A life-changing experience climbing a mountain on the bus tour.
My dear friends, fellow bus tourees, today we will have an extra ordinary adventure, climbing this mountain. It will be a life-changing experience for many of you, especially if you succeed and make it to the top. Once we reach the top, we will discuss some essential instructions from Bhagavad-gita that will hopefully stay with you for the rest of your life – as they will be deeply engrained upon your conscious memory through this exercise.
Are you ready to have this experience?
Here are the simple instructions. Everyone please take with you your backpack, along with sufficient water, some prasadam snacks, your japa beads, and your Bhagavad-gita.
Along the way, as we climb the mountain path, please collect as many pretty-looking pebbles and stones as you can find and carry. Stuff your pockets. Stuff your back packs. When we get to the top, you will use your pebbles and stones in a very important exercise and discussion about the future of your life.
As we progress up the mountain, please stop from time to time and wait for others to catch up who are slower than you. During the times when you stop to wait for others, please re-hydrate, eat a little snack, and feel free to search for some extra special pebbles and stones that will distinguish your collection from others.
(Halfway up the mountain… )
So, let’s take a look. How are you all doing? Tell me about your collections… Nice.
(At the top of the mountain…)
Okay, you’ve made it! Congratulations! Welcome to the top of this grand mountain on planet Earth, a small speck on Krishna’s universal form.
How was it? What were some of your challenges? Did you feel like turning back at any time? What strategies did you employ to convince your mind to keep on going?
Life is like that sometimes… success often means to keep on going along a good path, even when the going gets tough. But that’s not the main point we came up here to talk about.
You’re probably wondering by now about the grand significance of your collection of pebbles and stones. Please go ahead and pile them up in front of you so we can all see and admire them.
Would anyone like to share about the glories of their collection? Any pebbles or stones that stand out from the rest and are particularly interesting?
(After some comparison…)
The riddle revealed.
Please take out your Bhagavad-gitas and turn to Chapter 6, text number 8.
Would someone like to read the verse, translation and purport? Please listen carefully – as if your life depended on what is about to be said. This book is over two million years old… about as old as this mountain, and is still relevant today. So it’s very special. Observe intense silence so you catch every word of what Lord Krishna is saying, and what Srila Prabhupada explains in the purport.
jnana-vijnana-triptatma
kuta-stho vijitendriyah
yukta ity ucyate yogi
sama-loshtrasma-kancanah
SYNONYMS
jnana -- by acquired knowledge; vijnana -- and realized knowledge; tripta -- satisfied; atma -- a living entity; kuta-sthah -- spiritually situated; vijita-indriyah -- sensually controlled; yuktah -- competent for self-realization; iti -- thus; ucyate -- is said; yogi -- a mystic; sama -- equipoised; loshtra -- pebbles; asma -- stone; kancanah -- gold.
TRANSLATION
A person is said to be established in self-realization and is called a yogi [or mystic] when he is fully satisfied by virtue of acquired knowledge and realization. Such a person is situated in transcendence and is self-controlled. He sees everything -- whether it be pebbles, stones or gold -- as the same.
PURPORT
Book knowledge without realization of the Supreme Truth is useless. This is stated as follows:
atah sri-krishna-namadi
na bhaved grahyam indriyaih
sevonmukhe hi jihvadau
svayam eva sphuraty adah
"No one can understand the transcendental nature of the name, form, quality and pastimes of Sri Krishna through his materially contaminated senses. Only when one becomes spiritually saturated by transcendental service to the Lord are the transcendental name, form, quality and pastimes of the Lord revealed to him." (Bhakti-rasamrita-sindhu 1.2.234)
This Bhagavad-gita is the science of Krishna consciousness. No one can become Krishna conscious simply by mundane scholarship. One must be fortunate enough to associate with a person who is in pure consciousness. A Krishna conscious person has realized knowledge, by the grace of Krishna, because he is satisfied with pure devotional service. By realized knowledge, one becomes perfect. By transcendental knowledge one can remain steady in his convictions, but by mere academic knowledge one can be easily deluded and confused by apparent contradictions. It is the realized soul who is actually self-controlled, because he is surrendered to Krishna. He is transcendental because he has nothing to do with mundane scholarship. For him mundane scholarship and mental speculation, which may be as good as gold to others, are of no greater value than pebbles or stones.
Now please turn to Bhagavad-gita, Chapter 13, texts 8-12.
Humility; pridelessness; nonviolence; tolerance; simplicity; approaching a bona fide spiritual master; cleanliness; steadiness; self-control; renunciation of the objects of sense gratification; absence of false ego; the perception of the evil of birth, death, old age and disease; detachment; freedom from entanglement with children, wife, home and the rest; even-mindedness amid pleasant and unpleasant events; constant and unalloyed devotion to Me; aspiring to live in a solitary place; detachment from the general mass of people; accepting the importance of self-realization; and philosophical search for the Absolute Truth — all these I declare to be knowledge, and besides this whatever there may be is ignorance.
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So what is being said here? Lord Sri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, our Dearmost Friend and Eternal Well-wisher, is giving us some advice on what is valuable in life, and what is not.
Self-realization, transcendental knowledge (about our eternal relationship with Krishna), realized knowledge (Krishna consciousness and devotional service) is valuable, and as Srila Prabhupada explains in the purport of the first verse we read, the association of a Krishna conscious person who has realized knowledge being satisfied with pure devotional service. This is the most valuable thing. This is the secret of success. THE SECRET! Now you know.
Because we are eternal spiritual living entities, by constitution joyful in service to Krishna, our temporary entrapment in these temporary bodies in this temporary material world on this temporarily manifest mountain in this temporarily manifest country is … temporary, transient, will end soon, and is therefore of not much importance in the grand scheme of our eternal life and relationship with Krishna.
Mundane scholarship – what is mundane scholarship in this context? Everything we learn about the ways and means of this temporary world, how to manipulate this world, how to do business in this world, how to make lots of money and exploit others in this temporary material world… how to enjoy temporary sense gratification in this world… this is mundane scholarship, or ignorance (according to the second verse we read.) All that relates to the temporary nature of this world, which is compared elsewhere in the Bhagavad-gita to a prison house meant to reform us truant living entities. The knowledge of how to live happily in this prison house is mundane scholarship, or ignorance. Everything we learn in public school, high school, college, has only to do with this temporary body and mundane world and how to stay here and exploit it for temporary sense gratification. This is mundane scholarship.
The devotee of Krishna, by engaging us in pure devotional service, gives us the way and the means out of this temporary existence, the way out of this prison house, placing us back into our eternal life of bliss and knowledge, serving our beautiful Lordships Sri Sri Radha-Krishna, the divine couple. The Bhagavad-gita, spoken by Lord Krishna Himself, is the most valuable book in this world – our most prized possession – because it contains the entire science of Krishna consciousness – all there is to know that is of real importance, in one beautiful, concise book. Imagine if God sat down to write a book and somehow you got a hold of that book. What would you do with it?
In contrast, all the riches, gold and mundane knowledge of this material world are compared to pebbles and stones. And how proud we are of our collection of pebbles and stones.
Now, with your permission, I’d like to expand on what we heard earlier, about Krishna Consciouseness being the MOST VALUABLE THING. I’d like to share with you a very special dialogue of Questions and Answers between Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Sri Ramananda Raya on this topic. If you pay close attention, these words can forever change your life. Seriously and sincerely. Please listen with rapt attention.
Sri Chaitanya-charitamrita, Madhya 8.244-260: Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu asked the questions, and Sri Ramananda Raya gave the answers. In this way they were engaged in discussion throughout the night.
On one occasion the Lord inquired, "Of all types of education, which is the most important?" Ramananda Raya replied, "No education is important other than the transcendental devotional service of Krishna."
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu then asked Ramananda Raya, "Out of all glorious activities, which is the most glorious?" Ramananda Raya replied, "That person who is reputed to be a devotee of Lord Krishna enjoys the utmost fame and glory."
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu asked, "Of the many capitalists who possess great riches, who is the topmost?" Ramananda Raya replied, "He who is richest in love for Radha and Krishna is the greatest capitalist."
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu asked, "Of all kinds of distress, what is the most painful?" Sri Ramananda Raya replied, "Apart from separation from the devotee of Krishna, I know of no unbearable unhappiness."
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu then inquired, "Out of all liberated persons, who should be accepted as the greatest?" Ramananda Raya replied, "He who has love for Krishna has attained the topmost liberation."
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu next asked Ramananda Raya, "Among many songs, which song is to be considered the actual religion of the living entity?" Ramananda Raya replied, "That song describing the loving affairs of Sri Radha and Krishna is superior to all other songs."
Then Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu asked, "Out of all auspicious and beneficial activities, which is best for the living entity?" Ramananda Raya replied, "The only auspicious activity is association with the devotees of Krishna."
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu asked, "What should all living entities constantly remember?" Ramananda Raya replied, "The chief objects of remembrance are always the Lord's holy name, qualities and pastimes."
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu further inquired, "Out of many types of meditation, which is required for all living entities?" Srila Ramananda Raya replied, "The chief duty of every living entity is to meditate upon the lotus feet of Radha and Krishna."
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu asked, "Where should the living entity live, abandoning all other places?" Ramananda Raya replied, "He should live in the holy place known as Vrindavana or Vrajabhumi, where the Lord performed His rasa dance."
