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The Japa Cave part one

Mahanidhi Swami

Every day, we spend time chanting japa of the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra. But why don’t we feel anything from our japa—no experiences, no emotions and no revelations? What to speak of tears, trembling and darshana of Krishna?

We may not be seeing Krishna when chanting. But in a good japa session, a sadhaka will at least feel mentally refreshed from his communion with Radha and Krishna’s merciful Holy Names. His heart will replenish with sentiments of devotion, and he will feel increased enthusiasm to humbly serve Sri Guru, Vaisnavas and Bhagavan Sri Krishna.

The question above about “unproductive japa” has many answers, but definitely a big cause of “japa failure” is a lack of concentration and absorption. Everyone knows that concentration finishes a big task quickly, and a lack of it makes a small task drag on for eternity!

  1. Limited Time: Maximum Results

Most devotees are married and have very little time for Krishnabhajana. There is just no time for scriptural reading, studying or sadhu sanga. At best, we can find two hours in a day to chant “our sixteen rounds”. The sum total of our dailyKrishna bhajanahas to be compressed into two hours. So this limited time spentwithSri Harinama Prabhu should produce the maximum results. This article will show how to improve our concentration and absorption in Harinama japa, and thereby gain positive results and wonderful, divine experiences.

  1. Concentration & Absorption

The word concentration means the action or power of focusing all one’s attention; or dealing with one particular thing above all others. Synonyms for concentration: focus, center, fix, pointed.

In other words, while chanting japa we should focus our complete attention only on Radha and Krishna. All our thoughts and feelings should be centered, fixed on and offered to Radha-Krishna sitting with us in Their Holy Names. During our two concentrated japa hours, all other things should be disregarded.

The word absorption comes from the word absorb which means to soak up [as in liquid] or to take in and understand fully. Absorption is defined as a state of being so attentive to one thing that one is totally oblivious to anything else. For example, your son becomes so absorbed in Internet, that he doesn’t hear you loudly and repeatedly calling him for prasadam. Synonyms include being engrossed or engulfed in something, or being swallowed by it!

So our sincere efforts to concentrate during japa should culminate in japa absorption. We should soak up the sweet nectar of nama, take Him into our hearts, and become so attentive to Harinama Prabhu that we, at least for those two “precious japa hours”, forget everyone and everything else!

III. The Bhajana Caves

Caves or enclosed dark spaces have three characteristics in common i.e. solitude, silence and darkness—all very helpful for concentration and absorption in mantra and meditation. Our previous acharyas, knowing the value and absolute necessity of concentration and absorption in bhajana, chanted japa in underground rooms, generally a cave (guha, gupha).

In Vrindavana, the oldest bhajana cave is that of Srimati Paurnamasi visible in Nandagrama. As for Gaudiyas, Professor O.B.L Kapoor said that Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Himself spent some time in a cave in Assam after visiting Sri Rupa and Sanatana in Ramakeli. That cave called “Chaitanya Gupha” is still visible today. (Philosophy and Religion of Sri Chaitanya)

Since that time, many Gaudiya Vaisnava acharyas, mahajanas and devotees have gone underground for private worship. Here is a list of famous devotees who chanted japa and meditated in caves, along with the place and its visibility today.

Namacharya Haridasa Thakura, Phulia West Bengal. Visible;

Rupa Goswamipada, Govindaji Mandira, Vrindavana. Visible;

Sanatana Goswami, Gokul Mahavana, Vrindavana, Visible?

Sri Jiva Goswamipada Vrindavana Nanda Ghata. Visible;

Bhugarbha Goswami Seva Kunja near Radha Damodara Mandira. Visible?

Shyamananda Prabhu, Radha-Shyamasundara Mandir Vrindavana. Visible;

Narayana Bhatta Goswami, Unchagoan. Visible;

Raghava Goswami, Govardhana Punchari. Visible.

  1. Characteristics of a Cave

As mentioned, caves have three things necessary for success in bhajana i.e. Darkness, Silence and Solitude. Mental and sensual distraction during japa prevent us from experiencing success in our practice. To facilitate concentration, we should try to create the tranquil atmosphere of a cave in our homes. We will explain exactly how to do that in part two.

Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

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Seven Amazing Mantras

Mahanidhi Swami

The receiving of diksha and the mantras of liberation from Sri Guru is the most significant event in the karmic wanderings of a conditioned soul.

Sri Ishvara Puripada explains the difference between mantra and nama: “O Sri Chaitanya! By chanting the Krishna mantra [gopala-mantra] one will be liberated from material existence. And by chanting Krishna’s name, one will attain His lotus feet,” krishna mantra haite habe samsara mocana, krishna nama haite pabe krishnera charan (Cc. 1.7.73) Thus, the diksha mantras and the holy name or nama work together to bring sadhakas to spiritual perfection. Mantras liberate, and Nama, the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra, gives Krishna and Krishna prema.

Usually at the time of initiation, Sri Guru will explain three aspects of chanting of the diksha mantras: the mantra devata (the divine personality addressed by the mantra); the mantra dhyana (meditation to accompany the mantra chanting); and the mantra artha (meaning of the mantra).

