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Gaudiya Vaisnava Diksha- Part Two

By: Mahanidhi Swami

“The Sanskrit word diksha is formed of two syllables: di which comes from the root dan meaning to “give spiritual knowledge” (divya-jnana); and ksha from the root kshaya meaning “to destroy sinful activities.” Diksha is the process by which a conditioned soul attains transcendental wisdom and freedom from sin.” (Visnu-yamala)

Diksha is a process of spiritual initiation through which the guru imparts transcendental knowledge to the disciple. Diksha clears all previous bad tendencies and commitments. One begins a new life awakened in divine knowledge. By giving Diksha, Sri Guru mercifully slackens the bondage of maya, infuses transcendental energy into the disciple’s heart, and awakens an awareness of his eternal relationship with Sri Hari.

“Diksha is that religious undertaking which bestows divya-jnana or transcendental knowledge and destroys papa (sins), papa-bija (seed of sin), and avidya (ignorance) to the root.” (HBV) “Divya-jnana is transcendental knowledge contained within a mantra which reveals the form and identity of Supreme Lord (bhagavat-svarupa) as well as the knowledge of the sadhaka’s particular relationship with the Lord (sambandha-jnana).” (Bhakti-sandarbha, anuc. 283)

By giving the Gopala-mantra (Krishna-mantra) the spiritual master dispels the jiva’s aversion toward the Lord, and directs his attention toward serving Him. He gives the disciple transcendental knowledge about the Supreme Lord, the living entity, and the illusory energy. By this knowledge the disciple’s sins and ignorance are all destroyed to the root. The procedure of Diksha is not completed in one day; rather, it starts from the day of initiation.

Sri Radha describes how one day in Goloka Vrndavana, Gopinatha’s coveted flute took mantra diksha: Srimati Radharani said, “My dear friend the flute, it appears that you have been born of a very good family, for your residence is in the hands of Sri Krishna. By birth you are simple and are not at all crooked. Why then have you taken initiation into this dangerous mantra that enchants all the gopikas of Vraja?” (Cc. 3.1.162)

The next article will describe how to find and choose a Guru.

(Excerpt from book Gayatri Mahima Madhuri by Mahanidhi Swami)

Gaudiya Vaisnava Pancharatrika Diksha ki jai! Sri Gurudeva ki jai!

Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

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Five Rites of Purification

By: Mahanidhi Swami

Any conditioned soul from any country, caste or creed can get freed from the samsara. All one needs to do is take diksha in the Gaudiya Vaisnava Sampradaya. Then by the grace of Guru and God, he/she will eventually attain Vraja prema, the eternal seva of Radha Govinda Yugala, and life eternal in the land of loving joyful play, Sridhama Vrindavana.

To achieve this perfection one must undergo five rites of purification which are called the pancha samskaras.

The word samskaras means “perfect duties.” It is a highly beneficial, purifying, and sanctifying ceremony. Its rite rests on a series of actions in harmony with metaphysical rules that manifest the invisible reality in the visible world of sense perception. Samskaras eradicate bad karma and increase the auspicious influence of material nature.

Samskaras (rites of purification for mind and body) exist in all religions and in all countries. The purer the religion is, the more its samskaras are sacred and complete. Purification rituals are needed because the original spiritual nature of every conditioned soul is covered by contamination.

Without samskaras the life of the conditioned soul remains impure. Samskaras are rites of sanctification which purify the consciousness, attach one to God, and ultimately lead to prema. Performing a samskara renders an individual fit to execute a particular duty. Prescribed in various Vedic texts, the samskaras are a series of about ten physical and mental purification rites beginning from birth and ending at death.

Gaudiya Vaisnavas accept five sacraments or rites of purification (panca-samskaras). Upon adopting these panca-samskaras, a faithful person receives Gaudiya Vaisnava diksha and begins his life of Radha-Krishna worship, bhajana-kriya, the personal worship of God which eventually leads to pure love of Krishna.

These five sacraments have both internal and external aspects. Tapa, pundra, nama, mantra, and yaga—these five rites are the panca-samskaras. They are the basis of intense devotion to Lord Hari.

1) Tapa—using sandalwood paste or tilaka to write the holy names on the body: Jaya Gaura-Nitai, Hare Krishna, Sri Radhe, and so on. Tapa also includes internal cleansing of the heart by repentance, and developing a genuine aversion to material life.

2) Urdhva-pundra—marking the body with the tilaka symbols of your particular Gaudiya lineage to designate it as a temple for the Lord’s service. The tilaka symbol represents Krishna’s footprint. Seeing it, the devotee thinks, “I have Krishna’s footprint on my head. He is my eternal master, and I am His eternal servant. In all times, places, and circumstances I have an eternal relationship with Krishna.” In a broader sense, urdhva-pundra means all the things related to one’s identity as an eternal servant of Krishna, such as neck beads, dhoti, sari, andjapa mala. Urdhva-pundra also means the illumination of the body, mind, soul and attachment to the Supreme Lord.

