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Swami
Gaurangapada
Some Queries & Answers 2004
Re: Material distractions
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 14 Feb 2004 at 03:14.27 AM
Subtopic:
Material distractions and duty of householder
quote:
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how would a house holder follow the dharma and please the lord?
work/school/sleep/american life and then ofcourse in the age of kali we're so
............. conflicted and absorbed in material persutes.
i dont know my real point i am trying to make but this , finding balance in
life with our dharma?
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There
is only way to do this. It is to follow the instructions of Seventh Goswami
Shrila Saccidananda Bhaktivinoda Thakura in his song udilo aruna:
jivana
anitya jaanaha saara,
taahe naanaa vidha vipada bhaara;
naamaashraya kari jatane tumi,
thaakaha aapana kaaje.
"This
human form of life is very temporary and liable to end at any moment. And even
that short and temporary life is filled with the heavy burden of so many
varieities of calamities, problems and obstacles. So please understand the
essence of this life. And what is the essence? The only way to deliver oneself
is to very carefully and conscientiously take constant shelter of chanting the
Holy Names of God: Nityananda, Gauranga and Hare Krishna. If one does so one
can very comfortably remain in the position wherever one is situated in life
and still swiftly progress on the path of spiritual realization."
So
the secret is to accept all situations favourable to chanting the Holy Names of
God and reject all detrimental and unfavourable situations against chanting the
Holy Names of God. This is the ultimate duty of not only a householder but also
a sannyasi or a vanaprashtha.
And
if you keep on chanting the Holy Names and become strong and advanced in
self-realization then one day you wife will automatically become fully
attracted and will also become a devotee by the dint of your spiritual association.
So you have to give your spiritual association to your wife more and more
gradually and slowly and then she will also become attracted to the most
merciful Holy Names of God. So it is your first duty to make her
Gauranga-Krishna conscious by your example. She is already very fortunate to
get a sincere devotee husband like you.
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User
Re: Japa/chanting
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 14 Feb 2004 at 02:59.11 AM
Subtopic:
Loud/Soft/Mental Chanting quote:
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i have noticed since that i was initated that i can not mentally chant. what is
proper chanting ? i have read that loud chant is good, slient is better and
mental chanting is best. this seem impossible to me now. swami what is your
thoughts and instructions?
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Thank
you for your query. I am sure the reply
will benefit many devotees who have always wanted to ask this question.
In
Baul-Sangit, Shrila Bhaktivinoda Thakura states:
maner
mala japbi jakhan, mana,
keno korbi bahya visarjana
mane mane bhajan jakhan hoy,
prema uthle pade' bahya-dehe vyapta ho'ye roy;
abar dehe care, japay kore, dharay mala anuksana
1) My
dear mind, when you chant japa on the mala within your mind, why do you cease
the actions of chanting japa externally? When one performs qualified to perform
bhajan within the mind, and prema factually arises internally, then the
external body also becomes pervaded by those symptoms. Therefore the body rocks
and sways, while one incessantly turns their beads in chanting japa.
In
Chp 15 Bhajana-Pranali (which summarizes the whole process of japa) of Hari-nama-cintamani,
he clearly states:
"By
loudly and distinctly uttering (spastha uccharana) the names, he should chant
and remember the meaning. Gradually the chanting will become clear, steady and
blissful. At that point one should meditate on the three-fold
bending form Lord Shyamasundara or Lord Gauranga while chanting."
"Devotees
who thirst for Prema and are on the way to it sing and realise this
Hare-Krishna-Nama by counting." (Nama Bhajan by Shrila Bhaktivinoda)
Loud
chanting with raga or attachement is done even by the siddha devotees. Ofcourse
it is a fact that smarana within the mind during chanting is only possible by a
prolonged practice of loud chanting of the holy names of the Lord.
SBSSTP
wrote in verse 19 of Vaishnava ke:
shridayitadasa
kirtanete asa
kara uccaih svare harinama-rava
kirtana-prabhave smarana svabhave
se kale bhajana-nirjana sambhava
"This
Shri-dayita dasa (His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura - the
humble servant of the all-merciful Shrimati Radharani) simply desires to be
absorbed in the nectar of Lord Krishna's holy names. My dear mind, now let us
loudly chant the holy names of Krishna so we can continuously remain in the
ocean of transcendental nectar.
The
loud chanting of the holy names of Nityananda, Gauranga and Hare Krishna
awakens the transcendental quality of natural spontaneous loving remembrance of
Lord Gauranga-Krishna (including the Lord's form, qualities and pastimes). Only
at that time does the confidential realization and pure practice of
nirjana-bhajana (smarana on the mental level) in loving devotional service to
Their Lordships Nityananda-Gauranga and Radha-Krishna become possible."
Shrila
Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Prabhupada,
From an article in The Gaudiya, 1934:
"Those
who have loudly chanted 100,000 Holy Names daily for fifteen or twenty years
should know such things. The beginners need not hear these topics or they will
misunderstand. These topics are for certain audiences, not for all. Also, it is
said, apana bhajana-katha, na kahibe jatha-jatha, ‘One should not reveal one’s
bhajana to others.’ If we disregard this instruction of our previous acaryas
then there may be a permanent fall from the realm of devotional service."
Letter
by Shrila Bhaktisiddhanta to one of his disciples:
“One
should call on the Lord through the loud chanting of the Holy Names at all
times. You should be vigilant to maintain your scheduled rounds on the beads
while loudly chanting the holy name. This will effectively remove all anarthas.
Then atheistic people will not be able to shake you with their blasphemy."
“I am
pleased to hear that your enthusiasm for chanting the holy name has increased.
Continually chanting the holy name loudly with perseverance will eradicate all
anarthas. Then the form, qualities and pastimes of Shri Nama
will automatically be revealed. The Lord and His holy name are non-different.
But this fact can only be understood when one becomes freed from anarthas.
Offenseless chanting will help us realize that chanting the
holy name yields all perfections."
Shrila
Prabhupada Lilamrita Chp 4:
"Sometimes
as Shrila Bhaktisiddhanta paced back and forth chanting the Hare Krishna mantra
aloud while fingering his beads, Abhay would enter the room and also chant,
walking alongside his spiritual master."
Shrila
Akinchana Krishnadasa Babaji Maharaja (godbrother of Shrila Pra bhupada) who
was a topmost rasika Vaishnava used to loudly chant the japa of the Holy Names
day and night.
In
Prema Vilasa Chp 24, it is mentioned:
% 9%
9advaita prabhur pade loila sarana
% 9% 9 tar thai bhakti sastre koilo adhyayana
% 9% 9advaitera sthane tinho hoila diksiti
% 9% 9 tin lakho harinama jape diva rati
% 9% 9lakho harinama mane lakho kane sune
% 9% 9 lakho nama ucca kori kore sankirtane'
"Haridasa
Thakura took shelter of Advaita Acharya Prabhu's lotus feet and studied the
bhakti shastras under Him. He became initiated by Advaita (dik****a) and was
chanting
300,000 Holy Names day and night. 100,000 Names loudly, 100,000 Names softly
and 100,000 Names silently."
On
the other hand in the Gaudiya Bhashya of Chaitanya-Bhagavata Adi 16.172, Shrila
Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Prabhupada specifically mentions that Shrila
Haridasa Thakura used to chant the 300,000 names either loudly or softly:
TEXT
172
tabe haridasa ganga-tire gopha kari'
thakena virale ahar-nisa krishna smari'
"Then
Haridasa went and found a cave on the bank of the Ganges. He remembered Krishna
day and night as he resided alone in the cave."
Gaudiya
Bhashya:
"While
remaining in a solitary cave on the bank of the Ganges at Phuliya, Shrila
Thakura Mahasaya loudly chanted the Holy Names and passed his days and night
remembering the pastimes of the Lord. Sometimes he would chant the sixteen
name, thirty-two syllable, maha-mantra loudly, and sometimes he would chant softly.
Every day he would complete the chanting of three hundred thousand holy names,
or in a year he would chant one hundred million names of Gaurahari.
"Some
people consider that chanting the names of Krishna in asolitary place is in the
category of "upamsu-japa," or "chanting very mildly." They
say that this maha-mantra, or chanting the holy names of the Lord, should not
be heard by others; only the person who is chanting should
hear. If the lips move, or if the holy names are recited, then they will automatically
be heard by others.
"But
if such persons lack faith in the Vaishnavas who chant the holy names of the
Lord, then by the influence of Kali they dare to quarrel with those Vaishnava
chanters.
Whenever the pure names of the Lord, glorified and chanted by sadhus who have
taken full shelter of the names, do not enter the ears of others, it is called
nirjana-bhajana.
"Such
chanting of the names of Hari in a solitary place is intended only for one's
own benefit, therefore such chanting yields no benefit for others. Even if the
fixed number of holy names regularly chanted by a person who is inclined to the
service of the Lord are chanted in a solitary place, faithful persons may still
take advantage by secretly hearing from a distance."
TEXT
173
tina-laksa nama dine karena grahana
gopha haila tan'ra yena vaikuntha-bhavana
"He
would chant the holy name of the Lord three hundred thousand times a day, and
his cave was thus transformed into Vaikuntha."
[Note:
The cave became Vaikuntha specifically because Haridasa Thakura was chanting
the names loudly.]
Another
difficulty in mental chanting is that it proceeds very slowly with proper
pronunciation within, so completing 100,000 names daily which is the order of
the Lord and the ideal for all Gaudiya Vaishnavas is very difficult and it may
take more than 12 hours to do so which is greatly difficult to accomplish.
Any
discussion about manasika-japa is incomplete without quoting the following
verses from the Hari-Bhakti-Vilasa and the Naradiya Purana to present shastric
quotations for both the aspects:
TRIVIDHO
JAPA YAJNAH SYAT TASYA BHEDAN NIVODHATA
VACIKAS CA UPANSUS CA MANASAS CA TRIDHA MATAH
TRAYANAM JAPA YAJNANAM SREYAN SYAD UTTAROTTARAH
(HARI
BHAKTI VILASA 17/155 from NRSINGHA PURANA)
Japa
yajna is of three kinds. Please listen. Chanting with a sound vibration,
chanting with a murmuring condition and chanting within the mind. These three
kinds of chanting are respectively one better than the other [chanting in the
mind is best].
YADUCCHA
NICA SVARITAIH SPASTA SAVDAVD AKSARAIH
MANTRAM UCCHARAYED VYAKTAM JAPA YAJNA SA VACIKAH
SANAIR UCCHARAYEN MANTRAM ISAD OSTHAU PRACALAYET
KINCIT SAVDAM SVAYAM VIDYAD UPANSUH SA JAPAH SMRTAH
(HARI
BHAKTI VILASA 17/156,157 from NRSINGHA PURANA)
Chanting
japa is of three kinds, higher class, lower class and svarita class which is
melodiously chanting clearly where every word can be heard by others. That is
called vacika. Any japa mantra chanted in murmuring sound,
where ones's two lips move very minutely and one can only hear a few words out
of it, that chanting is called upansu.
Shrila
Sanatana Gosvami in his Digdarsini-tika writes that one who is chanting japa
melodiously, with high and low sounds, in a swinging condition, it is called
svarita where others can hear every sound vibration clearly. Therefore, it is
said that one should chant openly. But better is to chant japa in such a way
that one can hear it himself only.
UPANSU
JAPA YUKTASYA TASMAT SATA GUNO BHAVET
SAHASRO MANASAH PROKTO YASMAD DHYANA SAMO HI SAH
(HARI
BHAKTI VILASA 17/159 from YAJNAVALKYA SMRTI)
One
hundred times better than chanting japa in clear or loud condition is to chant
japa in mumuring condition where one can hear himself. Thousands of times
better than loud chanting is chanting within one's mind, because chanting
within the mind is equal to directly meditating on the Supreme Lord.
Shrila
Sanatana Gosvami clarifies this situation in his Digdarsini-tika, stating that
chanting within the mind is one hundred times better than chanting in murmuring
condition which is one hundred times better than chanting with the sound
vibration.
NADOSO
MANASE JAPE SARVA DESE'PI SARVADA
JAPA NISTHO DVIJA SRESTHAH SARVA YAJNA PHALAM LABHET
ASUCIR VA SUCIR VAPI GACCHAN TISTHAN SVAPANNAPI
MANTRAIVA SARANO VIDVAN MANASAIVA SADA ABHYASET
(HARI
BHAKTI VILASA 17/161,162 from MANTRARNAVA)
Oh
best of the brahmanas, in all conditions and always one should chant japa in
one's mind because it has no faults. Therefore, anyone who is engaged in
chanting japa, gets the results of performing all kinds of sacrifices. Whatever
condition he may be, whether purified or unpurified condition, walking
condition or still (standing or sitting) condition, sleeping condition, one
should take shelter at the feet of chanting japa alone and chant japa within
one's mind.
Shrila
Sanatana Gosvami remarks regarding chanting japa within one's mind, that
because chanting japa within mind has no faults, therefore one should chant
japa within one's mind. This is the best japa of all. Here "the best of
brahmanas" refers to those who chant japa. In all conditions, one should
take shelter in chanting japa without considering the time, place and
circumstances. This is the understanding here.
At
the same time we have the following verse from the Naradiya Purana quoted by
Shrila Haridasa Thakura in the Chaitanya-Bhagavata:
japato
hari namani sthane sata-gunadhikah
atmanan ca punaty-uccair-japan srotrn-punati ca
"Compared
to that person who is attached to chanting japa mentally, the person who
performs loud chanting of the holy name of Shri Hari is one hundred times
better. This is because the person who chants silent japa purifies himself,
whereas the person who chants the holy name loudly
purifies himself, all those who are with him, and everyone else who hear the
holy vibration." (Shri Naradiya Purana, Prahlada-vakya)
To
end with some Prabhupada quotes:
"Unless
one has come to the platform of spontaneous love of God, he must follow the
regulative principles. Thakura Haridasa was the living example of how to follow
the regulative principles. Similarly, Raghunatha dasa Gosvami
was also such a living example. In the Sad-gosvamy-astaka it is stated:
sankhya-purvaka-nama-gana-natibhih
kalavasanikrtau.
The
Gosvamis, especially Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, strictly followed all the
regulative principles. The first regulative principle is that one must chant
the Hare Krishna maha-mantra loudly enough so that he can hear himself, and one
must vow to chant a fixed number of rounds." (Shri Chaitanya-charitamrita
Antya-lila 11.24)
"While
the body is fit, one should chant the holy name of the Lord loudly and
distinctly. If one does so, it is quite possible that even at the time of death
he will be properly able to chant the holy name of the Lord with love and
faith." (Shrimad-Bhagavatam 6.2.49)
"Chanting
involves the activities of the upper and lower lips as well as the tongue. All
three must be engaged in chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. The words
"Hare Krishna" should be very distinctly pronounced and heard.
Sometimes one mechanically produces a hissing sound instead of chanting with
the proper pronunciation with the help of the lips and tongue. Chanting is very
simple, but one must practice it seriously." (Shri Chaitanya-charitamrita
Adi-lila 17.32)
CONCLUSION:
So on
one hand the Hari Bhakti Vilasa quotes from Yajnavalkya Smriti that mental
chanting is 10,000 times (Sanatana Goswami) better than loud chanting and on
the other hand Shri Prahlada Maharaja quotes in Naradiya Purana which was
quoted by Haridasa Thakura in the Chaitanya Bhagavata that loud chanting is 100
times more beneficial than mental chanting because it benefits millions of
living entities who even knowingly happen to hear the sound vibration.
So
you will surely want to know the conclusion. Here it is:
(1)
Mental chanting can only be bear fruti if one can properly recite and hear the
Mantras within. But our hearts in the beginning stage are filled with so many
material impressions and desires. So it is very difficult to properly hear the
sound vibration mentally within in the neophyte stage. We may think we may be
hearing inside but we are not actually chanting or hearing. So the change of
our heart is very slow. It is only when one practices constant loud chanting
for a period of at least five years one can properly pronounce, hear and
meditate on the Holy Names while chanting mentally.
(2)
If one is chanting adequate number of rounds of the Holy Name loudly daily over
a period of a few years then one can add some mental chanting to it without
giving up the loud chanting. Like Haridasa Thakura was chanting 100,000 each
loudly and softly first before chanting 100,00- mentally.
(3)
Mental chanting may be personally beneficial to us more than loud chanting when
we can actually do it but loud chanting is much more beneficial to all the
souls of this world than silent chanting because one devotee loudly chanting
the holy names purifies and delivers the whole universe.
(4)
There is an easier method for silent chanting which we will be explaining and
elaborating on in later posts which is to write the syllables of the
Mantrarajas in the air or paper or to deeply meditate on the syllables while
chanting mentally which facilitates easier concentration on hearing the
Mantrarajas in the mind. Each syllable of the Mantrarajas are non-different
than the Lord so mental meditation on the syllables while chanting creates very
powerful and instant remembrance of the Lord.
Always
chant Nityananda; Gauranga; and Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare
Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.
Jaya
Gauranga Dharma! Jaya Shrila Prabhupada!
Pranams and Blessings!'
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User
Re: Is every thing preordained?
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 14 Feb 2004 at 12:24.33 PM
Subtopic:
Is every thing preordained? Yes, that it
why Bhagavatam states that tasyaiva hetoh prayeta kovido: A learned and
intelligent person does not try to endeavour for material things which can be
obtained automatically by our past karma and which are so temporary. Instead he
or she endeavours for spiritual realization or Gauranga consciousness which can
be obtained only by desiring it with our heart and soul.
Regarding
preaching about chanting, chanting cannot be performed by others because of the
past material peity or karma. When they get the association of a devotee who
tries to convince them to chant, they hear the glories of the Holy Names of
Nityananda and Gauranga (for which there are no offenses) and this creates
spiritual punya or peity for them giving them the qualification to begin
chanting. Thus the qualification to chant is not granted by karma but by
hearing Nama Mahima and Sadhu Sanga.
That
is why we request all the devotees:
CHANT
CHANT CHANT!!! and
PREACH PREACH PREACH!!!
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Last edited by Swami Gaurangapada on 14 Feb 2004 at 12:28.41 PM.
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User
Re: TIME
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 14 Feb 2004 at 12:04.04 PM
Subtopic:
What is TIME? quote:
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Originally posted by
When did Time begin?
Can
Time run backwards?
Does
TIME exist in state of bliss?
Is
TIME connected to NATURE?
Is
unit of time same for all (universal)?
Kindly post replies/comments!
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No
time can never run backwards. Thus the loss of even a single second without the
chanting the Holy Names is a bigger loss than loosing billions of dollars.
No
there is ony present continuous time in the spiritual world.
Yes
time is the destroyer of all that is in material nature and the cause of karma
and the three modes of material nature. Thus Lord Krishna says in the Gita:
"I am time!"
Material
time is relative, 24hours or 1 day in the planets of the demigods is equal to
our one year. And ultimately one
inhalation or exhalation of Lord Maha Vishnu is equal to 311 trillion years on
our planet earth.
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User
Re: Cycle of birth and death
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 14 Feb 2004 at 11:55.32 AM
Subtopic:
Cycle of birth and death quote:
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Originally posted by
Most religions preach Humans to free themselves from the cycle of birth and
death. As per hindu religion there are 8.4 million species. Sure God/Nature
love variety and so do humans.If Humans free themselves-Don't they miss on this
variety? Comment please.
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You
are talking about the temporary and persihable material variety of the 8.4
million species of life. The variety in Material Nature is only a perverted
reflection of the unlimited spiritual variety in Vaikuntha, the spiritual
world.
We
are not perishable humans but we are the eternal spirit soul. Human body is
just one of the perishable species amoung the 8.4 million species.
Thus
the soul will never be satisfied by material variety however hard the soul may
endeavour. What the soul has to do is to go to the spiritual world of infinite
spiritual variety in the direct service of Gauranga in the spiritual planets.
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User
Re: Does God test humans?
