Fri, 1 November 2024 (Sri Damodar Month; Sri Dipavali)
Be Headstrong
'You have come to this holy abode now – please practise Krishna
consciousness. Do the parikrama nicely. And when you go back to your
homes, do not slacken your practise, then your coming here would be fruitful.
Coming to Vrindavan brings so much benefit! But you must remember.'
•
Download / listen to the audio (10.3 Mb, 25 min | 27 October 2019 | Bengali)
Today in the calendar:
Amavasya. Dipavali. Offering and placing of lamps (or candles) on the temples
of the Lord.
His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj: "Today is
dipavali—you must offer lamps at the temple. Please buy lamps in clay
pots, light them and place them on the four sides of the temple where we are
staying. It is 'deep-dan mahotsav' ('festival of offering lamps'). You
can offer lamps today and tomorrow, for two days."
"Today, everybody says, 'Happy Diwali,' 'Happy Dipavali.' Diwali means a
'festival of lights'. Formally, we are placing some lights in front of the
temple and in front of the Deities today, and I am praying to Gurudev,
praying to the Lord for everybody so that light may come to our hearts, our
minds and all our darkness will be removed from our hearts and minds. We pray
to Gurudev, to the Lord, to Govardhan for everybody. People are suffering so
much all over the world because of their life in darkness, please remove
darkness from their hearts and minds and always keep light in their hearts
and minds. This is the main thing today."
In memory of Sri Gurupadpadma's pastimes in Sri Govardhan and Sri
Vrindavan Dham:
Sri Govardhan
Parikrama: Day Two (25 October 2014)
The Kartik Pilgrimage continues: the second part of the Parikrama around
the holy places at Sri Govardhan. Among the numerous visited places on
this day are Sri Uddhav Kunda, Sri Radha Kunda, Sri Kusum Sarovar.
Parikrama of Sri Govardhan (7 November 2018 | 75 photographs, 6.5 Mb)
On the second day, His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya
Maharaj takes the devotees around the south-west part of Sri Govardhan to the
Aanyor village, Sri Govinda Kunda (Madhavendra Puri's samadhi mandir and
temple of Adi Gopal), Pushiri Kalota, and Sri Haldi Kunda.
Evening Programme at Sri Govardhan (7 November 2018 | 39 photographs, 6.5 Mb)
Photographs from the evening class of His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila
Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj and of the numerous service activities taking
place at the temple in preparation to the grand Annakut Mahotsav (festival of
'rice mountain').
Sri Govardhan
Parikrama: Day One (28 October 2019 | 61 photographs, 5 Mb)
Early in the morning, His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya
Maharaj commences Sri Govardhan Parvat parikrama and takes the
devotees around the south-west part of Govardhan to take the holy
darshan of Aanyor village, Sri Govinda Kunda (and the temple of Adi
Gopal), and Sri Haldi Kunda.
Evening Class at
Sri Govardhan (28 October 2019 | 37 photographs, 2.2 Mb)
Photographs taken during the evening arati, temple parikrama, and the evening
class of His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj at Srila
Sridhar Swami Seva Ashram in Sri Govardhan.
Parikrama of
Sri Govardhan
"How do we do parikrama? Govardhan is like a peacock, our temple is
near Manasa Ganga, at the mouth of Govardhan, and we start the
parikrama from the tail and do half portion one day, and the second
half the next day."
•
Download / listen to the audio (2.8 Mb, 8 min | 11 November 2015)
The Aanyor
Village
"During the parikrama, we pass a village called Aanyor when we go to
see Govinda Kunda. One day, Madhavendra Puri was sitting there and chanting
all day..."
•
Download / listen to the audio (2.1 Mb, 6 min | 11 November 2015)
(3) THE SUCCESS OF FAITH
'Sraddha, faith, is the most subtle thing, and it is also the most
tangible. It is not imaginary. We must realise that it is reality, it is
concrete, and not merely an abstract sentiment of mere individual
consciousness. Faith is universal as the most fundamental element that can
connect us with the finest objective. Of course, sincerity is the main
requirement for faith’s connection. No price, however valuable in this world,
can purchase it. The qualification is laulyam—our sincere and earnest
desire for the thing.'
SRI KARTIK MONTH: 17 October–15 November
'You think, "You all sing, and I will listen." It will not do. You must sing
yourself. If I eat, will your stomach be full? You must chant kirtans
yourself. When you chant these kirtans, you will be remembering
Nityananda Prabhu. You worry that you do not know the tune, but no tune is
necessary. Because we have drums and karatals here now, we are playing
them, but when I am alone, do you think I sing it like that? I do not. I
recite them. Chanting kirtan is not playing drums and
karatals – even if you read them, that is also kirtan. So,
always chant kirtan.'
(Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj)
KIRTANS SUNG DURING KARTIK MONTH Morning kirtans:TEXT |
AUDIO
[17 min, 8.2 Mb]: Sri Damodarastakam, Sri Sriman Mahaprabhur Sata-Nama, Sri
Krsner Vimsottara Sata-Nama. Evening kirtans:TEXT |
AUDIO [27 min, 12.5 Mb]: Sri Siksastakam.
Sat, 2 November 2024 (Sri Damodar Month; Sri Govardhan Puja)
Govardhan:
Sevya and Sevak
'Govardhan manifests Himself as an object of service (sevya) and a
servitor (sevak). He is the Lord Himself, who comes to take service,
and, at the same time, He is also a servant – as Govardhan, the Lord is
taking service from others and also serving Himself.'
•
Download / listen to the audio (10.3 Mb, 25 min | 27 October 2019 | Bengali)
Today in the calendar:
Gaura Pratipad. Sri Sri Govardhan Puja (in the morning). Grand Annakut
Mahotsav ('Rice Mountain Festival') at Srila Sridhar Swami Seva Asram
(Govardhan) and Sri Gupta-Govardhan Temple (Nabadwip). Go-Puja (worship of
cows) and Go-Krida (pleasing cows). Worship of Sri Bali Daityaraj.
His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj: "The Lord
accepts everything and anything from His devotees. You will see tomorrow
also—tomorrow is the day of that Govardhan Puja, and people will be offering
so many things on this day. What does 'annakut' mean? It means 'a
mountain of rice'—'kut' means 'a hill' or 'a mountain', and
'anna' means rice. Devotees offer Govardhan a mountain of rice on this
day."
SRI KARTIK MONTH: 17 October–15 November
'You think, "You all sing, and I will listen." It will not do. You must sing
yourself. If I eat, will your stomach be full? You must chant kirtans
yourself. When you chant these kirtans, you will be remembering
Nityananda Prabhu. You worry that you do not know the tune, but no tune is
necessary. Because we have drums and karatals here now, we are playing
them, but when I am alone, do you think I sing it like that? I do not. I
recite them. Chanting kirtan is not playing drums and
karatals – even if you read them, that is also kirtan. So,
always chant kirtan.'
(Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj)
KIRTANS SUNG DURING KARTIK MONTH Morning kirtans:TEXT |
AUDIO
[17 min, 8.2 Mb]: Sri Damodarastakam, Sri Sriman Mahaprabhur Sata-Nama, Sri
Krsner Vimsottara Sata-Nama. Evening kirtans:TEXT |
AUDIO [27 min, 12.5 Mb]: Sri Siksastakam.
Glory and Pastimes of Sri
Govardhan:
Loving Search for
the Lost Servant: (Chapter 6) LORD OF THE COWS 'Different material tendencies and mental impulses may attack
us—even Indra himself, the king of heaven and the controller of all
ordinary activities, may attack us—but if we are attentive towards our
goal, if we are careful to read the order of Krishna, He will protect us in
the shade of His lotus feet. He will give us shelter under the shade of
Govardhana Hill, where no Indra will be able to touch our heads. And with
full faith that Krishna will give us protection, we should try to take
shelter under Govardhana Hill and pray: "O Krishna, give me protection from
all the difficulties that may come to attack me because of my leaving behind
my ordinary obligations."'
Sri
Govardhan Puja (1): Sevya and Sevak
"Today is a very auspicious day—today is Sri Giriraj Govardhan Puja. By the
mercy of Gurudev, we are present here in Govardhan. Gurudev writes that
Giriraj assumes the form of both sevya and sevak..."
Sri
Govardhan Puja (2): Seva-Adhikar
"Krishna Himself said, 'I am Govardhan!' Sometimes people say that
worshipping Govindaji and worshipping Govardhan is different, but this is a
misconception. You must serve Govardhan with sincerity and following all
rules of service."
Sri
Govardhan Puja (3): Full Service
"I have told you before that it is not necessary to know any mantra to
worship the Lord—it is necessary to have a clean heart. Also, service is
necessary, but service must be full. You start something and then leave it
half-way—not like this."
•
Download / listen to the audio of the entire class (7.5 Mb, 18 min | Ⓑ বাংলা)
Sri Govardhan-astakam
His Divine Grace reads Sri Govardhan-astakam composed by Srila Raghunath
Das Goswami Prabhu.
•
Download / listen to the audio (1.4 Mb, 4 min)
•SONG:
Sri Gupta Govardhan Arati "All glories, all glories, to the grand arati of Sri Giriraj! In the midst of Sri Gaura-mandal, it brings auspiciousness to the entire universe."
•SONG:
Radha-kunda-tata |
করাধাকুণ্ডতট "The grove-dwelling on the banks of Radha-kunda, Govardhan Hill, the banks
of the Yamuna River. I can never leave all these things so dear to me,
without them I know I'll surely die."
•SONG:
Dasa-avatara-stotram |
দশাবতারস্তোত্রম্ "I offer my obeisance unto Sri Krsna, who assumes ten forms and rescues
the Vedas, upholds Mandara Mountain, uplifts the earth, rips apart demons,
deceives Bali Maharaj, kills the ksatriyas, conquers Ravan, carries a plough,
shows compassion, and annihilates the wicked."
•SONG:
Damodarastakam |
শ্রীশ্রীদামোদরাষ্টকম্ "To the Supreme Lord, whose form is the embodiment of eternal existence,
knowledge, and bliss, whose shark-shaped earrings are swinging to and fro,
who is beautifully shining in the divine realm of Gokula, who [due to the
offence of breaking the pot of yogurt that his mother was churning into
butter and then stealing the butter that was kept hanging from a swing] is
quickly running from the wooden grinding mortar in fear of Mother Yasoda, but
who has been caught from behind by her who ran after Him with greater
speed—to that Supreme Lord, Sri Damodara, I offer my humble
obeisances."
•Mayura mukuta |
ময়ূর-মুকুট "He wears a peacock feather crown and yellow garments. He holds the
flute and lifts the Govardhan Hill! All glory to the son of Yasoda,
Krishna, Murari. Glory to He who holds the flute and lifts the Govardhan
Hill!"
"Surrender to
Giriraj"
"You must leave everything to the Lord, to Giriraj. If you make your own
arrangements, then the Lord says, 'You are making your own arrangements,
therefore I will not look after you.' Remember this—those who have no one,
have the Lord; and those who have many things, have nothing, the Lord is not
by their side."
•
Download / listen to the audio (2 Mb, 5 min | 7 Nov. 2018 | English & Bengali)
Appearance of Sri
Giriraj
"...When I was doing Govardhan parikrama, I was looking both sides,
thinking (Gurudev was also thinking), 'You have made the temple in Govinda
Kunda, but how you will bring Govardhan? How will you get Him?'"
•
Download / listen to the audio (1.4 Mb, 4 min | 11 November 2015)
Parikrama of Sri
Govardhan
"How do we do parikrama? Govardhan is like a peacock, our temple is
near Manasa Ganga, at the mouth of Govardhan, and we start the
parikrama from the tail and do half portion one day, and the second
half the next day."
•
Download / listen to the audio (2.8 Mb, 8 min | 11 November 2015)
The Aanyor Village
"During the parikrama, we pass a village called Aanyor when we go to
see Govinda Kunda. One day, Madhavendra Puri was sitting there and chanting
all day..."
•
Download / listen to the audio (2.1 Mb, 6 min | 11 November 2015)
Holy Places for Holy Deeds
"As long as there are the glories of the Lord in the world, there will be
Ganga, there will be Yamuna, there will be Govardhan, but now is Kali-yuga,
and the time is coming when the Ganges will disappear, Govardhan will
disappear..."
•
Download / listen to the audio (2.1 Mb, 6 min | 11 November 2015)
First Part of Sri
Govardhan Parikrama
"Yesterday, we went to the Manasi Ganga. After that, we went to Haridev
mandir, then Brahma Kunda. Then, there is Santan Goswami's
bhajan-kutir and Chakleshwar Mahadev on the bank of the Manasi Ganga. Today,
we went to Govinda Kunda."
•
Download / listen to the audio (1.3 Mb, 4 min | 7 November 2018)
Govardhan's Appearance
in Vrindavan
"Yesterday and today also, we were explaining how Govardhan was brought to
Vrindavan by Pulastya Muni. Govardhan was a son of Drona Parvat (Dronachal),
and actually Govardhan was originally in Salmaladvipa..."
•
Download / listen to the audio (1.2 Mb, 4 min | 7 November 2018)
His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj speaking in English
and Bengali about the Govardhan Pastime of Lord Sri Krishna.
• Download
(11 Mb, ~23 min | 14 November 2012)
This day in 2014:
Sri Govardhan Puja (Year 2014)
A joyful festival celebrating Lord Krishna lifting Sri Govardhan Hill and
a parikrama to the holy places around Sri Govardhan. Day two of the annual
Kartik Pilgrimage.
Sri Govardhan
Parikrama: Day Two (Year 2014)
The Kartik Pilgrimage continues: the second part of the Parikrama around
the holy places at Sri Govardhan. Among the numerous visited places on
this day are Sri Uddhav Kunda, Sri Radha Kunda, Sri Kusum Sarovar.
This day in 2015:
Defeating the Pride
A Bengali class of His Divine Grace Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj: • Mahaprabhu defeating Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya, Digvijayi Pandit,
tricking thieves, teaching Prakasananda Saraswati a lesson • Bali
Maharaj's surrender • teaching Indra a lesson (Govardhan Pastime) •
strong faith in Deity service (Gopal Bhatta Goswami, Raghunandan Thakur)
• rare and valuable life.
•
Download / listen to the audio (33.2 Mb, 97 min)
Sri Govardhan
Puja(15 photographs, 1.1 Mb)
In the shelter of the lotus feet of His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Nirmal
Acharya Maharaj, devotees celebrate Sri Govardhan Puja and worship the cows
at Sri Gupta Govardhan temple at Sri Chaitanya Saraswat, Sri Nabadwip
Dham. (Photographs taken on 12 November 2015)
Sri Govardhan Puja class(Archive video, Bengali)
An archive video recording of Sri Govardhan Puja day celebrated at Srila
Sridhar Seva Ashram in Sri Govardhan Dham, in the shelter of the holy lotus
feet of His Divine Grace Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj.
