Mahamantra of Krsna’s flute

     Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

# MahamantraofKrsnasflute #Krsna’sflute #Krishnaflute #Krishnaplaysflute

Many yogis meditate on the seven chakras, psychic energy centers within the human body, and on the anahata naad (shabda). This anahata naad is the unstruck mystic sound. It is not the sound produced by striking or beating something. It is  an internal sound heard within the cave of the heart during the deep stage of meditation. The Yoga sastras state that there are from 5 ---- 13 different sounds, i.e., sea waves, bells, conch etc.; which are perceivable within the heart during deep concentration. Of all these sounds, yogis say that when one hears the flute sound, his entire being is  permeated with Divine bliss and he loses body consciousness. This result of the flute sound resembles the experience of the elegant young ladies of Vraja who faint in ecstasy upon hearing  Syama’s sweet song. Upon hearing the bewildering sound of Syama’s murali, doe-eyed damsels become stunned. Their heads pins and their jeweled tiaras whirl and fall off. Abandoning  all other duties, the sakhis scurry off to meet Syama. Acaryas say Krsna’s flute sound is the Mahamantra svarupa, the very form of the greatest  mesmerising mantra. At the beginning of the Rasa dance, Syama engages the spell-binding magic of this Mahamantra to bring His beloveds to His side. The sweet seductive sound of Syama’s murali is hidden within the all-powerful Kama Gayatri chanted meticulously everyday by yogis of devotion, Krsna’s bhaktas.

“ O Syama! O all-attractive flute player of Vraja! When will you cast your spell on me and call me to your side by   manifesting the Mahamantra of your enchanting flute song as I chant mystic Kama Gayatri. Other than this, I have no other desire or kama.”

Jai Jai Sri Radhe!!

Kirtana, Japa and Rules

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

#Kirtana,JapaAndRules #Kirtana #Japa #Rules

Devotees often say, “There are no hard and fast rules in chanting Hare Kåñëa.” Thus anything goes in the name of nama-japa: chanting on tulsi beads a fixed number of rounds of the maha-mantra, Hare Kåñëa Hare Kåñëa Kåñëa Kåñëa Hare Hare—Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. 
Since there are no restrictions, many devotees think it’s okay to chant japa while surfing the I-net, driving a car, listening to a lecture, lying in bed, shopping, watching a video etc. etc. To prove their no rules argument, such devotees cite Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s Siksastakam verse 2: niyamitah smarane na kalah, “there are no restrictions regarding REMEMBERING the holy name of Bhagavan Sri Kåñëa.”
Lord Gauranga only says here that there are no rules about remembering (smarane). Gauranga does not say there are no rules in nama-japa. Mahaprabhu comments on this verse saying: khaaite shuite yathaa tathaa nama laya, kaala-desha-niyama naahi, sarva siddhi haya, “There is no regulation (niyama) regarding taking the name (nama laya), even while eating or lying down; it will grant all perfection (sarva siddhi).” (Cc. 3.20.18) Using Mahaprabhu’s comment, many devotees conclude, “Just see Lord Caitanya said it’s okay to chant nama-japa while lying in bed, eating prasada, or doing anything…” Sorry, this argument is completely wrong. 

In His comment above and in the entire Siksastakam, Lord Gauranga is glorifying the unlimited power, mercy and benefit of Sri Hari Nama-SANKIRTANA (paraà vijayate sri-kåñëa-sankirtanam!). In these two verses, Sri Caitanya Deva is not describing nama-japa, He is talking about the congregational chanting Sri Kåñëa’s sweet Holy Names. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is saying you can remember or take Sri Kåñëa’s name anywhere, anytime in any circumstance. Of course, we should always remember Sri Kåñëa, and never forget the Lord for even half a moment (lava nimesha). And to do this we must always remember Sri Nama Prabhu, sing His holy names with every breath, and chant “Hari! Hari!” between every bite of food.

