Date: 14 August 2024 

Speaker:  Various

Topic: Gratitude and Appreciation of Vyasa Puja Festival

HG Istadeva Prabhu Ji:

We are very happy to celebrate this Amruta Mohatsava in Vrindavan and many brijvasis came and glorified Guru Maharaj. They didn’t see you on your bodily stage but that you are a brajvasi. We will first see a glimpse of the Vyasapuja then a small powerpoint presentation of all the service and then we will hear from some selected devotees.

I let you know that you have contributing for the foundation of the temple. We have to make the Guru Maharaj’s dream project. This is just the beginning.

HG Navdvipa Chandra Prabhu ji:

Many devotees work for the collection of offering for Guru Maharaj.  We got total of 1502 offering. Krishna Bandhu group have sent over 700 offerings. Total of 2280 offering we have collected. The top five countries are as follow: India, Mauritius, USA, South Africa and Russia. There is a big team after all these works.

HG Hari Kirtan Prabhu Ji: 

 This is just a beginning. There is a long way to go. We will celebrate the Vyasa Puja till next Ashadhi. We are very thankful for your contribution. I am expecting some more contribution from your hard money. As Srila Rupa Goswami Said we should donate 25% of our income. We are not demanding 25%. We are just asking a little part of your income for the service of Guru and Gauranga. We couldnot be able to celebrate the Vyasa Puja in Pandharpur this time. But we are hoping to celebrate the next program in Pandharpur Dham. And we will get ready the two floors of the temple till then. Then we will get more space to celebrate. Keep contributing for the project. 

HG Sadhna Mataji: 

I liked the celebration of devotion of 75th Vyasa Puja of Guru Maharaj. The arrangements and accommodation are very nice. I have got the opportunity to meet with so many Godbrother and god sisters from abroad. The offering of so many deities to Guru Maharaj is just so amazing. I can realise that my Guru Maharaj is someone that is great personality. I am not a good devotee, I have so many faults, but somehow, I am connected to HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj, so he will take me along with him. This is the greatest achievement of my life. He is such a great spiritual master. 

Hare Krishna! 

HG Sundar Gopal Prabhu Ji:

This is the amazing experience. I don’t have any plan to attend the ceremony. But I came due to the inspiration of HG Krishna Bhakta Prabhu JI. He came France 10 days ago; there we got a chance to meet him. It is really a great experience to be in Vrindavan for three days. I was there for five more days. When Guru Maharaj leaves after three days, I feel not good there. I was feeling separation. Maybe we did a wrong choice to come to Vrindavan due to the heat. Then we go to Radha Damodar Temple and Radha Madanmohan Temple to take darshana. Once a monkey came and sat on my shoulder and took my glasses. Then we took a flight and go to Pandharpur Dham. That was even more blissful than the celebration in Vrindavana. I want to thankful for all the arrangements; prasadam, accommodation, transportation, translation. Everything is just amazing. 

HG Pranayi Keli Mataji:

Hare Krishna!

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to glorify you. This is the second time; I was attending the Vyasa Puja of Guru Maharaj. Last time, it was 70th Vyasa puja in Pandharpur. The Vyasa Puja festival is the best amongst all the festivals I have attended in Iskcon. Highly recommend to those who have not yet attend the Vyasa Puja Festival ever. It seems like the festival arranged by Srila Narottama Dasa Thakur at the village Kheturi for thousands of devotees. It is not only the festival of devotees, but the festival of kirtan also. Devotees are like bumble bees who are drinking the nectar of Sri Hari.

It was 5 am in the morning when I have entered in the Pandal and I hardly move from there the entire day. But I did not feel like to move from there. It seems time has stopped there. Everyone of us can realise that Guru Maharaj has done the great service for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada. He has taken the instructions of Srila Prabhupada for his entire life. Srila Prabhupada’s mission is the only aim of his life. He is such a dedicated and divine personality. Thank you so much.

HG Dhira Prasanta Das:

I want to thank all devotees who put up a festival. This festival was really an eye-opening experience. This was my third live attended Vyasa Puja. The first one was in 1990, which was Guru Mahraja’s 40th Vyasa Puja and that was held in Delhi. After that I was presented in the Vyasa Puja of 1997 and the third one was the latest one. 

It was a great experience to meet the devotees I have never met earlier. I have seen HG Jaya Vijaya Prabhu ji after 25 years.

I was missing the lotus feet of Srila Gurudeva. I am happy to be a part of this festival.

HG Anand Prada mataji:-

om ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjana-salakaya

cakshur unmilitam yena tasmai sri-gurave namah (Sri Guru Pranam)

Pranam at the lotus feet of Gurudev

Pranam to all the Vaishnavas here.

Guru Maharaj, only few days went to your occasion but this occasion is not only for few days but for the whole year and is very heartful for all the mankind like a child is eager to meet his father and a Devotee is eager to meet God similarly, your Vyas Puja is an eagerness for us, it is a bliss for us and we all Disciples waiting for this for whole year, where we get the vapu and vani association of yours and also the association of our God Brothers and Sisters, and we can see the emotions of there for you And there is any disqualification in our service we get the opportunity there to correct it and on this occasion, we got the association of all the devotees and sant like Krsna has multiple qualities, Gurudev you also have multiple qualities which shows your quality. On this occasion, we get the opportunity to hear about your qualities and by listening that we get encouragement to do our service better and we also ……. Gurudev this 75th Vyas puja of yours is above all the abode. It’s like Shironami to us and all above that the environment of Vrindavan is bliss and the Pravachan from the Vrindavan sants about you is bliss. You got the Prasadi of Radha Raman Lal and Radha Damodar. Radha Damodar temple where Prabhupada wrote Shrimad Bhagwatam before went to America. And it is blissful to hear from Prabhupada Disciple about you. And also we made a record and got an award for that. We are very lucky that we get you as our Guru and you also the deity of Calmness, kindness. Gurudev You have heeded the orders of your Guru and spread the Padayatra all over the world. Not every disciple is capable of knowing the Guru completely. We have to make such efforts that the Guru’s words come true. We have to understand the feelings of Guru Maharaj. One is an excellent disciple of Guru Maharaj who without saying anything Understand the desire and self-realization of his Guru. We are very fortunate to have you as our Guru. Bless me that I may be able to perform all those duties towards you. You all remember that Guru Maharaj told in Vyas Puja the liking towards him towards the Padyatra. What more do we want to hear from our Guru than this?

HG Ajay Gaurang Prabhu:-

Hare Krishna 

Dandwat parnam at the lotus feet of Guru Maharaj and all the Vaishnavas.The best thing I felt was Guru Maharaj Ji when I reached there you said that I love you all. I am yours and you are mine and This has become the biggest thing in my life that you are mine and I am yours. So like Guru Maharaj you say my Prabhupada then it means that we can also say my Guru Maharaj! Guru Maharaj, when you said this sentence with so much love, I became heartful after hearing that sentence.

After that Guru Maharaj, all the Prabhupada Disciple came and they were all singing praises of Prabhupada but your love for him when Bhakti Vikas Swami Maharaj came, So, looking at the love with which you were meeting Bhakti Vikas Swami Maharaj, it seemed as if you wanted to show us what kind of love there should be between Guru brothers. That there is no competition among them but there should be love among their Guru brothers. I want to meet all my guru brothers and guru sisters, all those whom I have seen on the ground, my guru brothers and guru sisters from all over the world, we all came there on a pilgrimage. I was able to personally meet and see everyone whom I had seen onsite. And as you want us to live like a family, so Guru Maharaj you have given us a family. Yes, it means that through this we can share things with each of our God Brothers and Sisters. And after coming to Guru Maharaj Vyas Puja, I came to know how many Guru brothers I have, how many Guru sisters I have, I am not alone. If I ever need anyone, I can talk to my Guru brothers and Guru sisters.

Guru Maharaj, the idea was that we could fear the fate of a world record that became a Guinness Books word record, we could be a witness to it. It was a big deal that we had him there on the spot. And we had the privilege of seeing that and thirdly, one more thing which we liked, All the Goswamis of Vrindavan, all the Goswamis of the main temples, all of them came there and praised you there. Guru Maharaj, you are famous in the entire Vaishnav world and not only! Not only in ISKCON, you are the crown jewel of the entire world. It must have been our good fortune that we got your shelter and your blessings. I got an opportunity to do some service and I could not do it. I had some personal problems. Guru Maharaj your dream is the Bhe Vaikuntha project and I have made that also my dream, I always think of that day and night. Guru Maharaj, please give us strength so that we can complete it, but I have not been able to do so yet.

Prostrate at your feet Guru Maharaj. 

HG Mayapur Dham Prabhu:-

Please accept my humble obediences at the feet of Gurudev 

Guru Maharaj is an ocean and his senior disciples are like rivers. Rivers are pouring so much water into the ocean and the ocean is on the water. And we all fill it with a little water from the rivers and offer it to the ocean. So Guru Maharaj gave us a chance so I am not able to understand whose gratitude it is? So this is all fairy in my thinking, I enjoyed the practice and worship a lot. And the love that Maharaj had for his Guru brothers, then Maharaj also wants to teach us that How much love and respect should there be towards someone? And Maan Samman Trinath…. And Maharaj’s entire life should be written in praise of his Guru brothers, even if it was his own village. Have you been with him or have you been your own disciple? And to our younger disciples, we are not even born Guru Maharaj, we are here yet. And you take out so much time to listen to our praise. This is your gratitude Guru Maharaj! What is our gratitude? As soon as Ajay Gaurang Prabhu ji told, I am just one of those who walk holding his dhoti. He guides me and I will try to do something, Hare Krishna! Thanks and regards! Please give us strength so that we can do something.

HG Krishan Bhakt Prabhu:-

Ajay Gaurang Prabhu and Mayapur Dham Prabhu, together we all have to do this Project. Recently I had talked to Prabhu ji. All our big supporters are in your name, so we have to complete this as soon as possible so that we can complete the Guru Maharaj Ke Bhe Kunth project.

HG Jaithirth Prabhu:-

Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj

Dandwat parnam 

I am at Mathura Vishram Ghat. Whatever praise we have been hearing of Maharaj since morning is special. I am hearing that especially at Yamuna Maharani’s place. If you look at it that way, Guru Maharaj is the shadow of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu himself. Haven’t we seen Chaitanya Mahaprabhu? But seeing Guru Maharaj in the form of his shadow. Then the incarnation for the purification of the sinful ones. So we all are of fallen life. So all of us saved by Guru Maharaj. We are getting to see this special grace of Guru Maharaj. How many Guru brothers and sisters have been praising Guru Maharaj since morning. And I don’t have any qualifications or eligibility. But still, by the grace of Guru Maharaj, Because of you all Vaishnavas for the last 20 years, I have got the opportunity to serve. And during the journey, I would have received the merit of serving all of you Vaishvans and a worthy contribution to serve all of you Vaishvans. All this is due to the grace of Guru Maharaj. Guru Maharaj’s 50th Golden Jubilee Festival was held in Govardhan in 2022. Had experienced it. And at this time our 75 Vyas puja is going to be done by Guru Maharaj, where is it? So there were changes in it many times. And many times we saw that all of us devotees were fully prepared and at the final stage. And then posted at the final stage and then the transfer takes place and again the new one. And again we have to start the service from scratch. Preparations for Vyas Puja started this time in Members of Vrindavan, so I felt that this time Radha Rani herself wants to praise Guru Maharaj. And then after that, when program was held in Devkinandan Thakur ji’s ashram Vrindavan, everything was finalized there also and at the end moment, when Guru Maharaj gave instructions that now instead of doing all this there, you should do it in ISKCON Gaushala, there too. Tried to do all this in a short period of time. And whenever this program happens, we started preparations there and whenever you have a program, the service starts from accommodation. This is the first accommodation I have ever seen and this time also I got that service, so what was the problem this time in such scorching heat. This time it was about 40 50 degree heat but still by the grace of Guru Maharaj we were able to do that service. Like all the devotees to meet Chaitanya Mahaprabhu! Like many devotees used to come from Navdeep to Puri to meet Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Maharaj used to serve the Lord. And I also got similar service like I got Naam Chek Teerth, similarly I tried to serve Guru Maharaj in accordance with the same name. And I want Guru Maharaj to give me more service so that I can serve more Vaishnavas. And this time Krishna Bhakat Prabhu gave me 75 Tirth seva. If I served, then somewhere Guru Maharaj has given me the name. And during this time, Lord Krishna, a devotee of Lord Krishna, gave me a chance to serve 75 places of pilgrimage, so as my name has also been kept, the way I have served the places of pilgrimage. So I got a chance to go to many places of pilgrimage and serve and whenever I went to any pilgrimage, I used to pray for Guru Maharaj. And when I used to go there and pay obeisance to the Tirtha, this time on the Vyas Puja of Guru Maharaj, all the Tirtha came together and came to Guru Maharaj for the puja. Many devotees contributed to that, we contributed only to 75 Tirthas. We had taken the blessings of serving only 75 Tirthas but more than 108 came to serve the Guru Maharaj. When our seniors and our Guru brothers were coming one by one to serve Guru Maharaj, one by one, on one pilgrimage! So Guru Maharaj also told them to visit the holy places one by one and then gave the darshan of all of them to all the devotees in this manner. So in this way Guru Maharaj gave us an opportunity of special service. And also when I went to different places of pilgrimage, many places of pilgrimage have their own different experiences, but I would like to share one with you when I went to Pushkar. So when I reached Pushkar Tirtha in Pushkar, there was a huge crowd in the entire ghat, so I went there and started sleeping wondering where to go and take bath? So there exactly in the middle of Pushkar Sarovar and a saint was chanting with one hand raised, So I thought that we should go to this monk. So we went there and took a bath and sat for an hour and chanted there. So after some time the same monk who was standing in the water and chanting came to us and said to me? So we have to say that when I saw you doing it, I felt like coming to you and talking to you. So he told us that you are very fortunate that you have the blessings of Guru, So I said that this is the prayer given by Guru Maharaj through which we can chant. So I told them that when you were standing here in the water, I was attracted towards you and you came towards me. So in this, in the attraction of both of you, is Hari Naam the center point of attraction in both of you and in me is Hari naam. You were doing Hari Naam so I was attracted. And I was doing Hari Naam so you got attracted. Guru Guru Maharaj is distributing Hari Naam all over the world. A few days ago Guru Maharaj was telling us that Prabhupad loved when he used to do his Kirtan. That’s why Prabhupada asked me to do kirtan. That’s why Guru Maharaj had said that he was doing kirtan only for the pleasure of Prabhupada. So in this way the mission of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is being distributed by Guru Maharaj as the main Acharya. As I said first, Guru Maharaj is walking with us like the shadow of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.  And this is the special grace of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Prabhupada on Guru Maharaj that Guru Maharaj! Prabhupada made Guru Maharaj of Seva devotee Guru Maharaj his commander-in-chief devotee. Senapati is also a great devotee Gurudev who is distributing Hari Naam all over the world. And this time with the grace of Guru Maharaj I got the advice of Amrit Chowki, a major scripture of Rupa Goswami. I was able to present it to him and also gained the knowledge of the nectar of devotion. So there was a wonderful atmosphere and all!

HG Achyuta Govind Prabhu:-

Hare Krishna 

Dandwat Pranam Guru Maharaj, I am very grateful to you. So your vyas puja was always held in Pandharpur and I never came to Pandharpur, for some reason or the other, when I came to Vyas Puja in Vrindavan, I felt that you had done this for all us poor devotees who cannot come to Pandharpur, you know. That he will not continue to come there and he will never come to Pandharpur, otherwise this time he kept his Vyas Puja in Vrindavan. And I was very surprised to see that I had never seen such a statue in the cow shed that we used to go to and saw. Because of you that cowshed has become such a big pilgrimage place that it will become a big pilgrimage place in the times to come. Guru Maharaj, I am just a small servant of you. And I am like your son. And I’m not in that state as you call your dad Adityanath. That a son is good who, after knowing his father’s wishes, can fulfill them accordingly, I am not like that. But due to your blessings I am doing a little bit of service. And it is because of you that our name appeared in the entire world book. And all that came because of you till now I have not seen anything like this in Guinness Books Word of Records that some spiritual names are appearing in it. I would like to thank you for this. We are all very grateful to you. You recited to us the nectar of so many proper teachers. As you gave the name Amrit Utsav so  It was raining nectar in this festival. Whoever is listening, is feeling that nectar which we will maybe never realize in our life. And you made so many senior Vaishnavs appear before all of us at one place. All this is commendable and Guru Maharaj! Later I just request you to bless me so that I can save you a little better in the coming years. And i want that Till now I have not even been able to become a part of the 1000 project but I will do tourism so that I can become a part of the 1000. Guru Maharaj, many thanks to you and all the devotees.

Many greetings to you and all the devotees!