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu asked, "Out of all topics people listen to, which is best for all living entities?" Ramananda Raya replied, "Hearing about the loving affairs between Radha and Krishna is most pleasing to the ear."
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu asked, "Among all worshipable objects, which is the chief?" Ramananda Raya replied, "The chief worshipable object is the holy name of Radha and Krishna, the Hare Krishna mantra."
"And what is the destination of those who desire liberation and those who desire sense gratification?" Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu asked. Ramananda Raya replied, "Those who attempt to merge into the existence of the Supreme Lord will have to accept bodies like those of trees. And those who are overly inclined toward sense gratification will attain the bodies of demigods."
Ramananda Raya continued, "Those who are devoid of all transcendental mellows are like the crows that suck the juice from the bitter fruits of the nimba tree of knowledge, whereas those who enjoy mellows are like the cuckoos who eat the buds of the mango tree of love of Godhead."
Ramananda Raya concluded, "The unfortunate empiric philosophers taste the dry process of philosophical knowledge, whereas the devotees regularly drink the nectar of love of Krishna. Therefore they are the most fortunate of all."
In this way Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Ramananda Raya passed the whole night relishing the mellows of krishna-katha, topics about Krishna. While they were chanting, dancing and crying, the night ended.
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Discussion. What are your thoughts about this topic so far?
(At the end of the discussion.)
So now, what I’d like you all to do, is to slowly make your way back down this mountain and give your prized collection of pebbles and stones, which you endeavored so hard to acquire on the way up, a proper and deserving resting place, appropriate to their value. I’d like to you to take them one by one, as you slowly walk down the mountain, and meditate on each as you throw it into the wind, by the wayside… meditate how each of these pebbles and stones represents some mundane knowledge and scholarship that you may have acquired, that you may have been particularly proud of, and of what value it is, ultimately, in the grand scheme of things. Send your pebbles and stones into the wind – bidding farewell to those things that you once thought were of value… and keep close to you your copy of Bhagavad-gita, your guidebook to Krishna consciousness – REAL LIFE - and cherish it. Read it. Study it. Memorize it backwards and forwards. This beautiful gift of Transcendental Knowledge - Krishna consciousness, spoken by Lord Krishna Himself, is of real value in this world. Along with the association of Krishna conscious devotees who can engage our bodies, minds and senses in Krishna’s pure devotional service.
Is it clear? Don’t throw the pebbles and stones all out at once. Please do this mindfully, with concentration. Meditate on each pebble as you give it back to the mountain you took it from, and think about its significance, and which aspect of mundane knowledge, education and scholarship it represents for you. Think about the statements of Lord Krishna and the wise yogis… who compare mundane education and scholarship and even all the gold in this prison house material world (i.e. material wealth, money and riches) to nothing more valuable than pebbles and stones.
Think about the temporary nature of success and achievements in this material world. Think about how you’ve been here for millions of lifetimes and how in this one life, you have been blessed with transcendental knowledge and the association of devotees of Krishna. In this life you have a chance to stop the cultivation of ignorance, darkness, and take to the process of Krishna consciousness, full of light and eternal bliss. Count your blessings as you rid yourself of your material possessions, your pebbles and stones, the baggage weighing you down.
See you at the bottom of the mountain with your Bhagavad-gitas… and a little bit more self-realized by the time you get back on the bus.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Krishna Consciousness
krsna-bhakti-rasa-bhavita matih
... "In another poetry Rupa Gosvami says, krsna-bhakti-rasa-bhavita matih kriyatam yadi kuto 'pi labhyate. The, our this Krsna consciousness, I have taken this from this word krsna-bhakti-rasa-bhavita matih. This is actual translation in Sanskrit or... Krsna-bhakti-rasa-bhavita matih. So Rupa Gosvami advises that "Krsna consciousness, if it is possible, please purchase. Don't delay." Krsna-bhakti-rasa-bhavita matih kriyatam. "Purchase immediately!" Krsna-bhakti-rasa-bhavita matih kriyatam yadi kuto 'pi. "Where it is available? It is very nice thing." "Yes, it is available. You can purchase. The movement is going on." "And what is the price?" "Price?" "It is such a nice thing; you have to pay price." "Yes, there is price." "What is that?" Tatra laulyam ekalam mulyam: "Simply your eagerness. That is price. This price you have to pay." Then you get Krsna. Immediately. Krsna is not poor. And the Krsna-seller, the Krsna devotee, he is also not poor. He can distribute Krsna free. And he's doing that. Simply you have to purchase by your eagerness. That is wanted. Tatra laulyam." --Srila Prabhupada
http://www.prabhupadavani.org/main/Bhagavatam/028.html
... "In another poetry Rupa Gosvami says, krsna-bhakti-rasa-bhavita matih kriyatam yadi kuto 'pi labhyate. The, our this Krsna consciousness, I have taken this from this word krsna-bhakti-rasa-bhavita matih. This is actual translation in Sanskrit or... Krsna-bhakti-rasa-bhavita matih. So Rupa Gosvami advises that "Krsna consciousness, if it is possible, please purchase. Don't delay." Krsna-bhakti-rasa-bhavita matih kriyatam. "Purchase immediately!" Krsna-bhakti-rasa-bhavita matih kriyatam yadi kuto 'pi. "Where it is available? It is very nice thing." "Yes, it is available. You can purchase. The movement is going on." "And what is the price?" "Price?" "It is such a nice thing; you have to pay price." "Yes, there is price." "What is that?" Tatra laulyam ekalam mulyam: "Simply your eagerness. That is price. This price you have to pay." Then you get Krsna. Immediately. Krsna is not poor. And the Krsna-seller, the Krsna devotee, he is also not poor. He can distribute Krsna free. And he's doing that. Simply you have to purchase by your eagerness. That is wanted. Tatra laulyam." --Srila Prabhupada
http://www.prabhupadavani.org/main/Bhagavatam/028.html
Becoming Krishna Conscious
(These are quick notes that have not yet been properly edited. I'm just placing this text here so I'll be able to easily reference it in the future.)
We would like to start a regular get-together with our youth group to discuss and study the following topics:
Becoming Krishna Conscious
How to:
1) Think of pleasing Krishna, moment to moment.
2) Chant Krishna's names constantly, attentively, avoiding offenses.
3) Serve Krishna's Devotees--Guru, Tulasi, Vaishnavas.
4) Serve Krishna's Deity, Temple and Holy Places.
5) Serve (read / study) Bhagavad-gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam, etc.
6) Spread Krishna's Glories: Tell everyone you meet about Krishna.
Motto: Be Krishna Conscious: Always Remember Krishna and Never Forget Him.
We will systematically study and discuss The Nectar of Instruction, Srila Prabhupada's translation and commentary of Srila Rupa Goswami's Sri Upadeshamrita, alongside The Nectar of Devotion (Sri Bhakti-rasamrita-sindhu), Bhagavad-gita As It Is, Srimad-Bhagavatam and Sri Chaitanya-charitamrita.
We will discuss the benefits of following, and try to implement in our own lives:
The Krishna Diet
Hear about Krishna - Shravanam.
Glorify Krishna - Kirtanam.
Remember Krishna - Krishna Smaranam.
Serve Krishna's Lotus Feet - Pada Sevanam.
Worship Krishna - Archanam.
Offer prayers to Krishna - Vandanam.
Become Krishna's servant - Dasyam.
Consider Krishna to be your best friend - Sakhyam.
Surrender everything unto Krishna (serve Krishna with body, mind and words) - Atma-nivedanam.
Prahlada Maharaja said: Hearing and chanting about the transcendental holy name, form, qualities, paraphernalia and pastimes of Lord Vishnu, 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 Krishna through these nine methods should be understood to be the most learned person, for he has acquired complete knowledge. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 7.5.23)
More specifics:
We will try to:
Study, become mindful of, and avoid the various offenses to the Holy Name, to the Deity... (See Nectar of Devotion.)
Mold our lives to work for Guru and Krishna. We will ask ourselves at the end of each day, "Have I pleased Guru / Krishna today?" That will be our measure of success.
Feed our bodies only Krishna Prasadam (that includes all sensory input, including food, music, movies, association.)
Avoid the six vices. Lust, anger, greed, illusion, madness, envy.
Avoid / reject those things unfavorable to devotional service of Krishna. Such as: 1) eating more than necessary or collecting more funds than required; (2) overendeavoring for mundane things that are very difficult to obtain; (3) talking unnecessarily about mundane subject matters; (4) practicing the scriptural rules and regulations only for the sake of following them and not for the sake of spiritual advancement, or rejecting the rules and regulations of the scriptures and working independently or whimsically; (5) associating with worldly-minded persons who are not interested in Krishna consciousness; and (6) being greedy for mundane achievements. (NOI 2)
Accept those things favorable. Such as: (1) being enthusiastic, (2) endeavoring with confidence, (3) being patient, (4) acting according to regulative principles (such as shravanam, kirtanam, vishnoh smaranam [SB 7.5.23] — hearing, chanting and remembering Krishna), (5) abandoning the association of non-devotees, and (6) following in the footsteps of the previous ācāryas. (NOI 3)
Practice the six exchanges of love among devotees: Offering gifts in charity, accepting charitable gifts, revealing one's mind in confidence, inquiring confidentially, accepting prasada, and offering prasada.
