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DO ONE GOOD DEED TODAY

By: Mahandhi Swami

While visiting New Delhi one day, I noticed a short message repeated over and over again on a boundary wall beside a main road. Everyday thousands of people read that message which says, “Do One Good Deed Today.” Of course, this is a good maxim to live by, but why is it repeated on this particular wall? Inside this wall lies a cremation ground where people lie for their last time. So the message is reminding you, me and all of us to do something good before it’s too late.

In the balance of this article, I will quote Hari-bhakti-vilasa to mention some good deeds one can perform during this most auspicious month of Vaishakha a.k.a. Madhusudana (16Apr-14May). Of twelve months Vaishakha, Magha and Karttika are considered the best because pious acts done in these months give tremendous benefit to the performer.The following significant events occur in the vaishakha month “Chandana Yatra, Bhagavan Nrisingha Deva Appears, Ganga Appears on Earth and Vishnu creates the barley grain.

The following good deeds can be done daily or whenever you can: Public Harinama Sankirtan; Dhama Parikrama; Read Bhagavatam; Attend Gita Class; Upgrade Thakuraji Seva; Serve Saints; Bathe in a Holy Place (best before sunrise); and to good spiritual persons give charity of cow ghee, umbrella, shoes, cloth, money and sesame seed alone or mixed with honey.

*Special days to DEFINITELY observe;

MAY 2 Akshaya Tritya because even one good deed done today i.e., fasting, jagarana, holy bath, charity and mantra sankhya yields INEXHAUSTIBLE RESULTS. Tretya Yuga begins today (when it comes), and Vishnu created the barley grain today.

MAY 6 Shukla Saptami—Maa Ganga appears; remember, pray to, bathe and worship the sweet kind mother of all sacred rivers. Gange! Gange! Gange! Ki jai!

MAY 10 Ekadashi— Stay awake all night chanting Hare Krishna and dancing in Gaura-smarana. Skanda Purana saya, By doing jagarana, one becomes jivana-mukta, “A living liberated soul.”

***MAY 11: Akshaya Dvadashi—— Like the 3rd, deeds yield inexhaustible merits. Skanda Purana suggests: Bathe Thakuraji in milk or Panchamrita; donate money and pots of water (if you are not a Vraja gopi, this means a bottle of water….(!); in the evening, satisfy Thakuraji with sweet drinks and also give sweet scents (itra) to others.

MAY13 Lord Nrisingha Aavirbhava. Watch for new article on How to observe it.

Vaishakha Month of Lord Madhusudan Sri Krishana Ki Jai!

Jai Jai Sri Radhe!!

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Diksha is Personal

By: Mahanidhi Swami

The most significant, auspicious, beneficial and beautiful event in person’s entire material existence occurs when he/she receives diksha from Sri Guru. It is a momentous moment of transformation, elevation and elation that permanently establishes one on the path of liberation to the kingdom of God, Vraja prema or Vaikuntha moksha.

The candidate for diksha sits in the sacred space created just beside Sri Guru and Thakuraji Sri Krishna. It is confidential time; private, personal and intimate; hearts exchanging surrender and mercy, shishya sharanagati and Guru krpa.

Although based on thousands of years of tradition, and solid, scientific scriptural evidence, the whole transcendental function is very sweet, loving and above all completely personal. You alone sitting beside God incarnate Sri Guru.

As you read on, you will discover how personal and divinely endearing the timeless tradition of diksha is. According to shastra all Vaisnavas receive diksa by observing the pancha samskara process, or five rites.

Samskaras, which are purifying processes and rites used to sanctify the human body, are practiced in every religion in every country. For the last five hundred years of Gaudiya Vaisnavism, the pancha samskara process has been used by gurus to give diksha to worthy candidates. Acharyas Madhva and Ramanuja established it in their sampradayas. The Gaudiya Vaisnava sampradaya and practically all Vaisnava sects give diksha using the pancha samskara process.

This article will cite shastric evidence for the practice; describe the pancha samskara process and its application in the Gaudiya diksha tradition; and quote Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura to highlight the absolute necessity of undergoing the pancha samskara process.