HG Shyamalangi Mata ji:-

Hare Krishna Please Accept My Humble Obsession Guru Maharaj 

So this, Guru Maharaj, this Vyas Pooja, Bhooton na Bharti…..means we have never seen Vyas Pooja like this. As far as I know Guru Maharaj 50th Vyas Puja was held in Nagpur. So I joined you there and I got a chance to serve there and it was the Diamond Jubilee so there was so much service which was done very well. When I met Guru Maharaj on the evening of 14th, the first thing Guru Maharaj asked me was, which devotees have come from Dubai? Whether the President there got the invitation or not, Guru Maharaj takes so much care of each and every thing. And Guru Maharaj will come there to see how everything has been arranged, then all the devotees thank him very much and how much service the Noida team has done. Tell me, you were wishing for the program too, right? Like, on the day of Ekadashi, the day when Vyas Puja was performed, it was the day when Prasadam was served. Prasadam is being distributed to you, so I was thinking that Maharaj’s Vyas Pooja will continue and we all will continue and we will go at 4 PM for Parsadam and the devotees that time also serve there. We have not done any service or I have not done any service Guru Maharaj i just attending your program. Thank you so much to everyone, I also want to thank Dinakumpa Mataji I really saw her as a compassionate mother and I never saw her in front, she was doing such good service even though she was in the background. I saw her first in the hall and she was sitting at the back and still she gave the best service And I missed Sita Mata ji there. In Pandharpur I always met Sita Mata ji, while in Vrindavan I missed her a lot. Guru Maharaj, as everyone used to say, from online to offline, as we meet online, we meet offline. everything is dear to humans and you have given us so much opportunity and you are so smiling, right? Yes, whenever we used to attend a jam, you always used to ask everyone if you are coming or not coming to Vyas Puja. So like Guru Maharaj you say, if Krishna Janmashtami happens then that is the post which Krishna invites. So I would like to tell everyone that those who did not reach should never miss the Vyas Puja of our Guru Maharaj. This is a special celebration for us Guru Maharaj is a special one and we are looking forward to it.  And I like that we also celebrate the 100th Vyas Puja of Guru Maharaj like this. Thank You so much Please accept my humble obediences.

HG Kaunteya Prabhu:-

Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj 

Dandwat parnam at your Lotus feet

I am feeling very happy to see Gurudev and othes. So Guru Maharaj, we have come to Mauritius. We reached here on the 11th. In the middle we tried to meet you. So we came to know that Guru Maharaj is currently busy in book writing. So when we reached Vrindavan from Pandharpur, Guru Maharaj, it was extremely hot. But by your grace we were able to face it even though it got a little worse but still. Whatever discomfort our body is unable to bear, but our mind should remain completely at the feet of Guru Maharaj. So Guru Maharaj thank you. I want to tell you about some talks when we were in Vrindavan. So when we reached Vrindavan, on the first day we wanted to pray for Guru Maharaj. That all these programs should be good and there should be no hindrances. So we prayed to Shri Radha ShyamSundar, a great leader like Krishna Balram. bowed with grace, prayed and bowed to the abode. And he felt something to us that something more had to be done. So Guru Maharaj that day we reached Nand village and there is Sri Sri Krishna Balaram temple in Nand village. So we reached there and Joe was there. The Brahmins who have won over you asked us where you people came from and we told them that we came from Mauritius and for the Vyas Puja of Guru Maharaj. And he blesses us. Your Vyas puja has turned out very well, the Vyas puja of Maharaj who is intoxicated by the people is very special. He gave us Maha Prasad  Guru Maharaj. So they continued with the same bringing mode. And after 3 days of Vyas Puja, we went to Pandharpur Dham And traveled there. And then Arvade after that we again continued praying for you. Then after that we went somewhere from Naimisharanya to Naimisharanya to Ayodhya to Prayagraj. After Prayagraj, we went to Kashi and after that we went to Chitrakoot in between and the style was in the mood, mostly for you Guru Maharaj.  Sita Mata Ji had met her in Pandharpur and now we are very lucky. It’s just all because of you. Whenever I come to India I want to visit her. I felt that we should visit her.

You have now the main project is Baikunth. We are helping in our own way as it is said in Ramayana that even small squirrels were carrying something, yet Lord Ram was appreciating it. Guru Maharaj, you also feel good from the small service we are doing. It’s just because of your mercy we can write the books. You gave us instructions in 2022. And this Book completion was possible only because of you. I am requesting all of the devotees, God Brothers and God Sisters, all the Vaishnavs, please bless me. Please accept this small offering for Guru Maharaj. And whatever Lakshmi we collect, we will donate it to the Vaikunth Project. I’m just trying! At least we can serve Guru Maharaj.

HG Raj Laxmi Mata ji :

Maharaj, on your 75th Vyas Puja, senior devotees have said a lot, I am an insignificant devotee, what can I say. He made us grateful by initiating. I could not come to Vrindavan, but I saw the entire program live, in this way my mind was present here.

 
I was able to see everything, Vyasa puja was arranged well, I thank everyone. Maharaja, please bless us.

As Srila Prabhupada said i can’t think small similarly guru Maharaj can’t think small.
Krishna Bhakta Prabhu: 

So many thanks to all the devotees, now it is time for the festival of gratitude. Appreciation to all those who served and especially who served in the 74lakth pledge for the in the Bhu Vaikunth project. Tolal 5.5 crore collected, out of which 1.5 crore was given for Vyas puja at Vrindavan and Pandharpur. Four crore was given for Bhu Vaikunth Project construction work. You can see on its result, the work of the foundation has been completed and the pillars that are being erected at ground level right now are the main temple of Radha Pandrinath or the main temple hall with the altar. Daily updates are given by the Bhu Vaikunth construction team. Which are shared on Facebook, Instagram and zoom.

All this has happened because of your cooperation. And if your cooperation was not there by chance, then maybe we would not have been able to complete this construction. And this is the beginning, The initiation has been done, now the initiative has started and it is not going to stop now. As some devotees were saying that you always keep on coming, not for Rs. 75,000 but for Rs. 75 lakhs till this project is not completed. All centers, all IMP zones, outside of IMP, be it Gujarat, the whole of India or any part of the world, we have to collect from everywhere and complete it. In the coming two years, we have to complete Guru Maharaj’s dream project – i.e. three things, stay in Pandharpur, visit Chandrabhaga and visit Pandrinath who is Vitthal. 

And that’s not all, Guru Maharaj A ghat was built for all the Varkari devotees. Good bathing arrangements were made for the women and everyone. After these three things, Guru Maharaj said that after taking a bath, where would they take the prasad. So, this project also has a prasadam hall on Prabhupada ghat, and every day from 12 to 3 PM, all the pilgrims who come here, take prasad to their full. We are very fortunate that because of the guidance of Guru Maharaj we are able to serve in this project. Just like these different projects, 75k thousand and zoom, in 2019 when we were in America, HH Hanumanth was giving instructions to his followers on zoom conference, since then Guru Maharaj did not miss even a single day on Zoom conference, be it airport, car… The upcoming 100th Vyas Puja, Na Bhuto Na Bhvisayati”, all the projects will be completed in Pandharpur and all the devotees will be able to stay here. Thanks to all the devotees who served with their body, mind and money. Many devotees came and those who could not come also sat on the official YouTube channel the whole day. Just like materialists sit for cricket matches, T20 India Pakistan.
But here the whole devotee’s community remained seated from 6 in the morning till evening and kept listening to the glorious tales of Guru Maharaja.

HG Anant sheh Prabhu Ji: I have one thought in my mind, it was around March-April, I checked with a astrologer regarding Guru Maharaja, when HH Gopal Krishna Maharaj had not departed from this world, there was talk of the festival. Astrologer predicted that with this 75th Vyas Puja, Amrit Mahotsav, the glories of the Guru Maharaja will spread worldwide. Prabhupada disciples, worldwide leaders, other temples devotees, other temple devotees participated in this Vyas puja. 

So, I will close by saying what Krishna Bhakt Prabhu, now the project cannot be delayed as it has started. This has become a concern of the Guru Maharaja. Guru Maharaja said, you are mine, I love you. Now whatever is the sankalp of GM, it will be done because his sankalp power is very strong. We all have to serve whole heartedly so that we can help to complete his project.

This time there was a change in the venue, many Guru brothers faced difficulties, for that I request for forgiveness as chairman and request to next year Vyas puja team that devotees should be given timely information to avoid inconvenience. Raj Laxmi Mata ji is handicapped but due to great dedication for Guru Maharaja she sold her house and donated that amount for the project.

Date: 21 August 2024 

Speaker:  HH Vrindavan Chandra Swami Maharaj

Topic: Krishna Kathamrita

 
HH Vrindavan Chandra Swami Maharaj:

You all hear Katha all the time. I have been asked to give a 7-day Katha here. So, I will speak a verse and discus today.

SB 10.1.9:

kasmān mukundo bhagavān
pitur gehād vrajaṁ gataḥ
kva vāsaṁ jñātibhiḥ sārdhaṁ
kṛtavān sātvatāṁ patiḥ

Translation:
Maharaj Parikshit asks, Why did Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, leave the house of His father, Vasudeva, and transfer Himself to the house of Nanda in Vṛndāvana? Where did the Lord, the master of the Yadu dynasty, live with His relatives in Vṛndāvana?

Purport:

These are inquiries about the itinerary of Kṛṣṇa. Just after His birth in the house of Vasudeva in Mathurā, Kṛṣṇa transferred Himself to Gokula, on the other side of the Yamunā, and after some days He moved with His father, mother and other relatives to Nanda-grāma, Vṛndāvana. Mahārāja Parīkṣit was very much eager to hear about Kṛṣṇa’s activities in Vṛndāvana. This entire canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is full of activities performed in Vṛndāvana and Dvārakā. The first forty chapters describe Kṛṣṇa’s Vṛndāvana affairs, and the next fifty describe Kṛṣṇa’s activities in Dvārakā. Mahārāja Parīkṣit, to fulfill his desire to hear about Kṛṣṇa, requested Śukadeva Gosvāmī to describe these activities in full detail.

We know Krsna was born in the prison house of Kamsa in Mathura. Devaki was very happy as she knew that the lord will appear in her womb. So, she was giving birth regularly even though they were in jail. They still had children regularly eager for the lord’s appearance. They were very happy when the lord was about to appear. But they were very scared too. They said, “you are appearing, but this world is such that one is always afraid of this Snake like death where ever we run in the universe. but if one takes shelter of your lotus feet then they become fearless and death himself runs away from such a person. but yet how unfortunate we are that we are still afraid. So, please hide yourself from this demon.” 

We can imagine her plight, whose 6 sons were killed cruelly by Kamsa. 

One can ask that Devaki knows the lord will appear so why is there fear?
This is motherly love. A great symptom of parental mellow. So, even when one knows he is lord she is worried for him if it was an ordinary child, I could hide but how to hide an extraordinary child?

 Parikshit asked why he went to Vraja? someone can say out of fear. This is denied by Parikshit as his name is Mukunda, one who gives liberation so how come he is not liberating his parents also. He should liberate Kamsa by staying in Mathura. So why he had to leave? 

Krsna left because his parents were scared and for them, he left. Krsna said if you are afraid of Kamsa send me to Gokul. He appeared as a 4 handed form before and he explained their previous lives of Devaki and Vasudeva. You were Sutapa and Prishni and after severe austerities, they asked the lord a child like him. But Lord couldn’t find anyone like him, so he appeared himself. Sutapa couldn’t muster the strength to ask the lord to be their son. So, they asked for a son like you. He became her son 3 times. So, I have appeared like this form to prove to you that I am the same person who had given you benediction. It is very difficult for the parents to give up their child. But if the child will die in our care, then rather to send them away.

Once in Agra, two ladies came to the court of Akbar fighting for a child. Both claiming to be the mother. So, Birbal said let me split the child into two parts. Then you both can have it. Immediately one lady said don’t do that rather give the other lady the child. So, Birbal knew she was the real mother, who couldn’t bear any pain on her child. 

When Krishna was born, he was immediately transported to Gokul. The Yadavas were Vasudeva’s relatives and Krishna would refer to Nanda Maharaj to as relatives. He promised to come back to save him and his relatives.

Where did the Lord, the master of the Yadu dynasty, live with His relatives in Vrindavan? 

Parikshit Maharaj is surprised, so, he is asking about Vrindavan pastimes and Mathura pastimes. So, we know now that Krsna left for Vraja to lessen the fear of Devaki and Vasudeva. So, Vasudeva put him on the bed of Yashoda in Gokula and came back. Vasudev and Devaki didn’t get enough paternal mellow like Nanda and Yashoda. He did many pastimes in Gokul. 

When he was only 6 days old, he killed Putana. Kamsa had seen the pregnancy of Devaki and seeing her Glow. He knew this was his death. At one time, he thought he should kill her itself? But of fear of defame, he didn’t do that. He waited for the birth, but it was a girl. Kamsa wanted to kill the girl too. Devaki held her to her chest. As this was not her child but someone else’s child. So, she was more hesitant to let her die. But she slipped from Kamsa’s hand and gave him the warning,” you are going to kill me, but your killer is taken born already”. Now Kamsa discussed it with his counsellors. They instructed to kill all the babies taken born in the time era. So, Kamsa ordered Putana to kill all children born within last 8 days. But she was killed by Krishna. 

When lord was 3 months old, there was a nice festival being organized for his birth anniversary. So Yashoda put him to rest under a cart as there was lot of hustle bustle everywhere. So, this demon Sakatasura came and entered in the cart in order to crush the lord. So, the lord kicked the cart childishly and upturned the cart and killed the demon. 

Next Trinavarta came in the form of a cyclone. So, he could easily pick up the lord and no one could see or hear the child being kidnapped and he wanted to carry the lord to Mathura and kill him in front of Kamsa. So, Yashoda had the lord in her lap. She was very blissful. She lifted his hair and kissing his face. All the animals and birds were watching the lord. All the calves were seeing. Mother Yashoda just asked do you want to go tend the calves! So, Krishna started to crawl towards the cows. Another time the lord wants to fly with birds. So, she was throwing him up and catching him soon. The mother started feeling the lord get heavier. She felt like she is holding a mountain peak. She couldn’t keep him in the lap. So, she kept him on the ground, thinking you are the mother of all of earth. I am unable to hold him, so you are also his mother. Please hold him for a while. She started doing something. But her mind was thinking that what happened to my child! How he gets this corrected by some doctor. Jiva Goswami said that mother is beyond this world. Then, immediately the wind started. She was not worried about the baby being picked up, but she was scared for his soft skin getting hurt. So, before she could come, Trinavarta picked up the baby. One Acharya said that the lord increased his weight because he knew the demon is coming. So, he started getting heavy. Also, the lord thought that if the demon is coming in the form of wind. So, I should become heavy as the mountain otherwise the demon will pick up his mother also.

One can ask why did the lord fly with him? 

The lord is trying to say that even if the enemy comes to one’s door, one should stand up and greet them. But if they still continue to hurt you, then you can deal with them accordingly. So, as he was moving towards Mathura, he started feeling the weight. He was confused, is this baby or a boulder? So, he finally thought this is boulder in shape of a baby. So, I should throw it down. So, like babies when they go up in height, they hold on tightly to anything out of fear. Meanwhile all the Gopis of Vraja came to Mother Yashoda after hearing her crying. Here, the lord held him harder even when he wanted to let go. Finally, the lord killed him his pieces fell all over Vraja. Krishna throws the demon in Vraja, so that mother Yashoda will get pacified that the demon is no more and Krishna is safe.  All the Gopis said this evil person died because of his own evil intentions. So, like this there are many pastimes. we will hear more again tomorrow.

Hare Krishna!

Speaker: H.H. Loknath Swami Maharaj
Theme: Importance of celebrating festivals

Sub-Theme: Appearance of Lord Balaram

“All people love festivals, and why wouldn’t they? We come from a divine world and once resided in Goloka Dham. In the past, while we were in Goloka Dham, we participated in its festivals.