3) Nama—receiving the name of Hari (Hare Krishna maha-mantra) in the ear from the preceptor and a spiritual name as Krishna’s servitor like Radha-carana dasa or Priyaji dasi. By taking shelter of the holy names, (and his diksha mantras), and by practicing intense devotional bhajana a disciple will taste the nectar of bhakti, realize his spiritual identity and rejoice in devotional service.

4) Mantra—receiving the eighteen-syllable Gopala-mantra from the spiritual master. By giving a mantra the teacher helps his student more easily experience the nectar of the holy name. The mantra also helps the disciple taste a particular flavor or mellow in the holy name of Krishna.

5) Yaga—utilizing the guru-given mantras to worship Sri Murti or Salagrama. Such puja purifies and protects the devotee from the danger of falling into maya. Yaga, the fifth and final samskara, is the procedure of worshiping the Lord by employing all the mental and physical faculties of meditation, seeing, touching, smelling, tasting, thinking, discriminating and acting. A person without yaga has no life, and he is forced to reap the results of his karma.

“Without accepting the panca-samskara system a conditioned soul cannot develop intense devotion to Lord Krishna. Therefore, panca-samskara is extremely necessary.” (Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura)

Our next article will define and describe the rite of initiation into sacred mantras, diksha.

(Excerpt from book Gayatri Mahima Madhuri by Mahanidhi Swami)

Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

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Does Guru Come Back for Me

Mahanidhi Madan Gopal Das

Some say that the Guru-vandanam verse “chakshu dan dilo ye, janme janme prabhu sei” refers to the principle of guru-tattva. It does not mean that one’s present individual guru appears again in the next life to help his unaccomplished disciple.

This idea is wrong and not supported by Srila Narottama dasa Thakura’s song as quoted above. In the verse, the words ye and sei refer to an individual person. It is not that someone else becomes your Guru in the next life.

Regarding the guru returning to reclaim his disciples, there are four types of shisyas: the sadhana siddha disciple; the sincere loving disciple; the casual disciple; and the guru-tyagi who rejects the guru and bhakti.

1) For a SIDDHA SHISHYA: Gurudeva appears as guru-rupa sakhi only as indicated by the phrase “nikunja yunoh rati-keli siddhyaih ya yalibhir yuktir apekshaniya”.

2) For the sincere, LOVING SHISHYA: Gurudeva will re-appear in his selfsame form, exactly like the person you knew and served throughout your life. It cannot but be.

The tattva to prove this point is given by Bhagavan Sri Krishna Himself in Gita (8.6): yam yam vapi smaran bhavan, tyajant yante kalevaram, “The bhava (mood, feeling, emotion) you contemplate while leaving your body will direct you to your next.”

Now please consider this example: For your entire life, you meditated on the form, features and characteristics of your dearest Gurudeva. So how can you possibly receive another Guru having different features or form in your next life? Krishna asserts that “You will surely attain that (tam tam evaiti) which you always directed your love, feelings and bhava toward. In other words, your very own individual Guru will appear in the self-same form, easily recognizable to your mind and senses.

Jai Sad Guru ki jai. “O Gurudeva! Surely, I am yours and you are my loving guide and friend life after life after life and on through eternity.”

3) Casual Shishya: He/She somewhat adheres to the principles and practices of the bhakti marga. In the next life, he will get some Guru but not the same one as this life; it may be anyone.

4) Guru Tyagi: For a guru/bhakti marga renouncer, there will be no bhakti-guru in the next life. (adapted, madangopal blog)

The conclusion is that Sri Guru is always there for the sincere sadhaka. Bhagavan Sri Krishna extends His mercy and sweet affection to conditioned souls through the medium of Sri Guru. Let’s us all be loving shisyas of our dear Gurus and see His sweet smile forever.

Sri Sad Gurudeva ki jai! Samasti Guru Bhagavan Sri Krishna ki jai!

Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

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Pre 1967 essay by Srila Prabhupada

By Mahanidhi Swami

WHY DID Krishna APPEAR ON EARTH Bhagavan Sri Krishna appeared as Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in the womb of Srimat Sachimata to solve the following in relation with His transcendental pastimes with Srimati Radharani. Sri Krishna wanted to know [three things]

(1) What is the actual position of the loving attitude of Srimati Radharani?

(2) What is the position of My wonderful lovable qualities with which Radharani is so much addicted?

(3) And what does Shrimati Radharani feel by so being attracted by My lovable features?”

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THE LORD OF LOVE APPEARS

By: Mahanidhi Swami

We are very fortunate to have been born in a Kali-yuga wherein svayam bhagavān Śrī Kṛṣṇa has united with the bodily complexion [dyūti] and sentiment [bhāva] of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī to appear in His most merciful form as Rasarāja Mahābhāva, who is none other than Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Unlike so many Lord Caitanya’s that have appeared in previous Kali-yugas, Mahāprabhu is freely giving the most rarely attained gift of Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa prema-bhakti.

