Beautiful Truths of Bhagavata 002

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

#SrimadBhagavatam #Bhakti #Krishna #Vaisnava #Sastra #GranthaRaja

Srimad Bhagavatam is called the “king of all spiritual books” (Grantha Raja) for good reason. Within this tri-guna-free, immaculate and divine spiritual sastra, the amalapurana, one will find all the sweet, majestic and beautiful truths about the sadhana and sadhya (daily practices and perfection) of GaudiyaVaisnavism.

In his most merciful and wonderful sastra, Sri CaitanyaCaritamrita, Sri Krishna DasaKaviraja summarizes all the teachings of Sri CaitanyaMahaprabhu and the six Goswamis of Vrindavana. Throughout the book he cites key Bhagavatam verses to prove these truths, which the Goswamis themselves also discuss in their works.

To highlight its importance for all devotees of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Radha-GovindaYugala, the same Bhagavatam verse is quoted once, twice or even four times in the Sri Caitanya Caritamrta.

With the grace of Sri AdvaitaPrabhu, Sri Guru and the Vaisnavas, the “Beautiful Truths of Bhagavata” series will focus onthese Bhagavatam verses that revealthe absolute truth about Sri Krishna, Sri Radha, Sri Guru, Vaisnavas, Bhakti Sadhana, Sri Harinama and Krishna Prema.

* THE BEAUTIFUL TRUTH OF THE VAISNAVAS

The first post in this series discussed Guru tattva. Now we will present the key Srimad Bhagavatam verses describing the identity of Krishna’s devotees, associating with them and serving these compassionate and tangible mercy forms of Bhagavan Sri Krishna.

All sincere sadhakas should learn and reflect upon these verses. Absorbing, understanding and implementing these truths will strengthen your faith, expand your joy, and double your enthusiasm to love, serve and respect all the humble servants of Sri Sri Radha and Krishna.

Devotees Live in Damodara’s Heart

sädhavohådayaàmahyaà, sädhünäàhådayaàtvaham,

mad-anyattenajänanti, nähaàtebhyomanägapi

Sri Krishna says, “O Sage Durvasa! Saintly devotees are always in the core of My heart. And I am always in their hearts. They know nothing but Me, and I know nothing but them.” (SB 9.4.68/CC 1.1.62)

Krishna Devotees Are Walking Holy Places

bhavad-vidhäbhägavatäs, tértha-bhütäùsvayaàvibho

térthé-kurvantitérthäni, sväntaù-sthenagadäbhåtä

When Vidura returned from his tirtha-yatra, Maharaja Yudhiñöhira said, “O Vibho! Devotees like yourself are the embodiments of all holy places. Because you carry Bhagavan Sri Krishna within your heart, you turn all places into holy tirthas.” (SB 1.13.10/CC 1.1.63)

Six Ornaments of a Devotee

titikñavaùkäruëikäù, suhådaùsarva-dehinäm

ajäta-çatravaùçäntäù, sädhavaùsädhu-bhüñaëäù

“Devotees are adorned with the six good qualities of being tolerant, merciful, friendly to all beings, without enemies, peaceful, and straightforward.” (SB 3.25.21, Cc. 2.22.81)

Serving Saints Gives Liberation

mahat-seväàdväramähurvimuktes

tamo-dväraàyoñitäàsaìgi-saìgam

mahäntastesama-cittäùpraçäntä

vimanyavaùsuhådaùsädhavo ye

“Serving saintly devotees opens the door of liberation. Whereas, association with men connected with women opens the door to hellish life. The saintly are very peaceful, pride-less, kind to all and well-behaved.” (SB 5.5. 2/Cc. 2.22.82)

Sri Visvanatha Cakravartipada says sadhavah means “those who do not see fault in others.”