A festival is celebrated every day there. When God walks, it seems as if He is dancing. When He speaks, it seems as if He is singing. We made a significant mistake; we were looking towards the material world and ended up coming here. 

brahmāṇḍa bhramite kona bhāgyavān jīva

guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja

Translation: 

“According to their karma, all living entities wander throughout the entire universe. Some are elevated to the higher planetary systems, and some descend to the lower planetary systems. Out of many millions of wandering living entities, one who is very fortunate gets the opportunity to associate with a bona fide spiritual master by the grace of Kṛṣṇa. By the mercy of both Kṛṣṇa and the spiritual master, such a person receives the seed of the creeper of devotional service.” [CC Madhya 19.151]

Krishna makes some living beings fortunate. All of you are counted among those divine beings. When Krishna makes us fortunate, we get the company of saints, and our faith is awakened. 

sādhu-saṅga’, ‘sādhu-saṅga’ — sarva-śāstre kaya 

lava-mātra sādhu-saṅge sarva-siddhi haya

Translation: 

“The verdict of all revealed scriptures is that by even a moment’s association with a pure devotee, one can attain all success.” [CC Madhya 22.54]

In the company of saints, we are engaged in worship, which increases our fortune. We also celebrate many festivals. When we were with God, the same God appears in this world and gives us His company through festivals. God is at the center of all festivals. Even today, there is a festival, Ekadashi Mahotsav. 

mādhava-tithi, bhakti-jananī,

jetane pālana kori

kṛṣṇa-basati, basati boli’, 

parama ādare bori 

Translation: 

“The holy days like Ekadashi and Janmastami are the mother of devotion for those devotees who respect them. Let the holy places of Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes be my places of worship, and bless me.” [Verse 2 from ‘Suddha Bhakata Carana Renu’ by Bhaktivinoda Thakura]

Jhulaan Yatra is organized at Radha Kund. Zulaan Yatra is a spiritual play of God. During Madhurya Leela, God swings continuously. As you can see behind me, boys and girls are swinging. God keeps playing like this; He has no other job.

There was a spiritual exhibition where a foreign lady observed different deities. Some gods were seen performing their duties—Brahma was creating, Shiva was destroying, and the rain gods were fulfilling their roles. Then she saw an exhibition where Krishna was playing and stealing butter. She commented that this must be the Supreme God who plays voluntarily, while the others are just performing their duties.

When God brings us into contact with devotees, making us fortunate, we get the opportunity to participate in His Leela. This is the grace of God. Participate in such Leela. During Chaturmas, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu would call devotees from Navadwip, Mayapur, Shantipur, Pulin Gram, Ambika Kalana, and other places to come to Jagannath Puri and join in the Ratha Yatra.

nīlācalanivāsāya nityāya paramātmane

balabhadrasubhadrābhyāṃ jagannāthāya te namaḥ

Translation: 

“I offer my respectful obeisances to Lord Jagannath, along with Lord Baladev and Srimati Subhadra. The eternal Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Jagannath, resides in Nilachal, Purushottam Kshetra, and is the paramatma, the Supersoul of all living entities.” [śrījagannāthastotra] 

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu inspired the devotees to reside in the same Dham where Jagannath, Baladev, and Subhadra reside. You should also reside there, with great comfort. During those days, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu celebrated various festivals and organized cultural events for the devotees. Many dramas took place. In Madhya Lila, there is a short but sweet pastime.

dadhi-dugdha-bhāra sabe nija-skandhe kari’

mahotsava-sthāne āilā bali ‘hari’ ‘hari’

Translation: 

“Having dressed up like cowherd boys, all the devotees carried pots of milk and yogurt balanced on rods over their shoulders. Thus they all arrived at the festival grounds chanting the holy name of Hari.” [CC Madhya 15.18]

Sri Krishna Chaitanya, Nityananda, and their associates, dressed in Gop attire, brought curd and milk to the place where the demonstration was taking place, chanting “Hari Hari” all the way. Chaitanya carried a ceremonial rod and kept chanting “Hari Hari.” 

iṅhā-sabā lañā prabhu kare nṛtya-raṅga

dadhi-dugdha haridrā-jale bhare sabāra aṅga 

Translation: 

“As usual, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu danced jubilantly. Everyone was covered with milk, yogurt, and yellow turmeric water.” [CC Madhya 15.21] 

Just as Nand Baba celebrated his first Janmashtami on the day of Navami, Mahaprabhu also celebrated a similar festival and demonstrated it. Nand Baba threw all the milk, curd, and turmeric over each other. Rivers of milk and curd flowed there. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu repeated this demonstration.

advaita kahe, — satya kahi, nā kariha kopa

laguḍa phirāite pāra, tabe jāni gopa 

Translation: 

“At this time Śrīla Advaita Ācārya said, ‘Please do not be angry. I speak the truth. I shall know that You are a cowherd boy only if You can wheel this rod about.’” [CC Madhya 15.22] 

All the VIPs were present, including Raja Pratap Rudra, Sarvabhaum Bhattacharya, the priest of Jagannath Puri, and the temple president. Advaita Acharya was also present. Advaita Acharya instructed Nimai to show wooden rod whirling as they used to do during Go Charan Leela. 

tabe laguḍa lañā prabhu phirāite lāgilā

bāra bāra ākāśe pheli’ luphiyā dharilā 

Translation: 

“Accepting Advaita Ācārya’s challenge, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu took a big rod and began to wheel it around and around. Again and again He threw the rod into the sky and caught it when it fell.” [CC Madhya 15.23]

Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu took the rod and demonstrated a play with it. Sometimes He threw it into the sky and caught it, sometimes He tossed it between His hands. Everyone was amazed and praised Nimai, affirming His divinity. 

pratāparudrera ājñāya paḍichā-tulasī

jagannāthera prasāda-vastra eka lañā āsi 

Translation: 

“Following the orders of Mahārāja Pratāparudra, the temple superintendent named Tulasī, brought one of Lord Jagannātha’s used cloths.” [CC Madhya 15.27] 

Padicha Tulsi, the president of Jagannath temple, brought used clothes of the Lord to Nimai.

bahu-mūlya vastra prabhu-mastake bāndhila 

ācāryādi prabhura gaṇere parāila

Translation: 

“This valuable cloth was wrapped around the head of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. The other devotees, headed by Advaita Ācārya, also had cloths wrapped about their heads.” [CC Madhya 15.28]

Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu wore those clothes on His head like a turban. 

parama-āveśe prabhu āilā nija-ghara

ei-mata līlā kare gaurāṅga-sundara 

Translation: 

“In great ecstasy, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu returned to His residence. In this way, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, known as Gaurāṅga-sundara, performed various pastimes.” [CC Madhya 15.31] 

kānāñi-khuṭiyā, jagannātha, — dui-jana

āveśe vilāila ghare chila yata dhana 

Translation: 

“In ecstasy, Kānāñi Khuṭiyā, who was dressed as Nanda Mahārāja, and Jagannātha Māhiti, who was dressed as mother Yaśodā, distributed all the riches they had stocked at home.” [CC Madhya 15.29] 

Kanani Khutiya and Jagannath Mahiti, who were present, played the roles of Nand Maharaj. During the Janmashtami festival in Gokul, all the cows and many gifts were donated. Similarly, Kanani Khutiya and Jagannath Mahiti donated various gifts to Brahmanas. 

dekhi’ mahāprabhu baḍa santoṣa pāilā

mātā-pitā-jñāne duṅhe namaskāra kailā 

Translation: 

“Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was greatly satisfied to see this. Accepting them as His father and mother, He offered them obeisances.” [CC Madhya 15.30]

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu sought blessings from those playing the roles of Nand Baba and Yashoda. 

Mahaprabhu celebrated another festival during Diwali. Many festivals were celebrated in Chaturmas, and Mahaprabhu participated in all with devotion. Mahaprabhu has set a standard for us. From today, the Jhulaan Yatra begins, and you should join until Purnima. Baladevji will appear in Purnima. Prepare for these festivals as well.

Sub-Theme: Appearance of Balarama

It is beneficial to participate with your body, mind, and resources, not merely as a spectator.

ete cāṁśa-kalāḥ puṁsaḥ

kṛṣṇas tu bhagavān svayam

indrāri-vyākulaṁ lokaṁ 

mṛḍayanti yuge yuge

Translation: 

“All of the above-mentioned incarnations are either plenary portions or portions of the plenary portions of the Lord, but Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa is the original Personality of Godhead. All of them appear on planets whenever there is a disturbance created by the atheists. The Lord incarnates to protect the theists.” [SB 1.3.28]

mattaḥ parataraṁ nānyat 

kiñcid asti dhanañ-jaya

mayi sarvam idaṁ protaṁ

sūtre maṇi-gaṇā iva

Translation: 

“O conqueror of wealth, there is no truth superior to Me. Everything rests upon Me, as pearls are strung on a thread.” [BG 7.7]

There is no one higher than Me, except for Balaram. Balaram is like Krishna; He is Krishna. He is Krishna’s light and is considered Krishna’s elder brother.

Kamsa tormented everyone—Vrindavan residents and Mathura residents alike. 

Krishna instructed Yogamaya to go to Vrindavan as one of Devaki’s children was in her womb as the seventh son. To avoid danger, the seventh child should be transferred to Rohini’s womb.

Everyone wondered how a child was born in seven days and how Rohini became pregnant if Vasudev was in jail. To resolve these questions, Narada, Vashisht, Vyas Dev, and Brihaspati came.

Balaram was born in Gokul. There were showers of flowers, drums were played, Apsaras danced, and Gandharvas sang. Just as we narrate Janmashtami stories, similar events took place during Balaram’s birth. Vyas Dev came to have darshan, bowed to Him, sang His praises, and revealed all answers about the child.

This is the 5251st birthday of Krishna. Krishna played His Leela for 125 years and then returned to His Dham in 3102 BCE. Today, adding 2024 + 3102 + 125 gives 5251 years.

This is not mythology but history and fact. We know where and when God was born, whether day or night, as proven in the scriptures.

janma karma ca me divyam

evaṁ yo vetti tattvataḥ

tyaktvā dehaṁ punar janma

naiti mām eti so ’rjuna 

Translation: 

“One who knows the transcendental nature of My appearance and activities does not, upon leaving the body, take birth again in this material world but attains My eternal abode, O Arjuna.” [BG 4.9]

Krishna says those who understand His birth and death through the scriptures will never return to this world.

etāvān sāṅkhya-yogābhyāṁ

sva-dharma-pariniṣṭhayā

janma-lābhaḥ paraḥ puṁsām

ante nārāyaṇa-smṛtiḥ

Translation: 

“The highest perfection of human life, achieved either by complete knowledge of matter and spirit, by practice of mystic powers, or by perfect discharge of occupational duty, is to remember the Personality of Godhead at the end of life.” [ŚB 2.1.6]

They will remember God at the end of their lives and will not have to be born again.

God appears in different forms with the mission to take us back to our true home.

Date: 25 February 2025
Speaker:  HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj
Topic: Disappearance Day of Srila Ishwar Puri
HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj:

Hari Hari!

When the mouth speaks, actually the soul is speaking. The ears do not hear unless the soul permits. The nose smells due to the presence of the soul. So, one must understand the concept of body and the soul,which means the body and the one who resides in the body.

Bg. 2.13:

dehino ’sminyathādehe
kaumāraṁyauvanaṁjarā
tathādehāntara-prāptir
dhīrastatranamuhyati

Translation:

As the embodied soul continuously passes, in this body, from boyhood to youth to old age, the soul similarly passes into another body at death. A sober person is not bewildered by such a change. The soul drives the body

Bg. 2.20:

najāyatemriyatevākadācin
nāyaṁbhūtvābhavitāvānabhūyaḥ
ajonityaḥśāśvato ’yaṁpurāṇo
nahanyatehanyamāneśarīre

Translation:

For the soul there is neither birth nor death at any time. He has not come into being, does not come into being, and will not come into being. He is unborn, eternal, ever-existing and primeval. He is not slain when the body is slain.

Bhagavad Gita says we are not the body; we are the soul.

Krsna has many Gopa friend in Vrindavan in Vishrabha Bhava, like Madhu Mangal and so on. They serve the Lord in sakhyabhaav – mellow of friendship and not awe and reverence. Hey! Krsna you are not a specialpersonality! You are our Shyam. They would often say.

All entities have some or the other qualities.

CC Madhya 22.107:

nitya-siddha kṛṣṇa-prema ‘sādhya’ kabhunaya
śravaṇādi-śuddha-cittekarayeudaya

Translation:

“Pure love for Kṛṣṇa is eternally established in the hearts of the living entities. It is not something to be gained from another source. When the heart is purified by hearing and chanting, this love naturally awakens.

I am the younger brother but I have become a guru and my family members are now my disciples. So, I too have to maintain certain etiquettes with them.

Today is the disappearance day of Srila Ishwar puri. It was the 500th appearance festival and ISKCON was celebrating 1486 years.

Disappearance day is the day of joy and distress. The joy is that they will meet with the Lord after leaving this body and the distress is that we will not be able to associate with them.

We were coming to Mayapur by pada yatra. We stopped at Kumara Hatta, the birth place of Srila Ishwar puri. I was giving my first initiation there and the chief yagya pujari was HH Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaj. I initiated only 4 disciples and one of them was from my village. We went from Gujarat to Aravade too. We had to go to south India to all the places where Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu also travelled. A young boy also joined us. He joined from my village and was initiate. Others were Jai Vijaya who were Americans. Others were Shyam kunda and Radha kunda – they were husband and wife.

When we moved from Halisar, another initiation ceremony took place where HGSahastranamPrabhu was the second candidate. Like this, 2-3 small initiation ceremonies took place. Then in Pandharpur my sister, Sita Mataji got initiated.

For a while no one was taking initiation. Then my brother Nanda Lala Prabhu, his name was Nivrutti which means the one who is renounced, joined. He would sing Tukaram bhajans the entire night especially during Ekadashi. That initiation was conducted in Aravade. Then eventually others also joined. Now at least there are 40-50 initiated devotees in my family.

This is the mercy of Srila Ishwar puri! If we would not have the mercy of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and who would have spread the glories of boundless devotional love of Radha Rani!

The first acharya to spread the love of Krsna was Srila MadhavendraPuri. He is the first founder Acharya of Gaudiya lineage. Srila Ishwar puri was like the small off shoot of the devotional tree which further evolved into a huge stem. With proper nutrition, then Sri Krsna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu became the future tree of Devotional service. So, Srila Ishwar puri was the disciple of Srila Madhavendra puri and he received the opportunity to serve Srila Madhavendra puri in Remuna in Orissa. When Srila Madhavendra puri would come to collect sandalwood, he would go to Vrindavan. But the deity of Gopal told him to offer sandalwood paste in Orissa itself and no need to come to Vridnavana every time. He was old and was served nicely by Srila Ishwar puri as one needs a lot of help, depends in his old age. Srila Ishwar puri once came to Mayapur and stayed with Srila Gopinath Acharya. We hear about him in Jagannath puri. He was originally from Puri but was living in Navadwipa.

Once while doing morning walk Srila Ishwar puri met Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and surely it was love at first sight! The sun is also known as Bhaskar. Which means it can spread its rays and brightness to everyone. Nimai invited Srila Ishwar Puri to his house. Sachi cooked a special meal. She offered the same to her home deities and then offered the same to Srila Ishwar Puri. She invited her relatives to also take darshan of Srila Ishwar puri. At that time, he was writing a book which was based on the past times of Krsna. He also met Srila Gadadhar pandit. Ishwar Puri came to know about the loving nature of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. So out of utter love for Nimai pandit, he recited the same in front of Nimai. He wanted Nimai pandit to correct if any mistakes. To this Nimai pandit replied that when a devotee recites Krsna’s glories, only a sinner will find faults. Vishnave namaha is correct. But only gyaya or-the educated will know.There is some grammar also involved.

So, Mahaprabhu says that Kṛṣṇa is Bhavya grahi Janardan. He accepts whatever is offered with devotion. Beware, do not take undue advantage of this fact though. One must endeavour to learn nicely and even then, if there is any mistake then Krsna forgives. Eventually when Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu goes to Gaya, near Falgun River to offer oblations to his ancestorsand requested His guru to give Him shelter which alone could deliver Him!

CC Ādi 7.71:

prabhu kahe — śuna, śrīpāda, ihārakāraṇa
guru more mūrkhadekhi’ karilaśāsana

Translation:

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu replied to PrakāśānandaSarasvatī, “My dear sir, kindly hear the reason. My spiritual master considered Me a fool, and therefore he chastised Me.

Eventually He received the mercy of Srila Ishwar Puri, in Gaya and He also heard many instructions from His guru Maharaja. Instantly all this happened!he was completely engrossed in love of Godhead.

CC Ādi 7.81:

kibā mantra dilā, gosāñi, kibātārabala
japitejapite mantra karilapāgala

Translation:

“My dear lord, what kind of mantra have you given Me? I have become mad simply by chanting this mahā-mantra!”

All the potencies of Krsna are present in His holy names. In Vrindavan, there are 64 samadhis and one of them is Srila Ishwar puri’s Pushpa Samadhi. Before leaving his body, he initiated two of his disciples Kashishwar and Govind and asked them to serve their God brother Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. And he did so.

Sri Guru-vandana By Srila Narottama Das Thakur:

guru-mukha-padma-vakya, cittetekoriyaaikya,
arnakoriho mane asa

Translation:

My only wish is to have my consciousness purified by the words emanating from his lotus mouth.

All Glories to Srila Ishwar Puri!