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 14 Feb 2004 at 11:49.48 AM
Subtopic:
Does God test humans? quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gurudev you said that Lord Gauranga tests humans whether they chant for his
pleasure or not?
Is
GOD not all knowing? If he is God then he need not test to find out truth, he
knows it already?
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Lord
Gauranga constantly tests our sincerity through the agency of Mahamaya because
He wants us to advance in spiritual consciousness very quickly.
Without
the tests and exams for Class IX in school there is no way a student will get
qualified to progress to Class X. Similarly without passing the tests of the
Lord, there is no way we can advance to the next stage and show our sincerity
to the Lord for getting His mercy. B) That is why the great devotee Queen Kunti
always requests Lord Krishna for tests and difficulties in her life.
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User
Re: Nothing happens by chance
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 14 Feb 2004 at 11:44.09 AM
Subtopic:
Nothing happens by chance quote:
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Originally posted by
Then a mere thought in brain , a small action or making a choice are all pre
programmed/or happens for a purpose .
But
we also hear that humans have free will too. Kindly comment relating both
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Yes
everything we do or think of is destined and pre-arranged due to our past
karma. But simultaneously due to the free will given to us by Lord Gauranga, we
have the power to change the destiny and what we do and think and our kuta,
bija, aprarabdha and even our prarabdha (mature karmic fruits) at any point of
time by thr power of devotional service. So we can change our destiny by Bhakti
Yoga which is primarily the chanting of the Holy Names of Nityananda, Gauranga
and the Hare Krishna Mahamantra.
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User
Re: If chanting results do not come...
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 13 Feb 2004 at 06:41.42 PM
Subtopic:
If chanting results do not come...
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by
All claim definite results towards achieving bliss. When no results are gained,
the most common explanation given is that the activity was not performed with
love/faith. I have been chanting as told since my diksha. I am doing it as I
have decided to do it. I don't think I do it with that much of love or faith.
Are
results still forthcoming as long as I chant , with or without love/faith?
Please comment clearly...so that no false promises are made and devotees can
act accordingly.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To
understand the reply to this question, one has to first know the purpose of
performing the chanting of the Nityananda and Gauranga Mantrarajas and the Hare
Krishna Mahamantra. The most primary purpose is to please Lord Gauranga-Krishna
(samsiddhir hari toshanam) as stated in the Vedas. And since we are His part
and parcels we also feel happiness, bliss, peace and advancement when the Lord
is pleased.
But
sometimes the Lord may not give us any realization while chanting. This is
because Lord Gauranga wants to test us whether we are chanting for our own
satisfaction or solely for His pleasure.
So in
such a situation, one should go on chanting and demonstrate our unconditional
loving service attitude to the Lord by showing Him that we will keep on
chanting His Holy Names for many many lives even if He does not give us any
apparent realization and benefit because we know that the chanting of His Holy
Names pleases Him the most amongst all forms of spiritual paths. This is the
required determination and patience in spiritual life through which we
ultimately gain the Lord's favour and thus self-realization.
Actually
the very fact that we are vibrating the Holy Names with our lips means we are
having the greatest realization and benefit even though we may not be
externally aware of it. No one can perform any activity mechanically and it is
sure that one is relishing the chanting and benefitting from it if one is
chanting regularly. Millions of sins of millions of lives are destroyed by once
chanting Nityananda-Gauranga, but we may not realize that immediately so we may
think nothing is happening.
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Last edited by Swami Gaurangapada on 14 Feb 2004 at 03:44.42 AM.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtopic:
Mantra pronunciation & GD Japa Page is up
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by
i hope you include the pancha tattva mantra. please........
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Yes
it is put up for now since you wanted it urgently. And the page will be completed in the next
few days.
Please
do not pause too much on the Audio buttons on the page. It consumes
bandwidth. And if you want to hear very
regularly just download the files from the bottom of the page and unzip them in
the same folder and open the html page and you have the Audio button to play it
directly from your harddrive.
The
Pancha Tattva Mantra is chanted three times in the Mahamantra Japa file in the
beginning.
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User Re: Re: Re: Lord Krishna's
Life
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 26 Feb 2004 at 01:25.45 PM
Subtopic:
Lord Krishna's Life quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Gaurasundara
Most pundits tend to calculate this as 3102 BC. How to reconcile this with your
statement, Shri Gaurangapada?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The
date of Lord Krishna's appearance is traditionally given as 5201 of Bhadra
Krishna Astami, or 3226 BC (or 3227 BC, depends if we consider the year 0 or
not).
So if
we consider the appearance of the Lord to be in 3227 BC then Kali Yuga began in
3102 BC and if it was in 3226 BC then it began in 3101 BC.
At
that time there was no English calendar and then there was Julian and Gregorian
calendar so one cannot expect 100% accuracy in the English dates. These are the
extrapolated dates.
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User
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 26 Feb 2004 at 01:18.51 PM
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User
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 26 Feb 2004 at 01:15.58 PM
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User
Re: Home Programs
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 26 Feb 2004 at 01:15.57 PM
Subtopic:
Home Programs quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Mathura das
I would like to discuss the elements of a standard home program. Many of us are
coming from varied backgrounds and it would be nice for all GD devotees to
follow a standard format. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Can
we have feedback from our different preacher devotees around the world about
how they are conducting Gauranga Dharma home or public programs?
We
are working on an Audio page for the Home program standard but will take a few
weeks. We would like to incorporate all the feedback received.
The
Topic for this discussion will be Home/Public Programs and Nama Sankirtanas
under General Preaching category.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 26 Feb 2004 at 01:10.30 PM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Re: Deity Worship
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 26 Feb 2004 at 01:10.29 PM
Subtopic:
Deity Worship quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Mathura das
Would it be possible to start a deity worship q&a section on the forums?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Done,
Deity Worship Discussions under General Preaching. Please freely post and reply
in this section about all aspects of Deity worship.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Re: Re: Mantra pronucation?
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 23 Feb 2004 at 04:34.51 PM
Subtopic:
Mantra pronunciation & GD Japa Page is up
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by
what is the proper way to say them? the NG, HK-HR, PT mantras? i would love to
hear them from swami.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gauranga
Dharma is practiced and realized through the supreme Bhakti process of Gauranga
Yoga, or Gauranga-Krishna Consciousness, embodying the topmost science of
Mantra Mahameditation (Mahadhyana on the Form and Pastimes of Lord Gauranga),
Mahainitiation (Mahadiksha) and Mahapreaching (Mahaprachara) of the three most
powerful Kings of all Mantras in Kali Yuga:
I -
"Nityananda"
(the 5-syllable Haladhara Balarama Mantraraja);
II - "Gauranga"
(the 4-syllable Gaura Gopala Mantraraja);
III - "Hare Krishna
Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare,
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare"
(the 32-syllable Hare Krishna Mahamantra).
The
Japa Audio buttons and files will follow soon.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Re: Shri chaitanya chandramrita
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 23 Feb 2004 at 11:45.21 AM
Subtopic:
Shri Chaitanya chandramrita ebook quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
finding info on this book eludes me, shri chaitanya chandramrita by Shrila
Prabodhananda Sarasvati.
sugestions thank you
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The
ebook will be available very soon for download and we recommend all the
devotees to read this great classic one of the main books of Gauranga Dharma
repeatedly to understand the full depth of the pholosophy of Gauranga Dharma.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Re: Lord Krishna's Life
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 21 Feb 2004 at 05:44.53 PM
Subtopic:
Lord Krishna's Life quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by abkambli18
I just have an inquiry about how long Krishna's life on earth lasted for. I've
heard different numbers from 90 years to 125 years.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lord
Shri Krishna went back to His eternal abode of Goloka-Vrindavana on the
Amavasya of Pausa of 5076 i.e. 3101 B.C. or 3179 before Saka era and that was
the beginning of Kali-yuga.
Lord
Shri Krishna appeared in this universe 125 years 4 months before this date i.e.
5201 of Bhadra Krishna Astami or 3226 B.C.
The
War of the Mahabharata started 36 years before Lord Krishna left this world
i.e. on Amavasya day of Pausa of 5112 i.e 3136 Pausa Amavasya B.C. (February).
The
date of Lord Krishna's appearance is traditionally given as 5201 of Bhadra
Krishna Astami, or 3226 BC (or 3227 BC, depends if we consider the year 0 or
not). "Bhadra" is the name of a month (corresponds roughly to
July-August; Vedic calendar is luni-solar), "krishna" here
specifically denotes the dark part of a month (wanning moon) and
"astami" means "8th day". The peak of the celebration is
midnight when Lord Krishna appeared.
The
same Personality Lord Krishna advented again in Kali Yuga on the 18th of
February 1486 as Lord Gauranga Mahaprabhu and exhibited His supermost pastimes
of relishing His own love and distributing His own Names for 48 years in this
material universe of the 4-headed Brahma.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Last edited by Swami Gaurangapada on 21 Feb 2004 at 05:52.03 PM.
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User
Re: 'Mark Read Posts' button
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 21 Feb 2004 at 12:04.16 PM
Subtopic:
'Mark Read Posts' button quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Gaurasundara
However, it may be useful to include a button that we click when we want to
"mark all the topics as read." This will prevent the same
"new" topics coming up every time we visit this site. Perhaps the
Moderators may like to look into this?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The
messages are automatically marked as read unless you hold them for your next
visit. This is the message which appears at the top of the Main Forum Page:
0 new
private messages await you, and about 4 new posts. If you do not wish to read
these messages now, you may hold them for your next visit.
Thank
you.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Last edited by Swami Gaurangapada on 21 Feb 2004 at 12:54.41 PM.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Re: Meditation
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 20 Feb 2004 at 05:57.27 PM
Subtopic:
Meditation quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Jaya Gauranga Dasa
Normally I chant the glorious names on beads in the morning. Then in the
evening I sit and meditate on the names silently without beads for 20-30
minutes. Just repeating the names in my mind. Is this ok or would my time be
better spent chanting on my beads in the evening also ? Thank you for the
precious gift you have given.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wonderful.
Anything connected to the Holy Names is wonderful be it chanting, meditation,
singing, sync with breath etc.
While
meditating on the Mantras you can concentrate either on the Form of Their
Lordships Nityananda-Gauranga (trying to make the Forms one with the Mantras)
or the Form of the Syllables of the Mantras.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Cannot post Re: Invalid username and/or password
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 20 Feb 2004 at 05:50.13 PM
Subtopic:
Cannot post: Invalid username and/or password
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Gauranga Dharma Office Other Useful Information on login
problems:
(a) Username and Password are both case sensitive. (b) Clear the cookie
(username and password), and see if that helps.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes.
We
have sorted out the problem of all posting permissions for the members. So now
no member should have any problems. If anyone still faces a problem even after
deleting the cookies, please let us know immediately.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Re: Law of karma ?
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 20 Feb 2004 at 05:13.29 PM
Subtopic:
Law of karma ? quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
how does karma relate to war, genocide, even serial criminals? mass movements
and insane governments that kill billions of people generation after
generation?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Those
who get killed in these mass killing events get the reaction for their past
karma where they have indirectly supported or directly engaged in mass
slaughter of cows, wars, violence etc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Love or Fear of God?
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 20 Feb 2004 at 05:03.16 PM
Subtopic:
Love or Fear of God / Vaishnava Aparadha?
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Gaurahari Dasa
I apologize if you or somebody else felt himself disturbed in mind and heart
because of my argue with you and Puri Gauranga Prabhu. Please forgive me all my
offenses which I maybe have done in my "fire" to argue.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Come
on Gaurahari dasa prabhu, your posts are overflowing with your strong
conviction and faith in the Nityananda and Gauranga Mantrarajas and thus they
are most glorious. Please kepp it up. With such staunch faith you can deliver
the three worlds.
We
are so grateful get the association of such a rare devotee of Their Lordships
Nityananda-Gauranga as you and we pray that we always get the mercy of your
postings.
I
have received your Forum private message also. Thank you so much.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Re: Love or Fear of God?
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 20 Feb 2004 at 02:39.24 PM
Subtopic:
Love or Fear of God / Vaishnava Aparadha?
Yes and the biggest duplicity, deceit and politics in spiritual life in
to offend or be envious the Vaishnavas who are chanting and preaching the Holy
Names of God. This is the highest and unforgivable manifestation of envy
towards the Lord Himself.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Re: Re: Re: Love or Fear of God?
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 20 Feb 2004 at 02:15.30 AM
Subtopic:
Love or Fear of God / Vaishnava Aparadha?
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Gaurahari Dasa
But I'm 100% convinced, if you keep Nityananda and Gauranga in your heart and
on your tongue, They will purify your heart from all 10 aparadhas. First They
uproot your aparadhas (including vaishnava-aparadhas), your anarthas and your
material desires and then you will be blessed with pure Krishna-prema.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I do
not want to comment more on this issue because I have said what I had to say.
Just
one last addition: Vaishnava aparadha is so heinous and grievous that it is
compulsorily required for the offender to go and beg forgiveness with great
repentance from the devotee who is offended even though the offender may be
chanting the Nityananda and Gauranga Mantrarajas. Otherwise he or she can never
be forgiven.
Just
like Shri Shachimata in Shri Chaitanya Bhagavata. Who can chant Nityananda and
Gauranga Names more constantly than her? Is there anyone in this creation? Yet
Lord Gauranga did not forgive her for her minute offense against Lord Advaita
Acharya till she personally went and accepted the dust of Advaita Acharya's
lotus feet of her head and only then Lord Gauranga awarded her with His own
pure love.
This
shows that even a chanter of the Nityananda and Gauranga Mantrarajas if he
maintains envy in his or heart towards any Vaishnava (small or big), he or she
will not be able to receive the full mercy of the Lord till he or she gives up
the envy and becomes genuinely repentant. And who in this world can claim they
are free from all envy towards devotees and the Lord Himself?
One
may say that chanting the Nityananda and Gauranga Mantrarajas will make him or
her repentant and non-envious at some point of time. And thus they should just
keep on chanting and need not rectify their Vaishnava aparadha by begging
forgiveness. But one should understand that if one is not forgiven by the
Vaishnava offended, one will gradually loose faith even in the chanting of the
Mantrarajas and give it up at some point of time.
The
Vaishnava aparadha is the most important consideration while chanting the
Nityananda and Gauranga Mantrarajas.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Re: Re: Vedic roots of europeans?
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 19 Feb 2004 at 06:35.10 PM
Subtopic:
Vedic roots of europeans? Sorry those
were Shrila Prabhupada words about Hitler coming from some descendants of the
Aryan family, not my words.
Yes,
I agree thay just being born in a lineage of a noble family does not
necessarily mean that one automatically becomes noble but one can still be the
greatest of demons if one commits abominable activities.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Love or Fear?
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 19 Feb 2004 at 05:34.54 PM
Subtopic:
Love or Fear of God / Vaishnava Aparadha?
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Unregistered
2) the fear, which arises from the knowledge about the law of karma - the fear
of punishment. Then we can say: Every fear based on the love to the Lord is a
healthy spiritual fear. This kind of fear will help the devotee to increase his
attachment and at the end his pure love for God. On the other hand, fear of
karmic reactions is actually only something for people, who are fully absorbed
in material conciousness, not helpfull for a devotee.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Not
necessarily. Fear of the karmic reactions also does help a neophyte devotee to
refrain from anti-bhakti activities which are unfavourable to loving God. Thus
sober and mature fear (not fanatic or sentimental) of the karmic reactions
strictly based on the scriptures for the purpose on not engaging in any
activities which displease the Lord is also spiritual fear because the goal is
to please the Lord.
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I never read anything of this. I only read that the names of Nityananda and
Gauranga do not consider the offenses - all 10 offenses. Nowhere in scriptures
I have read, I found this exception of the first nama-aparadha. Lord Nityananda
Himself is the proof! Jagai and Madai did the greatest offense against Him,
still they where blessed by His mercy with Krishna-prema.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For
understanting this point you have to read Chaitanya Bhagavata very carefully.
Shrila Vrindavana dasa Thakura explicitly states that Jagai and Madhai were
forgiven and given mercy because they never tortured or harmed any Vaishnavas
because devotees remained very far from them. If they had commited Vaishnava
aparadha or were envious of Vaishnavas even Lord Nityananda would not have
desired to deliver them.
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
But in no place, where great acaryas like Krishnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami or
Shrila Bhaktivinoda Thakura speaks about the offenses and how the chanting of
Lord Nityananda-Gaurangas offenseless names have the power to make us free of
them and that we make progress even while aparadhas are present in the chanter,
- no-one of them makes this exception and minimizes the power of
Nityananda-Gaurangas holy names down to 9 offenses. All acaryas say, that
Nityananda-Gaurangas names don't consider the nama-aparadhas, and they all
describe 10 nama-aparadhas, not nine, and the names of Nityananda-Gauranga
don't consider them, without any exceptions.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gaurahari
dasa prabhu, you have to read Chaitanya Bhagavata very carefully for
understanding this point. There are hundreds of verses, I will just quote one
here:
Antya
4.124-125
"Those
who commit an offense at the lotus feet of My devotees due to being intoxicated
with the pride of knowledge, wealth, high birth, austerity etc. will by all
means remain bereft of attaining My mercy in this Kali Yuga without a doubt.
And such people will never be able to develop full faith in Me."
Also
Lord Gauranga told Shrivasa Thakura about giving prema bhakti His mother that
even He is not capable of forgiving the offenses does against His devotees.
Only the offended devotee can forgive the person.
Alslo
when NG delivered Jagai and Madhai, their black sins entered the body of Lord
Gauranga and His body became black. Then He stated that these sins will enter
into the body of a person who criticizes devotees.
Also
in the case of Gopala Capala, Lord Gauranga stated that I will never ever
deliver a person who offends my devotee with envy. Instead I will throw him in
the infernal hell for as long as sun and moon are there. And even after taking
birth that soul will be born as an insect and suffer like anything.
So
the Holy Names of NG are more merciful than NG Themselves but Vaishnava
aparadha is so strongly hated by Their Lordships Nityananda-Gauranga and even
Their Holy Names will consider that. SO that is the obstacle in achieving love
of God for those who chant the Nityananda and Gauranga Mantrarajas.
And
that is the reason why those who chant the Holy Names of NG do not instantly
develop the symptoms of pure love as describd in the scriptures because
somewhere deep inside our hearts we are envious or offensive to other devotees
and Vaishnavas.
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PS: I write as an unregistered user, because the system does not accept my
registration and so I can not post anything.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just
clear your cookie cache from the Tools of the Internet explorer options and try
login again. Sometimes the cookie creates a conflict.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Re: Cyber-preaching
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 19 Feb 2004 at 04:53.50 PM
Subtopic:
Cyber-preaching quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Mukunda_Gaurangadasa
I would like to be in contact with devotees engaged in cyber-preaching. Do you
have any favorite chatroom? Any useful advice? I would like to use Internet to
propagate the Holy Names as requested by Shri Gaurangapada!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes
Internet is most powerful tool in the present times to spreads the Holy Names
of Nityananda, Gauranga and Hare Krishna. It is most easiest to preach on the
net because preaching material is available just by one mouse click and one can
just cut and paste our urls if one feels one cannot preach directly.
So my
request to all the disciples and devotees of Gauranga Dharma is try to make
their own webpage with a prominent link to our Main page and Forums and/or
preach and flood Chat Rooms, Mailing Groups, Discussion Boards all over the net
about the glories of chanting the Holy Names. Like for example Gaurahari dasa
prabhu's webpages about Gauranga Dharma in German: <http://GaurangaDharma.ch> and <http://bhakti-yoga.ch>
We
will be introducing a very wonderful service for everyone i.e to become Holy
Name Distributors and deliver the land, in which each devotee can act as a
Patha Pradarshaka Guru or Shiksha Guru and give the Nityananda and Gauranga
Mantrarajas and Hare Krishna Mahamantra on the net daily and take a spiritual
vow or promise from the person that they will chant atleast 5 minutes daily for
the rest of their lives.