Unique Rarity of Krishna Bhaktas

muktänämapisiddhänäà, näräyaëa-paräyaëaù

su-durlabhaùpraçäntätmä, koöiñvapimahä-mune

“Among all the perfect ones, the blissful devotee of Narayana/Sri Krishna is very rare—one in a million.” (SB 6.14.5, Cc. 2.19.150)

Sri Krishna Saves His Devotees

sva-päda-mülam, bhajataùpriyasya

tyaktänya-bhävasya, hariùpareçaù

vikarmayac cot, patitaàkathaïcid

dhunotisarvaà, hådisanniviñöaù

“One who gives up all other engagements to surrender to the lotus feet of Sri Hari is very dear to Bhagavan. Indeed, if such a dedicated soul accidentally commits a sin, Antaryami Sri Krishna within one’s heart, immediately removes the sinful reaction.” (SB 1.5.42, Cc. 2.22.144)

Srila Prabhupadatika: Although a beloved child may accidentally commit an abominable activity, the loving father forgives the child, taking into consideration the actual good intentions of the child.

Although the devotee does not ask Sri Krishna to free him the future suffering from his sins, Sri Krishna, by His own sweet will, frees the devotee from the reactions to accidental fall downs.

This causeless mercy of Sri Krishna upon His devotee is His param- aiçvaryam, or supreme opulence. Gradually the faithful devotee becomes pure and free from sins just by thinking of and serving Govinda’s lotus feet. Thus Krishna bhaktas are never actually defeated in life.

All Nama Chanters Are Great

ahobataçva-paco to garéyän, yaj-jihvägrevartatenämatubhyam

tepus tapas tejuhuvuùsasnuräryä, brahmänücurnämagåëanti ye te

“O, how astonishing and worshipable are even dog-eaters if they chant Krishna nama! They have already performed all kinds of austerities and yajnas, cultivated good saintly virtues, bathed in all tirthas, and studied all Vedas”

SripadaVallabhacaryatika (Sri Subodhini): Devahuti says, “By birth, class or conduct a chandala cannot compare with a Brahmin. However, the chandala is greater if he is chanting Krishna’s Divine Names. A complacent satisfied Brahmin performs actions for his own benefit. He may not chant Krishna’s names due to pride, ego or his status in society! In this way, he does not become a Krishna bhakta.

Sri Visvanatha Cakravartipada tika: The outcaste who chants even incompletely just one name of Bhagavan Sri Krishna is the best. He is a guru, and fully qualified to teach the mantra and the holy name to others i.e. dikña-guru. Amara-koña says anücura (line 4 of the verse above) means “a teacher, a person proficient in recitation of the Vedas with its aìgas.”

In prior lives the chandalas must have performed all types of yajnas and tapas, so now they no longer need to perform them nor will they do so in the future.

Srimad BhagavatamMaha Purana ki jai! Hari Kathamrta ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

A Life Dedicated to Srimad Bhagavatam

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

#GaudiyaVaisnavaSaints #GaudiyaBiography #SrimadBhagavatam #Harinama

When Sri Sri 108 Pandit Sri Krishna Das Babaji Maharaja, Bhakti-tirtha

was about 15 years old, three desires (sankalpas) mysteriously arose in his mind: “I will worship Radha-Krishna in the mood of gopi-bhava,” “I will study SrimadBhagavatam!” “And I will chant Harinamaand do Sankirtana!”

As a tender teen, Babaji Maharaja had no idea what is gopi-bhava. Nor did he know that the rest of long life of 101 years would be spent realizing these three desires. From where did these three beautiful, transcendental sankalpas come from? Bhagavan Sri Krishna answers in Sri Gita (6.44):purvaabhyasenatenaiva, hriyatehyavaso pi sah,“Because of performing bhakti yoga sadhana in a prior life, one is automatically attracted to the same practices in this life.”

In 1918 (Magha SuklaTrayodashi), Babaji Maharaja appeared in DakshinaKhanda, West Bengal near the village of Gaura-Govindanitya-parisada Sri Narahari Sarkar Thakura.Babaji Maharaja appeared in wealthy Brahmin family of Krishna bhaktas hailing from the Kasyapa and Shandilya gotras. At the age of five, Babaji Maharaja lost his mother and was raised by his grandparents.

