatest devotee. Anyway you have to go to Navadvip then you will be able to understand.” If you understand the Lord’s form as Gauranga then you will be able to understand what is Radha and Krishna. Then he came here and had the darsan as Gauranga.

Lord Gauranga also instructed him that, “When I perform My pastimes you will also take birth there as the large bodied….. anybody knows?” Member from audience answers: Jai Nitai!] Jai Nitai. Nityananda Prabhu. Lord Nityananda Prabhu Ki! Jai! He is an incarnation of Nityananda Prabhu and Anantadev. So He appears here as Lord Nityananda Prabhu in the pastimes.

Our proposition is to the Ramanujacarya followers because they are very, very strong, especially in South India they are prominent, purifying all of the world actually. It is mentioned in the Bhagavatam that when pure devotees appear in South India they then maintain the pure principles of bhakti. So there are many followers of Ramanujacarya. So our proposition to them is that now your worship of the Lord as Ramanujacarya. All his followers need to follow His latest incarnation. That was many hundreds of years ago that he appeared as Ramanujacarya. Now He has appeared in Navadvip in the lasts incarnation as Nityananda Prabhu. So you should all actually follow Nityananda Prabhu. And He taught all to chant: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. And worship Radha and Krishna. The proposition – evidence is there from sastra. Vedic evidence is there. So if you are living in South India then you can convert all the Ramanujas to become followers of Mahaprabhu. Even if they worship Laxmi Narayan they will go back to Godhead very quickly because of that by the mercy of Panca-Tattva. Ramanuja Mahasayi Ki Jai.

“Prthu Maharaja then offered the total designation of the living entity unto the supreme controller of illusory energy. Being released from all the designations by which the living entity became entrapped, he became free by knowledge and renunciation and by the spiritual force of his devotional service. In this way, being situated in his original constitutional position of Krsna consciousness, he gave up this body as a prabhu, or controller of the senses.” [SB 4.23.18]

They asked Srila Prabhupada how can Sri Caitanya say that: trnad api sunicena taror api sahisnuna amanina manadena kirtaniyah sada harih [ [Cc. Adi 17.31]

How can he say that, “I am lower than a blade of grass.” He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He is not lower than a blade of grass. Prabhupada said He could say that because He understood that I am one ten thousand the size of the tip of the hair. (Which He is not.) The soul is considered one ten thousand the tip of the hair. We are all one ten thousand the tip of the hair. Everything is emanating or coming from Krishna. He is the Supreme source of everything. So He is not one tenth thousand the tip of a hair.

Prabhupada said, “He is playing as a bhakta but He is actually believing that, “I am one ten thousand the size of the tip of the hair.” Therefore ayi nanda tanuja kinkaram, he can pray with such feeling, such devotion. He is understanding… So this is Mahaprabhu setting the example. … impossible for the people of Kali yuga. So this is the example. We have to follow this example then we will also get the results of these examples, being situated in our constitutional position – Krishna consciousness and free from designation. This is the beginning of spiritual life, situated properly in the svarup – our original constitutional position, waking up our real identity.

Vrinda devi is svarupa-stho. [As mentioned in the verse above.] They tried to move her from Kamyavana. She just sat there. They wanted to take Vrnda devi to Jaipur. They stopped at Kamyavan and tried to move her but nobody could lift her. She remained there fixed. That is happening there in Vrindavan. The description of Vrindadevi is given by Rupa Goswami in Radha Krishna Ganadesa Dipika. She is always immersed in love for Radha and Krishna. She is always helping to arrange for Their meetings and she is always trying to assist Their transcendental pastimes. So this is her fixed consciousness. It is fixed on her service to Radha and Krishna. It is not her love for Radha and Krishna or my love for Krishna. We have to love. It is me and Krishna. It is not exactly my love for Krishna but it is Krishna. Krishna’s love for Radha and Radha’s love for Krishna. This is important. My love for Krishna is not so important. It is Raha’s love for Krishna that is important.