This day in 2016:
Observing
and Celebrating Sri Govardhan Puja
Photographs of Sri Govardhan Puja festival observed at the temple of
Mahaprabhu's Divine Water Play at Sri Nabadwip Dham in the shelter of the
holy lotus feet of His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Sri Srila Bhakti Nirmal
Acharya Maharaj. (22 photographs, 1.3 Mb | 31 October
2016)
This day in 2017:
Sri
Govardhan Puja: Annakut Maha-Mahotsav (48 photographs, 3.1 Mb | 20
October 2017)
Photographs taken during the grand auspicious festival of Sri Govardhan Puja
observed today at the temple of Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Radha Madan-Mohanjiu at
Dum Dum Park, Kolkata, under the supreme guidance of Sri Gurupadpadma Om
Vishnupad Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj and in the association of the
worshippable Vaishnavs and devotees.
This day in 2018:
Sri Govardhan Puja Festival (8 November 2018 | 108 photographs, 7.7 Mb)
The grand Annakut Mahotsav observed by the extremely fortunate devotees in
the shade of the holy lotus feet of His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila
Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj and in the association of Vaishnavs from all
over the world at the temple of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math in Sri Govardhan
Dham, Uttar Predesh.
This day in 2019:
Sri Govardhan Puja:
Annakut Mahotsav
(29 October 2019 | 72 photographs, 5.3 Mb)
His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj presides
over the annual grand festival of Sri Giriraj Govardhan in the assembly of
Vaishnavs and fortunate devotees. The first half of the day is spent in
various services and devotional programmes culminating with the noon arati
and prasad-seva.
Sri Govardhan
Parikrama, Day Two
(29 October 2019 | 49 photographs, 3.4 Mb)
During the second day of Sri Govardhan Parikrama, His Divine Grace Om
Vishnupad Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj takes the devotees around the
north-east part of Govardhan taking the darshan of Sri Uddhav Kunda, Sri
Gaudiya Math, samadhi of Srila Raghunath Das Goswami Prabhu, Sri Radha Kunda,
Sri Shyama Kunda, Vraja Svananda Sukhada Kunja, Srila Jiva Goswami Prabhu's
bhajan kutir, Sri Lalita Kunda, and Sri Kusum Sarovar.
Sun, 4 November 2024 (Sri Damodar Month)
Crushing Pride
'You all know what this place is. This is the place where Kaliya-nag used to
stay. He had so much poison that nobody could drink from this part of the
Yamuna river, and whenever cows came to drink water here, they would die
immediately...'
•
Download / listen to the audio (4.1 Mb, 10 min | 31 October 2019 |
Bengali)
Today in the calendar:
Gaura Dvitiya. Disappearance of Srila Vasu Ghosh Thakur. Disappearance of
Tridandi-swami Srimad Bhakti Sarvasva Giri Maharaj (a diksa and sannyas
disciple of Srila Prabhupad Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur).
Bhratri-dvitiya krityam (the day when brothers and sisters honour each
other).
His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj: "Even if you do
not know anything about the Vaishnav [event] mentioned in the calendar, you
must still give them 'jay' on this day."
—{ Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address }—
Six Good
Qualities
"You must always make yourself busy with the service of the Lord, with all
kinds of devotional activities. When we pray in the Vaishnav song, we ask for
six good qualities, and it is necessary to have such qualities."
•
Download / listen to the audio (2 Mb, 5 min | 10 May 2020)
(4) THE HONEST INQUIRER
'Srila Sridhar Swami has stated, “Devotional services must be first offered
to the Lord, then performed; not performed and offered afterwards.” We should
be already committed when we come to serve, and not that we shall collect
capital and later try to utilise it in the service of the Lord. The
commitment is to Him, to Krishna. I have come to know about Him for
Him, not for me or anyone else. Prahlad Maharaj has warned us against
this trading mentality in the name of spiritual truth.'
SRI KARTIK MONTH: 17 October–15 November
'You think, "You all sing, and I will listen." It will not do. You must sing
yourself. If I eat, will your stomach be full? You must chant kirtans
yourself. When you chant these kirtans, you will be remembering
Nityananda Prabhu. You worry that you do not know the tune, but no tune is
necessary. Because we have drums and karatals here now, we are playing
them, but when I am alone, do you think I sing it like that? I do not. I
recite them. Chanting kirtan is not playing drums and
karatals – even if you read them, that is also kirtan. So,
always chant kirtan.'
(Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj)
KIRTANS SUNG DURING KARTIK MONTH Morning kirtans:TEXT |
AUDIO
[17 min, 8.2 Mb]: Sri Damodarastakam, Sri Sriman Mahaprabhur Sata-Nama, Sri
Krsner Vimsottara Sata-Nama. Evening kirtans:TEXT |
AUDIO [27 min, 12.5 Mb]: Sri Siksastakam.
In memory of Sri Gurupadpadma's pastimes in Sri Govardhan and Sri
Vrindavan Dham:
Sri Kartik
Parikrama: Day Three (26 October 2014)
The Kartik Pilgrimage continues: the third day and the Parikrama Party
takes a bus trip to Sri Uchagram and Sri Varshana, along with a number of
places on the way.
Sri Govardhan
Parikrama (9 November 2018 | 105 photographs, 7.7 Mb)
On the third day of Sri Govardhan Parikrama, His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad
Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj takes the devotees around the north-east
part of Govardhan to take the darshan of the sacred places of the
Lord's and the Lord's associates' pastimes.
Sri Mathura Parikrama (10 November 2018 | 94 photographs, 6.9 Mb)
The parikrama party leaves Sri Govardhan and continues the
parikrama in places in the district of Mathura: Sri Uchagaon, Sri
Varsana, Sri Nandagaon, and Kadam Khandi. The parikrama day finishes
very late in the evening as His Divine Grace and the devotees arrive at Sri
Chaitanya Saraswat Math in Sri Vrindavan Dham to continue Sri Kartik
tour.
Parikrama of Sri
Mathura District (30 October 2019 | 82 photographs, 6.7 Mb)
His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj takes the devotees to
the district of Mathura: Sri Uchagaon, Sri Varsana, Sri Nandagaon, and Kadam
Khandi. The parikrama day finishes very late in the evening as His Divine
Grace and the devotees arrive at Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math in Sri Vrindavan
Dham to continue Sri Kartik tour.
Tue, 5 November 2024 (Sri Damodar Month; Disappearance of
Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj)
Transcendental Glory of Srila Swami Maharaj
'We do not know such words to celebrate his festival. We know, we have heard
a hundred times that if we glorify Vaishnavs, it gives great benefit, but how
much we can glorify Vaishnavs from our hearts? How much can we serve
Vaishnavs with our hearts? That is the main question.'
•
Download / listen to the audio (8.4 Mb, 20 min | 18 November
2020)
Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj Prabhupad's Mission "Srila Abhay Charanaravinda Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj Prabhupad has made
a channel to the West, and so many devotees come now through that channel.
Without his mercy we would not have been able to think anything today, but
now, getting the association of international devotees, we feel very
happy."
Today in the calendar:
Gaura Chaturthi. Disappearance festival of Vishva-varenya Tridandi Swami
Srimad Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj Prabhupad.
His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj: "Even if you do
not know anything about the Vaishnav mentioned in the calendar, you must
still give them 'jay' on this day."
In honour of Srila A.C.
Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj Srila Prabhupad:
"Singing the glories of the Vaishnavs rescues and protects the jiva soul. I
heard this from the mouth of sadhus and my Guru."
"If we give some honour, give some glorification to the Vaishnavs, it is
actually for our benefit. It is for our own benefit that we do some
ceremonies, some festivals, glorifying the Vaishnavs. It is necessary for our
spiritual life, and it is one of the bhaktyanga, one of the practising
processes. That is why we make Vaishnavs' disappearance and appearance
festivals."
(Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj)
namah om visnupadaya krsna-presthaya bhutale
swami sri bhaktivedanta prabhupadaya te namah
gurvajnam sirasi-dhrtva saktyavesa sva-rupine
hare-krsneti mantrena paschatya-prachya-tarine
visvacharya prabaryaya divya karunya murtaye
sri bhagavata-madhurya-gita-jnana pradayine
gaura-sri-rupa-siddhanta-saraswati nisevine
radha-krsna-padambhoja-bhrngaya gurave namah
"I offer my humble obeisances unto His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta
Swami Maharaj Prabhupad, who is Krishna's beloved associate and who came down
to this plane from Goloka. Taking the order of his guru on his head, he is
the saktyavesa (empowered) avatar of Nityananda Prabhu personified. He
distributed the Hare Krsna mantra all over the Eastern and Western world,
delivering and uplifting all fallen souls. He is the best of millions of
jagat-gurus, because he is the personification of divine mercy. He has
distributed the sweet nectar of Srimad-Bhagavatam and the transcendental
knowledge of Bhagavad-gita all over the world. He is constantly engaged in
exclusive devotional service to Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakura,
Srila Rupa Goswami, and Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu. I offer my humble obeisances
unto Srila Prabhupada, who is like a bumble-bee always tasting the nectar of
the lotus feet of Sri Sri Radha and Govinda."
Srila
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj: Intimate Friend and More
"Srila Prabhupad A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj gave much respect to Srila
Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj. You know when Srila Sridhar Maharaj and our
Gurudev were in Kolkata, they lived together with A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
Maharaj for many years..."
• Download
(0.7 Mb, 2 min | 22 October 2011)
Srila Swami
Maharaj Prabhupad(Spoken on the appearance day)
"Without his mercy we would not have been able to think anything today, but
we are very happy and we are making today a festival for Srila Swami Maharaj,
on his appearance day. Everybody must pray for his mercy."
•
Download / listen to the audio (2.9 Mb, 9 min | 15 August 2009)
CENTENARY ANTHOLOGY:
Part 1. Chapter 1. Siksa-Guru "Constantly associating, whether in Allahabad, Calcutta, or other parts of
India, Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj and Srila Sridhar Maharaj's
relationship continually developed. Throughout his life, Srila Bhaktivedanta
Swami Maharaj always maintained the highest respect and confidence in Srila
Sridhar Maharaj. He considered that whenever it was not possible for his
disciples to proceed directly under his guidance, that they should take
direction from Srila Sridhar Maharaj."
Prayers to Sri Vaishnav Thakur:
•SONG:
Ei-bara karuna kara |
এইবার করুণা কর "O worshippable Vaisnava, be merciful to me this time. O saviour of the
fallen, without you there is no one. In every birth I aspire for the dust of
your feet."
•SONG:
Ohe Vaisnava
Thakura |
(ওহে) বৈষ্ণব ঠাকুর "O worshippable Vaishnav, ocean of grace, be merciful to this servant.
Give me the shade of your feet and purify me. I clasp your feet. You can give
Krishna, you have that power. Calling, 'Krishna!' 'Krishna!', I run after
you."
•SONG:
Ki-rupe paiba seva |
কিরূপে পাইব সেবা "I am so wicked, how will I ever get service? I do not have any attachment to Sri Guru and Vaishnavs! Prabhu, you see no fault in others, you are the saviour of the fallen. Please deliver Narottam this time!"
•SONG:
Dhana mora nityananda |
ধন মোর নিত্যানন্দ "The feet dust of the Vaishnavs is where I sport and take bath, Vaishnavs'
name is the water oblation. My mind is intently fixed upon the remnants of
Vaishnavs, and I am elated hearing the name of Vaishnavs."
•SONG:
Ye
anila prema-dhana |
যে আনিল প্রেমধন "Where has Advaita Acharya gone? Where are my Svarup, Rupa, Sanatan? Where
is my Raghunath? Where are the saviours of the fallen souls?"
—{ Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address }—
Be in Good
Association and Be Good Association
"(1) Sometimes, we are staying with some bad
association, sometimes we may live together, but we must ignore and avoid
such kind of association. (2) It is
necessary to be a proper mother—to be a mother like Yasoda, a mother like
Sachi Mata, not a mother like Kaikeyi."
•
Download / listen to the audio (1.6 Mb, 4 min | 10 May 2020)
(6) THE HIGHEST CONCEPTION OF CONDUCT
'Whether externally pure or impure, the whole principle is that our exclusive
devotion for Krishna is the only necessity. But that sort of devotion is not
so cheap that everyone will go on with their activities in this world, taking
advantage of such ideals. That won’t do. The real measure of devotion must be
there, not that anyone may do anything passing in the name of pure devotion,
like the prakrta-sahajiyas. That can’t be allowed.'
SRI KARTIK MONTH: 17 October–15 November
'You think, "You all sing, and I will listen." It will not do. You must sing
yourself. If I eat, will your stomach be full? You must chant kirtans
yourself. When you chant these kirtans, you will be remembering
Nityananda Prabhu. You worry that you do not know the tune, but no tune is
necessary. Because we have drums and karatals here now, we are playing
them, but when I am alone, do you think I sing it like that? I do not. I
recite them. Chanting kirtan is not playing drums and
karatals – even if you read them, that is also kirtan. So,
always chant kirtan.'
(Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj)
KIRTANS SUNG DURING KARTIK MONTH Morning kirtans:TEXT |
AUDIO
[17 min, 8.2 Mb]: Sri Damodarastakam, Sri Sriman Mahaprabhur Sata-Nama, Sri
Krsner Vimsottara Sata-Nama. Evening kirtans:TEXT |
AUDIO [27 min, 12.5 Mb]: Sri Siksastakam.
In memory of Sri Gurupadpadma's pastimes in Sri Govardhan and Sri
Vrindavan Dham:
Sri Kartik
Parikrama: Day Six (29 October 2014)
The Kartik Pilgrimage continues to many prominent places of Sri Vrindavan
Dham: Seva Kunja, samadhi mandirs of Srila Jiva Goswami, Srila Rupa
Goswami, Srila Krishnadas Kaviraj Goswami, Srila Lokantha Das Goswami,
Srila Narottam Das Thakur, Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami, Sri Brahma Kunda,
and several other places.
Sri
Vrindavan Dham Parikrama (12 November 2018 | 114 photographs, 8 Mb)
With an incessant flow of sankirtan and Hari-katha, His Divine Grace Om
Vishnupad Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj takes the devotees on an
extensive tour of the holy places of Vrindavan: Sri Sri Radha Damodar
Temple (samadhi mandirs of Srila Jiva Goswami, Srila Rupa Goswami, Srila
Krishna Das Kaviraj Goswami, bhajan kutir of Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
Maharaj Prabhupad), Sri Nidhuvan, Sri Sri Radha Raman jiu Temple, samadhi
mandir of Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami, Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda Temple
(samadhi mandirs of Srila Lokanath Das Goswami, Srila Narottam Das Thakur,
Srila Vishvanath Chakravarti Thakur), Sri Sri Radha Gopinath Temple, Sri
Vamsi Vat, Gopeshwar Mahadev's Temple, Temple of Lala Babu, Sri Brahma Kunda,
Sri Ranganath Temple, and Sri Govindaji Temple.