In 1940,Babaji Maharaja graduated with honors from high school, and then stayed home managing the family estate. Most of the day, he chanted Sri Sri Radha-Krishna Nama (aka Hare Krishna maha-mantra).

Babaji Maharaja recalls those days saying, “I felt so much bliss in my mind while chanting Hare Krishna that I lost all interest in material life. I decided that I will leave home, become a sadhu and live in a Himalayan cave doing bhajan like Dhruva and Prahlada Maharaja. Detecting my mood of detachment, my uncle gave me a Gita to read, hoping that I would learn about duty, stay home, get married and so on. However, the Gita had the opposite effect and after reading it, especially 9.33; 18.65-66), I became even more determined to leave home and become a sadhu.

“Then one night Radha-Krishna appeared in my dream. They looked very beautiful dancing together in a most exquisite and attractive way. I moved towards them, but then They vanished, leaving me with an intense thirst to see them again.”

A short time later, Babaji Maharaja’s uncle’s baby of two years old was visiting his home. He gazed at Baba and suddenly surprisingly said in a most distinct way, “Dada! I give you a blessing: Become a sadhu!” At first, Babaji Maharaja couldn’t believe his ears, but then he thought that Bhagavan Sri Krishna must be speaking through that baby’s mouth.

“Being a young Indian boy, however, I was afraid to leave home and I worried about getting food and shelter. Then Krishna appeared in a dream holding a club and said, ‘Don’t worry or fear. Just leave home and become a sadhu. If anyone tries to harm you, I will destroy them with this club!’”

Babaji Maharaja left home and went to Gaya for Visnudarsana, Ganga snana, then on to Haridvar where he arrived after a month of walking. Babaji Maharaja lived on the bank of Ganga under a tree, and in a garden house offered by a sympathetic devotee. Babaji Maharaja passed a few years in Haridvar staying in different places, chanting Hare Krishna and studying Bhagavad-gita.

Babaji Maharaja then came to Vrndavana Dhama in 1940 and did Vrajaparikrama subsisting on madhukari before settling in Cakalesvara, Govardhana. There Babaji Maharaja met a niskincana sadhu who lived  doing bhajan and madhukari. Feeling the utmost respect and attraction to him, Babaji Maharaja took diksa from that Gaudiya Vaisnava saint named Sri Sri 108 Sanatana Das Babaji Maharaja, who was the favorite vesh disciple of the famous Govinda Kunda Siddha Baba 108 Sri Sri Manohara Das Babaji.

In 1941, Babaji Maharaja took sannyasa (babajivesh) before Sri Raghnuatha Dasa Goswami’s Samadhi. Babaji Maharaja spent time with his guru in RadhaKunda and Govardhana studying sastra in the association of Sri Kunjabihari Das Babaji, Gaura-Gopala Dasji, Sri Dina Sarana Maharaja, PriyacharanaDasji Maharaja, ParameshvaraDasji Maharaja, and Sri Advaita Das Babaji Maharaja.

Babaji Maharaja studied Sanskrit for a few years in Vrndavana and received degrees in Sanskrit vyakarana, Vaisnava darsanatirtha and became a Bhagavataacarya. Returning to Govardhana Govinda Kunda, Babaji Maharaja did bhajan, and served his Guru and the other great Govardhananivasibhajananadi sadhus staying at Govinda Kunda.

Not only was Babaji Maharaja an amazing Pandita, a strict vairagi and a perfect gentle man, he was expert in cooking, book keeping and managing entire temples and ashrams. Appreciating Babaji Maharaja’s superb scholarship, honesty and impeccable behavior several Vrndavana temple trusts requested his service as mahanta. For 35 years, Babaji Maharaja selflessly served as the Mahant of the Gwalior Mandir, Kusuma Sarovara; Mahant of Siddha Manohara Das’s temple in Govinda Kunda, and the Radha-Syama sundara Mandir in Prema Sarovara.

