13 Oct 2019
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in Childhood Pastimes of Krsna, Damodara, Damodarastakam, Kartika, Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas
Tags: Damodara, Kartika, Krishna, month of Damodara, Mother Yasoda, namamisvarm, Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas, Sri Damodarastaka, vishnujana swami
” Upon seeing His mothers whipping stick, He cried and rubbed His eyes again and again with His two lotus hands. His eyes were fearful and His breathing quick, and as Mother Yasoda bound His belly with ropes, He shivered in fright and His pearl necklace shook. To this Supreme Lord, Sri Damodara, who is bound with His devotee’s love, I offer my humble obeisances.” (Damodarastakam)
We are now in the month of Damodara (Kartika). In honor and in celebration of the month of Damodara, we will be focusing our attention on the pastimes of Krishna in Vrndavan. Especially Krishna’s childhood pastimes. The following song is sung morning and evening and it is customary to offer a candle or gee lamp as well to a picture of Lord Krsna and Mother Yasoda.
Following song lyrics is a link of Vishnujana Swami chanting the Damodara Prayers
Full song
More
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
17 Feb 2019
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Nitai Pada Kamala, Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas
Tags: A. C. Bhakthvedanta Swami Prabhupada, appearance day of Lord Nityananda, appearance of lord nityananda, Nityananda
Today marks the appearance day of Lord Nityananda. We honor it with a half day fast and rememberances of Lord Nityananda’s glories and pastimes. The following is a song written by Srila Narottama dasa Thakura with purport by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
Nitai-Pada-Kamala
The Lotus Feet of Lord Nityananda
By Srila Narottama dasa Thakura
Purport By His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
nitai-pada-kamala, koti-chandra-susitala,
je chayay jagatu juray
heno nitai bine bhai, radha-krsna paite nai,
dridha kori’ dharo nitair pay
The lotus feet of Sri Nityananda are as cool as millions of moons. The whole universe gets peace by the shade of those lotus feet. Without the mercy of Sri Nityananda, nobody can get Radha and Krishna, the aim of human life. Therefore, catch hold of the two lotus feet of Sri Nityananda Prabhu very tightly.
se sambandha nahi ja’r, britha janma gelo ta’r,
se pashu bodo durachara
nitai na bolilo mukhe, majilo samsara-sukhe,
vidya-kule ki koribe tara
One who has not established a relationship with Sri Nityananda is a two-legged animal. A great beast! His whole life is finished. He cannot be called a human being. He never utters the name of Sri Nityananda. He is always immersed in enjoying material happiness and has forgotten Sri Nitai. He may have acquired all material scholarship and learning, but what is the value of such education? This will never help.
ahankare matta hoiya, nitai-pada pasariya,
asatyere satya kori mani
nitaiyer karuna habe, braje radha-krsna pabe,
dharo nitai-charana du’khani
They are so puffed up with their mundane education and scholarship. They are never humble at all. They have forgotten the lotus feet of Sri Nitai because of their false ego and pride. They are completely under the clutches of Maya. They accept the untruth as truth. If Sri Nityananda showers His mercy upon someone, he will get Sri Sri Radha Krishna in Vrajabhumi. So catch hold of the two lotus feet of Lord Nityananda very tightly.
nitaiyer carana satya, tanhara sevaka nitya,
nitai-pada sada koro asha
narottama bodo dukhi, nitai more koro sukhi,
rakho ranga-charanera pasha
The lotus feet of Sri Nityananda are eternally true. And those followers or servants of those lotus feet of Sri Nityananda are also eternal. Always aspire for the lotus feet of Sri Nityananda. Srila Narottama dasa Thakura says, “I am very distressed, and an unhappy person. I am drowning in this dreadful ocean of material existence. O Sri Nityananda Prabhu, please make me very happy! Please keep me at Your lotus feet.”
Purport by Srila Prabhupada More
05 Oct 2017
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in Damodara, Damodarastakam, Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas
Tags: Kartika, Krishna, month of Damadora, Mother Yasoda, Muni, namamisvaram sac-cid-ananda-rupam, Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas, Sri Damodara, Sri Damodarastakam, Sri Satyavrata, Supreme Controller
He ran in retreat in fear of Mother Yasoda bus was ultimately caught, to that Supreme Lord, Sri Damodara, I offer my humble obeisances.