Parikrama of Sri
Vrindavan Dham (1 November 2019 | 75 photographs, 5.6 Mb)
On the second day of Sri Vrindavan Dham Parikrama, His Divine Grace takes
devotees to Sri Seva Kunja, Sri Sri Radha Damodar Temple (samadhi mandirs of
Srila Jiva Goswami, Srila Rupa Goswami, Srila Krishna Das Kaviraj Goswami,
bhajan kutir of Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj Prabhupad), Sri
Nidhuvan, Sri Sri Radha Raman jiu Temple, samadhi mandir of Srila Gopal
Bhatta Goswami, Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda Temple (samadhi mandirs of Srila
Lokanath Das Goswami, Srila Narottam Das Thakur, Srila Vishvanath Chakravarti
Thakur), Sri Sri Radha Gopinath Temple, Sri Vamsivat, Gopeshwar Mahadev's
Temple, Temple of Lala Babu, Sri Brahma Kunda, Sri Ranganath Temple, and Sri
Govindaji Temple.
Srila
Jiva Goswami Prabhu
"I have no power to say what kind of devotion to his Guru Jiva Goswami
had. Jiva Goswami's service cannot be compared to
anyone's service. Whatever order he would get, he would place it on his
head and do it all the time—his mind never went to any other
place."
•
Download / listen to the audio (8 Mb, 23 min)
Srila Gopal
Bhatta Goswami's Miracle
"You have heard about the Deity of Sri Radha-Raman in Vrindavan. When Gopal
Bhatta Goswami lived in Vrindavan, he every day worshipped twelve pieces of
Govardhan sila..."
•
Download / listen to the audio (1 Mb, 3 min | 7 September 2013 |
Bengali)
Reforming
Lifestyle
"It is necessary to be strict because he does not know what will be good for
him. I also do not know what will be good for me—my Gurudev knows it, and my
Gurudev gives me inspiration every day. But if he does not follow his
Gurudev's instruction..."
•
Download / listen to the audio (4.1 Mb, 12 min | 1 July 2013)
Sri
Radhastami: World Beyond Lust
"The lectures are recorded and going to be sent all over the world that is
why it is necessary to say something in English. People write so much about
gopis and Radharani and they enjoy with that, but what they write
about Radharani and who Radharani is, is worlds apart."
•
Download / listen to the audio (6.4 Mb, 18 min | 6 September 2019 | Eng & Beng)
Gopeshwar
Mahadev's Surrender
"...Lord Siva entered the rasa-mancha in this mood, and Krishna
understood who had come. Everyone wondered where the new gopi had come from
and why Krishna was giving her so much honour."
•
Download / listen to the audio (2.2 Mb, 7 min)
Wed, 6 November 2024 (Sri Damodar Month)
Srila Swami
Maharaj's Reply
'There was a story that happened one day and that our Gurupadpadma told us
about. When he was staying at Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj's house,
Gurudev would go door to door for collection (collecting money, etc.). One
time, some man asked Gurudev...'
•
Download / listen to the audio (8.4 Mb, 20 min | 18 November
2020)
Today in the calendar:
Gaura Panchami. Disappearance of Tridandi Swami Srimad Bhakti Aloka
Paramahamsa Maharaj.
His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj: "Even if you do
not know anything about the Vaishnav mentioned in the calendar, you must
still give them 'jay' on this day."
His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila B.S. Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj
remembers [mentioned in
Centenary Anthology: "There was a very dear disciple of Srila
Saraswati Thakur who lived in the same room with Srila Saraswati Thakur and
received much affection from him—his name was Mahananda Brahmachari. We saw
that lastly he came to Srila Guru Maharaj and said, 'Maharaj, I want to take
sannyas from you. Please give me sannyas.' Srila Guru Maharaj
gave it very happily and his name became Srila Bhakti Alok Paramahamsa
Maharaj."
—{ Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address }—
Krishna's
Arrangement
"Krishna is always powerful, Krishna can do anything. Even what is meant to
happen may not happen, and what is not mean to happen may happen. It is not
necessary to be worried about it. Who will commit suicide, who will leave,
who will stay—everything is Krishna's arrangement."
•
Download / listen to the audio (3.2 Mb, 8 min | 10 May 2020)
(7) THE GRAND VICTORY OF LOVE
'Beauty is above knowledge and power. Knowledge is above power, and above
knowledge is beauty, charm, love. That is the supreme. Srimad
Bhagavatam has declared that the Krishna conception of Godhead is the
most original conception of the Absolute. This is the prime declaration of
the Bhagavatam: the Lord, as Beauty, is above all. And below Him is
awe, reverence, power, etc.'
SRI KARTIK MONTH: 17 October–15 November
'You think, "You all sing, and I will listen." It will not do. You must sing
yourself. If I eat, will your stomach be full? You must chant kirtans
yourself. When you chant these kirtans, you will be remembering
Nityananda Prabhu. You worry that you do not know the tune, but no tune is
necessary. Because we have drums and karatals here now, we are playing
them, but when I am alone, do you think I sing it like that? I do not. I
recite them. Chanting kirtan is not playing drums and
karatals – even if you read them, that is also kirtan. So,
always chant kirtan.'
(Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj)
KIRTANS SUNG DURING KARTIK MONTH Morning kirtans:TEXT |
AUDIO
[17 min, 8.2 Mb]: Sri Damodarastakam, Sri Sriman Mahaprabhur Sata-Nama, Sri
Krsner Vimsottara Sata-Nama. Evening kirtans:TEXT |
AUDIO [27 min, 12.5 Mb]: Sri Siksastakam.
In memory of Sri Gurupadpadma's pastimes in Sri Govardhan and Sri
Vrindavan Dham:
Sri
Vrindavan Dham Parikrama (13 November 2018 | 79 photographs, 6.2 Mb)
On this day of Sri Vrindavan Dham parikrama His Divine Grace Om
Vishnupad Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj takes the devotees across the
Yamuna River to the birthplace of Lord Krishna, Ramana Reti, Gokula Mahavan,
Brahmanda Ghat, Sri Dauji Temple of Lord Balaram, Ravel (the birthplace of
Srimati Radharani).
Parikrama of Sri
Vrindavan Dham (Gokula, Ravel) (2 November 2019 | 47 photographs, 3.9 Mb)
On the third day of Sri Vrindavan Dham parikrama His Divine Grace Om
Vishnupad Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj takes the devotees across the
Yamuna River to the birthplace of Lord Krishna, Ramana Reti, Gokula Mahavan,
Brahmanda Ghat, Sri Dauji Temple of Lord Balaram, and Ravel (the birthplace
of Srimati Radharani).
Thu, 7 November 2024 (Sri Damodar Month)
Srila
Swami Maharaj Starts His Mission
'When Srila Swami Maharaj first came to Srila Prabhupad, Srila Prabhupad told
him, "You have the qualification, you can preach in the Western world in the
English language." Srila Swami Maharaj always remembered what Srila Prabhupad
Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur had told him and was always enthusiastic to
go to the West.'
•
Download / listen to the audio (8.4 Mb, 20 min | 18 November
2020)
—{ Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address }—
First
Requirement
"Your mind tells you, 'Oh, it is necessary to relax'—do not listen to your
mind. Tell yourself, 'I have service, and I must do that service first.' It
is necessary to do what is required, and your first requirement is your
service."
•
Download / listen to the audio (1.2 Mb, 3 min | 10 May 2020)
(8) THE BRIGHTEST SUN
'We must not be afraid of transforming, or "dying"; we should welcome the
death of our ego. "Die to live." If our motivation comes from the proper
source, we shall also know the troubles we face as not mere renunciation. We
must not accept only trouble, but we have to fulfill His purpose. The inner
sacrifice is more necessary than the external sacrifice.'
SRI KARTIK MONTH: 17 October–15 November
'You think, "You all sing, and I will listen." It will not do. You must sing
yourself. If I eat, will your stomach be full? You must chant kirtans
yourself. When you chant these kirtans, you will be remembering
Nityananda Prabhu. You worry that you do not know the tune, but no tune is
necessary. Because we have drums and karatals here now, we are playing
them, but when I am alone, do you think I sing it like that? I do not. I
recite them. Chanting kirtan is not playing drums and
karatals – even if you read them, that is also kirtan. So,
always chant kirtan.'
(Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj)
KIRTANS SUNG DURING KARTIK MONTH Morning kirtans:TEXT |
AUDIO
[17 min, 8.2 Mb]: Sri Damodarastakam, Sri Sriman Mahaprabhur Sata-Nama, Sri
Krsner Vimsottara Sata-Nama. Evening kirtans:TEXT |
AUDIO [27 min, 12.5 Mb]: Sri Siksastakam.
In memory of Sri Gurupadpadma's pastimes in Sri Govardhan and Sri
Vrindavan Dham:
Sri
Vrindavan Dham Parikrama (14 November 2018 | 26 photographs, 1.5 Mb)
The last day of Sri Vrindavan Dham parikrama and the concluding day of
the entire Sri Kartik Parikrama: His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila
Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj spends some time with the devotees, gives
initiations and later in the day goes to the last three places of the
parikrama (Sri Seva Kunja, Sri Banki Bihari Temple, and Sri
Advaita-vat) and gives evening class.
Parikrama of Sri
Kuruksetra Dham (3 November 2019 | 29 photographs, 1.9 Mb)
His Divine Grace takes the devotees to Sri Kuruksetra Dham, about 160 km to
the north of Delhi, to take the holy darshan of the great holy place
where the famous Kuruksetra battle took place and where Lord Sri Krishna
spoke Srimad Bhagavad Gita.
Parikrama to Sri
Jaipur (4 November 2019 | 29 photographs, 2.8 Mb)
On this day of Sri Kartik Tour, His Divine Grace takes the devotees to Sri
Jaipur to take the darshan of Sri Govinda Deity (worshipped previously
by Srila Rupa Goswamipad in Sri Vrindavan) and Sri Gopinath (worshipped
previously by Sri Madhu Pandit). Both Deities were installed by Krishna's
great-grandson Vajranabha. Rescued by devotees from military assaults of the
government later on, the Deities were moved to Jaipur where They are
worshipped to this day. (The third Deity, Sri Gopal, was recovered by Sri
Madhavendra Puripad and is worshipped at Govardhan.)
Parikrama to Sri
Karauli (5 November 2019 | 14 photographs, 1.1 Mb)
Continuing Sri Kartik Tour, His Divine Grace takes the devotees from the holy
city of Jaipur to Karauli, slightly to the south-east to Jaipur, to take the
darshan of Sri Mahan Mohan Deity of Srila Sanatan Goswamipad.
Fri, 8 November 2024 (Sri Damodar Month)
Srila
Swami Maharaj's Return to India
'Srila Guru Maharaj was extremely glad to see Srila Swami Maharaj. They spoke
a lot at that time, and Srila Sridhar Maharaj glorified Srila Swami Maharaj
very much. Srila Swami Maharaj came to our Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math and
stayed there when he first returned to India.'
•
Download / listen to the audio (8.4 Mb, 20 min | 18 November
2020)
—{ Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address }—
Mahaprabhu's
Teachings (1): No False Renunciation
"A house is not a place for only enjoyment—your house is Krishna's house,
Vaishnavs' house, guru-varga's house, your house is meant for the
service of the Lord. It is not necessary to show monkey renunciation—you can
keep your house, enjoy your life but without material attachment. Be sincere
in your heart, practise with heart and soul."
•
Download / listen to the audio (2.9 Mb, 7 min | 17 May 2020)
Renunciation of
Renunciation
"To abnegate and cut off our connection with the environment is not our
object. Our object is, rather, to utilise everything for the service of the
Lord. Why should we eliminate anything? Why should we disregard anything? We
must not denounce, reject or dishonour things. We must use them properly,
with reverence, then they will draw benefit from me and bring benefit for me.
Environment can help me earn more, then why should I reject my environment
and all its paraphernalia? Rather, they should excite me."
Scope of Sacrifice
"This is the universe discovered by Vaishnavs. It has been brought down to
the experience of the senses by the Vaishnavs from above, and it is realised
through revelation, "There is a domain of such a conception, and if you like
it, you can come by such-and-such way. You are welcome. There is a domain of
extreme self-abnegation. This is the country where such persons live – if you
would like to be a resident of that land, then come.""
(9) FAITH IN THE LAND OF SACRIFICE
'The highest qualification within us is our acceptance of the slave mentality
for the Absolute. This is the only way to be earnest for the association of
the highest existence. We must be ready to accept slavery to its perfection,
and then we will be allowed to enter into that domain. Otherwise, we have no
hope. It is not very easy to embrace slave mentality—eternal slavery. Slavery
is also our future prospect. Are you ready to think like this?'
SRI KARTIK MONTH: 17 October–15 November
'You think, "You all sing, and I will listen." It will not do. You must sing
yourself. If I eat, will your stomach be full? You must chant kirtans
yourself. When you chant these kirtans, you will be remembering
Nityananda Prabhu. You worry that you do not know the tune, but no tune is
necessary. Because we have drums and karatals here now, we are playing
them, but when I am alone, do you think I sing it like that? I do not. I
recite them. Chanting kirtan is not playing drums and
karatals – even if you read them, that is also kirtan. So,
always chant kirtan.'
(Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj)
KIRTANS SUNG DURING KARTIK MONTH Morning kirtans:TEXT |
AUDIO
[17 min, 8.2 Mb]: Sri Damodarastakam, Sri Sriman Mahaprabhur Sata-Nama, Sri
Krsner Vimsottara Sata-Nama. Evening kirtans:TEXT |
AUDIO [27 min, 12.5 Mb]: Sri Siksastakam.
Sat, 9 November 2024 (Sri Damodar Month)
Eternal
Servitude
'The Lord stays at the house where devotees serve Him daily, eternally, where
devotees chant His Names every day. "Eternally" means every single day: it is
not like you will do service one day, and then you will not do it. The Lord
will not come just for one day. The Lord says, "If I come, I come to
stay."'
•
Download / listen to the audio (29.9 Mb, 63 min | 23 February
2019)
(10) BEYOND DOUBT
'Progress can be measured by detecting this kind of transformation within.
Somehow, a conception of the Supreme must grow clearer and clearer in me.