Of his 101 years as a sadhu sannyasi, Babaji Maharaja did Radha-Krishna bhajan in Vraja Mandala for 80 years. All his belongings fit into one shoulder bag. Babaji Maharaja never had a bank account, personal kutira or any land. He wandered here and there living a complete vairagi life—sometimes staying in Govinda Kunda, Radha Kunda, Kusuma Sarovara, Prema Sarovara and Varsana. He initiated many devotees, wrote several books on Gaudiya Vaisnava tattva, sadhana and sadhya, and often went to Bengal, Assam and other places to discourse on the Srimad Bhagavatam, and preach suddha Radha-Krishna bhakti bhajan, and the prema dharma introduced by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. 

During his long life Babaji Maharaja freely taught Sanskrit and the secrets of the Srimad Bhagavatam to scores of eager brahmacaris and Babajis. As a service whenever Babaji Maharaja was requested by other Gurus like Sri Sri 108 Pandit Sri Ananta Dasji Maharaja, he would give sannyasavesh (bheka) to their disciples.

Babaji Maharaja was a gentle, humble, unassuming sadhu with a fantastic memory of slokas from the Bhagavatam, Gita and othersastra. He deeply knew all the Gaudiya Vaisnava siddhantas, and he would compassionately share his vast wisdom with anyone seeking his shelter. Babaji Maharaja constantly stressed the need to take complete shelter in Harinama; always be completely humble; never offend any Vaisnava; and always remember the nitya-lilas of Radha Govinda Yugala. Govinda-lilamrta and Sri Raghnuatha Dasa Goswami’s Stavavali were his constant companions.

Babaji Maharaja satisfied the thirst of all seekers who came for his darsana. He emanated friendly warmth, care, and oceans of wisdom. Babaji Maharaja treated everyone like his own, making sure each and every devotee was satisfied and comfortable. And most importantly before leaving his sublime association,everyonejust had to take Krishna prasadam, which he often personally served with the utmost love.

 On January 11, 2019, at 7.10 A.M. Srimati Radharani came to Babaji Maharaja’skutira in Varsana, and said, “Hey Baba! Now come with Me. We have to go to Nandagrama to cook breakfast for Sri Nandanandana.” And thus Babaji Maharaja’s incredibly long life of Harinama, Gopi-Bhava and Bhagavata came to a beautiful close. He fulfilled his three sankalpas, perfected his bhakti sadhana bhajan, and went to Goloka Vrndavana to blissfully serve His beloved Radha Govinda Yugala for time eternal!

108 Sri Sri Pandit Sri Krishna Das Babaji Maharaja, Bhakti-tirthaki jai!

Jai Jai Sri Radhe! Jai Gurudeva! Jai Gurudeva! Jai Gurudeva!

Vrndavana is Krishna’s Body—Darsana and Bare Feet

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

#VrndavanaDhama #SeeingKrishnaInVrndavana #DarsanaOfKrishna

Unlike any other place on earth which may have trees and magical forests, sacred mountains, lakes, rivers and curious creatures, Sri Dhama Vrndavana is directly the transcendental body of Bhagavan Sri Krishna.

In his Brahma-samhita (43) commentary, Sri Jiva Goswami quotes the Brhad Gautamiya-tantra:

pañca-yojanam –evāsti, vanaṁ- me -deha-rūpakam

kālindīyaṁ -suṣumnākhyā, param-āmṛta-vāhinī

Bhagavan Sri Krishna says, “O Naradaji! The forest of Vrndavana on earth, comprising five yojanas, is non-different from My body. The sweet nectar filled Yamuna River is the sushumna nadi of My transcendental body of Vrndavana.”

Sri Jiva Goswami: “The unmanifest Vrndavana Dhama, aprakata-vrndavana, in the spiritual sky can be seen by eyes filled with Krishna prema. Moreover, terrestial Vrndavana has a special power in it, i.e. Yogamaya, that allows premi bhaktas to see right here and now before them the blissful, divine lilas of Radha and Krishna going on in Goloka Vrndavana in the spiritual realm. Thus it is said, ‘one can see Gokula in Goloka, and Goloka in Gokula.’”