The Srimad Bhagavatam says that Bhagavan Sri Krishna is the mantra devata or the presiding Lord or Deity of all mantras, namo namas te, ‘khila mantra devata (SB 3.13.39) Chaitanya Bhagavata describes Lord Gauranga’s mantra dhyana or meditating on the meaning of the mantra. “One day Mahaprabhu sat down in a lonely place to meditate on His mantra, eka-dina mahaprabhu vasiya nibhrte, nija ishta mantra dhyana lagila (Cb. 1.17.14)

What follows are the mantra devata, meditation and meaning for the seven diksha mantras given in ISKCON. We hope this information will help devotees deepen their absorption in chanting their diksha mantras and gayatris.

  1. BRAHMA GAYATRI
  2. i) Mantra Devata: (presiding personality of the mantra) Radha-Govinda Yugala
  3. ii) Mantra Dhyana: (Meditation to do before chanting the mantra): I am a palya-dasi manjari (nourished maidservant) of Srimati Radhika, forever hoping to serve in the Vraja pastimes of Radha-Govinda Yugala.

iii) Mantra Artha (meaning of the mantra to meditate upon while chanting it):

“By the mercy of Radha-Govinda Yugala, I will transcend the three planes of material existence (sensual, mental, and intellectual). I meditate upon the brilliant light of Bhanunandini’s [Radha] ecstatic love, which shows me how to serve Kamadeva Krishna, the personified perfection of transcendental beauty and playful sports. May this mantra incite and inspire me to surrender to Sri Radhika, accept Her order and engage in Her eternal loving service in the groves of Vrindavana.”

  1. GURU MANTRA
  2. i) Mantra Devata: Sri Guru as Mukunda-prestha, one who is dear to Mukunda Sri Krishna and always pleases Him.
  3. ii) Mantra Dhyana: I meditate upon Sri Hari, Who has assumed the form of Sri Guru. Sri Guru has a sat-cid-ananda form filled with pure devotion, and his lotus feet are full of the nectar of mercy. Radiant with youth, Sri Guru has a golden complexion and he is adorned with sandalwood paste and a fragrant white flower garland. Sri Guru has lotus eyes and a very happy face. He is peaceful, ever delighting in his bhajana. He faithfully follows his line of gurus, and he is always very eager to serve Radha-Govinda Yugala.

iii) Mantra Artha: “I eternally meditate upon and respectfully dedicate myself to the service of my beloved Sri Gurudeva, who is the source of my transcendental knowledge, spiritual strength and bliss.”

  1. GURU GAYATRI
  2. i) Mantra Devata: Same as Guru Mantra.
  3. ii) Mantra Dhyana: Same as Guru Mantra

iii) Mantra Artha: “May I understand and realize the divine svarupa of my Guru whose heart is full of the beauty of ecstatic love for Krishna. I meditate on Sri Guru, as a purely devoted servant of Srimati Radhika, who gives unending pleasure to Radha and Krishna by her many intimate services. O Gurudeva! Please bless me with ecstatic love for Krishna.”

  1. GAURA MANTRA
  2. i) Mantra Devata: Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu
  3. ii) Mantra Dhyana: I meditate upon the golden-hued Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu. He has beautiful shiny black hair bound with a string of pearls, and a gentle smile appears on Gaura’s moon-like face. Gauranga’s body is anointed with aguru and chandana. Mahaprabhu wears beautiful, shimmering yellow cloth, a host of ornaments and with ornaments and a long, aromatic flower garland. Absorbed in madhurya-rasa, Gaurasundara dances in divine euphoria. Sri Gaurachanda is more beautiful than Cupid, and He is always surrounded by blissful loving devotees.

iii) Mantra Artha: “I repeatedly offer my humble obeisances unto Lord Gauranga, the combined form of Radha-Govinda, Who is freely distributing Krishna prema to everyone, even the lowest of the low.”

  1. GAURA GAYATRI
  2. i) Mantra Devata: Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu
  3. ii) Mantra Dhyana: Same as Gaura Mantra.

iii) Mantra Artha: “I meditate upon Lord Gauranga, the combined form of Radha-Govinda. Sri Chaitanya has given me real life, and he is nourishing me with drops of prema. And Lord Gauranga is always inspiring me to perform pure devotional service in the mood of Vraja.”

  1. KRISHNA/GOPALA MANTRA
  2. i) Mantra Devata: Sri Gopala, the sweet and playful loving Master of Vrindavana.
  3. ii) Mantra Dhyana: Bathed in the rays of the full moon, Krishna stands on the banks of the Yamuna. Syama’s face is beautified by pearl-like beads of perspiration. Govinda’s long eyebrows dance seductively as He casts a sidelong glance. A pearl dangles from the tip of Krishna’s nose; His radiant teeth glisten like moonlight, and Madhava’s attractive moist lips are as red as cherriest. Krishna’s hands are adorned with bracelets and a jeweled seal ring. Syama holds a murali in His right hand and a lotus in his left. A sash of small, jingling bells ornaments His slender waist, and splendid ankle bells jingle on His lotus feet.

iii) Mantra Artha: “I meditate upon and hope to attain the confidential service of Radha-Govinda Yugala in Vraja. As the Prince of Vraja, Nandakumara, attracts the hearts of the Vraja-gopis with His sweetness and playful sports, may Krishna also attract me. As Krishna thrills and pleases all the senses of the gopis (Govinda), may all my senses be fully engaged in pleasing the Lord of the cows, cowherd boys, and damsels of Vraja. And may I throw myself (swaha) at the feet of Krishna’s most beloved sweetheart Sri Radha, and fully engage in Her service.”