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu appeared in 1486 A.D. on the sacred banks of the Gaṅgā in Śrī Dhāma Māyāpur within the Nadia district of West Bengal. The Lord appeared on a Sunday at dusk during a lunar eclipse of the Phālgun full moon [February-March]. Because of the eclipse, the entire town of Navadvīpa was vibrating with the melodious sound of hari-nāma-saṅkīrtana.

“During the eclipse, limitless millions of children, adults, women, saints and sinners bathed in the Gaṅgā calling out, ‘Hari bol! Hari bol! Hari! Hari!’ The sound of Hari’s holy name filled the four directions of Nadia and all the universes. The demigods beat drums and roared ‘Jai! Jai!’ while showering flowers everywhere. Seeing this wonderful event, the devotees cheered, ‘May this eclipse last forever.’ ” (CB)

May we realize our good fortune to be living just a few moments after this most-merciful Golden Avatāra, sincerely surrender to Him, and purely chant the yugala-mantra for obtaining Vraja-prema:

Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Hare Hare Hare Rāma Hare Rāma Rāma Rāma Hare Hare!

Sri Gauranga Sundara ki jai!

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Purusottama month vrata (adhika mas)

2015: 17th june—16th july 16

By: Mahanidhi Swami

introduction to purusottama month:

Purusottama month or adhika masa (extra month) is also called mala masa, which means the dirty or useless month. In India, the sadhus, sadhakas and pious people of all sampradayas undertake serious penances (vratas) during Purusottama Month. Now let us examine the name, history, benefits and method of practice of this age old “King of All Vratas” or month long penances.

WHY IS IT CALLED MALA MASA? (dirty or useless month) This is because all forms of karmic activities i.e. karma-kanda (reward seeking) pujas and yajnas will not produce any results this month. Therefore it is a useless month. Gaudiya Vaisnavas say the dirt or filth indicated by the word mala refers to the fact that devotional activities performed in this month quickly and easily destroy the mental dirt, filth and contamination caused by sins, ignorance and aparadhas. Thus for Krishna bhaktas this is the most purifying and beneficial month.

WHY IS IT CALLED ADHIKA MAS? (extra month)

It is called adhika (extra) masa because Sri Krishna has placed not only extra but ALL HIS potencies, mercy and blessings in this month, which supercharges this month beyond all others. Thus a sadhaka will receive extra or more results from any religious actions performed.

WHAT MAKES THIS MONTH SO GREAT?

The Puranas say that Purusottama Month is the favorite month of Bhagavan Sri Krishna. Sri Krishna personally created this month and named it after Himself. Purusottama Month, which only comes once every 36 months, is the most powerful spiritual reward giving month among all the months. It is far superior to the pious months of Magha, Vaisakha and Karttika. On the earth planet and all over the universe the Purusottama Month is honored and worshiped by devotees, sages, gods and Laksmi Devi Herself.

BENEFITS OF PURUSOTTAMA MONTH VRATA

Different months of the year have different ista-devatas, worshipable Personalities. But for Adhika Month, Radha-Krishna Yugala are the ista-devatas. If one sincerely worships Radha and Krishna in Purusottama month, he will attain whatever he wants. Observing the Purusottama vrata burns up the reactions of all one’s bad karma and gives the direct service of Radha and Krishna. Purusottama month is the best month to make spiritual advancement because Krishna overlooks all aparadhas. Residence in the holy dhama in this month yields 1000 times the benefit of living elsewhere!!! We invite all the fortunate to quickly book a room in Radha Kunda or Vrindavana to worship Radha-Krishna Yugala in the prema giving holy abode of Sri Vrindavana Dhama. Come and join the thousands of pilgrims doing dandavat parikrama of Giri-Govardhana this month!!! Giriraj Dharan ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

The glories of pursottama MONTH

All quotes come from the Padma and Skanda Purana.

  1. Lord Sri Krishna: “Purusottama Month has all the power I have to bless its observer. One who follows Purusottama vrata will destroy all his past sinful reactions. Without performing Purusottama vrata, one cannot perform pure devotional service. The value of Purusottama month is far more valuable than all other types of austerities and religious activities mentioned in the Vedas. Anyone who observes Purusottama vrata will return to My abode, Goloka, at the end of his life.”
  1. Durvasa Muni: “One becomes sinless just by bathing in a holy river during Purusottama Month. The glory of all other months is not equal to one-sixteenth of the glory of the Purusottama Month. Bathing in a holy place, giving charity and chanting the Holy Names of Krishna during Purusottama Month destroys all miseries, awards all kinds of perfection and fulfills all desires.”
  1. Valmiki Muni: Observing Purusottama vrata brings more benefit than performing one hundred horse sacrifices. All holy places live within the body of an observer of the Purusottama Month vrata. Anyone who faithfully performs Purusottama vrata will go to Goloka Vrndavana”.
  1. Narada Muni: “Purusottama Month is the best of all months, vratas and austerities. Just by faithfully hearing the glories of Purusottama Month, one attains Krishna-bhakti and immediately nullifies his sinful reactions. One who performs Purusottama vrata properly will attain unlimited piety and spiritual merit (sukrti) and go to the spiritual world.”
  1. Naimisaranya Sages: “Merciful Purusottama Month acts like a desire tree to fulfill a devotee’s desire.”