The verse quoted above, which proves that Vrndavana Dhama is non-different from the spiritual body of Bhagavan Sri Krishna, is cited in many sastras i.e. Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (3.4.76); Brahma-samhita verse 43 tika of Sri Jiva Goswami; Gopala Campu (1.1.18); Krishna Sandarbha 106; Brhad and Laghu-Vaisnava Tosani (chapter 11).

Sri Krishna Dasa Kaviraja also confirms that Vrndavana dhama is the body of Bhagavan Sri Krishna. When Caitanya Mahaprabhu gave His personal Govardhana Sila to Sri Raghunatha Dasa Goswami, He said:

ei- śilā- kṛṣṇera- vigraha, iṅhāra- sevā –kara- tumi -kariyā -āgraha

“O Dasa Raghunatha! This Govardhana sila is directly the transcendental form of Sri Krishna, so you must worship Giriraja with great eagerness.” (Cc 3.6.294)

pūjā-kāle -dekhe -śilāya, vrajendra-nandana

“At the time of puja, Sri Raghunatha Dasa Goswami saw his Govardhana sila as Vrajendranandan Sri Krishna.” (Cc 2.6.300)

Saints say that Govardhana is Visnu Parvata, and He is also the tilaka gracing the elegant forehead of Govinda’s transcendental body of Vrndavana.

The question may be asked, “Ok, fine, Vrndavana is the transcendental body of Sri Krishna. But is there any chance that I will ever see Radha and Krishna while living in Vrndavana?” Sri Jiva Goswami answers this question by saying YES! Then he gives a meditation from Gautamiya-tantra (chapter 4) to attain Krishna’s darsana:

“The entire Vrndavana community of millions of gopis, cows and calves has descended from Goloka Vrndavana. In Vraja, lacs of blossoming lotus-eyed gopis worship Sri Hari with the flowers of their ecstatic emotions.

ahar-niśaṁ- japen –mantraṁ, mantra- niyata-mānasaḥ

sa –paśyati- na- sandeho, gopa-rūpa-dharaṁ- harim

“To get darsana of Sri Hari and the gopis, you should continually chant japa of the Krishna/Gopala diksa mantra day and night with single-minded attention. Then without any doubt (na-sandeho) you will see Krishna the cowherd boy of Vrndavana.”

Sri Jiva Goswami quotes the Trailokya-sammohana-tantra: “Any sadhaka who chants the eighteen syllable Krishna/Gopala diksa mantra WILL DEFINITELY SEE SRI KRISHNA, the cowherd boy.”

Barefoot in Vraja

Before we get to the main point of this post, let’s hear some Vraja dhuli mahima, about the greatness and transcendental significance of the sacred dust of Vrndavana.

Throughout His Vraja lila, Govinda Gopala ran all over Vraja mandala without any shoes or socks. The Srimad Bhagavatam (10.15.1) says:

padaiḥ-vrndavanam-punyam-ativa-cakratuh, “Krishna especially beautified the land of Vrndavana by imprinting upon it the marks of His lotus feet.”

In Gopi-gita (SB 10.31.11), the cowherd damsels of Vraja cry out:

nalina-sundaraṁ -nātha -te -padam, śila-tṛṇāṅkuraiḥ -sīdatīti -naḥ

“O Natha! O Kanta! Your feet are softer and more beautiful than a blue lotus. Thus, O Krishna, You must be feeling great pain when You step on the spiked husks of grains, dried grass and sprouting plants while herding Your cows.”

Sri Caitanya maha-krpa-patra, Sri Kavi Karnapura says, “The pure, colorful dust of Vraja kicked up by the cows’ hooves and sprinkled on Krishna’s curly locks by the gentle breeze looks like pollen sprinkled on the body of a beautiful bumble bee.’ (Krishnaika Kaumudi, 5th ray)

Radha Rasa Sudha Nidhi (14):

rādhā- padāṅka- vilasan –madhura- sthalīke

“The lila sthalis of Vrndavana are sweet and beautiful because of Radha’s pastimes and Her footprints.”

