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MONTHLY ARCHIVE OF UPDATES

AUGUST 2020

 

 

Sat, 1 August 2020

Reaching Devotees' Hearts
"You are very fortunate souls—you are all staying under the guidance of Srila Rupa Goswami, Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur, you are practising properly—it gives very much happiness to me."
Download / listen to the audio (1.3 Mb, 4 min | 26 July 2020)

Visiting Sri Ekachakra and Betur
(28-31 July 2020 | 6 photographs, 0.7 Mb)
Sri Gurupadpadma Om Vishnupad Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj makes brief visits to Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math temples in Ekachakra, Betur, and Sri Nrisingha Palli to supervise the temple services, as well as the construction of the guesthouse in Nabadwip.

 

Sun, 2 August 2020

Perfect Result Comes Through Perfect Practice
Glory of our family members in Vijayawada: "When I was at your house, I saw your service mood, and your mood is very pure and very perfect, you have a simple heart. You all live perfectly and you make your Guru happy properly. You understand how to reach the Lord and how to reach Goloka Vrindavan. I am sure that you will get benefit through your service mood."
Download / listen to the audio (1.9 Mb, 5 min | 26 July 2020)

(৬) শ্রীগঙ্গানগর, শ্রীপৃথুকুণ্ড, শ্রীসীমন্তদ্বীপ, শ্রীবিশ্রামস্থানাদি দর্শন (শ্রীনবদ্বীপধাম মাহাত্ম্য-মুক্তা-মালা)
"পরদিন প্রাতে প্রভু নিত্যানন্দরায় । শ্রীবাস শ্রীজীব লয়ে গৃহ বাহিবার ॥ অন্তর্দ্বীপ প্রান্তে প্রভু আইলা যখন । শ্রীগঙ্গানগর জীবে দেখায় তখন ॥ প্রভু বলে শুন জীব এ গঙ্গানগর । স্থাপিলেন ভাগীরথ রঘু বংশধর ॥"

 

Mon, 3 August 2020 (A grand festival in honour of Sri Baladev's appearance; fast till noon)

Step Up Your Service
"We should not waste our time on our own enjoyment, we must give our time for the enjoyment and happiness of our Lord, our Gurudev. I know everybody will be working, it is Monday, the first day of the week days, but we must still do some service for Baladev Prabhu's appearance day. Remember this. If you only fast and give some flower to Gurudev, that is not sufficient."
Download / listen to the audio (3.8 Mb, 9 min | 2 August 2020)

শ্রীশ্রীবলদেব-প্রসঙ্গ (শ্রীউপদেশ, চতুর্থ খণ্ড)
"পরমারাধ্যতম শ্রীল গুরুবর্গের শ্রীপাদপদ্মের কৃপা প্রার্থনা ক'রে শ্রীশ্রীবলদেব প্রভুর ভুবনমঙ্গলময়ী আবির্ভাব – তিথিতে ভগবৎ-কথা শ্রবণ করছি । শ্রীবলদেবই বলরাম, বলভদ্র ইত্যাদি নামে অভিহিত । কৃষ্ণের দ্বিতীয় বিগ্রহ হয়েও, কৃষ্ণ হয়েও ইনি কৃষ্ণের সেবা-বিগ্রহ রূপ ধরেছেন । কৃষ্ণ নিজেই অন্যরূপ ধরেছেন। লীলার পুষ্টিসাধনের জন্য তিনি বলদেবকে পৃথকভাবে প্রকট করেছেন । তাই কৃষ্ণাভিন্ন বলদেব। কৃষ্ণ তাঁর ঐ দেহে বিলাস করেন। আর তিনি কৃষ্ণের সেবাবিগ্রহ—তিনি সর্বশ্রেষ্ঠ সেবা-বিধানকারী ।"

 


Today in the calendar: Purnima. Appearance of Sri Baladev. Fast until noon. End of Jhulan Yatra of Sri Sri Radha-Govinda.

His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj: "It is a very auspicious day in our spiritual life. We must do some service for Baladev Prabhu's appearance day. Remember this. If you only fast and give some flower to Gurudev, that is not sufficient. It is necessary to do some more service—do more and more service to our Gurudev. Baladev is Mul-Sankarshan, He controls everything, and He is also ashraya-vigraya (embodiment of shelter), non-different from Nityananda Prabhu and Gurudev. We always ask for the shelter at the lotus feet of our Gurudev, but the problem is that when we have got this shelter at our Gurudev's lotus feet, we forget to serve after that."


 

In honour of Sri Baladev Prabhu:

sphurad-amala-kiritam kinkini-kankanarham
chalad-alaka-kapolam kundala-sri-mukhabjam
tuhina-giri-manojnam nila-meghambaradhyam
hala-musala-visalam kama-palam samide
"He is adorned with a shining spotless crown, bangles, and ankle bells; His curly hair plays on His lotus cheeks, and earrings embellish the beauty of His lotus face; dressed in fine clothes of rich blue colour like that of a cloud, He is as captivating as a snow-capped mountain; He is also carrying a great plough and a club. This Balaram—One who fulfils all desires—do I offer my prayers to."

 

Today is a very important day in our spiritual life, in our practising life. This is our life: without Gurudev's mercy we have nothing. In India, some devotees are worshipping Radha-Krishna's Jhulan Yatra today, but we are making a programme for Baladev, who is nondifferent from Gurudev and Nityananda Prabhu. This is our line, the line of Rupanuga Guru-varga. We always first offer everything to our Guru. If you do so much for Lord Krishna but have no faith in your Guru, the result will be nothing; if you worship Gauranga Mahaprabhu without worshipping Nityananda Prabhu, the result will be nothing; and if you worship Krishna but do not worship Baladev, the result will be nothing too. Moreover, it says in the scriptures that if you worship Krishna and do not worship your Guru, you are actually a great sinner. So, we must always first offer our full obeisance, full dandavat to our Guru, to Nityananda, Baladev (Guru-Balaram, Guru-Nityananda).

(Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj)

 


 

Sri Baladev Tattva (1)
His Divine Grace reads to the devotees about Sri Baladev on Sri Baladev Purnima in 2018: "You cannot prosper in your spiritual life without taking shelter of Baladev. If you take shelter of Gurudev, then you will get everything."
Download / listen to the audio (5.2 Mb, 15 min | 26 August 2018 | Bengali)

Sri Baladev Tattva (2): Appearance and Pastimes
His Divine Grace reads to the devotees about Sri Baladev on Sri Baladev Purnima in 2018: "In Rama-lila, Laksman is younger than Ramachandra, so could not serve Ramachandra properly because a younger brother is always afraid of the elder brother. Therefore, in the pastimes of Krishna, Baladev became an elder son—when Krishna performed His pastimes, Balaram was always with Him."
Download / listen to the audio (4.9 Mb, 14 min | 26 August 2018 | Bengali)

Sri Baladev Tattva (3): Later Pastimes
His Divine Grace reads to the devotees about Sri Baladev on Sri Baladev Purnima in 2018: "Although Sri Baladev is Vishnu-tattva, He Himself serves the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna as His foremost servant. He also engages others in the service of Krishna and exhibits the pastime of acting as the original spiritual master. In spite of all this, during His manifest pastimes in this material world, He Himself performed the pastime of accepting a guru in order to teach the importance of taking shelter of a guru."
Download / listen to the audio (5.3 Mb, 15 min | 26 August 2018 | Bengali)

Baladev Purnima: A Special Day
"In India, some devotees are worshipping Radha-Krishna's Jhulan Yatra today, but we are making a programme for Baladev, who is nondifferent from Gurudev and Nityananda Prabhu. This is our line, the line of Rupanuga Guru-varga."
Download / listen to the audio (3.7 Mb, 11 min | 13 August 2011)

Devotion Conquers—Ego Repels
Lord Balaram, Kaliya-daman Lila, Saubhari Muni, Sudama Vipra, the sun, a vessel, a drum, a pig, and a drop of water—all these are woven together to guide us towards perfect devotion.
Download / listen to the audio (10.4 Mb, 30 min | 9 August 2014)

Asraya Vigraha Sri Baladev
"Without the shelter of Nityananda Prabhu, without the shelter of Baladev Prabhu, we cannot think about Krishna. We must understand how to serve, how to give nourishment to Baladev."
Download / listen to the audio (3.5 Mb, 11 min | 10 August 2014)

Sri Baladev Prabhu: Krishna's Merciful Alter Ego
"What is the glory of this pastime? It shows that Balaram ploughs and cultivates (karsan) and at the same time also attracts, pulls towards Him (akarsan). In other words, Baladev, or Gurudev, removes all bad elements from the hearts of practitioners."
Download / listen to the audio (2.9 Mb, 8 min | 15 August 2019)

Baladev Lila: "Can We Be Friends?"
"I want to tell a little bit about Baladev's lila from what is written in Srimad Bhagavatam. You have all heard that Kamsa sent so many demons to kill Krishna and Krishna killed them all, but Srimad Bhagavatam describes how Baladev killed Pralambasur."
Download / listen to the audio (2.3 Mb, 7 min | 15 August 2019)

Baladev Purnima: Double Festival in Russia
"Today, everybody is celebrating Sri Sri Baladev Prabhu's appearance day everywhere. Today is also the Deities' installation day in Saint Petersburg temple, our main centre in Russia. Even Madhavendra Puri showed us how important it is to serve the Deities..."
Download / listen to the audio (1.6 Mb, 5 min | 13 August 2011)

 


 

SONG: Sri Dasa-Avatara-Stotram | দশাবতারস্তোত্রম্
"O Lord of the universe! You have assumed the form of Balaram! All glory to You! On Your white body You wear garments the colour of clouds and the color of the River Yamuna when she is frightened by the striking of Your plough."

 

শ্রীআশ্রয়বিগ্রহ-শ্রীবলদেবের মহিমা
ওঁ বিষ্ণুপাদ শ্রী শ্রীল ভক্তি নির্ম্মল আচার্য্য মহারাজের হরি-কথামৃত: শ্রীআশ্রয়বিগ্রহ-শ্রীবলদেবের মহিমা আর শ্রীগুরুচরণ-সেবার অর্থ: শিষ্যের জীবন আর একমাত্র প্রবৃত্তি; এবং শ্রীল ভক্তিবিনদ ঠাকুরের শরণাগতির ১৯ গান "সর্ব্বস্ব তোমার চরণে সঁপিয়া".
• অডিও ডাউনলোড (35 Mb | 11 August 2014 | Bengali)

 

Tue, 4 August 2020

Disciple's Core Quality
"To receive and digest chastisement, it is necessary to have tolerance. How many devotees can tolerate chastisement? Very few. When Gurudev chastises you, you must be quiet—you have no right to say a single word."
Download / listen to the audio (1.4 Mb, 4 min | 2 August 2020)

Darshan of Sri Gurupadpadma
(3 August 2020 | 2 photographs, 0.2 Mb)
Sharing a glimpse of the holy darshan of Sri Gurupadpadma Om Vishnupad Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj on the holy appearance day of Sri Baladev Prabhu, the embodiment of shelter, non-different from Sri Guru Tattva.

Sri Baladev Purnima Celebration in Orizaba
(3 August 2020 | 7 photographs, 0.8 Mb)
Sharing photographs from the celebration of Sri Baladev Prabhu's appearance observed by the devotees in Orizaba, Mexico, for the pleasure of Sri Gurupadpadma Om Vishnupad Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj.