Daily Meditations: "I am not this body. Noting is Mine. I am Yours, Krishna. I belong to You. This body belongs to You. "My" time belongs to You. All of my so-called possessions belong to You. Everyone and everything belongs to You. Please engage me in Your service."
Aspire towards cultivatinge / developing the 26 Qualities of a devotee of Krishna. (1) He is very kind to everyone. (2) He does not make anyone his enemy. (3) He is truthful. (4) He is equal to everyone. (5) No one can find any fault in him. (6) He is magnanimous. (7) He is mild. (8) He is always clean. (9) He is without possessions. (10) He works for everyone's benefit. (11) He is very peaceful. (12) He is always surrendered to Krishna. (13) He has no material desires. (14) He is very meek. (15) He is steady. (16) He controls his senses. (17) He does not eat more than required. (18) He is not influenced by the Lord's illusory energy. (19) He offers respect to everyone. (20) He does not desire any respect for himself. (21) He is very grave. (22) He is merciful. (23) He is friendly. (24) He is poetic. (25) He is expert. (26) He is silent.
"Peacefulness, self-control, austerity, purity, tolerance, honesty, knowledge, wisdom and religiousness —these are the natural qualities by which the brāhmanas work." (BG 18.42)
Cultivate real knowledge as defined by Krishna in Bhagavad-gita.
Study the great contribution of Krishna conscious literature that Srila Prabhupada translated and commentated for us, from Srimad-Bhagavatam to Chaitanya-charitamrita, Bhagavad-gita As It Is, Nectar of Devotion (Srila Rupa Goswami's Bhakti-rasamrita-sindhu), with essential verses such as:
anyābhilāshitā-shūnyam jñāna-karmādy-anāvritam
ānukūlyena krishnanushīlanam bhaktir uttamā
[Sri Chaitanya-charitamrita, Madhya 19.167]
"One should render transcendental loving service to the Supreme Lord Krishna favorably and without desire for material profit or gain through fruitive activities or philosophical speculation. That is called pure devotional service."
Keep in mind that Srila Prabhupada used "Krishna Consciousness" in close association with "pure devotional service." If we become conscious of Krishna, act for Krishna, it will soon become "pure" devotional service. The pure process in and of itself, if practiced sincerely under the guidance of our guru, in the association of other Vaishnavas, will purify our motivations and soon we'll be chanting to please Krishna, working to please Krishna, dancing to please Krishna, eating to please Krishna... and thinking about our own sense pleasure less and less.
We will discuss the importance of accepting, and taking shelter of, a spiritual master. Pleasing Krishna, in all humility, means to follow His instructions. Krishna says: "Accept a guru. Surrender unto him. Be guided by him on the path of devotional service." (BG 3.34)
In the Adi Purana, Krishna tells Arjuna that those who claim to be His devotees are not His devotees. But those who are the devotees of His devotees, are indeed His devotees.
Try to please Krishna by pleasing His devotees. How to please Krishna's devotees? Surrender our false egos and submit for humble service to His devotees, beginning with our guru. When His devotees are pleased, Krishna is pleased. When our guru is pleased, Krishna is pleased.
With all of his accomplishments, whenever he was praised, Srila Prabhupada would simply say "My only credit is that I have tried to follow the instructions of my spiritual master."
We will always wear this mantra around our necks:
trinad api su-nicena, taror iva sahishnuna
amanina mana-dena, kirtaniyah sada harih
One who thinks himself lower than the grass, who is more tolerant than a tree, and who does not expect personal honor yet is always prepared to give all respect to others can very easily always chant the holy name of the Lord. (Sri Chaitanya-charitamrita, Adi 17.31)
We will commit to chanting a fixed number of rounds of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, attentively, while trying to avoid the offenses.
We would like to start a regular get-together with our youth group to discuss and study the following topics:
Becoming Krishna Conscious
How to:
1) Think of pleasing Krishna, moment to moment.
2) Chant Krishna's names constantly, attentively, avoiding offenses.
3) Serve Krishna's Devotees--Guru, Tulasi, Vaishnavas.
4) Serve Krishna's Deity, Temple and Holy Places.
5) Serve (read / study) Bhagavad-gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam, etc.
6) Spread Krishna's Glories: Tell everyone you meet about Krishna.
Motto: Be Krishna Conscious: Always Remember Krishna and Never Forget Him.
We will systematically study and discuss The Nectar of Instruction, Srila Prabhupada's translation and commentary of Srila Rupa Goswami's Sri Upadeshamrita, alongside The Nectar of Devotion (Sri Bhakti-rasamrita-sindhu), Bhagavad-gita As It Is, Srimad-Bhagavatam and Sri Chaitanya-charitamrita.
We will discuss the benefits of following, and try to implement in our own lives:
The Krishna Diet
Hear about Krishna - Shravanam.
Glorify Krishna - Kirtanam.
Remember Krishna - Krishna Smaranam.
Serve Krishna's Lotus Feet - Pada Sevanam.
Worship Krishna - Archanam.
Offer prayers to Krishna - Vandanam.
Become Krishna's servant - Dasyam.
Consider Krishna to be your best friend - Sakhyam.
Surrender everything unto Krishna (serve Krishna with body, mind and words) - Atma-nivedanam.
Prahlada Maharaja said: Hearing and chanting about the transcendental holy name, form, qualities, paraphernalia and pastimes of Lord Vishnu, 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 Krishna through these nine methods should be understood to be the most learned person, for he has acquired complete knowledge. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 7.5.23)
More specifics:
We will try to:
Study, become mindful of, and avoid the various offenses to the Holy Name, to the Deity... (See Nectar of Devotion.)
Mold our lives to work for Guru and Krishna. We will ask ourselves at the end of each day, "Have I pleased Guru / Krishna today?" That will be our measure of success.
Feed our bodies only Krishna Prasadam (that includes all sensory input, including food, music, movies, association.)
Avoid the six vices. Lust, anger, greed, illusion, madness, envy.
Avoid / reject those things unfavorable to devotional service of Krishna. Such as: 1) eating more than necessary or collecting more funds than required; (2) overendeavoring for mundane things that are very difficult to obtain; (3) talking unnecessarily about mundane subject matters; (4) practicing the scriptural rules and regulations only for the sake of following them and not for the sake of spiritual advancement, or rejecting the rules and regulations of the scriptures and working independently or whimsically; (5) associating with worldly-minded persons who are not interested in Krishna consciousness; and (6) being greedy for mundane achievements. (NOI 2)
Accept those things favorable. Such as: (1) being enthusiastic, (2) endeavoring with confidence, (3) being patient, (4) acting according to regulative principles (such as shravanam, kirtanam, vishnoh smaranam [SB 7.5.23] — hearing, chanting and remembering Krishna), (5) abandoning the association of non-devotees, and (6) following in the footsteps of the previous ācāryas. (NOI 3)
Practice the six exchanges of love among devotees: Offering gifts in charity, accepting charitable gifts, revealing one's mind in confidence, inquiring confidentially, accepting prasada, and offering prasada.
Daily Meditations: "I am not this body. Noting is Mine. I am Yours, Krishna. I belong to You. This body belongs to You. "My" time belongs to You. All of my so-called possessions belong to You. Everyone and everything belongs to You. Please engage me in Your service."
Aspire towards cultivatinge / developing the 26 Qualities of a devotee of Krishna. (1) He is very kind to everyone. (2) He does not make anyone his enemy. (3) He is truthful. (4) He is equal to everyone. (5) No one can find any fault in him. (6) He is magnanimous. (7) He is mild. (8) He is always clean. (9) He is without possessions. (10) He works for everyone's benefit. (11) He is very peaceful. (12) He is always surrendered to Krishna. (13) He has no material desires. (14) He is very meek. (15) He is steady. (16) He controls his senses. (17) He does not eat more than required. (18) He is not influenced by the Lord's illusory energy. (19) He offers respect to everyone. (20) He does not desire any respect for himself. (21) He is very grave. (22) He is merciful. (23) He is friendly. (24) He is poetic. (25) He is expert. (26) He is silent.
"Peacefulness, self-control, austerity, purity, tolerance, honesty, knowledge, wisdom and religiousness —these are the natural qualities by which the brāhmanas work." (BG 18.42)
Cultivate real knowledge as defined by Krishna in Bhagavad-gita.
Study the great contribution of Krishna conscious literature that Srila Prabhupada translated and commentated for us, from Srimad-Bhagavatam to Chaitanya-charitamrita, Bhagavad-gita As It Is, Nectar of Devotion (Srila Rupa Goswami's Bhakti-rasamrita-sindhu), with essential verses such as:
anyābhilāshitā-shūnyam jñāna-karmādy-anāvritam
ānukūlyena krishnanushīlanam bhaktir uttamā
[Sri Chaitanya-charitamrita, Madhya 19.167]
"One should render transcendental loving service to the Supreme Lord Krishna favorably and without desire for material profit or gain through fruitive activities or philosophical speculation. That is called pure devotional service."
Keep in mind that Srila Prabhupada used "Krishna Consciousness" in close association with "pure devotional service." If we become conscious of Krishna, act for Krishna, it will soon become "pure" devotional service. The pure process in and of itself, if practiced sincerely under the guidance of our guru, in the association of other Vaishnavas, will purify our motivations and soon we'll be chanting to please Krishna, working to please Krishna, dancing to please Krishna, eating to please Krishna... and thinking about our own sense pleasure less and less.