The pancha samskara process is mentioned in the Padma Purana and cited by our Gaudiya Vaisnava tattva acharyas Sri Jiva Goswamipada and Sri Baladeva Vidya Bhusana in Bhakti-sandarbha (anu. 200) and, Prameya Ratnvalli (8.5). Pancha samskaras are also mentioned in Sat-kriya-dipika attributed to Srila Gopala Bhatta Goswami. In recent times, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura described them in great detail in several articles and books. Iskcon’s Deity Worship Manual (Pancha Pradipa vol. 1) says, “The Guru gives the disciple Vaiñëava diksha which is also known as pancha samskara.”

Sri Jiva Goswamipada cites the Padma Purana (Uttara-khanda) in Bhakti Sandarbha anu. 200:

tapam pundram tatha nama, nama mantro yagash ca, panchama, ami panchaiva samskarah paraikanti hetavah

“The five samskaras (tapa, pundram, nama, mantra and yaga make one supremely one-pointed.” Or according to Bhanu Swami: “These five samskaras are the cause of intense devotion to Lord Hari.”

The process entails receiving the five marks of Vaisnava diksha: (1) Tapah (austerity i.e. follow the 4 niyamas, fasting etc.); (2) Pundram (tilaka); (3) Nama (accepting a new name i.e. Krishna dasa or Radhika dasi) ed. also includes receiving from Sri Guru the Hare Krishna mantra in the right ear; 4) Mantra (receiving the diksha mantra from Sri Guru in the right ear) ed. for Gaudiya Vaisnavas this means Gopala mantra and Kama Gayatri); 5) Yaga means yajna (homa, fire sacrifice) for some, but for most others it means Sri Murti puja and the nama-yajna of japa and sankirtana of the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra.

What are the benefits of receiving pancha samskara diksha? Sri Baladeva Vidya Bhusana answers, “A person who receives pancha samskara gains two things: 1) Chance to directly serve Lord Hari and; 2) Attain spiritual joy eternal in Vaikuntha, avapta pancha samskaro labdha dvi vidha bhaktikah, sakshat krtya harim tasya dhamni nityam pramodate.” (Prameya Ratnävali 8.5)

In the pancha samskara process Sri Guru and the disciple will sit physically together in the presence of Thakuraji i.e. the murti of Bhagavan Sri Krishna in one of His many beautiful forms. Then Sri Guru will personally administer the five marks of a Vaisnava (pancha samskaras) to his disciple. In addition to the pancha samskaras, a few other procedures are followed to complete the Gaudiya Vaisnava diksha function.

  1. Anga suddhi: To receive the diksha mantras, the disciple’s body must first be purified and consecrated. To do this, Sri Guru will chant different purifying vedic mantras while sprinkling sanctified water on the disciple’s head and other limbs. He will also direct the disciple in taking achamana, performing nyasa and chanting mantras to further purify and qualify the disciple to receive the immaculate and divine diksha mantras.
  1. Observe the Pancha Samskaras: Sri Guru will tell the disciple the yamas and niyamas or rules to follow (tapah). Sri Guru will personally apply tilaka (pundram) on the disciple’s forehead and other limbs. Sri Guru will give the disciple a spiritual name (nama). Then while holding his right hand on the disciple’s head, Sri Guru will whisper the diksa mantras in his right ear (mantra). Lastly, Sri Guru will engage the disciple making some offering to Thakuraji and Sri Guru (yaga).
  1. Atma Samarpanam: This last rite is an essential part of diksha which is observed in most all Gaudiya Vaisnava lineages. Atma samarpanam was personally introduced by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. It is also mentioned by our tattva-siddhanta acharyas Sri Jiva Goswamipada and Srila Sanatana Goswamipada.

The rite of atma samarpanam is done by the disciple falling at the feet of his Guru during diksha to express his atma samarpana, or the surrender of his entire being in the seva of Sri Guru and Sri Krishna.