 

 

Wed, 5 August 2020

On Cows and Baladev-Tattva
"(1) Krishna likes cows, and if we can make cows happy, Krishna will always be happy. (2) Sachi Mata understood that Nityananda Prabhu was non-different from Baladev—that Baladev Himself had come as Nityananda Prabhu."
Download / listen to the audio (2.3 Mb, 6 min | 2 August 2020)

 

Thu, 6 August 2020

Sweeter Than the Sweetest
"Krishna's pastimes are very sweet. Krishna's beauty, Krishna's pastimes, Krishna's love, Krishna's smile, everything about Him is sweet, sweeter, and sweeter than the sweetest..."
Download / listen to the audio (1.7 Mb, 5 min | 2 August 2020)

 

Fri, 7 August 2020

Prasadam—Pivot of Practising
"You are not to take what is not offered to the Lord. Always take prasadam, then all your diseases will be removed. Always cook with care and always make sure what you have cooked is edible. If the cook is not good, then neither Krishna, nor Gurudev will be happy."
Download / listen to the audio (2.8 Mb, 7 min | 2 August 2020)

Sri Uluberia Temple: Construction Progress
(6 August 2020 | 17 photographs, 1.2 Mb)
Sri Gurupadpadma Om Vishnupad Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj visits the new temple being constructed in Sri Uluberia to supervise the ongoing works and to also welcome new members of the community into the family of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math. Despite the construction and lockdown situation, devotees continue assisting the construction in every possible way and preach the conception of Sri Gurupadpadma door to door, heart to heart.

 

Sat, 8 August 2020

Clear Conception
"You can read Srila Sridhar Maharaj's book Sri Sri Prapanna-jivanamritam and remind yourself of many good things (practise smaran). I have also given you books—Guidance 4, Guidance 3. You can read all these books and you can get everything in them."
Download / listen to the audio (3.4 Mb, 8 min | 2 August 2020)

 


Today in the calendar: Krishna Panchami. Disappearance of Tridandi Swami Bhakti Vilas Tapasvi Maharaj (a disciple of Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj, Srila B.R. Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj, and a sannyas disciple of Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj—a great preacher and pioneer, the 'pillar' of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math in Brazil).

His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj: "Even if you do not know anything about the Vaishnav mentioned in the calendar, you must still give them 'jay' on this day."


 

About Sripad Bhakti Vilas Tapasvi Maharaj:

Sripad Bhakti Vilas Tapasvi Maharaj was born on October 21, 1945 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Having been always eager to search for God and unsatisfied despite many material and academic accomplishments, Sripad Tapasvi Maharaj one day in 1973 came across Krishna Book written by Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj Srila Prabhupad. Overwhelmed by the teachings of Krishna consciousness, His Holiness then joined ISKCON temple in Washington and subsequently received initiation into the Holy Name and the spiritual name Sri Ambujaska Das from Srila Swami Maharaj Srila Prabhupad. Following the initiation, His Holiness very actively took up preaching and propagating Krishna consciousness in Brazil.

After Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj Srila Prabhupad's disappearance, Sripad Tapasvi Maharaj (Ambujaska Prabhu at the time), followed Srila Prabhupad's instruction and took shelter of Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj, henceforth serving and preaching extensively on behalf of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math. His name was subsequently changed to Sri Bhuvan Mohan Das. His Holiness continued preaching extensively, translating many of Srila Sridhar Maharaj and Srila Govinda Maharaj's publications into Portuguese, trying heart and soul to fulfil Srila Gurudev's every desire, opening many centres and bringing many fortunate souls to Srila Gurudev, as well as taking care of all the Brazilian devotees' spiritual welfare.

In 1994, His Holiness arranged Srila Govinda Maharaj's first visit to Brazil as a part of Srila Gurudev's preaching world tour. In the course of years that followed, surcharged with the mercy and affection of Srila Gurudev, His Holiness established preaching centres all over Brazil. In 2010, after Srila Gurudev's disappearance, together with Srila Trivikram Maharaj and Rohini Shakti Devi Dasi, Sripad Tapasvi Maharaj brought the successor President Acharya of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, Om Vishnupad Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj, to Brazil, and it is during this visit that His Holiness finally received initiation into the renounced order of life (sannyasa) despite his deteriorating health at the time. A little over one month later, on 18 August 2010, His Holiness peacefully left his body surrounded by devotees chanting the Holy Name. His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj commented that with the departure of Sripad Tapasvi Maharaj, our Mission has lost one of its pillars.

Wherever His Holiness may be, we are remembering his holy lotus feet and pray for his mercy, as well as for the mercy of all those fortunate souls whom he has left behind to carry on his ardent preaching campaign for Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Gandharva Govinda Sundar and Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math.

 

Sun, 9 August 2020

Ideal Service Mood
"In this world, there are all sorts of misconceptions prominent all over the world, but you must establish the conception of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, the conception of Srila Sridhar Maharaj, Prabhupad Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur. When you get some pleasure in your heart through service, then no matter how much disturbance comes, nothing will be able to stop you—you will still feel more and more enthusiasm, attachment and enjoyment through that service."
Download / listen to the audio (3.4 Mb, 9 min | 2 August 2020)

 

Mon, 10 August 2020

Festival of Sheltered Souls
"What is our goal in the age of Kali? We worship Radha-Krishna's combined form that comes in Kali-yuga as Gauranga Mahaprabhu. However, first, before worshipping Gauranga Mahaprabhu, we are to take shelter of Gurudev. First we must take shelter of Gurudev, only then will we worship Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu."
Download / listen to the audio (2.1 Mb, 5 min | 9 August 2020)

 

In honour of the forthcoming festival of Sri Krishna Janmastami:

Complete fast till midnight is spiritually auspicious and prescribed for all devotees whose health permits it and provided it does not interfere significantly with their service duties.

Those who cannot observe complete fast, can take anukalpa prasad (similar to what is taken on Ekadasi).

Medication can be taken even if you are fasting.

As per the instruction of and tradition established by Param Srila Guru Maharaj Om Vishnupad Srila B.R. Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj in Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, devotees spend the day engaged in various services for the pleasure of Sri Sri Guru Gauranga and read Sri Chaitanya-charitamrita (not Bhagavatam) continuously from the beginning to the end (parayan).

The appearance of Lord Krishna is at midnight, so, as each year in every branch of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, devotees hold a grand celebration offering a special arati and festive bhoga offering (grain and non-grain) to the Lordships at midnight.

After the midnight arati, devotees honour anukalpa prasadam (no grains, like on Ekadashi) and retire to rest to awaken for the mangal arati and continue the celebration the next day on Sri Nandotsav. The grain prasadam is kept aside and lovingly distributed to all the devotees the next day (on Sri Nandotsav, along with another special bhoga offering prepared on this day).

His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj: "You must understand what we are making the Janmastami festival for. To show ourselves and our big ego? No. We are making this festival to give much nourishment to the devotees through Hari-katha, through Krishna-katha, by giving good things to them.

 

Tue, 11 August 2020 (Sri Krishna Janmastami Adhivas)

"I Am Very Proud of You"
"I am very proud of you all because our Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math devotees have humility, tolerance, they give honour to others, and they show others perfect behaviour, perfect practice and perfect mood. Humility, tolerance, etc. is the religion of Vaishnavs. It is their quality, their ornaments, their glory. Vaishnavs are always humble, they always emanate lustre and delight."
Download / listen to the audio (3 Mb, 7 min | 9 August 2020)

News from Sri Nrisingha Palli: Construction Progress
(11 August 2020 | 26 photographs, 2.2 Mb)
Sri Gurupadpadma Om Vishnupad Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj pays a visit to Sri Nrisingha Palli temple to observe the progress of the ongoing works and give further instructions to the workers. Sharing glimpses of the new guesthouse, goshala, as well as the temple and the newly built floor atop the nat mandir.

 

Wed, 12 August 2020 (Sri Krishna Janmastami Maha-Mahotsav; fast till midnight)

Blossomed Relationship
"I know very well 'my parents,' 'my sister,' 'my husband,' 'my wife'—these are mine, but we do not think that the Lord is mine, that Gurudev is mine. How many per cent devotees can feel that?"
Download / listen to the audio (1.8 Mb, 5 min | 9 August 2020)

“ শ্রীকৃষ্ণজন্ম বিনা জীবের জীবন বৃথা” (শ্রীউপদেশ, তৃতীয় খণ্ড)
"আমরা ক্ষুদ্র ক্ষুদ্র ইন্দ্রিয়ের ব্যর্থ ও পরিণামে পরমদুঃখের সম্ভোগের পিপাসায় শ্রীকৃষ্ণের এক একটি ক্ষুদ্র নকল সংস্করণ সাজিয়া রহিয়াছি ! পরাৎপর-কৃষ্ণের পরিবর্ত্তে অসুর-কৃষ্ণের জন্ম আমাদের অস্মিতাকে গ্রাস করিয়াছে । সম্ভোগে মত্ত হইয়া আমরা কেহ মনে করিতেছি, কৃষ্ণভজনের প্রয়োজন কি ? আমাদের হৃদয়ে সম্ভোগের অসুর প্রতিমুহূর্ত্তে জন্মগ্রহণ করিতেছে, কৃষ্ণের জন্মে আমাদের প্রয়োজন কি ?"

 


Today in the calendar: Krishna Ashtami. Sri Sri Krishna Janmashtami (Appearance Festival of Lord Sri Krishna). Complete fast until midnight, then no grains.

His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj: "We should actually be more affectionate with Nanda Maharaj and Yasoda. Tomorrow is actually the main day—today we are fasting for the Lord, but tomorrow we are making a festival for Nanda Maharaj." (Sri Krishna Janmastami: Service Festival)

 


 

dadhi-mathana-ninadais-tyakta-nidrah prabhate
nibhrta-padam agaram ballavinam pravistah
mukha-kamala-samirair asu nirvapya dipan
kavalita-navanitah patu mam bala-krsnah

"That child Krsna, who, awakening by the sound of butter-churning, stealthily enters the homes of the cowherd ladies, swiftly blows out the lamps with the breeze of His lotus mouth and devours the fresh butter—may He kindly protect me." (Composed by Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu)

he krsna karuna-sindho
dina-bandho jagat-pate
gopesa gopika-kanta
radha-kanta namo 'stu te

"O my dear Krishna, ocean of mercy, You are the friend of the distressed and the source of creation. You are the master of the cowherdmen and the lover of the gopis, especially Radharani. I offer my respectful obeisances unto You."


 

"We futilely enjoy many petty senses and the distress it causes makes us so thirsty that we create a petty phoney version of Sri Krishna. Because of our false identification, we are fed the idea that instead of Supreme Lord Krishna a demon-killer Krishna is born on this day. Being engrossed by enjoyment, does anyone of us ever think what is the necessity to worship Krishna? How many forms have we assumed being swooned by enjoyment and how long have we been rejecting the necessity of Lord Krishna's existence and appearance! We have no relation to the appearance of Lord Krishna any more. We merely spend our lives revolving within the cycle of birth and death. We are always busy reading the news about floods and famine, and just to get some happiness we become obsessed with various gross and subtle enjoyment. When a demon of enjoyment is born within our hearts at every second, what is the necessity of Krishna’s appearance? When the soul becomes again favourable towards Lord Krishna, Lord Krishna appears at that time in the heart of this soul. By the mercy of Sri Gurupadpadma, Lord Krishna descends within the hearts of the souls covered by the darkness of ignorance every year in the rainy season (August-beginning of September). His appearance occurs at midnight on the eighth lunar day of the dark fortnight in the month of Bhadra. Despite this calculation, Lord Krishna's appearance day occurs eternally. His appearance is not just some historical fact, it is an eternal truth."

(Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj, Guidance 3)

 


 

Some of the kirtans that can be sung on this holy day:

SONG: Sri Guru Parampara | শ্রীগুরুপরম্পরা
"By Krishna's association, Brahma became devoted to Krishna's service. By Brahma's association, Narad Muni became devoted... All the Gurus in this succession are associates of Sri Gauranga. I pray for their remnants."

SONG: Janama saphala ta'ra | জনম সফল তা'র
"The birth of one who, by good fortune, has once seen Krishna is successful. Developing the heart's eyes and seeing Krishna, such a soul abandons all delusions. Krishna is expert at play in Vrindavan..."