We will discuss the importance of accepting, and taking shelter of, a spiritual master. Pleasing Krishna, in all humility, means to follow His instructions. Krishna says: "Accept a guru. Surrender unto him. Be guided by him on the path of devotional service." (BG 3.34)
In the Adi Purana, Krishna tells Arjuna that those who claim to be His devotees are not His devotees. But those who are the devotees of His devotees, are indeed His devotees.
Try to please Krishna by pleasing His devotees. How to please Krishna's devotees? Surrender our false egos and submit for humble service to His devotees, beginning with our guru. When His devotees are pleased, Krishna is pleased. When our guru is pleased, Krishna is pleased.
With all of his accomplishments, whenever he was praised, Srila Prabhupada would simply say "My only credit is that I have tried to follow the instructions of my spiritual master."
We will always wear this mantra around our necks:
trinad api su-nicena, taror iva sahishnuna
amanina mana-dena, kirtaniyah sada harih
One who thinks himself lower than the grass, who is more tolerant than a tree, and who does not expect personal honor yet is always prepared to give all respect to others can very easily always chant the holy name of the Lord. (Sri Chaitanya-charitamrita, Adi 17.31)
We will commit to chanting a fixed number of rounds of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, attentively, while trying to avoid the offenses.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
My Dear Lord Krishna
'krsna, tomara hana' yadi bale eka-bara
maya-bandha haite krsna tare kare para
One is immediately freed from the clutches of maya if he seriously and sincerely says: "My dear Lord Krishna, although I have forgotten You for so many long years in the material world, today I am surrendering unto You. I am Your sincere and serious servant. Please engage me in Your service."
—Sri Chaitanya-charitamrita, Madhya 22.33
maya-bandha haite krsna tare kare para
One is immediately freed from the clutches of maya if he seriously and sincerely says: "My dear Lord Krishna, although I have forgotten You for so many long years in the material world, today I am surrendering unto You. I am Your sincere and serious servant. Please engage me in Your service."
—Sri Chaitanya-charitamrita, Madhya 22.33
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Predictions of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu in the Puranas
These citations should be of great interest to those who may have doubts about the divinity of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu or those who know someone that has such doubts.
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]
Prediction of Lord Gaurāṅga's advent in the form of a brāhmaṇa.
In the Adi-Purana and in the Nārada Purana, the Supreme Person says:
ahaṁ eva dvija-śreṣṭho
nityaṁ pracchanna-vigrahah
bhagavad-bhakta-rupena
lokam raksami sarvadā
I shall advent in the form of a Brāhmaṇa devotee [ahaṁ eva dvija-śreṣṭho] and I shall hide my factual identity [prachanna vigrahaḥ]. I shall deliver all the worlds [lokam raksami sarvadā].
Prediction of His advent as a sannyāsī.
** In the Upa-Puranas, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa speaks to Śrīla Vyāsadeva:
ahaṁ eva kvacid brahman
sannyāsa āśramam āśritāḥ
hari bhaktim grāhayāmi
kalau pāpa-hatān narān
O Brāhmaṇa, I occasionally take the Sannyās Asram [sannyāsa āśrama āśritāḥ] in an attempt to bring the fallen people of Kali Yuga to take up the path of Bhakti or devotional service to Lord Kṛṣṇa [hari bhaktim grāhayāmi].
Prediction of His actual time of incarnation.
** In the Kūrma-Purāṇa, it is stated:
kalinā dahyamanam
uddhararaya tanu-bhṛtām
janma prathama sandhyāyām
bhaviṣyati dvijalaye
The Supreme Person will appear in the first part of the age of Kali [janma prathama sandhyāyām]. He will appear in the home of a Brāhmaṇa [bhaviṣyati dvijalaye], to save the embodied conditioned souls [uddharaya tanu-bhṛtām] burning in the troubles of Kali-Yuga.
Description of the purpose of Śrī Caitanya's incarnation.
** In the Garuda-Purana, the Supreme Person says:
kalinā dakyamananam
paritrāṇāya tanu-bhṛtām
janma prathama sandhyāyām
kariṣyāmi dvijatisu
In the first part [prathama sandhyā] of the age of Kali, I will come among the brāhmaṇas [kariṣyāmi dvijatisu] to save the fallen souls, [paritrāṇāya tanu-bhṛtām] who are being burned by the troubles of the age of Kali [kalinā dahyamānānām].
Prediction of the name of His mother and the actual name of His future birthplace.
** In the Garuda-Purana, the Supreme Lord says:
ahaṁ pūrṇo bhaviṣyāmi
yuga-sandhyau viśeṣataḥ
māyāpure navadvīpe
bhaviṣyāmi Śacī sutaḥ
I will take birth as the son of Śacī [bhaviṣyāmi Śacī sutaḥ], in Navadvip-Mayapur [māyāpure navadvīpe]. I will come in my complete spiritual form in the first part of Kali-Yuga.
Prediction of the name of His future first wife and His future assumption of the sannyāsa order.
** In the same Garuda-Purana, it is Also stated:
kaleḥ prathama sandhyāyām
Laksmi- kanto bhaviṣyati
daru-brahma-samipa-sthah
sannyāsī gaura-vigrahah
In the first part of Kali-Yuga, the Supreme Personality of Godhead will come in a gold-like form. First He will become the husband of Lakṣmī [Śrīmatī Lakṣmī Devī, Lord Caitanya's first wife]. Then He will become a sannyāsī, near Lord Jagannātha who will appear in a divine wooden form.
Prediction of the bodily color of Śrī Caitanya and the nature of His future activities.
** In the Nṛsiṁha-Purāṇa, it is said:
satye daitya-kuladhi-nasa-samaye
simhordhva-martyakrtis
tretāyāṁ das-kandharam
paribhavan rāmeti namakrtih
gopalan paripālayan vraja-pure
bharam haran dvāpare
gaurāṅgaḥ priya-kirtanah
kali-yuge Caitanya-nāma prabhuḥ
"The Supreme Personality of Godhead who in the Satya-Yuga appeared as a half-man, half-lion to cure a terrible disease that had ravaged the daityas, and who in the Tretā-Yuga appeared as a person named Rāma [Lord Rāmacandra], the person who defeated the ten-headed Demon Rāvaṇa, and who in the Dvāpara-Yuga removed the earth's burden, and protected the Gopa [cowherd men] people of Vraja-pura, will appear again in the Kali-Yuga. His form will be golden, He will delight in chanting the Lord's holy names, and His name will be Caitanya."
Prediction of the future advent of Śrī Caitanya by His direct name.
** In the Padma-Purāṇa, it is said:
yatrayogesvarah sākṣād
yogi-cintyo janārdanaḥ
Caitanya vapur āste vai
sandranandatmakah
The Supreme Personality, Janārdana, who is the object of the yogis' meditation [yogi-chintyo- janārdanaḥ], who saves the devotees from various sufferings, and who is the master of all yogic practices [yogeśvaraḥ], who is always full of divine transcendental ecstasy and bliss [sandra-ananda-atmakah], will advent in His own divine form of Śrī Caitanya [Caitanya-vapah].
Description of the time and place Śrī Caitanya's future advent.
** In the Padma-Purāṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself states:
kaleḥ prathama-sandhyayam
gaurangotham mahī-tale
bhagirathi-tate ramye
bhaviṣyāmi Śacī-sutaḥ
I shall appear on this earth [mahī-tale] in the first part of Kali-Yuga [kaleḥ prathama sandhyāyām] in a beautiful place on the bank of the Bhāgīrathī [bhagirathi-tate ramye]. I shall have a golden form [gaurāṅgaḥ], and I shall take birth as the son of Śacī [bhaviṣyāmi Śacī-sutaḥ].
Prediction of the purpose of Śrī Caitanya's advents.
** In the Narada-Purana, the Supreme Personality of Godhead says:
ahaṁ eva kalau vipra
nityaṁ prachanna-vigrahah
bhavavad-bhakta-rupena
lokan raksami sarvadā
O Vipra, in the age of Kali, I will come disguised [nityaṁ prachanna vigraha] as a devotee [bhagavad-bhakta-rupena] and I will save all the worlds [lokan raksami sarvadā].
Prediction of His mother's name and the nature of His specific preaching method [saṅkīrtana].
** The Supreme Personality of Godhead states in the Narada-Purana:
divija bhuvi jayadhvam
jayadhvam bhakta rūpiṇaḥ
kalau saṅkīrtana ārambhe
bhaviṣyāmi Śacī-sutaḥ
O Divija (demigods), please come and advent as devotees on this earth [bhuvi jayadhvam jayadhvam] in the age of Kali-Yuga. I will incarnate as the son of Śacī [bhaviṣyāmi Śacī-sutaḥ] to inaugurate the congregational chanting of the name of Kṛṣṇa [kalau saṅkīrtana ārambhe].
Prediction of the revelation of Śrī Caitanya's form.
** In the Brahma-Purana, the Supreme Personality of Godhead says:
kaleḥ prathama sandhyāyām
gaurangotham mahī-tale
bhagirathi-tate bhūmni
bhaviṣyāmi Śacī-sutaḥ
I will reveal my eternal golden form [gaurangotham mahī-tale] in the first part of Kali- Yuga [kaleḥ prathama sandhyāyām]. I will advent on the earth on the bank of the Bhāgīrathī [bhagirathi-tate bhūmni] as son of Mother Śacī [bhaviṣyāmi Śacī-sutaḥ].
