Disappearance of bhajan due to acute austerities

Sri Kuladananda Brahmachari

I have heard that all conditions such as good or bad, pleasure or pain are always changing. I do not know how long this rare state of realizing  Thakur’s  grace is going to last in my fate. There is no certainty as to which day and which time and on what basis it will go away. Therefore let me engage myself heart and soul in worshipping as long as Thakur kindly keeps me in this condition. Driven by the anxiety, lest the auspicious moment passes by, I kept myself engaged wholeheartedly in ardent spiritual practice day and night. With the extraordinary influence of the land of yogis, my desire for intense spiritual practice kept growing day by day. I resorted to severe austerities. I started having one meal a day without taking even a handful of water from sunrise to sunset. I have so far taken boiled pulses with its husk, some other times I have taken fresh juicy ends of known and unknown creepers along with fifty grams of atta and salt. This gave good strength and freshness to my body. I have experienced enthusiasm, zeal, vigour and spiritedness all the time because of this. Now kneading less than fifty grams of atta in my hand and pressing it between my palms I drop it into the dhuni, press it into the ash and cover it with hot charcoal, I find it to have swollen into a beautiful ’kachuri’ when I pick it up after half an hour. I take prasad after offering it to Thakur along with salt and chilli. Be it for acute hunger or by Thakur’s grace, I eat with great satisfaction. Yet I am not satisfied with this austerity.

I have become very weak since some days. I am unable to get up from my asan in time and complete ablutions, bath and other rituals. I pant for breath on fetching one pitcher full of water from the Ganga, which is at a distance of one minute. I need to rest twice or thrice on the way. I cannot sit on the asan for a long time. At times I spend time lying down, my stomach burns due to hunger. On the other hand I find it difficult even to move my limbs due to tiredness. I feel like crying loudly. My tendency for tapasya, desire for austerity is not abetting even in this condition. Thakur had said,“The health must first be protected before all religious actions.” Days and nights are spent just bemoaning when the health is  unwell. I find that I cannot ignore physical pain at all. How am I to engage in spiritual practice? I had thought of getting rid of physical morbidity by stopping the intake of all sorts of sappy things. But I now find myself in danger due to extreme audacity. Seeing my miserable state, the sadhus are saying to me —’Knowing very well about the things that breakdown your health, you are doing just that. This is tantamount to committing suicide’. I am now lamenting the fact that I would have been immersed in Thakur’s naam day and night had there been no physical suffering. Being plunged into this crisis, I realised this clearly that in order to attain dharma, I have arrived exactly at that state where those sheltered by Guru, arrive at when they travel in the direction of their own wish. Thakur! Have mercy on me. Even performance of supreme dharma means to be adharma, when it is done without your order or without understanding your wish. I will eat dal and vegetables and satiate my hunger. I will get some milk also from Atmananda. My core dharma at this moment seems to be to keep my body fit and well. I resolved to give up extra austerity and follow Thakur’s instructions from tomorrow.

~Sri Sri Sadguru Sanga–For more information please visit http://www.gosaiji.com

 

Sadhana flourishes on service to people

SADHAN FLOURISHES ON SERVICE TO PEOPLE

Sri Kuladananda Brahmachari

I woke up at 3 O’clock tonight. It is raining heavily.  I sat for some time on my asan motionless and repeated naam. I lay down again as I felt sleepy, I had to get up again after a little while. Rainwater kept dropping on my body. I meditated for sometime after readingthe Gurugita,. It is raining huge torrents. I went to Neeldhara. I sat on my asan after finishing ablutions. The rain stopped. Today the scene on the hill is very pleasant. Pieces of white clouds are rising close to the blue colored hill. I could not turn away my eyes on looking at the hill. I kept looking in that direction thinking of Thakur’s form. Overflowing emotion made my heart cheerful.

Today is ekadashi. I will observe fast without drinking water. The thought that there is no trouble of eating today created a flow of joy and zeal in me from early morning. I was sitting engrossed in naam on my asan-Atmananda came in with a glass of milk and said-“Dada, it is very cold today, tea is needed.” I said, ”Today is ekadashi, I am going to observe total fast—you all make your tea and drink.” Atmananda said—”But Barodananda, Inanananda don’t know how to make tea.” Atmananda returned sadly as I did not reply.