SONG: Suno he rasika-jana | শুনহে রসিক জন
"The transcendental qualities of Sri Krishna are innumerable. Krishna is the spiritual master of the entire universe, a wishfulfilling desire-tree, and the captain of the boat in the ocean of material existence."

SONG: He deva bhavantam vande | (হে) দেব ভবন্তং বন্দে
"The transcendental qualities of Sri Krishna are innumerable. Krishna is the spiritual master of the entire universe, a wishfulfilling desire-tree, and the captain of the boat in the ocean of material existence."

SONG: Jaya Radha-Madhava | জয় রাধামাধব
"Glory to Radha-Madhava, the beloved of Srimati Radharani! Glory to Kunja-bihari, the Enjoyer of pastimes in the groves of Vraja."

SONG: Yasomati-Nandana | যশোমতীনন্দন
"Sri Krishna, who is known as Kana, is Yasoda's darling son, Vraja's paramour, Gokula's delight, the gopis' life and wealth, the enchanter of Cupid, and the conqueror of Kaliya."

SONG: Hari he dayala mora | হরি হে দয়াল মোর
"O Hari! O my merciful Lord! All glories to You, the Lord of Radha! So many times I have avoided You, but this time please take me as Your own."

OTHER RELATED SONGS:
Dasavatara Stotram | দশাবতারস্তোত্রম্
Mayura mukuta | ময়ূর-মুকুট
Yasomati-Nandana | যশোমতীনন্দন
Sri Damodarastakam | শ্রীশ্রীদামোদরাষ্টকম্

 

In honour of the festival of Sri Krishna Janmastami:

Complete fast till midnight is spiritually auspicious and prescribed for all devotees whose health permits it and provided it does not interfere significantly with their service duties.

Those who cannot observe complete fast, can take anukalpa prasad (similar to what is taken on Ekadasi).

Medication can be taken even if you are fasting.

As per the instruction of and tradition established by Param Srila Guru Maharaj Om Vishnupad Srila B.R. Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj in Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, devotees spend the day engaged in various services for the pleasure of Sri Sri Guru Gauranga and read Sri Chaitanya-charitamrita (not Bhagavatam) continuously from the beginning to the end (parayan).

The appearance of Lord Krishna is at midnight, so, as each year in every branch of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, devotees hold a grand celebration offering a special arati and festive bhoga offering (grain and non-grain) to the Lordships at midnight.

After the midnight arati, devotees honour anukalpa prasadam (no grains, like on Ekadashi) and retire to rest to awaken for the mangal arati and continue the celebration the next day on Sri Nandotsav. The grain prasadam is kept aside and lovingly distributed to all the devotees the next day (on Sri Nandotsav, along with another special bhoga offering prepared on this day).

His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj: "You must understand what we are making the Janmastami festival for. To show ourselves and our big ego? No. We are making this festival to give much nourishment to the devotees through Hari-katha, through Krishna-katha, by giving good things to them.

 


 

    
Sri Krishna
Janmastami,
2019
(Tarakeshwar)
Sri Nandotsav,
2019
(Tarakeshwar)
     Sri Krishna
Janmastami,
2018
(Nrisingha Palli)
Sri Nandotsav,
2018
(Nrisingha Palli)

 


 

Sri Krishna Janmastami: Celebrate and Realise
"What we are making the Janmastami festival for? To show ourselves and our big ego? No, we are making this festival to give much nourishment to the devotees through Hari-katha, through Krishna-katha, by giving good things to them."
Download / listen to the audio (9.3 Mb, 27 min | 22 August 2011)

Sri Krishna Janmastami Message
"Good things are coming to us in the future. All devotees should stay together—we must all together celebrate this Janmastami vrata maha-mahotsav, serving Krishna's devotees with tolerance, humility and giving honour to others."
Download / listen to the audio (0.8 Mb, 2 min | 23 August 2019 | English)

"Raise the Anchor, Sir!"
"In the devotional line, this body is compared to a boat, and the helmsman of the boat is the Guru. If we can stay aboard the boat that Gurudev is sailing, then we can cross over the Viraja River and come to stay with Krishna in Goloka Vrindavan."
Download / listen to the audio (2.7 Mb, 8 min | 23 August 2019 | Bengali)

Gopal's Pastimes
"When Kamsa got the news of the child's birth, he was astonished that it was a girl, Maya. When he killed her, she rose in the air and said, 'He who will kill you already lives in Gokula.' After that, Kamsa began his atrocities. Who did he send first? Putana."
Download / listen to the audio (6.3 Mb, 18 min | 23 August 2019 | Bengali)

Lord's Stealing and Rewarding
"There are many other pastimes that Lord Sri Krishna performed. There was also a funny pastime at Chir Ghat. This pastime has a deep meaning. Many think this is funny, but actually it is not—this pastime is all about self-surrender."
Download / listen to the audio (1.5 Mb, 5 min | 23 August 2019 | Bengali)

Mercy Incarnate
"By a great mercy and fortune, we have got the darshan of sadhus, Guru and Vaishnavs in this lifetime. Having got their darshan, we have got everything! By getting their darshan, hearing Hari-katha from such Vaishnavs, hearing about such Vaishnavs' qualities purifies the heart."
Download / listen to the audio (2.2 Mb, 7 min | 23 August 2019 | Bengali)

Fall at the Lord's Feet
"It is my prayer to you all—please, always chant the glories of the Vaishnavs, Gurudev, and the Lord. We also pray to the Lord that you may all always engage in service, in Hari-katha, in the kirtan, and that not a single day may pass in your life without it..."
Download / listen to the audio (1.9 Mb, 6 min | 23 August 2019 | Bengali)

Sri Krishna Janmastami: No Pain, No Gain
"If we want to get the Lord, we must make an effort—we must practise bhajan, kirtan, worship, proper behaviour, Vaishnav seva, etc. We must try our best—we must worship, arrange programmes, practise sravan and kirtan, serve, offer bhoga, practise daily well."
Download / listen to the audio (1.8 Mb, 5 min | 3 September 2018 | Bengali)

Sri Krishna Janmastami: A Private Pastime
"Gopal performed many pastimes. You all know that it is going to be Radhastami, the appearance day of Srimati Radhika, in fifteen days. There is a story about how She appeared."
Download / listen to the audio (2 Mb, 6 min | 3 September 2018 | Bengali)

Sri Krishna Janmastami: Eternal Pastimes
"Krishna performed so many pastimes in Nanda-gram, but Kamsa would not stop. Kamsa kept trying to kill Krishna—he had sent many demons (Aghasur, enormous Bakasur, Vatsasur, etc.), but all of them were defeated by Krishna..."
Download / listen to the audio (3.3 Mb, 10 min | 3 September 2018 | Bengali)

Sri Krishna Janmastami: Adhikar For Abhisekh
"When people do Durga puja or some other pujas, they usually fast, so here too—if you are to do the abhisekh of Lord Sri Krishna in the evening, if you want to get this opportunity, you must fast the whole day; otherwise you cannot bathe the holy body of Gopal."
Download / listen to the audio (2.5 Mb, 7 min | 3 September 2018 | Bengali)

Kirtans
• Mayura-mukuta pitambara-dhari • Jaya Radhe jaya Krsna jaya Vrndavan • He deva bhavantam vande (Krsna Vandana) • Hari Haraye Namah Krsna • Hare Krishna maha-mantra.
Download / listen to the audio (6.3 Mb, 18 min | 3 September 2018)

"Tell me about Krishna!"
"Today is the adhivas of Sri Krishna Janmastami, it is a very good day and we must tell something about Krishna's pastimes. Who knows Krishna? Only Krishna's parsad (associate), can understand Krishna's lila."
Download / listen to the audio (1.7 Mb, 5 min | 13 August 2009)

Dear and Dearmost
"Today we are speaking about some of Krishna's childhood pastimes. We can actually get Krishna's mercy only through devotees. We always first take shelter of our Guru's lotus feet because otherwise, without this shelter, we cannot get any connection with this line."
Download / listen to the audio (1.9 Mb, 6 min | 13 August 2009)

Appearance of Lord Krishna
"This festival is celebrated all over the world, and you heard that even in Nabadwip Dham many people do not know about Krishna consciousness, do not know about Rupa Goswami's line, but they know Krishna and they fast the whole day and night for Krishna."
Download / listen to the audio (2.1 Mb, 7 min | 14 August 2009)

Emporium of All Rasa
"In Krishna-lila, everything is there—santa-, dasya-, sakhya-, vatsalya-, madhura-rasa—that is why Krishna is considered the Supreme Personality of Godhead."
Download / listen to the audio (2.3 Mb, 7 min | 20 August 2011)

Sri Krishna Janmastami: Service Festival
"We should actually be more affectionate with Nanda Maharaj and Yasoda. Tomorrow is actually the main day—today we are fasting for the Lord, but tomorrow we are making a festival for Nanda Maharaj."
Download / listen to the audio (2 Mb, 6 min | 22 August 2011)

Sri Krishna Janmastami: Our Fortune and Focus
"We feel very fortunate today to have got a bona fide guru and we are spending this day for Lord. Many people have a holiday today and are enjoying with material things, but Krishna's devotees' enjoyment is for Krishna. That is their hope, that is their fortune."
Download / listen to the audio (2 Mb, 6 min | 22 August 2011)

Krishna—Purnatama Bhagavan
"To protect religion and destroy non-religion, the Lord comes to this world again and again in different ages. On this day, taking a human form, Krishna appears to bestow auspiciousness onto the world and rescue the fallen souls."
Download / listen to the audio (6.1 Mb, 17 min | 28 August 2013 | Bengali)

Connect With the Centre
"We have some material desires and this is called bhava-rog (heart disease). Who can remove this disease? Who can be our doctor? Krishna can, but where will you get Krishna? You should think how many per cent you can surrender yourself. It depends on you."
Download / listen to the audio (1.7 Mb, 5 min | 28 August 2013)

Sri Krishna Janmastami: Surrender and Practise Daily
"We have to understand Krishna's Pastimes. We have to be niskama bhakta: we must have no material desire, and we must not ask Krishna for anything."
Download / listen to the audio (3.5 Mb | 18 August 2014)

Sri Krishna Janmastami: Path Back to Home
"We are taking so many things, but our hunger will not finish, there will always be some material desire. But if you surrender to Krishna, to His devotee, and if you worship Krishna, if you chant the Holy Name of Krishna, you will get real benefit, you can go to your real home."
Download / listen to the audio (10 Mb | 18 August 2014)

 


 

    
Sri Krishna
Janmastami,
2019
(Tarakeshwar)
Sri Nandotsav,
2019
(Tarakeshwar)
     Sri Krishna
Janmastami,
2018
(Nrisingha Palli)
Sri Nandotsav,
2018
(Nrisingha Palli)

 


 

Sri Krishna Janmastami: Celebrate and Realise
"What we are making the Janmastami festival for? To show ourselves and our big ego? No, we are making this festival to give much nourishment to the devotees through Hari-katha, through Krishna-katha, by giving good things to them."
Download / listen to the audio (9.3 Mb, 27 min | 22 August 2011)

Sri Krishna Janmastami Message
"Good things are coming to us in the future. All devotees should stay together—we must all together celebrate this Janmastami vrata maha-mahotsav, serving Krishna's devotees with tolerance, humility and giving honour to others."
Download / listen to the audio (0.8 Mb, 2 min | 23 August 2019 | English)

"Raise the Anchor, Sir!"
"In the devotional line, this body is compared to a boat, and the helmsman of the boat is the Guru. If we can stay aboard the boat that Gurudev is sailing, then we can cross over the Viraja River and come to stay with Krishna in Goloka Vrindavan."
Download / listen to the audio (2.7 Mb, 8 min | 23 August 2019 | Bengali)