Prediction of the future sannyāsī role and ecstasy of Śrī Caitanya.
** In the Bhavisya-Purana, the Supreme Lord says:
anandasru-kala-roma
harsa-purnam tapo-dhana
sarve mama eva drakṣyanti
kalau sannyasa-rupinam
O austere sage, you should know that in the age of Kali, everyone will see my transcendental form as a sannyāsī [kalau sannyāsa rūpiṇam]. I will be exhibiting symptoms of ecstasy like shedding tears of bliss and hairs standing in ecstasy [anandasru-kala-roma-harsa
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]
Prediction of Lord Gaurāṅga's advent in the form of a brāhmaṇa.
In the Adi-Purana and in the Nārada Purana, the Supreme Person says:
ahaṁ eva dvija-śreṣṭho
nityaṁ pracchanna-vigrahah
bhagavad-bhakta-rupena
lokam raksami sarvadā
I shall advent in the form of a Brāhmaṇa devotee [ahaṁ eva dvija-śreṣṭho] and I shall hide my factual identity [prachanna vigrahaḥ]. I shall deliver all the worlds [lokam raksami sarvadā].
Prediction of His advent as a sannyāsī.
** In the Upa-Puranas, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa speaks to Śrīla Vyāsadeva:
ahaṁ eva kvacid brahman
sannyāsa āśramam āśritāḥ
hari bhaktim grāhayāmi
kalau pāpa-hatān narān
O Brāhmaṇa, I occasionally take the Sannyās Asram [sannyāsa āśrama āśritāḥ] in an attempt to bring the fallen people of Kali Yuga to take up the path of Bhakti or devotional service to Lord Kṛṣṇa [hari bhaktim grāhayāmi].
Prediction of His actual time of incarnation.
** In the Kūrma-Purāṇa, it is stated:
kalinā dahyamanam
uddhararaya tanu-bhṛtām
janma prathama sandhyāyām
bhaviṣyati dvijalaye
The Supreme Person will appear in the first part of the age of Kali [janma prathama sandhyāyām]. He will appear in the home of a Brāhmaṇa [bhaviṣyati dvijalaye], to save the embodied conditioned souls [uddharaya tanu-bhṛtām] burning in the troubles of Kali-Yuga.
Description of the purpose of Śrī Caitanya's incarnation.
** In the Garuda-Purana, the Supreme Person says:
kalinā dakyamananam
paritrāṇāya tanu-bhṛtām
janma prathama sandhyāyām
kariṣyāmi dvijatisu
In the first part [prathama sandhyā] of the age of Kali, I will come among the brāhmaṇas [kariṣyāmi dvijatisu] to save the fallen souls, [paritrāṇāya tanu-bhṛtām] who are being burned by the troubles of the age of Kali [kalinā dahyamānānām].
Prediction of the name of His mother and the actual name of His future birthplace.
** In the Garuda-Purana, the Supreme Lord says:
ahaṁ pūrṇo bhaviṣyāmi
yuga-sandhyau viśeṣataḥ
māyāpure navadvīpe
bhaviṣyāmi Śacī sutaḥ
I will take birth as the son of Śacī [bhaviṣyāmi Śacī sutaḥ], in Navadvip-Mayapur [māyāpure navadvīpe]. I will come in my complete spiritual form in the first part of Kali-Yuga.
Prediction of the name of His future first wife and His future assumption of the sannyāsa order.
** In the same Garuda-Purana, it is Also stated:
kaleḥ prathama sandhyāyām
Laksmi- kanto bhaviṣyati
daru-brahma-samipa-sthah
sannyāsī gaura-vigrahah
In the first part of Kali-Yuga, the Supreme Personality of Godhead will come in a gold-like form. First He will become the husband of Lakṣmī [Śrīmatī Lakṣmī Devī, Lord Caitanya's first wife]. Then He will become a sannyāsī, near Lord Jagannātha who will appear in a divine wooden form.
Prediction of the bodily color of Śrī Caitanya and the nature of His future activities.
** In the Nṛsiṁha-Purāṇa, it is said:
satye daitya-kuladhi-nasa-samaye
simhordhva-martyakrtis
tretāyāṁ das-kandharam
paribhavan rāmeti namakrtih
gopalan paripālayan vraja-pure
bharam haran dvāpare
gaurāṅgaḥ priya-kirtanah
kali-yuge Caitanya-nāma prabhuḥ
"The Supreme Personality of Godhead who in the Satya-Yuga appeared as a half-man, half-lion to cure a terrible disease that had ravaged the daityas, and who in the Tretā-Yuga appeared as a person named Rāma [Lord Rāmacandra], the person who defeated the ten-headed Demon Rāvaṇa, and who in the Dvāpara-Yuga removed the earth's burden, and protected the Gopa [cowherd men] people of Vraja-pura, will appear again in the Kali-Yuga. His form will be golden, He will delight in chanting the Lord's holy names, and His name will be Caitanya."
Prediction of the future advent of Śrī Caitanya by His direct name.
** In the Padma-Purāṇa, it is said:
yatrayogesvarah sākṣād
yogi-cintyo janārdanaḥ
Caitanya vapur āste vai
sandranandatmakah
The Supreme Personality, Janārdana, who is the object of the yogis' meditation [yogi-chintyo- janārdanaḥ], who saves the devotees from various sufferings, and who is the master of all yogic practices [yogeśvaraḥ], who is always full of divine transcendental ecstasy and bliss [sandra-ananda-atmakah], will advent in His own divine form of Śrī Caitanya [Caitanya-vapah].
Description of the time and place Śrī Caitanya's future advent.
** In the Padma-Purāṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself states:
kaleḥ prathama-sandhyayam
gaurangotham mahī-tale
bhagirathi-tate ramye
bhaviṣyāmi Śacī-sutaḥ
I shall appear on this earth [mahī-tale] in the first part of Kali-Yuga [kaleḥ prathama sandhyāyām] in a beautiful place on the bank of the Bhāgīrathī [bhagirathi-tate ramye]. I shall have a golden form [gaurāṅgaḥ], and I shall take birth as the son of Śacī [bhaviṣyāmi Śacī-sutaḥ].
Prediction of the purpose of Śrī Caitanya's advents.
** In the Narada-Purana, the Supreme Personality of Godhead says:
ahaṁ eva kalau vipra
nityaṁ prachanna-vigrahah
bhavavad-bhakta-rupena
lokan raksami sarvadā
O Vipra, in the age of Kali, I will come disguised [nityaṁ prachanna vigraha] as a devotee [bhagavad-bhakta-rupena] and I will save all the worlds [lokan raksami sarvadā].
Prediction of His mother's name and the nature of His specific preaching method [saṅkīrtana].
** The Supreme Personality of Godhead states in the Narada-Purana:
divija bhuvi jayadhvam
jayadhvam bhakta rūpiṇaḥ
kalau saṅkīrtana ārambhe
bhaviṣyāmi Śacī-sutaḥ
O Divija (demigods), please come and advent as devotees on this earth [bhuvi jayadhvam jayadhvam] in the age of Kali-Yuga. I will incarnate as the son of Śacī [bhaviṣyāmi Śacī-sutaḥ] to inaugurate the congregational chanting of the name of Kṛṣṇa [kalau saṅkīrtana ārambhe].
Prediction of the revelation of Śrī Caitanya's form.
** In the Brahma-Purana, the Supreme Personality of Godhead says:
kaleḥ prathama sandhyāyām
gaurangotham mahī-tale
bhagirathi-tate bhūmni
bhaviṣyāmi Śacī-sutaḥ
I will reveal my eternal golden form [gaurangotham mahī-tale] in the first part of Kali- Yuga [kaleḥ prathama sandhyāyām]. I will advent on the earth on the bank of the Bhāgīrathī [bhagirathi-tate bhūmni] as son of Mother Śacī [bhaviṣyāmi Śacī-sutaḥ].
Prediction of the future sannyāsī role and ecstasy of Śrī Caitanya.
** In the Bhavisya-Purana, the Supreme Lord says:
anandasru-kala-roma
harsa-purnam tapo-dhana
sarve mama eva drakṣyanti
kalau sannyasa-rupinam
O austere sage, you should know that in the age of Kali, everyone will see my transcendental form as a sannyāsī [kalau sannyāsa rūpiṇam]. I will be exhibiting symptoms of ecstasy like shedding tears of bliss and hairs standing in ecstasy [anandasru-kala-roma-harsa
-purnam].
Prediction of the color of Śrī Caitanya and the nature of His future associates.
** In the Agni-Purāṇa, it is said:
praśāntātmā lamba-kanthas gaurāṅgas ca
suravrtah
The Supreme Personality of Godhead will come in a golden form [gaura-anga], full of peace [praśāntātmā], and a beautiful long neck [lamba-kanthah]. He will be surrounded by many saintly devotees [sura-avrtah].
Note: This is an indirect prediction of the future advent of the members of the Pancha-Tattva.
Prediction of the characteristics of Śrī Caitanya.