  1. KAMA GAYATRI
  2. i) Mantra Devata: Radha-Govinda Yugala in Their madhurya-lila.
  3. ii) Mantra Dhyana: Overwhelmed in ecstatic love for Radhika, Madhava triumphantly plays His murali as He is roams from grove to grove in Vrindavana. Syama looks very beautiful dressed in attractive garments. Srimati, Who completely subdues Shyama with Her love, is embracing Krishna. Syama is full of love for Radhika and He is completely attached to sporting with Her. Every so often, Krishna contracts His eyebrows and smiles wantonly to reveal the desires in His heart.

iii) Mantra Artha: “I meditate upon that Kamadeva Govinda, Who shoots arrows of flowers into the hearts of His selfless servants, and thus maddens them with His enchanting beauty and rapturous prema. May that Kamadeva Gopinatha, the king of all amorous mellows, be pleased with me and engage me forever in His blissful service in Vrindavana.”

Diksha Mantras ki jai! Sri Guru Nitai ki jai!

Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

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Misunderstood Second Offense

Mahanidhi Swami

Many devotees misunderstand the second offense in chanting Krishna’s Holy Name, and thus make nama-aparadha which blocks their spiritual progress.

The Second Offense:

shivasya sri vishnor ya iha guna namadi sakalam,

dhiya bhinnam pashyed sa khalu hari-namahita-karah

(Padma Puräëa, Brahma-khaëòa 25.15)

Translations:

  1. BBT (Nectar of Devotion):

“To consider the names of demigods like Lord Shiva or Lord Brahma to be equal to or independent of the name of Lord Vishnu.”

  1. BBT (Brhad-bhagavatamrta)

“One who sees differences between any of Lord Shiva’s qualities and names and those of Sri Vishnu is an antagonist [offender] to hari-nama.” (BB 1.2.86 tika)

  1. Srila Sanatana Goswamipada

“If one even thinks that Shiva’s names, forms, qualities and pastimes are different from those of Sri Vishnu, he commits a serious offence against the holy name.” (Hari-bhakti Vilasa 11.152 tika)

  1. Sri Bhaktivedanta Narayana Maharaja

“One who considers the qualities, names and other attributes of Lord Shiva to be different from those of Vishnu commits a serious offence.” (Siksastaka 2 tika)

  1. “To see difference (bhinnam pashyed) between the names and qualities of Shiva and Vishnu is an offense (ahita: inimical, antagonistic).”

The above translations (2-5), which are about the same, clearly establish the true meaning of the second offense. If you have misunderstood and are making this offense, we hope you will now adjust your vision, avoid this offense, and begin chanting the pure Holy Names of Sri Krishna, shuddha harinama.

May all confusion rest with the establishment of truth. And may all see the harmony within the myriad of transcendental forms of the sweet Absolute, Sri Krishna. In an upcoming article, we will discuss the oneness and difference of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva.

Har Har Mahadeva ki jai! HariHara Bhagavan ki jai!

Shuddha Hari Nama ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

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The Vaishakha Month Vrata 2016 (23 April-21 May)

Mahanidhi Swami

This is Vaishakha month (aka Madhusudana, 23 April-21 May) which is one of the three best months of the year along with Karttika and Magh. Why? Because pious acts done in these months award one tremendous benefits.

Significant events in Vaishakha month: Radha-Krishna Candana Yatra, Nrsinghadeva appears, Ganga appears on earth, and Vishnu creates the barley grain (job). The rest of the article describing the “Vaishakha Vrata” is taken from Srila Sanatana Goswamipada’s Hari-bhakti Vilasa (14).

Suggested good deeds to perform daily or occasionally; pre-sunrise tirtha snana; public Harinama Sankirtana; dhama parikrama; read Bhagavatam; attend Gita class; increased Thakuraji sevas; serve saints; eat once a day; and to the worthy, donate sesame seeds, cow ghee, umbrellas, shoes, cloth, money.

SPECIAL DAYS TO OBSERVE:

MAY 9 MONDAY: AKSHAYA TRITIYA!

Even one good deed done today i.e. fasting, jagaran, holy bath, charity, and nama/mantra sankhya yields INEXHAUSTIBLE RESULTS. Treta-yuga begins today (when it comes), and Vishnu created the barely grain today.

MAY 13 FRIDAY: SHUKLA SAPTAMI

Maa Ganga Appearance; kindly remember, pray to, bathe and worship the sweet and purifying mother of all sacred rivers. Gange! Gange! Gange! Ki jai!

MAY 17 TUESDAY: EKADASHI

Stay awake all night chanting Hare Krishna and dancing in Gaura-Govinda smarana. Skanda Purana says, By doing jagaran, one becomes jivan-mukta, “a living liberated soul.”

MAY 18 WEDNESDAY: AKSHAYA DVADASHI

Good deeds today yield inexhaustible merit. Skanda Purana suggests: tirtha-snana (Radha Kunda best); bathe Thakuraji in milk or pancamrta; donate money and pots of water. But if you’re not a Vraja gopi, this means a bottle of water. In the evening, satisfy Thakuraji with sweet drinks, and give sweet scents (itra) to others.

MAY 20 FRIDAY: NRSINGHDEVA AVIRBHAVA

Watch for new article on how to observe it.

Vaishakha Month of Lord Madhusudana Sri Krishna ki jai!

Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

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Radha Teaches Ekadashi

Mahanidhi Swami

“What amazing beauty, power, nobility, grace and sweetness!” they thought just by seeing Him. “O, what great fortune it would be to be His beloved!” Thus, the forest ascetics desired just by a moment’s darshana of Raghupati Raghava Raja Rama in Treta-yuga.

In His soft and compassionate heart, Sri Ramachandraji blessed the Dandakaranya rishis with future fulfilment of their cherished sankalpa.

Eons of time passed. Then the scorching suns of summer wreaked a terrible drought in South India. The cowherds, fearing the death of their precious wealth of cows, moved Northward to the lush green pastures and dense virgin forests of Vraja Gokula to take shelter of Vrajaraja Nanda Baba in Vrindavana.

In spring of the following year, the wives of these migrant cowherds gave birth to very beautiful girls—lovely little gopis. Realizing the boon of Lord Rama, the Dandakaranya rishis now took birth as Vraja gopis during the prakata-lila of Bhagavan Sri Krishna.

One day, these new Vraja gopis approached Srimati Radharani and asked, “O Ishvari Radha! How can we please Sri Krishna, attract His attention and acquire His mercy?”

Sri Radha tersely replied, “Strictly observe the Ekadashi vrata!”

After instructing them in various details, Radha added, “Also, you will gain the result (vrata phala) of observing the Dvadashi vrata for one year if you chant the name of the 26 Ekadashis:

“Utpanna, Mokshada, Saphala, Putrada, Shat-tila, Jaya, Vijaya, Amalaki, Papamochani, Kamada, Varuthini, Mohini, Apara, Nirjala, Yogini, Devashayani, Kamini, Pavitra, Aja, Padma, Indira, Pashankusha, Rama, Prabodhini, (Padmini, Parama: adhika mas).

(Garga Samhita, adapted)

Jaya Jaya Sri Radhe! Ekadashi Vrata Ki Jai!

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The Original Form of Ekadashi

Mahanidhi Swami

The Ekadashi fasting day is extensively described in Hari-bhakti Vilasa. Sanatana Goswamipada, quoting numerous Vedic scriptures, defines the basic Ekadashi thus: “All humans, especially Vaisnavas, should NOT EAT ANYTHING on Ekadashi, the day of Sri Hari, hari-vasara.”

In Narada Purana, Lord Shiva told Durga, “Again and again the Puranas proclaim, ‘On Ekadashi, Do not eat, Do not eat!’’’ (HBV 12.12)

In Bhakti-sandarbha anu. 299, Sri Jiva Goswamipada quotes many shastras to make the same point. For example, the Gautamiya-tantra says, “If by madness a Vaisnava eats anything on Ekadashi, then his worship is worthless!” Vishnu-yamala states, “If one is normal and healthy, he should not eat anything on Ekadashi.”

So it is clear that the basic and original Ekadashi Vrata is a day of complete fasting to facilitate more surrender and more offerings of devotion to Bhagavan Sri Krishna.

It is amazing how in the entire Ekadashi fasting day description, Srila Sanatana Goswamipada does not mention one word about eating this or avoiding that type of food. In one verse, however, he gives a concession for eating on Ekadashi, and even that is restricted to a few persons. He quotes the Markendeya Purana: “A child, an elderly or sick person may take ONE MEAL consisting of milk, fruits and roots and that only AT NIGHT.” (HBV 12.91)

In other words, Srila Sanatana Goswamipada is telling all of us, who are normal and healthy by Krishna’s grace, to FAST COMPLETELY ON EKADASHI. This is the basic Ekadashi—austere, powerful and beneficial.

Of course, there are many other approaches to fasting on Ekadashi given by various gurus, institutions and individual family traditions. Ultimately, the best way of observing the austerity of Hari-vasara is to follow the teachings of one’s mentors on the devotional path.

We are describing the original form of Ekadashi observance to encourage old devotees to do more, and to show new devotees the ideal path outlined in our sacred books. Many devotees we know follow the basic, traditional Ekadashi of not eating anything, plus not drinking even a drop of water! Besides being the basic observance of Ekadashi prescribed by our mahajanas, a complete fast is an excellent means for improving both spiritual and material health.

Srila Sanatana Goswamipada and all the Vedas describe the Ekadashi vrata as part of a “penance triad”. Although very difficult in the modern age, this fasting package includes three days of austerity i.e. Dashami, Ekadashi and Dwadashi (10th, 11th and 12th). However, the full basic observance of the one fasting day of Ekadashi is practical and prescribed for most sadhakas of today.

Still, sadhakas can respect and honor these three holy days by following Hari-bhakti Vilasa’s instructions about eating, which are listed below.

10th Day Dashami: Eat only one time, the following foods ONLY; winter white rice, mung dal, sesame seeds, root bulbs minus taro, amla, banana, jackfruit, mango, tamarind, cow’s ghee, milk & yogurt, Sind (ekadashi) or sea salt, pepper, cumin, ginger, and sugar without molasses.

BUT DON’T EAT: honey, oil [fried foods], chickpeas (channa), flour i.e. rotis, bread, etc., masura dal or leafy vegetables. (HBV 13.10-15)

11th Day Ekadashi: Chant Hare Krishna, read the Bhagavata and dance in delight, but keep food and water far from your sight! Ekadashi Devi ki jai ho!