Mahaprabhu said to Srila Sanatana Goswamipada (Cc. 3.4.192): diksha kale bhakta kare atma samarpana, sei kale Krishna tare atma sama, “At the time of diksha, the devotee completely surrenders to Sri Guru. Then Krishna gives the disciple a transcendental spiritual form like His own (in quality i.e. cid ananda maya (Cc. 3.4.191). Then in that transcendental spiritual form (aprakrta deha) the disciple can engage in worshiping (Krishna’s) lotus feet: sei deha kare tara cid ananda maya, aprakrta dehe tanra carana bhajaya (Cc. 3.4.193).”

Thus, based on Lord Gauranga’s statement above, one can understand that actual diksa means the disciple must offer dandavats at the feet of the physical Guru sitting before him. This point is confirmed by Srila Sanatana Goswamipada, and by Sri Jiva Goswamipada while describing Gaudiya Vaisnava diksa in Bhakti Sandarbha anu. 283. “One should offer pranams to the Guru [at the time of diksha] and offer everything to him”, ato gurum pranamyaivam sarvasvam vinivedya (v. 869). The same verse also appears in Hari-bhakti vilasa (2.9-10).

This is the process of Gaudiya Vaisnava diksha. From the above description, one can see that diksha is a very personal and intimate spiritual function between the merciful Sri Guru and his surrendered disciple. When one follows this process, he genuinely feels transformed, purified and elevated. Indeed, he becomes a spiritual being qualified to serve the lotus feet of Sri Sri Radha-Krishna right here right now. And soon not too far in the future that fortunate soul will attain Krishna prema, and go to Sridhama Goloka Vrindavana in the spiritual sky.

We will end our article with excerpts from Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s wonderful and powerful explanation of Gaudiya Vaisnava diksha and the pancha samskara process.

Thakura Bhaktivinoda said, “Everyone should seek shelter at the feet of a Guru and receive pancha samskara diksha, which is the source of bhajana. Without pancha samskara, bhajana is performed with difficulty. Some people think that prema can be obtained without pancha samskara process but this is wrong. Without samskaras human life is impure.”

He closes his essay saying, “I have concluded after deep study of the shastra that without accepting the pancha samskara process, the conditioned soul will not develop intense love of Bhagavan Sri Hari. Therefore the pancha samskara process is absolutely necessary.” (“Pancha Samskara, the Process of Diksa” in Sajjana Toshani vol. 2.1 1885 & vol. 4.1 1892)

Gaudiya Vaisnava diksha ki jai!

Sri Krishna’s krpa-shakti murti Sri Guru ki jai!

Diksha mantras ki jai!

Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

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Aham, Mam and Nama

By: Mahanidhi Swami

Is attachment to “I and Mine” (aham, mameti) preventing us from chanting shuddha nama, the pure Holy Name of Bhagavan Sri Krishna? In the Padmna Purana’s list of the ten offenses against Krishna’s Holy Name (nama aparadhas), the last one addresses attachment, which like a ghost haunting even the most sincere sadhakas.

The tenth offense mentioned in the Padma P. (Brahma-khanda 25.15-18) is:

shrutvapi nama mahatmyam yah preeti rahito dhamah

aham mamadi paramo namni so ‘py aparadha krt

“If one has heard the glories of Krishna’s divine name (shrute nama mahatmye), but still thinks in terms of “I and Mine” (aham mamadi), and does not show love for the Holy Name (preeti rahito dhamah), that is an offense (aparadha krt).”

Unfortunately, the ‘I’ and ‘Mine’ mentality runs very deep within all of us. Even the best hearted Krishna bhaktas, who are supposed to fully identify themselves as spiritual beings, Krishna dasa and Radhika dasi, Sri Krishna’s eternal loving servants, are guilty of this mundane mentality.

Despite all our sadhana and chanting, we still think “I am this body, and people and things related to my body are mine.” Minds move fast; but consciousness moves and changes very slowly. Due to the lingering mental embrace of material consciousness, we are still seeking sense pleasures, gain, adoration and distinction.