** In the Matsya-Purana, the Supreme Personality of Godhead says:
mundo gauraḥ su-dirghangas
tri-srotas-tira-sambhavah
dayāluḥ kirtana-grahi
bhaviṣyāmi kalau-yuge
In the age of Kali, I shall advent [bhaviṣyāmi kalau yuge] where the three rivers meet [tri-srotas-tira-sambhavah]. I shall have a shaven head [mundah]. I shall have a golden complexion [gauraḥ]. I will be very kind and always chant the holy name of Kṛṣṇa [dayaloh kirtana-grahi].
Prediction of the name of the river where Śrī Caitanya will take his birth and other characteristics.
** In the Vayu-Purana, the Supreme Personality of Godhead states:
śuddho gaurah-su-dirghango
ganga-tira-samudbhavah
dayaluh-kirtana-grahi
bhaviṣyāmi kalau yuge
In the age of Kali-Yuga, I shall come [bhaviṣyāmi kalau yuge] in a place on the bank of the Ganges [ganga-tira-samudbhavah]. I will be very pure [śuddhaḥ], have a golden complexion [gauraḥ], and be very tall [su-dirghangah] and chant the holy names of Kṛṣṇa. [Vyau Puran next quote]
Prediction that the Supreme Lord will leave Goloka and corne in a golden form.
** In the Markandeya-Purana, the Supreme of Godhead declares:
golokam ca parityajya
lokānāṁ trana-karanat
kalau gauranga-rupena
lila-lavanya-vigrahah
"In the Kali-Yuga, I will leave Goloka and, to save the people of the world, I will become the handsome and playful Lord Gaurāṅga."
Prediction of one of the purpose of Śrī Caitanya's appearance.
** In the Varāha-Purāṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead declares:
ahaṁ eva dvija-śreṣṭho
lila-pracurya-vigrahah
bhagavad-bhakta-rupena
lokan raksami sarvadā
I shall come as the best of the brāhmaṇas [ahaṁ eva dvija-śreṣṭhā]. I will exhibit many pastimes [lila-pracurya-vigrahah] in the form of a devotee [bhagavad-bhakta-rupena]. I shall deliver the people of the world [lokan raksami sarvadā].
Prediction of the name of the mother of Śrī Caitanya and His future role as the deliverer of the darkness of Kali-Yuga.
** In the Vamana-Purana, the Supreme Personality of Godhead declares:
kali-ghora-tamas-channat
sarvān ācāra varjitan
Sacigarbhe ca sambhuya
tarayisyami nārada
O Nārada Muni, I will take birth in the womb of Śacī [Saci-garbhe ca sambhuya]. I shall save the people, who will give up all proper good conduct [sarvān ācāra varyitan], from the terrible darkness of the age of Kali-Yuga [kali-ghora-tamas-channan].
Prediction of the future advent of Śrī Caitanya, His birth time, His mother, His birth city, His name and His mission.
** In the Vayu-Purana, the Supreme Personality of Godhead says:
paurṇamāsyāṁ phālgunasya
phalguni-rksa-yogatah
bhavisye gaura-rupena
Saci-garbhe purandarāt
svarnadi-tiram āsthāya
navadvīpe janasraye
tatra dvija-kulam prāpto
bhaviṣyāmi janalaye
bhakti-yoga-pradanaya
lokasyanugrahaya ca
sannyas-rupam āsthāya
Krsna-Caitanya-nama-dhrk
tena lokasya nistāras
tat kurudhvam mamajnaya
dharitrī bhavitā cabhir
mayaiva dvija-dehina
I shall advent in the month of Phālguna, when the star Phalgūni is conjoined with the full moon. I shall incarnate in a golden complexion in the womb of Śacī and Purandara Miśra. I will be born in the city of Navadvīpa,on the Ganges's shore, in a Brāhmaṇa's family. I shall take the renounced order of life [sannyāsa] and show kindness to the people in general and engage them in Bhakti. I will be known as Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya. All of you should follow My order and deliver the people of the world. I shall appear as a Brāhmaṇa. I shall make this earth fearless. [Vāyu Puran previous quote]
Prediction of Śrī Caitanya's birth city, the name of the river close to His birth site, the name of His mother, His close associates and their divine roles in His līlā, His divine reason for incarnating as well as different names by which Śrī Caitanya will be known.
** In the Ananta-Saṁhitā, it is said:
svarnadi-tiram āśritya
navadvīpe dvijalaye
sampradatum bhakti-yogam
lokasyanugrahaya ca
sa eva bhagavān krmo
rādhikā-prāṇa-vallabhaḥ
srsty-adau sa jagannātho
gaura āsīn mahesvari
avatīrṇo bhaviṣyāmi
kalau-nija-ganaih saha
Saci-garbhe navadvīpe
svardhuni-parivarite
aprakasyam idaṁ guhyam
na prakasyam bahir mukhe
bhaktāvatāraṁ bhaktākhyaṁ
bhaktam bhakti-pradam svayam
man-maya-mohitah kecin
na jnasyanto bahir-mokhah
jnasyanti mad-bhakti-yuktah
sadhavo-nyasinotmalah
krmavatara-kale-yah
striyo ye puruṣaḥ priyaḥ
kalau te'vatarisyanti
sridama-subaladayah
catuh-sasti-mahantas te
gopa dvadas bālakaḥ
Caitanyera Siṁhera...
dharma-samsthapanarthay
a viharisyami tair ahaṁ
kāle naṣṭaṁ bhakti-patham
sthapayisyamy ahaṁ punaḥ
gacchantu bhuvi te putraḥ
jayantam bhakta-rupinah
dharma-samsthapanam kāle
kurvantu te mamajnaya
Kṛṣṇas Caitanya-gaurango
gauracandraḥ Śacī-sutaḥ
prabhur gauro gaura-harir
namani-bhakti-dani me
"To show mercy to the people and give them devotional service, the Supreme Personality of Godhead will appear in a Brāhmaṇa's home in Navadvip by the Ganges' shore. The Supreme Person, Śrī Kṛṣṇa Himself, who is the life of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, and is the Lord of the universe in creation, rnaintenance, and annihilation, appears as Gaura, O Mahesvari.
In Kali-Yuga, I will descend to the earth with My associates. In Navadvip, which is surrounded by the Ganges, I will take birth in Śacī-devī's womb.
They who are bewildered by My illusory potency will not understand the great secret of the appearance in this world of Me in My personal form,
1.in My form as the incarnation of devotion,
2.in My form as the incarnation of a devotee,
3.in My form bearing the name of a devotee,
4.in My form as a devotee, and
5.in My form as the giver of devotional service.
This secret is not to be revealed to them. Only the saintly, pure, renounced devotees, diligently engaged in My devotional service, will be able to understand Me in these five forms.
My dear male and female associates, headed by Śrīdāmā and Subala, who came to this world at the time of My advent as Lord Kṛṣṇa, will come again during the Kali-Yuga.
The Gopas will become the sixtyfour mahāntas and the twelve gopālas. To establish the truth of religion, I will enjoy many pastimes with them.
In this way I will again reveal the path of devotional service, which has been destroyed in the course of time. My sons should also descend to the earth, assume the forms of devotees, and, by My order, also work to re-establish the principles of true religion.
At this time My names will be: Kṛṣṇa Caitanya, Gaurāṅga, Gauracandra, Sacisuta, Mahāprabhu, Gaura and Gaurahari.
Chanting these names will bring devotion to Me."
What other major vedic literatures also describe characteristics of the advent of Śrī Caitanya?
** The Great Epic Mahābhārata (Dāna-Dharma, Viṣṇu-Sahasra-Nāma Stotra) points out the divine characteristics of Śrīmān Mahāprabhu's appearance.
suvarṇa varṇa hemāṅgo
varāṅgaś candanāṅgadī
sannyāsa krt-chamah santo
niṣṭhā shanti parāyaṇāḥ
In His early activities Lord Caitanya comes as a householder. He has a golden complexion [suvarṇa varṇāḥ]. His limbs are very beautiful [vara-anga] and are smeared with sandalwood pulp [candana-aṅgadī]. He has the appearance of molten gold [hema-anga].
The Supreme Lord Caitanya accepts the renounced order of life [sannyāsa-kṛt]. He is fully sense-controlled or equipoised [sama], and is completely peaceful [santa]. He is completely fixed in the chanting of the holy name of Lord Kṛṣṇa, [niṣṭhā]. He is the highest abode of devotion and transcendental peace. He silences the māyāvādī impersonalists [niṣṭhā santi parāyaṇāḥ].
The sanskrit words suvarna-varna indicate one who has gold-like complexion. The Vedic text to support this point is:
yadā paśya paśyate rukma-varṇaṁ
kartāram īśam puruṣaṁ brahma-yonim
The words rukma-varṇaṁ kartāram īśam refer to the Supreme Person [Śrī Caitanya] who has a complexion like molten gold.
** Quotations of Lord Caitanya's bodily features according to some of the great devotees present at the time:
Śrīla Sārvabhauma Bhattacharya, one of the foremost disciples of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu in Jagannath Purī, composed an entire series of prayers describing in detail the various features of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, called Śrī Gauranga-Prati-Anga-Varnanakhy
** Lord Caitanya's bodily luster.
Śrīla Sārvabhauma Bhattacharya has described the complexion of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu's body.
tapta hema dyutim vande
kali-Krsnam jagad-gurum
caru-dirgha-tanum srimac
chaci-hrdaya-nandanam
I worship Lord Kṛṣṇa, the spiritual master of the universe, who appears in the age of Kali with a luster like molten gold. His body is beautiful and tall. He is like molten gold, and He is the delight and the son of Śacīdevī.