Thinking that the disturbance was over I started repeating naam. But I could not concentrate on naam. I could not bring back my earlier bhava within me in spite of trying a lot. Dryness and a burning sensation pervaded my mind. I thought, what has happened suddenly? Is it the consequence of not making tea for Atmananda and others? I stood up from the asan at once and went to Atmananda’s hut. Arranging everything by myself, I made excellent tea. Atmananda, Barodananda and Jnanananda were very satisfied on getting hot tea in the cold climate. I too brought along a glass of tea for Thakur. I felt like crying on offering tea to Thakur. As soon as I drank tea, Thakur’s pleasing memory appeared in my mind. I spent the whole day overwhelmed with the joy of naam. Throughout the day I remembered something that Thakur had said—’One day at the time of worship at the Brahmosamaj at Kolkata I had neither bhava nor bhakti-my heart was as dry as wood. Being unable to decide what to do I went outside to the road, fell at a coolie’s feet and prostrated to him. My heart became succulent instantly. Then I went and said prayers. The prayers were very good. On another day I disliked everything because of dryness, my mind could not settle down in my prayers—I prepared a chillum full of tobacco for a gate man, and the mind became succulent immediately, prayer also was conducted very well.’

I have heard that worship of God cannot be done by one who hurts another person for any reason. I have heard that if someone hurts mistakenly, even due to the right conduct of the devotee, then also the fruit of worship is lost immediately.

~Sri Sri Sadguru Sanga

Visit http://www.gosaiji.com for more info!

Jai Nitai and Thank You All!

Jai Nitai!

I want to thank everyone who has given me a donation. I believe that I have thanked everyone individually, but if I missed anyone I apologize wholeheartedly. I received a lot of support and I feel blessed to have so many who care for me!

Pranam!

The reason for my absence and the inactivity of my blog.

 

Guru and Nitai

I have basically left this blog inactive for a quite a while and I would like to explain why. First off we had to leave the shelter of Radhakund because India changed their visa laws which creates a great deal of trouble for many spiritualists who come there to practice their sadhanas and lead a spiritual lifestyle. Every six months I am forced to leave the country for two months before I am allowed to return. This makes me incur a great deal of extra, unplanned for expenses as well as an insecure feeling–never really feeling like you have any place to call home.

I had came down with a high fever just a short while before we were to return to Radhakund. Upon diagnoses it was discovered that I had Acute AML Leukemia. I was told that I needed to be admitted to the hospital immediately or I faced near certain death in a short period of time. I was so sick that I agreed as it seemed to be my only option. The same day they had started me on a course of chemotherapy. I was hospitalized for over a month before the doctor thought I could be released. In another week I will be admitted again for another course of chemotherapy. This whole time I have been in Bangkok, Thailand.

I really don’t like leaving my blog inactive for so long and though Radhakund is my main source of inspiration, and all my resource materials are far from my reach, I will try to do my best to add some new posts.

I have posted a few things on another website and I believe I will begin by cross-posting  those things here first before seeking new material to post.

I thank whatever readers I have for their patience and to please forgive me for my lack of maintaining my blog.

Nabadwip Panch tattva making this information available to the suffering souls who have had no contact with Hari Nam nor with the contact of the Vaisnavas.

 

Jai Nitai! Jai Guru!

Sakhi

The twin Ramesvara Mahadevas

In a recent article about the guardians of Radha Kunda, I mentioned how Ramesvara Mahadeva protected the west side of the kunda. I just learned that there are actually two Ramesvara Mahadev shrines and they are side by side. If you look closely in the first photo below you can see the shrine to Shiva that I originally posted.

Ramesvara Mahadeva–behind him are two Devis

The larger Ramesvara Mahadeva mandir

We are losing the natural beauty of Braja and the Govardhan parikrama experience

Jai Nitai!

We are all more or less aware of the destruction and insanity that it currently taking place in Brindavan in the name of “development.” Instead of trying to maintain the spiritual and cultural heritage which is the real wealth of India,  the current government is instead simply  interested  in quick money by  exploiting  India’s sacred areas and resources in their rush to fatten their purses and attain  first-world status which they  will never achieve by such careless and destructive behavior.

Jagat Ji informed me yesterday that on the 29th of May bulldozers were sent to Anyour, which is a small village  about four  kilometres south of the town of Govardhan on the parikrama marg and asked if I could get some photos. Grateful for the opportunity to do some seva I packed my camera, jumped on my bicycle, and wondered what I was going to encounter. Before actually arriving in Anyour I saw some buildings destroyed. I was a little confused because what they tore down with the bulldozers didn’t seem to follow any pattern. It looked random to me…as if they just picked and chose whatever they felt like destroying as they went.

The Government wants to install stone walkways on both sides of the marg and from what I have gathered,  anything within 21 meters of the center of the road will be cleared out so the road can be widened and the stone pathways can be installed. It appears that soon you will no longer be able to walk on the natural surface of the sandy ground when doing parikrama. Let’s all hope and pray that they leave the inner margs untouched.