Gopal's Pastimes
"When Kamsa got the news of the child's birth, he was astonished that it was a girl, Maya. When he killed her, she rose in the air and said, 'He who will kill you already lives in Gokula.' After that, Kamsa began his atrocities. Who did he send first? Putana."
Download / listen to the audio (6.3 Mb, 18 min | 23 August 2019 | Bengali)

Lord's Stealing and Rewarding
"There are many other pastimes that Lord Sri Krishna performed. There was also a funny pastime at Chir Ghat. This pastime has a deep meaning. Many think this is funny, but actually it is not—this pastime is all about self-surrender."
Download / listen to the audio (1.5 Mb, 5 min | 23 August 2019 | Bengali)

Mercy Incarnate
"By a great mercy and fortune, we have got the darshan of sadhus, Guru and Vaishnavs in this lifetime. Having got their darshan, we have got everything! By getting their darshan, hearing Hari-katha from such Vaishnavs, hearing about such Vaishnavs' qualities purifies the heart."
Download / listen to the audio (2.2 Mb, 7 min | 23 August 2019 | Bengali)

Fall at the Lord's Feet
"It is my prayer to you all—please, always chant the glories of the Vaishnavs, Gurudev, and the Lord. We also pray to the Lord that you may all always engage in service, in Hari-katha, in the kirtan, and that not a single day may pass in your life without it..."
Download / listen to the audio (1.9 Mb, 6 min | 23 August 2019 | Bengali)

Sri Krishna Janmastami: No Pain, No Gain
"If we want to get the Lord, we must make an effort—we must practise bhajan, kirtan, worship, proper behaviour, Vaishnav seva, etc. We must try our best—we must worship, arrange programmes, practise sravan and kirtan, serve, offer bhoga, practise daily well."
Download / listen to the audio (1.8 Mb, 5 min | 3 September 2018 | Bengali)

Sri Krishna Janmastami: A Private Pastime
"Gopal performed many pastimes. You all know that it is going to be Radhastami, the appearance day of Srimati Radhika, in fifteen days. There is a story about how She appeared."
Download / listen to the audio (2 Mb, 6 min | 3 September 2018 | Bengali)

Sri Krishna Janmastami: Eternal Pastimes
"Krishna performed so many pastimes in Nanda-gram, but Kamsa would not stop. Kamsa kept trying to kill Krishna—he had sent many demons (Aghasur, enormous Bakasur, Vatsasur, etc.), but all of them were defeated by Krishna..."
Download / listen to the audio (3.3 Mb, 10 min | 3 September 2018 | Bengali)

Sri Krishna Janmastami: Adhikar For Abhisekh
"When people do Durga puja or some other pujas, they usually fast, so here too—if you are to do the abhisekh of Lord Sri Krishna in the evening, if you want to get this opportunity, you must fast the whole day; otherwise you cannot bathe the holy body of Gopal."
Download / listen to the audio (2.5 Mb, 7 min | 3 September 2018 | Bengali)

Kirtans
• Mayura-mukuta pitambara-dhari • Jaya Radhe jaya Krsna jaya Vrndavan • He deva bhavantam vande (Krsna Vandana) • Hari Haraye Namah Krsna • Hare Krishna maha-mantra.
Download / listen to the audio (6.3 Mb, 18 min | 3 September 2018)

"Tell me about Krishna!"
"Today is the adhivas of Sri Krishna Janmastami, it is a very good day and we must tell something about Krishna's pastimes. Who knows Krishna? Only Krishna's parsad (associate), can understand Krishna's lila."
Download / listen to the audio (1.7 Mb, 5 min | 13 August 2009)

Dear and Dearmost
"Today we are speaking about some of Krishna's childhood pastimes. We can actually get Krishna's mercy only through devotees. We always first take shelter of our Guru's lotus feet because otherwise, without this shelter, we cannot get any connection with this line."
Download / listen to the audio (1.9 Mb, 6 min | 13 August 2009)

Appearance of Lord Krishna
"This festival is celebrated all over the world, and you heard that even in Nabadwip Dham many people do not know about Krishna consciousness, do not know about Rupa Goswami's line, but they know Krishna and they fast the whole day and night for Krishna."
Download / listen to the audio (2.1 Mb, 7 min | 14 August 2009)

Emporium of All Rasa
"In Krishna-lila, everything is there—santa-, dasya-, sakhya-, vatsalya-, madhura-rasa—that is why Krishna is considered the Supreme Personality of Godhead."
Download / listen to the audio (2.3 Mb, 7 min | 20 August 2011)

Sri Krishna Janmastami: Service Festival
"We should actually be more affectionate with Nanda Maharaj and Yasoda. Tomorrow is actually the main day—today we are fasting for the Lord, but tomorrow we are making a festival for Nanda Maharaj."
Download / listen to the audio (2 Mb, 6 min | 22 August 2011)

Sri Krishna Janmastami: Our Fortune and Focus
"We feel very fortunate today to have got a bona fide guru and we are spending this day for Lord. Many people have a holiday today and are enjoying with material things, but Krishna's devotees' enjoyment is for Krishna. That is their hope, that is their fortune."
Download / listen to the audio (2 Mb, 6 min | 22 August 2011)

Krishna—Purnatama Bhagavan
"To protect religion and destroy non-religion, the Lord comes to this world again and again in different ages. On this day, taking a human form, Krishna appears to bestow auspiciousness onto the world and rescue the fallen souls."
Download / listen to the audio (6.1 Mb, 17 min | 28 August 2013 | Bengali)

Connect With the Centre
"We have some material desires and this is called bhava-rog (heart disease). Who can remove this disease? Who can be our doctor? Krishna can, but where will you get Krishna? You should think how many per cent you can surrender yourself. It depends on you."
Download / listen to the audio (1.7 Mb, 5 min | 28 August 2013)

Sri Krishna Janmastami: Surrender and Practise Daily
"We have to understand Krishna's Pastimes. We have to be niskama bhakta: we must have no material desire, and we must not ask Krishna for anything."
Download / listen to the audio (3.5 Mb | 18 August 2014)

Sri Krishna Janmastami: Path Back to Home
"We are taking so many things, but our hunger will not finish, there will always be some material desire. But if you surrender to Krishna, to His devotee, and if you worship Krishna, if you chant the Holy Name of Krishna, you will get real benefit, you can go to your real home."
Download / listen to the audio (10 Mb | 18 August 2014)

 

Thu, 13 August 2020 (Sri Nandotsav Festival; fast is broken at 5:15-9:33 a.m.)

Prayerful Meditation
"Lord Krishna and Srimati Radharani are our meditation, we always worship Them, but we do not want to become sahajiyas—it is not cheap, it is the highest attainment! We must pray to the Lord today. We must express what is our present position. We are in this situation at present—how can the Lord rescue us from this kind of situation?"
Download / listen to the audio (2.5 Mb, 6 min | 12 August 2020)

Sri Krishna Janmastami Kirtans (Year 2020)
His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj chants holy kirtan prayers on Sri Krishna Janmastami day in the company of august Vaishnavs and devotees all over the world: Jaya Dhvani, Vandana Sri Guru-charana-padma Kabe Sri Chaitanya more karibena daya Ohe Vaishnava Thakura Parama Karuna pahu dui jana Yasoda Nandana Krishna He deva bhavantam vande Janama saphala ta'ra Suno he rasika-jana Gopinath mama nivedana suna Jaya Radha Madhava Hare Krishna maha-mantra.
Download / listen to the audio (20.4 Mb, 49 min | 12 August 2020)

Observing Sri Krishna Janmastami and Sri Nandotsav in Kolkata and Nrisingha Palli
(12-13 August 2020 | 19 photographs, 1.8 Mb)
Sharing glimpses of devotees observing the holy appearance day of Lord Sri Krishna and Sri Nandotsav Festival in Kolkata and Sri Nrisingha Palli under guidance, shelter and for the satisfaction of Sri Gurupadpadma Om Vishnupad Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj.

Sri Krishna Janmastami Celebration in Orizaba
(12-13 August 2020 | 13 photographs, 1.4 Mb)
Sharing glimpses of devotees happily observing the holy appearance day of Lord Sri Krishna and Sri Nandotsav (the next day) in Orizaba, Mexico, in a holy programme of Hari-katha, Hari-kirtan, arati and prasadam-seva.

 


Today in the calendar: Krishna Navami. Sri Nandotsav. Sri Janmashtami paran between 5:15 and 9:33 a.m. Appearance of Vishva-varenya Tridandi Swami Srimad Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj Prabhupad.

His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj: "Today we are also making a big festival—we must make Nanda Maharaj happy." "We should actually be more affectionate with Nanda Maharaj and Yasoda. Tomorrow is actually the main day—today we are fasting for the Lord, but tomorrow we are making a festival for Nanda Maharaj."


 

In honour of Sri Nandotsav:

srutim apare smrtim itare
bharatam anye bhajantu bhava-bhitah
aham iha nandam vande
yasyalinde param brahma

"Those who fear rebirth in this world may follow the advice of the Vedic scriptures—others may follow the Mahabharata—but as for me, I follow Nanda Maharaja, in whose courtyard the Supreme Absolute Truth plays as a child."


Yasoda's Darling Krishna
"You know that Krishna was born from Vasudev and Devaki, but how fortunate Nanda Maharaj and Yasoda Ma are! They got Krishna as their son and could serve Krishna..."
Download / listen to the audio (1.4 Mb, 5 min | 13 August 2009)

Patita-Pavan
"We worship Lord Sri Krishna, who is so merciful, but Gauranga Mahaprabhu is even more merciful. Nityananda Prabhu said, 'Prabhu, what are you doing? If You do not rescue them, then why is Your name patita-pavan?'"
Download / listen to the audio (2.6 Mb, 6 min | 4 March 2020)

Krishna's Childhood Pastimes
"Although Krishna lived in Nanda-gram, He spent much time playing with His cowherd boyfriends in Gokul. He showed so many things in His pastimes—He played with cows and dust of Vrindavan (dhuli-khela), He ate soil, He killed demons..."
Download / listen to the audio (1.6 Mb, 5 min | 22 August 2011)

Sri Krishna Janmastami: Service Festival
"We should actually be more affectionate with Nanda Maharaj and Yasoda. Tomorrow is actually the main day—today we are fasting for the Lord, but tomorrow we are making a festival for Nanda Maharaj."
Download / listen to the audio (2 Mb, 6 min | 22 August 2011)

Rely On Gurudev
"Gurudev is nondifferent from Krishna; at the same time Gurudev is like Radharani. Many obstacles will come in our practising life, but if we remember Krishna, if we remember our Gurudev and if we serve our Gurudev, then they must protect us."
Download / listen to the audio (2.3 Mb, 6 min | 6 August 2002)

 

In honour of Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj Prabhupad's appearance:

namah om visnupadaya krsna-presthaya bhutale
swami sri bhaktivedanta prabhupadaya te namah
gurvajnam sirasi-dhrtva saktyavesa sva-rupine
hare-krsneti mantrena pascatya-prachya-tarine
visvacharya prabaryaya divya karunya murtaye
sri bhagavata-madhurya-gita-jnana pradayine
gaura-sri-rupa-siddhanta-saraswati nisevine
radha-krsna-padambhoja-bhrngaya gurave namah
"I offer my humble obeisances unto His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who is Krishna's beloved associate and who came down to this plane from Goloka. Taking the order of his guru on his head, he is the saktyavesa (empowered) avatar of Nityananda Prabhu personified. He distributed the Hare Krishna mantra all over the Eastern and Western world, delivering and uplifting all fallen souls. He is the best of millions of Jagad Gurus, because he is the personification of divine mercy. He has distributed the sweet nectar of Srimad Bhagavatam and the transcendental knowledge of Srimad Bhagavad-gita all over the world. He is constantly engaged in exclusive devotional service to Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakura, Srila Rupa Goswami, and Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu. I offer my humble obeisances unto Srila Prabhupada, who is like a bumble-bee always tasting the nectar of the lotus feet of Sri Sri Radha and Govinda."