So there devotees are assisting to enhance Radha and Krishna’s love and not my relationship or my love for Krishna above Hers. She is shy. This is their attitude. They simply want Radha and Krishna’s love. They are assisting in that loving relationship… Rukmini Devi Dasi made a very wonderful statement. She said that actually the centre of creation is a love affair – It is Radha and Krishna. The centre of the creation is a love affair. That is a fact – aham sarvasya prabhavo [Bg 10.8] So it is a fact that is what is happening. This is the original feature of Godhead – Radha and Krishna whom all the other features of God come from. All the other relationships come from there. Everything comes from there.

So that is actually the centre of creation. It is a love affair and the maha mantra, Hare Krishna is the musical … for the film or the drama. You have a love story and then you have a musical theme in a movie. So Hare Krishna is the musical theme. So everyone there is chanting Hare Krishna. Actually the spiritual world is made of Hare Krishna. Prabhupada says in his explanation of Hare Krishna – Mother Hara or Radha please engage me in Your service. Radha Krishna – Hare Krishna.

So this is what the picture of Vrindvan is. Everything is assisting Radha and Krishna in Their loving exchange. Please engage me in the service of Radha. Please engage me in the service of Krishna. So everything is made of Hare Krishna in the spiritual world because that is the purpose there – simply to unite Radha and Krishna and separate Them. As soon as They are separated They can be united again and when They are united They can be separated again. So this is the picture of Vrindavan. Everybody is bringing together Radha and Krishna and then they separate Them only to bring them together.

Everything is made of Hare Krishna. Golokera prema-dhana, hari-nama-sankirtana, that is what is coming into this Navadvip. He has brought the treasure of golokera prema-dhana, hari-nama-sankirtana. What goes on in the centre of creation/ A love affair. So that is what Narada Muni actually brought – golokera prema-dhana, hari-nama-sankirtana. This is the great gift that we have in Kali Yuga.

Devotees of Ramanuja Acarya all go back to Vaikuntha after a long time but here in Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s mission in Navadvip Dham Panca-Tattva … can be done in one lifetime. Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. Srila Prabhupada Ki Jai! Nitai Gaura Premanande. Hari Haribol.

Increase your spiritual appetite!
In the Srimad-bhagavatam, Kavi Yogendra (a great sage) compares the process of bhakti yoga to eating.
When a famished person eats a good meal, she feels satisfaction, nourishment, and her hunger lessens with each bite.
In a similar way, says sage Kavi, those who worship Krsna through the process of bhakti get devotion, direct experience of the Supreme, and detachment from other things not related to Krsna.
In his remarks about this verse, Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura, the great Srimad-bhagavatam commentator says:

“Just as a person who eats a little gets a little satisfaction, a little nourishment, and a little relief from hunger, so a person who worships the Lord a little with hearing and chanting, gets a little experience of the Lord, and a little detachment from material life.”

“And just as a person who eats a lot gets full satisfaction, full nourishment and full relief from hunger, so a person who worships the Lord fully experiences the Lord fully and becomes completely detached from material life.”

Visvanatha Cakravarti adds:

“Although it is impossible to eat food continuously, one can increase his worship of the Lord without limitation. That is the difference.” (Sarartha Darsini Vol. 9, Pp. 31-32)

To increase one’s spiritual appetite, Suta Goswami says that one should serve great souls, because by rendering such service “one gains an affinity for hearing about Krsna.” (Bhag. 1.2.16)

Srila Prabhupada explains Suta Goswami’s statement thus: “By serving the servants of the Lord, one gradually gets the qualities of such servants, and thus one becomes qualified to hear the glories of the Lord.” (Bhag. 1.2.16, purport, p. 112)

According to scripture, the purpose of human life is to increase one’s hunger for hearing about Krsna.