Sri Damodarastakam
By Sri Satyavrata Muni
From the original 1974 “Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas” songbook
This eight sloka prayer is sung morning and evening during the month of Damodara, which begins today.
namāmīśvaraḿ sac-cid-ānanda-rūpaḿ
lasat-kuṇḍalaḿ gokule bhrājamanam
yaśodā-bhiyolūkhalād dhāvamānaḿ
parāmṛṣṭam atyantato drutya gopyā
1) To the supreme controller who possesses an eternal form of blissful knowledge, whose glistening earrings swing to and fro, who manifested Himself in Gokula, who stole the butter that the gopis kept hanging from the rafters of their storerooms and who then quickly jumped up and ran in retreat in fear of Mother Yasoda, but was ultimately caught-to that Supreme Lord, Sri Damodara, I offer my humble obeisances.
rudantaḿ muhur netra-yugmaḿ mṛjantam
karāmbhoja-yugmena sātańka-netram
muhuḥ śvāsa-kampa-trirekhāńka-kaṇṭha-
sthita-graivaḿ dāmodaraḿ bhakti-baddham
2) Upon seeing His mothers whipping stick, He cried and rubbed His eyes again and again with His two lotus hands. His eyes were fearful and His breathing quick, and as Mother Yasoda bound His belly with ropes, He shivered in fright and His pearl necklace shook, To this Supreme Lord, Sri Damodara, who is bound with His devotee’s love, I offer my humble obeisances.
More
17 Oct 2016
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in Damodarastakam, Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas, Visnujana Swami
Tags: Damodara, glistening earrings, kartik, Lord Krsna's pastimes, month of Damodara, month of Damodara (Kartika)., namamisvaram, sac-cid-ananda-rupam, songs of the vaisnava acharyas, Sri Damosarastaka, Supreme Lord Damodara, the supreme controller
” Upon seeing His mothers whipping stick, He cried and rubbed His eyes again and again with His two lotus hands. His eyes were fearful and His breathing quick, and as Mother Yasoda bound His belly with ropes, He shivered in fright and His pearl necklace shook. To this Supreme Lord, Sri Damodara, who is bound with His devotee’s love, I offer my humble obeisances.” (Damodarastakam)
We are now in the month of Damodara (Kartika). In honor and in celebration of the month of Damodara, we will be focusing our attention on the pastimes of Krishna in Vrndavan. Especially Krishna’s childhood pastimes. The following song is sung morning and evening and it is customary to offer a candle or gee lamp as well to a picture of Lord Krsna and Mother Yasoda.
Following song lyrics is a link of Vishnujana Swami chanting the Damodara Prayers
Full song More
12 Oct 2016
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Mantra Meditation, Meditation, Pranams, Prayers & Verses, Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas
Tags: daily sadhana, devotional service, mangalacarana, mantra meditation, nama om, Om, prayers, Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas, sri guru pranama, sri rupa pranama, Srila Prabhupada Pranati, vaisnava songbook
click on image to enlarge
One of the most used books in our temple room is the songbook. Everyday it seems, I am flipping through the “Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas”, singing one of the many songs or reciting some of the numerous pranams (prayers) as part of my daily sadhana. The following post is the first 13 pages of songbook, which in my mind is a nice way to start the day and is a good prelude to other devotional service.
Pranams
from the Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas
SRI GURU PRANAMA
om ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjana-salakaya
caksur unmilitam yena tasmai sri-gurave namah
om-address; ajnana-of ignorance; timira-by the darkness; andhasya-of one who was blinded; jnana-anjana-by the ointment of spiritual knowledge; salakaya-by a medical instrument called a salaka, which is used to apply medical ointment to eyes afflicted with cataracts: caksuh-eyes; unmilitam-were opened; yena-by whom; tasmai-unto him; sri-gurave-unto my spiritual master; namah-obeisances.
I offer my respectful obeisances unto my spiritual master, who has opened my eyes, which were blinded by the darkness of ignorance, with the torchlight of knowledge.