So far the damage from the bulldozers is somewhat minimal, but that is soon about to change. There are literally hundreds of trees that have  the  red and white stripes painted on them which I was told by some managers of Brij Vasundhara luxury cottages means that they are to be cut down. I spoke with one man and his son who lost their entire house which included a puja room for a large Govardhan sila they worshiped. The  walls and ceiling of the puja room were smashed and collapsing. Giriraj was covered in dust and surrounded by broken chips of bricks and cement. The man was squatting on a little section of the roof of his house that was still standing with his chin in his hands contemplating what he should do.  I saw several Shiva-linga shrines, a mandir of Durga Ma, and many other sacred places that will soon be crushed by the bulldozers.

Yesterday they began pouring concrete on parikrama marg from the road leading to the south side of Manasi Ganga heading towards town. The road that runs along with the parikrama marg will all be widened and covered with concrete and both sides of the marg will have those three-sided interlocking stones covering the natural dirt pathways we all so much enjoyed traversing.  Nearly the entire road from Govardhan to Radhakund has been chopped up in preparation for the concrete that will eventually (probably soon)   be  poured and like everywhere else I saw, they are preparing for the stone walking paths to be laid.

I will post some photos that will give an idea what is happening on the parikrama  marg  now from beyond the town of Govardhan up to the area of Govinda Kunda. I hope to return tomorrow when the bulldozers are scheduled to come back and take more photos.

The front entrance to an ashram torn down.

An old man’s home and business crushed

Only destruction I saw with my own eyes yesterday. This is very near to Radhakund

Puja room of the man that lost his entire house

Ma Durga Mandir that will be destroyed

This man and his son lost their entire home. He is squatting of the roof with his cheeks in his hands

Street scene in Anyour

Shani Dev and his vahana the hansa

Anyour– the entrance into the village from the north

Ma Durga Mandir that will be destroyed

This tree and shrine in Anyour will soon be destroyed

More trees fated for destruction

Ramesh Baba wanted to appear online

This tree and shrine in Anyour will soon be destroyed

This whole section of buildings will be taken down

Kalpataru in front of Brij Vasundhara….the owners heavily protested the marking of this tree to be demolished

An old man’s home and business crushed

I think we deserve at least one happier sight…Sri Dan Nivartana Kunda

Breaking this somehow does seem appropriate to me

South end of Anyour village–Sankarsana kunda

This is the muck which is dug from Manasi Ganga and unloaded in a field near Radhakunds

Just beyond Anyour…you can see the archway in the distance to the inner marg leading to Govinda Kunda

Just for fun– there are no plans to bulldoze this pig as far as I know

This kalpataru will be destroyed. It is known as a Pharaas tree. There are 2 or 3 more nearby that will be demolished too.

Good news! This bata tree is on the safe side of the line!

The front of some ashram unknown to me has been destroyed

Roadside shrine to Mahadeva will be destroyed

This tree and shrine in Anyour will soon be destroyed

Another beautiful kalpataru destined to be destroyed

Ayi dina! Ayi dina!

Yesterday was the tirobhav tithi of Sri Madhavendra Puri. Last night I went to Vyas Ghera to pay my respects to the sitting place of Madhavendra Puri. I was immediately greeted by friendly babajis inviting me to sit for prasad. I told them that I would prefer a cool drink instead of eating and I was given a couple of glasses of some delicious, cold beverage.

śeṣa-kāle ei śloka paṭhite paṭhite |
siddhi-prāpti haila purīra ślokera sahite ||Cc 2.4.196

“Madhavendra Puri recited this verse over and over again at the end of his life and because of it he attained siddhi.

ayi dīna-dayārdra nātha he
mathurā-nātha kadāvalokyase |
hṛdayaṁ tvad-aloka-kātaraṁ
dayita bhrāmyati kiṁ karomy aham || Cc 2.4.197

“O my beloved Lord, the friend of the afflicted. He Mathura-natha!  When, when shall I see you? Without seeing you my heart is perplexed, my beloved, and I am very restless! What am I to do?

Sitting place of Sripad Madhavendra Puri near Shyam Kunda

Radha Govinda of Radhakund ~ special day of flower decorations

Jai Sri Radhey!

Yesterday was Narasingha Chaturdasi in Radhakund and also the day that Radha Govinda Jiu  get some special treatment by being extraordinarily dressed in beautiful and fragrant flowers. I took these photos last night…I am sure Their darshan will bring pleasure to the Vaisnavas viewing this blog.