All glories to HG Nand Laal Prabhu ji!

Japa Talk by H.H Lokanath Goswami Maharaj
Date: 07-03-2025
Srila Gurudev speaks

Main Theme: Summary of Navadwip Parikrama

Sub Theme : Glories to Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu

ajanu-lambita-bhujau kanakavadatau sankirtanaika-pitarau kamalayataksau visvambharau dvija-varau yuga-dharma-palau vande jagat priya-karau karunavatarau 

Translation

offer my respectful obeisances unto Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu, whose arms extend down to Their knees, who have golden yellow complexions, and who inaugurated the congregational chanting of the holy names of the Lord. Their eyes resemble the petals of a lotus flower; They are the maintainers of the living entities, the best of the brāhmaṇas, the protectors of religious principles for this age, the benefactors of the universe, and the most merciful of all incarnations.[CB 1.1.1]

Chaitanya Bhagavd starts with this prayer that I just recited. Srila vrindavan das Thakur is the compiler of Chaitanya bhagavat. He was none other than Srila Vyas dev . He compiled the Mahabharat also. He appeared again 500 years ago. It’s written in our scriptures. In Vridnavan all the holy Dhamas exist. There is Naimisharanya also in Vridnavan where the srimad bhagvatam is recited.

anarpita-carīṁ cirāt karuṇayāvatīrṇaḥ kalau
samarpayitum unnatojjvala-rasāṁ sva-bhakti-śriyam
hariḥ puraṭa-sundara-dyuti-kadamba-sandīpitaḥ
sadā hṛdaya-kandare sphuratu vaḥ śacī-nandanaḥ

Translation

May the Supreme Lord who is known as the son of Śrīmatī Śacī-devī be transcendentally situated in the innermost chambers of your heart. Resplendent with the radiance of molten gold, He has appeared in the Age of Kali by His causeless mercy to bestow what no incarnation has ever offered before: the most sublime and radiant mellow of devotional service, the mellow of conjugal love. [CC Adi 1.4]

Once Lord Shiva himself attended one such discourse of srimad Bhagavatam. He was sitting on a Nandi bull. But it was very slow. So he thought he would miss hearing the discourse. So Shivji parked the bull in Brahma Lok and sat on a crane , the vehicle of lord Brahma. Gaura katha happened in Madhya dwipa. Where one can find lord Brahma and Shivji deities both. This is the most ancient. But that’s not right. This dhama exists from time immemorial.

We jivas are also eternal part and parcels of Krsna. The parikramas are going on in nawadwipa.  Nawadwipa means 9 islands. So devotees are performing parikrama of these 9 islands. They are performing non stop kirtan too. They only stop for distributing Prasadam

Then they also perform kirtan at every step.

cheto-darpana-marjanam bhava-maha-davagni-nirvapanam
shreyah-kairava-chandrika-vitaranam vidya-vadhu-jivanam
anandambhdhi-vardhanam prati-padam purnamritasvadanam
sarvatma-snapanam param vijayate shri-krishna-sankirtanam

Translation

Glory to the Shri Krishna sankirtana (congregational chanting of the Lord’s holy names), which cleanses the heart of all the dust accumulated for years and extinguishes the fire of conditional life, of repeated birth and death. That sankirtana movement is the prime benediction for humanity at large because it spreads the rays of the benediction moon. It is the life of all transcendental knowledge. It increases the ocean of transcendental bliss, and it enables us to fully taste the nectar for which we are always anxious. [Shikshastakam 1]

They are truly fortunate to have realisations in the holy dhama. Just like Shivji comes running to madhya dwipa to hear Krsna katha. Thus in every Yuga and kalpa the past times of the Lord are recited. So Sri Krsna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appears once in a kalpa – 1 day of Brahma.

Nawadip is full of Shiva ji. He is the security personnel of this holy dhama. He once brought Parvati maiya too. He was singing Gauranga Gauranga !Oh who is your Gauranga ! Pls shower mercy on me too !So in simanta dwipa Gauranga Mahaprabhu gives darshan to shiv and Parvati maiya !Parvati maiya now puts the dust of the lotus feet of Mahaprabhu in the parting of her hair

That’s why it’s known as Simanta dwipa.

Sub-Theme: Glories of Simanta Dwip

We can have Darshan of Sri Simantini devi performing penance for Gauranga Mahaprabhu in our Jagannath temple in Rajapur.

Śrī-prahrāda uvāca
śravaṇaṁ kīrtanaṁ viṣṇoḥ
smaraṇaṁ pāda-sevanam
arcanaṁ vandanaṁ dāsyaṁ
sakhyam ātma-nivedanam

iti puṁsārpitā viṣṇau
bhaktiś cen nava-lakṣaṇā
kriyeta bhagavaty addhā
tan manye ’dhītam uttamam

Translation

Prahlāda Mahārāja said: Hearing and chanting about the transcendental holy name, form, qualities, paraphernalia and pastimes of Lord Viṣṇu, remembering them, serving the lotus feet of the Lord, offering the Lord respectful worship with sixteen types of paraphernalia, offering prayers to the Lord, becoming His servant, considering the Lord one’s best friend, and surrendering everything unto Him (in other words, serving Him with the body, mind and words) — these nine processes are accepted as pure devotional service. One who has dedicated his life to the service of Kṛṣṇa through these nine methods should be understood to be the most learned person, for he has acquired complete knowledge. [SB 7.5.23-24]

The Nine islands represent nine type of Devotional service or  bhakti, these nine islands are
Simanta Dwip – Sravana bhakti
Godrum Dwip – Kirtan Bhakti
Antardvipa, Shri Mayapur (surrendering everything);
Simantadvipa, (hearing);
Godrumadvipa, (chanting);
Madhyadvipa, (remembering);
Koladvipa, Navadvipa city (serving the lotus feet);
Ritudvipa, (worshiping);
Jahnudvipa, (praying);
Modadruma-dvipa, (being a servant); and
Rudradvipa, (being a friend).

Sub-Theme: Glories of Godrum Dwip

So lord Shiva performs kirtan in Godruma dwipa. He is a famous kirtaniya, performing Grand Gaura arati. Even when “kiba jaya Jaya Gorachander is sung … Aarati Karena Brahma adi deva gane” Kiba Shiva Shuka narada preme gada gada

Lord shiva is also known as pinaki Dhar. He has his own style of performing dance and kirtan by playing the damru. He also performs tandav during annihilation. He is the topmost of the vaishnavas.

In all rivers – Ganga is the topmost. In all the puranas – srimad bhagvatam is the top most

Amongst all the 33 crore Devas – Krsna is the topmost

Sub-Theme: Glories of Ritu Dwip

You will  be awestricken in all the islands. In Ritu dwipa all seasons exist simultaneously !

Many flowers bloom. Usually it’s hot or cold in all places. But in Ritu dwipa the environment is very pleasing. This happens to please Krsna. All the holy rivers also flow here, in a criss cross pattern. Nawadwipa has rivers passing around all islands

The seven stars also reside here. Demigods also reside here. It’s a complete dhama. Indra also comes here. He showered torrential rain in Vrindavan. But Krsna forgives him. Nevertheless indra was still lamenting for his mistake. So he came along with Surabhi cow in Godrume dwipa. Godrume means Go- means cow, Drume means – trees. Hence the name

Many cows and cow herd boys reside here. Just like in Goloka , many cows and cow herd boys reside. So when Mahaprabhu performs kirtan , a cowherd boy named Bhima called out to Him and offered Mahaprabhu Goras and sweet meats

Sub-Theme: Glories of Godrume Dwip

Once Markandeya muni also reached this Godrume dwipa. He was blessed to live until 7 kalpas which is equivalent of 7 days and 7 nights of Brahma. Once when there was annihilation , markandeya muni was very distressed floating in the water. He was tossing in the waves of the ocean. He would breathe in distress. He was looking for some piece of land to rest. Then while he was thus floating , he passed by nawadwipa dhama and saw a tree somewhere. He caught hold of a stem of the tree. And saw that the dhama was untouched by annihilation!

Surabhi cow gave him milk. This was the first hand experience of Markandeya muni !

Same goes for Ayodhya dhama , Pandharpur and so on

All the dhamas exist eternally !And those who have taken shelter of the dhama also become eternal !539 years ago Gauranga Mahaprabhu appeared here. In every day of lord Brahma , He appears.

The Ganga reached Gomukh along with king Bhagirath. All the pits nawadwipa were being filled up by the Ganga river. This is Janu dwipa. The flow of the river interrupted the meditation of Janu muni. So he drank the entire Ganga river. When king bhagirath turned back to see where was Ganga , she had disappeared

But on the request of King bhagirath Ganga Maiya again started to flow. So Ganga Maiya performed Nirjala fasting !It was gaura poornima then

nimna-gānāṁ yathā gaṅgā
devānām acyuto yathā
vaiṣṇavānāṁ yathā śambhuḥ
purāṇānām idam tathā

Translation

Just as the Gaṅgā is the greatest of all rivers, Lord Acyuta the supreme among deities and Lord Śambhu [Śiva] the greatest of Vaiṣṇavas, so Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is the greatest of all Purāṇas. [SB 12.13.16]

In that Yuga Krsna and Mahaprabhu appeared… it’s a continuous process. Just like the hands of a clock that keep rotating. The refugees take refuge in a place while travelling. Similarly one becomes eternal by taking shelter of the holy dhama.

The devotees always serve Krsna in the holy dhamas. He has a form , past time , fame and so on. Thus scriptures like Chaitanya Bhagavat , Chaitanya Mangal , Chaitanya charitamrita are compiled.

bahūnāṁ janmanām ante
jñānavān māṁ prapadyate
vāsudevaḥ sarvam iti
sa mahātmā su-durlabhaḥ

Translation

After many births and deaths, he who is actually in knowledge surrenders unto Me, knowing Me to be the cause of all causes and all that is. Such a great soul is very rare. [BG 7.19]

To glorify the holy dhama , devotees, holy places. In this way by reading scriptures we get to know the glories of Krishna’s Holy abode rivers , his pastimes etc

And all this was due to the mercy of Srila Prabhupada.

All these glories were made accessible to us by Shrila Prabhupada

If he had not done translation of Chaitanya Charitramrita in English. Not many could have read in Bengali

If Shrila Prabhupada was not there then Chaitanya Charitamrita or Chaitanya Mangal would have remained in Bengal itself, in Bengali language

All glories to Shrila Prabhupada

Guru and Gauranga ki jai

Japa Talk By H.H Lokanath Swami Maharaj
Date: 10-03-2025
Main Theme: Pastimes of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu the supreme Personality of Godhead as per Chaitanya Bhagavat

Hare Krishna

It was a Saturday, the 18th of February 1486.The day of Full moon of the Lunar month of Phalgun. This year it is the 539th Appearance Day of Mahaprabhu

dekho ore bhai, tri-bhuvanenai,
emonadoyala data
pasupakhijhure, pashanavidare,
suni’ janraguna-gatha

Translation

My dear brother, just try and examine this. Within the three worlds there is no one like Lord Caitanya or Lord Nityananda. Their merciful qualities are so great that upon hearing them even birds and beasts cry and stones melt. [The Mercy of Sri Gaura and Nityananda(from Dhamali) by Locana Dasa Thakura  Text 3]

parama koruna, pahu dui jana
nitaigauracandra
sabaavatara-sara siromani
kevalaananda-kanda

Translation

The two Lords, Nitai-Gauracandra, are very merciful. They are the essence of all incarnations. The specific significance of these incarnations is that They introduced a process of chanting and dancing that is simply joyful. [The Mercy of Sri Gaura and Nityananda(from Dhamali) by Locana Dasa Thakura  Text 1]

Caitanya or Lord Nityananda. Their merciful qualities are so great that upon hearing them even birds and beasts cry and stones melt. Listen everyone Nitai-Gauracandra, are very merciful.

anarpita-carīṁcirātkaruṇayāvatīrṇaḥkalau
samarpayitumunnatojjvala-rasāṁsva-bhakti-śriyam
hariḥpuraṭa-sundara-dyuti-kadamba-sandīpitaḥ
sadāhṛdaya-kandaresphuratuvaḥśacī-nandanaḥ

Translation

May the Supreme Lord who is known as the son of ŚrīmatīŚacī-devī be transcendentally situated in the innermost chambers of your heart. Resplendent with the radiance of molten gold, He has appeared in the Age of Kali by His causeless mercy to bestow what no incarnation has ever offered before: the most sublime and radiant mellow of devotional service, the mellow of conjugal love. [CC Adi  1.4]

Srila Kaviraj Goswami says,

Mahaprabhu descends once in a Kalpa not every Yuga. The devotees of Krishna are called kārṣṇa, What is kalpa, it is one day of Bharhma. Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is Lord itself, after long time He descends. After descend He offered causeless mercy.

He Distributes Parikya Bhava in Vraja, i.e Radha Bhava or Gopi Bhava. Sri Chaitanya maha prabhu relished and shared this bliss or nectar to all.

Srila Bhakti Siddhant was known for his siddhants – principles “ Apa Siddhanta Dhari neya” . He introduced some philosophy i.e The devotees of Krshna are called karnas, Devotees of Vishnu are called Vaishnavas,  while devotees of Srimati Radharani are called Gaudiya Vaishnavas. Such glorious is Vaishnavism. Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu gave Gopi Bhava or Radha Bhava to the whole world.

mahātmānastumāṁpārtha
daivīṁprakṛtimāśritāḥ
bhajantyananya-manaso
jñātvābhūtādimavyayam

Translation

O son of Pṛthā, those who are not deluded, the great souls, are under the protection of the divine nature. They are fully engaged in devotional service because they know Me as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, original and inexhaustible. [BG 9.13]

The great souls, are under the protection of the divine nature. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu performed devotional service as a devotee. One who worships is aradhak and one who is being worshipped is aaradhya.

ārādhyobhagavānvrajeśa-tanayas tad-dhāmavṛṇdāvanaṁ
ramyakaścidupāsanāvraja-vadhu-varga-vīryakalpita
śrīmad-bhāgavatamamalaṁpurāṇaṁpremāpum-arthomahān
śrī-caitanyamahāprabhormatamidaṁtatradaraḥnaparaḥ

Translation

“‘The object of worship is Bhagavān, the Son of Vraja’s king. His abode is Vṛndāvana. The lovely worship [that is to be performed] is that which is performed by the ladies of Vraja. The flawless pramāṇa [i.e., means of knowing these conclusions] is the śāstra [Śrīmad] Bhāgavatam, and the [rightful ultimate] aim of a human being is prema.’ This is the view of Gaura Mahāprabhu, and thus we have the highest regard for it.” [Caitanya-matta-manjusa1.1 commentary on Srimad-Bhagavatam by Srinath Chakravarti.)

The way we worship is aradhana. So aradhak(we) do aradhana( process) to please aradhya( His deity or Istadev). Aradhana includes mood and feelings, our devotion as shown by Srimati Radharani and this is the mood of Sri Chaitanya. Gaudiya Vaishnavas is glorious

I have Chaitanya Bhagavatam in my hand. I am sitting in ISKCON Ulta Danga. This is the very place where Srila Bhakti Siddhant Saraswati Prabhupada met Abhay babu preach to the western world in English.

Srila Bhakti Siddhant Saraswati Prabhupada has written a commentary on Caitanya Bhagwat. Hence whole world came to know about Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Earlier there were very few people who knew about Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. In few days from now Gaur Purnima will be celebrated in about 150 countries. Now millions of people who have become Gaudiya Vaishnav will celebrate this festival.

Srila Bhakti Siddhant Saraswati Prabhupada has written a commentary on Caitanya Bhagwat. His commentary is called Gaudiya Bhashya. We should read this.