Yes, basically there are no rules regarding kirtana or sankirtana. BUT THERE ARE RULES IN CHANTING NAMA-JAPA. If we ignore these rules and chant japa incorrectly, then offenses will arise, and we will never attain our cherished goal of pure love for Radha-Govinda. The mantra shastras, Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, and the Gaudiya Vaisnava lawbook, Hari-bhakti vilasa no. 17 state many rules regarding chanting Hari-nama japa, the Gopala-mantra and other diksha mantras. One should try his best to follow the rules below to quickly achieve success in chanting Hare Kåñëa nama-japa:

SIX GENERAL RULES FOR NAMA-JAPA:
1. Avoid the ten offenses to Sri Nama Prabhu. 
2. Daily chant the same fixed number of malas. (ganitrikaam grhita ca mantram HBV 17.71, 191) “After vowing to chant a certain number of rounds daily (16, 32, 64) one must chant every day without fail, and not chant less than that.” (17.191)
3. Chant on 108 tulasi beads mala.
4. Beads should be ROUND in shape. The mala should be arranged in order from the biggest bead to the smallest. (HBV 17.89)
5. One should not chant with unclean hands, or in an impure state e.g. without bathing, dirty cloth or in bed. (17.132, 137)
6. One must not chant japa while talking, lying down, walking or yawning. 

SIX RULES FOR MAXIMUM JAPA BENEFIT: (HBV 17.121)
1. Concentrate on Nama by withdrawing your mind from ALL other attractions (distractions).
2. Cleanliness of mind, body, cloth, asana and chanting place.
3. Chant Nama while continually meditating on the meaning of the Hare Kåñëa maha-mantra.
4. Observe strict silence while chanting japa. 
Hari-bhakti Vilasa (17.132-3) confirms this point: “If one speaks while chanting nama-japa, his japa will be fruitless. If while chanting nama-japa one engages in speaking, walking, lying down on bed, thinking of something else, sneezing, hiccupping, yawning, or having an agitated mind, one cannot attain perfection in his nama-japa.” In other words, it is best not to speak ONE WORD until you finish your daily quota. If you do this, your mind will become very strong, pure, peaceful and determined. Then you can call yourself a Kåñëa bhakti-YOGI, a serious practitioner of devotional sadhana. Obviously, any form of “interaction” with one’s mobile phone is breaking this law of silence. Be careful, perfection is not a joke. Will you take your mobile to Goloka Vrndavana? 
5. Maintain a peaceful mind, heart and attitude during nama-japa.
6. Chant japa with intense eagerness, interest and enthusiasm. 

There are three ways of chanting Sri Kåñëa Holy Names: loudly, softly or silently. Loud chanting means speaking the maha-mantra loud enough that someone can hear it. This is kirtana or sankirtana; IT IS NOT NAMA-JAPA. It is said that Namacarya Thakura Haridasa daily chanted 192 rounds; 64 chanted loudly as kirtana, 64 inaudible whispering japa (upamshu), and 64 silent in the mind (manasic). In ISKCON’s beginning days, Srila Prabhupada set the example of early morning chanting by sitting in the temple with his disciples and chanting ONE round loudly. This anecdote however, does not mean that nama-japa should be chanted loudly. Although there are three forms of chanting Hare Kåñëa, there are only two forms of chanting nama-japa on beads: inaudible whisper (upamshu) and silent mental chanting (manasic). Hari-sauri personally told me that Srila Prabhupada chanted very softly to silently in upamshu. 
In Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, Srila Rupa Gosvami describes sankirtana and japa as two distinct practices. Of the sixty-four limbs of bhakti-sadhana, number 32 is sankirtana (uccair bhasha), “loud euphoric congregational chanting of Hare Kåñëa” and number 33 is japa, “silent meditative chanting on beads.” The specific japa verse says: mantrasya su laghu uccharo japa ity abhidhiyate, “very, very silent muttering or utterance of the maha-mantra is called japa.” In correct upamshu japa, one mentally focuses on the meaning of the maha-mantra while fine tuning his hearing to the silent movement of the maha-mantra inside the mouth. The tongue and lips are barely moving as the mantra almost silently resonates within the mouth. The more one meditates on the meaning and concentrates on the “silent sound within his mouth and heart,” the more and more silent the chanting becomes. Eventually, the mantra meaning and sound merge in the totally absorbed, silent chanting of Hare Kåñëa within the mind. Soon Sri Kåñëa’s sweet all-attractive form arises from the concentrated mind, heart and internal hearing. This is manasic japa. 