What is He? Who is He? And indifference to everything ‘non-Krishna’ grows in
me also. I avoid what does not concern Krishna, and when it appears anyway,
it produces some apathy or even irritation in me, “Oh, why has this thing
come to me?”'
SRI KARTIK MONTH: 17 October–15 November
'You think, "You all sing, and I will listen." It will not do. You must sing
yourself. If I eat, will your stomach be full? You must chant kirtans
yourself. When you chant these kirtans, you will be remembering
Nityananda Prabhu. You worry that you do not know the tune, but no tune is
necessary. Because we have drums and karatals here now, we are playing
them, but when I am alone, do you think I sing it like that? I do not. I
recite them. Chanting kirtan is not playing drums and
karatals – even if you read them, that is also kirtan. So,
always chant kirtan.'
(Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj)
KIRTANS SUNG DURING KARTIK MONTH Morning kirtans:TEXT |
AUDIO
[17 min, 8.2 Mb]: Sri Damodarastakam, Sri Sriman Mahaprabhur Sata-Nama, Sri
Krsner Vimsottara Sata-Nama. Evening kirtans:TEXT |
AUDIO [27 min, 12.5 Mb]: Sri Siksastakam.
Today in the calendar:
Gaura Ashtami. Disappearance of Sri Gadadhar Das Goswami, Srila Dhananjay
Pandit and Srila Srinivas Acharya Prabhu. Sri Gopastami, Sri
Gosthastami.
His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj: "Even if you do
not know anything about the Vaishnav mentioned in the calendar, you must
still give them 'jay' on this day. We must always remember disappearance and
appearance days of all Vaishnavs. If we can remember such personalities, such
great souls, it will bring a great benefit to our spiritual life."
"We should always check the calendar, and when we see some dates mentioned
there, even if we do not know anything about the Vaishnav or events mentioned
there, we can at least give 'jay' to them—that also brings some good sukriti,
some purification to us. Seeing the calendar and taking devotees' names early
in the morning, from the beginning of the day, is very good for all
devotees."
"Wake up, look into the calendar and give 'jay' to your Guru and
Vaishnavs. Always pay obeisance to your Guru and Vaishnavs when you wake up
in the morning, always give them 'jay'. Always keep faith and show
respect to them. Always see the calendar—whose appearance day it is, whose
disappearance day it is. Even if you cannot make a festival, at least you can
give them 'jay', it will bring you benefit. When you give 'jay'
to your Guru and Vaishnavs, it brings you sukriti. For example, today
is the disappearance day of a Vaishnav—give 'jay' to him, remember
him. We must always remember the words of Vaishnavs. If I remember the words
of Vaishnavs, I get some benefit, some deposit through that."
In honour of Sri Gadadhar Das
Goswami:
Sri Gadadhar Das Goswami, an eternal associate of Sriman Mahaprabhu and
Sriman Nityananda Prabhu, resided on the bank of the Ganges. In Sri
Gaura-ganoddesa-dipika, he is stated to be the incarnation of bodily
beauty of Srimati Radharani. Although he was a follower of Sriman Nityananda
Prabhu, he did not manifest sakhya-rasa, instead he manifested the
mood of a gopi—sitting on the bank of the Ganges, he would scoop some
Ganges water into a pot and cry out with a laugh, "Who wants to buy some
milk?", "Who wants to buy some yoghurt?"
When Sriman Mahaprabhu ordered Sriman Nityananda Prabhu to preach Krishna
consciousness in Bengal, He sent Sri Ram-das and Sri Gadadhar-das to
Gauda-desh with Sriman Nityananda Prabhu.
Srila Vrindavan Das Thakur describes a pastime in which Sri Gadadhar Das
Goswami delivers the Kazi of Endiyadaha who vehemently opposed
sankirtan:
One day, overwhelmed by divine love for the Lord, Sri Gadadhar Das Goswami
came to the house of Kazi chanting sankirtan and said, "Where is that
Kazi? Come, chant the Holy Name at once, otherwise I will cut your neck!"
Furious, Kazi came out to him, but seeing the divine form and mood of Sri
Gadadhar Das Goswami, he became astounded and his anger subsided. Kazi said
then,
"What are you doing here?"
"I wanted to speak to you," answered Sri Gadadhar Das Goswami.
"What do you want to say?" asked Kazi.
"Gaura-Nityananda have appeared on this earth and are giving the Holy Name to
anyone and everyone, but why are you not taking this nectarian Holy
Name?"
"Go home, I will take it tomorrow."
"Tomorrow? Why not today? I have come to give you the Holy Name and to rescue
you. Take this supremely beneficial Holy Name! It will rescue you from all
your sins today!"
Kazi felt embarrassed to refuse him, so he sniggered, "Well, I will say
'Hari' tomorrow."
Then, hearing Kazi say 'Hari', Sri Gadadhar Das Goswami became
overwhelmed by divine love and said, "Now why tomorrow? You have just said
'Hari'! All your sins have been removed, you have become supremely pure."
Saying this, Sri Gadadhar Das Goswami began to dance.
In this way, Kazi became purified and took shelter at the lotus feet of
Sri Gadadhar Das Goswami. At the end, Srila Vrindavan Das Thakur concludes,
"Saintly persons did not want to be touched by the air that touched the Kazi,
for they felt that such contact would make them lose their caste. Yet
Gadadhar Das Mahasaya glanced mercifully on that most sinful Kazi, who took
away the caste of any Hindu he encountered. When such a person gives up his
envious nature, it is to be understood that this is the potency of Krishna
consciousness."
This was how Sri Gadadhar Das Goswami delivered many sinners and inauspicious
people by bestowing the Holy Name upon them.
Sri Gadadhar Das
Goswami
"Sri Gadadhar Das Goswami is an eternal associate of Sriman Mahaprabhu and
Sriman Nityananda Prabhu. At first, he lived in Katwa, and later, after
Mahaprabhu's disappearance, he moved to a village on the bank of the
Ganges...."
•
Download / listen to the audio (1.6 Mb, 4 min)
In honour of Srila Dhananjay
Pandit:
"Dhananjay Pandita was an extraordinary devotee, and Nityananda always
resided in his heart. He is the sixteenth dear servant of Nityananda Prabhu
and he was very much renounced and always merged in love of Krishna. Srila
Bhakti Siddhanta Swaraswati Thakur writes in his Anubhasya, 'Dhananjay
Pandit was a resident of the village in Katwa named Sitala (Burdwan
district). He was one of the twelve gopalas. His former name,
according to the Sri Gaura-ganoddesa-dipika (127), was Vasudama. It
is said that for some time Dhananjay Pandit was in a sankirtan party
under the direction of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, and then he went to
Vrindavan. After returning from Vrindavan to Sitala-gram, he established a
Deity of Gaurasundara in the temple. The descendants of Dhananjay Pandit
still live in Sitala-gram and look after the temple worship."
In honour of Srila Srinivas
Acharya prabhu:
Appearance of Acharya
Srinivas
"Having received Mahaprabhu's blessing and mercy, Chaitanya Das and his wife
returned to their house in Gaura-desh. Their son was born and, seeing his
beautiful son, Chaitanya Das immediately declared, 'I will give this son to
the lotus feet of Mahaprabhu for His service.'"
•
Download / listen to the audio (1.5 Mb, 4 min)
Acharya Srinivas:
Collecting Mercy
"Srinivas Acharya received Sri Narahari Thakur and Govinda Gosh Thakur's
mercy from his childhood. Later, when Acharya Srinivas's father left his
body, Srinivas and his mother then came to his mother's family house in
Jajigram..."
•
Download / listen to the audio (2.1 Mb, 5 min)
Acharya Srinivas:
Rescuing Scriptures
"So many things are written about Acharya Srinivas. There is a famous pastime
of Srila Srinivas Acharya and Raja Birhambir. Srila Srinivas Acharya, Srila
Narottam Das Thakur, and Srila Shyamananda Prabhu were once travelling with
all the books of Srila Rupa Goswami, Srila Sanatan Goswami, and
others..."
•
Download / listen to the audio (2.2 Mb, 5 min)
Time for Sravan
"You must see the sadhu with your ears, because you cannot see a
sadhu with your eyes. This is actually not a place for play or
tourism, this is a place for sravan and kirtan. You must listen
with your heart. One time, Acharya Srinivas was sitting with Narottam Das Thakur in one place..."
•
Download / listen to the audio (2.4 Mb, 7 min)
In Praise of Srila Narottam Das Thakur(From Affectionate Guidance, chapter 17) Narottam Thakur's close associates and peers were Syamananda and Srinivas.
These three great devotees were sent back to Bengal to continue the preaching
of Mahaprabhu. The Bengali Vaisnavas were very eager to read the writings of
Sri Rupa, Sanatan, Raghunath, Krishna Das Kaviraj, Lokanath Goswami, Gopal
Bhatta Goswami, Prabhodananda Saraswati and the other Goswamis; so Narottam,
Syamananda and Srinivas travelled from Vrindavan towards Bengal with many
copies of those great books...
His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj:
"Srinivas Acharya, Narottam Das Thakur, and Shyamananda Prabhu
started for Vrindavan to have the darshan of Srila Rupa Goswami, Srila
Sanatan Goswami, Srila Gopala Bhatta Goswami, Srila Raghunatha Bhatta Goswami
and others who were there.
"When they were only a few miles away from Mathura, they heard that Sanatan
Goswami had passed away. People were saying that that great Sanatan Goswami
who was the prime minister and who had captured all people in the whole of
Vrindavan within his heart—that Sanatan had passed away, a great disaster for
the country. What to do then? Rupa, Raghunath, Jiva and Gopala Bhatta were
still living, so Srinivas, Narottam, and Shyamananda dragged somehow on.
When they reached Mathura, they heard that Srila Rupa Goswami had left the
night before that. Sanatana left on an ashari purnima, and Srila Rupa Goswami
left after that on next dvadasi. They thought, "What hopeless and cursed
souls we are! We have come so near, yet we could not see those two generals
of Mahaprabhu!" Mahaprabhu sent two of his generals to Vrindavan to carry out
His orders and establish the kingdom of the Gaudiya Vaishnavs there... So,
they dragged their bodies to Vrindavan and came to Govinda Mandir. When they
reached it, they found that an evening aroti was going on there in a very
great splendour. There was a great crowd there—Srila Rupa Goswami had just
passed away, so with that feeling of high bereavement, everybody was chanting
his name madly. Srinivas, Narottam, and Shyamananda Prabhu were there, but
Srinivas Acharya could not stand that sort of sentimental wave—he was
standing aside and he fainted. When he regained his consciousness, he saw
Srila Jiva Goswami with some of his followers...
In this way, Srinivas Acharya, Narottam Das Thakur, and Shyamananda Prabhu
stayed in Vrindavan for one year—Srinivas Acharya took initiation from
Gopala Bhatta, Narottam Thakur from Lokanath Goswami, and Shyamananda Prabhu
from Srila Jiva Goswami Prabhu..."
"I offer my respectful obeisances unto the Six Goswamis, namely Sri
Rupa Goswami, Sri Sanatan Goswami, Sri Raghunath Bhatta Goswami, Sri
Raghunath Das Goswami, Sri Jiva Goswami, and Sri Gopala Bhatta Goswami, who
are always engaged in chanting the Holy Name of Krishna and dancing. They are
just like the ocean of love of God, and they are popular both with the gentle
and with the ruffians, because they are not envious of anyone. Whatever they
do, they are all-pleasing to everyone, and they are fully blessed by Lord
Chaitanya. Thus they are engaged in missionary activities meant to deliver
all the conditioned souls in the material universe."
Sun, 10 November 2024 (Sri Damodar Month)
Morning Tells the
Day
'Do not waste your time. If you want to practise Krishna consciousness
properly, then practise Krishna consciousness properly. Until and unless you
become drawn and attached to the Lord, you will not be able to hear or feel
these things.'
•
Download / listen to the audio (29.9 Mb, 63 min | 23 February
2019)
—{ Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address }—
Mahaprabhu's
Teachings (3): No Caste Consideration
"Those who come from a lower caste, who come from a mlechha family, who come
from some bad family, are not unfit to worship the Lord—they also have the
qualification, the right to chanting the Name of the Lord."
•
Download / listen to the audio (2.4 Mb, 6 min | 17 May 2020)
(11) THE GUARDIAN-RULED FAMILY
'We have drifted into separate interest. Now we must give up that separate
interest and enter into the undivided family; we must accept the guardian. We
have been advised to enter the guardian-ruled family. We have to adjust
ourselves to live in a family under guardianship. But we shall strive to
understand that life under a guardian is the wholesome and healthy life. We
need not search after our full independence, for that independence cannot
solve the problem we are faced with. There is no doubt that we are in the
midst of a problem. Apparently, it may be thought that by independence the
problem may be solved. But it is wrong.'
SRI KARTIK MONTH: 17 October–15 November
'You think, "You all sing, and I will listen." It will not do. You must sing
yourself. If I eat, will your stomach be full? You must chant kirtans
yourself. When you chant these kirtans, you will be remembering
Nityananda Prabhu. You worry that you do not know the tune, but no tune is
necessary. Because we have drums and karatals here now, we are playing
them, but when I am alone, do you think I sing it like that? I do not. I
recite them. Chanting kirtan is not playing drums and
karatals – even if you read them, that is also kirtan. So,
always chant kirtan.'
(Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj)
KIRTANS SUNG DURING KARTIK MONTH Morning kirtans:TEXT |
AUDIO
[17 min, 8.2 Mb]: Sri Damodarastakam, Sri Sriman Mahaprabhur Sata-Nama, Sri
Krsner Vimsottara Sata-Nama. Evening kirtans:TEXT |
AUDIO [27 min, 12.5 Mb]: Sri Siksastakam.
Mon, 11 November 2024 (Sri Damodar Month)
Real Milk – Real
Benefit
'When you drink milk, you get nourishment; but if a venomous snake touches
that milk with its mouth, the milk will still look the same as normal milk,
but if you drink it, you will have to leave the body and this world. So, we
must make sure that we do not drink milk touched by a snake. You must think
where real milk is.'
•
Download / listen to the audio (29.9 Mb, 63 min | 23 February
2019)
—{ Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address }—
Mahaprabhu's
Teachings (4): Pillars of Renunciation
"At first, Mahaprabhu told Srila Raghunath Das Goswami to go back to his
house, but after that his house became unfavourable to practising Krishna
consciousness, so Mahaprabhu arranged for Srila Raghunath Das Goswami to come
and meet with Him. At that time, Mahaprabhu gave him advice, 'What will a
vairagi do?'...."