Sri Sri Radha Govinda Jiu

Sri Sri Radha Govinda Jiu

Sri Sri Radha Govinda Jiu

Entrance to Radha Govinda Mandir ~ a fan in front blew a mist of cool water for the comfort of the Vaisnavas

The guardians of Radha Kunda and Mahaprabhu’s love for Shiva

Radhakund is protected in all four directions by Mahadeva. The two most ancient mandirs are Kundesvara and Bankhandi. When coming to Radhakund it is best to first stop and offer your obeisances and prayers to Mahadeva and seek his permission the enter Radhakund. Kundesvara Mahadeva protects the south side of Radhakund. Bankhandi Mahadeva protects the east side. Ramesvara Mahadeva protects the west side and the Mahadeva shrine adjacent to the Radha Raman Mandir guards the north side. I have attached some photos I took of these four Mahadeva temples and told the story from Caitanya Mangal, by Locan Das Thakur about Mahaprabhu entering the village of Ekamraka, which is the place of Shiva and Parvati and is located in Bhubaneswar. Jai Bholenath!

Gaurahari walking like a ferocious lion eventually arrived at the village of Ekamraka. Shiva and Parvati stay in this village. Gaura’s heart went wild and He ran to see them. Soon Gaura Mahaprabhu found the temple. Great longings filled His heart. He became wild with ecstatic loving emotions. A beautiful flag fluttered on top of the mandir. Seeing the flag on the temple Gaurahari offered obeisances. He got up and continued walking until he was able to enter the temple of Shiva.

In the village of Ekamraka there are ten million Shiva-lingas. The main Shiva-linga is known as Visvesvara. It is said that the ground of that village looks like sandesa. The waters of all the holy rivers are present in the Maha-bindu sarovara which is there. Many different holy places are also present in that village.

Upon entering the temple, Gaurahari saw Shiva and Parvati. He bowed down before them, and was overcome with prema. Anyone who sees the linga of Shiva and Parvati finds that his troubles are soon broken into pieces. Seeing the linga of Lord Shiva, Gaurahari was overcome with ecstasy. His body trembled, and He was unable to remain peaceful. From His reddish eyes tears flowed nonstop, and the hairs of His body stood on end. Again and again He recited prayers.

Note: Sri Gaurahari then recites prayers that are said to have been composed by Himself to glorify Sri Shiva. The verses are known as Sri Shivastakam—eight verses along with a ninth verse known as the phala-shruti which states the benediction one receives by devotionally reciting these prayers.

Sri Shivastakam

namo namas te tri-daśeśvarāya
bhūtādi-nāthāyua mṛdāya nityam
gaṅga-taraṅgotthita-bāla-candra-
cūḍāya gaurī-nayanotsavāya

I repeatedly offer my obesisances unto you, controller of the 30 primal devas…unto you, original father of created beings…unto you, whose character is gracious…unto you, whose head is crested by the sickle moon arisen from the waves of the Ganga and unto you, who are a festival for the eyes of the fair Goddess, Sri Gauri.

sutapta-cāmīkara-candra-nīla-padma-
pravālāmbuda-kānti-vastraiḥ
sa nṛtya-raṅgeṣta-vara-pradāya
kaivalya-nāthāya vṛṣa-dhwajāya

I offer my obeisances unto you, who are dressed in garments resembling molten gold, the moon, blue lotuses, coral, and dark rainclouds…unto you, who bestow the most desirable boons on your devotees by means of your delightful dancing…unto you, who are the master of the impersonalists, and unto you, whose flag bears the image of the bull.

sudhāṁśu-sūryāgni-vilocanena
tamo-bhide te jagataḥ śivāya
sahasra-śubhrāṁśu-sahasra-raśmi-
sahasra-sañjit-tvara-tejase ‘stu

I offer my obeisances unto you, who dispel darkness with your three eyes—the moon, the sun, and the fire…unto you, who causes auspiciousness for all the living entities of the universe and unto you, whose potency easily defeats that of thousands of moons and suns.

nāgeśa-ratnojjvala-vigrahāya
śārdūla-carmāṁśuka-divya tejase
sahasra-patropari saṁsthitāya
varāṅgadāmukta-bhuja dvayāya

I offer my obeisances unto you, whose form is brilliantly illuminated by the jewels of Ananta Deva, the king of snakes…unto you, who are clothed by a tiger skin and thus radiate divine effulgence…unto you, who sit upon a lotus of a thousand petals, and unto you, whose two arms are adorned by lustrous bangles.

su-nūpurārañjita-pāda-padma
kṣarat-sudhā-bhṛtya-sukha-pradāya
vicitra-ratnaugha-vibhūṣitāya
premānam evādya harau videhi

I offer my obeisances unto you, who bring happiness to your servitors as you pour on them the liquid nectar of your reddish lotus-feet, which ring with charming ankle bells….Obeisances unto you, who are adorned with an abundance of gems—please endow me today with pure love for Hari!