The basic point is that japa chanting is a solitary and silent contemplative practice. We say “I am chanting japa”, but here the word chanting really means “silently speaking” or mentally uttering inside the mouth; unheard outside of one’s lips. Nama-japa is a deep, powerful form of meditation requiring seriousness of purpose, sense and mind control, and the utmost absolute concentration. Nama-japa brings one face to face with Radha-Kåñëa within the silent recesses of one’s pacified and pure heart. 
Please take your nama-japa very seriously. Attentive, concentrated nama-japa is the best, quickest, easiest and most blissful way to fall in love with Kåñëa, and enter the eternal realm of joy-filled Vrndavana to lovingly serve Radhe-Syama forever. Om tat sat! Jaya Jaya Sri Radhe!

Thakuraji’s Mental Food

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das 

ArrayanasicSeva Arrayuja ArrayhogaOffering ArrayadhaKrishna ArrayrishnaPuja

The Puranas, Goswami granthas and most Radha-Krishna Archana Puja books describe the bhakti sadhana of manasic-seva. This is one authentic limb of bhakti. It means to mentally, with your thoughts and feelings, offer varieties of invisible and intangible tasty foods to your beloved Thakurajis i.e. Radha-Krishna murtis. 

Sri Krishna equally accepts any favorable thing that is lovingly and caringly offered to Him, be it done externally with the body or internally with the mind. The bhakta gets the full benefit and result from both devotional practices. Everywhere shastras proclaim the efficacy of this sublime and mystical practice. 

Here are some examples of the visible effect and power of serving Sri Krishna within the mind.

1. The Padma Purana and Sri Rupa Goswamipada’s Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu (1.2.282) both narrate the famous story of the Pratiṣṭhānapura brahmin who burned his finger tip when testing the temperature of his mentally prepared sweet rice for Thakuraji. Afterwards, Sri Vishnu immediately took him to Vaikuntha. 

2. Sri Narottama Dasa Thakura: 

One day while mentally visualizing Radha-Krishna’s divya-lila, Sri Narottama Dasa Thakura was simultaneously mentally stirring milk (his nitya-seva for Swamini). Somehow due absorption in the lila, his “mental milk” boiled over and scalded his hand which he felt and saw upon returning to external consciousness. Sri Jiva Goswamipada thrilled with joy seeing how Narottama had attained bhajana siddhi. (PBC tika Sri Ananta Dasji Maharaja)

3. In Antya-two of Sri Chaitanya Caritamrita, Sri Krishna Dasa Kaviraja tells the amazing story of Nrisimhananda Dasa’s beautiful, opulent and comfortable “mental road” he offered to Mahaprabhu who was traveling outside of Navadvipa. Suddenly his meditation broke and his “mental road” abruptly stopped in the village of Kanai Natashala. And lo and behold in external time and space that is exactly where Mahaprabhu stopped His journey. 

4. Once Sri Raghunatha Dasa Goswami suffered severe indigestion. Doctors diagnosed him and found no cause, especially since he only ate a bit of buttermilk. Humbly, Dasa Goswami revealed the mystery—within in mind during his meditation, he relished a little too much of Srimati Radharani’s “mental kheer prasadam”!

5. Srila Prabhupada: 

“Krishna makes no distinction. Thus, if you serve Krishna by mind He will accept. That is sure!” (conv. Hrshikeshanandaji) “But in case you have nothing to offer materially, but still, you can offer in the mind.” (folio: 740417BG.BOM) “Yes, you are correct—spiritual activities, even mentally performed, are beneficial.” (SPletter 72.12-21)

Offer Mental Chappana Bhoga (56 delightful preps)

Devotees generally eat simply and also externally offer simple foods to Sri Krishna. So why not start doing this from today on to the lotus feet of Shyama in Vraja Dhama? Offer 6 items externally directly to Thakurji Sri Krishna. And then mentally offer 50 more to make it 56. Sri Sri Radha-Krishna pura santoshanam ki jai! Jagannatha Swami ki jai!

Srila Prabhupada introduced and beautifully sang the following bhoga bhajana which he wanted his followers to sing for the pleasure of Sri Sri Radha-Krishna when They enjoy our simple daily offerings. In Gaudiya Padavali i.e. songbooks, there are literally hundreds of such songs, many of them 500 years in vogue. The following bhajana was penned by Bhaktivinoda Thakura. 