12th Day Dwadashi: Eat only once, but DON’T EAT: honey, oil [fried foods], chickpeas (channa), flour i.e. rotis, bread, etc, and masura dal. (HBV 13.260-264)

To close this article, we will cite Srila Sanatana Goswamipada’s perfect definition of fasting. And this is the type of fasting we should all do every day of our devotional lives:

“To remain steady and steadfast, even in the face of sin by cultivating good qualities, and to give up all sense enjoyment is called FASTING.” (HBV 13.35)

Ekadashi fasting ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

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Amazing Benefits of Bathing in Magha

Mahanidhi Swami

The yearly one month long (Jan.-Feb.) world famous Kumbha Mela offers amazing benefits for a daily sunrise bath in a holy river like the Ganga, Yamuna, or especially the Triveni in Allahabad U.P.

Here in a series of articles, we will highlight some of the glories of the “Magha Month Vrata” which focuses primarily on sacred bathing in addition to one’s other daily sadhana.

As Gaudiya Vaisnavas, we follow the teachings of Gita and the Bhagavata, the books of our Mahajana acharyas like the Six Goswamis, and the instructions of our spiritual teachers. One major work is the Hari Bhakti Vilasa, compiled by Srila Sanatana Goswamipada. This is our Gaudiya Vaisnava smrti, which means a book of rules and recommended practices for endearing oneself to Bhagavan Sri Krishna.

To prove and establish the immense importance of the Magha snana, the Hari-bhakti Vilasa quotes 160 Sanskrit verses from different Puranas such as the Bhavisottara, Brahmavaivarta, Narada, Padma and Skanda. Here’s a sample:

The Padma Purana (Uttara-khaëòa 126.9) states, “It is an injunction that one must bathe in a holy place during Magha to please Bhagavan Vasudeva [Sri Krishna], priyate vasudevasya, magha snanam prakirttitam.” (HBV 14.54) Skanda Purana: “By bathing in a holy place in Magha, one will not take birth again, snanam karoti yo maghe, samsara na bhavet punah.” (HBV 14.72)

The following benefit befits the bhaktas, who want to be with Radha-Krishna forever serving Their lotus feet: “If one desires to live near Vishnu [Sri Krishna], iccha vishnu vasam, he should bathe every year during Magha, magha snanam tada karyyam varshe varshe. (HBV 14.76)

In Skanda Purana, Narada Muni glorifies the tremendous blessing power of Magha snana: “Magha snana destroys all sins committed by thoughts, words and deeds.” And further, “Bath, charity, chanting and sacrifices done in Magha yield unlimited benefit, snanam danam japa homa, kriyate maghe ananta phalam.” (HBV 14.80-81)

One can take the next quote to mean that a woman will become beautiful, charitable, supremely chaste and fortunate by a Magha snana. “Vashishta Muni said, ‘Because of bathing during the month of Magha, Shachi became beautiful; Arundhati became charitable; Anusuya became most chaste; and Rohini attained good fortune.’” (HBV 14.100-101)

Any contact with the transcendental Yamuna, Ganga or other sacred waters will produce wonderful benefits like good health, purity and promotion to Vaikuntha. So what makes holy waters so especially powerful during Magha month? The Narada Purana answers, “The devatas cast all their respective powers into water during Magha, devata teja pari kshiptam, magha mase jaleshu vai.” (HBV 14.163)

However, of all the holy waters one can bathe in, there is an astonishingly unique value in bathing in Sri Radha Kunda!

Srila Rupa Goswamipada explains, “Even ONE BATH in Radha Kunda can manifest that prema, tat premedam sakrd api sarah snatur avishkaroti.”

What is “that prema” (tad prema) you may ask? Srila Rupa answers saying, “You will receive that special oneness in love for Krishna felt by Radha, the foremost of all Krishna’s beloved sweethearts, radha preyasibhyah uccaih vasati pranaya krishnasya.” (Upadeshamrita 11)

So plan now and try to bathe daily during the entire Magha month either in Radha Kunda, Vrindavana, Navadvipa or Jagannatha Puri. In this regard, Sri Dattatreya said, “Magha month is the best of all months, as far as doing good deeds, masanam magha shreshtha.” (HBV 14.159)

If you can’t spare a month, however, then you can follow Sri Dattatreya Muni who said, “At least bathe for three days during Magha, and you will attain wealth and long life.” (HBV 14.161-162)

When is the bathing period?

“One should begin his Magha snana on Pausha Purnima (Jan. 24) and end on Magha Purnima (Feb. 22).” (HBV 14.67)

Magha Mas Tunda Snana ki jai! Radha Kunda Dhama ki jai!

Gopi Prema ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

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Magha Masa Vrata_24 January to 22 February 2016

Mahanidhi Swami

from padma purana and hari bhakti vilasa, 14th vilasa (verses in brackets)

  1. Tattva / identity

If one does not take Magha snana, his life is meaningless. Magha snana pleases krsna more than observing vows, austerities and charity. This is the best month to do pious activities. (160) One should observe Magha vrata every year. (76) It is the duty of every human being to bathe in a holy place during Magha masa to please lord Krsna. (127) Water is pure and destroys unlimited amount of sins during Magha masa because the demigods place all their individual potencies in water. (163) Dattatreya explains, “The human body is useless without Magha snana.” (P.P. Vol. 46, Pg. 2763). These five acts are very pleasing to Lord Krsna: (i) observe Magha vrata; (ii) observe Karttika vrata; (iii) chant twelve–syllable mantra ─ Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya; (iv) worship Lord Visnu daily with sixteen articles; and (v) maintain a Tulasi grove. There is also a triad of vows which is very dear to Lord Visnu ─ Magha vrata, Karttika vrata, Ekadasi vrata.