To show how the “I and Mine” mentality touches all of us, let’s examine Srila Sanatana Goswamipada’s tika to the verse above which he discusses in his Hari-bhakti vilasa #11 v. 524. He describes how the deadly enemy of false pride, which is what the 10th offense is all about, manifests within different types of devotee chanters.

  1. First, Srila Sanatana Goswamipada addresses the solitary chanters saying, aham bahutara nama kirtaka, which means to think “I am chanting more than you” or to think “I am the greatest in connection with the Holy Name”. And this is the 10th offence.”

One often meets such “advanced devotees” who approach and ask, “How many rounds are you chanting?” Then to assert their supremacy they announce how many lacs of nama (multiples of 64 rounds) they are chanting to insinuate that your chanting is not up to the mark. But your bhajana is not their business. Shastra advises that one’s guru, diksa mantras and sadhana should be kept secret.

Once a “bhajananandi sadhu” approached another saintly person, asking how many lacs of nama he was chanting. The sadhu humbly replied, “What bhajana am I doing? I am only eating and sleeping.”

  1. Secondly, Srila Sanatana Goswamipada addresses the preacher devotee saying, itas tato nama kirtanam ca mat pravartitam eva, maya samo nama kirtana paro anyah kah, which means [this is also the 10th offense to think], “Only I am spreading the chanting of the Holy Name all over the world. Who is equal to me in dedication to nama kirtana?”

One often meets such “messiah bhaktas” who openly criticize devotees who are trying to please Sri Hari and Sri Guru by concentrating on bhakti bhajana instead of preaching. Hence they are guilty of false pride, and the offense of “I and mine” mentality; the 10th nama-aparadha.

III. Thirdly, Srila Sanatana Goswamipada addresses the proud chanter, saying, madiya jihva dhinam eva namety adikam eva paramam pradhanam, “My tongue is the greatest chanter of the Holy Name. Chanting is under the control of my tongue, and I am chanting the Holy Name myself.”

Such pride contradicts Srila Rupa Goswamipada’s Bhakti rasamrta sindhu (1.2.234), which says that Sri Krishna’s Holy Name will never manifest through one’s material senses. But if one has a service attitude, then the Holy Name WILL APPEAR first in the tongue and other senses. The reality is that “I” am not chanting so many rounds of japa. But out of His mercy, Sri Nama Prabhu is appearing within me due to my humility, pridelessness and sincere service attitude.

To conclude this article, we will quote Srila Sanatana Goswamipada’s closing remarks on the 10th offense to the Holy Name: nama kirtanam ca kadacit sidhyati na va yasya tatha bhuto yah so piti. ata evadistam bhagavata: trnad api sunicena, taror api sahisnuna, amanina manadena, kirtaniyah sada harih:

“Such a proud aham, mameti devotee rarely ever even does kirtana. For Sri Krishna has taught that one should be lower than a blade of grass, tolerant as a tree, not want honor and give all honor to others. This is how the Holy Name of Lord Hari should always be glorified.” Otherwise the Holy Name will not bestow its desired fruit. (HBV. tika trans. and concept from Sri Advaita dasji)

Sri Hari Nama Prabhu ki jai! Shuddha Hari Nama Japa & Kirtana ki jai!

Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

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Beautiful Boons of Bhagavatam

By Mahanidhi Swami

Just by casually hearing/reading about Sri Krishna’s wonderful, sweet pastimes depicted in the Srimad Bhagavatam, you will attain four amazing blessings, even without desiring such priceless gifts.

Moreover, the inner peace and heart’s satisfaction you’ll feel by hearing the Srimad Bhagavatam will soon make you “fall in love with Bhagavata”, as you hanker to hear/read it every day, nityam bhagavata sevaya (SB 1.2.15).

But how does it all happen? As you hear/read the Srimad Bhagavatam, you will automatically acquire higher knowledge which will subdue your lower material nature and remove your miseries. You won’t even realize how this is happening—a magical transformation of YOU.