śrī rāma govinda mukunda śaure
śri kṛṣṇa nārāyana vāsudeva
ity ādi-nāmāmrta-pāna-matta-
bhṛṅgādhipāyākhila-duḥkha-hantre

O Sri Rama! O Govinda! O Mukunda! O Sauri! O Sri Krishna! O Narayana! O Vasudeva! I offer my obesisances unto you, Sri Shiva, who are the monarch of intoxicated bee-like devotees, maddened by drinking the nectar of these and other Holy Names of the Lord. Obeisances unto you, who destroys all grief.

śrī-nāradādyaiḥ satataṁ sugopya-
jijñāsitāyāśu vara-pradaya
tebhyo harer bhakti-sukha-pradāya
śivāya sarva-gurave namo namaḥ

I  offer  my respectful obeisances again and again unto you, who are forever inquired of confidentially by Sri Narada and other sages…unto you, who also grant favors to them very quickly…unto you, who bestows the happiness of Hari bhakti…unto you, who create auspiciousness, and unto you, who are the guru of everyone.

śrī-gaurī-netrotsava-maṅgalāya
tat-prāṇa-nāthāya rasa-pradāya
sadā samutkaṇṭha-govinda-līlā-
gāna-pravīṇāya namo ‘stu tubhyam

I offer my obeisances unto you, who are a festival of auspiciousness for the eyes of goddess Gauri…unto you, who are the monarch of her life-breath…unto you, who are capable of bestowing sacred rapture, and unto you, who are expert in forever singing songs of the lila of Govinda with great longing.

etat śivāsyāṣṭakam adbhutaṁ mahat
śṛṇvan hari-prema labheta śīghram
jñānaṁ ca vijñānam apūrva-vaibhavaṁ
yo bhāva-pūrnaḥ paramaṁ samādaram

A person, filled with loving sentiments, and who listens with rapt attention to this eight-fold prayer to Sri Shiva can quickly gain Sri Hari prema as well as transcendental knowledge, the complete realization of that knowledge and unprecedented powers.

Gaurahari recited these prayers to Shiva. His companions who surrounded Him also recited prayers to Shiva. Then one of the Lord Shiva’s pujaris offered Shiva’s prasada remnants of fragrances, sandal paste, and flower garlands. After offering His obeisances to Lord Shiva, Gaurahari left the temple.

Gaurahari went to the home of a devotee and rested. Later He ate, and slept happily. At dawn, He who is the master of the three worlds arose. Gaurahari then bathed, completed his morning duties, and after offering His obeisances to Shiva, He  departed. Mahaprabhu continued His journey accompanied by His companions. Now I will describe a conversation that took place between two of His associates, Murari Gupta and Damodar Pandit. Please listen carefully to the description of their conversation. Damodara Pandita asked Murari Gupta, why did Gaurahari who is the Supreme Lord accept the prasada of Lord Shiva? Because of a curse by Bhrgu Muni it is said that no one should accept remnants offered to Lord Shiva. Why then did Gaurahari accept them being fully aware of such a curse? Murari said, please hear me. Oh Damodara, how can I know what is in the heart and mind of Mahaprabhu? I can only speak as far as my intelligence allows. If your heart thinks I speak the truth you may accept my words.

A person who serves Lord Shiva but does not honor the prasadi remnants of Shiva does so only because he thinks that Shiva and Krishna are different. The brahmana Bhrgu Muni spoke his curse for people with an impure heart that don’t know Shiva’s true glories. However a person who is fully aware that Shiva and Krishna are non-different, and who serves Shiva should certainly honor the prasad of Lord Shiva. Such a person brings great pleasure both to Siva and to Krishna. Shiva is the king of the Vaisnavas. For this reason he should be worshiped. A person who eats Shiva’s prasad is released from the prison of the material world. In truth Gaura was a guest in Shiva’s house. With a joy filled heart Shiva offered Him all hospitality. Please know that Bhrgu Muni’s curse is meant for the non-Vaisnavas. A Vaisnava who honors Lord Shiva brings pleasure to Sri Krishna. Gaurahari descended to this world to instruct the jivas. Damodara Pandit then said, you have destroyed my foolish ideas. Hearing these words everyone’s heart became full of bliss.  In this way Locana dasa narrates Sri Caitanyadeva’s pastimes. This is coming from the madhya-lila of Locan Das Thakur’s book. Similar descriptions can be found in Murari Gupta’s book, Sri Caitanya Caritra Maha Kavya in the third prakrama of his writing.