Do something today to increase your spiritual appetite.
Vaisesika Das

“This idea of love in relation to the Supreme Person can be compared with the ‘universal love’ mentioned in many UFO communications. These communications often define the ultimate One as an impersonal energy or force. Yet love is something having to do with persons. If the One is impersonal in nature, then how can love have a truly universal role? Note that this problem does not come up in modern scientific theories. According to modern science, love is simply a recent outgrowth of hominid evolution in Africa, and it has nothing to do with ultimate causes. But if the personal quality of love is a fundamental feature of nature, then it is natural to ask how this could be. If there is a Transcendental Person behind the universe, then the answer is that the universe was crafted according to the loving intentions of that person.” Continue reading "Parallels (Alien Identities)
→ Dandavats"

Ahmedabad: Alfred Brush Ford and his wife Sharmila organized a fundraiser at Iskcon temple on Saturday evening for the ambitious Sri Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir (Temple of the Vedic Planetarium). Ford had started his Gujarat travels from February 1. It was the first state on his pan-India itinerary. Alfred is the great grandson of the founder of Ford Motor Company, Henry Ford. "Gujarat is a state blessed by Lord Krishna," Albert said at the Ahmedabad meeting. "It is a great pleasure to be here. I had been to Rajkot and Dwarka several years ago. Our collection of funds is going very well. We were ably supported by Jasumatinandan Das in the cause. We have collected over US $1 million (approximately Rs 6.72 crore) in just three days which is very encouraging." Talking about the temple project that started in 2009, Albert Ford said they are following in the footsteps of Srila Prabhupada, founder of Iskcon, who had dreamed of a spectacular temple at Mayapur as a tribute to Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. "The process started with his travels to the West and sharing his dreams to revitalize Veda and ancient culture in India," said Ford, who is chairman of the project. His wife Sharmila said that, for the first time, visitors will be able to see 3D model of the universe as explained in the Hindu scriptures. The 350-feet-high temple will show Golok Dham at the top and Patal at the bottom, Ford said. Braj Vilasa Das, director of fundraising, said that apart from personal donation of Rs 250 crore by Ford, the project has collected an additional Rs 100 crore for the temple which is expected to cost Rs 700 crore. "Around 95% of the construction for the primary structure has been done. We expect the project to be complete by 2022. An 80-feet-high Kalash will be established above the dome this March," Das said. Continue reading "Gujaratis donate over $1mn for Iskcon temple project
→ Dandavats"

Gita verse-by-verse Podcast

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by Prishni devi dasi, Richard L. Thompson Archives
*protected email*

“Now our PhDs must collaborate and study the 5th Canto to make a model for building the Vedic Planetarium” proved a mandate from Srila Prabhupada that entered deep into the heart of his disciple Sadaputa dasa, in 1976. Having received his PhD in Mathematics from Cornell University just two years prior, he would soon be inducted as one of the founding members of Prabhupada’s Bhaktivedanta Institute.

In that capacity, he devoted over 30 years researching Vedic perspectives on cosmology and the natural world, producing 9 books and numerous writings on these and a variety of other subjects while drawing upon both his scientific mathematical background and devotional experience with Gaudiya Vaisnavism. He was so appreciated amongst his peers and devotees in general that he was affectionately dubbed the ‘transcendental genius’. And in accordance with Srila Prabhupada’s above mandate he also became the principle mastermind behind the main planetarium chandelier, displays and exhibits of the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium in Sridhama Mayapur before passing away in 2008. Indeed, because of his unique accomplishments and contributions to Vedic cosmology, the planetarium wing of the TOVP has been dedicated to him.

So when the Richard L. Thompson Archives decided to get Sadaputa’s books back into print a year ago, Yamaraja and Sthita-dhi-muni, two of his assistants for many years, felt inspired to start with his principle work on cosmology, Mysteries of the Sacred Universe: The Cosmology of the Bhagavata Purana (2000), considered by many his magnum opus. Dr. Subash Kak, Computer Science Professor at Louisiana State University, noted that “Thompson presents a compelling case showing that Puranic cosmology was intended to have multiple meanings that span the terrestrial, astronomical, and spiritual planes.”