HOW TO OBSERVE THE PURUSOTTAMA MONTH VRATA

General points: Observe celibacy and bathe daily before sunrise; chant extra rounds and read Srimad Bhagavatam daily; give charity.

  1. Rise at brahma-muhurta (1½ hours before sunrise), and jump out of bed chanting “Jaya Radhe!”
  2. Chant Hare Krishna Mahamantra and meditate on Radha-Krishna’s beautiful divine forms, qualities, and ecstatically purifying and heart stirring transcendental pastimes in Sridhama Vrndavana. Daily chant fixed number extra rounds for entire month: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 32, 64, 108, 192 (always multiples of four rounds).
  3. Observe the Vrata in Vrndavana, Navadvipa or any holy dhama to experience the maximum benefits and bliss.
  4. Daily offer full puja or at least a ghee lamp to Radha-Krishna Deities or picture. Offer a row of 33 individual clay ghee lamps daily, or at least for one auspicious day this month e.g. (ekadasi, sankranti, purnima etc).
  5. Daily Tulasi Devi aratika and parikrama.
  6. Daily Thakuraji Mandira parikrama (4 times).
  7. Daily offer roses, lotus, and tulasi manjaris and 100,000 Tulasi leaves (or as many as you can) to Radha-Krishna Deities or photos and paintings.
  8. Daily read Srimad Bhagavatam.
  9. Hear Radha-Krishna Katha from advanced Gaudiya Vaisnavas.
  10. Daily chant Sri Jagannathastakam (because this vrata is named after and often performed in Purusottma Ksetra Jagannatha Puri Dhama. Also chant astakams, prayers and bhajans glorfying Radha-Krishna Yugala.
  11. Take a vow to remain peaceful and 100% truthful throughout the month.
  12. Be careful not to blaspheme any devotees, brahmanas, saints, cows, sastras or especially anyone observing the Purusottama Month Vrata.
  13. Don’t ask anyone for anything; be satisfied with whatever you have, and don’t endeavor to acquire any material thing during this month.
  14. Try your best to please Radha and Krishna by performing devotional austerities according to your abilities. Don’t break your vow in the middle of the month. Be determined, pray intently for mercy and tolerate your crazy monkey mind. Take a vow, at least for this month, to remain deaf to your mind.
  15. Eat on leaf plates sitting on the floor (optional).
  16. No cutting of hair or nails (optional).
  17. No cooking in oil or rubbing oil on your body.
  18. Don’t eat mustard oil nor rub on the body.

Diets: Be your own guide and choose an eating program that is realistic within your means. The main vrata and austerity is to everyday Krishna consciously associate with serious devotees in Vrndavana who are glorifying Radha-Krishna

************If you can, it is best to EAT ONCE A DAY after sunset or at noon the following diets:

  1. i) only milk; ii) only fruits (no milk, no veg.); iii) no grains (selected veg., fruits, nuts, milk); iv) selected foods (all categories as per caturmasya standards).

A NICE HUMILITY VRATA: Daily offer 33 dandavats to Bhagavan Sri Krishna or the Vaisnavas.

SRILA BHAKTIVINODA THAKURA’S Purusottama Month VRATA:

Observe 30 days of concentrated, one–pointed worship and service to Radha-Govinda Yugala by hearing, chanting, remembering Their divine names, forms, qualities, pastimes, and honor Sri Krishna’s Mahaprasada.

BEST DAYS TO GIVE CHARITY TO DEVOTEE BRAHMANAS:

Ekadasi, Dvadasi, Purnima, Amavasya, Sravana Naksatra Day; DO offer money, gold, cloth, shoes, fruits, etc. Also offer 33 plantains or mangos plus dana and daksina to Brahmanas and Vaisnavas.

Very Important Point: When you give dana (i.e. diff. items like cloth, land, gold, cows, books, sweets, flowers, clothing, shoes, umbrellas) to a brahmana, one must simultaneously donate daksina (i.e. money equal to the monetary value of the dana). For example, if give a 300 rupees pair of new shoes, then must give 300 rupees in laksmi or money to that same person.