More
08 Sep 2016
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in Qualities of Srimati Radharani, Radha Krishna, Radha Madhava, Radhastami, radhe jaya jaya madhava-dayite, Rupa Goswami, Srila Rupa Goswami, Srimati Radharani
Tags: beloved of Madhava, friend of Lalita, girls of Gokula, Lord Damodara, lord hari, O Radha, queen of Vrndavana, Radha Krishna, Radhastmi, Srimati Radharani, Visakha
Sri Radhika Stavah
by Srila Rupa Goswami
radhe jaya jaya madhava-dayite
gokula-taruni-mandala-mahite
damodara-rati-vardhana-vese
hari-niskuta-vrnda-vipinese
vrsabhanudadhi-nava-sasi-lekhe
lalita-sakhi guna-ramita-visakhe
karunam kuru mayi karuna-bharite
sanaka-sanatana-varnita-carite
radhe jaya jaya madhava-dayite
Glories, Glories to Srimati Radharani, the beloved of Madhava and most worshipable of the cowheard girls of Gokula Mandala!
Decorated by the dress of Lord Damodara’s increasing ecstacy, You are the lady of the house of Lord Hari and the groves of Vrndavana
From the ocean of Vrsabhanu has arisen a new moon which is overwhelming the qualties of Lalita and Viskha.
O Goddess Your Qualities are described by Sanaka Rsis and by Sanatana Goswami. Please bestow Your Mercy upon me. (from the Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas)
Purport from Lecture: Montreal, Aug 30, 68, Srimati Radharani’s Appearance Day. More
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
03 Mar 2016
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in Narottama das Thakur, Vrndavana
Tags: cintamani gems, eight petals, golden lotus flowers, Narottama das thakura, regal swans, song of the vaisnave acharays, sri radhika, Syamasundara, Vrndavan, waters of the yamuna
This is one of my favorite songs in the Vaisnava Songbook. This morning it became my meditation.
Vṛndāvana
by Narottama das Thakura
Vrndavan is a transcendental beautiful place. It is the spiritual sky, where everything is made of touchstone, which fulfills all desires. All the temples there are bedcked with costly jewels, In that far distant place is the River Yamuna, which is full of lotus flowers, In the midst of that throng of lotus flowers there is a golden boat, appearing like another big lotus flower, with eight petals, who are none but the eight chief gopis who always surround Radha and Krishna, In the surrounding petals there is a golden throne where the two transcendental lovers, namely Radha and Krishna are seated, but of all of them the governing Deity is Srimati Radharani. There is no comparison to Radharani’s beauty and the luster of Her transcendental body. The so-called beauty of the moon has fallen on the ground in the presence of Radharani’s beauty. In that assembly of Radha-Krishna and their principal associates there is a flood of laughing and joking as they address one another. Narottama das says that the eternal pastimes of Radha-Krishna from day to day are full of transcendental pleasure, Let us all remember them now and then and thus become happy even in this material world.
Full Song Lyrics More
10 Oct 2015
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Hari Hari Biphale Janama, Narottama Dasa Thakura, Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas
Tags: A. C. Bhakthvedanta Swami Prabhupada, chanting Hare Krishna, Goloka Vrndavana, Hari Hari Biphale Jama, Narottama Dasa Thakura, Radha and Krishna, Radha-Krsna
This morning I was out in the shop working, and I had a CD playing on the sound system. Srila Prabhupada was singing “Hari Hari Biphale Janama” the famous song by Narottama Dasa Thakura. Then he began giving the Translation and Purport to the song, and it caught my attention. I turned off the saw and just stood there listening as the sun was rising on the horizion and lighting the whole world.