•
Download / listen to the audio (2.3 Mb, 6 min | 17 May 2020)
(12) EVERY WORD IS A SONG
'We think feeling is the result. No. Feeling is commanding everything. First
feeling, then thinking, then willing. Generally the karmis give the
better hand to willing—willpower—all command; and the jnanis place
everything in thinking—“We command the will, so we are holding the high
position.” But feeling is at the basis of everything. He, or It, or She—is
commanding everything. It has been told like that; we have to understand the
position of feeling.'
'You think, "You all sing, and I will listen." It will not do. You must sing
yourself. If I eat, will your stomach be full? You must chant kirtans
yourself. When you chant these kirtans, you will be remembering
Nityananda Prabhu. You worry that you do not know the tune, but no tune is
necessary. Because we have drums and karatals here now, we are playing
them, but when I am alone, do you think I sing it like that? I do not. I
recite them. Chanting kirtan is not playing drums and
karatals – even if you read them, that is also kirtan. So,
always chant kirtan.'
(Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj)
KIRTANS SUNG DURING KARTIK MONTH Morning kirtans:TEXT |
AUDIO
[17 min, 8.2 Mb]: Sri Damodarastakam, Sri Sriman Mahaprabhur Sata-Nama, Sri
Krsner Vimsottara Sata-Nama. Evening kirtans:TEXT |
AUDIO [27 min, 12.5 Mb]: Sri Siksastakam.
Tue, 12 November 2024 (Sri Damodar Month; Sri Uttana Ekadasi;
Disappearance of Srila Gaura Kishor Das Babaji Maharaj)
Sins and Animals
'There is one more thing you should always remember. Always listen carefully
to what I am telling you. It is necessary to listen with your heart – these
things do not just enter ears; you must listen with your heart.'
•
Download / listen to the audio (29.9 Mb, 63 min | 23 February
2019)
SRI KARTIK MONTH: 17 October–15 November
'You think, "You all sing, and I will listen." It will not do. You must sing
yourself. If I eat, will your stomach be full? You must chant kirtans
yourself. When you chant these kirtans, you will be remembering
Nityananda Prabhu. You worry that you do not know the tune, but no tune is
necessary. Because we have drums and karatals here now, we are playing
them, but when I am alone, do you think I sing it like that? I do not. I
recite them. Chanting kirtan is not playing drums and
karatals – even if you read them, that is also kirtan. So,
always chant kirtan.'
(Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj)
KIRTANS SUNG DURING KARTIK MONTH Morning kirtans:TEXT |
AUDIO
[17 min, 8.2 Mb]: Sri Damodarastakam, Sri Sriman Mahaprabhur Sata-Nama, Sri
Krsner Vimsottara Sata-Nama. Evening kirtans:TEXT |
AUDIO [27 min, 12.5 Mb]: Sri Siksastakam.
Today in the calendar:
Gaura Ekadasi. Fast on Sri Utthan Ekadasi.Disappearance of Om
Visnupad Paramahamsa Srila Gaura Kisor Das Babaji Maharaj. Appearance of
Tridandi-swami Srimad Bhakti Dayita Madhav Maharaj. Sri Bhisma Panchaka.
Awakening of Lord Sri Hari.
His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj: "Even if you do
not know anything about the Vaishnav mentioned in the calendar, you must
still give them 'jay' on this day. We must always remember disappearance and
appearance days of all Vaishnavs. If we can remember such personalities, such
great souls, it will bring a great benefit to our spiritual life. If you
remember the glories of Vaishnavs, if you speak about the glories of
Vaishnavs, they can rescue you from all kinds of material bondage. We have
heard a hundred times that if we glorify Vaishnavs, it gives great benefit,
but even though we have heard it a thousand times, how much are we able to
glorify Vaishnavs from our heart? How much can we serve Vaishnavs with heart
and soul? This is the question."
In honour of Srila Gaura Kishor
Das Babaji Maharaj:
namo gaurakisoraya bhaktavadhuta murtaye
gauranghri padma-bhrngaya radha-bhava-nisevine
"I offer my obeisance to Srila Gaura Kishor Das Babaji Maharaj, who is a
worshippable embodiment of an avadhuta devotee (who is beyond all rules and
regulations, and who can rescue the most fallen), who is a bumblebee at the
lotus feet of Sri Gaura, relishing the divine mood of Sri Radhika."
Srila Gaura Kishor Das Babaji Maharaj's Samadhi Mandir "Before, I knew that anyone who assumes a human form is as contemptible
and vile as myself, but when I observed the character of my Lord [Srila Gaura
Kishor Das Babaji Maharaj], I could gradually understand that a perfect
Vaishnav could exist in this world. Through the words and pastimes of saintly
persons such deficient jiva souls as myself can become enriched in many ways.
Hearing about the character of saintly persons and their pastimes can cleanse
many unsaintly hearts. With this hope I am writing a few words about
Paramahamsa Babaji."
Srila
Gaurakishoradas Babaji Maharaj
(An article written by Bhagavan Sri Srila Bhakti Siddhanta
Saraswati Thakur Prabhupad and published in the Harmonist in honour of
the disappearance day of Srila Gaura Kishor Das Babaji Maharaj)
"We cannot be eligible for the discipleship of Srila Thakur Bhaktivinode,
whom we may be disposed to honour on account of his display of scientific
scholarship, unless we are cured of all our scholastic vanities through the
realisation of the knowledge of transcendence by unconditional submission to
the feet of Srila Gaurakishoradasa Babaji."
Srila Gaura Kishor Das Babaji Maharaj
The transcendental pastimes and character of a great Vaishnav of our
sampradaya: "'Why are you staying here in Radha Kunda? You must come
to Nabadwip. My lila is not in Vrindavan, now My lila is going
on in Nabadwip, so you must come here.' And he came here...."
•
Download / listen to the audio (5.1 Mb, 15 min | 17 November 2010)
Sri
Srimad Gaura-Kishor-Namaskar Dasakam "O guru of my guru! My Param Guru, you are worshipped in the foremost
society of Sri Gauranga’s devotees. May you be propitiated with this servitor
surrendered unto your loving servitor Dayita Das (Srila Prabhupad). O Gaura
Kishor, obeisances to you again and again."
Param
Gurvastakam "He loudly sings the hidden divine glories of Sri Dham Mayapur; he is a
worshippable, auspicious, foremost, exalted devotee of the Lord – I am
offering my obeisance to my Lord who is known as Sri Gaura Kishor Das Babaji
Maharaj."
In honour of Srila Bhakti Dayita
Madhav Goswami Maharaj:
Reforming
Others
Three educational stories from the life of Srila Bhakti Siddhanta
Saraswati Thakur and his disciple Sripad B.D. Madhav Maharaj.
•
Download / listen to the audio (1.4 Mb, 5 min | 12 May 2012)
Guru
Consciousness, Service Consciousness
"I heard from Gurudev, one time it was Janmastami, and Madhav Maharaj (his
brahmachari name was Hayagriva Prabhu) had some service in Delhi, so
he had to travel by train on the Janmastami day...."
•
Download / listen to the audio (2.3 Mb, 7 min | 25 December 2010)
Srimad Bhakti Dayita Madhav Goswami Maharaj's Sri Chaitanya Gaudiya
Math "Srila Bhakti Dayita Madhav Maharaj was a very dear godbrother of the
Founder Acharya of our Math, Om Vishnupad Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar
Dev-Goswami Maharaj. Before taking sannyas, Srila Madhav Maharaj's name was
Sri Hayagriva Brahmachari. We have heard about him from the lotus mouth of
our Srila Guru Maharaj..."
Continuous
Service
"It happened after Prabhupad Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur's time. One
time, Srila Bhakti Dayita Madhav Goswami Maharaj, Srila Bhakti Saranga
Goswami Maharaj and one more sannyasi—three disciples of
Prabhupad—were sitting in one room..."
•
Download / listen to the audio (1.4 Mb, 5 min | 7 August 2011)
Prayers to Sri Vaishnav Thakur:
•SONG:
Ei-bara karuna kara |
এইবার করুণা কর "O worshippable Vaisnava, be merciful to me this time. O saviour of the
fallen, without you there is no one. In every birth I aspire for the dust of
your feet."
•SONG:
Ohe Vaisnava
Thakura |
(ওহে) বৈষ্ণব ঠাকুর "O worshippable Vaishnav, ocean of grace, be merciful to this servant.
Give me the shade of your feet and purify me. I clasp your feet. You can give
Krishna, you have that power. Calling, 'Krishna!' 'Krishna!', I run after
you."
•SONG:
Ki-rupe paiba seva |
কিরূপে পাইব সেবা "I am so wicked, how will I ever get service? I do not have any attachment to Sri Guru and Vaishnavs! Prabhu, you see no fault in others, you are the saviour of the fallen. Please deliver Narottam this time!"
•SONG:
Dhana mora nityananda |
ধন মোর নিত্যানন্দ "The feet dust of the Vaishnavs is where I sport and take bath, Vaishnavs'
name is the water oblation. My mind is intently fixed upon the remnants of
Vaishnavs, and I am elated hearing the name of Vaishnavs."
•SONG:
Ye
anila prema-dhana |
যে আনিল প্রেমধন "Where has Advaita Acharya gone? Where are my Svarup, Rupa, Sanatan? Where
is my Raghunath? Where are the saviours of the fallen souls?"
Sri Ekadasi Guidance Guidelines on how to observe and honour this holy day: Ekadasi takes an
indispensible part in the life of a sincere practitioner. At Sri Chaitanya
Saraswat Math, Ekadasi and paran are observed with affection and without
fail according to the dates given in the Calendar.
Srila B.R. Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj about fasting on ekadasi and
accepting material facilities:
"One time, a devotee came here from Vrindavan on the day of
ekadasi. He reached in the evening and, after taking bath in the
Ganges, attended kirtans, danced, circumambulated the temple and so
on. Then, I asked him whether he would take any anukalpa. He replied,
'Generally, I do not take anything, but if you like, then, of course, I must
take anukalpa. Your will is greater than my fasting.' That was his
decision.
"My Guru Maharaj (Srila Prabhupad Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur)
always wanted maximum energy: you should take good food and do good service.
That was his maxim. Krishna is not a liquidated party: take full
prasadam and do full service. Do maximum service, and you should take
whatever is necessary for that. You are to take it for the cause of Krishna,
not for your own cause. You are Krishna's, so if you grow weak, His service
will be hampered, and both you and Krishna will be losers thereby. 'My
soldiers will be well-fed and well-working.' That was our Guru Maharaj's
principle. Napoleon said, 'One full-fed soldier is equal to ten half-fed
soldiers.'
"So, prasad-seva: if it is service, then it must be taken in a
serving mood, of course. But, at the same time, the individual position of a
devotee should be taken into consideration. Sahajiyas do not Fast on
ekadasi at all: 'Oh, we are in Vrindavan, and there is no fasting in
Vrindavan.' But Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur, Srila Prabhupad did not like that –
it is sahajiya (imitation) if you go on feeding your senses in the
name of Krishna-bhakti (devotion to the Lord). For the service to Krishna, it
is necessary to keep up the body and to provide nourishment to it, so we must
take what is necessary for service. We do not like it if by fasting a loss of
energy is effected. If fasting does not hamper your service, you may go on
fasting – perhaps, your gurudev wanted that...
"For service, I must accept what is necessary to make me physically
fit so that I can render more service. So, accepting material things is not
objectionable. It is fruitful, not detrimental. Rather, it produces something
of a pure character, which helps everyone. This is how a disciple receives
and accepts things. At that same time, he may even blame himself, 'I cannot
go on with my worldly life without the help of this or that!' He will blame
himself, but the underlying spirit must be, 'If I do not take it, I shall be
unfit; I will not be able to do my bit of service to the Lord, to my
gurudev.'
"Moreover, by taking up renunciation, I will be a loser. I will incur
a loss for myself, for the world, and my guru's service will be
hampered. In this spirit, devotees are to take everything. For the cause of
Krishna, for the cause of their guru, they will accept anything.
"Suppose there is a very miserly karmachari (manager). Because
he does not want to spend money, he may not attain a particular result; then,
some difficulty comes, and the opportunity is lost. This manager will be held
responsible by the proprietor: 'Why did you not spend money? Why are you
afraid of spending money from my store? Because of your miserly habit, the
opportunity has been lost! Why should you not spend My money for My
interest?' So, to render service to Krishna, to my gurudev, to
Vaishnavs, to the world, to everyone, I must keep up this mundane body, and I
am entitled to take something for that.
"Miserliness is mayavada; it is the renunciation spirit, and it
will mar Krishna's interest. What we need is yukta-vairagya: I shall
take from the store of Krishna to keep myself fit and to do service. It is
Krishna's account, and if I do not do that, I should be a separatist, a
mayavadi, a renunciationist. I shall render maximum service to
Krishna, and I must take without any hesitation whatever is necessary to make
myself fit for the service; otherwise, I shall be punishable."
•"Sri
Ekadasi"
(Sri Sri Prema Vivarta)
"One day, Gaurahari left the Gundicha Temple and sat in the Jagannath
Vallabha garden. It was pure Ekadasi, and the Lord spent the whole day and
night chanting the Name of Krishna..."
•SONG:
Suddha-bhakata |
শুদ্ধ ভকত-চরণ-রেণু "I carefully observe the holy days related to Madhava, they are the mother
of devotion."
•SONG:
Sri hari-vasare |
শ্রীহরি-বাসরে হরি "On the holy day of Sri Hari, Sriman Mahaprabhu, the life and
soul of the universe, began dancing..."
"You do not need to know the meaning of each ekadasi tithi because if
you know it, you will want to get this result, that result, etc."
(Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj)
Wed, 13 November 2024 (Sri Damodar Month)
Remember Your
Promises
'You say, "Oh, I do not have time to do it," but how long does it take? Do
you have no time or do you have no desire to do it? Is it that we cannot
chant the Holy Name or we do not want to chant the Holy Name? Our problem is
that we do not want to do it. I do not believe that anybody cannot chant the
Holy Name. I do not buy it.'
•
Download / listen to the audio (29.9 Mb, 63 min | 23 February
2019)
SRI KARTIK MONTH: 17 October–15 November
'You think, "You all sing, and I will listen." It will not do. You must sing
yourself. If I eat, will your stomach be full? You must chant kirtans
yourself. When you chant these kirtans, you will be remembering
Nityananda Prabhu. You worry that you do not know the tune, but no tune is
necessary. Because we have drums and karatals here now, we are playing
them, but when I am alone, do you think I sing it like that? I do not. I
recite them. Chanting kirtan is not playing drums and
karatals – even if you read them, that is also kirtan. So,
always chant kirtan.'
(Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj)
KIRTANS SUNG DURING KARTIK MONTH Morning kirtans:TEXT |
AUDIO
[17 min, 8.2 Mb]: Sri Damodarastakam, Sri Sriman Mahaprabhur Sata-Nama, Sri
Krsner Vimsottara Sata-Nama. Evening kirtans:TEXT |
AUDIO [27 min, 12.5 Mb]: Sri Siksastakam.
—{ Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address }—
Mahaprabhu's
Teachings (5): Exclusive Dharma
"We must know the message of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, and we must know what
for we must practise, what is necessary in our spiritual life, what are the
main things in our spiritual life. Actually, there are not so many main
things."
•
Download / listen to the audio (3.4 Mb, 8 min | 17 May 2020)
FOREWORD
'The Holy Vibration of Divine Talks of the Supreme Lord and His Associates
(Hari-katha) is an eternal benediction. Descending through the Divine
Succession of the Great Divine Masters down to this plane of the mundane
world, the Holy Talks of the Lord that emanate from the Lotus Mouth of the
pure saint are a manifestation of the Lord Himself. No one can estimate the
oceanic Grace of the Lord upon the fallen conditioned souls when He
personally descends in this form of Holy Talks of Him.'
(1) INVITE VASUDEVA TO THE THRONE OF YOUR HEART
'Deep engagement is necessary, especially for the mind, not merely the body.
And mental engagement can be attained only by responsibility. Some
responsible service is given to the disciple. He feels weight and it occupies
his brain; he cannot but think about it—the mind is engaged there, surely.
So, the mind gets no chance to dwell on lower things. This is the beauty of
deep engagement in responsible Service.'
Thu, 14 November 2024 (Sri Damodar Month)
Core of
Krishna Consciousness
'Many of you practise wrong things. Why be like that? This is how you must
call out to the Lord and this must be your attitude to the Lord; and this
kind of mood must come from within your heart.'
•
Download / listen to the audio (29.9 Mb, 63 min | 23 February
2019)
Today in the calendar:
Gaura Chaturdasi. Disappearance of Srila Bhugarbha Goswami and Srila Kasisvar
Pandit. Departure of Srimad Bhakti Pramod Puri Maharaj.
His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj: "Even if you do
not know anything about the Vaishnav mentioned in the calendar, you must
still give them 'jay' on this day. We must always remember disappearance and
appearance days of all Vaishnavs. If we can remember such personalities, such
great souls, it will bring a great benefit to our spiritual life. If you
remember the glories of Vaishnavs, if you speak about the glories of
Vaishnavs, they can rescue you from all kinds of material bondage. We have
heard a hundred times that if we glorify Vaishnavs, it gives great benefit,
but even though we have heard it a thousand times, how much are we able to
glorify Vaishnavs from our heart? How much can we serve Vaishnavs with heart
and soul? This is the question."
SRI KARTIK MONTH: 17 October–15 November
'You think, "You all sing, and I will listen." It will not do. You must sing
yourself. If I eat, will your stomach be full? You must chant kirtans
yourself. When you chant these kirtans, you will be remembering
Nityananda Prabhu. You worry that you do not know the tune, but no tune is
necessary. Because we have drums and karatals here now, we are playing
them, but when I am alone, do you think I sing it like that? I do not. I
recite them. Chanting kirtan is not playing drums and
karatals – even if you read them, that is also kirtan. So,
always chant kirtan.'
(Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj)
KIRTANS SUNG DURING KARTIK MONTH Morning kirtans:TEXT |
AUDIO
[17 min, 8.2 Mb]: Sri Damodarastakam, Sri Sriman Mahaprabhur Sata-Nama, Sri
Krsner Vimsottara Sata-Nama. Evening kirtans:TEXT |
AUDIO [27 min, 12.5 Mb]: Sri Siksastakam.
—{ Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address }—
Questions and Answers • Can a lady lead Nagar-sankirtan?
• What is the difference between Gokula
and Goloka?
• Guru as Radharani or Guru as
Nityananda Prabhu?
• Diksa-guru and siksa-guru
• Ratha-yatra
• Daily kirtans.
•
Download / listen to the audio (4.5 Mb, 11 min | 17 May 2020)
(2) THE EYE TO SEE THE DHAM
'Mahaprabhu and Bhagavatam called us for that: “Here is a soil, and
you are a child of that soil. If you analyse yourself deeply, you will find
that you are a child of that soil. You are not created for this land where
you are always suffering from uncertainty and apprehension. Apprehension and
uncertainty are always troubling you; you must cross beyond them, go up, and
you will find sivam—no apprehension, but the positive life. If you really
like to have it, you will have to enter into the area of Goloka, the land of
beauty and love.”'
Fri, 15 November 2024 (End of Sri Damodar Month)
Relief from
Miseries
'Another thing is that you cannot chant the Holy Name until and unless you
give up anarthas (unwanted elements, bad habits). If you are to chant
the Holy Name of Lord Krishna, you must leave anarthas. How can you
get rid of anarthas?'
•
Download / listen to the audio (29.9 Mb, 63 min | 23 February
2019)
Today in the calendar:
Purnima. Rasa Yatra of Sri Krishna. Disappearance of Srila Sundarananda
Thakur. Appearance of Srila Nimbarka Acharya. Manifestation anniversary of
Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Gandharva Rasa-Bihari jiu at Sri Chaitanya Saraswat
Math and Mission, Sri Vrindavan. End of chaturmasya, urjja-vrata,
damodar-vrata, kartik-vrata or niyom-seva and Bhisma-panchaka.
His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj: "Even if you do
not know anything about the Vaishnav mentioned in the calendar, you must
still give them 'jay' on this day. We must always remember disappearance and
appearance days of all Vaishnavs. If we can remember such personalities, such
great souls, it will bring a great benefit to our spiritual life. If you
remember the glories of Vaishnavs, if you speak about the glories of
Vaishnavs, they can rescue you from all kinds of material bondage. We have
heard a hundred times that if we glorify Vaishnavs, it gives great benefit,
but even though we have heard it a thousand times, how much are we able to
glorify Vaishnavs from our heart? How much can we serve Vaishnavs with heart
and soul? This is the question."
SRI KARTIK MONTH: 17 October–15 November
'You think, "You all sing, and I will listen." It will not do. You must sing
yourself. If I eat, will your stomach be full? You must chant kirtans
yourself. When you chant these kirtans, you will be remembering
Nityananda Prabhu. You worry that you do not know the tune, but no tune is
necessary. Because we have drums and karatals here now, we are playing
them, but when I am alone, do you think I sing it like that? I do not. I
recite them. Chanting kirtan is not playing drums and
karatals – even if you read them, that is also kirtan. So,
always chant kirtan.'
(Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj)
KIRTANS SUNG DURING KARTIK MONTH Morning kirtans:TEXT |
AUDIO
[17 min, 8.2 Mb]: Sri Damodarastakam, Sri Sriman Mahaprabhur Sata-Nama, Sri
Krsner Vimsottara Sata-Nama. Evening kirtans:TEXT |
AUDIO [27 min, 12.5 Mb]: Sri Siksastakam.
—{ Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address }—
Our Mantra
"Our main mantra is this: we must concentrate our mind, all our
senses, our everything in one place—at the lotus feet of Srila Gurudev. Srila
Gurudev is our only hope, we have no other way. Only Sri Gurudev can take us
to the Lord and engage us in the service of the Lord. We must have a greatest
desire for that, then one day we will get an opportunity to engage in
service."
•
Download / listen to the audio (2.2 Mb, 6 min | 24 May 2020)
(3) BHAJAN—REAL AND APPARENT
'We pray to Nityananda Prabhu. We want to come to an adjusted, former
position: ‘If I have committed any offence, aparadha, when dealing with so
many subtle things about the great personages, please, Nityananda Prabhu,
absolve me of that offence and restore me to my normal humble position.” When
we deal with so many great things, such as trying to speak about great
personalities of the highest order, we should beg Nityananda Prabhu to pardon
us for our audacity. He is patita-pavana, saviour of the fallen souls.
He is adosa-darasi—He generally does not take any offence. Fools rush
in where angels fear to tread—where angels fear to tread, fools rush in. Like
fools, we rush into the subtlemost realm of sentiments of the high order; so
we must beg to be excused by the High Personalities.'
In honour of Srila Sundarananda
Thakur:
"It is stated in Sri Chaitanya-bhagavata that Sundarananda Prabhu was
an ocean of love of Godhead and the chief associate of Sri Nityananda Prabhu.
In the Gaura-ganoddesa-dipika (127) he is stated to be Sudama in
Krsna-lila. Thus he was one of the twelve cowherd boys who came down
with Balarama when He descended as Sri Nityananda Prabhu. The holy place
where Sundarananda lived is situated in the village known as Mahespur
(Jessore, Bangladesh). Among the relics of this village, only the old
residential house of Sundarananda still exists. Sundarananda Prabhu was a
naisthika-brahmachari: he never married in his life. Therefore he had
no direct descendants except his disciples, but the descendants of his family
still reside in the village known as Mangaladihi in the district of Birbhum.
In that same village, there is a temple of Balarama, and the Deity there is
regularly worshiped. Sundarananda Prabhu is a branch of Sri Nityananda
Prabhu; he is Lord Nityananda's most intimate and chief servant. Lord
Nityananda Prabhu perceived the life of Vrajabhumi in his company."
In honour of Srila Nimbarka
Acharya:
"There is an enchanting place within Sri Nabadwip Dham called Bilvapaksa.
Everyone calls it Bel Pukhariya. Siva, the lord of bael, resides here. After
a group of noble brahmans satisfied him, having worshipped him with
bael leaves for a fortnight, Siva gave them the boon of devotion to Krishna.
Amongst the brahmans was Nimbaditya, who worshipped Siva exceptionally
well. Mercifully, Siva said to him, 'On the edge of this village is a divine
bael forest. The four Kumaras are meditating in that forest, and by their
grace, you will attain divine knowledge—they will be your gurus, and
through their service, you will attain everything here.'
"Saying this, Siva disappeared. Nimbaditya then searched out that place and
there, in the bael forest, saw the sages Sanak, Sananda, Sanatan, and Sanat
Kumar seated on a beautiful platform beside Siva, unseen by others. They were
unclothed, very young, and of noble character. Greatly excited upon seeing
them, Nimbaditya Acharya happily called out, 'Hare Krishna! Hare Krishna!'
Hearing the Name of the Lord, their meditation broke, and they saw the form
of a Vaisnava in front of them.
"Seeing the Vaisnava, they were pleased, and one by one they embraced
Nimbaditya. 'Who are you? Why have you come here? Please introduce yourself.
We will certainly fulfil your prayers.' Hearing their words, Nimbaditya
prostrated and humbly introduced himself. Upon hearing Nimbarka's
introduction, Sri Sanat Kumar spoke with a smiling face. 'Knowing that
Kali-yuga would be dark, the merciful Lord decided to preach devotion. He
empowered four devotees and sent them to preach devotion throughout the
world. Ramanuja, Madhva Acharya, and Visnu Swami are three of them. You are
the fourth of these great devotees. Laksmi Devi accepted Ramanuja, Brahma
accepted Madhva Acharya, and Siva accepted Visnu Swami. Today, we have met
you personally. We will make you our disciple and thus become fortunate. This
is our purpose. Previously, we meditated on nonduality, but by the grace of
the Lord, this sin has left us. We now understand that pure devotion is
supremely relishable, and we have written a scripture about it. Its name is
Sanat-kumara-samhita. You will certainly be initiated into its
teachings.'
"Seeing the grace of his guru, the wise Nimbarka immediately bathed in
the Ganga and returned. He prostrated himself and humbly said, 'O lord!
Saviour of the fallen! Deliver this lowly soul.' The four Kumaras gave him a
mantra to worship the Divine Couple and taught him how to worship
following the path of love. Receiving the mantra, Nimbaditya performed
worship in this holy place according to the teachings of the
Sanat-kumara-samhita.
"Mercifully, Radha and Krishna revealed Themselves to him, and the lustre of
Their forms illuminated the four directions. Gently smiling, They said, 'O
Nimbaditya, you are fortunate: you have performed worship here. Nabadwip is
very dear to Us. Here, We are present in one form as the son of Sachi Devi.'
As They spoke, They revealed Their form as Gauranga. Seeing this form,
Nimbaditya was overwhelmed. He said, 'I have never seen or heard of this
extraordinary form anywhere!' Mahaprabhu then mercifully said, 'O great soul,
for now, keep this form a secret. Preach devotion to Krishna and the pastimes
of the Divine Couple. Their pastimes are My greatest joy. When I appear in
the form of Gaura, I will find great pleasure in pastimes of scholarship. At
that time, you will take birth in Kasmir and travel throughout the land of
Bharat, conquering all directions. Everyone, everywhere, will call you Kesava
Kasmiri and praise you for being highly learned. While travelling, you will
come to Nabadwip Dham and stay in the village of Mayapur. Hearing your name,
the greatest scholars in Nabadwip will flee. At that time, immersed in
pastimes of scholarship, I will defeat you and feel great pleasure. By the
grace of Saraswati, you will understand My identity, take shelter of Me, and
give up your pride. Then, I will give you devotion and send you to preach
devotion again. So for now, satisfy Me by preaching the conception of
dualistic nondualism and keep My identity secret. When I start My
sankirtan pastimes, I will preach the essence of your conception. I
will accept two essential principles from Madhva Acharya. One is his
refutation of exclusive nondualism. O great soul, know the second essential
principle to be serving Krishna's Deity form, knowing the Deity to be
eternal. From Ramanuja, I will take two essential principles: exclusive
devotion and service to the devotees. From Visnu Swami, I will accept two
essential principles: surrender to the Lord and the path of love. From you, I
will accept two most essential principles: taking shelter of Radharani
exclusively and serving in the mood of the gopis.' Saying this,
Gaurachandra disappeared, and Nimbaditya cried profusely with divine
love.
"Nimbaditya then bowed at the lotus feet of his guru and travelled
elsewhere, intent upon preaching devotion to Krishna."
Sat, 16 November 2024
Toxic Life
'Just as iron burns everything with the power of fire, Maya Devi also turns
everybody into her menial servants. That is why we spend twenty-four hours a
day, seven days a week, worrying about our children, wives or husbands. From
the moment we wake up in the morning until the moment we fall asleep at
night, we only think about ourselves; we do not have time to think about the
Lord.'
•
Download / listen to the audio (29.9 Mb, 63 min | 23 February
2019)
—{ Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address }—
Exclusive
Devotional Life
"Always keep yourself engaged in the services of the Lord from the beginning
of the day, from the mangal-arati early in the morning, until you go
to sleep. We must think, 'How can I serve devotees more? How can I follow
Gurudev's guidance properly?'"