Caitanya Bhagwat is written by Srila Vrindavan Das Thakur( Chaitanya Mahaprabhu)He is none other than Srila Vyasadev himself. Srila yasadev is not some ordinary person, he is the Shaktyavesa incarnation. So the Actual Author of SrimadBhagwatam is Lord Krsna himaelf

 kṛṣṇa-līlābhāgavatekahe
veda-vyāsacaitanya-līlāravyāsa

Translation

As Vyāsadeva has compiled all the pastimes of Lord Kṛṣṇa in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, ṬhākuraVṛndāvanadāsa has depicted the pastimes of Lord Caitanya. [ CC Ādi 8.34]

And the author of Sri Chaitanya Bhagwat is Sriman Mahaprabhu himself. It is Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu only who is speaking here

manuṣyeracitenāreaichegranthadhanya
vṛndāvana-dāsa-mukhevaktāśrī-caitanya

 Translation

The subject matter of this book is so sublime that it appears that Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu has personally spoken through the writings of ŚrīVṛndāvanadāsaṬhākura.[ CC Ādi 8.39]

konhetukrishnacandrakareavataraka’ra
shakti ache tattva janitetahara-

Translation

Who has the ability to know why krishnachandra incarnates [CB Adi Khanda 2.15]

tathapi shri bhagavate, gitaya ye kaya
taha likhi, ye-nimitte ‘avatarahai

Translation

Still, I am giving whatever reasons are described in the ŚrīmadBhāgavatam and the Bhagavad-gītā. [CB Adi-Khanda 2.16]

yadāyadā hi dharmasyaglānirbhavatibhārata
abhyutthānamadharmasyatadātmānaṁsṛjāmyaham

Translation

Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice, O descendant of Bharata, and a predominant rise of irreligion—at that time I descend Myself. [CB Adi-Khanda 2.17]

paritrāṇāyasādhūnāṁvināśāya ca duṣkṛtām
dharma-saṁsthāpanārthāyasambhavāmiyugeyuge

Translation

To deliver the pious and to annihilate the miscreants, as well as to reestablish the principles of religion, I Myself appear, millennium after millennium. [CB Adi-Khanda 2.18]

śrī-rādhāyāḥpraṇaya-mahimākīdṛśovānayaivā-
svādyoyenādbhuta-madhurimākīdṛśovāmadīyaḥ
saukhyaṁcāsyā mad-anubhavataḥkīdṛśaṁvetilobhāt
tad-bhāvāḍhyaḥsamajaniśacī-garbha-sindhauharīnduḥ

Translation

Desiring to understand the glory of Rādhārāṇī’s love, the wonderful qualities in Him that She alone relishes through Her love, and the happiness She feels when She realizes the sweetness of His love, the Supreme Lord Hari, richly endowed with Her emotions, appeared from the womb of ŚrīmatīŚacī-devī, as the moon appeared from the ocean. [CC Ādi 1.6]

 krsnavarnamtvisakrsnasangovangastraparsadam
yajnaihsankirtanaprayairyajantisumedhasah

Translation

In the Age of Kali, intelligent persons perform congregational chanting to worship the incarnation of Godhead who constantly sings the names of Kṛṣṇa. Although His complexion is not blackish, He is Kṛṣṇa Himself. He is accompanied by His associates, servants, weapons and confidential companions.[SB 11.5.32]

Bhagavata rupejanmahailasabara
Krsna se janenayanraamsejanmayara

Translation

Only Gaura-Kṛṣṇa knew which associate took birth as which devotee [CB Adi-khanda 2.30]

Karo janmanavadvipe karo catigramekeha
radheodhra dese srihattepascime

Translation

Some took birth in Navadvīpa, some in Caṭṭagrāma, some in Rāḍhadeśa, some in Orissa, some in Śrīhaṭṭa, and some in the West. [CB Adi-khanda 2 .31]

sarvavaisnaverajanmanavadvipadhame
sona maha priyadaserajanmaanyasthane

Translation

Most of the Vaiṣṇavas took birth in Navadvīpa, and some beloved associates appeared elsewhere. [ CB Adi-khanda 2.33]

Lord Krsna says in the Bhagwad Gita

yada yada hi dharmasya
glanirbhavatibharata
abhyutthanamadharmasya
tadatmanamsrjamyaham

Translation

Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice, O descendant of Bharata, and a predominant rise of irreligion – at that time I descend Myself. [Bg. 4.7]

golokam ca parityajya
lokanamtrana-karanat
kalaugauranga-rupena
lila-lavanya-vigrahah

Translation

In the Kali-Yuga, I will leave Goloka and, to save the people of the world, I will become the handsome and playful Lord Gauranga. (Markandeya-Purana)

But the purpose of Thedescendence of Mahaprabhu is different. Lord Krsna is thinking that Srimati Radharani always wins in love. And a desire rose in his heart to experience what Srimati Radharani feels for Lord Krsna.

How sweet the sugar is.?Sugar cannot answer this question

But the ants can.So this is a very special purpose and no other incarnation has appeared with such purpose. Mahaprabhu established the HarinamSankirtan Dharma

He accepted Sannyasa, he travelled Across the country. He preached HarinamSankirtan movement.

kali-kālenāma-rūpekṛṣṇa-avatāra
nāmahaitehayasarva-jagat-nistāra

Translation

“In this Age of Kali, the holy name of the Lord, the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra, is the incarnation of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Simply by chanting the holy name, one associates with the Lord directly. Anyone who does this is certainly delivered. [CC Ādi 17.22]

But in the last 12 years, he resided in Jagannath Puri majorly in seclusion. So many of his eternal associates appeared during the same era to participate in pastimes of Lord Caitanya. Kavi Karnapura writes about them in his book. Gaura-GanoddeshDespika. The name literally means the Purpose of the appearance of the associates of Mahaprabhu. Who were they in Krsna lila.

Sri Krsna becomes Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Balaram becomes Nityananda prabhu, Yasoda Maiya becomes mother Saci, Nanda Maharaj becomes Jagannath Misra, Kansa becomes Chand Kazi. Many of his associates appeared before him and set the scene. Everyone is appearing in nearby places of Navadwip.

How Nilambar Cakravarti relocated to Navadwip and Jagannath Misra also shifted to this place. Nimai appeared then. Advaita Acarya moved to Santipur. He had appeared 50 years before Mahaprabhu. Haridas Thakur, Advaita Acarya, Nilambar Cakravarti and others are older generations. Advaita Acarya invoked the Lord to appear by worshipping his Saligram shila.

“tulasi-manjari-sahita ganga-jaleniravadhisevekrishne maha-kutuhale … ye dhvanibrahmandabhedi’ vaikunöhetebaje”

 Mahaprabhu appears to deliver everyone from the material engagements and entanglements. As a reciprocation to the call of Advaita Acarya. The Lord descends, Advaita Acarya’s voice reaches Goloka and Lord makes his mind. Mother Saci had delivered 9 girls who had died immediately after birth. The 10th child was Visvaroopa

Then Mahaprabhu appered. First he appeared in the mind of Sri Jagannath Misra. Then he moved to the heart of mother Saci. Then he was situated in the ocean like womb of mother Saci from where Nimai appeared like a full moon. The Normal Jiva is born out of sperm. And gradually develops a body in the womb of a mother

najāyatemriyatevākadācinnāyaṁbhūtvābhavitāvāna
bhūyaḥajonityaḥśāśvato ’yaṁpurāṇonahanyate

Translation

For the soul there is neither birth nor death at any time. He has not come into being, does not come into being, and will not come into being. He is unborn, eternal, ever-existing and primeval. He is not slain when the body is slain. [BG 2.20]

Just like the demigods offered Prayers to the Lord in the womb of Mother Devaki, They also came to offer prayers to Nimai in the womb of Saci devi. Then Mahaprabhu appears and so beautiful he is.All the women have come to bless him. Mother Saci named the child as Nimai as he was born under a neem tree.

I shall now go for Darshan

Today is Ekadashi

Japa Talk By H.H Lokanath Swami Maharaj
Date: 11-03-2025
Main Theme: Pastimes of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu ( From  Chaitanya Bhagavat)

Hare Krishna

It was a Saturday, the 18th of February 1486. The day of Full moon of the Lunar month of Phalgun. This year it is the 539th Appearance Day of Mahaprabhu

dekho ore bhai, tri-bhuvane nai,
emona doyala data
pasu pakhi jhure, pashana vidare,
suni’ janra guna-gatha

Translation

My dear brother, just try and examine this. Within the three worlds there is no one like Lord Caitanya or Lord Nityananda. Their merciful qualities are so great that upon hearing them even birds and beasts cry and stones melt. [The Mercy of Sri Gaura and Nityananda (from Dhamali) by Locana Dasa Thakura  Text 3]

parama koruna, pahu dui jana
nitai gauracandra
saba avatara-sara siromani
kevala ananda-kanda

Translation

The two Lords, Nitai-Gauracandra, are very merciful. They are the essence of all incarnations. The specific significance of these incarnations is that They introduced a process of chanting and dancing that is simply joyful. [The Mercy of Sri Gaura and Nityananda (from Dhamali) by Locana Dasa Thakura  Text 1]

Caitanya or Lord Nityananda. Their merciful qualities are so great that upon hearing them even birds and beasts cry and stones melt. Listen everyone Nitai-Gauracandra, are very merciful.

anarpita-carīṁ cirāt karuṇayāvatīrṇaḥ kalau
samarpayitum unnatojjvala-rasāṁ sva-bhakti-śriyam
hariḥ puraṭa-sundara-dyuti-kadamba-sandīpitaḥ
sadā hṛdaya-kandare sphuratu vaḥ śacī-nandanaḥ

Translation

May the Supreme Lord who is known as the son of Śrīmatī Śacī-devī be transcendentally situated in the innermost chambers of your heart. Resplendent with the radiance of molten gold, He has appeared in the Age of Kali by His causeless mercy to bestow what no incarnation has ever offered before: the most sublime and radiant mellow of devotional service, the mellow of conjugal love. [CC Adi  1.4]

Srila Kaviraj Goswami says,

Mahaprabhu descends once in a Kalpa not every Yuga. The devotees of Krishna are called kārṣṇa, What is kalpa, it is one day of Bharhma. Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is Lord itself, after long time He descends. After descend He offered causeless mercy.

He Distributes Parikya Bhava in Vraja, i.e Radha Bhava or Gopi Bhava. Sri Chaitanya maha prabhu relished and shared this bliss or nectar to all.

Srila Bhakti Siddhant was known for his siddhants – principles “ Apa Siddhanta Dhari neya” . He introduced some philosophy i.e The devotees of Krshna are called karnas, Devotees of Vishnu are called Vaishnavas,  while devotees of Srimati Radharani are called Gaudiya Vaishnavas. Such glorious is Vaishnavism. Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu gave Gopi Bhava or Radha Bhava to the whole world.

mahātmānas tu māṁ pārtha
daivīṁ prakṛtim āśritāḥ
bhajanty ananya-manaso
jñātvā bhūtādim avyayam

Translation

O son of Pṛthā, those who are not deluded, the great souls, are under the protection of the divine nature. They are fully engaged in devotional service because they know Me as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, original and inexhaustible. [BG 9.13]

The great souls, are under the protection of the divine nature. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu performed devotional service as a devotee. One who worships is aradhak and one who is being worshipped is aaradhya.

ārādhyo bhagavān vrajeśa-tanayas tad-dhāma vṛṇdāvanaṁ
ramya kaścid upāsanā vraja-vadhu-varga-vīrya kalpita
śrīmad-bhāgavatam amalaṁ purāṇaṁ premā pum-artho mahān
śrī-caitanya mahāprabhor matam idaṁ tatradaraḥ na paraḥ

Translation

“‘The object of worship is Bhagavān, the Son of Vraja’s king. His abode is Vṛndāvana. The lovely worship [that is to be performed] is that which is performed by the ladies of Vraja. The flawless pramāṇa [i.e., means of knowing these conclusions] is the śāstra [Śrīmad] Bhāgavatam, and the [rightful ultimate] aim of a human being is prema.’ This is the view of Gaura Mahāprabhu, and thus we have the highest regard for it.” [Caitanya-matta-manjusa 1.1 commentary on Srimad-Bhagavatam by Srinath Chakravarti.)

The way we worship is aradhana. So aradhak(we) do aradhana( process) to please aradhya( His deity or Istadev). Aradhana includes mood and feelings, our devotion as shown by Srimati Radharani and this is the mood of Sri Chaitanya.  Gaudiya Vaishnavas is glorious

I have Chaitanya Bhagavatam in my hand. I am sitting in ISKCON Ulta Danga. This is the very place where Srila Bhakti Siddhant Saraswati Prabhupada met Abhay babu preach to the western world in English.

Srila Bhakti Siddhant Saraswati Prabhupada has written a commentary on Caitanya Bhagwat. Hence whole world came to know about Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Earlier there were very few people who knew about Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. In few days from now Gaur Purnima will be celebrated in about 150 countries. Now millions of people who have become Gaudiya Vaishnav will celebrate this festival.

Srila Bhakti Siddhant Saraswati Prabhupada has written a commentary on Caitanya Bhagwat. His commentary is called Gaudiya Bhashya. We should read this.

Caitanya Bhagwat is written by Srila Vrindavan Das Thakur ( Chaitanya Mahaprabhu) He is none other than Srila Vyasadev himself. Srila yasadev is not some ordinary person, he is the Shaktyavesa incarnation. So the Actual Author of Srimad Bhagwatam is Lord Krsna himaelf

kṛṣṇa-līlā bhāgavate kahe
veda-vyāsa caitanya-līlāra vyāsa

Translation

As Vyāsadeva has compiled all the pastimes of Lord Kṛṣṇa in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Ṭhākura Vṛndāvana dāsa has depicted the pastimes of Lord Caitanya. [ CC Ādi 8.34]

And the author of Sri Chaitanya Bhagwat is Sriman Mahaprabhu himself. It is Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu only who is speaking here

manuṣye racite nāre aiche grantha dhanya
vṛndāvana-dāsa-mukhe vaktā śrī-caitanya

 Translation

The subject matter of this book is so sublime that it appears that Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu has personally spoken through the writings of Śrī Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura.[ CC Ādi 8.39]

kon hetu krishnacandra kare avatara ka’ra
shakti ache tattva janite tahara-

Translation

Who has the ability to know why krishnachandra incarnates [CB Adi Khanda 2.15]

tathapi shri bhagavate, gitaya ye kaya
taha likhi, ye-nimitte ‘avatara hai

Translation

Still, I am giving whatever reasons are described in the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam and the Bhagavad-gītā. [CB Adi-Khanda 2.16]

yadā yadā hi dharmasya glānir bhavati bhārata
abhyutthānam adharmasya tadātmānaṁ sṛjāmy aham

Translation

Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice, O descendant of Bharata, and a predominant rise of irreligion—at that time I descend Myself. [CB Adi-Khanda 2.17]

paritrāṇāya sādhūnāṁ vināśāya ca duṣkṛtām
dharma-saṁsthāpanārthāya sambhavāmi yuge yuge

Translation

To deliver the pious and to annihilate the miscreants, as well as to reestablish the principles of religion, I Myself appear, millennium after millennium. [CB Adi-Khanda 2.18]

śrī-rādhāyāḥ praṇaya-mahimā kīdṛśo vānayaivā-
svādyo yenādbhuta-madhurimā kīdṛśo vā madīyaḥ
saukhyaṁ cāsyā mad-anubhavataḥ kīdṛśaṁ veti lobhāt
tad-bhāvāḍhyaḥ samajani śacī-garbha-sindhau harīnduḥ

Translation

Desiring to understand the glory of Rādhārāṇī’s love, the wonderful qualities in Him that She alone relishes through Her love, and the happiness She feels when She realizes the sweetness of His love, the Supreme Lord Hari, richly endowed with Her emotions, appeared from the womb of Śrīmatī Śacī-devī, as the moon appeared from the ocean. [ CC Ādi 1.6]

 krsna varnam tvisa krsna sango vangastra parsadam
yajnaih sankirtana prayair yajanti sumedhasah

Translation

In the Age of Kali, intelligent persons perform congregational chanting to worship the incarnation of Godhead who constantly sings the names of Kṛṣṇa. Although His complexion is not blackish, He is Kṛṣṇa Himself. He is accompanied by His associates, servants, weapons and confidential companions.[SB 11.5.32]

Bhagavata rupe janma haila sabara
Krsna se janena yanra amse janma yara

Translation

Only Gaura-Kṛṣṇa knew which associate took birth as which devotee [CB Adi-khanda 2.30]

Karo janma navadvipe karo catigrame keha
radhe odhra dese srihatte pascime

Translation

Some took birth in Navadvīpa, some in Caṭṭagrāma, some in Rāḍhadeśa, some in Orissa, some in Śrīhaṭṭa, and some in the West. [CB Adi-khanda 2 .31]

sarva vaisnavera janma navadvipa dhame
sona maha priya dasera janma anya sthane

Translation

Most of the Vaiṣṇavas took birth in Navadvīpa, and some beloved associates appeared elsewhere. [ CB Adi-khanda 2.33]

Lord Krsna says in the Bhagwad Gita

yada yada hi dharmasya
glanir bhavati bharata
abhyutthanam adharmasya
tadatmanam srjamyaham

Translation

Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice, O descendant of Bharata, and a predominant rise of irreligion – at that time I descend Myself. [Bg. 4.7]

golokam ca parityajya
lokanam trana-karanat
kalau gauranga-rupena
lila-lavanya-vigrahah

Translation

In the Kali-Yuga, I will leave Goloka and, to save the people of the world, I will become the handsome and playful Lord Gauranga. (Markandeya-Purana)

But the purpose of The descendence of Mahaprabhu is different. Lord Krsna is thinking that Srimati Radharani always wins in love. And a desire rose in his heart to experience what Srimati Radharani feels for Lord Krsna.