 


Beacon Light
His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj is giving a concise account of the close relationship between Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math and Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj Prabhupad.
Download / listen to the audio (1.1 Mb, 3 min | 10 March 2016)

Srila Swami Maharaj Prabhupad
"Without his mercy we would not have been able to think anything today, but we are very happy and we are making today a festival for Srila Swami Maharaj, on his appearance day. Everybody must pray for his mercy."
Download / listen to the audio (2.9 Mb, 9 min | 15 August 2009)

 

Prayers to Sri Vaishnav Thakur:

SONG: Ei-bara karuna kara | এইবার করুণা কর
"O worshippable Vaisnava, be merciful to me this time. O saviour of the fallen, without you there is no one. In every birth I aspire for the dust of your feet."

SONG: Ohe Vaisnava Thakura | (ওহে) বৈষ্ণব ঠাকুর
"O worshippable Vaishnav, ocean of grace, be merciful to this servant. Give me the shade of your feet and purify me. I clasp your feet. You can give Krishna, you have that power. Calling, 'Krishna!' 'Krishna!', I run after you."

SONG: Ki-rupe paiba seva | কিরূপে পাইব সেবা
"I am so wicked, how will I ever get service? I do not have any attachment to Sri Guru and Vaishnavs! Prabhu, you see no fault in others, you are the saviour of the fallen. Please deliver Narottam this time!"

SONG: Dhana mora nityananda | ধন মোর নিত্যানন্দ
"The feet dust of the Vaishnavs is where I sport and take bath, Vaishnavs' name is the water oblation. My mind is intently fixed upon the remnants of Vaishnavs, and I am elated hearing the name of Vaishnavs."

 

 

Fri, 14 August 2020 (Tomorrow is Sri Annada Ekadasi)

Misconceptions about Lord Krishna's Appearance
"Without Lord Krishna's appearance life is meaningless. If you read Srimad Bhagavad-gita, you can easily understand the meaning of Janmastami and who Krishna is. People can say many things, but our vision is not like that—we see it in a different way."
Download / listen to the audio (8.1 Mb, 20 min | 12 August 2020)

Observing Sri Krishna Janmastami and Sri Nandotsav in Bokaro
(12/13 August 2020 | 16 photographs, 1.6 Mb)
Sharing glimpses of the festivities held by the devotees for the service to and pleasure of His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj on the occasion of the holy appearance day of Lord Sri Krishna and Sri Nandotsav (the next day) in Bokaro, the Jharokhand state—a holy programme of Hari-katha, Hari-kirtan, arati and prasadam-seva and prasadam distribution.

 

Sat, 15 August 2020 (Today is Sri Annada Ekadasi, tomorrow paran is at 5:16-9:33 a.m.)

Entering Another Plane
"If you can fulfil Gurudev's desire, if you can follow everything and become a 100% devotee, a surrendered soul, then you will have the strongest faith that what Gurudev said ('If you follow Krishna consciousness properly, you will not have to come again') is the truth."
Download / listen to the audio (1.2 Mb, 3 min | 12 August 2020)

Sri Krishna Janmastami Celebration in Soquel
(12/13 August 2020 | 11 photographs, 1 Mb)
Sharing glimpses of the festivities held by the devotees in Soquel, USA, under the holy guidance of Srila Bhakti Pavan Janardan Maharaj and in the association of illustrious Vaishnavs. Although the festival took place amidst many government restrictions, devotees happily engage in numerous services, from sewing Deities' outfits to decorating the temple and preparing opulent offerings, with even more zest and spend the two festival days happily in service receiving more and more inspiration in their service life.

 


Sri Ekadasi Guidance
Guidelines on how to observe and honour this holy day: Ekadasi takes an indispensible part in the life of a sincere practitioner. At Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, Ekadasi and paran are observed with affection and without fail according to the dates given in the Calendar.

"Sri Ekadasi" (Sri Sri Prema Vivarta)
"One day, Gaurahari left the Gundicha Temple and sat in the Jagannath Vallabha garden. It was pure Ekadasi, and the Lord spent the whole day and night chanting the Name of Krishna..."

SONG: Suddha-bhakata | শুদ্ধ ভকত-চরণ-রেণু
"I carefully observe the holy days related to Madhava, they are the mother of devotion."

SONG: Sri hari-vasare | শ্রীহরি-বাসরে হরি
"On the holy day of Sri Hari, Sriman Mahaprabhu, the life and soul of the universe, began dancing..."

ADDITIONAL READING:

"Observing Ekadasi"
"Ekadasi Vrata: Make Your Guru Happy"
"No Other Shelter"
"Mahadvadasi"
"Ekadasi and liberation"
"Ekadasi Tithi: One of the Practices"
"Yogini Ekadasi"
"Ekadasi: Historical Background"
"Ekadasi: Main Focus Is Service"

 

Sun, 16 August 2020

Realm of Inconceivable Pastimes
"Bad things, good things happen, but we harmonise—we think that everything happens by the will of the Lord. If you practise properly, then you can step by step proceed to your real goal and enter the real nitya-lila—then you will see Radha-Krishna's pastimes everywhere."
Download / listen to the audio (3.5 Mb, 9 min | 9 August 2020)

 

For the eternal benefit and pure nourishment of all living souls, we humbly present the links to the book-form compilations of holy discourses and articles emanating from the holy lotus mouth and hand of Om Vishnupad Jagad-Guru Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj, available now for online reading, download, and distribution. May the divine glory of the transcendental treasure trove of these publications forever reside within the hearts of all fortunate souls:

Guidance 1
(PDF, 1.5 Mb)

Guidance 2
(PDF, 3.8 Mb)

Guidance 3
(PDF, 3.7 Mb)

Guidance 4
(PDF, 4.7 Mb)

(৭) শ্রীসুবর্ণবিহার ও শ্রীদেবপল্লী বর্ণন (শ্রীনবদ্বীপধাম মাহাত্ম্য-মুক্তা-মালা)
"সত্যযগে এইস্থানে, ছিল রাজা সবে জানে, শ্রীসুবর্ণসেন তার নাম । বহুকাল রাজ্য কৈল, পরেতে বার্দ্ধক্য হৈল, তবু নাহি কার্য্যেতে বিশ্রাম ॥ নারদ কহেন রায়, বৃথা তব দিন যায়, অর্থ চিন্তা করি মনে মনে ॥ দারা পুত্র বন্ধুজন, কেহ নহে নিজ জন, মরণেতে কেহ নহে কার ॥"

(৮) শ্রীহরিহরক্ষেত্র, শ্রীমহাবারাণসী ও শ্রীশ্রীগোদ্রুমদ্বীপ বর্ণন (শ্রীনবদ্বীপধাম মাহাত্ম্য-মুক্তা-মালা)
"স্বতন্ত্র ঈশ্বর নিতাই তবে । ভকত সঙ্গেতে চলিল জবে ॥ গাদিগাছাগ্রামে পৌঁছিল আসি । তথায় আসিয়া কহিল হাসি ॥ গোদ্রুম নামেতে এদ্বীপ হয় । সুরভি সতত এখানে রয় ॥ এই দেখ জীব অপূর্ব্ব স্থান । মার্কণ্ডেয় যথা পাইল প্রাণ ॥ গৌরাঙ্গ মহিমা নিতাই মুখে । শুনি জীব ভাসে পরম সুখে ॥"

 

Mon, 17 August 2020

Thorns of Spiritual Life
"We think there is so much suffering, so many problems outside, but we do not think that we have some problems inside us. Sometimes, some good symptoms come to us in our service, but at this moment some bad elements come and Maya takes us away from the service."
Download / listen to the audio (5.4 Mb, 13 min | 16 August 2020)

 

Tue, 18 August 2020

Surrendered Existence
"Practise all this, then you will understand what is necessary for your spiritual life and what this human body is for. You have got this human body by a great mercy of the Lord, and you must use this human body, every part and parcel of this body, for the service of the Lord."
Download / listen to the audio (2.6 Mb, 6 min | 16 August 2020)

 

Wed, 19 August 2020

Practising Deficiency
"We sometimes do not understand why we lose our faith, why we cannot give our heart, mind, everything to the service of the Lord—this happens because there is practising deficiency. Many things can come, that is why we can lose our faith, lose our Krishna consciousness life."
Download / listen to the audio (2.5 Mb, 6 min | 16 August 2020)

A pearl of guidance: Love for Guru, Not Yourself
"We are becoming very selfish—we always think about ourselves, about our own happiness, but we do not know whether happiness will come or not. The happiness you get in this material life is very temporary. We must realise what it means to be a proper disciple and we must try to be proper disciples of our Guru."
Download / listen to the audio (3 Mb, 7 min | 14 June 2020)

 

Thu, 20 August 2020

Do Not Get Swayed
"When Maya attacks you, when Maya gives so much trouble to you and so many problems come to you, will you remember Me or will you forget Me? It is up to you. If you can remember the Lord despite any difficulties, then it is very good."
Download / listen to the audio (2 Mb, 5 min | 16 August 2020)

A pearl of guidance: What Will Your Parrot Say?
On the importance of good association. Tell me who your friends are, and I'll tell you who you are: "When I went to Russia with Gurudev in 2000, I remember one lecture that Gurudev gave there. He told one story from Narada-pancha-ratra..."
Download / listen to the audio (1 Mb, 3 min | 10 August 2013)

News from Sri Nrisingha Palli: Construction Progress
(19 August 2020 | 11 photographs, 1.2 Mb)
Sharing a few photographs from Sri Nrisingha Palli Temple—the construction works at the top floor of the nat mandir and the new guesthouse are continuing steadily and smoothly.

 

 

Fri, 21 August 2020

Priorities In Spiritual Life
"If every householder devotee says, 'I have some job in my house, I cannot do it,' then who will serve at the temple? Even if you live in a house, you must live as a proper householder devotee. Turn your house into a temple."
Download / listen to the audio (2.6 Mb, 7 min | 16 August 2020)

 

Sat, 22 August 2020

Primary Advice
"We have some consciousness in this human body, we must use it properly. Our duty is to do our service properly, to try more and more and more, to do more and more for our Guru's happiness, to try to make our Guru happier and happier. We will always try our best."
Download / listen to the audio (2.3 Mb, 6 min | 9 August 2020)

 

Sun, 23 August 2020 (Appearance of Sri Sita Thakurani)

West London Temple: Auspicious Day
"It is a very auspicious day today for the London devotees, as well as all over world. Gurudev can see everything, he is watching everything because all devotees are fulfilling his desire. It is our happiness that we can be together, without any false ego."
Download / listen to the audio (5.9 Mb, 14 min | 22 August 2020)

 


Today in the calendar: Gaura Panchami. Appearance of Sri Sita Thakurani, the consort of Sri Advaita Prabhu.

His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj: "Even if you do not know anything about the Vaishnav mentioned in the calendar, you must still give them 'jay' on this day."


 

In honour of Sri Sita Thakurani:

Sri Chaitanya-charitamrita: "One day shortly after Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu was born, Sri Advaita Acharya's wife, Sita Devi, who is worshipable by the whole world, took her husband's permission and went to see that topmost child with all kinds of gifts and presentations. When Sita Thakurani came to the house of Sachi Devi bringing with her many kinds of eatables, dresses and other gifts, she was astonished to see the newborn child, for she appreciated that except for a difference in color, the child was directly Krishna of Gokula Himself. Seeing the transcendental bodily effulgence of the child, each of His nicely constructed limbs full of auspicious signs and resembling a form of gold, Sita Thakurani was very pleased, and because of her maternal affection, she felt as if her heart were melting. She blessed the newborn child by placing fresh grass and paddy on His head and saying, 'May You be blessed with a long duration of life.' But being afraid of ghosts and witches, she gave the child the name Nimai."