Hari Hari Biphale Janama
by Narottama Dasa Thakura
hari hari! biphale janama gońāinu
manuṣya-janama pāiyā, rādhā-kṛṣṇa nā bhajiyā,
jāniyā śuniyā biṣa khāinu
golokera prema-dhana, hari-nāma-sańkīrtana,
rati nā janmilo kene tāy
saḿsāra-biṣānale, dibā-niśi hiyā jwale,
jurāite nā koinu upāy
brajendra-nandana jei, śacī-suta hoilo sei,
balarāma hoilo nitāi
dīna-hīna jata chilo, hari-nāme uddhārilo,
tāra śākṣī jagāi mādhāi
hā hā prabhu nanda-suta, vṛṣabhānu-sutā-juta,
koruṇā karoho ei-bāro
narottama-dāsa koy, nā ṭheliho rāńgā pāy,
tomā bine ke āche āmāra
Translation and purport by Srila Prabhupada More
17 Aug 2015
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Govinda, Sri Caitanya-Caritamrta
Tags: A.C. Bhaktiveanta Swami Prabhupada, Adi 5.22, cintamani, I worship Govinda, purpose trees, spiritual gems, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, tending cows, the first progentitor, the primeval Lord
The full opulence of the internal potency of Godhead is always resplendent in Vaikuṇṭhaloka, where goddesses of fortune are ever-increasingly attached to serving the lotus feet of the Personality of Godhead. These goddesses of fortune, accompanied by their friends, always create a festive atmosphere of transcendental mirth. Always singing the glories of the Lord, they are not silent even for a moment. ( from purport to: Adi-lila 5.22)
Full verse and Purport! More
17 May 2015
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in Chanting Hare Krishna, Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas, Teachings of Lord Chaitanya
Tags: A. C. Bhakthvedanta Swami Prabhupada, Caitanya Mahaprabhu, chanting Hare Krishna, krsna kesava, Krsna! Krsna!, pahi mam, raksa mam, rama raghava, Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas
Caitanya Mahāprabhu while passing on the road, He used to chant:
kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa he
kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa he
kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa rakṣa mām
kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa pāhi mām
rāma rāghava rāma rāghava rāma rāghava rakṣa mām
kṛṣṇa keśava kṛṣṇa keśava kṛṣṇa keśava pāhi mām
“O Lord Kṛṣṇa, please protect Me and maintain Me. O Lord Rāma, descendant of King Raghu, please protect Me. O Kṛṣṇa, O Keśava, killer of the Keśī demon, please maintain Me.”
If one always chants the holy name of Kṛṣṇa, gradually one is freed from all reactions of sinful life, provided he chants offenselessly and does not commit more sinful activities on the strength of chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra. In this way one is purified, and his devotional service causes the arousal of his dormant love of God. If one simply chants the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra and does not commit sinful activities and offenses, one’s life is purified, and thus one comes to the fifth stage of perfection, or engagement in the loving service of the Lord (premā pum-artho mahān).
More
14 May 2015
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas, Spiritual Life
Tags: A. C. Bhakthvedanta Swami Prabhupada, braja-jana-vallabha, gopis, kunja-vihari, lover of Radharani, purport to Jaya Radha Madhava, Radha-Madhava, songs of the vaisnava acharyas, Srila Prabhupada chanting jaya-radha-madhava, srila prabhupada playing kartals, Srimati Radharani
click on image to enlarge
Purport to Jaya Radha Madhava
By Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
(New York, July 20, 1971)
[Sings Jaya Radha-Madhava.]
Srila Prabhupada: So this is the original nature of Krsna, original nature of Krsna. He is Radha-Madhava. He is the lover of Srimati Radharani. And kunja-vihari, always enjoying the company of the gopis within the bushes of Vrdavana forest. Radha-madhava kunja-vihari. So He’s not only lover of Radharani, but braja-jana-vallabha. The whole residents of Vrndavana, they love Krsna. They do not know anything else. They do not know whether Krsna is God, or not; neither they are very much harassed, that “I shall love Krsna if He is God.” “He may be God or He may be whatever He is. It doesn’t matter, but we love God, Krsna.” That’s all. That is called unnalloyed love. “If Krsna is God, then I shall love Him” — this is conditional love. This is not pure love. Krsna may be God or whatever He may be, but by His wonderful acts, the Vrajavasi, they are thinking, “Oh Krsna, He is very wonderful child, maybe some demigod. Maybe some demigod.” Because people are generally under impression that the demigods are all-powerful.
More
17 Feb 2015
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Acyutanananda das, Introduction
Tags: A.C. Bhaktiveanta Swami Prabhupada, Acyutananda das, Goloka, Hare Krishna, Hari, Narottama Dasa Thakura, six goswamis of vrndavan, Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas, Srila Bhaktivinoda, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Srinivasa Acarya, Vaisnava acaryas, Vaisnavas, Vedic mantras
If I had to pick one book that inspired me the most throughout my devotional life, I guess I would have to say it is “Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas”. I recently went to open it the other day, and it fell open to the Introduction. I took a moment to re-read it. We share it with you here today.