We
will put the scores of the various Holy Name Distributors on our site and we
will see and reward who are the leading Holy Name Distributors. Ultimately
their reward will be the causeless mercy fo Lord Nityananda Himself.
So we
request all the devotees to go online daily and talk to a few new people in
different rooms, groups etc. and convince them by showing our website etc. to
chant the Holy Names 5 minutes daily. We are sure atleast upto 5 new people can
take up the chanting of the Holy Names daily by the mercy of a single Internet
Holy Name Distributor if the Internet Holy Name Distributor gives just one to
two hours daily to preach on the net.
And
if there are 200 Holy Name Distributors on the net, we will have 1000 people
taking up the chanting of the Holy Names daily and in a month it will be
30,000. And we can reach the 0.5 million mark in just one year.
Imagine
0.5 million people in one year chanting the Holy Names of Nityananda, Gauranga
and Hare Krishna even though for only 5 minutes daily. The whole planet will
become Vrindavana-Navadvipa-Puri Dhama and float into the spiritual world.
5
minutes daily means around 500 Holy Names daily and 500,000 x 500 = 0.25
Billion Holy Names will be vibrated and chanted daily on this planet. And this
will be just the beginning. It will expand like a chain reaction. Thus the
complete degarded atmosphere of this planet will be purified within a very
short time and the Golden Age and worship of Their Lordships
Nityananda-Gauranga will begin in every nook and corner of this world.
Only
the Holy Names of the Lord can bring out this forecasted miracle because
remember They are ven powerful than Their Lordships Themselves.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Re: About kanti-mala
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 19 Feb 2004 at 04:21.30 PM
Subtopic:
About kanti-mala quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Mukunda_Gaurangadasa
I was recently told that we need to offer our neckbeads to Shri Shri
Gaura-Nitai before wearing them. I never offered the ones I currently wear.
Should we offer our neckbeads? Should it be plain tulasi?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jaya
Mukunda Gauranga dasa prabhu, I have sent your sanctified initiation chanting
beads and neck beads but they are still in USA. So they will sent to you soon
as soon as they receive it there.
Surely
the tulasi neck beads can be offered to the Lotus Feet of Their Lordships
Nityananda-Gauranga before wearing and number of rounds around the neck should
not be less than three.
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Does someone know someone (Vaishnava/Vaisnavi) who sells beads.? I would like
to raise some money for GD in making malas and kanti-malas.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Re: Siva linga and Lord Krishna?
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 19 Feb 2004 at 04:12.12 PM
Subtopic:
Siva linga and Lord Krishna? quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by
in the scriptures shiva worships Krishna, but what is the meaning of the siva
linka, is he worshiping it or not? and why?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sometimes
the Lord worships His own devotee to demonstrate the glories of His own devotee
to this world but that does not mean that the devotee becomes the Lord.
Regarding
the principle of the Shiva Linga, in the Shrimad Bhagavatam 10.88.4 purport
published and copyrighted by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust it is stated form the
commentaries of the previous acharyas:
"False
ego transforms into the mind, ten senses (the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, skin,
hands, feet, voice, genitals and anus), and five physical elements (earth,
water, fire, air and ether). Lord Siva appears in a special linga form in each
of these sixteen substances, which are worshiped individually as deities in
various sacred locations of the universe. A devotee of Siva may worship one of
his particular lingas to obtain the mystic opulences pertaining to it. Thus
Lord Siva's akasa-linga bestows the opulences of ether, his jyotir-linga
bestows the opulences of fire, and so on."
Shrila
Prabhupada beautifully explains the concept of Shiva Linga in his purport in
Chaitanya Charitamrita mADHYA 20.273 copyrighted by the Bhaktivedanta Book
Trust:
"The
word svanga-visesabhasa-rupe, indicating the form by which the Lord begets
living entities in the material world, is explained herein. He is Lord Siva. In
the Brahma-samhita it is stated that Lord Siva, who is another form of
Maha-Vishnu, is like yogurt. Yogurt is nothing but milk, yet it is not milk.
Similarly, Lord Siva is considered the father of this universe, and material
nature is considered the mother. The father and mother are known as Lord Siva
and goddess Durga. Together, Lord Siva's genitals and the vagina of goddess
Durga are worshiped as the siva-linga. This is the origin of the material
creation. Thus Lord Siva's position is between that of the living entity and
that of the Supreme Lord. In other words, Lord Siva is neither the Supreme
Personality of Godhead nor a living entity. He is the form through which the
Supreme Lord works to beget living entities within this material world. As
yogurt is prepared when milk is mixed with a culture, the form of Lord Siva
expands when the Supreme Personality of Godhead is in touch with material
nature. The impregnation of material nature by the father, Lord Siva, is
wonderful because at one time innumerable living entities are conceived. "
There
is a nice pastime in Guruvayur when Lord Vishnu entered a Shiva linga:
----------------------------------------------------------------------
In the middle of the village King Raamabhoja worshiped Lord Parashuraama in the
form of a Shivalinga on a silver seat. This temple is now known to us as
Ananteshvara.
Ananteshvara
When
Lord Vishnu took the incarnation of Parashuraama on this Earth he was
"trained" by Shiva in the art of archery. To commemorate this
student-teacher drama, Lord Vishnu wanted to get himself identified with the
linga so that both the teacher and the student were worshiped simultaneously by
the devotees. Shriman Narayana, reclining on a serpent, came down to this
temple and stayed in the linga. This is a rather unusual incident and the
concept of Ananteshvara came to vogue as a result of this.
Shri
Vaadiraaja Tiirtha in his masterpiece Tiirtha Prabandha extols Ananteshvara in
this way:
ivaantaryaamitaaM
sviiyaaM priyaan.h prati nibodhayan.h
dayaavaarinidhiH shaiviiM shilaamaashritya shobhate
iiSasyaahiiSapadaviim bhaasayanniva bhaaviniim.h
adhyaaste sheshashayanaH snigdhaaM liN^gashilaam.h
(T.
P. I.14-15)
'The
Almighty Lord got himself merged in this Shivalinga to proclaim to the devotees
that He rests in the soul of Shiva also. To prove this cosmic truth Vishnu
rests in this Shivalinga.'
Before
the birth of Shri Madhva, his father, Nadillaaya (a.k.a. Madhya-geha BhaTTa),
had worshiped this Deity to beget a male child. It is believed that he used to
pray to Lord Bhujangashayana enshrined in this idol. Narayana Pandita makes a
reference to this in his commentary Bhaava Prakaashika on the Sumadhva Vijaya:
svadarshanoruvratine
nishiite
praaptaaya bhogiindragato hariH prabhuH
svaM darshayitvaa khalu kuJNjamaadhava
dvijaaya tadvat.h pratimaaM vyadhaapayat.h
Even
now the Deity is known as Ananteshvara, Anantaasana and Anantapadmanaabha.
`Ananta' means the serpent Shesha. Hence Ananteshvara means the Lord Narayana
reclining on a serpent. Ananta is also another name of Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu
enshrined in the Shivalinga came to be designated as Ananteshvara.
Ananteshvara
was a famous temple and pilgrim centre of this region. It was also a centre of
Vedantic philosophy and formed a suitable background for the advent of Shriman
Madhvacharya.
----------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Last edited by Swami Gaurangapada on 19 Feb 2004 at 04:30.05 PM.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Re: Vedic roots of europeans?
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 19 Feb 2004 at 04:00.50 PM
Subtopic:
Vedic roots of europeans? quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
are old european cultures aryan cultures? i believe that Gauranga Dharma is connecting
to my roots.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes,
these cultures have developed due to the fleeing of the kshatriyas from Vedic
India due to fear of being killed from the axe of Lord Parashurama.
In
Shrila Prabhupada words:
Under
two, these two missions, the Lord comes, incarnates, descends. And Parasurama
was supposed to kill the dusta, the wicked ksatriyas, when they forgot to rule
over the world as bona fide ksatriyas. They..., they..., they were killed
twenty-one times, and it is mentioned in the Mahabharata during that killing
process, many ksatriyas fled from, fled away from India and they settled in
other parts of the world, especially in Europe.
The
best form of human life, the Aryans... Aryans. Aryans means those who are
advanced. So the Aryan family, the history of Aryan family... From Central
Asia, Caucasian ranges, they divided, the Indo-Aryans, Indo-Europeans. This is
the history of mankind. So the Europeans, they belong to the Indo-Europeans,
and some of the Europeans, not the uncivilized, the civilized, they came from
that side, eastern side, when there was a threatening by Parasurama to kill the
ksatriyas. So most of the ksatriyas, they came to Europe, and some of them
settled in the middle, the border of Europe and Asia, Turkey, Greece. There is
a big history, Mahabharata. Mahabharata means the greater history of India. So
on the whole, the conclusion is that the Aryans spread in Europe also, and the
Americans, they also spread from Europe. So the intelligent class of human
being, they belong to the Aryans, Aryan family. Just like Hitler claimed that
he belonged to the Aryan family. Of course, they belonged to the Aryan
families.
Then
next incarnation is Bhrgupati, Parasurama. Parasurama is a saktyavesa avatara.
So He, twenty-one times, killed the ksatriyas. So out of Parasurama's fear, all
the ksatriyas, they migrated towards Europe, it is said in the history,
Mahabharata.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Re: Re: Soma in the vedas?
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 19 Feb 2004 at 03:49.09 PM
Subtopic:
Soma in the vedas? quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
what is soma? i have read much on this
topic and i can conclude that its a halucinogenic mushroom from that but i am
no an means an expert.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Soma-rasa
is not a beverage like liquor or beer of the demons but a beverage of the
demigods. Also Soma, or the predominating deity of the moon, is responsible for
the living entity's ability to relish the taste of food through the tongue.
SB
4.18.15-16
All
the demigods made Indra, the King of heaven, into a calf, and from the earth
they milked the beverage soma, which is nectar. Thus they became very powerful
in mental speculation and bodily and sensual strength.
PURPORT
In this verse the word soma means "nectar." Soma is a kind of
beverage made in the heavenly planets from the moon to the kingdoms of the
demigods in the various higher planetary systems. By drinking this soma
beverage the demigods become more powerful mentally and increase their sensual
power and bodily strength. The words hiranmayena patrena indicate that this
soma beverage is not an ordinary intoxicating liquor. The demigods would not
touch any kind of liquor. Nor is soma a kind of drug. It is a different kind of
beverage, available in the heavenly planets. Soma is far different from the liquors
made for demoniac people, as explained in the next verse.
The
sons of Diti and the demons transformed Prahlada Maharaja, who was born in an
asura family, into a calf, and they extracted various kinds of liquor and beer,
which they put into a pot made of iron.
PURPORT
The
demons also have their own types of beverages in the form of liquors and beers,
just as the demigods use soma-rasa for their drinking purposes. The demons born
of Diti take great pleasure in drinking wine and beer. Even today people of
demoniac nature are very much addicted to liquor and beer. The name of Prahlada
Maharaja is very significant in this connection. Because Prahlada Maharaja was
born in a family of demons, as the son of Hiranyakasipu, by his mercy the
demons were and still are able to have their drinks in the form of wine and
beer. The word ayah (iron) is very significant. Whereas the nectarean soma was
put in a golden pot, the liquors and beers were put in an iron pot. Because the
liquor and beer are inferior, they are placed in an iron pot, and because
soma-rasa is superior, it is placed in a golden pot.
Shrimad
Bhagavatam 3.32.3 states (translation by Shrila Prabhupada):
"Such
materialistic persons, attracted by sense gratification and devoted to the
forefathers and demigods, can be elevated to the moon, where they drink an
extract of the soma plant. They again return to this planet."
The
three sons born of Anasuya-Dattatreya, Durvasa and Soma-were born as partial
representations of these three demigods. SB 4.1.15
CONCLUSION:
Shrila
Prabhupada in Gita 2.42-43:
"In
the karma-kanda section of the Vedas it is said, apama somam amrta abhuma and
aksayyam ha vai caturmasya-yajinah sukrtam bhavati. In other words, those who
perform the four-month penances become eligible to drink the soma-rasa
beverages to become immortal and happy forever. Even on this earth some are
very eager to have soma-rasa to become strong and fit to enjoy sense
gratifications. Such persons have no faith in liberation from material bondage,
and they are very much attached to the pompous ceremonies of Vedic sacrifices.
They are generally sensual, and they do not want anything other than the
heavenly pleasures of life. It is understood that there are gardens called
Nandana-kanana in which there is good opportunity for association with angelic,
beautiful women and having a profuse supply of soma-rasa wine. Such bodily
happiness is certainly sensual; therefore there are those who are purely
attached to such material, temporary happiness, as lords of the material
world."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Re: Re: Re: Origin of Karma
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 19 Feb 2004 at 03:47.33 AM
Subtopic:
Origin of Karma and Soul quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
so basically were here because of our karma and our duty is to please god
insead of worrying about karma?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All
karmic reactions are completely annihilated and Lord Gauranga-Krishna takes
complete and direct charge of our life when we start chanting the Holy Names.
So
you are right, we do not have to worry about karma as long we stay in the fire
of the regularly chanting of the Holy Names.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Re: Re: Re: Audio books
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 19 Feb 2004 at 03:46.22 AM
Subtopic:
Audio books quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nectar of Devotion & Nectar of Instruction, Shrimad Bhagavatam (Bhagavata
Purana) in English ,Chaitanya Charitamrita in English,The Chaitanya Bhagavata
in English are the books they sell.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ofcourse
these books are most wonderful and the most recommended for both reading and
hearing. They are the books written by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta
Swami Prabhupada.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Re: Re: Bhagavata and Pancharatriki Marga
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 19 Feb 2004 at 03:44.37 AM
Subtopic:
Bhagavata and Pancharatriki Marga quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Bhakta Splosh
So, could you please explain the difference between bhagavata-viddhi and
pancaratriki-viddhi and why the website declared that bhagavata-viddhi is more
important.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In
the words of Shrila Prabhupada:
"Book
distribution is bhagavata marga and temple worship is pancaratriki viddhi. Both
are important for cultivating Vaisnavism but comparatively speaking bhagavata
marga is more important than pancaratriki viddhi. As far as possible both
should go on in parallel lines but still bhagavata marga is more important than
the other."
Bhagavata
marga is more important because the main emphasis is there on the Yuga Dharma
of shravana and kirtana i.e. hearing and chanting, which are most primary
processes of deliverance in Kali Yuga and thus is self-independent. But a
follower of the Pancharatriki marga in Kali Yuga will have to take shelter on
the Bhagavata marga of hearing and chanting to achieve spiritual success.
That
is why Gauranga Dharma is focussing more on spreading the hearing and chanting
of the Holy Names and Pastimes of Their Lordships Shri Shri Nityananda Gauranga
and the Hare Krishna Mahamantra through book distribution, internet etc. rather
than constructing costly temples for very elaborate pancharatriki worship
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Re: Re: Re: Heavy personal problems
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 19 Feb 2004 at 03:42.53 AM
Subtopic:
Heavy personal problems quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
this all came after i was initated with in 2 weeks i got better, i believe that
initation is real and nessary, one must have a guru that is a pure devotee.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank
you so much for sharing your heart with
us. It shows your sincerity for practicing Gauranga Dharma.
I am
sure that by hearing your personal realizations about the Nityananda and
Gauranga Mantrarajas, the Hare Krishna Mahamantra and Gauranga Dharma many
sincere souls will be inspired and attracted towards the process of chanting
the Holy Names.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Re: Surest Sign of Spiritual Growth
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 19 Feb 2004 at 03:36.26 AM
Subtopic:
Surest sign of Spiritual Growth quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. What is the surest sign of spiritual growth of a person on a spiritual path?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Material
detachment for all things unfavourable for bhakti, increase in taste for
chanting and preaching the Holy Names and reading or hearing about the Lord or
to reside in His Holy Dhama an intense desire to associate with His pure
devotees are te surest signs of spiritual advancement.
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. How to face and handle such devotees and leaders?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One
should stay away from politics, beaureaucracy, powerplay or diplomacy in
spiritual life and strictly avoid those who profess it in the name of religion.
So remain far away from such association and take the association of the
swan-like, non-envious, simple, affectionate, advanced and straightforward
devotees.
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Give steps how to continue on the path and not get distracted and irritated
seeing all this.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes
the solution is not to see it at all. Out of sight, out of mind. Just take the
association of sincere devotees who want genuine spiritual advancement.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Re: Mantra pronucation?
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 19 Feb 2004 at 03:27.51 AM
Subtopic:
Mantra pronunciation & GD Japa Page is up
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
what is the proper way to say them?
the
NG, HK-HR, PT mantras?
i
would love to hear them from swami.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just
hold on, we will put up a Japa session of all the Mantras on the website in the
next few days.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Re: The practice of NG trataka
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 19 Feb 2004 at 03:23.59 AM
Subtopic:
The practice of NG trataka quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Mukunda_Gaurangadasa
What is the correct practce of Gauranga Rupa Trataka ? Is it also authorized to
do NG likhita-japa?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gauranga Yoga is the Complete Perfection and Summit of All Forms of Yoga and is
a combination of the above explained three supreme processes:
Gauranga
Japa/Kriya + Gauranga Trataka + Gauranga Dhyana = Gauranga Yoga
(Gauranga
Chanting + Gauranga Visualization + Gauranga Meditation = Gauranga Yoga)
AND
GAURANGA
YOGA + BHAKTI = GAURANGA DHARMA (Gauranga Yoga + Devotional Service to the Lord
= Gauranga Dharma)
The
Three Kings of All Mantras in Kali Yuga:
I -
"Nityananda"
(the 5-syllable Haladhara Balarama Mantraraja);
II - "Gauranga"
(the 4-syllable Gaura Gopala Mantraraja);
III - "Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare
Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare"
(the 32-syllable Hare Krishna Mahamantra).
________________________________________________________________________
(I)
Gauranga Japa
Chanting the Nityananda and Gauranga Mantrarajas and the Hare Krishna
Mahamantra on a Tulasi rosary of 108 beads for Devotees
or
Gauranga
Kriya
Chanting
the Nityananda and Gauranga Mantrarajas and the Hare Krishna Mahamantra with
breath synchronization and beads Yogis.
Synchronizing
the chanting of the Mantrarajas with the breath also provided extra steadiness
for mind and is a powerful method to curb the mind and tune it with God.
This is why Hari Bhakti Vilasa recommends pranayama before japa. In both the
above processes the Mantrarajas should be distinctly pronounced and heard
without or within because hearing the sound vibration of the Mantrarajas is the
basis of all spiritual realization.
+
(II)
Gauranga Visualization or Gauranga Trataka
(Either
of the Four Kinds below)
[As per the recommendation of Shrila Bhaktivinoda Thakura in Hari Nama
Chintamani]
(1)
Mantra Syllable Visualization (Akshara Trataka) while chanting Gauranga Japa or
Kriya
The
Visualization of the Syllables of the Mantrarajas with open eyes or eyes closed
while chanting the Gauranga Kriya/Yoga is a powerful process of unfolding the
full spiritual potential of the Mantrarajas and enter into a trance of deep
concentration and contemplation.
One can look at the written form of the Mantrarajas and then visualize the
syllables it that helps in this form of Trataka.
(2)
Gauranga Form Visualization (Rupa Trataka) while chanting Gauranga Japa or
Kriya
While
chanting Gauranga Japa/Kriya, one can sit in front of a Deity of Their
Lordships Shri Shri Nityananda Gauranga or Their beautiful picture and drink
Their beautiful Form from Their lotus feet to Their head with the eyes while
chanting and then close the eyes while chanting and try to visualize that in
one's heart. The goal is that the make the Form of the Lord one with the
Mantrarajas so that whenever the Mantrarajas are chanted in Gauranga
Kriya/Japa, the supreme transcendental forms of Their Lordships Shri Shri
Nityananda Gauranga arise with one's mind.