“We should understand that the dust of Vraja is the foot dust of Srimati Radhika. Endless honey-sweet streams of mahabhava flow from Sri Radharani’s lotus feet to saturate the dust of Vrndavana with the nectar of Her astonishing love for Krishna.

“There is no doubt about it that one can attain Giridhari Sri Krishna by serving this unlimitedly powerful divine dust. Thus Krishna’s eternal associates like Uddhava pray for birth in Vraja as a blade of grass just to get covered by this transcendental dust.” (Prema Bhakti Candrika 107 tika, Pandit Sri Ananta Das Babaji Maharaja)

Besides these few entries, there are literally hundreds of sastric statements and poems in Sanskrit, Bengali and Hindi glorifying the power and benefits of the amazing transcendental dust of Vraja Bhumi. All of these scriptures prescribe going barefoot on parikrama, and thousands of years of tradition have upheld this injunction.

Unfortunately, today we see lots of Vraja yatris performing parikrama of Giriraja, Vrndavana or Radha-kunda while wearing regular shoes, thin “baby” shoes or layers of socks. Acts of devotion like parikrama are included in the fourth limb of nava-vidha bhakti (pada- sevanam). The purpose all sevas like chanting Hare Krishna japa, studying Srimad Bhagavatam, worshiping Krishna murtis, and parikrama is to please Bhagavan and receive His blessings.  

We highly doubt that Sri Krishna will be very happy with or bless anyone who walks on His transcendental body (Vrndavana) while wearing shoes and socks on his/her feet.

Of course, our mushy minds will mutter— “O my feet are too soft and tender. I may get cut or bruised if I go bare foot. I have to protect my feet so I can go to work on Monday. Besides it hurts and it’s painful.”

All these things may be true, but what about the gain gotten from the pain of surrender?

Sadhu vani says that one can get Krishna prema in Navadvipa Dhama from Harinama Sankirtan; in Sri Ksetra Dhama from eating Jagannatha maha-prasadam, and in Vrndavana Dhama prema from contacting the dust, Vraja dhuli. But how will this prema-giving, mercy-rich, sweet dust of Vraja get through the shoes and layers of socks? When prema is waiting for the taking, pampering one’s feet over receiving the mercy of Vraja is a most paltry proposal.  

For centuries, yatris and the saints of Vraja have covered themselves with the precious dust of Vraja—seeing it as the ultimate goal of their lives. When Krishna’s uncle Akrura arrived in Vrndavana, he rolled in the dust of Vraja and honourably held it on his head.

The Gaudiya Vaisnava poets sing:

tyājiyā- śayana-sukha- vicitra -pālaṅka

kabe- vrajera- dhūlāya -dhūsara habe aṅga

“When will I give up the happiness of sleeping in a wonderful bed, and cover my body with the dust and dirt of Vraja?”

It our cherished hope that the gentle words appearing here will encourage devotees to do whatever it takes to make Krishna smile. Our motto should be: “Soul first, body second”. 

In other words, perform acts of sacrifice by depending on Krishna, and watch what miracles of mercy manifest in your lives.

Vraja dhuli ki jai! Vrndavana Dhama ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe! 

Self-Realization Means What?

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

#SelfRealization #GodRealized #SeeingKrishna #RealizedSoul #Siddhi

Sometimes we hear someone say, “O so and so is self-realized” which is the goal of all spiritual practices. But exactly what does it mean to be a self-realized soul? There is a common saying, “it takes one to know one” which means that the self-realized one is the best person to answer this question.

Thus, we turned to Srila Prabhupada’s direct words describing self-realization because he is a perfectly self-realized soul, and liberated pure devotee of Sri Sri Sri Radha and Krishna. All the sincere Krishna bhaktas striving for self-realization and Radha-Krishna prema will greatly benefit by studying these words of Srila Prabhupada,and trying to embody these qualities and actions in their personal lives. 

The following statements are taken from the BBT Folio collection of Srila Prabhupada’s personal words.

16 DEFINITIONS ofSELF-REALIZATION

Srila Prabhupada said:

- Self-realization means understanding Krishna and one’s eternal relationship with Him.