It would be best if our friends and students would sing this song at least once daily during their “big” bhoga offering to Sri Krishna. While singing, meditate that in your siddha deha you’re right beside Radhika in Nandagrama, assisting Her by cutting, cooking and giving the various delicacies to Yashoda Ma to serve to Sri Krishna. You may become so absorbed in your bhoga-lila smarana manasi seva than you completely forget to eat! 

The proper raga and tune of this bhajan is available on I-net.  

Sri Krishna Pratah Bhojana Lila

(Nandagram: 7-8 a.m.)

=1 (refrain, sing between stanzas) 

bhaja bhakata-vatsala śrī-gaurahari 

śrī-gaurahari sohi goṣṭha-bihārī,

nanda-jaśomatī-citta-hari.

=2 belā ho'lo dāmodara āisa ekhano

bhoga-mandire bosi' koraho bhojana

=3 nandera nideśe baise giri-bara-dhārī

baladeva-saha sakhā baise sāri sāri

=4 śuktā-śākādi bhāji nālitā kuṣmāṇḍa

dāli dālnā dugdha-tumbī dadhi mocā

=5 mudga-borā māṣa-borā roṭikā ghṛtānna

śaṣkulī piṣṭaka khīr puli pāyasānna

=6 karpūra amṛta-keli rambhā khīra-sāra

amṛta rasālā, amla dwādaśa prakāra

=7 luci cini sarpurī lāḍḍu rasābalī

bhojana korena Krishna ho'ye kutūhalī

=8 rādhikāra pakka anna vividha byañjana

parama ānande Krishna korena bhojana

=9 chale-bale lāḍḍu khāy śrī-madhumaṅgala

bagala bājāy āra drya hari-bolo

=10 rādhikādi gaṇe heri' nayanera koṇe

tṛpta ho'ye khāy Krishna jaśodā-bhavane

=11 bhojanānte piye Krishna subāsita bāri

sabe mukha prakhāloy ho'ye sāri sāri

=12 hasta-mukha prakhāliyā jata sakhā-gaṇe

ānande biśrāma kore baladeva-sane

=13 jambula rasāla āne tāmbūla-masālā

tāhā kheye Krishna-candra sukhe nidrā gelā

=14 biśālākha śikhi-puccha-cāmara ḍhulāya

apūrba śayyāya Krishna sukhe nidrā jāya.

=15 jaśomatī-ājñā pe'ye dhaniṣṭhā-ānīto

śrī-krishna-prasāda rādhā bhuñje ho'ye prīto

=16 lalitādi sakhī-gaṇa avaśeṣa pāya

mane mane sukhe rādhā-Krishna-guṇa gāya

=17 hari-līlā ek-mātra jāhāra pramoda

bhogārati gāy ṭhākur bhakativinoda

Translation:

(1) Just worship bhakta-vatsala Śrī Gaurahari, who is the selfsame Goshtha-Bihariji Sri Krishna that forever steals the minds and hearts of Yashoda and Nanda Baba.

(2) Mother Yaśodā calls Krishna: “My dear Dāmodara, it’s very late. Please come right now, sit down in the dining hall, and take bhoga.”

(3) Nanda Baba directs Giridhari, Baladeva and the other gopas to sit down in rows to eat.

(4) Yashoda, Rohini, Kilimba and other mothers serve a sumptuous feast of bitter vegetables to increase appetite, leafy, pumpkin and banana flower sabzis, fried items, jute leaf salad, baskets of fruit, small square lentil cakes in condensed milk, and thick creamy yogurt.

(5) Also included are fried mung and urad dal patties, rotis, ghee-soaked rice, condensed milk, sesame and milk sweets, rice flour cakes; kheer and cakes floating in milk.

(6) And delicious cheese, nectar rivaling kheer spiced with camphor, bananas, and twelve sour preparations from tamarinds, limes, lemons, oranges, and pomegranates.

(7) And white flour puris sprinkled with sugar, cream-filled puris, laddus, dal patties boiled in misri rice. Krishna eagerly eats all the items.

(8) In supreme bliss, Krishna relishes Radhika’s rice, curries, sweets, and pastries.