BREAKING THE PURUSOTTAMA VRATA

  1. Day and Time: consult local calendar.
  2. Bathe in brahma-muhurta time
  3. Perform Deity Worship: Radha-Syamasundara Deities, personal Deities or Picture.
  4. Chant this mantra: “O Supreme Lord, O Sanatana, O Purusottama, O Lord Hari! I offer my obeisances unto you. May you and your beloved Radhika, please accept my offerings. I offer my repeated obeisances unto Syamasundara, who wears effulgent yellow garments on His beautiful body.
  5. Offer pushpanjali (handfuls of fresh fragrant flowers or petals) and then dandavats to your personal Deities or Deity Picture.
  6. Feed and give charity to 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 brahmanas/ Vaisnavas to the best of your ability (e.g., new clothes, two pairs of shoes, umbrella, ghee, yogurt, gumsas, sweets, lotas, plates. Also donate money equal to cost of given item (ie If give Rp. 300 box of sweets, then also give Rp. 300.

********According to Puranas, the best charity is to give a Srimad Bhagavatam to a qualified grhastha vaisnava brahmana. This act will deliver all your ancestors to the spiritual world and award them the association of Lord Purusottama!************

SPECIFIC VRATA BREAKING ACTIONS

If you ate fruits, ghee, rice, wheat etc, donate the same to brahmanas.

If you slept on the floor, give a bed and pillows to a brahmana.

If you ate on a leaf plate, feed brahmanas with ghee and sugar.

If you didn’t cut nails or hair, donate a mirror to a brahmana.

If you offered ghee lamps, give new lamps and pots to a brahmana

********If you broke any rules or regulations during Purusottama vrata, feed different sweet juices to brahmanas.

******Mahadeva Lord Siva says that the best charity is to: “Fill a bell metal pot with thirty malpuas (a pancake like sweet), bind the pot with seven new threads and give to a worthy brahmana.”

Comment: many humble niskincana Vaisnavas have no money or sufficient wealth to donate substantially to brahmanas. But according to your means, donate some laksmi or a new object to a qualified person, begging for his mercy and blessings. And in your mind, (manasi-seva), you can sincerely donate generously to many good devotees. Remember that sastras say, bhava grahi janardana, Bhagavan Sri Krishna is pleased with the purity and sincerity of one’s attitude, mood of love and purity of purpose. Try your best to break your vow by donating something within your means.

May Giridhari Syama bless you all with full success in your Purusottama Month Vrata, being performed solely for the divine pleasure of Sri Guru, Gauranga and Sri Sri Radha and Krishna.

Purusottama month vrata ki jai!

Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

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Special Five Days…Don’t Miss!!!

By: Mahanidhi Swami

The most auspicious spiritual month of Purusottama is soon ending. For various reasons, many could not observe the one month long vow or vrata prescribed in the shastras. But do not lament. Since this is the “additional or extra month”, our most merciful and benevolent sweet Lord Lila Purusottama Sri Krishna has given extra mercy in the form of a special five day fast called the “Pancharatri Vrata”.

This five day Vrata or vow, beginning on Purusottama Parama Ekadashi (July 12) and ending on Amavasya (July 16), is full of wonderful boons and benefits. In the Ekadashi Mahatmya, Bhagavan Sri Krishna tells King Yudhisthira, “One who eats only once a day during these five days becomes free from all sinful reactions and goes to the spiritual world.”

Eating once a day means exactly that. You should eat only one time in 24 hours, preferably after 12 noon, whatever pure Krishna prasadam you choose; be it fruits, milk, grains, etc. The balance of time, you can ONLY DRINK WATER.

Start on 16th July with an Ekadashi fast. Then from Dvadashi to Amavasya eat once a day. The Pancharatri Vrata ends on 16th July 7 a.m. On Amavasya, feed Vaisnava brahmanas, give charity, and then take your regular meals.

Purusottama Pancha Ratri Vrata ki jai!

Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

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TLC: Tulasi Loving Care

By: Mahanidhi Swami

Caretakers and householders should treat Tulasi-devi like a member of the family. She is a person and like all individuals, Tulasi thrives on attention, love and tender care. Tulasi-devi is a divine being, a Maharani, fully engaged in Sri Krishna’s loving seva, who kindly agrees to live with us like a loving friend and a family member. She reciprocates with our loving attention, and cooperates with us to better serve our Thakuraji and Thakurani Sri Sri Radha Giridhari.

Like yourself or your beloved family members, Tulasi-devi needs proper food and nourishment; protection from the elements and aggressive living entities; and believe it or not, a daily bath!!! [that’s for India] And Tulasi-devi also needs attractive colorful clothing and various coverings in different seasons.

From the copious info available on Net, we collected a few key points on Tulasi-devi loving care, and hope they will be of use to you.

PROBLEMS CHECK DAILY:

  • Over watering
  • Spider Mites & bugs (inspect leaf tops & bottoms)
  • Fungus or Powdery Mildew
  • Insufficient light (Tulsi needs daily 12-14 hours; especially afternoon sunshine)
  • Pots with poor drainage
  • Insufficient soil nutrients, fertilizer. (seen in yellow or pale green leaves)
  • Watering too much or little.