Sri Sita Thakurani is an incarnation of Yogamaya, Sri Paurnamasi. In Dvapar-yuga, when Mother Yasoda and Nanda Maharaj celebrated Sri Krishna's birth, she came to the house of Nanda Maharaj and give various advice to Mother Yasoda. In the same way, in Kali-yuga, Sri Sita Thakurani also advised Sri Sachi Devi about childcare. She always stayed close to Sachi Devi and for Sachi Devi, she is worshippable. Sri Sita Thakurani is a daughter of Sri Nrisingha Bhaduri. She has a sister named Sri. Sri Bhakti-ratnakar says, "Sri Nrisingha Bhaduri was extremely happy to gift his two daughters to Sri Advaita Prabhu. The two wives of Sri Advaita Prabhu are worshippable for the entire world—they are known everywhere by the names Sri and Sita." Sri Sita Devi, being an incarnation of Yogamaya, Sri Paurnamasi, manifests herself as Sri Sita Devi and Sri Devi. Sri Sita Thakurani loved Nimai as her own son (vatsalya-rasa). She gave birth to three sons, Achyutananda, Krishna Misra and Gopal Misra, all of whom were followers of Mahaprabhu. When Mahaprabhu took sannyas, Sri Advaita Thakur, Sita Thakurani and Achyutananda Prabhu would come to Puri to with the Lord—Sri Sita Thakurani would always bring many edibles for the Lord at that time.

 

Mon, 24 August 2020

Spiritual Sustenance: Association and Service Mood
"Wherever there is a Vaishnav, wherever there is connection with a Vaishnav and great devotees, it will always be good for us. So, we must be always determined, always intent on good association. It is necessary to have a good intention to become a good devotee."
Download / listen to the audio (2.1 Mb, 5 min | 23 August 2020)

 

Tue, 25 August 2020 (Sri Lalita Saptami; tomorrow is Sri Radhastami)

Spiritual Sustenance: Exclusive Mood
"Devotee must be always careful and serious about their service—devotees always think about Krishna. Any time, all the time think about Krishna. You must utilise your heart, your, everything for the service to the Lord."
Download / listen to the audio (1.6 Mb, 4 min | 23 August 2020)

 


Today in the calendar: Gaura Saptami. Sri Lalita Saptami. Appearance of Sri Lalita Devi.

His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj: "Krishna is the property of the maid servants of Srimati Radharani. All Vedas say this. Without mercy of Lalita Devi, we cannot think about Krishna. Therefore, we must also glorify Lalita Devi. We do not have any quality, qualification, or anything else, but today, on the appearance day of Sri Lalita Devi we can pray to her that she may please engage us in some service—that she may take us into her circle and give us some service..."


 

In honour of the worshippable appearance day of Sri Lalita Devi:

Divine Guidance, Chapter 4
"We are in the group of Lalita Devi. Our prayer is that she will take us and engage us in service. We are very hopeful because Lalita Devi's mood is very open, something like that of Nityananda Prabhu. She is very affectionate with all, and she is the head of all the sakhis."

 

Sri Lalita Devi
"This is Uchagaon, Guru Maharaj's dearmost place. He said, 'First go to Uchagaon, then you can enter Varshana.' He explained that if you do not get the mercy of Lalita Devi, you cannot get the mercy of Srimati Radharani."
Download / listen to the audio (3.2 Mb, 10 min | 15 November 2012)

Kirtans at Uchagaon
• Radhe Jaya Jaya • Radhe Govinda.
Download / listen to the audio (2.5 Mb, 8 min | 15 November 2012)

Sri Lalita Devi: Prema-Guru
The Appearance Day of she who manages the Pastimes of Sri Radha Krishna, who is able to teach Srimati Radhika, who is able to intensify the feelings of the Divine Couple, and without whose mercy we shall never be able to reach Krishna.
Download / listen to the audio (9.5 Mb, 21 min | 12 September 2013)

Approaching, Not Encroaching
"You cannot get the darshan of Radharani, you cannot get the mercy of Radharani just by going to Vrindavan. You do not have to go and stay in Vrindavan—wherever you stay, you can serve the Lord, you can engage in His service and worship." How?
Download / listen to the audio (1.5 Mb, 5 min | 12 September 2013)

"Save Me, Enlist Me!"
"When will Nityananda give me some mercy and my material desires become removed from my heart?... We do not have any quality, qualification, or anything else, but on the appearance day of Sri Lalita Devi we can pray to her that she may take us into her circle and give some us service..."
Download / listen to the audio (5.3 Mb, 16 min | 12 September 2013)

Sri Lalita Devi: Our Service Line
"If you do not worship Lalita Devi properly, you will not get mercy from Srimati Radharani; if you do not serve Srimati Radharani (Gurudev, Guru Maharaj) properly, you will not get mercy from the Lord."
Download / listen to the audio (1.2 Mb, 4 min | 20 September 2015)

 

Wed, 26 August 2020 (Sri Radhastami, fast till noon)

Fruits of Inconceivable Mercy
"Nityananda Prabhu's and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's mercy is inconceivable. Therefore, our devotees must always be inspired, must always preach properly. They should live and behave properly, they should do their service properly, and they should talk humbly."
Download / listen to the audio (1.9 Mb, 5 min | 23 August 2020)

 


Today in the calendar: Gaura Ashtami. Sri Radhashtami. Srimati Radharani's appearance at noon. Fast until noon.

His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj: "If we cannot capture Gurudev, who is nondifferent from Srimati Radharani, we cannot capture Krishna, the Lord. How can we capture Srimati Radharani? Through Her servants. We must observe this day today very carefully, very respectfully, with our heart and soul."


 

In honour of the worshippable appearance day of Srimati Radharani:

 

"Would anyone have heard that 'prema' (divine love of God) is the highest destination? Would anyone have known the glory of the Holy Name? Would anyone have had access to the kadamba forests of Vrindavan, filled with unfathomable sweetness? Would anyone have known Sri Varsabhanavi (Sri Radha, the highest worshippable Deity), who is the resplendent embodiment of superb excellence of sweet ecstatic love (madhurya-mahabhav)? Sri Chaitanya-chandra has revealed all this manifesting His supreme magnanimous pastimes. Unless we serve the transcendental Govardhan, we will not be able to realise the supremacy of Sri Radha Kunda that lies beside Govardhan and is inundated with the nectar of divine love. If you serve the external, physical Govardhan, i.e. cultivate knowledge merely to increase or indulge your selfish material senses, then you are actually dunking yourself into the waters of Niraya Kunda (Hell Pond) that is created by the mahamaya, the external shadow potency of Sri Radha; only when you foster transcendental senses and cultivate transcendental knowledge can you consider it service to Govardhan for the pleasure of Krsna’s senses. Those who are attracted by the flute of Sri Krsna but, not waiting for the guidance of Sri Radhika, come to play with 'Dhira Samira' Krsna, have no right to enter the rasa-lila performed at Radha Kunda—Chandravali has no right to enter there."

(Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj, Guidance 3)

 


 

Our Lord's Beloved Power [a chapter from Affectionate Guidance]
"Today is Sri Radhastami, the Appearance Day of Srimati Radharani. The Rupanuga Sampradaya gives some special, unique appreciation of Srimati Radharani. They feel that without the merciful connection of Srimati Radharani, they cannot approach towards Krishna at all. Only if the order is coming from Her will they move towards Him. They are extremely fanatical about Srimati Radharani, and that is their foremost qualification."

Sri Radhastami and Sons of Nectar
"If we want to see a beautiful life, a beautiful mood, beautiful character, and a happy life, then we should serve our Guru properly. It is necessary to have chastity. Without chastity, how can we assert that we are servitors of Gurudev and Guru Maharaj?"
Download / listen to the audio (10.2 Mb, 29 min | 29 August 2019)

Sri Radhastami in Sri Hapaniya Dham (1)
"Today is a very auspicious day in our spiritual life, and every year on this day we make a festival for Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Radha Gopinathjiu in Hapaniya. This place is very auspicious—it is the appearance place of our Param Gurudev."
Download / listen to the audio (1.8 Mb, 5 min | 17 September 2018)

Sri Radhastami in Sri Hapaniya Dham (2)
"Mahaprabhu taught that from time to time one can go to the birthplace of a holy, divine personality. That is why we come here to Hapaniya, Bamunpara, and birthplaces of many other holy personalities."
Download / listen to the audio (2.5 Mb, 7 min | 17 September 2018)

On the Bank of the Yamuna (6 September 2019)
"One must be ignorant to worship only Madhav. If you worship only Krishna, Gopal, it will only bolster your ego, 'Oh, I am worshipping Krishna! Who is Radharani? I am better than Radharani!' Never take association of such people who do not have any regard for the Guru."

শ্রীরাধিকার আবির্ভাব (৬ সেপ্টেম্বর ২০১৯)
শ্রীশাস্ত্র থেকে পড়তে পড়তে এবং কীর্ত্তন করতে করতে ওঁ বিষ্ণুপাদ শ্রীল ভক্তি নির্ম্মল আচার্য্য মহারাজ সৌভাগ্যবান উপস্থিত বৈষ্ণব ও ভক্তগণের সম্মুখে শ্রীমতী রাধারাণীর আবির্ভাব লীলা শ্রীগুরুতত্ত্বের সম্পর্কে পাঠ করে শুনান । "শুনতেই সহজ কিন্তু কান দিয়ে দর্শন করতে হবে—হৃদয় দিয়ে শুনতে হবে ।"
[Om Vishnupad Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj reads an extensive description of the appearance of Srimati Radharani from holy scriptures and speaks about the Guru-tattva. A Bengali noon class on Sri Radhastami.]
Download / listen to the audio (17.8 Mb, 60 min | 6 September 2019 | বাংলা)

Pure Hearts Run Behind Krishna (6 September 2019)
"If you have ego, you will never get any result. We must sweep and wipe and clean these things out of our hearts, and this does not happen externally—this dirt is removed by hearing Hari-katha. If someone poses as a Vaishnav but talks gramya-katha, then they can never be a Vaishnav."

Sri Radhastami: World Beyond Lust
"The lectures are recorded and going to be sent all over the world that is why it is necessary to say something in English. People write so much about gopis and Radharani and they enjoy with that, but what they write about Radharani and who Radharani is, is worlds apart."
Download / listen to the audio (6.4 Mb, 18 min | 6 September 2019 | Eng & Beng)

Krishna's Dearmost
"Without service to Radharani's lotus feet, no service can be possible. If, however, we can serve the associate servitors of Radharani, we can get the supreme benefit. And Gurudev is non-different from Srimati Radharani, therefore it is necessary to serve the Guru."
Download / listen to the audio (2.4 Mb, 7 min | 13 September 2013)

Appearance of Srimati Radhika
"She appeared on this day in Raval. Mother Kirtida and King Vrisabhanu lived in Raval, near Gokula. We often say that Varshana is the birthplace of Srimati Radharani, but they came there later—Her birthplace is in Raval..."
Download / listen to the audio (5.3 Mb, 16 min | 13 September 2013)

Sri Radhastami: Do Not Cheat Yourself
"If you chant, 'Radhe, Radhe,' you will not get Radharani. It is necessary to serve Radharani, that means to serve Gurudev. Radharani's lotus feet are non-different from the lotus feet of Sri Guru. It is necessary to know what the real service is."
Download / listen to the audio (1.6 Mb, 5 min | 23 September 2012)

Ultimate Prayer
What should we pray for on the great auspicious days like Sri Lalita Saptami and Sri Radhastami?
Download / listen to the audio (0.6 Mb, 2 min | 20 September 2015)

Sri Radhastami: Capture the Captor
"If we cannot capture Gurudev, who is nondifferent from Srimati Radharani, we cannot capture Krishna, the Lord. How can we capture Srimati Radharani? Through Her servants. We must observe this day today very carefully, very respectfully, with our heart and soul."
Download / listen to the audio (3.1 Mb, 9 min | 5 September 2011)

Sri Radhastami: Worship with Extreme Care
"How to worship Radharani—how? Gurudev said, 'You must walk in Radharani's place on your head, not on your legs.' It is that kind of place, but how can we see it?"
Download / listen to the audio (5.4 Mb, 16 min | 5 September 2011)

Sri Radhastami Bengali Classes (2 September 2014)
Morning class and kirtans: Download (30.7 Mb, 67 min)
Noon class and kirtans: Download (24 Mb, 52 min)

 


Sri Radhastami Kirtans [শ্রীশ্রীরাধাষ্টমী কীর্ত্তনগুলো ]
• Vadana • Sri Guru-charana-padma • Sri Krishna Chaitanya Prabhu daya kara more • Ohe Vaishnava Thakura dayara sagara • Nitai-pada-kamala • Emona durmati samsara bhitare • Radhe jaya jaya Madhava dayite • Radha-bhajane yadi (with purport) • Radhika-charana-padma • Radha-kunda-tata • Radhe Radhe Govinda • Varaja-vipine yamuna kule (with purport and a word of caution) • Jaya Radhe jaya Krishna (with purport) • Sri Radhastakam • Jaya Radha Madhava • Hare Krishna maha-mantra and Sri Radharani's kirtan.
Download / listen to the audio (30.3 Mb, 84 min | 6 September 2019)


SONG: Jaya Radhe, Jaya Krishna | জয় রাধে, জয় কৃষ্ণ
"All glory to Radha, Krishna, and Vrindavan! All glory to Sri Govinda, Gopinath, and Madan Mohan! All glory to Shyama Kunda, Radha Kunda, Govardhan Hill, the River Yamuna, and Mahavan!"