(9) Mischievous Madhumaṅgala eats laddus, moves his right hand in his left armpit to make a funny thud noise while singing, “Haribol! Haribol!” 

(10) Glancing at Radhika and Her sakhis from the corners of His eyes, Krishna Govinda eats with great gusto in Yashoda bhavan.

(11) Afterwards, Krishna drinks rose-scented water, and all the boys stand in lines to wash their mouths.

(12) After washing their mouths and hands, Baladeva and the gopas take rest in great bliss. 

(13) Krishnachandra eats the tambula offered by the gopas Jambula and Rasāla, and happily sleeps.

(14) While Krishna rests blissfully on an unprecedented bed, Viśālākṣa gopa refreshes Him with a peacock fan.

(15) On Yashomati’s order, Dhaniṣṭhā brings Sri Krishna’s prasadi to Radha who lovingly enjoys it.

(16) Feeling extremely joyful to receive Radha’s prasada, all the sakhis beginning with Lalita start singing about the beautiful qualities of Radha and Krishna. 

(17) Thus I, Bhaktivinoda, whose only joy is hari-lila, sing this bhoga aroti song.

Radha-Krishna manasi chappana bhoga seva ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe! 

Queen Rukmini Teaches How to be Determined

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

#DeterminationInBhakti #Bhakti Sadhana #KrishnaConsciousness #HowToBeDetermined #PatienceInKrishnaConsiousness #SadhanaTips #RukminiTeachings #NeverGiveUp #Patience #MercyAndDetermination

Before marrying Bhagavan Sri Krishna, the exceptionally elegant and stunningly beautiful Princess Sri Rukminiji sent a love letter to Sri Krishna expressing her desire for His hand in marriage.

Sri Rukmini beseeched, “O Krishnaji! You are certainly most difficult to attain! And I know that You cannot be gotten simply by the good acts of one birth. But if for many prior lives I have done any good deeds, with or without a desire to attain You, then please give me the results now so that I may attain You. I want nothing but this. This is my only prayer.

“O my dearest Ambujaksa Sri Krishna! If I don’t get Your mercy, then I’ll immediately die. Possibly then after hundreds of lifetimes of doing Krishna bhakti bhajana, I may obtain Your mercy.” (SB 10.52.43)

Comments:

Sri Jiva Goswamipada: The Sanskrit verse phrase, sata janmabhih, “hundreds of lifetimes” actually means an indefinite number of lifetimes. In other words, Rukmini-devi is ready to continue performing Krishna bhakti bhajana for an unlimited number of births until she attains Bhagavan Sri Krishna!

Visvanatha Cakravartipada: Here Sri Rukmini-devi is saying, “O Sri Krishna! In this life I will practice celibacy and austerities to attain You in a future life. And if I don’t attain You then, I will keep doing penances for ten million more lifetimes. But I will never give up my desire to attain You.

“And if You say that I am too fallen and contaminated to achieve You, then let the dust particles of Your lotus feet purify and qualify me.

If even then I don’t get Your mercy, then I will fast to death! I am ready to give up my life for hundreds of births until I attain Your mercy.” Srimati Rukminiji  ki jai!

This is the ultimate in determination!

And that’s what it takes to attain Radha-Krishna prema and success in Krishna bhakti bhajana. Are you ready? Try to be like Princess Rukmini. Just think, “No matter what, come life or death, I will never quit and never stop trying to serve Radha and Krishna. “Maybe this life, the next, or in a thousand future lives I will be successful. Somehow, somewhere I WILL ATTAIN BY BELOVED Sri Krishna and His divine, beautiful sweetheart Srimati Radharani! I must!”

This is determined thinking, pukka sankalpa, do or die truth eternal.

Be it, think it, live it!

DETERMINATION IN BHAKTI!!!

How to get determination?

You can acquire firm determination in Krishna bhakti bhajana and deepen it by the following items.

1. Be HONESTLY Dedicated to Sri Guru

2. Genuinely WANT TO Serve and PLEASE Radha and Krishna

3. Study Sastra to Strengthen Intellect: Patanjali Yoga Sutras (3.47) says determination is a feature of buddhi, intelligence. Thus you can increase your determination by DAILY studying Sri Gita, Bhagavata, and our Gaudiya Vaisnava sastras. This most important bhakti bhajana abhyasa [daily practice] will definitely sharpen and empower your buddhi, intellect, which then can handle and easily control your cancala mana, restless mind, and impetuous, overheated senses.