Śrīla Prabodhānanda Sarasvatī Ṭhākura also describes Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu's golden complexion.
ānanda lilamaya vigrahāya
hemabha-divya-cchavi-sundaraya
"O Lord Caitanyacandra, O Lord whose form is full of blissful pastimes, O Lord whose complexion is as splendid as gold..."
Śrīla Kṛṣṇa das Kavirāj Goswami similarly describes Lord Caitanya:
tapta hema sama kanti prakāṇḍa śarīra
"...the luster of His expansive body resembles molten gold..."
Prabodhānanda Sarasvatī also further describes Śrī Caitanya's golden complexion.
svayam devo yatra-kanaka-gaurah karuṇayā
"His complexion is as fair as molten gold."
** Śrī Caitanya's beautiful hair.
lasan-mukha-lata-naddha
charu-kuncita-kuntalam
"His lovely curling locks are interwoven with creepers of glistening pearls..."
** Śrī Caitanya's shoulders and chest.
Prabhodānanda Sarasvatī Ṭhākura describes the shoulders of Mahāprabhu.
siṁha skandham...
"May Lord Caitanya, whose shoulders are like a lion..."
Śrīla Kṛṣṇa das Kavirāj Goswami also points out the nature of Śrī Caitanya's shoulders and voice.
siṁha grīvā siṁha-vīrya siṁhera hunkar
"He has the shoulders of a lion, the powers of a lion, and the loud voice of a lion."
** Śrī Caitanya's arms.
ājānulambita-bhuja
His arms reach all the way to his knees.
ajanulambita bhūmau kanaka vadatau
Their arms (of Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityānanda) reach all the way to their knees.
kankanangada-vidyoti-janu-lamb
"....His two arms, glittering with bracelets and bangles, extend down to His knees."
** Śrī Caitanya's face
prema-pravaha-madhura
raktotpala-vilocanam
h la-prasuna-susnigdha
nutanayata-nasikam
His beautiful eyes are just like reddish lotus flowers. They are most beautiful, just like lakes of Kṛṣṇa Prema. His nose is arched and is resplendent just like the sesame flower.
sri-ganda-mandollasi
ratna-kundala-manditam
savya-karna-suvinyasta
sphurac-caru-sikhandakam
His cheeks are round and they shine brilliantly. He wears jeweled earrings. He has a peacock feather placed near His left ear.
madhura-sneha-susnigdha
praraktadhara-pallavam
isad-danturita-snigdha
sphuran-mukta-radoijvalam
His lips are tender and very lustrous. They resemble reddish blossoming flowers. He reveals his pearl-like teeth out His kindness.
** Caitanya-caritāmṛita, Ādi-Līlā 3.77
saṅkīrtana-pravartaka śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya
saṅkīrtana-yajñe tāṅre bhaje, sei dhanya
"Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya is the initiator of saṅkīrtana [congregational chanting of the holy name of Lord Kṛṣṇa]. One who worships Him through saṅkīrtana is fortunate indeed"
** Susloka-Satakam -59- Śrī Gaurāṅga Mahimā
vintala-kamala-vaktrah pakva-bi
nbadharosthas
tila-kusu na-su-nasah katnbu-kanthah
su-dirghah
suvaliuta-bhuja-dando
nabhi-gambhira-rupah
sphuratu hrdaya-madhye
gaura-candro-natendrah
"His face is flawless like a blooming lotus and His lips are red as ripe as bimba fruits. His nose is as beautiful as the sesame flower and his neck is like a three-ringed conch. He is very tall and His rod-like arms make artistic movements while He dances. His navel is very deep.
May my Lord Gaura candra, the king of dancers, reveal Himself in the core of My heart."
Prediction of the color of Śrī Caitanya and the nature of His future associates.
** In the Agni-Purāṇa, it is said:
praśāntātmā lamba-kanthas gaurāṅgas ca
suravrtah
The Supreme Personality of Godhead will come in a golden form [gaura-anga], full of peace [praśāntātmā], and a beautiful long neck [lamba-kanthah]. He will be surrounded by many saintly devotees [sura-avrtah].
Note: This is an indirect prediction of the future advent of the members of the Pancha-Tattva.
Prediction of the characteristics of Śrī Caitanya.
** In the Matsya-Purana, the Supreme Personality of Godhead says:
mundo gauraḥ su-dirghangas
tri-srotas-tira-sambhavah
dayāluḥ kirtana-grahi
bhaviṣyāmi kalau-yuge
In the age of Kali, I shall advent [bhaviṣyāmi kalau yuge] where the three rivers meet [tri-srotas-tira-sambhavah]. I shall have a shaven head [mundah]. I shall have a golden complexion [gauraḥ]. I will be very kind and always chant the holy name of Kṛṣṇa [dayaloh kirtana-grahi].
Prediction of the name of the river where Śrī Caitanya will take his birth and other characteristics.
** In the Vayu-Purana, the Supreme Personality of Godhead states:
śuddho gaurah-su-dirghango
ganga-tira-samudbhavah
dayaluh-kirtana-grahi
bhaviṣyāmi kalau yuge
In the age of Kali-Yuga, I shall come [bhaviṣyāmi kalau yuge] in a place on the bank of the Ganges [ganga-tira-samudbhavah]. I will be very pure [śuddhaḥ], have a golden complexion [gauraḥ], and be very tall [su-dirghangah] and chant the holy names of Kṛṣṇa. [Vyau Puran next quote]
Prediction that the Supreme Lord will leave Goloka and corne in a golden form.
** In the Markandeya-Purana, the Supreme of Godhead declares:
golokam ca parityajya
lokānāṁ trana-karanat
kalau gauranga-rupena
lila-lavanya-vigrahah
"In the Kali-Yuga, I will leave Goloka and, to save the people of the world, I will become the handsome and playful Lord Gaurāṅga."
Prediction of one of the purpose of Śrī Caitanya's appearance.
** In the Varāha-Purāṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead declares:
ahaṁ eva dvija-śreṣṭho
lila-pracurya-vigrahah
bhagavad-bhakta-rupena
lokan raksami sarvadā
I shall come as the best of the brāhmaṇas [ahaṁ eva dvija-śreṣṭhā]. I will exhibit many pastimes [lila-pracurya-vigrahah] in the form of a devotee [bhagavad-bhakta-rupena]. I shall deliver the people of the world [lokan raksami sarvadā].
Prediction of the name of the mother of Śrī Caitanya and His future role as the deliverer of the darkness of Kali-Yuga.
** In the Vamana-Purana, the Supreme Personality of Godhead declares:
kali-ghora-tamas-channat
sarvān ācāra varjitan
Sacigarbhe ca sambhuya
tarayisyami nārada
O Nārada Muni, I will take birth in the womb of Śacī [Saci-garbhe ca sambhuya]. I shall save the people, who will give up all proper good conduct [sarvān ācāra varyitan], from the terrible darkness of the age of Kali-Yuga [kali-ghora-tamas-channan].
Prediction of the future advent of Śrī Caitanya, His birth time, His mother, His birth city, His name and His mission.
** In the Vayu-Purana, the Supreme Personality of Godhead says:
paurṇamāsyāṁ phālgunasya
phalguni-rksa-yogatah
bhavisye gaura-rupena
Saci-garbhe purandarāt
svarnadi-tiram āsthāya
navadvīpe janasraye
tatra dvija-kulam prāpto
bhaviṣyāmi janalaye
bhakti-yoga-pradanaya
lokasyanugrahaya ca
sannyas-rupam āsthāya
Krsna-Caitanya-nama-dhrk
tena lokasya nistāras
tat kurudhvam mamajnaya
dharitrī bhavitā cabhir
mayaiva dvija-dehina
I shall advent in the month of Phālguna, when the star Phalgūni is conjoined with the full moon. I shall incarnate in a golden complexion in the womb of Śacī and Purandara Miśra. I will be born in the city of Navadvīpa,on the Ganges's shore, in a Brāhmaṇa's family. I shall take the renounced order of life [sannyāsa] and show kindness to the people in general and engage them in Bhakti. I will be known as Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya. All of you should follow My order and deliver the people of the world. I shall appear as a Brāhmaṇa. I shall make this earth fearless. [Vāyu Puran previous quote]
Prediction of Śrī Caitanya's birth city, the name of the river close to His birth site, the name of His mother, His close associates and their divine roles in His līlā, His divine reason for incarnating as well as different names by which Śrī Caitanya will be known.