The
practitioner will experience a constant current of peace, bliss and prosperity
within and without while performing Rupa Trataka with Gauranga Yoga. In this
way one should gradually increase the time daily to this process of Gauranga
Yoga. This is the perfection of all Yogic systems: to always think of Their
Lordships and never forget them through the process of Gauranga Yoga.
(3)
Gauranga Pastimes Visualization (Lila Trataka) while chanting Gauranga Japa or
Kriya
For
more advanced practitioners who hearts have become purified by practicing
Gauranga Japa/Kriya for some time, it is possible to sit anywhere or in the
Holy Abode of the Lord and to practice visualization and deep remembrance of
unlimited characteristics of the Eternal Pastimes of Their Lordships Shri Shri
Nityananda Gauranga in Shri Navadvipa Dhama and later that of the pastimes of
Their Lordships Shri Shri Radha and Krishna in Shri Vrindavana Dhama.
This
stage in Gauranga Yoga is achieved only after perfecting Rupa Trataka. The
momentous bliss constantly experienced by the practitioner at this stage when
the Mantras and the Pastimes become one is beyond the limit of expression of
any kind of words in this world.
(4)
Tulasi Plant Visualization (Tulasi Trataka) while chanting Gauranga Japa or
Kriya
This
process of chanting in front of and visualizing the supremely pure, holy and
spiritual form of the Tulasi (Holy Basil) plant was practiced by the Supreme
Lord Gauranga Himself in Shri Jagannatha Puri Dhama to demonstrate to us the
supreme efficacy of this process in Gauranga Yoga.
+
(III)
Gauranga Meditation or Gauranga Dhyana
[As
per the recommendation of Hari Bhakti Vilasa]
While
doing Gauranga Japa or Kriya with Gauranga Trataka, one should deeply meditate
on the various transcendental meanings of the Syllables of the Mantrarajas or
the Form of Their Lordships Shri Shri Nityananda Gauranga or the Pastimes of
Their Lordships Shri Shri Nityananda Gauranga.
Thus
one should try to make the Mantrarajas one with the Syllables, Form or Pastimes
of the Lord. The mind should be in the Mantrarajas and the Mantrarajas should
be in the mind. This is called as Gauranga Meditation. The whole goal is to
meditate on the Mantras you are chanting and on what you are visualizing.
Gauranga
Japa/Kriya with Gauranga Visualization (Trataka) is also not enough without
Gauranga Meditation (Dhyana). With only Gauranga Japa/Kriya, the mind may
wander restlessly but when Gauranga Japa/Kriya is accompanied with Gauranga
Visualization (Trataka) and Gauranga Meditation (Dhyana), the mind will be
perfectly fixed on the Supreme Absolute Truth and thus the supreme perfection
is expediently guaranteed. Thus Gauranga Yoga will solve the common complaint
of very senior spiritual practicioners of the fickleness of the mind while
performance of chanting and meditation.
=
Gauranga Yoga
Thus:
Gauranga Japa/Kriya + Gauranga Trataka + Gauranga Dhyana = Gauranga Yoga
GAURANGA
YOGA + BHAKTI = GAURANGA DHARMA
----------------------------------------------------
Please
give us some more time to launch Nityananda Yoga or the science of likhita
japa. I can tell you for now that in the Rama Rahasya Upanishad it is said that
writing of the syllables of the Mantra is a very powerful method to focus our
full concentration on the Mantra and the meanings because while writing one
actually chants the Mantra in the mind.
So
one can write on a piece of paper or one can write the the Nityananda and
Gauranga Mantrarajas in the sky with our fingers and thus focus on each
syllable of the Mantrarajas which are non-different from the Lord who is the
Mantri. This is Nityananda Yoga.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Re: Re: Re: Love or Fear?
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 19 Feb 2004 at 02:57.23 AM
Subtopic:
Love or Fear of God / Vaishnava Aparadha?
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Gaurahari Dasa
Is this statement not completely against any kind of dread or fear in the
conciousness of a Vaishnava?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One
should fear to commit Vaishnava aparadha, one should fear to commit Nama
aparadha, one should fear to commit sinful activities and one should fear to
give up chanting. This is healthy spiritual fear which protects us from Maya.
If one does not have this fear then one will fall down in Maya.
The
Holy Names are all-powerful but the offenses against the Holy Names have to be
avoided and that is why fear required in spiritual life to keep oneself far
away from the offenses like Vaishnava aparadha etc.
The
Nityananda and Gauranga Mantrarajas do not consider the other 9 offenses like
the Hare Krishna Mahamantra but do consider Vaishnava aparadha and thus there
should be a great fear in our hearts not to criticize or slander any devotee at
any point of time on a personal level. This will protect us from Vaishnava
aparadha.
Just
to cite one pastime, when Lord Gauranga punished the renunciate kirtana devotee
Chota Haridasa then all the sannyasi devotees of Lord Gauranga became very
fearful of loosing the Lord's association and thus they become even more strict
and cautious in the control of their senses (which were already controlled
actually) and thus all of them pleased the Lord more. So fear can also be used
in the service of Lord Gauranga-Krishna.
As
per some statements of Seventh Goswami Shrila Saccidananda Bhaktivinoda Thakura
in Krishna Samhita and one or two other books, Thakura himself has explained it
in the introduction to Krishna Samhita that thos statements should not be taken
sirectly by the devotees. His stating that hells are imaginary was just a
preaching strategy as per the time, place and situation to bring the English
men and women and the indologists to the path of pure devotion somehow or the
other.
In so
many other places, he has confirmed the descriptions of the hellish planets in
the 5th canto of the Bhagavatam and in so many places like Hari Nama Chintamani
he has most vividly described the fearful situations one will face by
committing the 10 Nama Aparadhas.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Re: Re: Is presence of Ego a manufacturing defect?
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 17 Feb 2004 at 03:05.51 PM
Subtopic:
Is presence of Ego a manufacturing defect?
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Man born with women's mind or vice versa 2. Twins born joined and sharing
only one organ.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The
cause for this is not the manufacturing defect of the maker but the
wrong-doings of the individual soul. The soul has been forced to enter such
bodies because the soul chose such misery by performing heinously sinful
activities in the previous lives.
Thus
the past karma of the embodied soul is the cause for this miserable
situation. Nothing happens by chance and
no one is innocent in this material world.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 17 Feb 2004 at 01:55.30 PM
Subtopic:
Subscribe by Email to the Whole Forum By
the kind courtesy, assistance and help of Mr. Francis Beens at Encore, all the
registered members have an option now to receive all the full posts (not just
the notification of the posts in the subscribed topics) put up on the Gauranga
Dharma Forum in all the subtopics, or new subtopics posted etc.
This
option is found in User Center -> Profiles -> Privacy Options -> Have
an email sent to you containing the full text of a post whenever one is made.
The
members can open a separate email account for this if required and put that in
their profile and then delete the incoming emails to this email id regularly if
so desired.
This
feature is very convenient for those who are travelling and cannot browze the
net but have access to their emails. Thus they can completely keep in touch
with the Forum Discussions.
Also
Mr. Francis Beens has so maganimously told us that that the next version of the
Encore forum - bjForum - will actually allow us to email our reply directly to
the forum, and the forum will automatically post it!
We
sincerely pray that the Supreme Lord will confer upon Mr. Francis Beens and his
company all His blessings, mercy and opulences for his marvellous unconditional
support to Gauranga Dharma to preach is such a wonderful way through this
Forum.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Last edited by Swami Gaurangapada on 17 Feb 2004 at 03:25.53 PM.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Re: Heavy personal problems
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 17 Feb 2004 at 01:35.03 PM
Subtopic:
Heavy personal problems quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by beyond
1. i have many complicated and "impossible" problems like owing a
huge amount of debt, bills, involving in a wrong and complicated relationship,
having strange and abnormal fear of people for more than 10 yrs etc. will
chanting nityananda and gauranga really help to solve all my problems?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank
you so much for your questions. Surely chanting Nityananda and Gauranga
Mantrarajas attacks at the root of all problems which are birth, old age,
disease and death. So by chanting if you will not a material birth again there
where is the question of debts, bills, cheating relationships, abnormal fear
etc.?
The
regular and steady chanting of the Mantarajas for a period of atleast a few
months also provides immediate relief from the material sufferings by making us
understand the direct hand of the Lord is everything which is happening in our
life and also by reducing the onslaught of pur problems themselves.
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. i am confused with the pronounciation of the da in nityananda and the ga in
gauranga. is it pronounced as dah and gah or da(as in the english word, the)
and ga?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. there are many websites which claim mantras like gayatri, tara, shiva etc
are the best or most powerful mantras. what makes nityananda and gauranga the
king of all mantras and the one and only solution to all problems? does this
mean other mantras are useless or not as powerful as the king of mantras?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This
is because the Nityananda and Gauranga Mantrarajas take away all the offenses
in the chanting all the bonafide Vishnu Mantras in Kali Yuga. Because
Nityananda and Gauranga are the most merciful Holy Mantras or Holy Names in the
whole creation and capable of delivering the most lowest of the low, They are
known as the Mantrarajas or the King of All Mantras in all Yugas.
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. a owner of a yahoo group gave me a mantra last yr which he claimed that it
will solve all my problems and is the only mantra that is self awakened and
other mantras are not. the mantra is: om devrahaya digambaraya manchasinaya
namo namah. what does it mean by self awakened? do you agree with he said or
what do you think regarding the self awakened thing?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sorry,
we have never seen this Mantra mentioned in any revealed Vedic scriptures.
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. do i have to chant nityananda and gauranga on beads? can i chant without
beads? is it a must?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes,
you can chant and count on your fingers or clickers etc. But the required
effect is guaranteed only if you atleast chant the bare minimum of 1080 times
of each of the Mantrarajas. Beyond that you can chant constantly throughout the
day too without counting.
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. can i chant only nityananda and gauranga? do i have to chant hare krishna
mantra too?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In
the beginning you have to begin with a minimum 1080 times each of the
Nityananda and Gauranga Mantrarajas daily and gradually try to add the chanting
of a minimum of 108 times of the Hare Krishna Mahamantra daily. And then
progress furthur as you begin to relish the bliss and realizations of chanting.
The furthur advanced levels are described in the Gauranga Dharma Blueprint
Table.
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7. i have deep and severe abnormal fear of people(even my parents) for many yrs
and i tried chanting nityananda and gauranga for 2 or 3 weeks now. but most of
the time i chant these two mantras my fears get stronger or if not stronger i
don't feel calm , relaxed or better. when i changed to chanting other mantras
like om tare tuttare ture soha or om kreem kalikaye namaha, i feel better, calm
and relaxed. i don't hate it but i don't seem to like chanting nityananda and
gauranga even the first time i chanted these two mantras. why is it so? what do
you think? does this mean that these two king of mantras are not suitable for
me?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Before
you begin cleaning a dusty room, the dust is all settled on the ground and
furniture so you do not notice it. But when you start cleaning the dust starts
flying everywhere on its way out or into the dust bin.
Similarly
when you chant the most powerful Nityananda and Gauranga Mantrarajas, They
begin Their super-cleaning action in your heart to make it pure, peaceful and
blissful. But in this process They have to remove all the zillions of
garbage-like impressions and desires residing in the crevices of our minds and
hearts which have accumulated over millions of lives.
You
cannot shoot an enemy unless he comes out in the open. So the Mantrarajas bring
out these wrong things in the open and then destroy them in millions. So you
have been very patient and perseverant in the chanting of the Nityananda and
Gauranga Mantrarajas and Hare Krishna Mahamantra. And you will achieve the pure
bliss of the soul very soon.
Other
Mantras may give a temporary and illusory peaceful effect but what they are
doing is that they are simply residuing or settling all the millions of
nonsense desires
more and more deeper in our hearts rather than cleaning them out or destroying
them permanently. So in a such a case there can be huge backlash of these evil
desires at any time leading to our doom and downfall into the 8.4 million
species of life.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Last edited by Swami Gaurangapada on 17 Feb 2004 at 05:35.17 PM.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Re: Re: Origin of Karma
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 17 Feb 2004 at 01:05.16 PM
Subtopic:
Origin of Karma and Soul quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
once i had a thought/idea/voice that said; you have been born into this life
not because of your karma, because your the one that can do your duty that i
have given you. comence with this duty and realese your self to this duty. if
you think about karma and you will neglect your duty. forget karma.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This
was the voice of your mental speculation not of the Lord within. Because our
karma is surely the cause of our birth, death, old age and disease in the
material world. Without karma we would have been in the spiritual world.
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
can one incarnate in an age hundreds or thousands of years from now and be born
again in to the past and back and forth?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The
time in the past which is gone is gone forever. One can only take birth in the
future in the bodily species of life which has been constructed and determined
by one's actions in this human form of life.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Re: Is presence of Ego a manufacturing defect?
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 17 Feb 2004 at 12:58.56 PM
Subtopic:
Is presence of Ego a manufacturing defect?
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All religions/faiths lay lot of emphasis on elimination of ego.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
True
religion or spirituality means elimination of the false ego which is the
misidentification of the soul with the body not the factual true ego of the
soul which is that the soul is a part and parcel of God.
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I feel presence of ego to an extent is essential also to live and sustain in
this material world.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes,
the true ego of the soul as a servant of God can ever be eliminated that is why
you are not comfortable with this thought of elimination of the ego. And it is
this true ego which will actually grant us the proper motivation to sustain the
soul in the spiritual and material worlds.
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
God must have had some purpose to put this ego into humans to begin with?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes
sure, the true ego was given by the Lord so that we can voluntarily and
willingly serve and love Him. And the false ego (separated energy) was created
by the Lord in order to fulfil our wicked and impure desires of trying to enjoy
separate from God.
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Or is presence of ego a manufacturing defect my maker?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please
do not come to conclusions before receiving the answers. God by definition is
perfect and complete in all His transcendental activities including creation,
maintainence and destruction. So it is our defect if we doubt the totally
undefective and pure Lord.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Last edited by Swami Gaurangapada on 17 Feb 2004 at 03:10.32 PM.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Re: Is God in business of writing books
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 17 Feb 2004 at 12:48.59 PM
Subtopic:
Is God in business of writing books
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. I wonder at times if subject of God is the creation of human brain?.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Infact
it is opposite. The human brain is created by the Lord and it is utter disaster
to use the creation of the Lord to deny His existence. x|
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Is God in business of writing (holy) books? If yes then in which language?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The
business of God is to bring back to Him the souls, His part and parcels who are
separated from Him and rotting in this material world. That is why Lord
empowers great devotees and acharyas to write spiritual literatures which serve
as guidelines to the soul for going to the spiritual world.
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. These books are claimed to have been written thousands of years ago. Don't
they need correction/ updating/ amendments?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Noooo.
Never. Spiritual knowledge about the soul and God is eternal and unchanging
because the soul and God both are spiritual and unchanging. So all the Vedic
scriptures of God are the truth, fact, relevant and practical for all times.
Material
knowledge keeps on changing because it is temporary and related to the changing
and perishable body. It is so common that the scientists come out with a theory
which is accpeted everywhere and then after a few years they come out with an
exactly contradictory theory which replaces the earlier one.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Re: Is universe expanding?
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 17 Feb 2004 at 12:38.58 PM
Subtopic:
Is universe expanding? quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Where is this extra space coming from where this universe is expanding into?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This
expanding theory has been proved to be based on very debatable grounds. The
Doppler effect which is based on spectrum shifts cannot be accepted as proper
proof because the light travels through so many different kinds of media and
atmosphere before reaching the earth which may be unknown to us. So just by
spectrum shifts etc. one cannot conclude the the planets are moving away from
us. There are many detailed articles refuting this expanding universe theory by
devotee scientists which can be found out and the links can be posted here by
someone who knows.
As
per the Shrimad Bhagavatam, the size of the universe is fixed and the diameter
is 4 billion miles.
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. What is the role of black hole in relation to this expansion?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There
is big area of darkness in the universe after the Lokaloka mountains as
described in Shrimad Bhagavatam. Maybe that is the black holes they may be
refering to.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Re: Achievements of Bhakti movement
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 17 Feb 2004 at 12:30.01 PM
Subtopic:
Idol Worship quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Don't we miss the essence of spiritualism when we stress more on rituals and
particular drill to perform a particular religious practice?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The
essence of all rituals or spiritual performances is to always remember the Holy
Names of God and to never forget Them.
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Are we not bringing back idol worship? See all around- pictures, statues,
idols and calendars etc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The
statues of everyone including the demigods except the Supreme Absolute Lord are
idols. But not the Forms and Pictures of the Lord.
In
the Ishopanishad, it is described: om purna madam...
The
the Supreme Lord is non-different from His picture or Form since He is absolute
and earth, water, fire, air and ether from which the Form is made are also His
energies. If God is everywhere and His energies are all-pervading, why is He
not there in His Deity Form? And over and above that, He is invoked in that
Deity Form by His pure devotees. That is why His presence is there in
concentrated form.
Just
like moisture is there everywhere in the air but still we have to go to a tap
to drink water. Similarly God is all-pervading but still we have to worship His
Deity to get His full mercy.
But
the demigods are all souls like us so they are not absolute like the Lord and
thus their forms and pictures are not actually equal to them. Ofcourse the
forms of the pure devotees are also non-different from them because the pure
devotees have achieved qualitative oneness with the Lord but not in quantity.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Re: Preaching?
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 17 Feb 2004 at 12:17.29 PM
Subtopic:
Preaching of Religion? quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
some times i feel like religious talk is just a ticking bomb cause people get
so mad at others that dissagree.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes,
real spiritual preaching should never involve fanaticism or emotional
blackmail. Because it is a completely voluntary decision and activity of the
soul. If it does not come voluntarily, it does not please God. That is why Lord
Gauranga-Krishna has given us minute free will.
These
kinds of anti-spiritual propoganda are repulsing so many intelligent people
from the path of pure devotion to the Lord. This people have begun to identify
religion as a cult of fanatics, sentimentalists and hard-liners.
Thus
the preaching of Gauranga Dharma which is the real pure religion of the soul
also suffers due to the widespread presence of these fanatic religious groups.
Thus
we have introduced the two wings of Gauranga Dharma called Gauranga Yoga and
Nityananda Yoga to rapidly spread the chanting of the Holy Names of Nityananda,
Gauranga and Hare Krishna among those who are repulsed by the word religion
etc.
The
ultimate goal of Gauranga Dharma is to inspire people to chant the Holy Names
daily even if it be for 5 minutes daily to begin with since the chanting is the
ultimate spiritual practice in Kali Yuga as per all the Holy Books in this
world.
And
Yoga and Meditation are words which are normally non-sectarian and open. People
tend to be more open to it. So why should we loose this chance to introduce the
chanting of the Holy Names which will bring all-auspicious individually and
collectively to this world?
So
you can preach to people who are not interested in Gauranga Dharma directly to
take up Gauranga Yoga and Nityananda Yoga meditation techniques and thus
gradually by chanting the Holy Names through these techniques they will begin
to understand that Gauranga Dharma is not a bodily religion but the original
energy and nature of the soul.
The
basic thing is that first the heart has to be purified by chanting then all
realizations and understanding will automatically come. We will be working on
establishing and spreading Gauranga Yoga and Nityananda Yoga under the
all-encompassing umbrella of Gauranga Dharma in the next few months with websites
on them etc. So please join in.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Re: Re: Love or Fear of God?
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 17 Feb 2004 at 02:39.49 AM
Subtopic:
Love or Fear of God / Vaishnava Aparadha?
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Knowing My opulences, the whole world looks upon Me with awe and veneration.
But devotion made feeble by such reverence does not attract Me."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes,
this is true but the conditioned souls cannot be expected to immediately come
to this platform of this spontaneous aishvarya mukta love from their fallen and
lusty position.
So they
have to first be trained in vaidhi bhakti (regulated devotional service) as per
the rules and regulations of the scriptures, avoid the do-nots (diet) of bhakti
and perform the do-s (medicine) of bhakti and understand the full aishvarya or
the factual position of the Supreme Personality of Godhead Lord
Gauranga-Krishna.