•
Download / listen to the audio (2.8 Mb, 7 min | 24 May 2020)
(4) HERALDING THE TWILIGHT
'Very few suddha Vaishnavs were to be found, just before the
appearance of Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur. But he adjusted religion in a modem
garb, and so it was easy for many regardful students to come forward and
accept suddha Vaishnavism. It had been much molested by
pseudo-followers. The real ideal had become eclipsed, and so for the
inquisitive it was difficult to have real entrance and real attachment for
Gaudiya Vaishnavism. But Gaudiya Math came out with the real spirit of
religion, and pure practices subsequently followed. So the attention of the
educated enquirers after truth was drawn to Gaudiya Math and they flocked
together.'
Sun, 17 November 2024
Keep Your Charge
Up
'We must serve the Lord every single day, then we will get supreme benefit.
Maya is where there is darkness – there is no Maya where there is light. We
must always remember this. We must live remembering this and chanting the
Holy Name.'
•
Download / listen to the audio (29.9 Mb, 63 min | 23 February
2019)
—{ Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address }—
Dham-Seva
"There are many ways you can do dham-seva. Our guru-varga make
temples in many holy places, and you can help and serve those places in
whichever way you can, depending on how much capacity you have. Not everybody
has the capacity to give money, but if everybody gives their heart, their
support, that is sufficient."
•
Download / listen to the audio (3.7 Mb, 9 min | 24 May 2020)
(5) THE KRISHNA SUN
'But the sraddha or pure attraction he has acquired for Me is of
eternal nature. It cannot be subdued or cut off by any mundane or ordinary
attempt. Despite undergoing so many sufferings, he goes on remembering Me.
His thinking, aspiration and earnestness is for Me, and the more he is
compelled to suffer from the pressure of the environment, a firmness in Me
becomes more and more sure, and finally, invulnerable. And by standing the
test of all these trials, he will stand—stand and grow beyond the
jurisdiction of these mundane forces. The more pressure comes from outside,
the more firmness he feels in the necessity of My help to him.'
Mon, 18 November 2024
Brahmans' Trade
'You do not worship the Lord in exchange for a few rupees. This is not
worship. This is only a trade – people do this to earn money. If you are to
worship the Lord, you must do it yourself. Just as you feed your children
yourself, you must also feed the Lord yourself.'
•
Download / listen to the audio (29.9 Mb, 63 min | 23 February
2019)
—{ Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address }—
Dealing with
Misconception
"When you go to sell your things, you will always preach in favour of your
things. Every shopkeeper always praises his own shop—one shopkeeper says, 'My
shop's sweets are very nice,' and other shopkeepers will also say, 'My sweets
are very nice,' and you can decide which is better only if you taste the
sweets."
•
Download / listen to the audio (3.3 Mb, 8 min | 24 May 2020)
(6) PERSPECTIVES ON THE ABSOLUTE
'The Dham allows us to see it, according to the degree of our
devotion. A doctor sees a patient according to his capacity. Higher
intelligence can see deeper. Such is the case always. A higher politician can
see a higher strategy, and so on. “The detached, self-realised soul remains
awake in the night of all beings, and the world of exploitation that all
beings awaken in is similarly his night.” A detector can see the depth
afforded by its capacity. There is revelation according to one’s capacity.
Deserve—and have.'
Tue, 19 November 2024
Greed Is Sin, Sin
Is Death
'There was once a grihi-guru (a householder guru) who would go
house to house begging. He had many disciples, so at the end of each year, he
would visit every house to collect rice and money. When the guru became old,
his wife told him...'
•
Download / listen to the audio (29.9 Mb, 63 min | 23 February
2019)
—{ Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address }—
Sri Ramananda
Sambad
"Raya Ramananda is actually an incarnation of Visakha. Mahaprabhu met
Ramananda Raya for the first time on the bank of the Godavari in South India.
Mahaprabhu was sitting and waiting for him..."
•
Download / listen to the audio (2.6 Mb, 6 min | 24 May 2020)
(7) A HOLY DAY
'Today is the Holy Day of Vasanta-panchami (the fifth day of the light
fortnight of the moon), month of Magh, when Krishna is worshipped with the
new flowers of spring. To my best capacity I have tried my best to represent
to you my humble knowledge of these Mahatmas [who appeared or
disappeared on this day], and I pray that they may be propitiated and give us
their favour...'
Wed, 20 November 2024
Seeking
Happiness and Peace
'One cannot become a guru without first becoming a disciple; but many
do not understand it. There are such gurus roaming this world – there
is no point in taking initiation from them; rather, it is said in the
scriptures that such gurus must be given up.'
•
Download / listen to the audio (29.9 Mb, 63 min | 23 February
2019)
—{ Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address }—
Questions and Answers
(1) • Do we come to this line by our free
will or is it a pre-defined fate?
• Raya Ramananda's service
• Building temple against government
rules?
• Drinking milk and suffering cows?
• Using Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math's
name for preaching?
•
Download / listen to the audio (2.8 Mb, 7 min | 24 May 2020)
Journey from Misguidance to Absolute Guidance [By Srila B.R. Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj]
"It is possible to connect with Him only through surrender, and it will be He
who will decide how He will best suit you. Let Him decide it. 'Hare Krishna'
is not a prayer for anything; it is only an address, 'O Hare Krishna, I want
You. You please consider and decide what will suit me. I only want you. I am
in danger, and I want Your protection; how you will protect me is to be
decided by You, it is not my business.' By embracing His consideration is
where we gain the most. We must only try to increase, if possible, the degree
of our surrender. That is what is actually necessary from us."
(8) APPROACHING THE HIGHER WORLD
'The initiation is a recommendation. It is not final. Cure is guaranteed
under the treatment of a good doctor. But if as a patient you don’t care to
accept his guidance and secretly indulge in an evil diet, of what value is
your doctor? When you have a good doctor your cure is almost guaranteed. But
you have to follow him. And also it is possible that if you are becoming a
little ill and your doctor comes to know that ‘my patient has taken this bad
diet’ or ‘he did not use my medicine’—then the doctor will again take up the
case more seriously, and he will cure you. We may receive such help from the
Guru and Vaishnav, but our free choice is never snatched away.'
Thu, 21 November 2024
Sadhus' Approach
'We must ask ourselves, 'Who am I? What is the meaning of this human birth?
Why was I born as a human? What is my duty as a human being?' Because many do
not know this, sadhus go begging house to house to tell you about
this. So, if you want to know what is a holy place and who you are, you must
come to sadhus and learn about it from them.'
•
Download / listen to the audio (29 Mb, 60 min | 20 February
2019)
—{ Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address }—
Questions and Answers
(2) • Reading scriptures on our own?
• News after the recent cyclone amphan
• How to keep service enthusiasm?
• Can we sew a white outfit for Srimati
Radharani?
• How to recognise who is a Vaishnav?
• What does 'prabhu' mean in Srila Guru
Maharaj's arati song?
•
Download / listen to the audio (3.4 Mb, 8 min | 24 May 2020)
(9) THE DIVINE AGENT
'It is very rarely found that in this one life, in a single life from this
plane one can reach the highest life. But generally it requires lives
together, if in a real process. There may also be setbacks. If one commits
Vaisnava-aparadha or Nama-aparadha (offence to the Vaishnav or
the Holy Name), he may be detained again and again. It is not such a cheap
thing. Still, there is the possibility that when properly guided a proper
soul may attain the highest position in a single life. It is not
impossible.'
Fri, 22 November 2024
Help Yourself and
Others
'Whatever happened, is happening or will happen, everything is good –
everything is by His will. Birth, death, old age and disease happen by His
will. The problem is that we enjoy all things, but we forget whom they belong
to. We only think about what is good for our bodies; we do not think what is
good for our souls.'
•
Download / listen to the audio (29 Mb, 60 min | 20 February
2019)
—{ Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address }—
Your Love and
Affection
"I can see devotees' faces and remember Gurudev. When I see them, when I
remember their good association, good things always come to my heart, to my
mind. Because everybody is giving so much love and affection to me, I am
alive and I can survive."
• Download/listen
to the audio (2.2 Mb, 5 min | 31 May 2020)
(10) SUPERSUBJECTIVE REALITY
'Your ego is demanding some sort of comfort from the environment. That is the
cause of this hitch. There’s no hitch in the outside, no ailment; but within,
your ego creates the problem. That false ego should be dissolved, and the
liquid nectar will flow and place you within the highest plane, the plane
where there is no complaint. In our mouth we pronounce all these big
things—Absolute Good—Absolute Truth—but we do not know about the
characteristic of that. So we need His revelation. He reveals Himself. We
must carefully note His nature.'
Sat, 23 November 2024
Wasteful
Living, Low Thinking
'Do you think you have time? Do you think there is time to think about this
body? You have lived in this world worrying about your body for so long – you
have wasted so much time! You plunge yourself into material life, but your
life is finishing. You do not have time to call out to the Lord!'
•
Download / listen to the audio (29 Mb, 60 min | 20 February
2019)
—{ Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address }—
Sacred
Chamber of Devotional Mood
"When a country's soldiers join the military life, they promise that they
will give their life for the country. In the same way, when we join Krishna
consciousness, we must promise that we will give our life for Gurudev. This
life is not for others! This life is for Gurudev."
• Download/listen to
the audio (2.1 Mb, 5 min | 31 May 2020)
(11) LOVING SURRENDER
'Devotion is not merely a sum total of some certain activities, or a type of
study—never. Practically it is concerned with the soul, with the inner
existence of us. Giving and taking must take place from the innermost part of
our heart. It is not a game to play with! No superficial knowledge or bodily
or mental labour can touch it. It is the dealing of the heart to heart. And
that is wholesale. The gradual process of how one is to acquire that is also
traced in Sri Bhakti-rasamrita-sindhu.'
Sun, 24 November 2024
Immerse
Yourself in Service
'You must always remember about Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and His teachings.
Always keep yourself engaged and immersed in His service. Always think about
Him. Always chant Nitai-Chaitanya's glories. Practise Krishna consciousness
in this way, think about the Lord, offer bhoga to the Lord. You can
serve and worship the Lord even living in this world or in your family.'
•
Download / listen to the audio (29 Mb, 60 min | 20 February
2019)
—{ Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address }—
"How Much Will
You Sacrifice?"
"This human life is not for behaving like animals. We are not animals. We
have some other service here. There are so many services. Do not be lazy.
Krishna has given you this opportunity to pay more attention to the service
of the Lord in your house."
• Download/listen to
the audio (3.1 Mb, 8 min | 31 May 2020)
(12) EARNESTNESS
'If somehow with the help of the Scriptures and His agents, the devotees or
saints, we can develop our Devotion, Bhakti, then, the proper knowledge and
proper apathy towards worldly substances will follow us. Healthy, proper
knowledge and healthy energy will come to follow us if the reality within
awakens and we become adjusted by it.'
Mon, 25 November 2024 (Tomorrow is fast on Sri Utpanna
Ekadasi)
Clear-Cut and
One-Pointed
'Disciples are those who place their guru's order on their heads and follow
it unswervingly. It is not necessary to think about anything else, to
practise meditation, and so on. Gurudev has said this, and this is the
final word for us. It is not necessary to look this side, that side or in any
other direction.'
•
Download / listen to the audio (29 Mb, 60 min | 20 February
2019)
—{ Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address }—
Service
Abode of Eternal Happiness
"When transcendental feeling comes to you, you will not think about any
disease or anything else. There is no suffering in the eternal abode of
Goloka Vrindavan. We should realise the nature of that happiness. It is
possible to understand that happiness through service. Pure spiritual souls
are always happy."
•
Download/listen to the audio (1.9 Mb, 5 min | 31 May 2020)
• SERMONS OF THE GUARDIAN OF DEVOTION (Vol
Three)
•
FOREWORD
'By the mercy of the devotees we have previously received the first, second,
and fourth parts. As bhakti is decorated in Srimad
Bhagavad-gita, similarly we now receive this third part, decorated by the
other parts of the Sermons series.'
(1) THE QUESTION
'So the problem is, how can we surrender, giving up our mundane attraction
and our ignorance about our own interest? How can we jump into the Absolute
Good—the ocean of our real interest? That is the problem and our questions
should be of such a general character. Only there is this one question.'
Tue, 26 November 2024 (Sri Utpanna Ekadasi)
Sincere
Devotion
'It is necessary to practise (cultivate, develop) devotion. You offer
some incense, ring the bell and think that this is devotion, but it is not.
Devotion comes from the heart. You must serve the Lord and call out to the
Lord with all your heart and soul.'
•
Download / listen to the audio (29 Mb, 60 min | 20 February
2019)
—{ Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address }—
Simplicity and
Duplicity •Simplicity — "to be a
Vaishnav, to be a sadhu, you must first be simple. Do not be a 'zigzag'
person. Simplicity comes through practice, and how one practises depends upon
the practitioner." •Duplicity — "if you chant the
Holy Name without offence, then you can feel that Krishna's Name, beauty,
pastimes are non-different from Krishna. But if you chant the Holy Name and
think about other things, if you have material desires, then you will not
feel anything."
• Download/listen to
the audio (2.2 Mb, 6 min | 31 May 2020)
• SERMONS OF THE GUARDIAN OF DEVOTION (Vol
Three)
•
(2) FINER THAN MATTER
'The devotee will feel, “Whatever service I do, I am not expecting anything
to be paid to me in return. It is a free transaction. And whatever I receive
is only His grace. So I shall take Prasad, then I shall be free from
all entanglement of action and reaction even though I am in the midst of it.
Because it is a fact that with every action I must disturb the environment,
then if all my actions are meant for Him, the Supreme Lord, there will be no
bad reaction coming to me, but rather the opposite reaction will occur and
help not only me but those that were offered also. Through me, through myself
as a centre, such waves will emanate that will help others to progress in
their path of purification.”'
Sri Ekadasi Guidance Guidelines on how to observe and honour this holy day: Ekadasi takes an
indispensible part in the life of a sincere practitioner. At Sri Chaitanya
Saraswat Math, Ekadasi and paran are observed with affection and without
fail according to the dates given in the Calendar.
Srila B.R. Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj about fasting on ekadasi and
accepting material facilities:
"One time, a devotee came here from Vrindavan on the day of
ekadasi. He reached in the evening and, after taking bath in the
Ganges, attended kirtans, danced, circumambulated the temple and so
on. Then, I asked him whether he would take any anukalpa. He replied,
'Generally, I do not take anything, but if you like, then, of course, I must
take anukalpa. Your will is greater than my fasting.' That was his
decision.
"My Guru Maharaj (Srila Prabhupad Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur)
always wanted maximum energy: you should take good food and do good service.