An extraordinary inner joy and satisfaction will arise in your heart like a rich sweet aroma coming from a field of blossoming roses. This new found joy will make you detached from material sense objects, and non-devotional people and places, even without trying for it.

You, the former materialist, have now become a spiritualist—a seeker of life’s essence, God’s love. And with your Bhagavata treasures of a peaceful mind and a happy heart, you will move quickly along the path of Krishna prema bhakti.

As Bhagavan Sri Krishna says in Gita (18.54): “A spiritualist—free from grief and hankering—sees all equally and soon attains My pure love!”

To summarize, let’s see the four great treasures of hearing/reading the Srimad Bhagavatam:

1)You acquire divine knowledge and peace to subdue your lower nature.

2)Delight fills your mind to dispel your gloom and despair.

3)Your joy brings easy detachment from material sense objects/people.

4)You attain a state of liberation leading you to life’s goal of Sri Krishna prema bhakti.

So my dear friends of loving faces!

May you all dive deeply into the fathomless, beautiful, exciting, fulfilling, romantic, wisdom-filled, purifying and blissful ocean of immortal nectar ambrosia named “The Srimad Bhagavatam!”

Grantha Raja, Amala Purana,

Srimad Bhagavatam ki jai!

Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

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Radha-Krishna Dipavali Festival

By Mahanidhi Swami

Kartikka Krishna Trayodashi:

Today, Nanda Baba announces to all the Vrajavasis: “This afternoon we will go to Govardhana with our cows and carts, camp there, and then perform the annual Govardhana puja!” All the cowherders from Yavata and Varsana also come to Govardhana for the celebration. After milking the cows, all the gopas take rest for the night. Vrshabhanu Baba and his clan stay in blue tents on the left side of the camp; Abhimanyu (Sri Radha’s make-believe husband) on the north in red tents; and Nanda Baba, Sri Krishna and His family in the middle in yellow tents. That night, Radha Govinda sneak out of Their respective camps to dance the night away in joy before returning to the camp the next morning.

Chaturdashi:

Today the gopas clean the whole area from Manasa Ganga to Govinda Kunda (a five mile strip of land) to make a huge bhoga offering for Giriraja Dharan. Chappana bhoga ki jai!

After bathing in Manasa Ganga, everyone dresses and ornaments themselves before taking their meal. Radha-Madhava meet in Radha Kunda for Their usual midday-pastimes. Later under the embrace of darkness, the Loving Pair slip away to dance the rasa at Chandra Sarovara.

Amavasya/Dipavali:

In preparation for the ghee lamp utsava, Nanda Baba cleans all the bathing ghatas around Manasa Ganga, and then invites his friends and the local brahmanas for an auspicious feast. Srimati Radhika and Her sakhis cook sweet rice, vegetables and rice for offering to Nanda Baba’s Narayana Deity. Then all the Vrajavasis relish a sumptuous feast of maha-prasada. Afterwards, everyone takes paan and goes to rest in their tents.

Radhika rests briefly and then has a lover’s tryst with Shyama in a nikunja near Govardhana Hill. Returning to Her father’s, Radha prepares sweets for Her usual worship of the Surya Deva. Radha-Shyama enjoy Their usual midday-pastimes at Radha Kunda, and then return to the camp.

After milking their cows in the evening, all the cowherders go to Manasa Ganga for the Dipa Dana. Servants light all the ghee lamps, which then illuminate all the birds, trees, temples, animals, the ground around the lake. Everything bathes in a beautiful glow of gold. The Vrajavasis feel joyous and fascinated by the festival of lights.

At night, Radha-Krishna again dance through the darkness beside Chandra Sarovara. After enjoying various intimacies of love, Radha Govinda Yugala sit on a jeweled vedi to perform a duet with Shyama playing flute and Radhika on vina.

