06 May 2020
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Five Prayers to Lord Nrsimha, Prayers & Verses
Tags: appearance day of lord nrsimhdeva, Krsna, Lord Nrsimha, Nrsimha deva, prayers to lord nrsimha, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur
Today we honor the Appearance of Lord Nrsimha with a full day fast followed by an evening feast. To to help remember Lord Nrsimha we are posting “Five Prayers to Lord Nrsimha” written by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur.
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has written five beautiful prayers in “Sri Navadvipa Bhava Taranga” for receiving the mercy of Lord Narasimha. These prayers are certainly assurance to all sincere devotees that the worship of Lord Nrsimha is purely in the line of aspiring love and devotion to Sri Sri Radha and Krsna. Those prayers are as follows:
Five Prayers to Lord Nrsimha
by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur
e dusta hrdaye kama adi ripu chaya
kutinati pratisthasa sathya sada raya
hrdaya-sodhana ara krsnera vasana
nrsimha-carane mora ei to’ kamana
Within my sinful heart the six enemies headed by lust perpetually reside, as well as duplicity, the desire for fame, plus sheer cunning. At the lotus feet of Lord Narasimha, I hope that He will mercifully purify my heart and give me the desire to serve Lord Krsna.
kandiya nrsimha-pade magibo kakhana
nirapade navadvipe jugala-bhajana
bhaya bhaya paya yan’ra darsane se hari
prasanna hoibo kabe more daya kari
Weeping, I will beg at the lotus-feet of Lord Narasimha for the benediction of worshipping Radha and Krsna in Navadvipa, perfectly safe and free from all difficulties. When will this Lord Hari, Whose terrible form strikes fear into fear itself, ever become pleased and show me His mercy?
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27 Apr 2020
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Narada Muni Bajay Vina, Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas
Tags: A. C. Bhakthvedanta Swami Prabhupada, chanting, holy names of Krishna, Krishna Kirtan Songs, Narada Muni, Radhika-ramana, song by Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Srila Bhaktivinoda Takura, Srila Prabhupada
This morning we were reading from the First Canto of the Srimad Bhagavatam, Chapter Five entitled “Nārada’s Instructions on Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam for Vyāsadeva”.
…”Thus the sage amongst the gods [Nārada], comfortably seated and apparently smiling, addressed the ṛṣi amongst the brāhmaṇas.” (SB 1.5.1)
After reading for some time we were reminded of the famous song “Narada Muni Bajay Vina” by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, and thought we would share it with you today.
Narada Muni Bajay Vina
by Bhaktivinoda Thakura
Lyrics in Bengali, English Translation, and Purport by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
nārada muni, bājāy vīṇā
‘rādhikā-ramaṇa’-nāme
nāma amani, udita haya,
bhakata-gītā-sāme
1) When the great soul Narada Muni plays his vina, the holy name, Radhika-raman, descends and immediately appears amidst the kirtan of the Lord’s devotees.
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02 Jul 2019
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Kabe Ha'be Bolo, Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas, Uncategorized
Tags: Bhaktivinoda Thakura, disapearance day of Bhaktivinoda Thakur, invocation of the Holy Name, kabe ha'be bolo, lower than a blade of grass, songs of the vaisnava acharyas
Today marks the disapearance day of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur. We honor it with a half day fast and the posting on one of his many beautiful songs.
When, oh when, will that day be mine?
When my offenses ceasing,
taste for the name increasing,
when in my heart will your mercy shine?
When, oh when will that day be mine?
Lower than a blade of grass, more tolerant than a tree.
When will my mind attain this quality?
Respectful to all, not expecting their honour, then shall I taste the name’s nectar sublime.
When oh when will that day be mine?
Kabe Ha’be Bolo (Invocation of the Holy Name)
by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura
For complete lyrics and translation More
14 Sep 2016
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in Bhaktivinoda Thakura
Tags: bhaktivinoda, land of Navadvipa, Saranagati, Sri Krishna Caitanya
click on image to enlarge
Today we celebrate the Appearance of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur with a half day fast, and songs written by Thakur Bhaktivinoda. We are posting some of the rather lengthy but beautiful Saranagati. Saranagati is one of Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s popular writings. “Saranagati” means “process of surrender.” Today we are posting the Introduction and the first section of songs; the “Dainya”, or the prayers of humility. The overall mood of the Saranagati is in the mode of humility, primarily in the mode complete surrender.