DAILY TULSI CARE:

  • Pluck all flowers, buds aka manjaris and yellow leaves. Wash & offer to your Krishna Thakuraji.
  • Remove dried leaves from base of Tulasi
  • Loosen top soil carefully with spoon or fingers.
  • Rotate Tulasi pot ½ turn daily to insure straight growth.
  • Daily Bath (India): Summer spray bottle Tulasi 10:00 a.m. and about 2:30. She loves it as seen in Her green effulgence. DAILY bathing (although it takes some time; it is an expression of our love), and it is the best way to keep Tulasi Maharani healthy and disease/insect free.

PLUCKING PROCEDURE:

*** DON’T PLUCK ON DWADASI, AMAVASYA OR PURNIMA!!

One Net article warned thus: “Puranas say Lord Hari will decapitate that person who plucks Tulasi on Dwadasi, Amavasya or Purnima; or one in state of impurity or anointed with oil; at noon, daybreak or sundown; or in one’s night dress!”

  1. Humbly approach Tulasi-devi and offer obeisances with mantra:

vrindayai tulasi devyai, priyayai keshvasya ca
krishna bhakti prade devi, satyavatyai namo namah

“I offer repeated obeisances unto Tulasi-devi, who is known as Vrnda-devi and Satyavati (the embodiment of truth). O Tulasi-devi! You are very dear to Lord Keshava and the giver of Krishna bhakti.”

  1. Respectfully clap hands three times.
  1. While plucking, chant this mantra:

tulasy amrta janmasi, sada tvam keshava priya
keshavartham chinomi tvam, varada bhava shobhane

“O Tulasi devi! You were born from nectar and are forever dear to Keshava Sri Krishna. Now to worship Sri Keshavaji, I am collecting your leaves and manjaris. O beautiful Tulasi, please bless me.”

  1. After picking, chant:

cayanodbhava duhkham ca, yad hrdi tava vartate
tat ksamasva jagan matah, vrnda devi namo stu te

“O mother of the universe, Vrnda devi! I offer my respectful obeisances unto you. Kindly forgive me if I have caused you any pain by picking your leaves and manjaris.”

  1. Offer obeisances again & chant mantra #1.

WATERING PROCEDURE: Insert finger in soil: if wet, don’t water; if dry, water. Best to look at Tulasi-devi, feel her presence in your heart and communicate with her needs. Supersoul Sri Krishna will guide you in this detail of proper watering. If there is love and will, Sri Krishna will show the proper way.

TLC Tulasi Loving Care ki jai!

Srimati Vrnda-devi, Tulasi Maharani ki jai!

Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

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 The Story of Thakuraji Sri Madana Gopala

By Mahanidhi Swami

The story of Thakuraji Madana Gopala comes from Advaita Prakash, the biography of Sri Advaita Prabhu written by Sri Ishana Nagara. Before the advent of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Sri Advaita Prabhu went on a tirtha yatra throughout Bharata Varsha, India. He also toured the lila-filled pastime forests of Vrindavana.

Upon seeing Govardhana Hill, Sri Advaita Prabhu submerged in an ocean of love filled with ever billowing waves of ecstasy. With arms raised above his head, Advaitacharya danced in joy as he beheld Radha-Krishna’s nitya lila-sthalis. He bathed in Manasi Ganga, took darshana of Harideva and did Giriraja parikrama, offering dandavats to Him.

At Dana Ghati, Sri Advaita Prabhu remembered Krishna blocking Radha while demanding tax. Joking to Himself, Sri Advaita Prabhu remarked, “This is the place where Radha and Her sakhis had to pay tax.”

Upon arriving in Vrindavana, Sri Advaita Prabhu stayed beneath a Banyan tree [now called Advaita Vata] at the foot of Dwadashaditya-tila beside Yamunaji.

At the end of the night, Sri Advaita Prabhu had a visionary dream of Krishna. He saw Sri Nandanandana captivating the worlds with His luster of fresh monsoon clouds. The Lord was sporting a crown of peacock plumes; caressing a flute to His lips; dressed in a shimmering yellow dhoti and sporting golden ankle bells. Krishna’s beautiful body, softer than butter, was filled with the nectar cream of rasa.

Seeing Krishna’s extraordinary form, Sri Advaita Prabhu reeled in bliss and started dancing in euphoria with upraised arms.

At that time, Krishnachandra said, “You are My very body, and Your association makes waves of prema surge within My heart. You are the most generous Gopishvara Shiva, now appearing for the benefit of the conditioned souls. You are redeeming them by revealing the lost holy places, preaching pure devotion and by chanting of Krishna’s Holy Names.

“Listen carefully! A divine jewel of a Deity of Mine, previously served by Kubja, named Madana Mohana, is lying abandoned in a kunja at Dwadashaditya Tirtha. In fear of robbers and vandals I have hidden this form of Myself. His body is covered with a thin layer of earth. Bring some Vrajavasis, uncover Me and establish My puja for the benefit of the world.”