Ramesvara Mahadev

Ramesvara Mahadev

Ramesvara Mahadeva’s Shrine

Pujari from Kundesvara Mahadeva’s Mandir

Nandi and the huge peepul tree growing in Kundesvara Mahadeva’s Mandir

Sandhya aroti at Kundesvara Mahadev Mandir

Kundesvara Mahadev

Kundesvara Mahadev

Mahadev near Radha Raman Mandir

Mahadeva near Radha Raman Mandir

Mahadeva Mandir near Radha Raman

Bankhandi Mahadev

Bankhandi Mahadev

Bankhandi Mahadev

Bankhandi Mahadev Mandir

Dhulat Festival at Gopinath Mandir, Radhakund

Jai Radhey!

Last night at Gopinath Mandir the Dhulat Festival took place. The entire floor of the Nat Mandir was covered in clean sand and a roaring kirtan began. There was a lot of dancing, twirling, spinning and of course a lot of the dust thrown in the air and shouts of, “Gaurahari Bol!.”  When the kirtan was complete all the Vaisnavas remove their upper cloth and roll in the dust where the kirtan took place. What ecstasy! Afterwards many would go down to Radhakund for snana.  My photos didn’t come out perfectly because of all the dust but I hope they please the Vaisnavas nevertheless. Towards the end of the kirtan the camera had to be put away to avoid damaging it.

Sripad Ananta Das Babaji leaving the assembly

Sripad Ananta Das Babaji in the background

Sripad Ananta Das Babaji Maharaj was seated near the altar watching the kirtan

Sri Jahnava Thakurani’s subha avirbhav adhivas and Radha Gopinath and Ananga Manjari flower decoration

Today in Radhakunda at the Gopinath Mandir the adhivas festival for the appearance day of Sri Jahnava Thakurani began. There was special flower decorations done on the altar and the adhivas kirtan began after sandhya aroti. I have posted a little selection of verses about Sri Jahnava Ma from the fourth wave of Sri Sri Ananga Manjari Samputika, by Ramachandra Goswami.

Full view of the altar

Radhika Gopinath and Ananga Manjari

Sri Ananga Manjari

jaya jaya śrī jāhnavā, gopīnātha vallabhā,

bhuvana mohana manohārī

śrī rādhikā priyatamā, rūpa guṇe anupamā

karunāte jagat uddhāri [5]

baladeva śakti dhāma, dharilā jāhnavā nāma,

pūrve chilā anaṅga mañjarī

nityānanda anuraga, eka dehe dui bhāga

dekhāilā jīve kṛpā kori [6]

anaṅga mañjarī yā jāhnavā parikīrtita

vidagdhā rasikā dhīrā gaurāṅgī nayanāmbujā [7]

sūrya dāsa sutā devī sūkṣma vastra vidhāriṇī

hasta pādādi sarvāṅge nānālaṅkara bhūṣitā [8]

śona campaka varṇāḍhyā koṭi candra mukha dyuti

nityānanda guṇollāsī sadā tat pada bhāvinī [9]

anaṅga mañjarī yei, edānī jāhnavā sei,

śarad indu vadana maṇḍalā

śona campaka svarṇa jini, gaura kānti varṇa dhanī

sulāvaṇya parmama ujjvalā [10]

ambujākṣī sumadhurā, vidagdha rasikā dhīrā,

mṛdu smita madhura ṁūratī

nityānanda guṇollāsī, pūrṇānandāmṛta rāśi,

caitanyera priyatamā ati [11]

nityānanda śrī caitanya, nija prāṇa kori jāne,

heno cittya śrīmatī jāhnavā

vīracandra śiṣya yāra, ki jāni mahimā tāra

guṇa carṇe heno āche kebā [12]

akhila jagata jāyā, arva jīve kori dayā,

nityānanda saṁhati vihari

mo adhame ei koro, pāda padme nirantara

rahe mana kabhuj nā pāsari [13]

tomāra mahimā yoto, mui chāra jāni koto,

nija guṇe tāra dayāmayī

koriya karuṇā dṛṣṭi, pūrāho manera iṣṭī

duḥka nāśa koro duḥkajayī [14]

sūrya dāsa paṇḍita sutā, sarva guṇe samanvitā,

pāda-padme nivedana kori

janma hoy yathā tathā, ithe mora nahe vyathā,

svapne yeno tomā nā pāsari [15]

tava pādapadme mati, nirantara rahe sthiti,

heno kṛpā koribe āmāre

mukta-kaṇṭhe boli śuno, vadanete dhari tṛṇa,

ei bhikṣā māgi parihāre [16]

“All glories, all glories to Sri Jahnava, the beloved of Gopinath, who enchants even the enchanter of the world (Krishna)! She is Sri Radhika’s dearmost sister, Her form and qualities are matchless and out of great compassion She redeems the world”

“Baladeva’s shakti is named Jahnava, who was previously known as Ananga Manjari. Out of love for Nityananda She kindly showed two parts in one body, to bestow mercy on the fallen jivas.”