 4. Meet, Serve, Hear from Real Devotee Sadhus

Everywhere sastra say, satam prasangat mama virya samvidah (SB 3.25.25), “By associating with genuine bhaktas [as described above] who speak Krishna katha (samvida), one will get power and determination.” (Bhagavan Sri Kapila)

5. Do Austerities, Vratas, Vows and Penances like Ekadasi, Janmastami Jagarana, Siva Caturdasi, Karttika Vrata, etc. 

6. Follow FOUR VOWS [four dharmic principles of human life].

Srila Prabhupada said, “Determination comes by tapasya (penance, austerities). You will be determined if you follow the four rules of religious life [i.e. 1- no eating meat, fish, eggs, onions, garlic, etc. ; 2- no drinking coffee, tea, or taking intoxicants; 3- no man/woman intimacies beyond marriage; 4- no lotteries, card betting, gambling, etc.]

“But if you don’t follow them, then you will be a victim of Maya. The four rules and regulations are there to keep you fixed up in your determination. But if you don’t follow [the 4 rules], then you’ll fall down in MAYA!” (BBT Folio: 740110MW.LA)

One big cause of weak determination is excessive indulgence in sense gratification i.e. overeating or sleeping, too much lady/gent intimacies, and gramya katha i.e. prajalpa, useless talk and gossip. Regarding this Srila Prabhupada once said, “Loss of determination is due to excessive amorous enjoyment.” (Path of Perfection chp. 5)

Some encouraging words: “The practice of bhakti-yoga in Krishna consciousness may appear to be a very difficult job. But you follow the four religious principles with great determination, then Bhagavan Sri Krishna will surely help you, for Sri Krishna definitely helps those who help themselves.” (Srila Prabhupada, BBT Folio 760623GC.NV)

7. Maintain Patience: Keep Cool and Push On

“Determination is a bodily affair. Determination means keep practicing Krishna consciousness with patience and perseverance. If you don’t immediately get results, don’t think, ‘Oh, what is this Krishna consciousness? I give it up.’ No, we must have determination and faith in Krishna words.” (Srila Prabhupada, Path of Perfection chp. 5)

Sri Rupa Goswamipada gives wonderful reassurance to one and all: “Determination combined with patience will definitely give you exceptional siddhi, or perfection in bhakti bhajana, niçcayät dhairyät, bhaktiù prasidhyati.” (Upadesamrta 3)

Srila Prabhupada said, “Determination means to continue performing bhakti bhajana with patience and perseverance. Don’t think, ‘I am not getting the desired result. So what is this Krishna consciousness, I give up!’ No don’t think like that. Don't be impatient.” (Path of Perfection 5)

“Determination, means don’t be agitated or frustrated in some attempt. There may be failure in some attempt, but you should not be sorry for that; just move on with patience and determination.” (Bg. 6.1-3 pur.)

Concluding Sweet Note:

Srimati Radharani’s Perfect Determination

Expressing Her intense determination and loving attachment to Her dearly beloved Sri Krishna…“Srimati Radharani once said: ‘O Prananatha Sri Krishna! What more can I say? In life or death, birth after birth, You alone are the Master of My life! My body, My home, My wealth. All is Yours forever!’

“O Syama! My life airs are tied to Your lotus feet with the rope of My love. I have offered My mind to You alone, and am  determined to be Your maidservant.”

‘O My Bandhu! From my childhood, You alone have been the only friend of my life airs, parana bandhuya tumi.ëa baìdhuyä tumi.’” (Vilapa Kusumanjali 75 tika, Sri Ananta Dasji Maharaja)

So all my friends of kind loving hearts! Please, no matter what comes your way. Just push on through, with even more determination to love, to serve, to see and forever be with Radha-Govinda Yugala—sweetly serving Them in the pleasure groves of Vrndavana!

Krishna determination ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe! 