After saying this, Krishnachandra disappeared. Filled with pure prema,

Advaita Prabhu loudly sang the name of Hari, raising His arms as He danced. Meeting the villagers, Sri Advaita Prabhu said, “Everyone, regardless social caste, quickly come with me to Dwadashaditya Tila to unearth a wonderfully elegant tribhanga Deity of Krishna.”

Carefully wielding axes and shovels, the locals worked hard to unearth the Deity. All the Vrajavasis were awestruck to see Thakuraji’s matchless beauty. Under a nearby Banyan tree, they erected a straw hut and installed the Deity with the customary bathing rites and rituals.

Advaita Prabhu engaged a pure Vaisnava brahmana in Thakuraji’s seva, and then went on Vrindavana parikrama. By the force of Providence some wicked miscreants learned of the new Deity installation. Heavily armed, they came to break the Deity and dishearten the local devotees. Seeing the approaching vandals, Madana Mohana assumed the form of a young child, a balak, and fearfully hid Himself in a flower garden. Not finding the Deity, the villains left with unhappy hearts.

When the pujari came for puja, he saw that the Deity was missing. Thinking that Thakuraji left because He was displeased with his seva, the pujari started bitterly lamenting and began to fast.

Upon returning from his parikrama, Sri Advaita Prabhu saw that the Mandira was empty. Thakuraji was gone! Upon hearing what had happened from the pujari, Sri Advaita Prabhu cried out: “Krishna so kindly appeared to Me in Person! But feeling offended, the Lord has concealed Himself again!” Greatly disturbed and unhappy, Sri Advaita Prabhu started fasting without even drinking water.

While sleeping under the Banyan tree [Advaita Vata] that night, Sri Advaita Prabhu again saw Thakuraji Madana Mohana in a dream. In sweet words, Krishna said, “Wake up, Advaita! Out of fear of the villains I hid under some flowers in the garden. Even Brahma and others do not have the power to see Me like this. Only You are able to see Me with Your devotional eyes. Again I will reveal My perfect form, and the people rejoice in My darshana.”

After this visionary dream, Advaita Prabhu woke up and quickly found Gopala under the flowers. Beholding Krishna’s divine form, overflowing with all ambrosial, succulent sweetness, Sri Advaita Prabhu wept profusely in pure love and fainted. He stood up but become stunned.

Sometimes, Sri Advaita Prabhu trembled; became covered with thrill bumps; or loudly exclaimed “Hari!”. Sometimes He danced and sometimes He fainted. After a while, Sri Advaita Prabhu returned to external consciousness and offered Thakuraji Sri Gopala some fruits and water. Afterwards, Advaita honored Krishna’s remnants while contemplating the Lord’s matchless mercy.

The next morning, Advaita Prabhu met the Pujari while bathing in Yamunaji. He told him, “O vipra! Quickly go to the Mandira, wake up Thakuraji and do puja! From now Thakuraji will be known as Madana Gopala. Just continue your seva puja, without worrying about the confidential secrets behind this pastime.”

The brahmana replied, “But Prabhu, Thakuraji is no longer in the temple.”

Sri Advaita Prabhu said, “Krishna can never abandon His devotees.” Upon opening the temple, the amazed pujari saw the Deity once again. While contemplating these miraculous events, the pujari, in great ecstatic love, offered many prayers and praises to Thakuraji before he began his worship of Madana Gopala. From that moment onwards, the Deity of Madana Mohana was now manifest as Madana Gopala.

One night, Madana Gopala appeared to Advaita Prabhu in a dream said sweetly, “O Sri Advaita Acharya! Listen to one thing! There are too many dangers here. So I am arranging for one Mathura brahmana named Caube to come here tomorrow and take Me. He and his wife always worship Me with parental love, thinking of Me as their son. I will surely fulfill their desires.

“At present they have a son named Madana Mohana. I want to spend some time with them. Later when Sri Rupa and Sri Sanatana come to Vrindavana, I will leave Caube’s home and return to Vrindavana with them. So please do not hesitate to hand Me to him.”

Saddened, Sri Advaita Prabhu replied, “But listen Madana Gopala! You are the only treasure of My heart! You are my very soul, My joy and My strength! How will I survive without You? I will become like a fish out of the water!”

Hearing these plaintive words, Madana Gopala smilingly said: “Don’t worry, for I am forever subdued by Your love! Without You, My pastimes cannot be completely satisfying. Wherever You are, I will always be there with You. Please fulfill the desires of My devotee Caube by offering My perfect divine form to him.

“Now listen and I will describe an ancient event. Once Vishakha-sakhi painted a picture of Me that is non-different from this Deity form of Mine. When Sri Radhika saw that picture She became completely captivated!