…Bhaktivinoda places a straw between his teeth, prostrates himself before the two Goswamis,Sri Rupa and Sri Sanatana, and clasps their lotus feet with his hands. “I am certainly the lowest of men.” he tells them weeping, “but please make me the best of men by teaching me the ways of saranagati”
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02 Sep 2016
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas, Suddha-bhakata
Tags: Bhaktivinoda Thakur, caranamrta of the deity, devotional practices, devotional service., goloka vrndavan, holy ganges water, kksongs, protectacow, Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur, suddha-bhakta
Just to borrow a page from the “Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas” songbook…
Suddha-Bhakata
by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura
Full song and lyrics More
27 Feb 2016
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, Bhaktivinoda Thakura
Tags: A. C. Bhakthvedanta Swami Prabhupada, appearance of Srila Bhaktisidhanta, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, Bimala Prasad, Feb. 6 1874, Jagannatha Puri, Orissa, Purusottam Ksetra, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Srila Prabhupada, Srimati Bhagavati Devi
Today we celebrate the Appearance of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura, the son of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, and Spiritual Master of our Srila Prabhupada. We will honor it with a half day fast, rememberances and readings. I happened upon the following post on the Sampradaya Sun, and because it was so nicely assembled, we will share it with you here today.
The Appearance of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta
by Sun Staff CANADA (SUN)
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura appeared in Purusottam Ksetra, Jagannatha Puri, Orissa, on February 6, 1874. He was born in the family home next to the Narayan-chhata of Sri Jagannatha Temple, which always reverberated with the chanting of the Holy Name. Named Bimala Prasad, He was the fourth son of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura and Srimati Bhagavati Devi.
By the age of twelve, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati was well versed in astronomy. Hearing news of this, Srila Jagannatha dasa Babaji summoned him one day and instructed him to make a Vaisnava calendar that included the appearance and disappearance days of all Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s and Visnupriya Thakurani’s associates. Following these instructions, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati made the necessary calculations and began publication of “Sri Nabadvipa Panjica”.
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02 May 2015
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Lord Nrsimha, Lord Nrsimhadeva
Tags: Lord Nrsimha, Narasimha, Sri Navadvipa Bhava Taranga, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur
Five Prayers to Lord Nrsimha
By Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has written five beautiful prayers in “Sri Navadvipa Bhava Taranga” for receiving the mercy of Lord Narasimha. These prayers are certainly assurance to all sincere devotees that the worship of Lord Narasimha is purely in the line of aspiring love and devotion to Sri Sri Radha and Krsna. Those prayers are as follows:
e dusta hrdaye kama adi ripu chaya
kutinati pratisthasa sathya sada raya
hrdaya-sodhana ara krsnera vasana
nrsimha-carane mora ei to’ kamana
Within my sinful heart the six enemies headed by lust perpetually reside, as well as duplicity, the desire for fame, plus sheer cunning. At the lotus feet of Lord Narasimha, I hope that He will mercifully purify my heart and give me the desire to serve Lord Krsna.
kandiya nrsimha-pade magibo kakhana
nirapade navadvipe jugala-bhajana
bhaya bhaya paya yan’ra darsane se hari
prasanna hoibo kabe more daya kari
Weeping, I will beg at the lotus-feet of Lord Narasimha for the benediction of worshipping Radha and Krsna in Navadvipa, perfectly safe and free from all difficulties. When will this Lord Hari, Whose terrible form strikes fear into fear itself, ever become pleased and show me His mercy?
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05 Mar 2015
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Sri Siksastakam, Srimad Bhagavatam
Tags: Appearance of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Krsna, Lord Caitanya, o govinda, Vrndavana
Today marks the appearance of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the great apostle of love of God and the father of the congregational chanting of the holy name of the Lord. In honor of His Appearance we share with you “A Short Sketch of the Life and Teachings of Lord Caitanya”, which Srila Prabhupada has included in the introduction to the Srimad Bhagavatam.