  1. Magha Vrata Summary

It is best to bathe before or at sunrise in a holy place. One should give gifts esp. sesame seeds and gur to brahmanas. Worship the sun-god and keep the ghee lamps lit in the home or temple.

III. Date to Start and finish the vow

Start on pausa Purnima and end on Magha Purnima. (67) On Magha Purnima, feed brahmanas, give charity and break your fast.

  1. The daily bath
  2. Time : Best before sunrise (90, 138) or pratah kala (6:00 – 8:30 a.m.).
  3. Place: Outside in a pond, lake, kunda or river. Ganga bath awards 1,000 times the benefit. By bathing in Triveni, one gets 1,00,000 times the benefit. Every step one takes to go outside for bathing burns the reactions of sins that have not yet fructified and pleases Yama. (93) It is a sastric injunction to bathe in a holy place only to give pleasure to Lord Krsna. One must bathe outside the home at least 3,5 or 7 times in the month. Even bathing in a mud puddle awards mukti.

House Bath – Set a bucket outside in the open air overnight, bring it inside and bathe. This equals bathing in a holy place. Such a bath bestows all desirable objects. (Add a drop of Ganga, Yamuna or Radhakunda water).

  1. Sankalpa Mantra Vow: Upon waking in the morning, one should recite this : “O Supreme Lord Madhava! I will bathe every morning without fail during Magha masa.”

maghamasam imam purnam

snasye’ham deva madhava

  1. Best Bath Time Mantra : “O Acyuta, O Govinda, O Madhava! I bathe in the month of Magha when the sun travels to the Makara rasi. O Lord, kindly bestow upon me the appropriate fruit of this vow.”

makaraste ravau magha

govinda acyuta madhava

snanenanena me deva

yathokta phalado bhava

  1. Benefits of magha snana in a holy place: Grave sins committed knowingly or unknowingly are destroyed. (79) Lord Brahma says, “All sins committed with the mind, speech or action are destroyed by bathing in a holy place. Any pious acts (e.g., chanting mantras or yajnas) performed for the pleasure of lord krsna give unlimited benefits.” (81) If one person from a family bathes in a holy place, all the past and future relatives get liberated by Lord Krsna. (83) All sins are vanquished. (141, 145) just by bathing in a holy place for three days, one gets wealth and long life. One becomes free from all distress and sins and goes to Svarga. (60) One goes to Vaikuntha with 21 generations. (78, 154, 164) Nothing is more effective in destroying sinful reactions than bathing in a holy place. Magha snana in a holy place is the best remedy for conditioned souls because it instantly destroys all sinful reactions. It is more beneficial than all vows. It awards all types of boons. (115) Gives good health, beauty, good qualities, wealth and long life. (118) Daily Magha snana destroys all sins and calamities, pleases Lord Visnu, and gives liberation. Magha snana fulfills all one’s desires. if one takes Magha snana anywhere outside of home, he will experience no sorrows in this or next life. Magha snana at Prayaga is equal to worshiping Lord Visnu at a 100 crore of other places. The fruit of fasting for ten years is equal to three days Magha snana at Prayaga.
  2. Bath rules: You don’t have to follow any other vow. Nothing else is required except bathing in a holy place. If you bathe in a holy place, you don’t have to do anything else. (88) One should bathe in silence. (31, 85) Put clay on your head before bath. While bathing, offer oblations to Suryadeva. Brahmanas should remember the names of Hari, Madhava, Vasudeva and Visnu.
  3. Magha Vrata
  4. Rules : (i) One should control the mind and senses, observe celibacy, sleep on floor and follow proper behaviour; (ii) no oil on body; (iii) don’t eat food cooked or given by others; (iv) eat once a day; (v) give up receiving gifts; (vi) renounce your favorite object. (106)
  5. Deity Puja : Worship the Supreme Lord with special care and attention, offering lamps, food, incense and sandalwood paste. By worshiping the supreme lord with care and attention, one attains spiritual world. (69) One should worship a brahmana couple with food, sandalwood paste, blanket, cloth, jewels. (46) light an akhanda-dipa from sunset to sunrise near Deity, offer lots of tulasi leaves and manjaris to the deity. Offer fragrant rice. If you offer lotus or campaka flower, you’ll go to Vaikuntha. Bathe the Deity daily in water and milk. Offer sesame seed preparations to the Deity, khichri with dry fruits, kheer and ghee fried items.
  6. Charity: Give charity according to your capacity throughout the month. Blankets, warm clothes, shoes, wood, waterpot, umbrella, ghee, oil, cotton wicks are preferred items. Giving food items with sesame seeds and gur destroys your sins, esp. on Sankranti. Magha masa is a special month to give gifts to brahmanas. It destroys sins, awards happiness and residence in heaven. Austerities and penances performed without giving gifts don’t shine like sky without sun. Whatever gifts one gives to brahmanas, one gets inexhaustible results. One should also offer food to ancestors. Lord Krsna says: “On sankranti, Amavasya or Purnima in Magha, Vaisakha, Asadha and Karttika, if you give charity to a brahmana, you will receive a house, happiness, other enjoyable things and liberation.” It especially pleases Krsna if we give blankets, quilts, warm clothes, shoes, rice, ghee, oil, wood, ghee lamps and kumkuma. (47)
  7. Special puja days

Everyone should observe vasanta pancami, Bhaimi Ekadasi and Varaha Dvadasi. (166)

Krsna Paksa : 1. Makara Sankranti: offer fragrant rice to thakuraji. Offer lotus or campaka flower ─ go to Vaikuntha. One should definitely take Magha snana in a holy place. One must distribute gur and sesame gajjak to brahmanas in public.