Pure Love Only By Mercy

Mahanidhi madan Gopal Das

 To Srila Rupa Goswamipada, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu spoke a very beautiful verse describing the relation between mercy and love divine. Let’s look at it and dive into the ocean of truth:

  brahmanda bhramite kona bhagyavan jiva,

guru krishna prasade PAYA bhakti lata bija

“All living entities are wandering throughout the entire universe. Out of many millions of wandering living entities, one who is very fortunate gets an opportunity to associate with a bona fide spiritual master by the grace of Krishna. By the mercy of both Krishna and the spiritual master, such a person receives the seed of the creeper of devotional service.” (Caitanya-caritamrta 2.19.151; trans. Srila Prabhupada)

   Comment: Please clearly read this most important verse, a main pillar in the house of Krishna consciousness. Srila Prabhupada translates the Bengali verb paya as receive. The word paya means to receive or to get something, which means that that something IS NOT INSIDE OF ONE.

   The word PAYA clearly means, as Srila Prabhupada states, that something is received or gotten from an outside source. In this case it means one receives or gets the seed of bhakti or pure love of God, Krishna prema, from an outside source, namely Bhagavan Sri Krishna or Sri Guru, or a combination both as Srila Prabhupada states. In other words, neither Krishna bhakti nor its development to bhava or its culmination as Krishna prema is within the heart of any conditioned soul in this material world.

    The conclusion is that if a jiva is very fortunate, however, he may RECEIVE OR GET BHAKTI FROM SRI KRISHNA OR SRI GURU. Then by purely hearing, chanting and remembering Sri Krishna’s beautiful sweet names, forms, qualities and pastimes that seed of bhakti will sprout, and grow into the tree of bhava producing the sweet tasty fruits of Krishna prema.

   In other words, mercy gives bhakti, and that bhakti grows and develops by more mercy. Then by a rare and extraordinary ingress of mercy that bhakti becomes bhava and then quickly blossoms into prema, pure love of Krishna.

From this essential verse of Krishna consciousness we can understand the absolute importance and necessity of Sri Guru in our lives and the supreme role of mercy. Thus without the mercy of Sri Krishna and Sri Guru no one in the entire universe can ever attain pure love of Krishna, the sweetly fulfilling taste of Krishna prema.

Jai Jai Sri Radhe! 

  

Black Is Beautiful & Bitter

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

#Radharani #MaanLila #Krishna #ManjariBhava #Radha’sFavoriteColor

Many Gaudiya Vaisnava songs and books say that black is Radha’s favorite color because Radha loves Shyamasundara, who is dark bluish-black in complexion. Radha wraps Her beautiful divine form in dark blue sari so She can always remember Her Priyatama Shyama.

Radha likes all the following objects because they remind Radha of Her dearest sweetheart Sri Krishna:;

Being black in color or by name, Shyama or Krishna and the sakhi named Shyamala;

Amavasya—the moonless dark black night;

Krishna-paksha—waning moon time of the month; 

Krishna-sara—Sanskrit for black deer so prominent in Vraja lila; Internal meaning for Sri Radha is “one who takes Krishna as the essence of one’s existence”, Krishna sara.

Bhramara—Shyama-blue bumblebees, whose exciting effulgent color and frantic buzzing incites Radha’s romantic feelings.

Kajjala—black eye-liner cosmetic; which reminds Radhika of Shyama in whichever way She glances because Her eyes, along with Her mind and heart, are always surrounded by the dark Shyamasundara.

Kasturi—black musk dot on Kishori’s chin, placed their in hopes of attracting the beautiful luscious lips of Krishna who shines like a mountain of kasturi.

Winter Season—with long DARK nights giving more time with Shyama;

Tamala Tree—glossy black trunk often embraced by Radha in loving delirium, prema-vivarta. The trees crooked bending shape and rough bark remind Kishori of Krishna’s crooked, and sometimes rough dealings in the unpredictable course of shrngara-rati.

Monsoon Rain Clouds— resemble Shyama’s irridescent hue, and their rumbling resounds like Muralidhara’s flute begging Radha to join Him in rasa;

Blue Lotuses—blossoming like Kishora’s sweet nectar-filled face, wherein the bees of Sriji’s eyes sit to forever drink the sweet syrup therein;

Yamuna River—dark, meandering, mysterious and deep like Shyama wandering in the glen;

Evening—named Shyama in Hindi;

Midnight—the darkest time of night, and best for Bhanunandini to be alone with Shyama;

Sapphire—deep blue bracelets and necklaces; Shyama’s loving hands on My wrists and around My neck.