Suddenly, all the holy rivers like Yamuna, Ganga and Patala Ganga appear in Chandra Sarovara as high waves. They offer lotus flowers to Radha-Krishna’s divine lotus feet, and feel most fortunate by this offering. Just before sunrise, Radha-Shyama slip unnoticed into Their tents. Thus concludes the wonderful Dipavali festival of the Divine Couple. (Gaura Govinda Lilamrta Gutika, adapted)

Radha-Krishna’s Dipavali Maha Utsava ki jai!
Giriraja Dharana ki jai!
Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

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Nitai Gives Radha and Krishna

By Mahanidhi Swami

Ask a friend to read the following passage to you. While he reads, you should close your eyes, meditate on Sri Nityananda Prabhu’s sweet lotus feet, and deeply imbibe these important instructions of Srila Narottama dasa Thakura:

“Nitai’s lotus feet are more cooling than millions of shining moons. The shade of Nitai’s lotus feet pacify the entire universe. O brother, it is not possible to attain Radha and Krishna without merciful Nitai (hena nitai vine bhai, radha krishna paite nai).

“So hold on tightly to Nitai’s beautiful lotus feet. However, if you have no relationship with Sri Nityananda Prabhu then your life is wasted, and you are no better than an animal! If you don’t chant Nitai nama, “Nitai! Nitai! Nitai!” you will be forever bound in samsara.

“But if Nitai bestows His compassion, you will attain Radha and Krishna in Vraja, nitaiyera karuna habe, vraje radha krishna pabe. O Nitai! Please make unhappy me happy by keeping me sheltered at Your beautiful lotus feet!” (adapted, “Sri Nityananda Prabhu Nishta”)

Sri Nityananda Prabhu Trayodashi ki jai!

Jai Nitai! Jai Gaura!

Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

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Nitai’s Glories- Loot the Marketplace!

By Mahanidhi Swami

O brothers, listen to the breaking news! In partnership with Sri Advaita Prabhu and Srila Sanatana Goswamipada, Lord Nityananda has opened a marketplace of the Holy Name.

Jagai and Madhai have just looted lots of goods, so hurry, run quickly and buy something. There are no restrictions for purchasing, and you can load up with as much goods as you like. There’s no shortage. Pay with your faith and take home the priceless treasure of Sri Harinama.

Lord Sri Hari’s Holy Name is luscious with transcendental nectar. Come one, come all, and drink deeply this wonderful Namamrta. You will quickly attain divine love, submerging in an ocean of rasa bliss! Jai Nitai! Jai Gaura! (adapted, “Nitai Nama Hate”)

Sri Nityananda Prabhu Trayodashi ki jai!
Jai Nitai! Jai Gaura!
Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

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Nitai’s Glories- Supreme Bliss Free From Anger

By Mahanidhi Swami

Lord Nityananda displayed all the good qualities devotees need to possess. Let’s hear of them, and pray to Nitai to be merciful and fill us with such pure devotional attributes.

Sri Lochan das Thakura says, “Noble Nitai is never angry. Devoid of any whiff of false ego, Nitai goes from door to door of the most fallen and wretched souls to freely distribute the gift of Hari-nama. He humbly exclaims to whomever He sees, ‘Please chant “Gaura Hari!” and you will be delivered from the material world.’” (“Akrodha Paramananda”)

Sri Nityananda Prabhu Trayodashi ki jai!
Jai Nitai! Jai Gaura!
Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

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Dauji’s Rasa Dance

By Mahanidhi Swami

While living in Dwaraka Balarama once felt intense separation from the Vrajavasis, so He returned to Vraja for two months (Mar-Apr, chaitra-vasaka). His pangs of love and separation became so great that Dauji (Krsna’s elder brother, Balarama) even left His dearly beloved brother behind in Dwaraka and ran to Vrndavana. Although Sri Krsna wanted to accompany His brother, the Yadus in Dwaraka prevented Krsna from going to Vrnddavana due to fear that Krsna would not return. This is the magical and mystic power of Vrndavana that once you go there and actually taste the unique flavor of Vraja prema, you can never leave.