“She who was Ananga Manjari is now famous as Sri Jahnava Thakurani. She is clever, has excellent taste, is grave, is golden-complexioned and has lotus-like eyes. This daughter of Surya Dasa Pandita is a Devi who wears thin garments and whose hands, feet, and all other limbs are decorated with a variety of ornaments. Her complexion is as golden as Campaka flowers and her face shines like a million moons. She is always meditating on Nityananda and is enchanted by His attributes.”

“She who was Ananga Manjari in Krishna-lila is now Jahnava Ma in Gaura-lila. Her face shines like the autumn moon. Her complexion defeats that of a Campaka flower. She is utterly radiant and elegant.”

“She has eyes like lotuses, is very sweet, clever, rasika, and grave. Her sweet form is adorned with a mild smile. She always takes delight in Nityananda’s qualities, she is the full abundance of nectarean ananda, and is very dear to Sri Caitanya.”

“Srimati Jahnava considered Nitai and Caitanya as Her very life, such was the condition of Her heart. Who knows the glories of someone who has a disciple like Prabhu Viracandra? Who can possibly describe Her amazing qualities?”

“She enjoys along with Nityananda, bestowing Her grace upon all of the fallen jivas in the world. Please let a fallen soul like me never forget Your lotus-feet. May they be my constant remembrance.”

“What can a wretch like me know about all of Your glories? You are naturally full of compassion. Please cast a merciful glance upon me and fulfill my desires. Please destroy my misery and make me conquer distress.”

“The daughter of Surya Das is endowed with all good qualities. I pray to Her lotus-feet: ‘Wherever I may take my birth, that will not bother me, as long as I will not forget You even in my dreams!”

“Be so kind to me that I may always remain aware of Your lotus-feet. Please listen, for I tell you this loudly! Holding a straw between my teeth I beg from You this alm.”

Manasi Devi and Chakalesvara Mahadeva Mandir

Jai Nitai!

As I was taking photos of the project of cleaning the Manasi Ganga  I also took darshan and photos at a number of other mandirs as well. For now I will post the photos I took at Manasi Devi Mandir and the Chakalesvara Mahadeva Mandir.

Manasi Devi is the the Goddess that supervises and controls the Manasi Ganga area. There are four Devis in Braj Mandal that are considered by many as the most prominent. Manasi Devi on the bank of Brahma Kund  in Govardhan,  Yogamaya Devi (zrI pAtala devI) adjacent to the Govinda Ji Mandir in Brindavan, Paurnamasi Devi near Seva Kunj in Brindavan, and Vrinda Devi in Kamyavan.

The Chakalesvara Mahadeva Mandir and the immediate surrounding area is known as Chakra Tirtha. It is said that Krishna’s Sudarshan Chakra is embedded in the northern bank of Manasi Ganga. The Chakra was being used at the time to protect the Brajabasis from the deluge created by Indra at the time when Krishna was holding up the entire Govardhan Parvat.

Chakalesvara Mahadeva Mandir contains a group of five lingas and a beautiful Sri Murti of Nandi sitting and facing the main shrine. This is one of the main Mahadeva Mandirs that are protecting Braja Mandal. The other ones being, Gopesvara in Brindavan, Kundesvara in Radhakund, Bhutesvara in Mathura, Nandesvara in Nanda Gaon and Kamesvara in Kamyavan.

The spire atop the Mandir

A dhuni in the Mandir

Sitting place behind the Mandir on the steps that lead down to Manasi Ganga

A tree growing behind the Mandir

Pujaris Lakshman and Ram Prasad

Entrance on the west side of the Mandir

Nandi

Chakalesvara Mahadeva

Front view of Mahadeva’s Mandir

Archway leading to Chakalesvar Mahadeva Mandir

Shiva Linga at Manasi Devi Mandir

Manasi Devi on the left and a friend who is a child is next to her. The third person is the singha or carrier of Kaila Devi who is on the far right

Cleaning Manasi Ganga Pt. 2

I went back to see how the cleaning process was going and found that they are still working at it in full force. A company from Delhi was hired to do the job and they brought in many pieces of heavy equipment to remove all the sludge and gunk from the bottom and haul it away.  From what I understand it is being dumped somewhere between Govardhan and Radhakunda. They are predicting that they will be finished in about two months.