** In the Ananta-Saṁhitā, it is said:
svarnadi-tiram āśritya
navadvīpe dvijalaye
sampradatum bhakti-yogam
lokasyanugrahaya ca
sa eva bhagavān krmo
rādhikā-prāṇa-vallabhaḥ
srsty-adau sa jagannātho
gaura āsīn mahesvari
avatīrṇo bhaviṣyāmi
kalau-nija-ganaih saha
Saci-garbhe navadvīpe
svardhuni-parivarite
aprakasyam idaṁ guhyam
na prakasyam bahir mukhe
bhaktāvatāraṁ bhaktākhyaṁ
bhaktam bhakti-pradam svayam
man-maya-mohitah kecin
na jnasyanto bahir-mokhah
jnasyanti mad-bhakti-yuktah
sadhavo-nyasinotmalah
krmavatara-kale-yah
striyo ye puruṣaḥ priyaḥ
kalau te'vatarisyanti
sridama-subaladayah
catuh-sasti-mahantas te
gopa dvadas bālakaḥ
Caitanyera Siṁhera...
dharma-samsthapanarthay
a viharisyami tair ahaṁ
kāle naṣṭaṁ bhakti-patham
sthapayisyamy ahaṁ punaḥ
gacchantu bhuvi te putraḥ
jayantam bhakta-rupinah
dharma-samsthapanam kāle
kurvantu te mamajnaya
Kṛṣṇas Caitanya-gaurango
gauracandraḥ Śacī-sutaḥ
prabhur gauro gaura-harir
namani-bhakti-dani me
"To show mercy to the people and give them devotional service, the Supreme Personality of Godhead will appear in a Brāhmaṇa's home in Navadvip by the Ganges' shore. The Supreme Person, Śrī Kṛṣṇa Himself, who is the life of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, and is the Lord of the universe in creation, rnaintenance, and annihilation, appears as Gaura, O Mahesvari.
In Kali-Yuga, I will descend to the earth with My associates. In Navadvip, which is surrounded by the Ganges, I will take birth in Śacī-devī's womb.
They who are bewildered by My illusory potency will not understand the great secret of the appearance in this world of Me in My personal form,
1.in My form as the incarnation of devotion,
2.in My form as the incarnation of a devotee,
3.in My form bearing the name of a devotee,
4.in My form as a devotee, and
5.in My form as the giver of devotional service.
This secret is not to be revealed to them. Only the saintly, pure, renounced devotees, diligently engaged in My devotional service, will be able to understand Me in these five forms.
My dear male and female associates, headed by Śrīdāmā and Subala, who came to this world at the time of My advent as Lord Kṛṣṇa, will come again during the Kali-Yuga.
The Gopas will become the sixtyfour mahāntas and the twelve gopālas. To establish the truth of religion, I will enjoy many pastimes with them.
In this way I will again reveal the path of devotional service, which has been destroyed in the course of time. My sons should also descend to the earth, assume the forms of devotees, and, by My order, also work to re-establish the principles of true religion.
At this time My names will be: Kṛṣṇa Caitanya, Gaurāṅga, Gauracandra, Sacisuta, Mahāprabhu, Gaura and Gaurahari.
Chanting these names will bring devotion to Me."
What other major vedic literatures also describe characteristics of the advent of Śrī Caitanya?
** The Great Epic Mahābhārata (Dāna-Dharma, Viṣṇu-Sahasra-Nāma Stotra) points out the divine characteristics of Śrīmān Mahāprabhu's appearance.
suvarṇa varṇa hemāṅgo
varāṅgaś candanāṅgadī
sannyāsa krt-chamah santo
niṣṭhā shanti parāyaṇāḥ
In His early activities Lord Caitanya comes as a householder. He has a golden complexion [suvarṇa varṇāḥ]. His limbs are very beautiful [vara-anga] and are smeared with sandalwood pulp [candana-aṅgadī]. He has the appearance of molten gold [hema-anga].
The Supreme Lord Caitanya accepts the renounced order of life [sannyāsa-kṛt]. He is fully sense-controlled or equipoised [sama], and is completely peaceful [santa]. He is completely fixed in the chanting of the holy name of Lord Kṛṣṇa, [niṣṭhā]. He is the highest abode of devotion and transcendental peace. He silences the māyāvādī impersonalists [niṣṭhā santi parāyaṇāḥ].
The sanskrit words suvarna-varna indicate one who has gold-like complexion. The Vedic text to support this point is:
yadā paśya paśyate rukma-varṇaṁ
kartāram īśam puruṣaṁ brahma-yonim
The words rukma-varṇaṁ kartāram īśam refer to the Supreme Person [Śrī Caitanya] who has a complexion like molten gold.
** Quotations of Lord Caitanya's bodily features according to some of the great devotees present at the time:
Śrīla Sārvabhauma Bhattacharya, one of the foremost disciples of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu in Jagannath Purī, composed an entire series of prayers describing in detail the various features of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, called Śrī Gauranga-Prati-Anga-Varnanakhy
** Lord Caitanya's bodily luster.
Śrīla Sārvabhauma Bhattacharya has described the complexion of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu's body.
tapta hema dyutim vande
kali-Krsnam jagad-gurum
caru-dirgha-tanum srimac
chaci-hrdaya-nandanam
I worship Lord Kṛṣṇa, the spiritual master of the universe, who appears in the age of Kali with a luster like molten gold. His body is beautiful and tall. He is like molten gold, and He is the delight and the son of Śacīdevī.
Śrīla Prabodhānanda Sarasvatī Ṭhākura also describes Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu's golden complexion.
ānanda lilamaya vigrahāya
hemabha-divya-cchavi-sundaraya
"O Lord Caitanyacandra, O Lord whose form is full of blissful pastimes, O Lord whose complexion is as splendid as gold..."
Śrīla Kṛṣṇa das Kavirāj Goswami similarly describes Lord Caitanya:
tapta hema sama kanti prakāṇḍa śarīra
"...the luster of His expansive body resembles molten gold..."
Prabodhānanda Sarasvatī also further describes Śrī Caitanya's golden complexion.
svayam devo yatra-kanaka-gaurah karuṇayā
"His complexion is as fair as molten gold."
** Śrī Caitanya's beautiful hair.
lasan-mukha-lata-naddha
charu-kuncita-kuntalam
"His lovely curling locks are interwoven with creepers of glistening pearls..."
** Śrī Caitanya's shoulders and chest.
Prabhodānanda Sarasvatī Ṭhākura describes the shoulders of Mahāprabhu.
siṁha skandham...
"May Lord Caitanya, whose shoulders are like a lion..."
Śrīla Kṛṣṇa das Kavirāj Goswami also points out the nature of Śrī Caitanya's shoulders and voice.
siṁha grīvā siṁha-vīrya siṁhera hunkar
"He has the shoulders of a lion, the powers of a lion, and the loud voice of a lion."
** Śrī Caitanya's arms.
ājānulambita-bhuja
His arms reach all the way to his knees.
ajanulambita bhūmau kanaka vadatau
Their arms (of Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityānanda) reach all the way to their knees.
kankanangada-vidyoti-janu-lamb
"....His two arms, glittering with bracelets and bangles, extend down to His knees."
** Śrī Caitanya's face
prema-pravaha-madhura
raktotpala-vilocanam
h la-prasuna-susnigdha
nutanayata-nasikam
His beautiful eyes are just like reddish lotus flowers. They are most beautiful, just like lakes of Kṛṣṇa Prema. His nose is arched and is resplendent just like the sesame flower.
sri-ganda-mandollasi
ratna-kundala-manditam
savya-karna-suvinyasta
sphurac-caru-sikhandakam
His cheeks are round and they shine brilliantly. He wears jeweled earrings. He has a peacock feather placed near His left ear.
madhura-sneha-susnigdha
praraktadhara-pallavam
isad-danturita-snigdha
sphuran-mukta-radoijvalam
His lips are tender and very lustrous. They resemble reddish blossoming flowers. He reveals his pearl-like teeth out His kindness.
** Caitanya-caritāmṛita, Ādi-Līlā 3.77
saṅkīrtana-pravartaka śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya
saṅkīrtana-yajñe tāṅre bhaje, sei dhanya
"Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya is the initiator of saṅkīrtana [congregational chanting of the holy name of Lord Kṛṣṇa]. One who worships Him through saṅkīrtana is fortunate indeed"
** Susloka-Satakam -59- Śrī Gaurāṅga Mahimā
vintala-kamala-vaktrah pakva-bi
nbadharosthas
tila-kusu na-su-nasah katnbu-kanthah
su-dirghah
suvaliuta-bhuja-dando
nabhi-gambhira-rupah
sphuratu hrdaya-madhye
gaura-candro-natendrah
"His face is flawless like a blooming lotus and His lips are red as ripe as bimba fruits. His nose is as beautiful as the sesame flower and his neck is like a three-ringed conch. He is very tall and His rod-like arms make artistic movements while He dances. His navel is very deep.
May my Lord Gaura candra, the king of dancers, reveal Himself in the core of My heart."
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Falling on my knees
A devotee told me a story today of an alcoholic who falls on his knees every morning when he wakes up and prays to God to give Him the strength to make it through this one day, sober.
He's been doing this for forty years, every morning, and has stayed sober.
I'm thinking I'd like to fall on my knees every morning and pray to Krishna to allow me to make it through this one day, as His devotee. Let me not succumb to the addictions of selfish sense pleasures. Let me serve You, Krishna, with this heart and soul and senses you've provided. Let this one day be all about You, Krishna, from moment to moment, one day at a time.
I'm imagining what a wonderful forty years that would be, for me (and for Krishna).
He's been doing this for forty years, every morning, and has stayed sober.
I'm thinking I'd like to fall on my knees every morning and pray to Krishna to allow me to make it through this one day, as His devotee. Let me not succumb to the addictions of selfish sense pleasures. Let me serve You, Krishna, with this heart and soul and senses you've provided. Let this one day be all about You, Krishna, from moment to moment, one day at a time.
I'm imagining what a wonderful forty years that would be, for me (and for Krishna).
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