Then
gradually by the performance of vaidhi bhakti through the chanting of the Holy
Names, they will develop intimacy with the Lord and their mood of awe and
reverence will be gradually replaced by spontaneous pure devotion.
Though
spontaneous devotion pleases the Lord more but there is a process to reach that
stage and that is vaidhi bhakti.
Thus
the path of spontaneous devotion is not to be preached to those who have not
crossed the stage of nishtha or fixed determination in spiritual life for
chanting the Holy Names.
They
have to be constantly instructed and guided about Nama Mahima or glories of
chanting the Holy Names which will eventually impart them qualification for
spontaneous devotion to the Lord.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Last edited by Swami Gaurangapada on 17 Feb 2004 at 03:00.21 AM.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Re: Creation of Universe
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 16 Feb 2004 at 06:29.31 PM
Subtopic:
Creation of Universe 1. 1. Did God have
any restrictions/limitations on himself while he was creating this universe
(say in terms of time/variety/space/boundary/duration)?
No
how can he have restrictions in manipulating His own creation which is
emanating from Him?
2.
Sure God created universe and also created laws to govern and run this
creation. Is he/she bound by these laws himself/herself? Can God interfere in
day to day functioning of these laws? Could these laws be suddenly reversed at
whims of God?
Yes
sure. Just like the King can free all the prisoners at any time based on His
desire even though they may have a long term to serve in the prison.
Even
when the Lord incarnates in this material creation from His eternal spiritual
creation, He is not bound or contaminated by any of His own material laws. Just
like the King who is independent ot make, break or change His own laws. That
the Lord's appearance is called "Avatara" or descent.
Spiritual
Creation = 3/4th of His creation
Material Creation = 1/4th of His creation
3. If
creation has beginning does it have definite end too? And if yes.... then what?
Is this creation cyclic.
Yes
bhutva bhutva praliyate. The material is cyclic, it is created by Lord
Mahavishnu, maintained for 311 trillion years and destroyed by Him and enters
His body when He inhales. Then when He exhales again this creation is activated
for 311 trillion years. So His breath is equal to our 311 trillion years. And
Maha Vishnu is an expansion of an expansion of an expansion of Lord Nityananda
Balarama who is Himself the first expansion of Lord Gauranga-Krishna.
So we can imagine how great Nityananda-Gauranga are?
4 Why
this creation runs as it runs?
The
desire of Lord Gauranga-Krishna is the sole cause of the origin, maintainence
and destruction of this creation. sa imal lokani jayante as the Vedas state.
(sa aikshata)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Re: Discrepancies in scriptures
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 16 Feb 2004 at 05:57.23 PM
Subtopic:
Apparent Discrepancies in Scriptures
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Some of the theories of main religious scriptures on description of universe
have been proved wrong by science, like- earth is flat, planets revolve around
earth, earth is resting on horns of some animal, and earth is center of
universe and many similar descriptions. Other illusionary aspects may be still
holding good only because enough progress/research has not been made into those
areas. Where is the guarantee that other aspects of scriptures will not be
proved wrong later as humans keep progressing?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There
are absolutely no discrepancies in the scientific description of the universe
in the most authentic Vedic scriptures like Shrimad-Bhagavatam etc.
What you
describe are the bogus descriptions found in the mentally concocted books of
the unscrupulous speculators.
The
instruments of the scientists are imperfect just like their material senses.
But this is not the case with Shrila Vyasadeva who composed the Shrimad
Bhagavatam who had perfect knowledge of the subtle and pure sciences of this
universe by the dint of being the empowered literary incarnation of Lord
Gauranga-Krishna Himself.
So if
the modern science does progress with some genuine discoveries in the future it
will only confirm the descriptions of Shrimad Bhagavatam more and more. Like
Shrila Prabhupada said, the research has already been done by Vyasadeva and by
the self-realized and perfect souls and real intelligence means to accept it
with faith because it is impossible to provide proof of each and every aspect
of this inconceivable creation of God to our imperfect senses.
Thus
if the modern science simply accepts the descriptions with faith then they will
get the intelligence to actually provide proof for all the descriptions of
Shrimad Bhagavatam.
And
by the way, humans may be progressing materially (which is also very much
debatable) but the spiritual degradation of the soul is so much pervading in
the present situation. So how can anything auspicious come out of it unless the
trend is reversed.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Re: Karma
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 16 Feb 2004 at 05:42.30 PM
Subtopic:
Origin of Karma and Soul Yes there no
material karma when the soul was originally in the marginal line between the
spiritual and material worlds. But the soul still had free will to use well or
to misuse.
Some
souls put the free will or independence to good use and directly entered the
spiritual Vaikuntha planets (above) to serve God from the tatashtha shakti
(marginal line) and some souls misused the inherent independence give to them
by God and wanted to try to enjoy like God and become God and thus they fell
down in this material world becamse embodied and entangled in the laws and
fruits of material karma.
So
the original cause was the misuse of our minute independence give to us by God.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Re: Audio books
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 16 Feb 2004 at 05:34.34 PM
Subtopic:
Audio books quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
i have seen online certain complete vedic scriptures on mp3 for purchase. is
this as good as or even better then reading? texts are 10-20 american dollars
compared to 300 for the set of books.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reading
is also hearing (shravanam) in the mind.
So hearing
and reading both have to be performed simultaneously.
Regarding
spiritual reading material, the scriptures do not recommend to read spiritual
books written by avaishnavas (non-devotees who do not have faith in the Form
and Holy Name of Lord Gauranga-Krishna) who are outside the four bonafide
Vaishnava sampradayas in Kali Yuga even though they are very famous and the
so-called big scholars or poets or philosophers or singers or musicians or
philanthropists.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Re: Love or Fear?
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 16 Feb 2004 at 05:29.23 PM
Subtopic:
Love or Fear of God / Vaishnava Aparadha?
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I guess in the West people are a bit fed up with priests threatening them with
hell, I am sure Krishna is enchanting enough to attract souls by His beauty,
not by horrible threats. Threats and colorful descriptions of different hellish
torments will never lead us to spontaneous, confidential bhakti. On the
contrary, the fear of God makes it impossible to think of Him as our friend,
lover, etc. So could you please comment on these seemingly contradictory
statements, please.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lord
Gauranga-Krishna is certainly the most enchanting but the problem is that we
have spoilt ourselves in this conditioned stage to think of ourselves as the
centre of all enjoyment. And this mentality is so strong that in most cases it
cannot be recitifed without the administration of proper punishment.
This
is similar to the punishment which the hard-core criminals have to face in the
jail for their rectification. If you say that the criminals should simply be
given love, that may not be enough for most of them. Because they may misuse
that love until they are purified of their criminal mentality by discharge of
proper punishment. That is the precise reason why the prison is created by the
government and why the material world with the 28 kinds of different hells was
created by the Lord.
Descriptions
of the fearful hells in the Vedic scriptures and the words of God and His pure
devotees are a fact and they are guaranteed reactions for the sinful activities
commited by the fallen conditioned souls. So simply stating the facts cannot be
called as cruelty but it is compassion. For every action there is an equal and
opposite reaction.
So
the scriptures don't just want the souls to become fearful but they just want
to state the fact about what is the next destination of the soul if the soul
leads a sinful life. If the soul is in ignorance about the consequences how can
you ever expect the soul to stop indulging in the sinful activities?
The
scriptures do not want to merely create fear but they mercifully want to show
us our miserable, factual and irreversible destination if we do not stop our
sinful activities.
As
Shrila Prabhupada said, fear of Maya and hell and God is very healthy for the
spiritual life of the neophyte beginner. And proper fear as per the Vedic
scritures in no way dimishes the loving relationship with God.
Like
a son is fearful of the father in regards to doing something wrong but does
that dimish or affect his extreme love and affection for his father? Noo infact
it increases it if the son understands that the punishment which the father
administers is just because the father loves him and cares for him and does not
want to see him go astray.
So we
are not saying that one should always create fear in the people in the name of
spirituality but a healthy balance of love and enchantment for the Holy Names
of Lord Gauranga-Krishna and fear in their hearts for doing anything against
the instructions of God is the perfect balanced formula and dose for the
kanishtha adhikari devotees until they achieve spontaneous attachment to the
Lord.
Thus
the principle of healthy spiritual fear of Maya as per the Vedic scriptures
should not be rejected or compared with the whimsical and fanatical fears being
imposed in the name of spirituality in the present materialistic society.
And
just because the trend is that people do not like to be fearful does not mean
that we neglect or reject those portions of Shrimad Bhagavatam like the 5th
Canto which describe in detail the sufferings in the various kinds of hells in
the nether regions of our universe.
Real
spirituality means that we do not bend the Vedic facts to suit the modern
materialistic ideas or trends but we fearlessly present them as they are
ofcourse in a palatable manner. Ofcourse a preacher can always decide to make
all the souls to first chant the Holy Names and then they will automatically
develop faith in the Bhagavata philosophy and a healthy fear of their karmic
reactions.
This
healthy spiritual fear of Maya actually enables the soul to become even more
sincere in chanting the Holy Names of Nityananda, Gauranga and Hare Krishna!
When
I sit to respond my pen keeps on flowing but I will end my reply here. 8)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Re: Diety Worship
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 15 Feb 2004 at 01:53.26 AM
Subtopic:
NG, RK and LN Diety Worship quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1) We are told that Radha Krishna are supposed to be worshipped as Lakshmi
Narayan at home. But isn't that a totally different kind of worship, prabhu?
Different mantras are chanted and the atmosphere is totally different.
2)
People tell us to look at Radha Krishna with formalities. I do agree, we have
to try our best not to commit the stipulated offences with the deities around.
However prabhu, i do believe that each individual's relationship with Radha Krishna
is very personal. Please correct me if i am wrong. The reason why i say this is
that my family went through 15 years of struggles - materially,spiritually and
emotionally, till finally we came to a situation whereby we knew the only sole
protector and well-wisher was Krishna only. Life was a non-stop struggle for
all those years, and finally we came away from all relatives and friends who
were non-devotees. that's when the deities arrived in our residence. See
Prabhu, we can't see them as deities or as '' Boss and employee''. Rather we
see them as life beings whom we take care of. Wonderful events have happened in
our life's only by Krishna's causeless mercy,prabhu.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In
this regards, I want to simply say that to come above the mood of awe and
reverence in the worship of Shri Shri Radha-Krishna and worship Them with
spontaneous offenseless devotion is only possible if one regularly chant the
all-offense destroying Holy Names of Nityananda-Gauranga and worships the
Deities of Nityananda-Gauranga in one's home for atleast a few years. For those
who do not worship the Names and Deities of Nityananda-Gauranga first,
spontaneous worship to Radha-Krishna will remain like a far-off illusory mirage
in the desert even though one may sentimentally feel that one is doing it. And
one will become simply overburdened by the 64 seva offenses which are
considered in the worship of Radha-Krishna Deities.
This
is what happened to one devotee community in USA. Shrila Prabhupada said that
because they were immaturely worshiping Radha-Krishna Deities, their offenses
to the Deities was taking away their taste in chanting and spiritual life.
In
Gauranga Dharma, we are recommending everyone to worship Nityananda-Gauranga or
Pancha Tattva Deities or Pictures and to very regularly (atleast 25,000 Names
daily) chant the Holy Names of Nityananda-Gauranga and Hare Krishna for atleast
5 years before bringing the Deities of Radha-Krishna in one's home. And that
too after obtaining permission and blessings from the spiritual master.
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3) Suppose my brother gets married, i understand it is not appropriate for
newly married couples to be staying at the same place as the deities in the
house. It's not appropriate owing to the regulations stipulated. Is this
correct? I believe i have read this somewhere,but recall where.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This
prohibition is not there in the list of 64 seva aparadhas to the Deities in
Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu.
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4) Are there any instructions by Shrila Prabhupada that we should not worship
deities in an household? Please enlighten me.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NITYANANDA-GAURANGA
ARE VERY KIND AND LENIENT
"Unless
we have got sufficient experienced devotees we shall not install Radha Krishna
or Jagannatha Deities. Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is very kind and lenient.
Simply chanting of Hare Krishna will please Him. But when we have Deities like
Radha Krishna or Jagannatha we must strictly follow the regulative principles
of Arcana." (SP Letter to: Hamsaduta, Los Angeles, 22 June, 1970)
"If
there is scarcity of such qualifies pujaris, each center should be satisfied
only by worshipping Panca Tattva of Lord Chaitanya by performance of
Sankirtana." (SP Letter to: Damodara, Los Angeles, 1 July, 1970)
FOR
HOUSEHOLDERS NITYANANDA-GAURANGA ARE EVEN MORE RECOMMENDED THAN JAGANNATHA
DEITIES WHAT TO SPEAK OF RADHA-KRISHNA DEITIES:
Devotee
8: Shrila Prabhupada, many people who live outside the temple have Jagannatha
Deities and..Prabhupada: "Better Gaura-Nitai Deities." (Morning
Walk with Shrila Prabhupada, May 22, 1975, Melbourne)
For
more quotes please see the NGIEH.zip uploaded in the following post:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Re: Home worship
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 15 Feb 2004 at 01:04.52 AM
Subtopic:
Book and details on Home worship
NGIEH.zip (16.42 KB)
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
are texts on home worship in the works?
how
to set up an altar, puja materials, mantras, prayers, arrangement of altar?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am
attaching the book Nityananda-Gauranga in Every Home which I had compiled about
two years back. This will be the first step.
Regarding
puja materials etc. the moderators and other devotees can post here the
relevant details and how to obtain them and thus help you in that.
Regarding
the altar arrangement the pdf file made by Modadruma Gauranga dasa prabhu is
here:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Last edited by Swami Gaurangapada on 15 Feb 2004 at 01:12.58 AM.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Discussion continues on next page
Subtopic:
Hanuman Chalisa quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Mukunda_Gaurangadasa
(ex: others bona fide mantra repetitions, mixing Christian/Buddhist/e.t.c
(-name it!-) practices, hatha-yoga, Reiki, ......).Can someone benefits from
such practices?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It is
a very indirect way and too much mixing of so many practices from different
places may not yield beneficial results because it is very difficult to
identify whether those practices are authentic or not.
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My conclusion is that all practices that are done/learned in a karuna spirit
(compassionate for all sentient beings) and that are awakening love for the
Supreme Personality of Godhead can be used to build a strong foundation for
Gauranga-Nityananda Yoga.
Am I correct on this?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You
are right but since there is a very thin line between compassion and
sentimentalism, so we have be very careful with interfaith practices.
I
would like to recount the pastime of Mukunda and Lord Gauranga Mahaprabhu in
this regard:
Shri
Chaitanya Bhagavata Madhya Khanda 10.173-265:
Text
173
Smiling and smiling, Lord Gauranga, who makes true His devotees' words, granted
every boon.
Text 174
All this while Mukunda was outside, hiding behind a curtain. Mukunda did not
have the power to come before Lord Gauranga.
Text 175
The great devotee Mukunda was dear to everyone. Everyone thought well of him.
Text 176
When he sang in kirtana, Lord Gauranga always listened. Why was he being
punished by the Lord? No one knew.
Text 177
The Lord did not call for him, so he had no power to come. When the devotees
saw this, sadness was born in their hearts.
Text 178
Shrivasha said, "O master of the universes, please listen. How did Mukunda
offend You?
Text 179
"Mukunda is dear to You. To us, he is our life and soul. Who, hearing
Mukunda's singing, does not melt?
Text 180
"He is diligent in devotional service. He is respectful to all. Without
seeing an offense in him, You have put him in disgrace..
Text 181
"If he has committed an offense, then punish him. Why do You reject Your
servant and send him far away?
Text 182
"If You do not call for him, he cannot come before You. O Lord, please
allow him to see You. Please say that he has permission."
Text 183
Then Lord Gauranga said, "Never speak like that to Me. Don't plead that
wretched person's case to Me.
Text 184
"The words you have heard, `Sometimes he takes up a blade of grass, and
sometimes he takes up an iron mace,' apply to Mukunda. You don't know the truth
about him.
Text 185
"One moment he has a blade of grass between his teeth, and the next moment
he attacks Me with an iron mace. I will not look at that fellow holding a blade
of grass and an iron mace."
Text 186
Very eloquent Shrivasa again said, "Who is qualified to understand Your
powers?
Text 187
"We did not see any fault in Mukunda. The fact that Your lotus feet made
him fearless is a witness that testifies in his favor."
Text 188
Then Lord Gauranga said, "Wherever he goes, that wretch talks like the
people he meets.
Text 189
"When he is with the impersonalists, he talks the imp"ersonal
philosophy of Vasistha. When he is with the devotees, he places a blade of
grass between his teeth and he sings and dances.
Text 190
"When he is with people of other sampradayas he does not glorify
devotional service. In this way again and again he attacks Me with an iron mace.
Text 191
"To these people he says, `There is something better than devotional
service.' In this way again and again he attacks Me with an iron mace.
Text 192
"He has committed an offense to devotional service. Therefore he cannot
see Me."
Text 193
Staying outside, Mukunda heard everything. He heard the words, "He cannot
see Me".
Text 194
Previously, by his guru's order, Mukunda did not think highly of devotional
service. Lord Gauranga knew all this. That is Lord Gauranga's great power.
Text 195
The great devotee Mukunda thought in his heart, "It is not right for me to
keep this body alive.
Text 196
"I should at once leave this offensive body. When will I see the Lord
again? I don't know."
Text 197
Then Mukunda openly said, "Listen, O Shrivasa Thakura. Please ask the Lord
when I will see Him again."
Text 198
Again and again Mukunda shed tears from his eyes. Because of Mukunda's
suffering, all the devotees wept.
Text 199
Lord Gauranga said, "After ten million births he will see Me again. Of
this there is no doubt."
Text 200
Hearing these words from the Lord's mouth, Mukunda became splashed with bliss.
Text 201
Calling out, "I will! I will!", he danced wildly. Mukunda, a true
servant of the Lord, was overcome with love.
Text 202
With his ears hearing the words, "He will see", Mukunda danced in
bliss.
Text 203
Seeing Mukunda, Lord Gauranga laughed and said, "Bring Mukunda at
once."
Text 204
All the Vaishnavas called out, "Bring Mukunda!" Overcome with bliss,
Mukunda was not aware of anything.
Text 205
The Lord said, "Mukunda, your offense is now destroyed. Come. Look at Me.
Take My mercy."
Text 206
By the Lord's order everyone went, picked up Mukunda and carried him there.
Seeing the Lord, Mukunda at once fell down before Him.
Text 207
The Lord said, "Rise. Rise, Mukunda. You do not have even half a sesame
seed worth of an offense to Me.
Text 208
"Your fault of associating with bad people is now destroyed. Now you have
conquered Me.
Text 209
"When I said the words, `After ten million births he will see Me again', in
half a sesame seed's worth of time you destroyed all your offenses.
Text 210
"You had full faith in My words. By that faith you have made Me eternally
a prisoner in your heart.
Text 211
"You are My singer. Stay in My association. I enjoy talking and joking
with you.
Text 212
"Even if you commit ten million offenses, those offenses are not really
offenses, for you are very dear to Me.
Text 213
"Your body is filled with devotional service. You are My servant. I always
stay on your tongue."
Text 214
Hearing these reassuring words from the Lord, Mukunda wept. He rebuked himself.
He described himself as a fool.
Text 215
He said, "I have no faith in devotional service. I am worthless like a
pile of ashes. I am completely empty of devotion. Why is it, then, that when I
gaze at Your face I become filled with bliss?
Text 216
"Duryodhana saw Your universal form, which scholars search the Vedas to
see.
Text 217
"Although he saw Your universal form, Duryodhana and his family all
perished. He did not find happiness, for he had no devotion to You.
Text 218
"Like him, I have no faith in devotional service. I am worthless like a
pile of ashes. Why is it, then, that when I gaze at Your face I become filled
with bliss and love?