How sweet the sugar is.? Sugar cannot answer this question

But the ants can. So this is a very special purpose and no other incarnation has appeared with such purpose. Mahaprabhu established the Harinam Sankirtan Dharma

He accepted Sannyasa, he travelled Across the country. He preached Harinam Sankirtan movement.

kali-kāle nāma-rūpe kṛṣṇa-avatāra
nāma haite haya sarva-jagat-nistāra

Translation

“In this Age of Kali, the holy name of the Lord, the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra, is the incarnation of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Simply by chanting the holy name, one associates with the Lord directly. Anyone who does this is certainly delivered. [CC Ādi 17.22]

But in the last 12 years, he resided in Jagannath Puri majorly in seclusion. So many of his eternal associates appeared during the same era to participate in pastimes of Lord Caitanya. Kavi Karnapura writes about them in his book. Gaura-Ganoddesh Despika. The name literally means the Purpose of the appearance of the associates of Mahaprabhu. Who were they in Krsna lila.

Sri Krsna becomes Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Balaram becomes Nityananda prabhu, Yasoda Maiya becomes mother Saci, Nanda Maharaj becomes Jagannath Misra, Kansa becomes Chand Kazi. Many of his associates appeared before him and set the scene. Everyone is appearing in nearby places of Navadwip.

How Nilambar Cakravarti relocated to Navadwip and Jagannath Misra also shifted to this place. Nimai appeared then. Advaita Acarya moved to Santipur. He had appeared 50 years before Mahaprabhu. Haridas Thakur, Advaita Acarya, Nilambar Cakravarti and others are older generations. Advaita Acarya invoked the Lord to appear by worshipping his Saligram shila.

“tulasi-manjari-sahita ganga-jale niravadhi seve krishne maha-kutuhale … ye dhvani brahmanda bhedi’ vaikunöhete baje”

Mahaprabhu appears to deliver everyone from the material engagements and entanglements. As a reciprocation to the call of Advaita Acarya. The Lord descends, Advaita Acarya’s voice reaches Goloka and Lord makes his mind. Mother Saci had delivered 9 girls who had died immediately after birth. The 10th child was Visvaroopa

Then Mahaprabhu appered. First he appeared in the mind of Sri Jagannath Misra. Then he moved to the heart of mother Saci. Then he was situated in the ocean like womb of mother Saci from where Nimai appeared like a full moon. The Normal Jiva is born out of sperm. And gradually develops a body in the womb of a mother

na jāyate mriyate vā kadācin nāyaṁ bhūtvā bhavitā vā na
bhūyaḥ ajo nityaḥ śāśvato ’yaṁ purāṇo na hanyate

Translation

For the soul there is neither birth nor death at any time. He has not come into being, does not come into being, and will not come into being. He is unborn, eternal, ever-existing and primeval. He is not slain when the body is slain. [BG 2.20]

Just like the demigods offered Prayers to the Lord in the womb of Mother Devaki, They also came to offer prayers to Nimai in the womb of Saci devi. Then Mahaprabhu appears and so beautiful he is. All the women have come to bless him. Mother Saci named the child as Nimai as he was born under a neem tree.

I shall now go for Darshan

Today is Ekadashi

Japa Talk by Guru Maharaj
Date- 14^th March 2025
Theme- Gaur Purnima

Gaur Purnima Mahotsava ki Jay!Today is so auspicious day. When I said this, I remembered that in Caitanya Bhagavat it is written that ‘on this day, all auspiciousness, mangalya,not only from one brahmanda, but from all brahmandas reached and spread all over in Navadvipa.’

patita-pāvana-hetutavaavatāra
mosamapatita prabhu nāpāibeāra

Translation-

Your incarnation is just to reclaim the conditioned, fallen souls, but I assure You that You will not find a greater fallen soul than me. Therefore, my claim is first. (From śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya prabhu doyā koro more)

Patitanampavanebhyo, we are fallen souls and that Gauranga who delivers us or only Gauranga can delivers the fallen souls of Kaliyuga. We are very fallen and that’s why Lord has to be more magnanimous. So being very magnanimous, Lord appeared on today’s day.

Till that day this Purnima was called as ‘Falgun Purnima’. But from that day, 539 years ago, this Purnima became Gaur Purnima. Just like that ashtami became ‘Krishna Janmashtami’ and that Navami became ‘Ram Navami’, like that. That chaturdashi became ‘Narasimha Chaturdashi’, similarly this Purnima became ‘Gaur Purnima’.

This is all history, or whatever events happened that day, this is history, Itihas. Iti ha āsa, so it happened. Such events have happened or this is a historical event. This is factual, not imaginary and not even mythology. Intellectuals keep saying ‘Hindu mythology’. From ‘myth’ came the word ‘mythology’. Anyways, no need to tell you all this, because all of you accept that, really,actually Lord appeared on this day. Gauranga!

Demigods do know that the Lord is going to appear. So, the Demigods arrived in the sky of Navadvipa. They reached there in their vehicles. There was a traffic jam. Everybody wanted to go as close as possible, so that they could have a darshan.

śrī-bhagavānuvāca
su-durdarśamidaṁrūpaṁ
dṛṣṭavānasiyan mama
devāapyasyarūpasya
nityaṁdarśana-kāṅkṣiṇaḥ

Translation-

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: My dear Arjuna, this form of Mine you are now seeing is very difficult to behold. Even the demigods are ever seeking the opportunity to see this form, which is so dear. (BG 11.52)

In Bhagavad Gita, when Lord was talking with Arjuna, it was the time of Virat Rupa, at that time Lord Himself described His beauty. So there, Krishna said, such a form is going to appear. Which form? su-durdarśamidaṁrūpaṁ, which is very difficult to see. It is difficult even to Brahma to have its darshan. devāapyasyarūpasyanityaṁdarśana-kāṅkṣiṇaḥ, demigods were very eager to have darshan; so those demigods have reached and they are doing Garbha stuti. Very similar, if not same, similar. Just like in Mathura mandal, when Krishna was going to appear, demigods reached there, and their Garbha stuti prayers are famous in the second chapter, tenth canto of Srimad Bhagavat. So just like that, Garbha stuti prayers were spoken here in Navadvipa. Gauranga is in the womb and is about to take birth.

sūtauvāca
yaṁbrahmāvaruṇendra-rudra-marutaḥstunvantidivyaiḥstavair
vedaiḥsāṅga-pada-kramopaniṣadairgāyantiyaṁsāma-gāḥ
dhyānāvasthita-tad-gatenamanasāpaśyantiyaṁyogino
yasyāntaṁnaviduḥsurāsura-gaṇādevāyatasmainamaḥ

Translation-

SūtaGosvāmī said: Unto that personality whom Brahmā, Varuṇa, Indra, Rudra and the Maruts praise by chanting transcendental hymns and reciting the Vedas with all their corollaries, pada-kramas and Upaniṣads, to whom the chanters of the Sāma Veda always sing, whom the perfected yogīs see within their minds after fixing themselves in trance and absorbing themselves within Him, and whose limit can never be found by any demigod or demon — unto that Supreme Personality of Godhead I offer my humble obeisances. (SB 12.13.1)

By saying this, we want to tell you that the child who is going to appear is not any ordinary child. He is not ordinary soul like you and me. Supersoul, Paramatma or Lord Himself is going to appear here. So, demigods have arrived to receive Him, to welcome Him, to greet Him. They are also going to perform arati of the Lord. āratikorenbrahmā-ādi deva-gaṇe.That is the position of Gauranga. Gauranga!

There was lunar eclipse on that day. Acharyas say, moon made excuse. ‘Oh, what is today?’ ‘Today is eclipse. So, I will not show myself to the world.’ But the internal reason was something else. Moon was thinking, ‘today is the appearance day of Caitanyacandra.’ Krsnacandra, Caitanyacandra, Ramacandra, how are they?

bahu-koticandrajini’ vadanaujjvala
gala-deśebana-mālā kore jhalamala

Translation-

The brilliance of Lord Caitanya’s face conquers millions upon millions of moons, and the garland of forest flowers around His neck shines. (Text 6, Gaura-arati by ŚrīlaBhaktivinodaṬhākura)

His whole vapu and face is just like bahu-koticandrajini’ vadanaujjvala, so much effulgence, so much radianceemanates from His entire body; He is all beautiful, radiant, effulgent.So today in front of Him how can I show my face which have so many stains and faults. Thinking like that, ‘okay, okay, today will be lunar eclipse.’ So, making such excuse, that day moon hid his face.

On that Gaur Purnima day, 539 years ago, two appearances took place. One was Sacidananda Vigraha, Nimai; this child’s name will be Vishvambhar. In the future he will be known as Mahaprabhu. ‘And your name is’, when He was given sannyasa, ‘Sri Krishna Caitanya.’ Like that there are many names of Gauranga Mahaprabhu. There is ‘Gauranga Sahasranam’ also and not only ‘Vishnu Sahasranamam’. So, such Nami, whose name is like this, was going to appear. So Nami was going to appear and Nama was also going to appear. Nami, personality, that personality to whom Sachimata was going to give birth. Nama and Nami are two, but at the same time one and the same. Abhinnatva! So, in the evening Sacidananda Vigraha, Nami was going to appear and in the day, Lord appears in the form of His name.

kali-kālenāma-rūpekṛṣṇa-avatāra
nāmahaitehayasarva-jagat-nistāra

Translation-

In this Age of Kali, the holy name of the Lord, the Hare Kṛṣṇamahā-mantra, is the incarnation of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Simply by chanting the holy name, one associates with the Lord directly. Anyone who does this is certainly delivered. (CC Adi 17.22)

This is all arranged, designed, programmed. There is no accident or last moment arrangements. No. This is all pre-planned.

mayādhyakṣeṇaprakṛtiḥ
sūyatesa-carācaram
hetunānenakaunteya
jagadviparivartate

Translation-

This material nature, which is one of My energies, is working under My direction, O son of Kuntī, producing all moving and nonmoving beings. Under its rule this manifestation is created and annihilated again and again. (BG 9.10)

Who am I? I am the superintendent. I control all activities, creation maintenance and everything of living and nonliving beings. So,He had arranged everything. So according to that, various events were happening on that day. So, in the day, as there was lunar eclipse, many people were reaching to Navadvipa as it was holy place and there was Ganga Maiya ki Jai! They were gathering there to bathe in Ganges. They were performing kirtan. Magnanimous Lord started to manifest His magnanimity. He has not yet appeared, but His mercy was visible in the day itself. The fallen souls who had no connection with dharma and pious activities, such fallen souls were running towards Ganges and Navadvipa. Not by their own desire, but by the will of the Lord. And Lord was making them chant ‘Hari Bol! Hari Bol!’ Everyone was chanting ‘Hari Bol’ or they might be chanting ‘Har Har Gange’ as well, or Hare Krishna Hare Krishna KrishnaKrishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama RamaRama Hare Hare!

So, the time came and Nimai appeared. The name was not yet decided at that time. After birth there will be Name giving. In Shantipur, Advait Acharya and Haridas Thakur came to know about His appearance; so, in Shantipur they started to dance, ‘Hari Bol! Hari Bol!’ ‘Thank you, thank you!’ Because Advait Acharya called Him, requested Himand He came. So,Advait Acharya was very thankful. He sent his wife, Sita Thakurani. Mothers and gents from all over the brahmandaand demigods also reached there in Yogapith to greet the child.

This name ‘Nimai’ was the idea of Sita Thakurani. So, the child was named as ‘Nimai’. He was appeared under Neem tree, that’s why the name ‘Nimai’. And Sachimata had given birth to nine daughters and soon after the birth they died. Tenth child was Visvarupa and He was alive, yet there was fear, ‘what will happen to this child?’ So, for the protection of the child, Neem tree is considered as a protector. It is bitter in taste but it gives sweet results. So, the child was named as Nimai. And after that there were many more names. Another name which He got naturally was Sachinandana.

brajendra-nandanajei, śacī-sutahoilo sei,
balarāmahoilonitāi
dīna-hīnajatachilo, hari-nāmeuddhārilo,
tāraśākṣījagāimādhāi

Translation-

Lord Kṛṣṇa, the son of the King of Vraja, became the son of Śacī, and Balarāma became Nitāi. The holy name delivered all those souls who were lowly and wretched. The two sinners Jagāi and Mādhāi are evidence of this. (From Hari hari! Bifale by Narottam Das Thakur)

Nandanandan has become Sachinandana. Jaya SachinandanajayaSachinandana, Jaya Sachinandana Jaya Sachinandana, Jaya Sachinandana Gaura Hari! Sachimatapranadhana Gaura Hari! And in the future, Nadia Bihari Gaura Hari! Yuga Avatari Gaura Hari! Gaura GauraGaura Hari! Nitai Gaura Premanande Hari Hari Bol!

Japa Talk
Date- 28th March 2025
Speaker- Guru Maharaj
Theme- Aradhana

Sub-theme: Aradhana retreat of Sachidananda Prabhu

Gaur Nityananda Ki Jai! This address is for everyone. As I am in Pandharpur, so Pandharpur’s devotees are sitting here in front of me and zoom temple is houseful. They are always the audience of Japa talk. But today’s Japa talk is specially focused on those devotees who have reached Mayapur Dham. Mayapur Dham ki jai! They are now going to Ekachakra gram. Around 300 to 350 devotees have reached Mayapur and from there they are going to Ekachakra gram. And I am seeing not all but some of those devotees. So, all these devotees have reached there for retreat. Sachidanand Prabhu takes retreat to somewhere once or twice a year. And this time they have reached Mayapur. I do not have full information, but I came to know that the main topics of this retreat are Aradhana, meditation, forgiveness and like that. So, this Japa talk is for retreat devotees. And everyone is welcome. Everyone can hear this. Special welcome and congratulations for those devotees who have reached for retreat. And many thanks to Sachidanand Prabhu for organizing such retreats and for giving more and more education to the devotees. Educated devotees become initiated. Time to time keep giving such education by retreat. So only few thoughts I can present.

Sub-theme: Radha, who does Aradhana

Aradhana! If meditation is the topic, then meditation is also Aradhana. Aradhana, worship is not complete without meditation.

anayārādhito nūnaṁ
bhagavān harir īśvaraḥ
yan no vihāya govindaḥ
prīto yām anayad rahaḥ

Translation-

Certainly this particular gopī has perfectly worshiped the all-powerful Personality of Godhead, Govinda, since He was so pleased with Her that He abandoned the rest of us and brought Her to a secluded place. (ŚB 10.30.28)

This is Radha. There is pastime. ‘Hey! Whose lotus feet are these?’ When Gopis were searching for Krsna, first they saw symbols of Krsna’s lotus feet or they saw Braj marked with Krsna’s lotus feet prints. Then after going little further, they saw someone’s foot prints beside Krsna’s foot prints. That means someone was going with Him. Some Gopis inquired, “Whose lotus feet could these be?” So, one gopi said, “you fool, don’t you understand? Otherwise, whose lotus feet could these be?” anayārādhito nūnaṁ, definitely, these must be Radha’s lotus feet. How is Radha? The one who does aradhana. Radha’s name is Radha because She does Aradhana. The topmost worshiper is Radha. Jai Sri Radhe! And then the whole world does worship.

Sub-theme: Worship of the devotees is superior than the worship of the Lord

ārādhanānāṁ sarveṣāṁ
viṣṇor ārādhanaṁ param
tasmāt parataraṁ devi
tadīyānāṁ ārādhanānāṁ

Translation-

“[Lord Śiva told the goddess Durgā:] ‘My dear Devī, although the Vedas recommend worship of demigods, the worship of Lord Viṣṇu is topmost. However, above the worship of Lord Viṣṇu is the rendering of service to Vaiṣṇavas, who are related to Lord Viṣṇu.’ (CC Madhya 11.31)
Lord Siva has said this. ‘Among all worshipable lords Lord Visnu’s worship is topmost.’ Don’t worry. Krsna is Supreme, but here ‘Visnu’ is mentioned. Yeah, such things happen in the scriptures. Visnu means Krsna or when Vaikunth is mentioned, but it indicates Vrindavan only. Or sometimes love is called as lust. Lord is sometimes called as Brahma, so Brahma means the Supreme Lord. Or lust means love. Visnu means Krsna. Vaikunth means Vrindavan. So, Sivaji told Parvati, ‘Worship of Lord Visnu is topmost. He should be worshipped.’ But Sivaji doesn’t stop by saying this. Further he said tadiyanam samarcanam. Tasmat parataram devi, wait, wait, superior to the worship of Lord Visnu is worship of tadiyanam. Tulasi krsna preyasi namo namah, tulasi is also tadiya or cow is also tadiya. Tadiya means his; madiya means mine. Ganges in tadiya. What about Lord’s devotees? Lord’s devotees too are tadiya. For the Lord they are madiya; for us they are tadiya. Worshipping them is superior to worshipping the Lord.