Once this first reprint became available, two more followed in rapid succession. God and Science (2004), a collection of the best of Sadaputa’s 40 BTG articles, became the next. In his foreword to the book, Dr. Sheldon R. Isenberg, former Chair of the Department of Religion at the University of Florida, described: “Thompson’s erudition, the elegance of his prose, and his deep understanding of traditional and contemporary science give a different kind of credibility to the knowledge and wisdom of our intellectual and spiritual ancestors, east and west, which they encoded into their legends, myths, and rituals. One begins to suspect that we have forgotten at least as much as we’ve discovered.”

The third book reprinted was Maya: The World as Virtual Reality (2003), in which the modern concept of ‘virtual reality’ is used as a metaphor to illustrate our present situation as conscious beings experiencing conditional life.

Next, we republished Sadaputa’s popular work, Alien Identities (1993), using the author’s original working title, Parallels: Ancient Insights into Modern UFO Phenomena. Yamaraja, who crafted most of Sadaputa’s original book covers and layouts, designed the new cover to reflect Sadaputa’s initial intention to appeal to an audience beyond the ufology genre. As Hinduism Today noted in their review: “Parallels is a mind stretcher that goes as far as the evidence can allow for UFO-type phenomena in ancient India.”

Yamaraja and Sthita-dhi-muni have now begun working on Sadaputa’s pioneering cosmological work, Vedic Cosmography and Astronomy (1990), and anticipate having it ready within a few months. Mechanistic and Nonmechanistic Science will take more time since it was originally produced prior to desktop publishing. As a result, we have nothing digital, text or layout, to work with, and will need to redo the entire project from scratch. Once volunteers become available to assist typing the basic text into a Word document format, we hope to produce this volume in a new digital layout by the end of the year. All offers of help will be much appreciated. If interested, please contact us at our email address: *protected email*.

In addition to Sadaputa’s book republishing, another project launched by Sunanda das is underway to transcribe almost one hundred lectures and seminars which remain as his aural legacy, and publish them in a series of books for those interested in serious research into the topics on which he spoke. These lectures, as well as several videos, are currently available to listen to/watch on the Sadaputa Digital Channel on Youtube at: https://www.youtube.com/user/SadaputaChannel.

The Sadaputa Oral History Project is yet another attempt to preserve Sadaputa’s legacy through interviews with devotees who knew him personally and whose lives were touched by his transcendental genius and deep Krishna conscious perspectives. The first of such interviews can be read at: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=35752

To order Sadaputa’s republished books, as well as new and used versions of older ones, please visit the Richard L. Thompson Amazon Author’s Page at: https://www.amazon.com/Richard-L.-Thompson/e/B000APL4BY. All books are Print-On-Demand publications or hard-copy books ready for shipping. E-book versions will be available in the near future.

The post Sadaputa Prabhu’s Books Are Back in Print appeared first on Храм Ведического Планетария.

TOVP updates (Album with photos)
Sadbhuja Das: In the next few weeks the first shipment of the small dome Kalashes will arrive,...