  1. Amavasya (Mauni Amavasya): One must take a bath in a holy place. Observe complete silence from sunrise to sunset and constantly chant Hare Krsna mahamantra.

Sukla Paksa : 3. Tritiya (Manvantari): Any gifts given on this day bestow inexhaustible results.

  1. Pancami (Vasanta): It is a very important bathing day. Bathe the Deity with milk and coconut water. Offer lots of fruits. Decorate the temple with mango leaves. Dress them in new, fine clothes. Illuminate the house with lamps. Offer whole coconut, grapes, sugarcane juice, green vegetables and yellow food items like saffron rice. Worship sun-god, Ganga and Mother earth. Worship Saraswati, and also worship Srimad Bhag., Bhag. Gita, Guru-Parampara, and articles which are worshiped as dwelling places of saraswati like notebooks , pens, papers, musical instruments e.g., karatals, mrdangas etc. Keep everything on the altar and cover the picture of Saraswati with yellow cloth. Serve vaisnavas, sing and dance. (167) Play musical instruments in Vasanta raga. If you worship Lord Krsna on Vasanta Pancami, you will become very dear to Supreme Lord. (170)
  2. Saptami: It is a special day to worship Surya Bhagavan (Sun–God). If you fast on this day, you get liberation and attain the punya equal to observing a solar eclipse. Recite this prayer:”This seventh day of Magha sukla should destroy the sins of my seven lives, and destroy my diseases and miseries. This saptami day is the mother of all Saptamis! Belonging to the Sun, you have appeared on the seventh day. I offer my respects to you, O devi, living on the Sun planet.”

On Sapatmi, donate grains and red cloth out of love for the sun. Worship Surya Narayana. Offer an arka leaf, a fragrant red flower, badri fruit, rice, sacred thread coated with kumkuma, all inside a copper pot. Offer saffron water. Offer grains and red cloth. Also wear red clothes.

  1. Bhisma Astami: For five days, beginning on astami, when bathing stand in water facing North and hang one’s brahmana thread like a flower mala. Offer water to Bhisma with this mantra: ”Let me offer this oblation of water to the great devotee Bhisma, who belongs to the Vaiaghra pada (Lion), is enriched with spiritual understanding and who had no son. (173)

vaiaghra padya gotraya

sankrti pravaraya ca

aputraya dadyam ye tat

salilam bhisma varmmane

VII. Breaking the magha vrata

On Magha Purnima, feed brahmanas and give them gifts. At the end of Purnima tithi, break the fast. End with this prayer : “O Govinda, Acyuta, Madhava! Please give me the fruit of Magha vrata and eternal service of the lotus feet of Srimati Radharani in the groves of Vrndavana as Her eternal palyadasi.” (9027)

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Who is Narayana Bhatta Goswami?

Mahanidhi Swami

You could say he was “the father of Vraja Yatras and Rasa-lila performances”. Narayana Bhatta Goswami was Brahmin born in South India. Later he came to Vraja and took initiation from Krishna das brahmacari, a disciple of Shri Gopal Bhatta Goswami. He assisted Rupa and Sanatana Goswami in unearthing lost deities and in revealing lila places of Radha and Krishna in Vrindavana.

He wrote over 50 bhakti-granthas and lived several years in Radha Kunda. His famous Vraja Mandala parikrama guide titled Vraja Bhakti Vilasa (completed 1552 A.D.) says he discovered 333 forests and holy places of Sri Krishna. He gave a distinctive name to every kunja, kunda and village in Vraja according to the particular Krishna lila occurring there.

On his own, Bhattaji disovered all the tirthas and lila-sthalis mentioned in the Varaha Purana. Important Deities revealed by him are Sri Ladali Ji of Barasana, Baladau Ji of Uncagrama, Sanketa Devi Ji, Sesasayi Visnu, Badrinatha, Kamesvara Mahadeva, Mahavidya, Dirgha Visnu, Mahavisnu and Varaha in Mathura.

Holy places discovered by him are Manasi Ganga, Kusuma-sarovara, Govinda kunda and Chandra-sarovara in Govardhana; Rasa sthali in Vrindavana; Bhanukhora, Pili-pokhara, Danagarha, Managarha, Vilasagarha, Gahavaravana, and Sankarikhora in Barasana; Dehakunda and Triveni in Uncagrama; Gayakunda, Kasikunda, Vimala-sarovara, Kuruksetra, Panca-tirtha, Dharmakunda and Caurasi- khamba in Kamyavana, Ciraghata, Nandaghata, Viharavana, and Carana-pahadi.