Text 219
"When You went to kidnap Rukmini, all the kings saw You flying on Garuda.
Text 220
"At the time of the abhisheka named Raja-rajeshvara all the kings saw Your
effulgent form.
Text 221
"The form You directly manifested in the city of Vidarbha, Brahma and all
the demigods yearn to see.
Text 222
"When they saw Your form, all the kings perished. They did not attain
happiness, for they had no devotion to You.
Text 223
"Assuming the form of a boar whose limbs were made of the Vedi yajnas, You
appeared from the waters.
Text 224
"Then You, the limitless Lord, picked up the earth in Your tusks. All the
demigods yearned to see this form of Yours.
Text 225
"The demon Hiranyaksha saw this wonderful form. Still, he did not attain
happiness, for he had no devotion to You.
Text 226
"Hiranyaksha's brother also saw a very confidential form of Yours, and
form whose chest is the resting-placed of Goddess Lakshmi.
Text 227
"The three worlds call this wonderful form `Nrisimha'.Even though he saw
this form, Hiranyaksha's brother perished, for he had no devotion to You.
Text 228
"I am worthless like a pile of ashes. I have no faith in devotional
service. It is a great wonder, then, that my head has not already been severed
and fallen to the ground.
Text 229
"How is it that Kubja, the yajna-patnis, the women of Mathura, and the
garland-maker were able to see You?
Text 230
"They attained You because they engaged in devotional service. At the same
time Kamsa saw You and perished.
Text 231
"I am worthless like a pile of ashes. I have no faith in devotional
service. Still You are merciful and You protect me.
Text 232
"By the power of His devotional service, very powerful Lord Ananta Shesha
happily holds up the countless universes.
Text 233
"Passionately chanting Your glories, He is not even aware of the
universes, which rest like a single drop on one of His thousand hoods.
Text 234
"Although He does not rest on anything, everything rests on Him. It is by
the power of His ldevotional service that He is able to support everything.
Text 235
"I am a sinner. I have no faith in devotional service. For endless births
my future will not be good.
Text 236
"Because he engaged in devotional service Lord Shiva became the giver of
auspiciousness. Because he engaged in devotional service, Narada became the
best of the sages.
Text 237
"Vyasadeva compiled many scriptures describing the religion of the Vedas.
Still, he did not feel even half a sesame seed worth of satisfaction in His
heart.
238-Text 239
"When He briefly explained the secrets of devotional service, all the
offenses in His heart perished.
Text 240
"On Narada's order, He explained devotional service in detail. Then the
sadness in His heart fled. Then He transcended the world of birth and death.
Text 241
"I am a worm who has no faith in devotional service. How did I get the
power to see You?"
Text 242
Raising his arms, the great devotee Mukunda wept. His body trembled. He sighed.
Text 243
By his nature he was a pure devotee of the Lord. What more can I say? He was
one of Lord Gauranga's personal associates.
Text 244
Seeing Mukunda's unhappiness, Lord Gauranga became embarrassed and said,
Text 245
"Mukunda, your devotion is very pleasing to Me. Whenever you sing, I will
at once come to that place.
Text 246
"What you have said is the truth. Without engaging in devotional service,
no one can see Me.
247-Text 248
"What I say is the truth: You are very dear to Me. Who has the power to
destroy what I have spoken, through the Veda's mouth, about pious deeds and
about returning to the spiritual world?
Text 249
"Only I have the power to these rules. Only I.
Text 250
"I placed the truth in your mouth. ,No action is auspicious if it is not
devotional service to Me.
Text 251
"When someone has no faith in devotional service, that brings pain to My
heart. My pain destroys any happiness they might feel by seeing Me.
Text 252
"A washerman saw Me. I even asked something of him. But he was cheated,
for he had no love for Me.
Text 253
"That washerman had performed austerities for millions of lifetimes just
to see Me.
Text 254
"Those pious deeds made him fortunate to see Me. Still, he could not feel
happiness by seeing Me, for he had no devotion to Me.
Text 255
"I do not give mercy to persons who have no devotion to Me. I stop them
from feeling happiness by seeing Me.
Text 256
"Offenses to devotional service destroy devotion. When devotion is absent,
one has not power to reap the true result that comes from seeing Me.
Text 257
"What you have spoken are actually all My words. Why should any other
words enter your mouth?
Text 258
"This I tell you: I will distribute pure devotional service. I will place
pure devotion and love in the words that come from your throat.
Text 259
"Look. When they hear your songs, the circle of Vaishnavas will melt.
Text 260
"You are very dear to Me. In the same way you will be dear to all the
great devotees.
Text
261
"Whenever I descend to this world you will be My singer."
Text 262
A great sound of "Jaya! Jaya!" arose when Lord Gauranga gave this
boon to Mukunda.
Text 263
There were sounds of "Haribol! Haribol! Jaya Jagannatha!" Folding his
hands, Mukunda said, "Hari!" Text 264
Anyone who hears these prayers of Mukunda will sing with him.
Text 265
These topics of Lord Gauranga are hidden even from the Vedas. Only very
intelligent persons can understand them. Fools cannot.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Re: Turiya
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 03 Apr 2004 at 12:18.54 AM
Subtopic:
Turiya quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Mukunda_Gaurangadasa
What does @turiya@ means?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The
basic meaning of Turiya means the 4th transcendental state of shuddha sattva
directly related to the Lord (sattvam vishuddham vasudeva sabditam) as
described in Shrimad Bhagavatam beyond the three stages of mode of goodness,
passion and ignorance.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Re: Harinam-diksa Preparation
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 03 Apr 2004 at 12:16.12 AM
Subtopic:
Harinam-diksa Preparation quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Mukunda_Gaurangadasa
I would like to prepare in advance for Harinama initiation and would like to
have your suggestions about it.
Only the mercy of Shri Guru and the chanting of the Mantrarajas can make a
person qualified for the Hare Krishna Mahamantra but still, I am asking because
I have little prema for this Maha-Mantra. I pray to one day hear it directly
from Lord Chaitanya's Voice.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jaya.
Thank you so much for desiring to advance more and more in chanting. For
Harinama Diksha preparations, you can thoroughly study the book Mahamantra Yoga
which is available as a hard copy at Gauranga Nityananda Store:
The
free soft copy was uploaded some time back (some devotees may have it). It will
be available again soon.
Also
recommended reading is Shri Harinama Chintamani which we will be translating
soon in Shri Jagannatha Puri Dhama. The essence of HNC is included in
Mahamantra Yoga.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Re: Shastra and NG Kriya
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 03 Apr 2004 at 12:01.28 AM
Subtopic:
Shastra and NG Kriya quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Mukunda_Gaurangadasa
What are the scriptural references regarding the benefits of the Nityananda
Kriya and the Gauranga Kriya?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Re: Re: Home Programs
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 02 Apr 2004 at 11:58.55 PM
Subtopic:
Home Programs quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Mukunda_Gaurangadasa
How do you organize the prasadam?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It is
so simple, just prepare anything with love and devotion and offer to Their
Lordships Nityananda-Gauranga and distribute. The Lord does not see the content
but the devotion involved in making it.
If a
lot of funds are not available for elaborate prasadam, the House Programs of
Gauranga Dharma should not be stopped just because of that. The Holy Names are
the greatest prasadam for the conditioned souls.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Re: Re: Loud/Soft/Mental Chanting
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 02 Apr 2004 at 11:54.26 PM
Subtopic:
Loud/Soft/Mental Chanting quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Mukunda_Gaurangadasa
Is variety in japa-type (inward/outward chanting) o.k or ecnouraged? I do chant
silently (in my mind) and outwardly. hare Krishna!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes
surely, there is no objection to that. I have already quoted for that in this
thread as below:
In
Prema Vilasa Chp 24, it is mentioned:
advaita
prabhur pade loila sarana
tar thai bhakti sastre koilo adhyayana
advaitera sthane tinho hoila diksiti
tin lakho harinama jape diva rati
lakho harinama mane lakho kane sune
lakho nama ucca kori kore sankirtane'
"Namacharya
Shrila Haridasa Thakura took shelter of Shrila Advaita Acharya Prabhu's lotus
feet and studied the bhakti shastras under Him. He became initiated by Advaita
(diksha) and was chanting 300,000 Holy Names day and night, 100,000 Names
loudly, 100,000 Names softly and 100,000 Names silently."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Re: Pronoun and sannyasi(s)?
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 02 Apr 2004 at 11:50.08 PM
Subtopic:
Pronoun and sannyasi(s)? quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Mukunda_Gaurangadasa
I was told it was unproper to address a renunciate with pronoun. Instread of
saying @Do you want something?@ we should say @Does Swamiji/Maharaja wants
something?@. Was this information correct?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This
way of address surely is more respectful but not expressLY or compulsorily
recommeded in the scriptures.
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Can a renunciate eat the food prepared by householders? Stay overnight in their
house?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ideally
a renunciant should eat in the house of a householder devotee who is chanting
100,000 Holy Names of the Lord daily. This is explained in my book Mahamantra
Yoga:
SRILA
SACCIDANANDA BHAKTIVINODA THAKURA:
Sadhu-vrtti,
Sajjana Tosani 11/12:
tinei
sad-grhastha -- jini pratyah laksa-nama grahana karena, tanhara grhei
suddha-vaishnavagana prasada grahana karibena
"Only
those devotees are sad-grhasthas (or the topmost ideal householders) who chant
1,00,000 names of the Holy Names daily. And the pure devotees should accept
prasada (offered food) only in the homes of these sad-grhasthas."
shri
chaitanya-bhagavate
%
9(1) prabhu bale,-"jana, 'laksesvara' bali kare?
% 9 prati-dina laksa-nama ye grahana kare"
In
the Chaitanya-bhagavata Madhya Khanda 9.121-122, Lord Gauranga Mahaprabhu
instructed us on whose worship and service He will directly accept:
"Do
you know who is a laksheshvara? He is someone who chants one laksha, or one
hundred thousand holy names everyday."
[NOTE:
THE FOLLOWING ARE ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PURPORTS OF SRILA SARASVATI THAKURA
IN ALL HIS GAUDIYA BHASHYAS SINCE IT BEEN INCLUDED IN HIS FINAL UPADESHAVALI.
THE ORIGINAL BENGALI IS INCLUDED.]
PURPORT:
[POSITIVE
INJUNCTION]
shri
gaurasundera balibena - "jini pratidina laksanama grahana karibena,
tanharai grhe bhagavan sevita hana."
Shri
Gaurangasundara spoke as follows - "The Supreme Personality of Godhead
accepts service only in the home of those who chant one hundred thousand names
daily.
bhagavan
tanharai nikate bhoga-dravyadi grahana karena.
"The
Lord accepts bhoga (foodstuffs) and other ingredients only from such
personalities.
[NEGATIVE
INJUNCTION]
jini
laksanama grahana karena na, tahara nikate haite bhagavan naivedya
svikara-dvara seva-saubhagya pradana karena na.
"Those
who don't chant one hundred thousand names daily, are never awarded the great
fortune of rendering service to the Lord by offering Him naivedya (bhoga). This
is because never accepts (svikara) their offerings."
[WARNING
OF DANGER]
bhagavad-bhakta
matrei pratyaha laksa-nama grahana karibena natuva vividha visaye asakta haiya
bhagavad-seva karite asamartha haibena.
The
Lord continued - "Those who consider themselves devotees of the Lord must
compulsorily chant 1,00,000 names everyday otherwise they will gradually but
surely become attached to varieties of sense-objects and thus become incapable
to rendering any kind of service to the Lord."
[CONCLUSION]
tajjanyai
shri chaitanyadevera ashrita sakalai nyunkalpe laksanama grahana kariya
thakena. natuva gaurasunderera udesya pradatta naivedya tini grahana karibena
na.
(Shrila
Sarasvati Thakura continues) Therefore all the devotees who have taken shelter
of Lord Gaurangadeva perform the chanting of 1,00,000 Holy Names daily as their
first and primary duty. Because they know that if they don't do so then Lord
Gaurangasundera will never accept the bhoga (naivedya) which they will cook for
Him daily.
%
9(2) "se janera nama ami bali 'laksesvara'
tatha bhiksa amara, na yai anya ghara"
"I
call such a person a laksesvara. I only accept meals in that person's house. I
NEVER go anywhere else."
PURPORT
BY SRILA SARASVATI THAKURA:
[HEAVY
STATEMENT]
shri
chaitanya bhaktagana abhaktera sahita sambhasana karena na. jini bhaktivyatita
karma, jnana o anyabhilasara kathaya pradatta tahara sahita bandhutva karibe
na.
The
devotees of Lord Shri Gauranga never talk with such non-devotees. They never do
friendship with those who are engaged in the cultivation of karma,jnana or
other desires which are devoid of bhakti.
[Note:
Shrila Sarasvati Thakura indicates that those who do not chant laksa-nama daily
get engaged in karma,jnana, material desires and gradually become non-devotees.
The next line is even more clear.]
[HEAVY
WARNING AGAIN]
pratyah
laksa-nama grahana na karile patita vyaktiganera visaya-bhoga pravrtti vrddhi
paya; takhana ara tahara shri gaurasunderarera seva karite pare na.
Those
who don't accept this vow of chanting 1,00,000 names daily, they fallen down
even more although they were fallen in the first place (due to contamination of
Kali-yuga). Thus their propensity for enjoying the senses and sense-objects
increases and ultimately they are not able to render any kind of service to
Lord Gaurangasundara.
[Note:
Shrila Sarasvati has conclusively established here that those who don't chant
laksa-nama daily are absolutely sure to fall down even from the service of the
merciful Lord Gaurangasundara in due course of time. Then what to speak of
rendering service to Their Lordships Radha & Krishna]
[FINAL
CONCLUSION]
laksesvara
vyatita gaura-bhaktira adarsa gaudiyajana kehai svikara karena na.
That
is the precise reason why the real Gaudiya-bhaktas do not accept any other
ideal (adarsha) in Gauranga-bhakti except the process of chanting 1,00,000
names daily.
[MOST
IMPORTANT FINAL STATEMENT BY SRILA SARASVATI THAKURA]
adhapatita
va adhapete gana eka-matra bhajana-sabda-vacya shri-nama-bhajane
vimukhata-vasata laksa-nama grahana karibara parivarte anyabhajanera chalana
korena, taddvara tahadera kona mangala haya na.
Those
spiritual aspirants who are already fallen or will fall in the future are
averse to this sole means of deliverance called nama-bhajana which is also the
topmost worship of the sound incarnation of God in the form of chanting
1,00,000 names daily. Coming under the sway of their averseness to chant
laksa-nama (100,000 Names) daily, they duplicitously invent other means of
devotional service to justify their not chanting laksa-nama but it is to be
understood that by this action they will not achieve anything auspicious in
their life.
[Note:
This final statement is so crystal clear, straight and conclusive.]
% 9
SRILA BHAKTISIDDHANTA SARASVATI THAKURA PRABHUPADA IN UPADESHAVALI:
22.
Bhagavan will not accept anything which is offered by a person who doesn't
chant the Holy Names one-hundred thousand times daily and such a person is
considered a 'patita'.
23.
By sincerely endeavoring to chant the Holy Name without offences and remaining
fixed in chanting constantly, one's offences will fade and pure Nama will arise
on the tongue.
Shrila
Bhakti Promod Puri Goswami Maharaja about his guru Om Vishnupada Shrila
Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Prabhupada:
"Unfailingly
as a daily vow, he used to chant one lakh Names of the Lord and his instruction
to all his disciples was to do likewise. Keeping this vow intact, he would
allot his times incredibly to cover all his preaching schedules and literary
work, being a source of inspiration to all who came in contact with him."
Those
who have chanted laksa-nama (100,000 Holy Names) for fifteen or twenty years
should know such things (rasa-sastra). The beginners need not hear these topics
or they will misunderstand.’ (Shrila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, From an
article in The Gaudiya, 1934)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Last edited by Swami Gaurangapada on 02 Apr 2004 at 11:51.10 PM.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Re: Question to swami
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 02 Apr 2004 at 11:34.45 PM
Subtopic:
Can one mentally chant? quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
swami, can one mentally chant the two mantras in gauranga mantra yoga? thanks
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes
sure. For furthur details on mental chanting please read the thread:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Re: Is this an ISKCON alternative group?
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 02 Apr 2004 at 11:32.44 PM
Subtopic:
Is this an ISKCON alternative group?
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hare Krishna. What exactly is this site? Is it an ISKCON alternative or is it a
ritvik kind of thing? This is my first time here. I found out about it on
fallen devotees. Thanks
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This
is not an alternative to anyone or anything. Shrila Bhaktivinoda Thakura states
in Shri Navadvipa-dhama-mahatmya Chp 1:
kali
jivera aparadha asankhya durvara;
gauranga-nama vina tara nahika uddhara.
"The
offenses and sins of the living entities in Kali-yuga are unlimited and
absolutely insurmountable. That is why the offensive souls can never ever be
delivered without the regular chanting the most merciful Holy Name of Gauranga.
Thus
the chanting and preaching of the Holy Name of Lord Gauranga is the only way
for all the souls in Kali Yuga and thus this process is simply important not
for only one institution but chanting the Holy Name of Lord Gauranga is the
universal and essential religion of all spirit souls.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 27 Mar 2004 at 07:06.46 PM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 27 Mar 2004 at 06:58.46 PM
Subtopic:
Gauranga Dharma Animations <http://GaurangaMantraYoga.org/> <- Check this Site for the Breath
Animation of Gauranga Mantra Yoga
<http://GaurangaDharma.org/gmyfull.gif> <- Full Animation
Three
Animations of Gauranga Mantra Yoga:
(1)
Full Animation: <http://GaurangaDharma.org/gmyfull.gif>
(2)
Breath Animation: <http://GaurangaDharma.org/gmybreath.gif>
(3)
Lungs Animation: <http://GaurangaDharma.org/gmylungs.gif>
For
the pleasure of all the spiritual practitioners, we would like to present the
Gauranga Mantra Yoga Animations at the above website and in this email. The
Breath Animation at the above site is a 1 MB file so for a dialup connection it
will take some time to load. Please be patient. For downloading it to your hard
drive, you can right click and save target us.
The
Full Animation of Gauranga Mantra Yoga:
Please
note that the syllables of the Nityananda and Gauranga Mantrarajas as shown in
the Animation have to be pronounced very clearly (may not be loudly) with the
movement of the tongue, lips and mouth during the cycles of Inhalation and
Exhalation of Gauranga Kriya. The practice of Gauranga Mantra Yoga through the
deep breathing Gauranga Kriya (Breath Awareness with the Mantrarajas) as shown
in the Animation is very simple and can be performed by anyone and everyone in
any sitting, standing, sleeping or walking posture. Since we breathe around
20,000 times a day, our every breath can be a divine offering to the Supreme
Personalities of Godhead Shri Shri Nityananda and Gauranga, Who have given us
the opportunity to breathe in this human form of life.
The Breath
Animation of Gauranga Mantra Yoga:
The Lungs Animation of Gauranga Mantra Yoga:
Gauranga
Mantra Yoga can be practized and its great benefits can be availed in any
place, situation and condition.
It
has been the experience (we will posting the miraculous results soon) of
hundreds of practitioners worldwide in the past one year that the practice of
Gauranga Mantra Yoga is a miraculous fulfiller of all our desires in life,
reliever of all our problems and ultimately the awarder of most rare pure love
of God.
Furthur
details and explanations about Gauranga Mantra Yoga will follow on the above
Website which is under construction .
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gauranga
Mantra Yoga
The Miracle
Meditation Yoga for Health, Wealth,
Fortune, Fame, Peace, and Bliss!
Simply
Breathe Nityananda and Gauranga
and fulfill all your desires by filling your heart with love!
Connect
your every breath with God!