Introduction
by Acyutananda Swami
It was my good fortune to be in the service of Srila Prabhupada at Sri Mayapur, the birthplace of Lord Caitanya, in setting up the groundwork of our Society’s international center there. That year (1971) there was a terrible flood, but although for many days the water was rising, it was diverted from floodinging the Society’s property solely due to the embankment created by a road constructed by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, our Parama Guru Maharaja. I wrote a letter to His Divine Grace explaining the situation and I mentioned, “The water has not entered our property. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta’s road has saved us.” Srila Prabhupada, however, wrote back in answer in a different tone: “Yes”, we are always saved by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta’s road, so go on glorifying the disciplic succession, and your life will be a great success.” Later on, when I suggested writing down the songs of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura and Narottama Dasa Thakura in English translations, His Divine Grace said, “Yes, we must push on this mission of Bhaktivinoda.” So here in this book, which is the first of a series of translations of the complete works of the Vaisnava acaryas in the line of succession coming after Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, I have also included a short life sketch of Thakura Bhaktivinoda. In the following volumes, the lives of Srila Narottama Dasa Thakura, Srinivasa Acarya, and other Vaisnava acaryas will appear.
More
08 Oct 2014
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in Damodara, Damodarastakam, Kartika, Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas, Visnujana Swami
Tags: damodarastakam by vishnujana swami, Kartika, Krishna in Vrndavan, Krishna's childhood pastimes, month of Damodara, songs of the vaisnava acharys, Sri Damodarastaka, Vishnujana Swami sings the Damodarastakam prayers
Today marks the begining of the month of Damodara (Kartika). In honor and in celebration of the month of Damodara, we will be focusing our attention on the pastimes of Krishna in Vrndavan. Especially Krishna’s childhood pastimes. The following song is sung morning and evening and it is customary to offer a candle or gee lamp as well to a picture of Lord Krsna and Mother Yasoda.
click on underlined link to listen
Sri Damordastaka sung by Vishnujana Swami
after clicking on above link you can return to page and sing along with the words listed below
More
18 Sep 2014
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Nama Sankirtan, Narottama das Thakur, Six Goswamis, Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas
Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, giridhari, gopala govinda rama, Gopinatha, Hari, hari haraye namah, kesavaya, krsna yadavaya namah, Madana-mohana, madhavaya, namah, six goswami's, Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas, sri madhusudana, Srila Narottama Dasa Thakur, yadavay
Nāma-saṅkīrtana
by Śrīla Narottama Dāsa Ṭhākura
I have always liked the following song by Srila Narottama Dasa Thakur. And this song describes very simply, the beginning of the Sankirtan Movement, or The Hare Krishna Movement. The first four lines of the song, are the ones most often sung, with the first verse repeated as refrain.
Full Song and Purport follow.
…“You say that everything means Kṛṣṇa and we should ultimately always be chanting the names of Kṛṣṇa. Just how should we do this?” Then Lord Caitanya began to sing the names of Kṛṣṇa and clap His hands, and He began His nāma-saṅkīrtana movement. The names He sang are the first two lines of this song, and Narottama Dāsa Ṭhākura and others have placed these names in the beginning of their writings to immortalize these events in the memory of everyone.
…Then Śrīla Narottama Dāsa chants the names of the six Gosvāmīs. “I offer my obeisances at their feet,” he sings, “which destroy sufferings accumulated over many long years. I am the servant of these six Gosvāmīs, and the dust of their lotus feet is my five kinds of foodstuffs. To serve their lotus feet and keep the association of devotees is my only business, birth after birth.” (from purport to song by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada)
Song & Purport More
25 Mar 2014
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Chanting Hare Krishna, Devotional Service, Gauranga, Gaurangera Duti Pada, Narottama Dasa Thakura
Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, devotional service, gaura, Gauranga, gaurangera duti pada, Gaurasundara, Hare Krishna, Lord Caitanya, Narottama dasa Thakrua, self realization, Srila Prabhupada
click on image to enlarge
…Gauranga refers to Lord Caitanya, who has a fair complexion. One who has a fair complexion is called gaura, and since Lord Caitanya was very fair, just like molten gold, He was also named Gaurasundara. Narottama dasa Thakura says, gaurangera duti pada, jar dhana-sampada, se jane bhakati-rasa-sar. Anyone who has accepted the two lotus feet of Lord Caitanya can understand the true essence of devotional service. Devotional service is very difficult. It cannot be understood by any ordinary man. As it is stated in the Bhagavad-gita, out of many thousands of persons who are trying to achieve the perfection of human life, only some actually become perfect and realize the self. And out of many thousands of such self-realized persons, only one can understand Krsna. Without understanding Krsna, how can one engage himself in the service of Krsna? Therefore, the devotional service of Krsna is not an ordinary thing. But fortunately, if one follows in the footsteps of Lord Caitanya (gaurangera duti pada) by following the path shown by Lord Caitanya-the process of simply chanting Hare Krsna-he can very easily understand what devotional service is. (from purport to the song “Gaurangera Duti Pada”)
Full song with Bengali Lyrics, English translation, and purport by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
More
14 Feb 2014
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in Devotional Service, Narottama Dasa Thakura, Radha Krishna, Radha Krsna Prana Mora
Tags: aguru, appearance of narottama dasa thakura, devotional service, golden throne, Narottama Dasa Thakura, O youthful couple, peacock tail fan, Radha Krsna Prana Mora, Radha-Krsna, sandalwood pulp, songs about devotional service, songs by narottama dasa thakura
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Today marks the Appearance Day of Narottama Dasa Thakura. We honor him today with this beautiful song he composed about the glories of devotional service to Radha and Krishna and Their wonderful pastimes.
Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa, Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa, Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa, my living force! O youthful couple, in life or death I have nothing more than you. On the banks of the Yamunā, in a grove of flowering kadamba trees, I will prepare a golden throne, and seat You there. I will anoint Your dark and fair forms with sandalwood pulp sented with aguru. I will fan You with a peacock tail fan, and see Your two moonlike faces. I will string garlands of mālatī flowers and place them around Your Lordship’s necks, and for Your lotus lips I will offer betel leaves scented with camphor. By the side of Lalitā and Viśākhā, I will stand, ready to fulfill any order of service at their Lotus feet. Narottama dasa, the servant of the servant of the servant of Lord Caitanya, says: “Allow me to engage in these pastimes of devotionas service” (translation from the Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas)
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17 Jan 2014
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Caaitanya-caritamrta, Caitanya Mahaprabhu, prabhu, Sri Krsna Caitanya Prabhu
Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, atmospher of helplessness, conditioned soul, illusion, Lord Caitanya, loving service to the lord, mahaprabhu, material existence, maya, prabhu, Sri Caitanya Caritamrta, Sri Caitanya Maharpabhu, transcendental to salvation
…A person in the conditioned stage of material existence is in an atmosphere of helplessness, but the conditioned soul, under the illusion of māyā, or the external energy, thinks that he is completely protected by his country, society, friendship and love, not knowing that at the time of death none of these can save him. The laws of material nature are so strong that none of our material possessions can save us from the cruel hands of death…An intelligent person, therefore, does not put his faith in any material possessions, but completely takes shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord.
Let me offer glorification to the Supreme Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. One who has taken shelter of His lotus feet is the most glorified person. (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Adi Lila, Chapter 7, Text 2)
…Prabhu means master. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is the supreme master of all masters; therefore He is called Mahāprabhu. Any person who takes shelter of Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Mahāprabhu is most glorified because by the mercy of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu he is able to get promotion to the platform of loving service to the Lord, which is transcendental to salvation. (purport to above verse)
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16 Jan 2014
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in Sri Tulasi Pranama, Srimati Tulasi Devi, Tulasi
Tags: auspiciousness, devotional service to tulasi, Lord Kesava, namo namah tulasi krsna preyasi nomo mamah, o goddess, Spiritual world, Sri Tulasi devi, Srila Prabhupada, Srimati Tulasi Devi, Tulasi, tulasi is all auspicious, tulasi tree, Vrnda, vrndayai tulasi devyai, you bestow devotional service to Krsna
“Tulasi is auspicious in all respects. Simply by seeing, simply by touching, simply by remembering, simply by praying to, simply by bowing before, simply by hearing about, or simply by sowing this tree, there is always auspiciousness. Anyone who comes in touch with the Tulasi tree in the above mentioned ways lives eternally in the spiritual world.” (—Srila Prabhupada, The Nectar of Devotion)
Śrī Tulasī-praṇāma
(oṁ) vṛndāyai tulasī-devyai priyāyai keśavasya ca
kṛṣṇa-bhakti-prade devi satyavatyai namo namaḥ
I offer my repeated obeisances unto Vṛndā, Śrīmatī Tulasī-devī, who is very dear to Lord Keśava.
O goddess, you bestow devotional service to Kṛṣṇa and you possess the highest truth.
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