SONG: Radha-kunda-tata | করাধাকুণ্ডতট
"...I know all these things are nourishing the pastimes of the Divine Couple, I can never leave all these things so dear to me, without them I know I'll surely die."
Download / listen to the audio (1 Mb)


SONG: Radhika-charana-padma | রাধিকা চরণ পদ্ম
"The lotus feet of Sri Radha are the abode of all auspiciousness, the supreme goal of life. Without the lotus feet of Sri Radha, one will never meet Krishna. All the Vedas say that Krishna belongs to the maidservants of Sri Radha."
Download / listen to the audio (1.1 Mb)


SONG: Radha bhajane yadi | রাধা-ভজনে যদি
"If one does not develop within his heart the desire for Radha-bhajan, then his Krishna-bhajan goes for nothing. One who worships Krishna alone is ignorant. Who does not adore Sri Radha is an egotist."
Download / listen to the audio (1.1 Mb)


SONG: Radhe Radhe Govinda | রাধে রাধে গোবিন্দ
"Please may you all together give me your mercy, I am extremely wicked!"
Download / listen to the audio (1 Mb)


SONG: Varaja-vipine yamuna kule | বরজ-বিপিনে, যমুনা কুলে
"At this time, the Flute Holder (the best of the relishers of rasa) begins His rasa pastimes. When Madhava-Mohini (Sri Radha) sings, the whole world loses its soul in Her singing, but today Bhaktivinod senses some calamity as the rasa-lila broke off today without Radha."
Download / listen to the audio (1.8 Mb)


SONG: Yadi Gaura na ha'te | যদি, গৌর না হ'ত
"If Sri Gaura had not come, what would have happened? How would we have maintained our lives? Who would have revealed to the world Sri Radha's glory and the extremes of Her ecstatic divine love?"
Download / listen to the audio (1.3 Mb, 4 min)

 

Thu, 27 August 2020

Absorbed in Service
"Why will devotees leave their service? They must do their service until death! But such is human nature, what can you do?... When Krishna came to Vidura's house, Vidura's wife did not know anything, she was so overwhelmed and excited."
Download / listen to the audio (2.3 Mb, 6 min | 23 August 2020)

 

Fri, 28 August 2020 (Tomorrow is Sri Parsva Ekadasi)

Corrupted Life
"We are not political men. Our 'candidate' is only Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. We do not involve ourselves with politics or politicians. We do not want any political party movements. There is corruption in every country..."
Download / listen to the audio (1.8 Mb, 5 min | 23 August 2020)

Sri Radhastami Festival in Orizaba, Mexico
(26 August 2020 | 7 photographs, 1.2 Mb)
Sharing photographs from a festival of Sri Radhastami observed by the devotees' community in Orizaba (Veracruz, Mexico), in remembrance and for the sole pleasure of Sri Gurupadpadma Om Vishnupad Jagad-Guru Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj.

Sri Radhastami Festival in Paipa, Colombia
(26 August 2020 | 5 photographs, 0.4 Mb)
Sharing photographs from a festival of Sri Radhastami observed by the devotees at Sri Srila Govinda Seva Ashram in Paipa, Colombia, in remembrance and for the sole pleasure of Sri Gurupadpadma Om Vishnupad Jagad-Guru Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj.

News from Bokaro: Sri Radhastami Festival
(26 August 2020 | 11 photographs, 1.2 Mb)
Sharing photographs from a festival of Sri Radhastami observed by the devotees' community in Bokaro, Jharikhand, in remembrance and for the sole pleasure of Sri Gurupadpadma Om Vishnupad Jagad-Guru Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj.

 

 

Sat, 29 August 2020 (Sri Parsva Ekadasi, tomorrow paran is at 5:21-9:04 a.m.)

Worshippable Sita Thakurani
"Advaita Acharya's wife, Sri Sita Thakurani, is worshipped by everyone all over the world. I have not read much about her, but we know that when Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was born, Advaita Prabhu sent her with some gifts to Jagannath Misra's house..."
Download / listen to the audio (3.1 Mb, 8 min | 23 August 2020)

 


Sri Ekadasi Guidance
Guidelines on how to observe and honour this holy day: Ekadasi takes an indispensible part in the life of a sincere practitioner. At Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, Ekadasi and paran are observed with affection and without fail according to the dates given in the Calendar.

"Sri Ekadasi" (Sri Sri Prema Vivarta)
"One day, Gaurahari left the Gundicha Temple and sat in the Jagannath Vallabha garden. It was pure Ekadasi, and the Lord spent the whole day and night chanting the Name of Krishna..."

SONG: Suddha-bhakata | শুদ্ধ ভকত-চরণ-রেণু
"I carefully observe the holy days related to Madhava, they are the mother of devotion."

SONG: Sri hari-vasare | শ্রীহরি-বাসরে হরি
"On the holy day of Sri Hari, Sriman Mahaprabhu, the life and soul of the universe, began dancing..."

ADDITIONAL READING:

"Observing Ekadasi"
"Ekadasi Vrata: Make Your Guru Happy"
"No Other Shelter"
"Mahadvadasi"
"Ekadasi and liberation"
"Ekadasi Tithi: One of the Practices"
"Yogini Ekadasi"
"Ekadasi: Historical Background"
"Ekadasi: Main Focus Is Service"

 

Sun, 30 August 2020 (Appearance of Lord Vamanadev and Srila Jiva Goswami Prabhu)

Service Succession
"Will you follow the instruction of the scriptures or will you follow your Gurudev's instruction? That is our question. What is important for you? You will never get the mercy of Krishna without worshipping Radharani..."
Download / listen to the audio (3.9 Mb, 10 min | 23 August 2020)

 


Today in the calendar: Gaura Dvadashi. Appearance of Sri Vamanadev. Paran after the worship of Sri Vamanadev between 5:21 and 9:04 a.m. Appearance of Srila Jiva Goswami Prabhu.

His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj: "Even if you do not know anything about the Vaishnav mentioned in the calendar, you must still give them 'jay' on this day."


 

In honour of Lord Vamanadev's appearance:

chalayasi vikramane balim adbhuta-vamana
pada-nakha-nira-janita-jana-pavana
kesava dhrta-vamana-rupa jaya jagadisa hare

"O Kesava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of a dwarf-brahmana! All glories to You! O wonderful dwarf, by Your massive steps You deceive King Bali, and by the Ganges water that has emanated from the nails of Your lotus feet, You deliver all living beings within this world."

Lord Vamandev
"Vamandev was a son of Aditi and Kasyap Rishi. Aditi was very sad because all of her sons had left the heaven because of the torturing of the demons, that is why Vamandev came to her womb. On the other side, there was Bali Maharaj..."
Download / listen to the audio (2.3 Mb, 7 min | 3 October 2015)

বামনদেব ও বলি মহারাজ (Pastimes of Lord Vamanadev and Bali Maharaj)
ওঁ বিষ্ণুপাদ শ্রী শ্রীল ভক্তি নির্ম্মল আচার্য্য মহারাজ ভগবানের লীলা ও বলি মহারাজের আদর্শস্বরূপের শরণাগতির সম্পর্কে বর্ণনা করেন ।
Download / listen to the audio (2.8 Mb, 9 min | 31 May 2015 | Bengali)

বামনদেবের কথা (ওঁ বিষ্ণুপাদ শ্রীল ভক্তি নির্ম্মল আচার্য্য মহারাজের হরি-কথামৃত)
"দৈত্যরাজ ছিল বলি মহারাজ । সে বলি মহারাজ দেখতে পারলেন যে, সব অসুররা পরাজিত হচ্ছে, সবাই মরে যাচ্ছে আর উনি ভাবলেন, 'আমাকে বিরাট যজ্ঞ করতে হবে ।' এদিকে স্বর্গে অদিতি চিন্তা করলেন, 'হে প্রভু ! তোমার ইচ্ছায় এ সব হচ্ছে, তুমি একটু ব্যবস্থা করে দাও—আবির্ভুত হও !' আর সে অদিতির গর্ভেই ভগবান বামন-রূপে আবির্ভুত হলেন..."

 

In honour of Srila Jiva Goswami Prabhu:

—: Pranam mantra of Srila Jiva Goswami Prabhu :—

yah sankhya-pankena kutarka-pamsuna
vivarta-gartena cha lupta-didhitim
suddham vyadhad vak-sudhaya mahesvaram
krsnam sa jivah prabhur astu me gatih
"With his nectarean teachings, Srila Jiva Goswami Prabhu revealed the Supreme Lord, Krishna, whose effulgence had been hidden by the quicksand of calculation, the dust storm of fallacious logic, and the ditch of illusionism. May he be my shelter."
—Sri Baladev Vidyabhusan

 

Srila Jiva Goswami Prabhu
"I have no power to say what kind of devotion to his Guru Jiva Goswami had. Jiva Goswami's service cannot be compared to anyone's service. Whatever order he would get, he would place it on his head and do it all the time—his mind never went to any other place."
Download / listen to the audio (8 Mb, 23 min | 2012)

Srila Jiva Goswami Prabhu: The All-Rounder
"Srila Jiva Goswami Prabhu did everything alone—he cooked, did puja, cleaned the temple, brought water from the Yamuna, and also did personal service to his Guru. He was busy with his service from morning to night, and did everything alone."
Download / listen to the audio (0.6 Mb, 2 min | 9 September 2011)

Protected Journey
Srila B.S. Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj explains the pranam-mantra of Srila Jiva Goswami in the book Dignity of the Divine Servitor: "I offer my full dandavats unto the lotus feet of Srila Jiva Goswami who is the protector of our spiritual life. He rescues us from the whole illusory environment..."

Srila Jiva Goswami Prabhura Sochaka
A song composed by Srila Narahari Thakur in glorification of Srila Jiva Goswami Prabhu's life, character, and service. Bengali verses and English transliteration.

 


 

Prayers to Sri Vaishnav Thakur:

SONG: Ei-bara karuna kara | এইবার করুণা কর
"O worshippable Vaisnava, be merciful to me this time. O saviour of the fallen, without you there is no one. In every birth I aspire for the dust of your feet."