ādaraḥ paricaryāyāṁ
sarvāṅgair abhivandanam
mad-bhakta-pūjābhyadhikā
sarva-bhūteṣu man-matiḥ- (ŚB 11.19.21)

mad-bhakta-pūja abhyadhikā- Lord Himself has said, My devotees are more worshipable than Me.

Sub-theme: Lord’s worship is incomplete without worshipping the devotees. Recently I was in Mayapur and there

bhaja gaurāṅga kaha gaurāṅga laha gaurāṅgera nāma re
ye jana gaurāṅga bhaje sei amāra prāṇa re

Translation-

Worship Gauranga, chant Gauranga, speak about Gauranga day and night. Whoever serves Gauranga is as dear to me as my very own life.
Chant Gauranga’s names, at least do this much worship; but those who worship Gauranga, sei amāra prāṇa re, they are my life. Devotees keep saying- radha krsna prana mora jugala kishor. Radha and Krsna are the life of devotees, but along with that, other devotees are also the life of devotees. When the priest offers arati to the Lord, at the end of offering every item he turns and offers arati to all the devotees present there. Maybe you do not understand ‘what’s going on? Lord’s arati is going on and at the end, every item is offered to the devotees as well.’ Sri krsna caitanya prabhu nityananda sri advaita gadadhara sri vasadi gaura bhakta vrnda. Gaura bhakta vrnda, all devotees of Lord Gauranga. Gaura bhakta vrnda, the devotees of Lord Gauranga cannot be separated from Gauranga. They are inseparable. Meditation or worship of Panchatatva is complete when we worship Gaura bhakta vrnda. If we worship the Lord, but commit offenses at the lotus feet of His devotees, then we remain third class. Lord considers them third class. He worships, glorifies the Lord with full heart, but blasphemes the devotees.

Yasya deve para bhakti yatha deve tatha gurau
Yasya ete kathotha hi artha prakasyanta mahatmanah

Translation-

Anyone who has developed unflinching faith in the Lord and the Spiritual Master can understand the revealed scripture unfold before him. (ŚU 6.23)
This is very special statement. Among the devotees there are spiritual masters; they perform the role of gurus. So here it is said yasya deve para bhakti, Your para bhakti, supreme devotion; deve, means ‘the object of meditation’ in Saptami vibhakti (sanskit). Deva becomes deve. Yasya deve para bhakti, who have para bhakti in the Lord, yatha deve tatha gurau, gurau is Saptami, means ‘in the guru’. Deve and gurau, the Lord and the spiritual masters, both of them should be worshipped. Then that worship is complete.

Sub-theme: We do Aradhana in Mangalacaran

Vande aham, in the first line of mangalacaran we are doing Aradhana, Vandana, worship, śrī-yuta-padakamalaṁ, yuta means two, ‘of both feet’. If they are having only one foot, first thing is we should not see like that. To see faults in the body of the devotees, ‘he is black, he is lame’, to see or think like this is an offense. So be cautious. So,

vande ahaṁ śrī-guru śrī-yuta-padakamalaṁ śrī-gurūn vaiṣṇavāṁś ca
śrī-rūpaṁ sāgrajātaṁ saha-gaṇa-raghunāthānvitaṁ taṁ sa-jīvam
sa advaitaṁ sāvadhūtaṁ parijana-sahitaṁ kṛṣṇa-caitanya-devaṁ
śrī-rādhā-kṛṣṇa-pādān saha-gaṇa-lalitā-śrī-viśākhānvitāṁś ca
Svāhā. Svāhā. Svāhā.

Gurun, siksha gurus and vaisnavan, everyone is included in this mangala caran. The Aradhana, worship of Sad-goswamis, and then Panchatattva; do you remember the mangala carana? First Guru then Vaisnava, then come down, next sloka is for Sad-goswamis and then Panchatattva, then finally Radha Krsna, and not only Radha Krsna, but with Them, Lalita Vishakha and anvitāṁś, other Asta-sakhis and Gopis and Manjaris.
Sub-theme: Sankirtan yajna covers all processes of worship in all Yugas
These are few thoughts regarding Aradhana. In fact, the method of Aradhana

krsna-varnam tvisakrsnam
sangopangastra-parsadam
yajnaih sankirtana-prayair
yajanti hi sumedhasah

Translation-

In the Age of Kali, intelligent persons perform congregational chanting to worship the incarnation of Godhead who constantly sings the names of Kṛṣṇa. Although His complexion is not blackish, He is Kṛṣṇa Himself. He is accompanied by His associates, servants, weapons and confidential companions. (ŚB 11.5.32)

yajnaih sankirtana-prayair yajanti, call it Aradhana or yajanti, worship which comes from ‘yaj’ dhatu; so, in Kaliyuga we worship by performing yajnas. But in SB 11.5.32 it is mentioned that which yajna should be performed in Kaliyuga? Sankirtan yajna! By this yajna devotees will yajanti, worship the Lord. It is strong recommendation of Jiva Goswami that when we worship the Lord, Sri vigraha Aradhana nitya nana, we do sringar, offer arati, do abhishek and all, then there must be Harinama with that. Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare! Or we can sing the glories, bhajan or Sandhya arati, mangal arati. Aradhana is complete when it is done with such singing.

In Satya Yuga Lord is worshipped by doing meditation. You have reached there in Mayapur for retreat and now going to Ekachakra gram, so you were taught by Sachidananda Prabhu, how to meditate, how to do meditative chanting, how to meditate on the Lord’s form, first fixing the object of meditation. So, in Satya yuga meditation was the process of worshipping the Lord. But when we perform sankirtan or kirtan, then it is complete in itself.

nāma cintāmaṇiḥ kṛṣṇaś
caitanya-rasa-vigrahaḥ
pūrṇaḥ śuddho nitya-mukto
’bhinnatvān nāma-nāminoḥ

Translation-

The holy name of Kṛṣṇa is transcendentally blissful. It bestows all spiritual benedictions, for it is Kṛṣṇa Himself, the reservoir of all pleasure. Kṛṣṇa’s name is complete, and it is the form of all transcendental mellows. It is not a material name under any condition, and it is no less powerful than Kṛṣṇa Himself. Since Kṛṣṇa’s name is not contaminated by the material qualities, there is no question of its being involved with māyā. Kṛṣṇa’s name is always liberated and spiritual; it is never conditioned by the laws of material nature. This is because the name of Kṛṣṇa and Kṛṣṇa Himself are identical. (CC Madhya 17.133)

When we do chanting we do meditation, which is the process of worship of Satya Yuga. ‘Mantra Meditation’. In Hari bhakti vilas the process of chanting is given. Mantrartha cintanam, we should meditate on the meaning of the mantra. If we have not done this meditation then this is one of the biggest offenses. Vaisnava aparadha is the topmost offense. Topmost is very bad. Don’t think that ‘Vaisnava aparadha is supreme, so let’s do this supreme work.’ Be careful. This is most degradable, not supreme. So, there are ten offenses against the Holy name, but ‘not to chant with attention’, no other offense can match with this offense. So, chanting without attention is one great offense. When we meditate while chanting and doing kirtan, then we are doing Aradhana like Satya Yuga. What is the process of worship in Treta yuga? Tretayam yajatau makhai.

ye yad dhyāyato viṣṇuṁ
tretāyāṁ yajato makhaiḥ
dvāpare paricaryāyāṁ
kalau tad dhari-kīrtanāt

Translation

Whatever result was obtained in Satya-yuga by meditating on Viṣṇu, in Tretā-yuga by performing sacrifices, and in Dvāpara-yuga by serving the Lord’s lotus feet can be obtained in Kali-yuga simply by chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra. (ŚB 12.3.52)

Svaha, svaha, perform yajna. This Hare Krsna Mahamantra is Sankirtan yajna. We do sankirtan yajna means the process of worship of Treta Yuga is covered. Dvapare paricaryayam, in Dvapara the process is Aradhana, worship. Doing chanting in itself is Aradhana, worship. This Harinama is complete, nitya mukto and purna suddho, purna, complete. So, you did chanting, kirtan, then everything is complete. You did meditation also and you did yajna also and you did Aradhana, arcana too. That’s why it is said

harer nāma harer nāma
harer nāmaiva kevalam
kalau nāsty eva nāsty eva
nāsty eva gatir anyathā

Translation-

In this Age of Kali there is no other means, no other means, no other means for self-realization than chanting the holy name, chanting the holy name, chanting the holy name of Lord Hari. (CC Ādi 17.21)

When we do Harinama, then everything is covered. It is complete. This is the beauty of this sankirtan or chanting of Mahamantra.

Sub-theme: Avoid Dham Aparadha

So, these are few thoughts regarding Aradhana. As there are ten nama aparadha, there are ten dhama aparadha also. You devotees who have reached Mayapur for retreat and doing parikrama also, I think you were doing 64 rounds chanting as well, for few days everyday 64 rounds. So, you were doing Aradhana and parikrama. When we do dham parikrama, we serve the dham. It is considered as Pada-sevanam.

śravaṇaṁ kīrtanaṁ viṣṇoḥsmaraṇaṁ pāda-sevanam
arcanaṁ vandanaṁ dāsyaṁsakhyam ātma-nivedanam

Translation-

Prahlāda Mahārāja said: Hearing and chanting about the transcendental holy name, form, qualities, paraphernalia and pastimes of Lord Viṣṇu, remembering them, serving the lotus feet of the Lord, offering the Lord respectful worship with sixteen types of paraphernalia, offering prayers to the Lord, becoming His servant, considering the Lord one’s best friend, and surrendering everything unto Him (in other words, serving Him with the body, mind and words)—these nine processes are accepted as pure devotional service. One who has dedicated his life to the service of Kṛṣṇa through these nine methods should be understood to be the most learned person, for he has acquired complete knowledge. (SB 7.5.23)

When we do pāda-sevanam, as you have done Mayapur parikrama, not complete parikrama, but you have visited some places and you are going to Ekachakra gram, there also you will do parikrama. So, remember dham aparadhana and make sure that you avoid them. Do not commit offenses at the feet of Dham. Among Dham aparadha, the biggest aparadha is to commit offense at the lotus feet of those who reveal dham unto us. As in Nama aparadh topmost is Vaisnava aparadh, here in Dham aparadh, first offense is those who narrate the pastimes of the dham,

adyapiha sei lila kare gaura-raya
kona kona bhagyavan dekhibare paya

Translation-

Śrī Caitanya eternally enacts His transcendental pastimes in the holy dhāma of Māyāpura, but only those who—by dint of their innumerable pious deeds—have a pure heart are able to see them. (Navadvip Mandal Mahatmya)

They will tell you, ‘even today Lord is performing His pastimes here.’ Like that they will introduce, reveal dham to you. To commit offense at the lotus feet of such devotees is dham aparadha. Those who narrate katha in dham, those who are engaged in dham seva, why to commit offense against them? What we should do? We should serve them, we should worship them, as we were hearing few minutes before. In our Gaudiya Vaisnava there is famous statement ‘Guru gaurango jayatah’, all glories to guru and Gauranga. All glories to the assembled devotees. So, those who have assembled in dham, serve them.

yasyātma-buddhi-kuṇape tri-dhātuke
sva-dhiḥ kalatrādiṣu bhauma ijya-dhīḥ
yat-tīrtha-buddhiḥ salile na karhicij
janeśv abhijñeṣu sa eva go-kharaḥ

Translation-

One who identifies his self as the inert body composed of mucus, bile and air, who assumes his wife and family are permanently his own, who thinks an earthen image or the land of his birth is worshipable, or who sees a place of pilgrimage as merely the water there, but who never identifies himself with, feels kinship with, worships or even visits those who are wise in spiritual truth — such a person is no better than a cow or an ass. (ŚB 10.84.13)

We went there and considered the dham, tirtha as the place of bathing. Let’s bathe in some pond or Ganges. When bathing is done, then yatra is complete, it’s finished; now let’s run towards airport or station. Such offenders, ignorant are compared to go-kharaḥ. What should be done? na janeśv abhijñeṣu sa eva go-kharaḥ, jña means the knower and abhijña means one who knows everything. So, the priest of the dham, the guru, we should reach at their lotus feet and should hear from them.

Sub-theme: How to purify the mind?

You were not performing such offense as you were engaged most of the time in sravanam and kirtanam. You were hearing from Sachidananda Prabhu. You must have taken bath also. You should. Ganga Maiya ki Jai! We are not against bathing, but only bathing will not work. Sarvatma snapanam, your soul’s, sarvatma, body, mind and soul; body is also called as atma. Only body should not be cleaned in dham, but mind should also get purified and that is possible when we will spend time with abhijña, the knowers.

Bhakti Siddhant Saraswati Thakur once asked to one disciple when he left in between the class, ‘where had you gone?’ ‘Oh, I went to have darshan. Arati was going on.’ He thought after hearing this, Bhakti Siddhant Saraswati Thakur will be happy and will say, ‘well done!’ and to the other devotees he will say, ‘You fools, why didn’t you do that? He left in between to attend the arati. He is saying he took darshan. You fools, you haven’t taken darshan.’ He must have thought like that. Okay, time is up. We had more topics.

Sub-theme: Contemplate on what you heard

This Sravan kirtan is Aradhana. When we hear such seminars, we do mediate with knowledge, if you listen carefully and with faith. ‘Hey what happened? You are taking only one person to Vaikuntha.’, Gokarna said,’ You have brought only one plain and taking only one person, but katha was heard by thousands of devotees.’ So, in the answer the Visnudutas, the airhosts said, ‘Yeah, they may have heard, but in between they were sleeping. Their bodies were here, they were sitting here, but their minds were somewhere else. Or even if they heard the katha, when they went back to their work, they forgot everything.’ So, what should be done? Whatever is heard in the katha, seminars should be contemplated on. After Sravanam kirtanam first comes smaranam. Smaran should be the result of Sravan kirtan. And this smaran should be kept nicely in the heart. That’s why one should contemplate on it, manan, place it nicely in the heart. Just like cows or animals eat two times. First, they just swallow and then they sit down and bring back that food to their mouth and then chew it. This nicely chewed food becomes juice and then blood and all. The contemplation is called as nidhi-dhyasan. Then comes dhyan. When should one do dhyan? All the times. What gopis used to do?

smartavyaḥ satataṁ viṣṇur
vismartavyo na jātucit
sarve vidhi-niṣedhāḥ syur
etayor eva kiṅkarāḥ

Translation

‘Kṛṣṇa is the origin of Lord Viṣṇu. He should always be remembered and never forgotten at any time. All the rules and prohibitions mentioned in the śāstras should be the servants of these two principles.’ (CC Madhya 22.113)

Smartavyah, one must remember. Gopis and Radharani used to remember Krsna all the time. See, here Gopis are remembering, but it is said smartavyah satatam visnuh. Here Visnu means Krsna. And vismartavyo na jatucit. Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, you want to worship the Lord, do Aradhana, then how should be that Aradhana?

ārādhyo bhagavān vrajeśa-tanayas tad-dhāma vṛṇdāvanaṁ
ramya kaścid upāsanā vraja-vadhu-varga-vīrya kalpita
śrīmad-bhāgavatam amalaṁ purāṇaṁ premā pum-artho mahān
śrī-caitanya mahāprabhor matam idaṁ tatradaraḥ na paraḥ

Translation-

The Supreme Personality of Godhead, the son of Nanda Mahārāja, is to be worshiped along with His transcendental abode, Vṛndāvana. The most pleasing form of worship for the Lord is that which was performed by the gopīs of Vṛndāvaṇa. Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is the spotless authority on everything, and pure love of God is the ultimate goal of life for all men. These statements, for which we have the highest regard, are the opinion of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. (Caitanya-mañjusā)

Aradhana, Upasana, the way vraja-vadhu-varga did, do such Aradhana. There must be meditation and remembrance. By Sravan kirtan we can remember, ‘Ahh, we remember Krsna’. Soul gets reminder. ‘Yeah, Krsna is like this.’ So, we should remember things related to Krsna or related to the devotees of Krsna. Visnu and Vaisnava, this is the pair; and then Vaikuntha. And Aradhana should be performed for both of them.

We were in Melkote. There also we did smaran. Caitanya Mahaprabhu accepted two specialties from each Vaisnava Sampradaya. One of the two specialties of Sri Sampraday is Vaisnava sevan, serving the devotees. We should learn this and do Aradhana and service to Lord Visnu and Vaisnavas. We offer bhoga to the Lord and prasad to the Vaisnavas. This is Aradhana, seva, love for them. We should love not only the Lord, but also the devotees.
Okay, thank you. Happy journey to all those who have reached for retreat. Have a good time and you can share your realizations with those who could not come for retreat. Share with others whatever you have learned in retreat. By doing this you will serve those devotees. Now it is your turn of guhyam akhyati prscati. Hare Krsna!