After determining the exact boundary of Vraja, Bhattaji established the practice of circumambulating Vrindavana, which is known today as Vraja Yatra or Caurasi Kosh Parikrama. He discovered places connected with Krishna’s rasa, and constructed rasa-mandalas in those places i.e. Radha Kunda, Unchagrama, Kokilavana, Prema-sarovara, Gahavaravana, Prema-sarovara, Vrindavana, Karahela, Pisai and Parasauli. He also started rasa-lila drama performances around Vraja, which are still popular today with visitors and Vrajavasis.

After living many years in Radha Kunda, he moved to Uncagrama, where he married and later entered samadhi on Vamana Jayanti 1643.

Shri Narayana Bhatta Goswami ki jai! Vraja Mandala Parikrama ki jai!

Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

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Ideal Grhasta & Acharya_Sri Ananda Gopala Gosvami

Mahanidhi Swami

Srila Ananda Gopala Gosvami Prabhupada, the 12th generation direct descendant from Sri Advaita Acharya, appeared in Vrindavana Dhama on Padmanabha Ekadasi October, 1897. At the age of fourteen he and his parents moved to Navadvipa Dhama, where he passed his life.

The bhajana life of Sri Ananda Gopala Goswami was very exemplary and fruitful. Every day he got up at 3 am, took a bath and sat down for bhajana. Tears would stream from his eyes while he was immersed in meditation. By performing purashcarana he attained mantra darshana. Purashcarana is a nonstop marathon recital of a large number of diksha mantras in order to attain darshana of the mantra Devata.

Sri Ananda Gopala Goswami would not eat until he finished his daily quota of japa. No family member or disciple could disturb him until 8 a.m. At 10 a.m. he would take some of Sri Madangopalji’s prasadi fruits and sweets. Afterwards, he would meet with his family and disciples.

Ananda Gopala Goswami was totally averse to the principle of a professional Guru. In fact, he never asked his disciples for donations even though many were wealthy. He and his wife were completely renounced and full of devotion.

Even though they had no bank account, no land and no house, they continually served their family deities, Sri Sri Radha Madana Gopala. Whenever donations did come, he would immediately spend them to serve Sri Krishna and the Vaisnavas. When he heard someone singing Radha’s name, he would embrace him and say, “This person has purchased me!”

In Vrindavana 1954, he gave wonderful lectures for one fortnight on Vilapa Kusumanjali and Radharasa Sudhanidhi in Radha Damodara Mandira. Everyone was astonished to hear his sweet and essential explanations of each verse. Where the rasa-stream of other lectures stopped, Sri Ananda Gopala Goswami began. In each verse, he led the listeners through the course of the Radha-Krishna’s eight-fold daily pastimes.

Whatever problems or questions that the manjari bhava sadhakas had in their sadhana, he would clearly answer by drawing live pictures of manjari bhava with every discourse. By his mercy, sadhakas forevermore can easily depict the sequence of beautifully sweet and intimate sevas to perform in Priya-Priyatama’s Vraja nikunja-lilas. In the 1970’s, Sri Ananta das Panditji gave lectures on Vilapa Kusumanjali based on a transcript of these lectures.

Regarding the disputed authorship of Radha Sudhanidhi (Hit Harivamsa or Prabhodhananda Sarasvati), Ananda Gopala Goswami told the audience in Radha Damodara Mandira: “Some person may come to a mango grove and inquire: ‘How many fruits are in these trees? Who constructed this grove? How are the fruits sold and who is the owner?’ Yet another person will just come, purchase the mangoes, offer them, sit under a tree and say: ‘Aha, how sweet are these mangoes!’

“So similarly, Radharasa Sudhanidhi is a wonderful book, born by the grace of Sri Radharani, whoever may have composed it. What matters is the relish of its contents. We need to become qualified to extract the rasa from this book. Radha dasya is the goal of our lives. And Madan Gopala becomes subdued by us if we can meditate on the foot soles of Radharani. Radha dasya is our only shelter.”

What follows are some the direct words of Sri Ananda Gopala Goswami revealing his nistha in manjari bhava as Radharani’s loyal maisdservant:

“Prabhupada Ananda Gopala Goswami, cherishing Srimati Radharani’s lotus-feet within his heart, used to proudly say, ‘If necessary for Radha’s seva, I will go to hell. I don’t want anything else but Radha. I will not accept Krishna alone. If Krishna comes to me alone, I will send Him back.

‘If such an attitude would ruin me, then let it be. I will accept Krishna neglectfully, and only then if He comes along with Radha! Because I am Radha’s maidservant, I will wander around being proud of Radha. If, however, the Divine Pair comes then I will offer myself to Them. I always sing Radha’s name with tears in my eyes and thrill bumps on my body.’” (Suchaka Kirtana (v.16-18) of Radha-Govinda das)

When Ananda Gopala Goswami passed away, his son Srila Nikunja Gopala Goswami said, “There was no question of any inheritance talks. My father was only saying: ‘Ha Radhe! Ha Radhe!’’ Remembering that moment, his disciple Giriraja Baba said, “He would just cry out two names of Radha: ‘Ha Svamini! Ha Karunamayi!’” (adapted from hagiography of Sri Advaita dasji)

Sri Advaita Prabhu Parivara ki jai! Thakuraji Sri Sri Madana Gopala ki jai!

Sri Ananda Gopala Goswami ki jai! Radhe Radhe! Radhe Radhe! Radhe Radhe! Radhe!