Gauranga
Kriya = Breath Awareness with the Mantrarajas
For
full results, try 15 minutes daily for 3 months
and if you like the positive benefits you can
continue daily for your whole life!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One
Hour Session of Gauranga Mantra Yoga includes:
(1)
Gauranga Mantra Yoga Introduction: 2 minutes
(2) Gauranga Asana (Postures): 5 minutes
With (a) Gauranga Namaskara Asana
And (b) Svastika Asana, Vajra Asana or Padma Asana
(3)
Gauranga Mantra Mahadiksha: 5 minutes
(Initiation in the right ear of the practioners in the Nityananda and Gauranga
Mantrarajas by the Teacher Guru of the Yoga Session which is required only once
in life)
(4)
Gauranga Kriya (Breath Awareness with the Mantrarajas): 25 minutes
With (a) Gauranga Mantra Dhyana (Concentration on Mantra Syllables)
And (b) Gauranga Rupa Trataka (Concentration on Form)
(5)
Gauranga Japa (Chanting on beads): 5 minutes
With 2 rounds each of chanting Nityananda and Gauranga Mantrarajas on
Sanctified rosary beads and ending with the Hare Krishna Mahamantra
(6)
Gauranga Gyana (Multimedia Discourse): 10 minutes
On the Science of Gauranga Mantra Yoga
(6) Gauranga Nritya Kirtana (Musical Aerobics): 10 minutes
With the background music and singing of the Nityananda and Gauranga
Mantrarajas.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Re: Padukas
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 20 Mar 2004 at 04:00.11 PM
Subtopic:
Padukas quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Mukunda_Gaurangadasa
For whom are the padukas? Can I put them in front of Shrila Gurudeva's picture
or it's only for the Lord and His emanations?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Padukas
(shoes) and beds can be used in the Deity Worship of Their Lordships and also
the Guru and Guru Paramapara Acharyas. We wake up the Guru and the Acharyas
also just like we wake up Their Lordships.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Re: Re: Laws that govern and establish Faith!
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 20 Mar 2004 at 03:50.17 PM
Subtopic:
Laws that govern and establish Faith!
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
what about faith based on deep psychik experiances, seeing and speaking with
the dead and visions of the future, from near death experiances, spiritual
visions, pschadelic experiances, dreams of demigods that one does not know
about till after reading scriptual texts, past life dreams, family members and
family friends saying i was my grandfather reincarnated.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
These
realizations are good if they strengthen our faith in chanting the Holy Names
daily and if they supported by the
scriptures.
We
can use any situation in life for our ultimate benefit if we learn from it and
try to take even more exclusive shelter of chanting the Holy Names due to that
situation.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Re: So much kripa!!
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 20 Mar 2004 at 03:40.50 PM
Subtopic:
So much kripa!! quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Mukunda_Gaurangadasa
I found two books published by Shri Gaurangapada!!!
The Shri Chaitanya Bhagavata and the Shri Chaitanya
charitamrita !! Your books are already distributed all over the world! Thank
you soooo much for this morning's kripa!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes, those were the first two books I published. I was pretty desperate to get
Lord Gauranga's pastimes out there in the world at very economical prices for
mass distribution (just $1.5 for the two book set), so that people can
appreciate the glories of chanting Lord Gauranga's Holy Names.
We
distributed both Shri Chaitanya Bhagavata and Shri Charitamrita at even lower
costs than printing in the enthusiasm to somehow make Their pastimes and
glories known as much as possible.
But
now I end up being a bankrupt not having funds to reprint them again.
Ofcourse I am sure Their Lordships will send funds to print them again in mass
quantities in the near future.
Even
now we would recommend all the devotees of Gauranga Dharma to read or hear Lord
Gauranga's pastimes and glories for atleast one hour a day (two hours is the
best) to become solidly fixed in chanting the Nityananda and Gauranga
Mantrarajas along with the Mahamantra.
As
Shrila Krishnadasa Kaviraja writes:
"Without
reading and distributing Gauranga Lila and Nama daily regularly, one spiritual
life will remain weak and unprogressive
even though one may eat a lot of grains and daily products
daily."
So
all devotees have to read daily to sharpen their intelligence against the
attacks of the mind telling them not to chant the Holy Names.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Re: Is Marriage created by Society/God?
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 13 Mar 2004 at 12:40.50 PM
Subtopic:
Is Marriage created by Society/God?
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Is marriage institution divinely created?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes,
the four ashramas of brahmachari, grihastha, vanaprastha and sannyasa are
directly created by Lord Krishna according to His own statement in the Bhagavad
Gita: catur varnyam maya shrishtam...
Also
He states in the Gita: dharmaaviruddho kamo'smi bharatarshabha
"I
am the Sex life in marriage according to the Vedic religious principles meant
for the procreation of children who are raised and trained to become My
devotees."
quote:
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2. Does illicit sex applies to other than humans also?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The
animal species is miserable i.e. dukha-bhoga yoni just meant so that we can
suffer the reactions of the misdeeds performed in the human form of life. So
you do not make any new karma there just discharge and suffer the reactions of
previous karma in the human body.
Same
in the demigod species i.e sukha bhoga yoni, it is the species where we get
chance to enjoy the fruits of the materialistic pious activities performed in
the human body. So a demigod may enjoy sex with many apsaras or heavenly
damsels as per the quota of enjoyment which is destined to him. And the moment
the quota is finished the soul has to fall down and suffer again in the 8.4
million species of life.
quote:
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3. How do we justify illicit sex found in scriptures?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No
bonafide Vaishnava scripture encourages or justifies illicit sex life. Infact
the descriptions found in them like for eg about Ajamila being enchanted with
the prostitute and Soma kidnapping Brihaspati's daughter Tara is simply meant
to show us the totally destructive results of illicit sex life on the soul and
the spiritual cultivation.
Infact
licit sex life is also recommended for the following reason as described in
Shrimad Bhagavatam (Bhag. 11.5.11)
loke
vyavayamisa-madya-seva nitya hi jantor na hi tatra codana
vyavasthitis tesu vivaha-yajna-sura-grahair asu nivrttir ista
"Everyone
is naturally inclined to have sex, eat meat, and drink wine in the mode of
ignorance and passion. There is no need for the scripture to encourage these
things. The scriptures do, however, give concessions to people who are
determined to do these things. They grant license to enjoy sex by allowing
sexual intercourse with one's lawfully wedded wife at the proper time of the month.
They grant a license to eat meat to those who perform a certain kind of
sacrifice, and a license to drink wine to those who perform the Sautramari
sacrifice. The purpose of granting these licenses for sense gratification is
only to restrict and greatly regulate these activities and thus gradually train
and encourage the people to give them up altogether. The real intention of the
Vedic injunctions regarding sex, meat-eating, and wine-drinking is to
ultimately make one abstain from these activities."
I
really like this verse.
Shrimad Bhagavatam ki jaya!!!
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Last edited by Swami Gaurangapada on 13 Mar 2004 at 12:51.20 PM.
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User
Re: Re: Re: Sayujyamukti?
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 13 Mar 2004 at 11:48.56 AM
Subtopic:
Sayujyamukti? quote:
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Originally posted by Dhani
Hanuman the great devotee prayed to Lord Rama for only one benediction:
"The desire for sayujya mukti should never ever appear in my mind."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
nice quote, where is it from
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This
is quoted in the Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu by Shrila Rupa Goswami and also in
Padyavali.
bhava-bandha-cchide
tasyai
sprhayami na muktaye
bhavan prabhur aham dasa
iti yatra vilupyate
"O
Lord, You are the eternal master, and I am Your eternal servant. If you really
desire to give me a benediction then give me this: I do not want to ever even
get the faintest glimpse of the wicked desire for mukti or liberation of becoming
one with You because due to this desire
the opportunity to eternally serve you in my eternal and constitutional
relationship will disappear forever ." -Shri Hanuman
Jaya
Shuddha Bhakta Shri Hanuman ki Jaya!!!
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User
Re: Re: Rules That Govern Faith
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 13 Mar 2004 at 11:38.02 AM
Subtopic:
Laws that govern and establish Faith!
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
But I am also very keenly waiting for Gurudev's reply for more inputs and final
directions if any.
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I
would just like to add that there are two kinds of faith as described in Bhakti
Rasamrita Sindhu by Shrila Rupa Goswami:
(1)
Faith arising in Bhakti by the dint of one's own spiritually pious activities
in the past lives
(2)
Faith arising in Bhakti by the power of the association of pure and elevated devotees.
Both
these kinds of faith have to lead to Sadhu sanga i.e. constant association with
devotees attached to the chanting of the Holy Names otherwise the faith will
weaken and not allow us to proceed to the next stage of bhajana kriya or
engaging in the activities of devotional service.
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User
Re: Re: Faith in Gauranga's Holy Name:Shri Shridhar Maha
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 13 Mar 2004 at 11:16.51 AM
Subtopic:
Faith in Gauranga's Holy Name:Shri Shridhar Maharaj quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Mukunda_Gaurangadasa
Why is faith if Lord Gauranga rare/costly/not-accepted widely? What does Shri
Maharaja means by ontologically?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unless
the people of this world, very regularly study and read the topmost classics
like Shri Chaitanya Chandramrita, Shri Navadvipa Dhama Mahatmya, Shri Chaitanya
Mangala, Shri Chaitanya Bhagavata and Shri Chaitanya Charitamrita along with
chanting the Holy Names of Nityananda and Gauranga, they will not be able to
develop their full faith in the Supreme Personality of Godhead Lord Gauranga
Mahaprabhu, the most confidential of all incarnations. This is stated in Shri
Chaitanya Chandramrita:
Verse
91: “Aho, liberation from the cycle of birth and death is not so difficult to
attain, and pure devotional service to Lord Krishna which is very rare can also
be achieved somehow, but the rarest and the most confidential summit and goal
of all achievement is the faith in and the causeless mercy of the Holy Name and
Lotus Feet of Lord Gaurangachandra since this is rarely achieved even in the
most elevated Vaikuntha planets.”
Ontologically
means to understand with full conviction that Lord Gauranga is the combined
form of Shri Shri Radha-Krishna. This faith comes by reading Shri Chaitanya
Charitamrita.
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User
Re: Teaching children?
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 13 Mar 2004 at 11:04.48 AM
Subtopic:
Teaching children? I would request the
householder devotees to help in this
regard about inculcating spiritual values to his daughter.
Yes,
one should make her chant and sing the Holy Names as much as possible even
trickily and tell her interesting stories of baby Gauranga and baby Krishna
from Chaitanya Bhagavata, Chaitanya Mangala and Shrimad Bhagavatam.
Some
interesting verses from Chanakya Pandita which were quoted by Shrila Prabhupada
are as follows:
Niti
Sastra
lalayet panca-varsani
dasa-varsani tadayet
prapte tu sodase varse
putram mitra-vad acaret
One
should fondle one's child up to the point of five years old. Thereafter one
should be strict and correct the child for the next ten years. But when one's
child reaches the age of sixteen one should act as a friend towards him.
(Canakya Pandita)
Niti
Sastra
lalane bahavo dosas
tadane bahavo gunah
tasmat putram ca sisyam ca
tadayen na tu lalayet
Leniency
encourages bad qualities in a child or student, and strictness helps develop
good qualities. Therefore, a parent or teacher should not pamper a child or
student but be strict and correct them. (Canakya Pandita)
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User
Re: Re: Critisizizing a saintly person is offencive
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 13 Mar 2004 at 10:41.57 AM
Subtopic:
Critisizizing a saintly person is offencive
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
what if the devotee does not forgive the offending person?
is not the grace of forgiveness a symtom of a devotee?
what if the person can not forgive them selves even if the devotee forgives
them?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Don't
worry, the symptom of a genuine devotee is that he or she does not take any
offense ever or forgives others even before the offense has been commited.
The
devotee who commits an offense has to have a genuine and remorseful heart of
repentance and beg forgiveness to the devotee and the Holy Name (Nama Prabhu).
And one should take determined shelter of the constant chanting of the Holy
Names. Then all will be well.
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User
Re: Re: Nondevotees in service of a devotees
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 13 Mar 2004 at 10:36.52 AM
Subtopic:
Nondevotees in service of a devotees
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
what of his soul and his devotion to me?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Your
chanting is surely benefitting his soul and ensuring a positive chance for his
soul to become a devotee of the Lord very soon. The soul of our departed family
members start dancing with joy wherever they are when they see that someone in
their family in chanting the Holy Names of the Lord. This is stated in the
Puranas.
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User
Re: Seperation?
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 13 Mar 2004 at 10:29.38 AM
Subtopic:
Seperation? quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
i have read in the texts of the acharyas that certain devotees after losing
physical assocation of the lord or guru have felt extreme distress and
considered or attempted suicide? what is this?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes
there so many pastimes like that in the 15,000 verse great classic Bhakti
Ratnakara. Shrila Shrinivasa Acharya Thakura wanted to terminate his pastimes
because wherever he went he saw that the great intimate associates of the Lord
were disappearing.
This
cannot be imitated by an normal spiritual sadhaka. It is only in the advanced
levels of bhakti one feels intense grief on loosing the association of other
pure devotees and does not feel that one's life is worth living without their
sublime association. The separation from a pure devotee is greatest misery in
creation as per Shri Chaitanya Charitamrita.
The
suicide mentality in this material world is on the materialistic bodily
platform and that is why it is sinful and has tremendous reactions involved because
it means taking the law in our own hands.
But
on the advanced platform of the soul, advanced souls cannot bear the separation
from other advanced souls as both of them are directly engaged in the service
of the Lord in the spiritual world even while remanining in this material
world. Thus they may also think of terminating their pastimes in this material
world and going back to join their departed devotee associates in the pastimes
of the Lord.
I
hope this makes sense.
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User
Re: Re: Worship of Shri Guru
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 13 Mar 2004 at 10:17.58 AM
Subtopic:
Worship of Shri Guru quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Swami Gaurangapada
The other replies will follow.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I
typed really detailed and wonderful replies to your other two questions
extensively quoting from Krishna Bhajanamrita and Harinama Chintamani but could
not post them and lost them in cyberspace.
So I will try to reply again but I know it will never be the same.
Just bear with me.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Re: Bhakti and other processes
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 13 Mar 2004 at 10:08.44 AM
Subtopic:
Bhakti and other processes quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shall we just happily apply other methods if we experience that doing Reiki or
"just follow your breath" type of meditation (shamatha) etc is
conducive to our sattvic state of mind and God consciousness?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reiki
and other new age stuff is not recommended in the Vedic scriptures before doing
japa but pranayama is.
Pranayama
is recommended in Hari Bhakti Vilasa by Shrila Sanatana Goswami to stabilize
our mind in japa is required.
Shri Hari Bhakti Vilasa, Eighth Vilasa, Volume One:
Text
422
atha
japah
japasya purato krtva
pranayama-trayam budhah
mantrartha-smrti-purvam ca
japed astottaram satam
mulam lekhyena vidhina
sadaiva japa-malaya
"Now
Japa: After performing three pranayaamas and remembering the purpose of the
mantra, one should, following the regulations written in scripture, chant one's
japa mantra 108 times regularly."
Text
423
saktau
'stadhika-sahasram
japet tam carpayan japam
pranayamas ca krtva trin
dadyat krishna-kare jalam
"If
one is able, one should chant the japa
mantra 1,008 times. After performing three
pranayamas one should offer water to Lord
Krishna's hand."
Text 424
tatra
cayam mantrah
guhyati-guhya-gopta tvam
grhanasmat-krtam japam
siddhir bhavatu me deva
tvat-prasadat tvayi sthite. iti.
That
Mantra: "O Lord, You are the protector of
the most confidential secrets. Please accept my
offering of japa. O Lord, by Your mercy may I
attain spiritual perfection."
The
exact process of Raja (Astanga) Yoga which the great Vaishnava Yogi babaji
performed to get entry into the mellows of rasa is beautifully described in
Prema Pradipa by Shrila Bhaktivinoda Thakura (Please note Yogi dasa babaji
performed Hatha Yoga earlier and rejected it because it was not so conducive
for achieving success in bhakti yoga but he stated that Raja Yoga is surely
helpful):
Yogi
Babaji explains raja-yoga- the eight processes of raja-yoga. Rising early in
the morning they performed their morning duties and sat at the base of the
pancavati.
Mallik Mahasaya inquired about raja-yoga, and Babaji began to explain,
"Samadhi is the main process of raja-yoga. In order to attain samadhi one
first practices yama, then niyama, then asana, then pranayama, then pratyahara,
then dhyana, and then dharana. One must practice these processes. If the
sadhaka is of good character, religious, and pure, however, he then first
practices asana. If he has faulty character or any impure mleccha habits, then
he must certainly first practice yama and niyama. The philosophy of Patanjali
is the sastra of the yoga system. I will explain raja-yoga based on Patanjali's
statements.
"He
says:
@SLOKA = yama-niyama-pranayama-pratyahara-<R>dharana-dhyana-samadhayo
'stavangani (Pd. 2.29)
@TRANSLATION = (1) Yama, (2) niyama, (3) asana, (4) pranayama, (5) pratyahara,
(6) dharana, (7) dhyana, and (8) samadhi-these are the eight processes of
raja-yoga.
(1)
Yama-five kinds such as nonviolence and truthfulness
@SLOKA
= ahimsa-satyasteya-brahmacaryaparigraha yamah (Pd. 2.30)
(A)
Ahimsa, nonviolence; (B) satya, truthfulness; (C) asteya, refraining from
theft; (D) brahmacarya, celebacy; and (E) aparigraha, freedom from
possessiveness-these five are yama. Those who are violent should carefully give
it up.
(A) The desire to kill other living entities is called himsa. Yavanas, as well
as Aryans who are influenced by tamo-guna or rajo-guna, should practice ahimsa
before taking instructions in yoga.
(B) Those who are liars should practice speaking the truth.
(C) Those who steal other's wealth should practice asteya.
(D) Those who are fond of sex should refrain from that habit.
(E) Those who desire other's wealth should subjugate that desire.
(2)
Niyama-five kinds such as cleanliness and satisfaction
@SLOKA
= sauca-santosa-tapah-svadhyayesvara-pranidhanani niyamah (Pd. 2.32)
`Sauca, cleanliness; santosa, satisfaction; tapa, austerity; svadhyaya, Vedic
study; and isvara-pranidhana, meditation on the Supreme Lord-these five are
niyama.' The body should be kept clean. Learn to keep the mind satisfied. Learn
to tolerate all kinds of difficulties. If one has committed many sins, one
should learn to repent for them. One should acquire knowledge by studying the
Vedic literatures. One should learn to engage his mind in the Lord.
(3) Asana-Out of thirty-two kinds, padmasana and svastikasana
@SLOKA
= (tatra) sthira-sukhamasanam (Pd. 2.46)
All the asanas I previously mentioned in the description of hatha-yoga are
accepted in raja-yoga also. Padmasana and svastikasana are famous in raja-yoga.
For example, padmasana is described as follows:
@SLOKA
= urvoru-parivinyasya samyak padatale ubhe<R>angusthau ca nivadhniyat
hastabhyam vyutkramat tatha
@TRANSLATION = `Placing the soles of both feet on the thighs and holding the
big toes with the hands (is called padmasana).'
And svastikasana is described in these words:
@SLOKA
= janurvorantare yogi krtva padatale ubhe<R>rjukayah samasinah svastikam
tat pracaksyate
@TRANSLATION = `Placing the soles between the knee and thigh and sitting
straight is called svastikasana.'
(4) Pranayama-Perfection by recaka, puraka, and kumbhaka
@SLOKA
= tasmin sati svasa-prasvasayor gati-<R>vicchedah pranayamah (Pd. 2.49)
`After mastering asanas, pranayama in the form of moving and stopping the
incoming and outgoing airs should be practiced.' When the air is exhaled
through the nostrils, that is called recaka or svasa. When the air is inhaled
through the nostrils, that is called puraka or prasvasa. When the air is
retained, that is called kumbhaka. By recaka, puraka, and kumbhaka one becomes
perfect in pranayama.