In the modern age Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu preached the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam by practical demonstration. It is easier to penetrate into the topics of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam through the medium of Śrī Caitanya’s causeless mercy. Therefore a short sketch of His life and precepts is inserted herein to help the reader understand the real merit of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.
It is imperative that one learn the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam from the person Bhāgavatam. The person Bhāgavatam is one whose very life is Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam in practice. Since Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is the Absolute Personality of Godhead, He is both Bhagavān and Bhāgavatam in person and in sound. Therefore His process of approaching the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is practical for all people of the world. It was His wish that the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam be preached in every nook and corner of the world by those who happened to take their birth in India.
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30 Dec 2013
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in Acyutanananda das, Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Gopinatha
Tags: Acyutanananda das, Bhaktivinoda Thakur, Gopinatha, Lord of the Gopis, please hear my prayer, Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas
Gopinatha
by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura
translated from Bengali by Acyutananda Svami
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura is one of the most important spiritual masters in the Krsna consciousness line of disciplic succession. His devotional songs and poems express the perfectional emotions of a pure devotee of Lord Krsna (Gopinatha).
O Gopinatha, Lord of the gopis, please hear my prayer. I am a materialistic rascal, always full of lust. I have no good qualifications.
O Gopinatha! You are my only resort. As Your eternal servant, I take shelter of Your lotus feet.
O Gopinatha! How can I uplift myself? I don’t know anything regarding devotional service. I am weak-minded and have fallen into a pit of illusion.
O Gopinatha! Everything here is but Your illusory energy. I have no power or pure knowledge, and and I am bound by a material body.
O Gopinatha! I desire to remain always at Your lotus feet. Please take this sinner, weeping and weeping, and show me Your mercy.
O Gopinatha! You can do anything. You have purified the most wicked by Your power, but who is more wicked than me?
O Gopinatha! You are the vessel of kindness. You enter into this mundane world and display Your sublime pastimes for the sake of the fallen souls.
O Gopinatha! I am the sinner of sinners. Yet I sit waiting for You to take me, for many demons have attained Your lotus feet.
O Gopinatha! Destroy the miseries of this world! I am strung on a necklace of births and deaths and cannot bear the kicking of maya.
O Gopinatha! I am a servant of lust, entangled in the net of material desire which has sprung up in my heart.
O Gopinatha! When will I wake up and cast this enemy of lust far from me? Then only will You be revealed to me in my heart.
O Gopinatha! I am Your own. By leaving Your lotus feet, forgetting Your treasures, I have served only maya.
O Gopinatha! You know everything. Take me to Your lotus feet and punish Your servant.
O Gopinatha! Is it to Your liking to reject me and not show me Your kindness?
O Gopinatha! I am the greatest fool. I don’t at all know what is good for me. I cannot understand anything. This is my fate.
O Gopinatha! You are the greatest intellect. Not considering that I am Your servant, judge me without bias.
O Gopinatha! I have no means of benefiting myself. By Your mercy and kindness, please pick me up from this miserable world and take me to You.
O Gopinatha! I have fallen into this dark world. Bound by wealth, wife and sons, I am feeling the pain of lust.
O Gopinatha! I am going mad! Never caring for spiritual practices, I am always unconscious and deeply sunk in the muck of sense gratification.
O Gopinatha! I surrender unto You. All my endeavors are a useless waste of time. Now I surrender unto You.
O Gopinatha! How shall I reach the goal? My mind is overwhelmed by the powerful senses. I cannot shake off attachment to worldly pleasures.
O Gopinatha! Please reside in my heart. Destroy these dangerous obstacles, correct my mind and guide me to Your own true path.
O Gopinatha! Please let Your glance fall on me. I am helpless, but You are Hrsikesa, the Lord of the senses. Please control my senses and pull me out of this world of dangers.