“This eternally perfect painting is in Seva Kunja. You can go there and easily find it. Take this picture back to Shantipura in Bengal, and redeem all the conditioned souls there by establishing puja and seva to this Deity.”

Experiencing this visionary dream of Sri Madana Gopala ji, Advaita Prabhu became lost in ecstasy, dancing with raised arms while shouting, ‘Hari bolo’! Sri Advaita Prabhu finally calmed down after three hours of continuous cascading euphoria.

At that time, the Mathura brahmana Caube arrived there. Clutching a straw between his teeth, he offered obeisances unto Advaita Prabhu. With folded hands, he said, “You are an omniscient avatara of the Lord, and You have unearthed the Deity which was previously served by Kubja-devi.

“In a visionary dream, Madana Gopala ordered Me to quickly take this Deity to Mathura and begin His worship. He also woke up my wife, calling her: ‘Mother, mother’! Then Thakuraji told me, ‘You two are My mother and father. You should now rear Me in all respects.’ Hence, O Lord, I have come to You. Please bless me by handing the Deity over to Me.”

Hearing his humble plea, Advaita Prabhu handed the Deity over to Caube. Sri Advaita then began weeping out of great love in separation. Wandering into Seva Kunja, Sri Advaita Prabhu drowned in an ocean of prema as He found Vishakha-sakhi’s painting of Madana Gopala. Sri Advaita Prabhu carefully took that nitya siddha picture and brought it to His home in Shantipura to commence worship.

Long before when Srimati Radharani first saw this painting done by Her dearest Vishakha, She sighed in joy exclaiming, “With the beauty of His smile and His tender glance, Madana Gopala has driven Me mad! Alas! Ever since I have seen this picture the cool moonshine seems as hot as fire, and fire seems as cool as the moon!”

bhruvaṁ te tena kṣiptvā kim, api hāsatonmādita mateḥ

śaśi-vṛtto vahniḥ param, ahaha vahnir mama śaśi (Vidagdha Madhava ii.3)

Advaita Prakash translation, Advaitadas)

Sri Sri Madana Gopala Thakuraji ki jai!

Sri Advaita Prabhu ki jai!

Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

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Puja Bones

By: Mahanidhi Swami

In your Thakuraji puja, are you using a bogus, impure, and therefore offensive, fake “conchshell”?

We are sorry to say that most bhaktas and many temples use and worship conch shells WHICH ARE NOT INDIAN SANKHAS AND DEFINITELY NOT LAKSHMI CONCHES!!!

What are they? These fake conches are the impure, unusable, contaminated bones of a different seashell. Learn the difference below.

Vedas say that the bones and stool of all living entities are impure, contaminated and untouchable. The only exceptions are the stool of Mother cow (gobhar or dung), and the bone of ONE SEASHELL i.e. the Conch Shell (Shankha) technically identified as (Indian Turbinella Pyrum). This Conch Shell, which Lakshmi Devi and Bhagavan Narayana hold in Their divine lotus hands, can be used in the worship of God for puja, yajnas, rituals and other religious functions.

The Indian Shank (Turbinella Pyrum) comes in two types, normal left side opening, and the rare, very costly right side opening “Lakshmi Conch”, (Valampuri Dakshina-varti Turbinella Pyrum).

But everyone should CLEARY UNDERSTAND THAT BOTH the right side opening and common left side opening Indian conchshells are ruled by Lakshmi Devi, and thus auspicious, completely pure and perfect for puja. Conchologists say that only one Lakshmi Shankha is found among 1,000 normal Indian Shanks. And the average size (60-120 gm.) pure Lakshmi Conch sells for about Rs. 2,000 per gram!!!

The fact is that most bhaktas and temples are using an impure, contaminated seashell bones “conchshell” called “Lightning Whelks”, aka (busycon contrarium), which have no internal formation, ridges or lines in the conch cavity. They are sold in abundance in popular puja shops, who claim, “Prabhuji, Hare Krishna! This is a pure Lakshmi Conch.”

Examine your puja conch. The left side opening or the right side opening Vedic Turbinella Pyrum Indian Conch is attractive to the eye, smooth, white in color, contains 3 to 7 ridges in the conch cavity, and has a special internal structure. Lightning Whelks i.e. the imitation, bogus puja bones, do not have these attributes. The normal left-side opening Conch or Shankha is very low priced, perfectly pure and suitable for puja.

For about 60 Rs. you can purchase a pure, real left side opening authentic Indian puja Lakshmi Conch, or spend 1.2 lacs Rs. and get the rare, right side opening, authentic Lakshmi Conch. So my friends, check your conch and do the needful.

Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

Note: there are many species in Conch family, but in India “Shank” always refers to the normal smooth white conch shells. They alone are called “Shankh” — and it is only such a shell, if it opens on the right side, that is a real Lakshmi Shank. No other right-sided shell is ever Lakshmi Shank (sinistral turbinella pyrum).