Cleaning Manasi Ganga

Recently the cleaning of Manasi Ganga began. I was unaware of it and quite surprised to see the work going on when I went there for a snana. These images are all from March 27th taken from the southern bank. Soon I will return and get some updated photos. By tradition Manasi Ganga is the place where pilgrims begin and end there parikrama of Sri Giriraj Govardhan. Briefly, I will retell the story about the appearance of Manasi Ganga.

Nanda Maharaj, Yasoda Ma, and many others decided to go on pilgrimage to take bath in the Ganga. On the way they stopped to spend the night in Govardhan. Krishna began to think, ” All of the holy rivers are present here in My Braja, but alas the Brajabasis do not understand this. Let me show them.” As soon as Krishna thought in this way Mother Ganga appeared in person before Him and everyone else. The Brajabasis were extremely surprised to see her there. Krishna told them, “All of the holy rivers in the three worlds are present in Brajabhumi because they wish to do the seva of Brajabhumi. Because you were all going to leave Braja to bathe in the Ganga she has mercifully appeared before you, therefore take your bath in her sacred waters. Henceforth this place will be known as Manasi Ganga.” This took place during the night of the new moon in Kartik Masa. Mother Ganga appeared from the mind of Sri Krishna.

An image of Sri Hanuman laying at the bottom of the steps in the muck

Haridas Baba famous for wearing so many Tulasi malas and sandalwood paste at his shop in Govardhan where he sells chillums and malas

A devout Brahmin taking bath, saying prayers and applying his tilak

Radha Kunda photo tour…less frequented locations Pt. 1

Jai Sri Radhey!

There are dozens of mandirs here at Radha Kunda. Even if you stay at Radha Kunda for a considerable amount of time there will likely be many places that remain unvisited and unexplored. I thought it would be interesting to go to many of these lesser visited mandirs and share the images and information I could obtain. I am posting the images in the order you will encounter them if doing parikrama of Radha and Shyama Kundas, but other than that the mandirs shown in this series are a random selection… I am just entering various mandirs and taking photos as the inspiration hits me. Since it is winter time many of the deities are bundled up in chadars and blankets so you can’t always get a good look at Them. I will probably want to take Their photos again after it warms up.

In the late 1600’s many original deities had to be moved to Jaipur because of Muslim invasions. Radha Kunda was a stopping point on the way.  Replicas of these mandirs were established here at Radha Kunda at that time and the worship has been going on for hundreds of years. These deities are known as pratibhU mUrti and represent the originals and are not to be considered to be different. So you can visit the seven major mandirs of Brindavan here at Radha Kunda.

The first mandir pictured is Radha Ramana.  Along with Radha Raman you will see Balaram and Revati on the altar. Also just to the left of the entrance of this mandir is Mahadeva who is guarding the north side of the kunda. You will also find the carankamala of Sri Radha there. The next two places are found off of parikrama marg by going left down the first road you encounter. There is a mandir of Sri Sri Radha Binodji that are very beautiful and then a little farther down is and what used to be the bhajan kutir of Bhakivinod Thakur and his son Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati. It is called Vraja Swananda Sukada Kunja. Inside you will find some pushpa samadhis and some personal articles of Bhaktivinod. Also there is the first toilet in Radha Kunda. I was told that Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati installed the toilet which was stylish in those days in hopes of getting people to use plumbing and not just go anywhere that was handy. Now if you return to parikrama marg, immediately on your left you will find Bishwambhar Mahaprabhu Mandir.

Entrance to Radha Raman

Courtyard at Radha Raman

Radha Raman & Balaram and Revati

Place of Mahadeva

Jai Bhole

Radha’s carankamala

Entrance to Radha Binodji

Sri Sri Radha Binodji

Entrance to Swananda Sukada Kunja

Pushpa samadhis of Bhaktivinod, Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati, and Bhakti Vilas Tirtha

Bhaktisiddhanta’s toilet

Entrance to Biswambhar Mahaprabhu Mandir

Courtyard of Biswambhar Mahaprabhu

Bishwambhar Mahaprabhu

Renovations at Radhakund Updated

Jai Radhey!

The work has been going on steadily. The south and west walls are nearly complete. There is a new arch across from Gopi Kupa that spans the walkway leading to Shyam Kund. The arch by Tamaltala is close to completion. Now they have started work on the marg around the kundas. Parikrama marg around the kundas is blocked off and car traffic is not allowed for now. They have torn up the road down to bare ground from Radha Brajamohan Mandir all the way to the intersection on the southwest corner of Radhakund near Kundeshwar Mahadeva and are beginning to pour concrete. So far the concrete goes from Nitai Gaura Mandira and should be up to the intersection by the end of the day.