Bhaktivinoda Thakura prays: O Gopinatha! My voice is faltering. I must throw off these shackles and catch hold of Your mercy.
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16 Nov 2013
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in Arunodaya Kirtana part 2, Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Krishna Consciousness
Tags: bhajibo boliya, gauracanda, illusory energy, jiva jago, krsna consciousness, lap of witches, Lord Gauranga, maya
click on image to enlarge
Arunodaya Kirtana (part two)
by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura
Lord Gaurānga is calling, “Wake up, sleeping souls! Wake up, sleeping souls! How long will you sleep in the lap of the witch called Māyā? You have forgotten the way of devotional service and are lost in the world of birth and death. I have descended just to save you; other than Myself you have no friend in this world. I have brought the medicine that will wipe out the disease of illusion from which you are suffering. Take this mahā-mantra-Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare. Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Thākura says: “I fall at the Lord’s feet, having taken this mahā-mantra.”
Song lyrics, translation and purport More
17 Sep 2013
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Suddha-bhakata
Tags: bhaktivinoda, devotional practices, enthusiastic devotional service, kirtan, Krsna, Lord Caitanya, Lord Madhava, lotus feet of pure devotees, Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, suddha-bhakta, tulasi tree
Today marks the appearance day of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura. To honor this day, we are posting a very nice song written by Srila Bhaktivinoda entitled “Suddha-bhakta”, and are observing a 1/2 day fast.
The dust of the lotus feet of pure devotees, enthusiastic devotional service, and service to the pure devotees of the highest order are the roots of the creeper of devotion. The holy days like Ekadasi and Janmastami are the mother of devotion for those devotees who respect them. Let the holy places of Krsna’s pastimes be my places of worship, and bless me. May I always visit all the holy places associated with the lila of Lord Caitanya and His devotees. When I hear the sound of the mrdanga in my heart I always desire to join in kirtana; and when I hear the bonafide songs describing Lord Caitanya’s pastimes, my heart dances in ecstasy. Whenever I see the transcendental sri-vigrahas of Radha-Krsna I am in bliss, for by taking Their Lordships’ prasada we can conquer over the material elements. One day while performing devotional practices, I saw my house transformed into Goloka Vrndavana. When I take the caranamrta of the Deity, I see the holy Ganges waters that come from the feet of Lord Visnu, and my bliss knows no bounds. By seeing the tulasi tree my heart feels joy and Lord Madhava (Krsna) is also satisfied. When I eat the prasada favored by Lord Caitanya it is a new life’s experience. (Lord Caitanya was very fond of a green vegetable preparation called sak, and there is another song in this book that tells of the amazing effects of this type of prasada). Bhaktivinoda concludes by saying: “Whosoever attains the stage of enthusiasm for these devotional practices will be supremely blissful wherever he may be.”
Full song lyrics More
09 Sep 2013
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas, Sri Nama-kirtana
Tags: Acyutananda Swami, amala harinam, Bhaktivinoda Thakura, braja-baro-nagara, chanting of the holy names, Krsna, Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas, Sri Nama Sankirtan, the bhaktivedanta book trust, yasomati-nandana
Krishna is very pleased when we call on Him by His Names, which are associated with His devotees, qualities and pastimes. This song by Bhaktivinoda Thakura is composed of the Nanes of Krsna in different aspects. (from the Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas)
Śrī Nāma-kīrtana
Chanting of the Holy Names
by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura
1) yaśomatī-nandana, 2) braja-baro-nāgara,
3) gokula-rañjana kāna
4) gopī-parāṇa-dhana, 5) madana-manohara,
6) kāliya-damana-vidhāna
7) amala harinām amiya-vilāsā
8) vipina-purandara, 9) navīna nāgara-bora,
10) vaṁśī-badana, 11)suvāsā
12) braja-jana-pālana, 13) asura-kula-nāśana
14) nanda-godhana-rākhowālā
15) govinda mādhava, 16) navanīta-taskara,
17) sundara nanda-gopālā
18) yāmuna-taṭa-cara, 19) gopī-vasana-hara,
20) rāsa-rasika, 21) kṛpāmoya
22) śrī-rādhā-vallabha, 23) vṛndābana-naṭabara,
24) bhakativinod-āśraya
English translation More
07 Jul 2013
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Photos
Tags: Ananda-candra datta, Bhaktivinoda Thakur, Bimala Prasad, Brinagar, jagat-mohini, Kedaranatha, Nadia district, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Srila Prabhupada
Today as we honor the disappearance of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura with a 1/2 day fast and readings on his life and teachings, we share with you this rare photo.