Upon meeting His beloved cowherd friends, Balarama ’s voice choked with prema as He enquired about their welfare. Although they are extremely shy and would never reveal before Balarama their internal pain of separation from Krsna, Krsna’s beloved gopis smiled ecstatically when they saw Balarama. This happened because they were overwhelmed by transcendental madness and prema. The gopis asked Balarama about Krsna’s welfare, and if Krsna still remembered the many sevas that they had offered like stringing flower garlands, smearing sandal wood on His body, making fans, bed and canopies of fragrant flowers. As the gopis remembered Syama’s sweet smile, playful talks, exciting glances, graceful gait and loving embraces, they broke down and started crying right in front of Balarama. To pacify the distressed gopis, Balarama relayed to them Krsna’s heartfelt internal messages, which were dignified, sweet, apologetic and full of divine wisdom. For two months, Balarama danced at Ramaghata beside the Yamuna, with His own gopis, as well as those gopis who had missed Krsna’s rasa dance because of being too young at that time. The Rasa Mandala was bright with the rays of full moon, fragrant with blooming white lotuses and refreshed by cool breezes. Balarama wore white Vyajayanti mala and a single earring. The beads of perspiration decorating His smiling lotus face looked like snowflakes. For two months, Balarama enjoyed dancing with His gopis. However, all those nights passed as if they were a single night since each night brought a completely new experience of joy in association with the beautiful damsels of Vraja.

Rasabihari Balarama ki jai!
Krsna Kanhaiya Dauji ka bhaiya ki jai!!
Jai Jai Sri Radhe!!!

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Advaita Prabhu’s Wonderful Glories- part 3

By Mahanidhi Swami

The glories of Sri Advaita Prabhu are boundless, for His roaring supplications brought about Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s descent upon this earth. Advaita Prabhu liberated the universe by preaching Harinama sankirtana. And by His mercy, all the people of the world received the treasure of love divine, Krishna prema, sankirtana paricarya sabat jagat tarila, advaita-prasade loka prema-dhana paila. (Cc. 1.6.114)

Dancing on Lotuses

When Advaita Prabhu was a young lad He once went to bathe in the Ganga with His Veda shastra teacher and some fellow students. Just alongside of the Ganga there was a large thorn-filled lake which was inhabited by many poisonous black snakes. In the middle of that lake there was a beautiful lotus spreading an enchanting fragrance in all directions. At that time, the learned brahmana smiled and asked his students, “Who can pick that lotus?”

All the students replied, “It is too dangerous and impossible to fetch that flower!” Stepping forward, Advaita Prabhu said, “I am not afraid. I will go there if you order Me.” The brahmana teacher cautioned Advaita, “There are many thorns and snakes there, so don’t vainly boast that You can go there.”

Smiling slightly, Advaita Prabhu ran into that snake-infested lake, stepping from flower to flower. He picked the fragrant lotus and offered it to His teacher. Seeing this superhuman feat, Advaita Prabhu’s teacher was struck with wonder. Sri Advaita Prabhu ki jai! (Advaita Prakash 3)

Advaita Prabhu’s Diksa

On his way to Jagannatha Puri to collect sandalwood for Gopala Sri Nathaji, Madhavendra Puri stopped at Advaita Prabhu’s house in Shantipur. Observing the extraordinary devotional ecstasies of Madhavendra, Advaita Prabhu felt intensely joyful and became convinced to take diksa, even though He Himself is an expansion of the Supreme Lord. Advaita Prabhu accepted a guru to teach humanity the necessity of accepting a guru.

Advaita Prabhu’s Seva Bhava

Advaita Prabhu always engages in bhakti with all His thoughts, words and actions,

kaya-mano-vakye tanra bhakti sada karya. (Cc. 1.6.92). By His words Advaita Prabhu loudly proclaims, “I am a servant of Chaitanya, I am a servant of Chaitanya, I am a servant of Chaitanya!” And in His mind Advaita Prabhu always thinks, “I am Gauranga’s bhakta.” Saying this, Advaita Prabhu dances, loudly sings, and then quietly sits down.

Sri Advaita Prabhu Saptami Avirbhava ki jai!
Sri Advaita Prabhu Sitanatha ki jai!
Jai Jai Sri Radhe!