People
who have perfected yama and niyama and mastered asanas should practice
pranayama.
Three rules in the practice of pranayama: (A) relating to place, (B) relating
to time, and (C) relating to number
@SLOKA
= (sa tu) bahyabhyantara-stanbhavrttir desa-kala-<R>sankhyabhih paridrsto
dirgha-suksmah (Pd. 2.50)
`In the practice of pranayama, while inhaling, exhaling, and retaining air,
there are a few rules relating to the place, time, and number.'
(A)
The rules regarding place are as follows: The sadhaka should go to a sacred,
level, undisturbed place where the body, mind, and intelligence can remain
fixed. Sitting on a seat of kusa grass covered with deerskin and soft cloth,
the sadhaka should practice pranayama. Nearby there should be a transparent
reservoir of water. The room should be clean, and the air should be healthy.
Light foods which are pleasing to the sadhaka should be easily available
nearby. There should be no disturbances from snakes, animals, and mosquitos.
The place should not be far from one's native land, but it should also not be
one's own house.
(B) The rules regarding time are as follows: The best time for practicing
pranayama is at the beginning or end of winter. Pranayama may be nicely
practiced in the morning, midday, afternoon, and late night. Pranayama should
not be done on an empty stomach or just after eating. The sadhaka must take
light food. Intoxicants, meat, and fish are forbidden. Sour, dry, salty, and
spicy foods are also forbidden. Slightly sweet and fatty foods, especially
sweet rice should be taken from time to time. Irregular activities like early
morning bath and late night eating are forbidden.
(C) Rules regarding number are as follows: Being seated, one should mentally
chant bija mantra sixteen times while inhaling through the nerves ida, or
candra. That air should be retained while chanting upto sixty-four times. Then
that air should be exhaled while chanting upto thirty-two. After that one
should inhale through the nostril called surya, or pingala, while chanting
sixteen times, retain while chanting sixty-four times, and exhale through ida
chanting thirty-two times. Again one should inhale through the ida and, after
retaining, exhale through the pingala while chanting as before. By doing this
three times, one matra, or unit, of pranayama is complete. The left nostril is
called ida, or candra, and the right is called pingala, or surya. The retention
cavity is called susumna. According to other opinions recaka is done first. In
either case the result is the same.
Through
purification of the nerves by `matra,' pranayama's kumbhaka is performed
By
practicing pranayama from one to twelve matras, adhama-matra is done. If one
can do sixteen matras it is madhyama-matra. By practicing twenty matras,
uttama-matra is accomplished. All matras are done five times-morning, midday,
afternoon, after dusk, and midnight.
After three months of practice in this way the nerves are purified. After the
nerves are purified, pranayama's fourth part, kevala-kumbhaka is completed.
Patanjali has stated:
@SLOKA = bahyabhyantara-visayaksepi caturthah (Pd. 2.51)
@TRANSLATION = `Pranayama is performed without recaka and puraka in the fourth
kumbhaka (called kevala).'
If kumbhaka is performed well, two great fruits are obtained. First, the mind's
covering of external perception is reduced. Second, one's mind becomes eligible
for dharana.
(5)
Pratyahara
@SLOKA = svavisayasamprayoge cittasya svarupanukara<R>ivendriyanam
pratyaharah (Pd. 2.54)
`When the senses are not fully engaged in their respective sense objects but
are restrained within and simply superficially touch the sense objects, that is
called pratyahara.' When one practices to gradually engage the act of seeing
within, that is called pratyahara of the eyes. Similarly, when all the senses
are withdrawn, the mind is gradually controlled and hankering for sense
gratification diminishes. Only a sadhaka can experience how this happens. I got
special benefit by practicing this system.
(6)
Dharana
@SLOKA = desa bandhas cittasya dharana (Pd. 3.1)
`When the mind is fixed on some place like the navel or nose this is called
dharana.' The ultimate result of dharana is obtained with the help of dhyana
and the awakening of samadhi. But, during the practice of dharana many powers
are acquired. I don't think it's necessary to mention them here. It should be
known that those who are seeking the ultimate truth don't look for powers.
Although many powers are present while practicing dharana, the Vaishnavas don't
accept them. What the yoga philosophers call dharana is called mudras in
hatha-yoga.
(7)
Dhyana
@SLOKA = tatra pratyayaikatanata-dhyanam (Pd. 3.2)
`In the place where dharana is executed, the harmony of jnana is called
dhyana.' For example, when dharana is fixed on Krishna's lotus feet, that state
of harmonious knowledge or conviction is called carana-dhyana, or meditation on
the Lord's feet. If dharana is not fixed, then undisturbed dhyana is not
possible.
(8)
Samadhi-In raja-yoga one can relish prema while practicing raja-yoga in the
state of samadhi
@SLOKA = tad evartha matra-nirbhasam svarupa-sunyam iva samadhih (Pd. 3.3)
`When the object obtained by dharana remains manifest in dhyana, but it appears
devoid of identity, that state is called samadhi.' Those impersonalists who
achieve samadhi no longer note the characteristic called visesa, or variety.
That sort of samadhi is attained in the final stage of hatha-yoga. In the state
of samadhi in raja-yoga, truth beyond material nature is realized. In that state
one can taste unalloyed love. That subject cannot be described by words. When
you attain samadhi, you can understand that state. Anything more than what I've
instructed cannot be expressed in words."
Mallik
Mahasaya's eagerness to learn raja-yoga
Yogi Babaji spoke until here and then stopped. During the explanation, Mallik
Mahasaya wrote down a little summary of each topic. When the instructions came
to samadhi, he fell at Babaji's feet and said, "Prabhu! Be kind on this
servant and teach me yoga practice. I'm selling my life at your holy
feet."
Babaji
picked Mallik Mahasaya up, embraced him, and said, "Yoga practice is done
alone. You can start tonight."
Being pleased by Babaji's scholarship and gravity, Naren Babu and Anand Babu
humbly bowed their heads and offered their respectful obeisances to Babaji.
GENERAL
CONCLUSION:
The
conclusion about using pranayama in devotional service is given by Shrila
Pandita dasa babaji to Shrila Yogi dasa babji in Prema Pradipa:
Showing
the inferiority of the yoga path:
"The
domination over material nature attained in the practice of yoga is only a
temporary result. In that position the ultimate result may be far off and time
and again impediments are observed. In the path of yoga there are hindrances at
every step. First, at the time of practicing yama and niyama, religiosity is
awakened, and as a result of attaining this insignificant result one becomes
known as religious-minded, even though no attempt has been made to achieve
prema. Second, during the long period of practicing asana and pranayama one
achieves a long life free of disease by controlling the breathing. But if there
is still no connection with prema, then one's long life free of disease becomes
a source of trouble. Third, although by the process of pratyahara one achieves
control of the senses, if prema is lacking this is called dry or insignificant
renunciation. The reason is that for attaining the ultimate goal, enjoyment and
renunciation give equal results. Useless renunciation simply makes one
stone-heartd. Fourth, during dhyana, dharana, and samadhi, even if material
thoughts are removed, if prema is not awakened the living entity loses his
individuality. If the understanding, `I am Brahman' does not awaken pure love,
then that results in destruction of his existence. Therefore, please consider:
the ultimate goal of yoga is excellent, but the path is full of difficulties.
You are a Vaishnava as well as a yogi, therefore you can understand my words
without bias."
Before
Pandita dasa Babaji even finished his statement, all the Vaishnavas exclaimed,
"Sadhu! Sadhu!"
Though
pleased, Yogi Babaji advocates the usefulness of yoga over devotional service
in the matter of sense control
Yogi Babaji said, "Babaji, your conclusive statement is excellent, but
there is one thing I would like to say. I had properly practiced the ninefold
process of devotional service, beginning with hearing and chanting, previous to
learning yoga. But frankly I tell you that in every activity I used to look for
sense gratification. I could not free my heart from false designations as
described in Vaishnava instructions on conjugal rasa. I was able to taste
conjugal rasa only after practicing pratyahara, and now I have no desire for
sense gratification. My nature has completely changed. There is arrangement for
pranayama in the path of arcana, so I feel that pratyahara practice is also
seen in the instructions of bhakti-yoga. Therefore I feel that yoga practice is
necessary."
By
dry speculation or practice the sadhaka will certainly fall down if the limbs
of bhakti are used as fruitive rituals for sense gratification.
After
hearing Yogi Babaji's statement, Pandita dasa Babaji thought for a while. Then
he began to speak, "Babaji, you are blessed because you did not forget
rasa-tattva while practicing pratyahara. In many cases one falls down due to
dry speculation and dry practices, for the soul is by nature full of bliss, it
can never appreciate dryness. The soul is always in love or attached, therefore
the conditioned soul who falls down from his proper position develops love or
attachment for another inferior object. For this reason there is hardly any
possibility of self-satisfaction, and therefore material sense gratification
becomes prominent. When the soul, who is lord of the senses, realizes his
eternal rasa, his natural spontaneous attraction awakens and his material
affection diminishes. The path of devotional service is the discussion of love
for the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In this path as one's attachment
thickens the endeavor to gratify the senses naturally diminishes. I feel that
when you began devotionl service, you didn't have the association of genuine
sadhus. That is why you didn't relish the sweetness of devotional service. You
executed the ninefold processes of bhakti as if they were dry or selfish
fruitive rituals. As a result you were unable to relish even a little
transcendental bliss. I think that's why your hankering for sense gratification
increased. In that case there is possibility of benefit in yoga practice. It is
necessary for the practicing devotee to relish bhakti-rasa in the association
of devotees. Even though a devotee enjoys all types of material sense
gratification, that enjoyment does not produce hankering for more enjoyment.
Sense enjoyment is the main cause of a devotee's renouncing the desire for
material enjoyment."
CONDENSED
CONCLUSION FROM SHRILA PANDITA DASA BABAJI'S STATEMENT:
If a
practicing devotee does not have association with advanced devotees and is not
able to immediately relish the pure superior taste and higher levels of bhakti
and his or her senses are becoming agitated, then the practice of pranayama and
pratyahara (yoga) surely helps one to control the senses and gradually progress
of path of understanding the pure mellows of bhakti provided the spiritual
aspirant continues to perform the nine forms of devotional service as the main
sadhana and activity.
Ofcourse
Gauranga Dharma is planning to use pranayama and yoga to effectively spread the
Holy Names of Nityananda and Gauranga all over the world through the process
known as Gauranga Mantra Yoga. More and detailed information will be made
available on this in a short time with pictures and animations and the
launching of a new website:
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User
Re: Sayujyamukti?
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 12 Mar 2004 at 03:48.49 PM
Subtopic:
Sayujyamukti? quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
what is this concept mentioned in shri haranama cintamani?
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There are five kinds of mukti or liberation
described in the Shrimad Bhagavatam:
(1)
Sarupya Mukti - Same form as the Lord
(2) Salokya Mukti - Residence in the same abode of the Lord
(3) Sarshti - Same opulence as the Lord
(4) Samipya - Intimacy or close proximity with the Lord
(5) Sayujya - merging with the Lord
Out
of these 5, the first 4 are acceptable to the devotees if they are able to do
direct devotional service to the Lord in the Vaikuntha planets.
But
the 5th one sayujya mukti is always abhorred or striclly avoided by the devotees of the Lord because by
merging with the Lord, pure devotional service disappears forever. The devotees
literally consider this sayujya mukti as worse than going to hell since in hell they can atleast perform
devotional service by chanting the Lord's Holy Names. Even Hanuman the great
devotee prayed to Lord Rama for only one benediction: "The desire for
sayujya mukti should never ever appear in my mind."
Sayujya
Mukti is of two kinds as described in Shri Chaitanya Charitamrita:
(i)
Brahma Sayujya - To merge in the brahman or brahmajyoti which is the spiritual
effulgence from the body of the Lord. Here the soul exists simply as a
spiritual spark experiencing brahmananda that is freedom from the material
cycle of birth and death.
(ii)
Ishvara Sayujya - To merge into the body of the Lord directly like Shishupala's
soul and is considered even more ghastly by the devotees. Because when you
merge in the impersonal effulgence of the Lord, some great devotees can come
there and save you and make you qualified to go to the Vaikuntha planets to
directly serve the Lord. But when the soul merges in the body of the Lord, the
soul is doomed to never achieve direct devotional service to the Lord.
We invite
responses and replies from other devotees to the posts. If they answer
satisfactorily then I will not reply to that question so that we can move
ahead. If the devotee who asked the question is not fully satisfied then I can
chip in with my response too.
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Last edited by Swami Gaurangapada on 12 Mar 2004 at 03:50.49 PM.
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User
Re: Nondevotees in service of a devotees
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 12 Mar 2004 at 03:31.51 PM
Subtopic:
Nondevotees in service of a devotees
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
so if i become a devotee, she will indirectly become a devotee of our lordships
Nityananda and Gauranga by serving me and helping me in my devotional services?
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Sure
The
wife shares equally in the devotional merits and spiritual advancement of her
husband if she is faithfully serving her husband. Like for eg in the SB,
Devahuti instantly achieved self-realization by her serving her husband Kardama
Muni who was in trance meditating of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
And
if she chants four rounds or even one round daily than that will enable her to progress and
advance even more rapidly and she will be able to understand you more better
spiritually. So please go for it.
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Last edited by Gauranga Dharma Offices on 12 Mar 2004 at 10:52.39 PM.
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User
Re: Re: Prema-dhvani prayers
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 12 Mar 2004 at 03:21.59 PM
Subtopic:
Prema-dhvani prayers
I
have added the prayers and made it final.
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GAURANGA
DHARMA PREMA DHVANI PRAYERS:
jaya
om visnu-pada paramahamsa
parivrajakacarya astottara-sata
shri shrimad A. C. bhaktivedanta gosvami
maharaja prabhupada ki jaya
jaya om visnu-pada paramahamsa
parivrajakacarya astottara-sata
shri shrimad bhaktisiddhanta sarasvati
gosvami maharaja prabhupada ki jaya
jaya om visnu-pada paramahamsa
parivrajakacarya astottara-sata
shri shrimad gaurakisora dasa babaji
maharaja ki jaya
jaya om visnu-pada paramahamsa
parivrajakacarya astottara-sata
shri shrimad sac-cid-ananda
bhaktivinoda thakura ki jaya
jaya om visnu-pada paramahamsa
parivrajakacarya astottara-sata
vaishnava-sarvabhauma shri shrimad
jagannatha dasa babaji maharaja-ki jaya
shrila
baladeva vidyabhushana ki jaya
gauranga
bhakta-lila acharya shrila narahari chakravarti thakura ki jaya
shrila
vishvanatha chakravati thakura ki jaya
shrila
shrinivasa, narottama, shyamananda, ramachandra, rasikananda adi bhakta vrinda
ki jaya
gauranga
vyasa acharya shrila vrindavana dasa thakura ki jaya
gauranga
lila acharya shrila krishnadasa kaviraja ki jaya
gauranga
rasa acharya shrila lochana dasa thakura ki jaya
gauranga
kavi acharya shrila kavi karnapura ki jaya
jaya
shri rupa, sanatana, bhatta raghunatha,
shri jiva, gopala bhatta, dasa raghunatha,
shad-gosvami prabhu ki jaya
namacarya
shrila haridasa thakura ki jaya
gauranga
tattva acharya shrila prabodhananda sarasvati thakura ki jaya
gauranga
mantra acharya shrila shivananda sena ki jaya!
prem-se
kaho shri krishna chaitanya, prabhu nityananda,
shri advaita, gadadhara, shrivasadi gaura-bhakta-vrinda ki jaya
shri
shri radha-krishna, gopa-gopinatha,
syama-kunda, radha-kunda, giri-govardhana ki jaya
shri
mayapur-dhama ki jaya
shri navadvipa-mandala ki jaya
shri vrindavana-dhama ki jaya
shri mathura-mandala ki jaya
shri jagannatha puri-dhama ki jaya
shri kshetra-mandala ki jaya.
shri dvaraka dhama ki jaya.
samasta dhama vasi bhakta vrinda ki jaya!
ganga-mayi
ki jaya
yamuna-mayi ki jaya
bhakti-devi ki jaya
tulasi-devi ki jaya
ekadashi tithi ki jaya
nityananda,
gauranga, hare krishna mantra ki jaya!
shri chaitanya bhagavata, shrimad bhagavata, bhagavad gita ki jaya
shri chaitanya chandramrita, shri navadvipa dhama mahatmya ki jaya!
shri chaitanya charitamrita, shri chaitanya mangala ki jaya!
gauranga dharma, gauranga mantra yoga ki jaya.
bhuta,
vartamana, bhavishya samasta ananta koti vaishnava-vrinda ki jaya
shri gaura-hari-nama sankirtana ki jaya
samaveta bhakta-vrinda ki jaya
gaura-premanande hari-haribol
nityaaaaaaananda! gauraaaaaanga!
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
User
Re: Namabhasa?
Swami Gaurangapada
Posted on 12 Mar 2004 at 02:56.08 PM
Subtopic:
Namabhasa? quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
namabhasa is it good or bad? in shri haranama cintamani its says conflicting
things , i want to understand , is not one supposed to chant offencelessly?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
, I
offer my heartfelt prayers and appeal to Their Lordships Nityananda-Gauranga
for the soul of your departed father. May he receive a chance to perform
devotional service and directly chant the Holy Names is his next life! We need
to be together in these trying
times and please rest assured that we
are with you in our hearts through our prayers .
Very
good question . I am very grateful to you for studying Harinama Chintamani
(HNC) of Shrila Bhaktivinoda Thakura. It
is the greatest scripture on the science of chanting.
I
will briefly answer your question for now:
There
are different kind of Namabhasa described in HNC. Abhasa means a faint glimpse
or shadow. and Namaabhaasa means a faint glimpse or shadow of the full power of
the Holy Name.
There
are basically two broad main categories:
(I)
Chhaya Namabhasa; (II) Pratibimba Namabhasa
(I)
Chhaya Namabhasa
The
Namabhasa which leads us to the higher levels of chanting the Holy Name. This
is furthur divided into two:
(A)
Shraddha Chhaya Namabhasa
Chanting
in this namabhasa with faith about the glories of the Holy Names is the only
way to reach the stage of pure offenseless chanting of Shuddha Nama or pure
love of God.
(B)
Ashraddha Chhaya Namabhasa
This
Namabhasa is the stage of chanting when one chants unknowingly without much
faith in the Holy Names. This is of 4 types as described in Shrimad Bhagavatam:
(i)
Sanketa Ashraddha Chhaya Namabhasa
To
chant the Holy Names of the Lord while addressing another person with those
Names like for eg. Ajamila addressing his son Narayana in the 6th canto.
(ii)
Parihasya Ashraddha Chhaya Namabhasa
To
chant the Holy Names while laughing or making fun of the Lord or others. Like
for eg, Jarasandha chanting the Holy Names when he was making fun of Lords
Krishna-Balarama before fighting with Them.
(iii)
Stobha Ashraddha Chhaya Namabhasa
To
chant the Holy Names while criticizing or enviously ridiculing the Lord, His
devotees or normal people. The eg. for this is Shishupala who abused the Lord a
100 times in the Rajasuya sacrifice but unknowingly chanted His Holy Names
while doing that.
(iv)
Hela Ashraddha Chhaya Namabhasa
To
chant the Holy Names unknowingly while dancing, singing etc in the presence of
some congregational chanting without being aware of the full glories of
chanting.
This
four types of Ashraddha Chhaya Namabhasa can grant us the heavenly pleasures,
liberation and Vaikuntha in very very rare cases but no pure love of God. Only
Shraddha Chhaya Namabhasa can allow us to reach the stage of pure love of God.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
(II)
Pratibimba Namabhasa
This
Namabhasa is offensive and detrimental and which is basically accompanied by
the intense desire to become God while chanting the Holy Name basically due to
an inherent envy to the position of God.