This is a photo of young Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, who was then known by his family name of Kedaranatha (which was the name given by his father, and is another name for Lord Siva), and was born on September 2nd, 1838, on a Sunday in the ancient village of Brinagar (Ulagram or Ula) located in the Nadia district of West Bengal. He was the third son of Ananda-candra Datta and Jagat-mohini Devi. He is pictured here, with I believe, young Bimala Prasad, who was latter to become Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, the spiritual master of our Srila Prabhupada.
07 Jul 2013
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Sri Nama-kirtana
Tags: best dancer in vrndavana, braja-baro-nagara, chanting Hare Krishna, gokula-ranjana kana, gopi-prana-dhana, kirtana, madana-manohara, nama, nama-kirtana, names of krishna, son of mother yasoda, Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas, Sri Nama-kirtana, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur, yasomati-nandana
click on image to enlarge
In honor of the disappearance day celebration of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, we are posting one of his famous songs, entitled “Śrī Nāma-kīrtana”.
Krishna is very pleased when we call on Him by His Names, which are associated with His devotees, qualities and pastimes. This song by Bhaktivinoda Thakura is composed of the Nanes of Krsna in different aspects. (from the Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas)
Śrī Nāma-kīrtana
Chanting of the Holy Names
by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura
full song with synonyms and translations More
27 Jun 2013
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Brahmananda das, Caitanya Mahaprabhu, The Hare Krishna Movement
Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Bhaktisiddhanta Saravati Thakura, bogi yogis, disciples, George Harrison, guru, Indian sanyasis, sannyasis, Srila Prabhupada, Srila Prabhupada's disciples, The Hare Krishna Movement, The Hare Krsna Explosion
This is Part 3, or the conclusion, of the very informative article by Sriman Brahmananda Prabhu as it appeared in Back to Godhead Magazine in 1975, which gives not only some of the History of Lord Caitanya’s Mission, but on the preaching of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Gaudiya Vaisnavism, and the Hare Krishna Movement here in the West.
How the Teachings of Lord Caitanya Came to the Western World (Part 3)
Excerpted from Back to Godhead Magazine
Vol.10, No. 1, 1975
by His Holiness Brahmananda Swami
After the disappearance of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, his son, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja, a great scholar and pure devotee, continued to expand the mission of Lord Caitanya. He wrote many books and established printing presses and sixty-four temples dedicated to preaching the message of Krsna consciousness.
The following is the third of three articles depicting the pioneering efforts of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami, and those who have followed them in spreading the benediction of Krsna consciousness throughout the world.)
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25 Jun 2013
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in Back to Godhead, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Brahmananda das, Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Gaudiya Vaisnavism
Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Back to Godhead Magazine, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, Brahmananda dasa, Brahmananda Swami, brahmanas, devotional service, lion guru, Lord Caitanya, netyananda-vamsa, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur
This is Part 2 of the very informative article by Sriman Brahmananda Prabhu as it appeared in Back to Godhead Magazine in 1974, which gives not only some of the History of Lord Caitanya’s Mission, but on the preaching of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta, Gaudiya Vaisnavism, and the Hare Krishna Movement here in the West.
How the Teachings of Lord Caitanya Came to the Western World
Excerpted from Back to Godhead Magazine
Vol.1, No. 68, 1974
Part 2
by His Holiness Brahmananda Svami
[Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who is Krsna Himself in the form of His own pure devotee, appeared 500 years ago in Bengal, India, to teach—by His own example—how one can become fully Krsna conscious. The teachings of Lord Caitanya were recorded and transmitted by many faithful disciples, but they were virtually unknown in the West until 1896, when Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, a great spiritual master in the disciplic line from Lord Caitanya, published a short book entitled Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu—His Life and Precepts and sent copies to the Western world. The following is the second of three articles depicting the pioneering efforts of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, and those who have followed him, in spreading the great benediction of Krsna consciousness to the West.]