SONG: Ohe Vaisnava Thakura | (ওহে) বৈষ্ণব ঠাকুর
"O worshippable Vaishnav, ocean of grace, be merciful to this servant. Give me the shade of your feet and purify me. I clasp your feet. You can give Krishna, you have that power. Calling, 'Krishna!' 'Krishna!', I run after you."

SONG: Ki-rupe paiba seva | কিরূপে পাইব সেবা
"I am so wicked, how will I ever get service? I do not have any attachment to Sri Guru and Vaishnavs! Prabhu, you see no fault in others, you are the saviour of the fallen. Please deliver Narottam this time!"

SONG: Dhana mora nityananda | ধন মোর নিত্যানন্দ
"The feet dust of the Vaishnavs is where I sport and take bath, Vaishnavs' name is the water oblation. My mind is intently fixed upon the remnants of Vaishnavs, and I am elated hearing the name of Vaishnavs."

 

Mon, 31 August 2020 (Appearance of Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur)

Appearance of Universal Guru
"You all know who is Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur. He is there in our guru-parampara. Our Param Gurudev Om Vishnupad Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj wrote his pranam mantra, and everything is there in that mantra..."
Download / listen to the audio (3.3 Mb, 8 min | 30 August 2020)

শ্রীল ভক্তিবিনোদ ঠাকুরের ভজনকুটির (স্বানন্দ-সুখদা-কুঞ্জ) (শ্রীনবদ্বীপধাম মাহাত্ম্য-মুক্তা-মালা)
"শ্রীল গুরুদেবের কৃপায়, সমস্ত ভক্তিবৃন্দের কৃপায় আমাদের শ্রীচৈতন্য সারস্বত মঠ (আন্তর্জাতিক) পরিক্রমা সঙ্ঘ এখন শ্রীল ভক্তিবিনোদ ঠাকুরের ভজনকুটির ও সমাধি-মন্দিরে এসেছে । এই গৃহে শ্রীল ভক্তিবিনোদ ঠাকুর থাকতেন ও ভজন করতেন ।"

 


Today in the calendar: Gaura Trayodashi. Appearance of Srila Sachchidananda Bhakti Vinod Thakur.

His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj: "Even if you do not know anything about the Vaishnav mentioned in the calendar, you must still give them 'jay' on this day."

 

 

 


 

In honour of Srila Sachchidananda Bhaktivinod Thakur:

— { Pranam mantra of Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur } —

vande bhaktivinodam sri-gaura-sakti-svarupakam
bhakti-sastrajna-samrajam radha-rasa-sudha-nidhim

"I offer my obeisance unto Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur, the embodiment of Sri Gaurasundar's potency. He is the king of all knowers of the scriptures of pure devotion and an ocean of the nectar of devotion to Srimati Radharani."

"The hearts of so many people became cleansed through Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur's sankirtan—rough, uncultured hearts became refined and clean; inclinations to sins and all other desires went away; and by hearing his heart-touching Hari-katha, the hearts of many people became drawn to Krishna and rejoiced; many felt attachment and attraction towards Krishna; and those who became fond of saṅkīrtan attained divine love. This is the result of Krishna-kirtan. Moved by Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur's Hari-kirtan, many people started to live their lives practising Krishna consciousness and listening to Hari-katha.

"Sri Gaurasundar sent Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur to remove all opposing propensities that throw thorns, obstacles, difficulties, and misconceptions on the path of devotion. He not only removed all thorns on the path of devotion, he also cleansed the mirrors of the hearts of fortunate souls and made pure devotion arise there. The current of Bhaktivinod (bhaktivinod-dhara) flows within the current of Sri Gaurasundar, there is no higher current than that of Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur. His current never becomes extinct; the current of his mercy remains flowing even today.

His kirtan, like a firework rocket, swooshes up into the sky and, producing a loud sound, showers a never-expiring light upon the earth. His kirtan does not produce a sudden flash and then fades out. He himself practised Krishna consciousness and radiated light. It is not that he left and everything has become quiet. He made sure that after his disappearance the world would remain as lit up as it was during his manifest pastimes. Therefore, the current of pure devotion that he introduced remains flowing even now."

(Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj, Guidance 4)

 

Speech at Sri Surabhi Kunja
"Today is a very good day—the holy appearance day of Sachchidananda Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur. We have assembled here at this festival hosted by the Saraswata Gaudiya Vaishnav Sangha on this lunar day at Surabhi Kunja every year since 1996. This year too we have all assembled here on this very occasion..."
Download / listen to the audio (3.8 Mb, 12 min | 22 September 2018 | Bengali)

Glories of Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur (7 September 2014)
"Unless you have no ego, unless you reject jealousy, you cannot understand what Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur has given to us. Only a rupanuga (follower of Srila Rupa Goswami) can understand the glories of Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur, otherwise it is impossible."

Extraordinary Glories of Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur
"Devotion is akinchana-guhya-vidya (sacred education, para-vidya, suddha-saraswati), and he who enhances devotion, its beauty and charm and distributes it to us is called Bhaktivinod Thakur. It is his appearance day that we are celebrating today."
Download / listen to the audio (4.3 Mb, 13 min | 7 September 2014)

Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur
"If Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur had not come in this world, where, in whose lotus feet would we have found our shelter? He gave us all these things and he gave us Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur. If you think about it, you can understand how much he gave to the jiva souls..."
Download the audio (3.6 Mb, 11 min | 3 October 2015)

Recognising Guru: What Is Your Obstacle?
"Brother, you see Bhakti Vinod Thakur as your father, but I see him as my spiritual master. That is the difference. What you see is a father (baba), and that is the obstacle (badha) that prevents you from getting Radharani (Radha)."
Download / listen to the audio (1 Mb, 3 min | 24 February 2013)

Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur's Early Association
"Once, Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur met a siddha Raghunath Das Babaji Mahasay. Raghunath Das Babaji did not like to mix with Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur and also told others not to mix with him, however later he understood who Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur was..."
Download / listen to the audio (1.2 Mb, 4 min | 12 September 2019)

The Seventh Goswami [By Srila B.R. Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj]
A summary account of Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur's service, life, and character. Originally published as an introduction to the first edition of Sri Nabadwip Dham Mahatmya published as The Hidden Treasure of the Holy Dhama Nabadwipa.

On the Appearance Day of Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur
"In this world there is no comparison or substitute to Srila Bhakti Vinod's unparalleled gift. He appeared on today's date. Thus this day is also supremely worshippable, desirable, and merciful. I have no gift with which I worship this great day..."

The Worship of Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur
[Sri Gaudiya Darshan, by Srila B.S. Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj]
"Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur did so much seva for the sampradaya of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. He lived during a very heavy time period. He was a very exclusive devotee of Mahaprabhu and specifically worshipped Deities of Sri Sri Gaura Gadadhar...."

Srimad Bhakti Vinodaviraha Dasakam | শ্রীমদ্ভক্তিবিনোদবিরহদশকম্
"Alas, alas! O Bhakti Vinoda Thakura, O Supreme Guru, for twenty-two years this world has been plunged into misfortune, long grief-stricken in your intolerable separation. You are the divine potency of Sri Gaura, and you graciously made your advent in this earthly plane, being attracted by the living beings' virtuous deeds performed throughout many lifetimes. Where am I, so lowly and fallen, and where are you, the great soul who delivers the universe!"

শ্রীপুরীধাম মাহাত্ম্য-মুক্তা-মালা: শ্রীনারায়ণ ছাতায়
"শ্রীলভক্তিবিনোদ ঠাকুর মহাশয় উলা বা বীরনগর গ্রামে (নদিয়া জেলায়) আবির্ভূত হয়ে জীবনে অনেক জায়গায় গিয়েছিলেন । চাকরির জন্য তিনি অনেক নগরে ম্যাজিস্ট্রেট ছিলেন আর তারমাঝে ১৮৭০ সালে তিনি শ্রীপুরীধামেও এলেন । ওই সময় তিনি নারায়ণ ছাতায় বসা বাস করতেন ।"

শ্রীল ভক্তিবিনোদ-আবির্ভাব-তিথিতে
"জগতে শ্রীল ভক্তিবিনোদের এই অতুলনীয় দানের কোন উপমা নাই—কোন বিনিময় নাই । আজ্­কের এই তিথিকে অবলম্বন করিয়াই তিনি প্রকটিত হইয়াছিলেন । অতএব এই তিথিও পরম পূজনীয়া, বরণীয়া এবং করুণাময়ী । আমার এমন কোন উপায়নই নাই যাহার দ্বারা আমি এই তিথিবরার পূজা করি ।"

Glories of Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur
A Bengali class on the holy appearance day of Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur spoken in 2014 by His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj.
Download / listen to the audio (18.5 Mb, 41 min | 7 September 2014)

 

SONG: Sri Guru Parampara | শ্রীগুরুপরম্পরা
"...Their dear follower is Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur. His associate is the best of the topmost devotees, Srila Gaura Kisor Das Babaji, whose sole joy is Sri Hari's service."

Prayers to Sri Vaishnav Thakur:

SONG: Ei-bara karuna kara | এইবার করুণা কর
"O worshippable Vaisnava, be merciful to me this time. O saviour of the fallen, without you there is no one. In every birth I aspire for the dust of your feet."

SONG: Ohe Vaisnava Thakura | (ওহে) বৈষ্ণব ঠাকুর
"O worshippable Vaishnav, ocean of grace, be merciful to this servant. Give me the shade of your feet and purify me. I clasp your feet. You can give Krishna, you have that power. Calling, 'Krishna!' 'Krishna!', I run after you."

SONG: Ki-rupe paiba seva | কিরূপে পাইব সেবা
"I am so wicked, how will I ever get service? I do not have any attachment to Sri Guru and Vaishnavs! Prabhu, you see no fault in others, you are the saviour of the fallen. Please deliver Narottam this time!"

SONG: Dhana mora nityananda | ধন মোর নিত্যানন্দ
"The feet dust of the Vaishnavs is where I sport and take bath, Vaishnavs' name is the water oblation. My mind is intently fixed upon the remnants of Vaishnavs, and I am elated hearing the name of Vaishnavs."

 

 

 · · • • • · ·

 

 

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OFFLINE READING, ePub:
(All lectures of His Divine Grace Om Visnupad Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj posted here on the website)
Issue #1 (31 Dec '14)
Issue #2 (2015/1)
Issue #3 (2015/2)
Issue #4 (2015/3)
Issue #5 (2015/4)
Issue #6 (2016/1)
Issue #7 (2016/2)
Issue #8 (2016/3)
Issue #9 (2016/4)
Issue #10 (2017/1)
Issue #11 (2017/2)
Issue #12 (2017/3)
Issue #13 (2017/4)
Issue #14 (2018/1)
Issue #15 (2018/2)
Issue #16 (2018/3)
Issue #17 (2018/4)
Issue #18 (2019/1)
Issue #19 (2019/2)
Issue #20 (2019/3)
Issue #21 (2019/4)
Issue #22 (2020/1)
Issue #23 (2020/2)
Issue #24 (2020/3)
Issue #25 (2020/4)
Issue #26 (2021/1)
Issue #27 (2021/2)
Issue #28 (2021/3)
Issue #29 (2021/4)
Issue #30 (2022/1)

 


 

Nityananda Prabhu's Marriage
'Everybody says that for the devotees Nityananda Prabhu never marries, but He has two saktis, Jahnava and Vasudha. They were actually daughters of Surya Das, Gauri Das Pandit's brother..'

 

Sri Sri Prema-Vivarta
“While wandering throughout samsara, some souls become aware of their true nature by associating with the sadhus.”

We must realise everything, we must practise our own spiritual life properly, and pray to the feet of Guru, Vaishnavs sincerely, not pretending or showing off.

"HUMILITY, TOLERANCE, GIVING HONOUR TO OTHERS | HUMILITY, TOLERANCE, GIVING HONOUR TO OTHERS"