That was his maxim. Krishna is not a liquidated party: take full
prasadam and do full service. Do maximum service, and you should take
whatever is necessary for that. You are to take it for the cause of Krishna,
not for your own cause. You are Krishna's, so if you grow weak, His service
will be hampered, and both you and Krishna will be losers thereby. 'My
soldiers will be well-fed and well-working.' That was our Guru Maharaj's
principle. Napoleon said, 'One full-fed soldier is equal to ten half-fed
soldiers.'
"So, prasad-seva: if it is service, then it must be taken in a
serving mood, of course. But, at the same time, the individual position of a
devotee should be taken into consideration. Sahajiyas do not Fast on
ekadasi at all: 'Oh, we are in Vrindavan, and there is no fasting in
Vrindavan.' But Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur, Srila Prabhupad did not like that –
it is sahajiya (imitation) if you go on feeding your senses in the
name of Krishna-bhakti (devotion to the Lord). For the service to Krishna, it
is necessary to keep up the body and to provide nourishment to it, so we must
take what is necessary for service. We do not like it if by fasting a loss of
energy is effected. If fasting does not hamper your service, you may go on
fasting – perhaps, your gurudev wanted that...
"For service, I must accept what is necessary to make me physically
fit so that I can render more service. So, accepting material things is not
objectionable. It is fruitful, not detrimental. Rather, it produces something
of a pure character, which helps everyone. This is how a disciple receives
and accepts things. At that same time, he may even blame himself, 'I cannot
go on with my worldly life without the help of this or that!' He will blame
himself, but the underlying spirit must be, 'If I do not take it, I shall be
unfit; I will not be able to do my bit of service to the Lord, to my
gurudev.'
"Moreover, by taking up renunciation, I will be a loser. I will incur
a loss for myself, for the world, and my guru's service will be
hampered. In this spirit, devotees are to take everything. For the cause of
Krishna, for the cause of their guru, they will accept anything.
"Suppose there is a very miserly karmachari (manager). Because
he does not want to spend money, he may not attain a particular result; then,
some difficulty comes, and the opportunity is lost. This manager will be held
responsible by the proprietor: 'Why did you not spend money? Why are you
afraid of spending money from my store? Because of your miserly habit, the
opportunity has been lost! Why should you not spend My money for My
interest?' So, to render service to Krishna, to my gurudev, to
Vaishnavs, to the world, to everyone, I must keep up this mundane body, and I
am entitled to take something for that.
"Miserliness is mayavada; it is the renunciation spirit, and it
will mar Krishna's interest. What we need is yukta-vairagya: I shall
take from the store of Krishna to keep myself fit and to do service. It is
Krishna's account, and if I do not do that, I should be a separatist, a
mayavadi, a renunciationist. I shall render maximum service to
Krishna, and I must take without any hesitation whatever is necessary to make
myself fit for the service; otherwise, I shall be punishable."
•"Sri
Ekadasi"
(Sri Sri Prema Vivarta)
"One day, Gaurahari left the Gundicha Temple and sat in the Jagannath
Vallabha garden. It was pure Ekadasi, and the Lord spent the whole day and
night chanting the Name of Krishna..."
•SONG:
Suddha-bhakata |
শুদ্ধ ভকত-চরণ-রেণু "I carefully observe the holy days related to Madhava, they are the mother
of devotion."
•SONG:
Sri hari-vasare |
শ্রীহরি-বাসরে হরি "On the holy day of Sri Hari, Sriman Mahaprabhu, the life and
soul of the universe, began dancing..."
"You do not need to know the meaning of each ekadasi tithi because if
you know it, you will want to get this result, that result, etc."
(Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj)
Wed, 27 November 2024
Hari-Kirtan
Adhikar
'Ringing the bell and offering some incense is not devotion. You must know
Hari, you must understand who is Hari, and you must serve Hari, then only can
it be Hari-kirtan. Everything else is not Hari-kirtan. Only if you serve
Hari, worship Hari and love Hari with your heart can you engage in what is
called Hari-kirtan. What everybody else is doing is not Hari-kirtan.'
•
Download / listen to the audio (29 Mb, 60 min | 20 February
2019)
—{ Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address }—
Practitioner's
Pure Pride
"We are servants of the Lord, servants of Gurudev. That is our quality. That
is our designation. There is no question of pride here. We are servants, we
are dogs of our Guru, that is our pride. When you become a proper servitor of
Gurudev, then your material pride will automatically leave you."
• Download/listen to
the audio (2.6 Mb, 7 min | 31 May 2020)
• SERMONS OF THE GUARDIAN OF DEVOTION (Vol
Three)
•
(3) PERSONAL GLIMPSES
'Baladev Vidyabhusana says, “Whoever he may be, whether a karmi or
jnani, atha means he must have sat-sanga,
sadhu-sanga. From any position, if he can get the association of a
proper sadhu, he is qualified to study this book and he will
understand the real meaning.” So everywhere there is consideration of
adhikar—that is, yogyata, or ‘fitness.’ He must acquire the
standard of qualification, then he will come to tackle the particular plane,
and he must have healthy association.'
Today in the calendar:
Krishna Dvadasi. Ekadasi paran is at 10:26:49–14:01:00. Disappearance of
Srila Narahari Sarkar Thakur and Srila Kaliya Krishnadas.
His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj: "Even if you do
not know anything about the Vaishnav mentioned in the calendar, you must
still give them 'jay' on this day. We must always remember disappearance and
appearance days of all Vaishnavs. If we can remember such personalities, such
great souls, it will bring a great benefit to our spiritual life."
"We should always check the calendar, and when we see some dates mentioned
there, even if we do not know anything about the Vaishnav or events mentioned
there, we can at least give 'jay' to them—that also brings some good sukriti,
some purification to us. Seeing the calendar and taking devotees' names early
in the morning, from the beginning of the day, is very good for all
devotees."
"Wake up, look into the calendar and give 'jay' to your Guru and
Vaishnavs. Always pay obeisance to your Guru and Vaishnavs when you wake up
in the morning, always give them 'jay'. Always keep faith and show
respect to them. Always see the calendar—whose appearance day it is, whose
disappearance day it is. Even if you cannot make a festival, at least you can
give them 'jay', it will bring you benefit. When you give 'jay'
to your Guru and Vaishnavs, it brings you sukriti. For example, today
is the disappearance day of a Vaishnav—give 'jay' to him, remember
him. We must always remember the words of Vaishnavs. If I remember the words
of Vaishnavs, I get some benefit, some deposit through that."
In honour of Srila Narahari
Sarkar Thakur:
Srila B.R. Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj: "Narahari Sarkar belongs to the
section of devotees who are more fond of Krishna-lila. Their vision is, 'We
do not recognise You to be a sannyasi! You are that Krishna of Vrindavan, we
know You well! Here, You have only put on a garment—You are wrapping Yourself
in the garment of a sannyasi—but it is Your external acquaintance. We know
well who You really are and we must admit that we do not like this forged
identity of Yours.' This is their temperament. Rather, they feel much pain,
'What is the necessity for You to be practising penances as a sannyasi, going
through so many hardships, not taking food properly, not resting in a proper
bed, etc.? Our hearts are aching, but You do not care for that. How can we
tolerate all these things?' That is their nature and complaint to Mahaprabhu.
They feel that it is all a sham."
Strongest Faith (3) Raghunandan Thakur
"Mukunda's son Raghunandan also has full faith. One day, when he was ten
years old, his mother said to him, 'Raghunandan, I am very busy today. I have
cooked the offering, but I have no time to offer it to the Deities. You can
offer today...'"
•
Download / listen to the audio (1 Mb, 3 min | 10 March 2015)
In honour of Srila Kaliya
Krishnadas:
Srila B.S. Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj: "Nityananda Prabhu accepted
everyone but would chastise those who were offensive. Mahaprabhu showed some
caution in distributing Krishna-nama and Krishna-prema: He followed the rules
and regulations of sannyas life very strictly and because of this Mahaprabhu
could not give shelter to offenders. When Mahaprabhu went to South India He
took Kaliya Krishna Das with Him. In Sri Chaitanya-charitamrita he is
referred to as Kala Krishna Das. On their tour Kaliya Krishna Das suffered
some disturbance with some women and Mahaprabhu rescued him from that. Later
when they returned to Jagannath Puri Mahaprabhu said, "I want to leave this
boy Kaliya Krishna Das, he was irresponsible and greatly disturbed our
mission. I don't want to keep him with Me. I do not want to be responsible
for him." Kaliya Krishna Das, as an eternal parsad devotee (of Sri Nityananda
Prabhu), played this role in the Lord's drama. At that time Nityananda Prabhu
did not leave him, He told Mahaprabhu, "If You do not want to keep him it is
no problem, I will take him. I will send him to Nabadwip to give news to
Sachi Mata and the other devotees that You have come back from South India."
In this way Nityananda Prabhu showed His extreme mercy and Kaliya Krishna Das
spent the rest of his life with Nityananda Prabhu. So even when Mahaprabhu is
angry, Nityananda Prabhu keeps devotees at His lotus feet. The conditioned
souls can have much hope when they see the very deep and merciful character
of Sri Nityananda Prabhu."
Devotion to
Gopis
'We must always remember, and never forget, this devotion to the
gopis. We never think that our death is sitting next to us. We can
leave this world at any moment. So, what must we do? Our only duty is to
remember our gurus, Vaishnvas and the Lord and serve them. We must spend our
days serving them.'
•
Download / listen to the audio (29 Mb, 60 min | 20 February
2019)
—{ Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address }—
Questions and Answers • A follow-up on ladies leading
sankirtan and playing the mridanga
• How does the gayatri mantra help us?
• How to serve Gurudev without thinking
what benefit I get from it?
• How to maintain faith that
Krishna will protect us?
• Why did Srila Gadadhar Pandit never go
to Vrindavan?
• How can we fight pratistha?
• What is the proper way to ask
questions?
• Should we
be affectionate only with Vaishnavs or with everybody?
• Download/listen to
the audio (4.5 Mb, 11 min | 31 May 2020)
• SERMONS OF THE GUARDIAN OF DEVOTION (Vol
Three)
•
(4) AFFECTIONATE KRISHNA
'When He shows such merciful Pastimes, that really is His highest position.
There He appears as though of the same rank as His servitors and He is so
merciful, so loving, and so affectionate. Sometimes Mother Yasoda whips Him
and He weeps, and sometimes He carries His father’s shoes upon His head, and
sometimes His friends climb on His shoulders. Through this affection He in
many ways shows Himself to be very homely; so very homely. His magnanimity,
love and affection is of such a high degree that He becomes so homely.'
Today in the calendar:
Krishna Trayodashi. Disappearance of Srila
Saranga Thakur.
His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj: "Even if you do
not know anything about the Vaishnav mentioned in the calendar, you must
still give them 'jay' on this day. We must always remember disappearance and
appearance days of all Vaishnavs. If we can remember such personalities, such
great souls, it will bring a great benefit to our spiritual life."
"We should always check the calendar, and when we see some dates mentioned
there, even if we do not know anything about the Vaishnav or events mentioned
there, we can at least give 'jay' to them—that also brings some good sukriti,
some purification to us. Seeing the calendar and taking devotees' names early
in the morning, from the beginning of the day, is very good for all
devotees."
"Wake up, look into the calendar and give 'jay' to your Guru and
Vaishnavs. Always pay obeisance to your Guru and Vaishnavs when you wake up
in the morning, always give them 'jay'. Always keep faith and show
respect to them. Always see the calendar—whose appearance day it is, whose
disappearance day it is. Even if you cannot make a festival, at least you can
give them 'jay', it will bring you benefit. When you give 'jay'
to your Guru and Vaishnavs, it brings you sukriti. For example, today
is the disappearance day of a Vaishnav—give 'jay' to him, remember
him. We must always remember the words of Vaishnavs. If I remember the words
of Vaishnavs, I get some benefit, some deposit through that."
In honour of Srila Saranga Thakur:
"I Am Saranga's
Murari!"
"Remembering the last day of Nabadwip Dham parikrama, I want to tell
you some very important thing. We always glorify Mamgachhi (Modadrumdwip) and
speak about the birthplace of Srila Vrindavan Das Thakur, but there is also
one small temple beside it..."
•
Download / listen to the audio (1.8 Mb, 5 min | 4 January 2020)
Sri Saranga Thakur's Math in Mamgachhi (Modadrumdwip).
Fri, 29 November 2024
Student Means
Studying
'You must search for the Lord, you must try to know the Lord. We have all
these books that can help you. People do so many things, enacting and
imagining various pastimes, but this is nothing but their own
sense-gratification. I have written here (in Guidance, Volume 3)
everything; if you read it, you will understand everything.'
•
Download / listen to the audio (29 Mb, 60 min | 20 February
2019)
—{ Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address }—
Latest News
"I came back from yesterday in the evening. I had been to Nabadwip, Nrisingha
Palli, and also Mamgachi, Srila Vrindavan Das Thakur's place. I am trying to
do some service in Nabadwip Dham. I cannot do service alone, but everybody is
helping me, and because of their help, by the mercy of Gurudev, I am able to
fulfil his desire."
• Download / listen to
the audio (2.4 Mb, 6 min | 31 May 2020)
• SERMONS OF THE GUARDIAN OF DEVOTION (Vol
Three)
•
(5) PRIORITY SERVICE
'We are to engage in jnana-sunya-bhakti—service with no mood of
curiosity. It is not that we shall want to be a big word-juggler,
yogi, jnani or any type of ‘big’ person. But we shall feel
satisfied if we have the chance to lead even a half-educated forest life, but
as humble servants of the Gopis. Such humility, and not grandeur,
satisfies Krishna most.'
Sat, 30 November 2024
Read and Learn
'Read these things carefully, then you will understand what is what. You must
read it carefully, taking time to understand what is written here. The book
is written in a little difficult language, but you must read it
carefully.'
•
Download / listen to the audio (29 Mb, 60 min | 20 February
2019)
—{ Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address }—
Permanent
Solution
"What Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math gives is the proper treatment—it gives
treatment to the jiva soul. If you give medicine to people, that is
only a temporary protection, but what Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math gives, is a
permanent solution."
•
Download / listen to the audio (2.5 Mb, 6 min | 31 May 2020)
• SERMONS OF THE GUARDIAN OF DEVOTION (Vol
Three)
•
(6) HUMILITY IN SERVICE
'With humility you are to take the Name of the Lord, that Divine Sound. But
the process is that you must be mindful of this necessity of humility
otherwise the search will be in vain and your attempt will be lost. So what
will be the proper attitude?'
'Today in a very beautiful way we have concluded the celebration of Sri
Nityananda Prabhu's appearance festival. It is not every day that we can come
to the lotus feet of Sri Nityananda Prabhu: we must pray to the lotus feet of
Nityananda Prabhu.'