-Self-realization means “I am dependent on Krishna. I am eternal servant of Krishna. Let me engage myself to the service of Bhagavan Sri Krishna.”

-Self-realizationmeans becoming indifferent to the needs of the gross and subtle bodies and becoming serious about the activities of the self.

-Self-realization means becoming a pure devotee of Bhagavan Sri Krishna.

-Self-realization means seeing one’s proper identity as the infinitesimal jiva. At the present moment, we are seeing the body, but we have no vision of the real person occupying the body.

-Self-realization means that energy should be transferred for Krishna.

-Self-realization means to know that “I am not this body. I am spirit soul. I am part and parcel of God.”

-One who is self-realized knows that all mundane emotions have nothing to do with the pure soul, whose natural propensity is to engage in the loving service of Bhagavan Sri Krishna.

-One who is self-realized is not bewildered by the birth anddeath of the material body, knowing himself to be eternal.

-When one becomes self-realized, two things are conspicuous by absence: no more hankering and no more lamenting [for material things].

-A self-realized person knows that this material cosmic manifestation is a temporary, illusory representation appearing to be truth.

-A self-realized person knows quite well that material happiness is the very cause of continued material existence and forgetfulness of one’s own constitutional position.

-When one is self-realized he becomes joyful because he is free from the material contamination of lamentation and hankering.

-A self-realized person automatically gives up everything irrelevant to his spiritual advancement.

-A self-realized person sees all living entities equally.

-A self-realized person is always engaged in Krishna consciousness.

By the blessings of Sri Sri Guru, Nitai-Gaura Sitanatha and Sri Hari Nama Prabhu may we all very quickly become self-realized, pure loving devotees of Sri Sri Radha Govindadeva.

Giriraja Baba ki jai! Srila Prabhupada Pure Devotees ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

26 Qualities of a Devotee

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

#VaisnavaQualities #BhaktiSadacara #26Qualities #QualitiesOfADevotee

This simple post is a wonderful reminder of all the beautiful, loving qualities that arise in a heart purified by Krishna bhakti bhajan. May we all cultivate, develop and express these divine qualities to all around us. And thus elevate the world with positive vibrations of mutual love, harmony, respect, care and cooperation.

The source of this information is the following: (SB 2.13.26; 2.22.78-80;4.20.16;5.18.12; Bhagavad-gita (chapter 13)

1.  BALANCED-EATER – Only eat what’s needed (Mita-bhuk). “Eat                 to live—Don’t live to eat.”

2.  CHARITABLE – Give to others, do good to all (Sarvopakaraka)

3.  CLEAN (Suci)

4.  COMPASSIONATE (Karuna)

5.  EQUAL TO ALL (Sama)

6.  EXPERT (Daksa)

7.  FRIENDLY (Maitra)

8.  FAULTLESS (Nidosa)

9.  GRAVE (Gambhira)

10. KIND TO EVERYONE                                                                                                                                            

11. MAGNANIMOUS (Vadanya)

12. MERCIFUL (Krpalu)

13. MILD (Mrdu)

14. NO MATERIAL HANKERING

Be satisfied with Krishna’s presence in your heart, and don’t collect more than you need. (Aniha, Akincana)

15. NON- DEFIANT –Never quarrel with anyone (Akrta–droha)

16. PEACEFUL (Santa)                                                                                                                                                                  

17. POETIC (Kavi)

18. PRIDELESS – Meek and humble (Amani)

19. RESPECTFUL – Well-behaved; respect, love, serve all big and       small (Manada)

20. SANE (Apramatta)

21. SELF-CONTROLLED (Vijita Sadguna)

22. SILENT- No nonsense speech, gossip, prajalpa. Speaks of Krishna (Mauni)

23. SIMPLE—Always be sincere, straightforward in heart (Sarala)

24. STEADY – Remain fixed in Truth, Sri Krishna (Sthira)

25. SURRENDERED TO KRSNA COMPLETELY (Sarana)

26. TRUTHFUL (Satyasara) 

Vaisnava sadacara ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!