What are the principles that make the difference in whether or not children take up Krishna consciousness? Here are four powerful and effective keys regardless of where your children go to school, where you live, or what your family structure is. Continue reading "Four key things for raising children in Krishna Consciousness
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I was repeatedly asked, "What was Jim like in school?" Well, you know, that was quite a few years ago. I had even forgotten, or just not given a thought to the fact that Jim and I lived in the same cabin in summer camp. I forgot that until I came upon the 1951 camp photo. And the photo of Jim on the front of the chariot is unrecognizable because of the years, the Hare Krishna robes Jim is wearing, and because as they said, the photo is not a good one because it was not taken until Jim was very ill. I told them that Jim was very funny. They said they could believe and understand that from what they had heard about him. I was told that Jim worked very hard. When Jim cleaned the garbage cans, he cleaned them so well "because they were Krishna's." New devotees would see his work and think, "If this is how thoroughly the garbage cans have to be cleaned, how must the more important work be done?" One time when Jim was a leader, he returned late at night and saw that a chore had not been done properly. Rather than awaken the offender, Jim did the job over again himself. Jim could run on very little sleep. A surprise birthday party was given for Jim, but he was truly embarrassed by all this attention being directed at him. So, now, the next time you see a Hare Krishna devotee on the streets, go up and tell him or her that you went to school with Jayananda. You'll get red carpet treatment. The story of Jayananda will be known! And, remember, I was in South Africa, which is 11,000 miles from Los Angeles. And they all knew! Continue reading "A letter circulated to Jim Kohr’s (Jayananda) classmates
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This is a very important verse. The modern scientists, philosophers, they say that after finishing this body, we no more exist, finished, everything finished. This is not new. In olden times also there were atheists like Carvaka Muni, he also said like that: bhasmi-bhutasya dehasya kutah punar agamano bhavet. Now why you are worrying about next life? As soon as this body is burned into ashes, everything is finished. According to Vedic funeral ritualistic ceremony, the body is burned. There are three ends of the body, either to become stool, or to become ashes, or to become earth. Those who are burying the body, just like the Christian, Mohammedans do, the body becomes earth. Everything, from the earth it has come up: “Dust thou were, dust thou beist.” This beautiful body, nice body, will become earth. And those who are burning, so their body becomes ashes. And those who throw the body to be eaten by jackals and crows, they become stool. This is the end of the body. We are taking so much care of this body, but the ultimate end of this body is either stool, earth or ashes. So foolish persons who are in the bodily concept of life, they are thinking: “After all, this body will be finished. So so long the body is there, senses are there, let us enjoy. Why so much restrictions, no illicit sex, no gambling? No. These are all nonsense. Let us enjoy life.” This is atheistic life. Foolish life. They do not know, so the body is not all. So the nature knows how to punish these criminals. Therefore, the scientists are finding now shortage of petrol, shortage of this, shortage… What to do? What to do? This is the position. Otherwise, there is no question of overpopulation. The supply is restricted. That is the problem. Continue reading "What Abortionists Don’t Know
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Govardhan Parikrama, soon restricted for cars!
The pilgrimage walk around Govardhan Hill has become increasingly dangerous in r...

Flower Festival At Govardhan Eco Village Wada, India (18 min video)
Deities are showered with colorful flower petals. The best flowers are procured from different parts of the country especially for this occasion – Roses from Vrindavan, Jasmines from various parts of India.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/3ZzpuJ

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Chant: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare And Be Happy!!

When? Sunday,Feb 5,2017 Program starts at 11.00am Where? 6 George Street South Brampton, Ontario L6Y 1P3, Canada Park underground(free) @ City Hall Phone:416-648-3312 New! Listen Click here to listen to previous class recordings on our blog Make a Donation