Speaker H.H Lokanath Goswami Maharaj
Date: 10-04-2025
Main Theme: “Service of the Manjaris and Contemplation on Divine Mellow (Rasa).”
Sub-Theme: Process of Chanting with intensity

When we hear and then we follow whatever we have heard it gives knowledge and then when we apply it it is scientifically called “Vigyan”.
Or one can say While chanting you go deep in meditation as it is said “sravanam kirtanam visnoh smaranam” while chanting we meditate on lord Vishnu that is krsna for us Gaudiya Vaishnavas. Srila Vishvanatha Charavarthi thakur in his commentary on the Vishnu Saharatranam, has written and proved that how each name of Vishnu is krsna’s name, we have to meditate and from that we develop love.
When we meditate or Chant, we remember, incase there is any person on place, you say now I remember, “re” – it means we knew him once or return where we have been before so remembering what we have forgotten by remembering we develop love he is wonderful. In case we remember Krsna we start thinking about Him.

shri-radhika-madhavayor apara- madhurya-lila-guna-rupa-namnam
prati-kshanasvadana-lolupasya vande guroh shri-charanaravindam

Translation

The spiritual master is always eager to hear and chant about the unlimited conjugal pastimes of Radhika and Madhava, and Their qualities, names, and forms. The spiritual master aspires to relish these at every moment. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.[Guru Ashtakam Text 5 by Srila Vishvanatha Chakravarti Thakura

krsna is famous or distinguished for his conjugal pastimes prem Madhuri, lila Madhuri, venu Madhuri and rupa madhuri
This makes him stand apart from all other incarnations for example Lord Sri Ram and due to this he becomes more loveable. Then we feel we should love him this person is more lovely or sweet etc. Vallabhacharya mentions everything that is loveable about the lord eyes, heart, smile, form, walk etc

Sub-Theme: Remembering Sweetness of the Lord Sri Krsna

adharaṃ madhuraṃ vadanaṃ madhuraṃ nayanaṃ madhuraṃ hasitaṃ madhuram |
hṛdayaṃ madhuraṃ gamanaṃ madhuraṃ madhurādhipaterakhilaṃ madhuram

Translation

His lips are sweet, His face is sweet, His eyes are sweet, His smile is sweet, His loving heart is sweet, His gait (walk) is sweet, Everything is completely sweet about the Lord of Sweetness.[ Madhurashtakam Text 1 by Vallabhacharya]

vacanaṃ madhuraṃ caritaṃ madhuraṃ vasanaṃ madhuraṃ valitaṃ madhuram
calitaṃ madhuraṃ bhramitaṃ madhuraṃ madhurādhipaterakhilaṃ madhuram

Translation

His words are sweet, His character is sweet, His dress (garment) is sweet, His posture is sweet, His movements are sweet, His wandering (roaming) is sweet, Everything is completely sweet about the Lord of Sweetness. [ Madhurashtakam Text 2 by Vallabhacharya]
When we remember this all the soul wants to love Krsna is the object of love, he does not care for the beauty love of the world renunciation appears and he develops krsna focused love love for everything related to krsna, like his abode, devotees, associated etc. One becomes Krsna focused with His name, form, pastimes, abode and not only krshna but also His related associates or devotees. He starts loving each one of them When Lord Chaitanya mahaprabhu appeared.

rupa goswami said
namo mahā-vadānyāya
kṛṣṇa-prema-pradāya te
kṛṣṇāya kṛṣṇa-caitanya-
nāmne gaura-tviṣe namaḥ

Translation

“O most munificent incarnation! You are Kṛṣṇa Himself appearing as Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Mahāprabhu. You have assumed the golden color of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, and You are widely distributing pure love of Kṛṣṇa. We offer our respectful obeisances unto You.
This love was not given by Chaitanya mahaprabhu alone the entire goloka Vrindavan appeared. Nawadwipa is hidden Vrindavan all the associates also appeared and together they made a joint effort to give this love of godhead to everyone. You can call it a team to deliver love of Godhead.

Srimati Radharani came also Nandababa who is jaganath Mishra, Yashoda as Sachi mata and 12 cowherd boys (Dwadhash Gopal) came too.

kṛṣṇa-varṇaṁ tviṣākṛṣṇaṁ
sāṅgopāṅgāstra-pārṣadam
yajñaiḥ saṅkīrtana-prāyair
yajanti hi su-medhasaḥ

Translation

In the Age of Kali, intelligent persons perform congregational chanting to worship the incarnation of Godhead who constantly sings the names of Kṛṣṇa. Although His complexion is not blackish, He is Kṛṣṇa Himself. He is accompanied by His associates, servants, weapons and confidential companions. [SB ŚB 11.5.32]

All the associates who were practioners parental love, friendly mellow, Lalita appeared along with vishaka and the 8 sakhis (Ashta Sakhi’s), many gopis appeared to like group leaders.

Sub-Theme: Service and Mellows of Manjaris

Left winged right winged like this there are 5 types of gopis, manjaris have also appeared.

rādhā kṛṣṇa-praṇaya-vikṛtir hlādinī śaktir asmād
ekātmānāv api bhuvi purā deha-bhedaṁ gatau tau
caitanyākhyaṁ prakaṭam adhunā tad-dvayaṁ caikyam āptaṁ
rādhā-bhāva-dyuti-suvalitaṁ naumi kṛṣṇa-svarūpam

Translation

“The loving affairs of Śrī Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa are transcendental manifestations of the Lord’s internal pleasure-giving potency. Although Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa are one in Their identity, They separated Themselves eternally. Now these two transcendental identities have again united, in the form of Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya. I bow down to Him, who has manifested Himself with the sentiment and complexion of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī although He is Kṛṣṇa Himself.” [CC Adi 4.55]

The dealings of love between Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa are displayed as the pleasure potency of the Lord.
The six goswamis- plus two i.e The eight Goswamis The eight famous goswamis of Vrindavan are: Rupa Goswami, Sanatana Goswami, Raghunatha Das Goswami, Raghunatha Bhatta Goswami, Gopala Bhatta Goswami, Jiva Goswami, Lokanatha Goswami, Krishnadas Kaviraja Goswami They are none other than the Asta Manjaris in Krishna lila

kṛṣṇotkīrtana-gāna-nartana-parau premāmṛtāmbho-nidhī
dhīrādhīra-jana-priyau priya-karau nirmatsarau pūjitau
śrī-caitanya-kṛpā-bharau bhuvi bhuvo bhārāvahantārakau
vande rūpa-sanātanau raghu-yugau śrī-jīva-gopālakau

Translation

I offer my respectful obeisances unto the six Gosvamis, namely Sri Rupa Gosvami, Sri Sanatana Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha Bhatta Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha Dasa Gosvami, Sri Jiva Gosvami, and Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami, 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 Caitanya. Thus they are engaged in missionary activities meant to deliver all the conditioned souls in the material universe.[ “Prayers to the Six Gosvamis” by Srinivasa Acarya]

8 gopis and 8 manjaris appeared they are male in their external form, cowherd boys also appeared they disclose the lord Krsna, who is personification of love

akhila-rasa-amṛta-mūrtiḥ — the reservoir of all pleasure, in which exist all the mellows of devotional service, namely śānta, dāsya, sakhya, vātsalya and mādhurya;

Kavi karnapura wrote Gaura Gannodadesha dipika where he explains a list of who played what character from the krsna lila to gaura lila
they all have distributed the love of godhead, by displaying it, relishing it, writing about it these were all confidential words and knowledge unknown to even brahma and shiva, what to speak of quran readers what to speak about them others out side gaudiyas also do not know this treasure.

śrī-caitanya-mano-‘bhīṣṭaṁsthāpitaṁ yena bhū-talesvayaṁ rūpaḥ kadā mahyaṁdadāti sva-padāntikam

Translation

When will Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī Prabhupāda, who has established within this material world the mission to fulfill the desire of Lord Caitanya, give me shelter under his lotus feet.

The leader of millions of manjaris is rupa manjari who appeared as rupa goswami and he was advised by lord Chaitanya to write about the mellows there are mostly books in 2 categories based on tattva or Philosophy or rasa – mellows
Most sampradayas writings are on philosophy but gaudiayas books are on different mellows. You see 5 rasa there and various more rasas as we go deeper where even the gopis are not allowed in the deepest of mellows the manjaris enter those groves and know those pastimes, so mahaprabhu brought it

dharma-sthāpana-hetu sādhura vyavahāra
purī-gosāñira ye ācaraṇa, sei dharma sāra

Translation

“A devotee’s behavior establishes the true purpose of religious principles. The behavior of Mādhavendra Purī Gosvāmī is the essence of such religious principles.” [CC Madhya 17.185]

Learn this verse you are all trying to be preacher, so you must make it a goal that your behavior should establish the true purpose of religious principles.

yāre dekha, tāre kaha ‘kṛṣṇa’-upadeśa
āmāra ājñāya guru hañā tāra’ ei deśa

Translation

“Instruct everyone to follow the orders of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa as they are given in the Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. In this way become a spiritual master and try to liberate everyone in this land.” [CC Madhya 7.128 ]

Initially not much was happening then Srila prabhupada the Senapati bhakta prepared us as the army who follow mahaprabhu by
1 relishing this
2 distributing this

We as members of ISKCON we must continue what lord Chaitanya started as the Sankirtan movement. He said this sankirtan movement will be victorious, so we must do something and if we do we have the advance blessing of gaurang to be victorious.

cheto-darpana-marjanam bhava-maha-davagni-nirvapanam
shreyah-kairava-chandrika-vitaranam vidya-vadhu-jivanam
anandambhdhi-vardhanam prati-padam purnamritasvadanam
sarvatma-snapanam param vijayate shri-krishna-sankirtanam

Translation

Glory to the Shri Krishna sankirtana (congregational chanting of the Lord’s holy names), which cleanses the heart of all the dust accumulated for years and extinguishes the fire of conditional life, of repeated birth and death. That sankirtana movement is the prime benediction for humanity at large because it spreads the rays of the benediction moon. It is the life of all transcendental knowledge. It increases the ocean of transcendental bliss, and it enables us to fully taste the nectar for which we are always anxious. [Sri Sri Shikshashtaka by Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu Text 1]

anarpita-carīṁ cirāt karuṇayāvatīrṇaḥ kalau
samarpayitum unnatojjvala-rasāṁ sva-bhakti-śriyam
hariḥ puraṭa-sundara-dyuti-kadamba-sandīpitaḥ
sadā hṛdaya-kandare sphuratu vaḥ śacī-nandanaḥ

Translation

May the Supreme Lord who is known as the son of Śrīmatī Śacī-devī be transcendentally situated in the innermost chambers of your heart. Resplendent with the radiance of molten gold, He has appeared in the Age of Kali by His causeless mercy to bestow what no incarnation has ever offered before: the most sublime and radiant mellow of devotional service, the mellow of conjugal love. [CC Ādi 1.4]
hari hari! bifale janama gonainu

manushya-janama paiya, radha-krishna na bhajiya,
janiya suniya visha khainu

Translation

O Lord Hari I have spent my life uselessly. Having obtained a human birth and having net worshiped Radha and Krsna, I have knowingly drunk poison. [Hari Hari Bifale 1]

He came to this dead material desert, he saw not a drop of rasa, but people here are drinking poison everyday. Knowingly another point is there is no rules

nāmnām akāri bahudhā nija-sarva-śaktis
tatrārpitā niyamitaḥ smaraṇe na kālaḥ
etādṛśī tava kṛpā bhagavan mamāpi
durdaivam īdṛśam ihājani nānurāgaḥ

Translation

“ ‘My Lord, O Supreme Personality of Godhead, in Your holy name there is all good fortune for the living entity, and therefore You have many names, such as “Kṛṣṇa” and “Govinda,” by which You expand Yourself. You have invested all Your potencies in those names, and there are no hard and fast rules for remembering them. My dear Lord, although You bestow such mercy upon the fallen, conditioned souls by liberally teaching Your holy names, I am so unfortunate that I commit offenses while chanting the holy name, and therefore I do not achieve attachment for chanting.’ [CC Antya 20.16]

For yagyas or dhan, and other rituals in karma Kand followers there is specified time and place, if you do not do it accordingly then it might have an opposite effect as well. They are bound by rules and regulations, but we are lovers, there is no specified time to love, no one looks at the watch and loves or when should we love?

smartavyaḥ satataṁ viṣṇur
vismartavyo na jātucit
sarve vidhi-niṣedhāḥ syur
etayor eva kiṅkarāḥ

Translation

“ ‘Kṛṣṇa is the origin of Lord Viṣṇu. He should always be remembered and never forgotten at any time. All the rules and prohibitions mentioned in the śāstras should be the servants of these two principles.’ [CC Madhya 22.113]

Always love and never forget love there is only 2 conditions always love all the time. Never stop loving at anytime, this means, always be remembered and never forgotten at any time

teṣāṁ satata-yuktānāṁ
bhajatāṁ prīti-pūrvakam
dadāmi buddhi-yogaṁ taṁ
yena mām upayānti te

Translation

To those who are constantly devoted to serving Me with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to Me.. [Bg. 10.10

Devotional service must be unmotivated and uninterrupted to completely satisfy the self.

sa vai puṁsāṁ paro dharmo
yato bhaktir adhokṣaje
ahaituky apratihatā
yayātmā suprasīdati

Translation

The supreme occupation [dharma] for all humanity is that by which men can attain to loving devotional service unto the transcendent Lord. Such devotional service must be unmotivated and uninterrupted to completely satisfy the self. [SB 1.2.6]

The ritualistic practices (karma-kanda) and intellectual pursuits (jnana-kanda), without devotion or spiritual realization, can bind one to the material world rather than liberating them.

Karma Kand Jnana-Kanda Keval Vishera Bhand

Translation

“”All rituals and knowledge are like poisonous bonds or pots.”

Hence it is recommended
satataṁ kīrtayanto māṁ
yatantaś ca dṛḍha-vratāḥ
namasyantaś ca māṁ bhaktyā
nitya-yuktā upāsate

Translation

Always chanting My glories, endeavoring with great determination, bowing down before Me, these great souls perpetually worship Me with devotion.[BG 9.14]

nāmnām akāri bahudhā nija-sarva-śaktis
tatrārpitā niyamitaḥ smaraṇe na kālaḥ
etādṛśī tava kṛpā bhagavan mamāpi
durdaivam īdṛśam ihājani nānurāgaḥ

Translation

“ ‘My Lord, O Supreme Personality of Godhead, in Your holy name there is all good fortune for the living entity, and therefore You have many names, such as “Kṛṣṇa” and “Govinda,” by which You expand Yourself. You have invested all Your potencies in those names, and there are no hard and fast rules for remembering them. My dear Lord, although You bestow such mercy upon the fallen, conditioned souls by liberally teaching Your holy names, I am so unfortunate that I commit offenses while chanting the holy name, and therefore I do not achieve attachment for chanting.’ [CC Antya 20.16]

The book by rupa goswami called BHakti Rasamrita sindhu, Srila prabhupada said it is science of Bhakti Yoga, or it is syllabus for Bhakti Shastri in VIHE or other institutes, it also includes Nectart of Instruction, Bhagavad Gita, Isoupanisad etc courses. BHakti Rasamrita sindhu gives details on dasiya rasa, Shakya rasa, vatsalya rasa and conjugal love. All these mellows are discussed here, then Rupa goswami. said I just hinted loving mellows, so he wrote one specific on conjugal mellows. The name of that book is Ujvala Nila mani. It gives details about loving mellows.

Rupa manjari has daily dealings with krsna so she is the most qualified to write this and you all have to become qualified to become student of this.

Srila prabhupada said bhagavad Gita is Graduation, Srimad Bhagavatam is Post Graduation then there are other books also.by Jiva Goswami and some other Gaudiya books by Narotam das thakura Like Prem Bhakti Chandrika , etc are all an ocean of love

avatirne gaurachandre
vistirne prema-sagare su-prakasita-ratnaughe
yo dino dina eva sah

Translation

“The advent of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is like an expanding ocean of nectar. One who does not collect the valuable jewels within that ocean is certainly the poorest of the poor.” [Sri Caitanya-candramrta]

It refers to divine pastimes of Chaitnaya Mahaprabhu and His ocean of love (prem sagar).

Mahaprabhu wrote on Sikastakam this is to His credit; he has also written Shivashtakam, when he was going to Jaganath puri on the way is a Nataraj Temple. It is all taugh in VIHE which is Vrindavan Institute for Higher Education. So reading all these gaudiya books higher studies post graduate is attained. Is it higher than your Biology, Chemistry etc. You go abroad for higher studies. But this is higher studies. Read Srila Prabhupada’s books and other Gaudiya Vaishnav Literature.

Bol Premanande