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22 Jun 2013
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in Back to Godhead, Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Brahmananda das, Gaudiya Vaisnavism
Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, Acaryas, age of quarrel, Back to Godhead Magazine, Bengali, Brahmananda dasa, Kali-yuga, Krsna, Lord Caitanya, sastras, scriptures, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur, Vedas
This is a very informative article which gives not only some of the History of Lord Caitanya’s Mission, but on the preaching of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur, Gaudiya Vaisnavism, and the Hare Krishna Movement here in the West.
How the Teachings of Lord Caitanya Came to the Western World
Excerpted from Back to Godhead Magazine
Vol.1, No. 66, 1974
Part 1
by His Holiness Brahmananda Swami
“He reasons ill who tells that Vaisnavas die When thou art living still in Sound! The Vaisnavas die to live and living try To spread a holy life around!”—verse by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura on the tomb of the great saint Thakura Haridasa at Puri, India
In Calcutta in 1896, the teachings of Lord Caitanya began their journey to the West. In Bengali-speaking Calcutta on August 20th of that year, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura published a small English treatise entitled Lord Caitanya—His Life and Precepts. Seventyone years later, in 1967, in Montreal, Canada, a graduate student came across a copy of this book while browsing through the rare-book collection of the McGill University library. The book was a wonderful find for him because he was a dedicated follower of Lord Caitanya’s, having been convinced of Lord Caitanya’s teachings by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, whom he had accepted as his spiritual master. Srila Prabhupada was born in Calcutta on September 1, 1896, only a few days after Lord Caitanya-His Life and Precepts was published. Thus by a transcendental arrangement this significant book and he who would fulfill the purpose of the book appeared together.
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14 Jun 2013
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Narada Muni, Narada Muni Bajay Vina
Tags: 24 hour kirtan, A.C. Bhaktiverdanta Swami Prabhupada, Haribol, Indra, Krishna's names, Narada Muni, narada muni bajay vina, New Vrindavan, Radhika-ramana, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur, vina
Narada Muni Bajay Vina
This is one of my favorite Vaisnava Songs, written by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, with a puroprt by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. We post it today in honnor of the 24 Hour Kirtan that will start this evening at the New Vrindavan Community.
…This is a song sung by Bhaktivinoda Thakura. The purport of this song is that the great soul Narada Muni is playing on his stringed instrument, called the vina, and vibrating Radhika-ramana, one of Krsna’s names. So, as soon as he plucks the strings and chants, all the devotees immediately respond to him, and it becomes a very beautiful vibration. Amiya-dhara, barise ghana. As the singing goes on with the stringed instrument, it appears that there is a shower of nectar, and all the devotees then dance in ecstasy to the fullest extent of their satisfaction. Then, as they dance, it appears that they become intoxicated by drinking the beverage called madhuri pura. And as one becomes almost mad by drinking, similarly, all the devotees became mad in ecstasy. And some of them are crying, and some of them are dancing, and some of them, although they cannot dance publicly, are dancing within their hearts. Then Lord Siva embraces Narada Muni and begins to dance and cry out in ecstasy, and when Lord Brahma sees Lord Siva dancing with Narada Muni, he joins in and says, “All of you kindly chant ‘Haribol! Haribol!'” Then gradually the king of heaven, Indra, also joins in with great satisfaction and begins to dance and to chant “Hari hari bol!”
In this way, by the influence of the transcendental vibration of the holy name of God, the whole universe becomes ecstatic, and Bhaktivinoda Thakura says, “When the whole universe becomes ecstatic in this way, my desires are satisfied, and I therefore pray unto the lotus feet of Rupa Gosvami that the chanting of harinama may go on nicely like this.” (from purport)
Narada Muni Bajay Vina
by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura
Full song with Bengali lyrics, translation and purport. More
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