Sweet Black Becomes Bitter

 Although Radha is very satisfied and pleased by all black things, that same sweet color sometimes becomes very, very bitter to Bhanunandini.

Here’s how the sweetness of the color black suddenly turns into the bitterness of poison.

Krishna, detained all night by a rival sakhi, arrives just before sunrise at the gate of Rai Vinodini’s kunja. Upon seeing all the signs of amorous affairs on Shyama’s body, Radhika becomes very upset and enters a deep state of maan—a contrary mood of jealous anger.

At that time, one intimate sakhi said to Radhika, “O Ishvari! I know you like the dark night when the moon is waning, the newly blossoming blue lotus, black bumble bees, the black deer, the dark tamala tree, the dark monsoon clouds, and the dark Yamuna River. But why then, do You dislike charming Krishna, who resembles them in name and form?” (Radha Rasa Sudha Nidhi 89)

Kanha tries to mollify Manini Radha but nothing works. Sriji chases Krishna out of the kunja, vowing never again look at anything black. Then Radhika casts off Her blue sari, blue bangles and sapphire necklace, and dons a red sari, ivory bangles and a pearl necklace.

Radha wipes off the musk dot on Her chin, Her musk tilaka, and the kajjala around Her eyes. Kishori replaces all these with white sandal-paste decorations. When Gandharvika sees a rain cloud, She opens an umbrella to block its view.

Radha whitewashes all of Vrindavana’s tamala trees, and flatly refuses to meet Her girlfriend named Shyamala. Then Radha stays far away from peacocks because their feathers remind Her of Krishna’s turban.

Noticing Her black hair reflected in a mirror, Srimati breaks the mirror into a hundred pieces. When the sun sets, Radharani covers Her eyes with Her palms to prevent seeing the night.

 These wonderful expressions in maan, or contrariness in love, are all part of Radha and Krishna’s divine pastimes in the eternal kingdom of love—Sridhama Vrindavana. Ultimately, everything will end on a sweet note as the Divine Pair meet again with warm embraces and rapturous kisses. And black will once more become sweet and beautiful within the mind and heart of Radha.

Manini Radha ki jai!Jai Jai Sri Radhe!  

We Need These 26 Qualities of a Devotee

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

1.                 KIND TO EVERYONE                                                  SOURCES:

                                                                                                   1. S.B.

2.                 PEACEFUL (Santa)                                                             2.13.26

                                                                                                       2.22.78-80

3.                 TRUTHFUL (Satyasara)                                                     4.20.16

                                                                                                      5.18.12

4.                 EQUAL TO ALL (Sama)                                                2. Bg.

                                                                                                            Ch.13

5.                 FAULTLESS (Nidosa)

6.                 MAGNANIMOUS (Vadanya)

7.                 MILD (Mrdu)

8.                 CLEAN (Suci)

9.                 SIMPLE

10.            GRAVE (Gambhira)

11.            BALANCED-EATER – DOESN’T EAT MORE THAN  REQUIRED (Mita-bhuk)

12.            SELF-CONTROLLED (Vijita Sadguna)

13.            SANE (Apramatta)

14.            RESPECTFUL – MANNERLY (Manada)

15.            COMPASSIONATE (Karuna)

16.            SILENT (Mauni)

17.            EXPERT (Daksa)

18.            POETIC (Kavi)

19.            FRIENDLY ( Maitra)

20.            STEADY – FIXED UP IN ABSOLUTE TRUTH (Sthira)

21.            NO MATERIAL HANKERING – INDIFF. TO MATERIAL ACQUISITION ( Aniha, Akincana)

22.            SURRENDERED TO KRSNA COMPLETELY (Sarana)

23.            CHARITABLE – BENEVOLENT  WELL-WISHER TO ALL (Sarvopakaraka)

24.             NON- DEFIANT – DOESN’T QUARREL WITH ANYONE (Akrta – droha)

25.            PRIDELESS – MEEK & HUMBLE (Amani)

26.            MERCIFUL ( Krpalu)