Bhagavad Gita As It Is (18.66) sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja aham tvam sarva-papebhyo moksayisyami ma sucah Translation Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reaction. Do not fear. 11.00- 11.15      Tulsi Puja 11.15 - 11.30     Guru Puja                                         11:30 –11:55     Aarti & Kirtan                                       11.55 - 12.00    Sri Nrsingadeva Prayers                  12.00 -  1: 00   Vedic discourse   1.00  -  1.30    Closing Kirtan   1.30 -  2.00    Sanctified Free Vegetarian Feast   COMING UP AHEAD Bhaimi Ekadasi Fasting.....................on Mon Feb 6,2017 Breakfast................. on Tue Feb 7 ,2017 b/w 8.46am-10.51am Every fortnight, we observe Ekadasi, a day of prayer and meditation. On this day we fast (or simplify our meals and abstain from grains and beans), and spend extra time reading the scriptures and chanting the auspicious Hare Krishna mantra.By constantly ‘exercising’ our minds through regular japa we can train our senses to push the threshold of contentment.   English audio glorification of all Ekadasis is available here    Appearance Of Lord Nityananda Celebration on Wednesday,Feb 8 at 7pm Lord Sri Krishna, as the Vedic literature ultimately explains, is the absolute Personality of Godhead, and His first expansion in a form for pastimes is Sri Balarama. In the age of Kali-yuga, Lord Krishna appears in this material world as Lord Caitanya, and Balarama appears as Lord Nityananda. Lord Nityananda  is the spiritual brother of Lord Caitanya.He has descended to assist Lord Caitanya in spreading the chanting of the holy names of Lord Krishna in harinama-sankirtana, and to bring the mercy of Lord Krishna to all the fallen, materially conditioned souls. **Detailed Program will be posted shortly** Adult Education At The Temple As part of our adult education at ISKCON Brampton, we would be conducting a series of seminars and courses soon. The first one will be on Saturday Feb 25 starting 9:30am to 12:30pm. Topic - "Exploring the art of chanting" To register ($10 per participant) please contact Mother PremaGaurangi premagaurangi.jps@hotmail.com. Prasadam will be included.   ONGOING Programs At The Temple   Japathon-Congregational Mantra Meditation Next meeting is on Feb 11,5.30am The chanting is a spiritual call for the Lord and His Energy to give protection to the conditioned soul.japa, when performed with focus and attention, can subdue the agitating effects of one’s mind and senses. The senses, of which the mind is also one, are constantly being stimulated by the external world  - by gross and subtle matter. If you have not chanted before, and would like to participate in this program, we will be very happy to show how you can do this. All welcome. We’ll loan you a set of Beads!   Monthly sankirtan Festival(MSF) “One who has life can preach, and one who preaches gets life.”(Previous Acaryas) Every member of ISKCON should have the opportunity to make advancement in Krishna consciousness by preaching.We encourage everyone to come out and participate and make Srila Prabhupada happy. Please contact: Dharma Dasa- dharandev58@gmail.com-647.892.0739(Mississauga and Brampton regions) IB Vaishnavi Sanga The Vaisnavi Sanga hosted by ISKCON Brampton is a special opportunity for ladies to come together for a spiritual getaway in peaceful, intimate surroundings. It is the perfect occasion for an evening filled with amazing association, spiritually surcharged program, and Krishna conscious discussions. It is a place where we will be able to learn from each other and have a safe forum to express our doubts and open our hearts. (We'll resume this program during summer)   Sunday School To register,contact us Email:sundayschool108@gmail.com Call:647.893.9363 The Sunday School provides fun filled strategies through the medium of music, drama, debates, quizzes and games that present Vedic Culture to children. However the syllabus is also designed to simultaneously teach them to always remember Krishna and never forget Him. School The Sunday School follows the curriculum provided by the Bhaktivedanta College of Education and Culture (BCEC). The Mentorship Program Please note that registration in the Mentorship System is now a mandatory requirement for all initiation requests at ISKCON Brampton.It 1.Facilitates  and nurtures devotees aspiring for first and second Initiation.     2.One-on-One personal follow up on a regular basis. 3.Systematic training to devotees in matters of Philosophy, Sadhna, Vaishnava behavior, etiquette, Lifestyle and attitudes. To find details please click here Gift Shop Are you looking for some amazing gift items which are less expensive and more beautiful for your loved ones for festivals or many other occasions?? Our boutique is stocked with an excellent range of products, perfect for gifts or as souvenirs of your visit. It offers textiles, jewellery, incense, devotional articles, musical instruments, books, and CDs inspired by Indian culture.We're open on all Sundays and celebrations marked in our annual calendar.