Sri Nityananda Trayodasi

Jan 31, KUALA LUMPUR (SUN) — Today is the glorious Appearance Day of Sri Nityananda Prabhu.

The Life of Sri Nityananda Prabhu

Excerpts from Chapter 11 of Sri Sri Bhakti-ratnakara
by Sri Narahari Cakravarti Thakur

Sri Nityananda’s Family

In Ekchakra lived a pious brahmin who was famous because of his title `Ojha’. He was a wealthy man but had affection for his Yajamanas on whose behalf he performed his worship. His wife was a lady of sweet disposition but she was unhappy because she had no child although she was able to bear children. Each of her children died at the time of birth.

At last she got a son who was born at a very auspicious moment. The Ojha felt both happy and sad simultaneously and dedicated his only son to the mercy of Paravati Sankara. He and his wife analysed the fate of their son and out of dissatisfaction they named him Haro. But others in the village kept different sweet names for the child and would often visit the Ojha’s house to see the nice child. Day by day the child grew into a beautiful boy.

Images From Mayapur

BY VRINDAVAN LILA DASI

 

Lord Nityananda on His Appearance Day

Jan 31, MAYAPUR (WED) — Scenes from the Holy Dhama - Photography by Vrindavan Lila devi dasi

Appearance of Lord Varahadev

 

Jan 30,  KUALA LUMPUR (TUE) — Today is the auspicious Appearance Day of Lord Varaha, the Boar incarnation.

O Kesava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari,
who have assumed the form of a boar! All
glories to You! The earth, which had become
merged in the Garbhodaka Ocean at the
bottom of the universe, sits fixed upon the tip of Your tusk like a spot upon the moon.
Sri Dasavatara Stotra, 3rd Sloka

Ayurveda - The Original Medicine

BY JAYASRI RADHA DEVI

Jan 28, DENVER, COLORADO (THE HUB) — The Vedic Viewpoint and Other Spiritual Perspectives.

Veda means knowledge, and the Vedas are the original “how to” books sent by God, who is also known as Krishna, Jehovah, Allah, Vishnu, etc. Ayurveda is the original medical science and science of life, given by God, who is called by the name Danvantari Bhagavan.

According to Ayurveda, there are three items which make up the physical body, namely phlegm (Kapha), bile (Pitta), and air (Vata). Ayurveda treatment concerns itself with the cause of these three elements (water, fire, air) which are the basic conditions of the body. Ayurveda contains the field of biology, botany, herbology, medicine, anatomy, nutrition, hygiene and surgery.

The body is composed of five gross elements of earth, water, fire, air and ether. These elements are shaped according to the modes of nature each person has acquired, such as goodness (Sattva), passion (Rajas), and ignorance (Tomas). These modes mix with the five gross elements to form subtle energy principals, which the Ayurveda calls tri dosha, (vata, pita, and kapha) which are the energy principals that help produce and distribute these substances along with others to keep the body fit.

Bhaimi (Jaya) Ekadasi from the Bhavishya-uttara Purana

Jan 29, KUALA LUMPUR (MON) — It is said that if one observes upavasa on this day then one receives entrance to Visnu’s abode, even though one has not performed the other vratas of the year. The half-day fast (vrata) for the appearance of Lord Varahadev is also observed on this Ekadasi day, and the utsav (festival celebration - pujas and feasting, etc.) is observed on the Dvadasi, which is when He appeared.

Yudhisthira Maharaj said, “Oh Lord of the lords, Sri Krishna, all glories unto You! Oh Master of the universe, You alone are the source of the four types of living entities - those born from eggs, those born from perspiration, those born from seeds and those born from embryos. You alone are the root cause of all, Oh Lord, and therefore You are the creator, maintainer and destroyer.

“My Lord, You have so kindly explained to me the auspicious day known as Sat-tila Ekadasi, which occurs during the dark fortnight (krishna paksha) of the month of Magha (January - February). Now please explain to me the Ekadasi that occurs in the light fortnight (shukla or Gaura paksha) of this month. By what name is it known, and what is the process for observing it? Who is the presiding Deity that is to be worshipped on this sublime day, which is so very dear to You?

Lord Sri Krishna replied, “Oh Yudhisthira, I shall gladly tell you about the Ekadasi that occurs during the light half of this month of Magha. This Ekadasi obliterates all kinds of sinful reactions and demoniac influences that may be affecting the spirit soul. It is known as Jaya Ekadasi, and the fortunate soul who observes a fast on this sacred day is relieved of the great burden of ghostly existence. Thus there is no better Ekadasi than this, for it truly bestows freedom from birth and death. It is to be honoured very carefully and diligently. So I as you to listen to Me very attentively, Oh Pandava, as I explain a wonderful historic episode regarding this Ekadasi, an episode that I have already related in the Padma Purana.

Parishad: Sri Ramanujacarya

Jan 28, KUALA LUMPUR (SUN) — Today is the Disappearance Day of Sri Ramanujacarya.

Sri Ramanuja Acarya appeared around 1017 A.D in a pious brahmana family. He became the formost Acarya in the Sri Sampradaya and was reputed to be the incarnation of Laksmana, the younger brother of Lord Ramacandra. He was a boy of extraordinary intelligence and placed himself under the charge of Yadavacarya, a renown Sankarite scholar. His guru was struck with his marvelous intellect and became very uncomfortable on account of his firm faith in Bhakti.

One day while taking a massage, Yadavacarya was explaining to Ramanuja a sutra “tasya yatha kapyasam pundarikamevamaksini” (Chandogya 1.6.7), saying that according to Sankara, the two eyes of Pundariksa are like two lotuses which are red like the nates of a monkey. On hearing this interpretation with the unbecoming and low simile, Ramanuja’s soft heart, tender by nature and softened by devotion, melted and as he was massaging, tears rolled down from the corners of his eyes like flames of fire and fell on the thigh of Yadava. Looking up at the touch of the hot tears, Yadava understood that something troubled his disciple. Ramanuja explained his dismay at hearing such an unbecoming explanation from his guru. He thought it sinful to compare with the posterior of a monkey the eyes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead - who is endowed with all gracious qualities and who is the repository of all the beauty of the universe. Yadava was angry at the boy’s audacity and told him to explain the verse if he could. Ramanuja analysed the word kapyasam to mean `blossomed by the sun’ and the verse to mean “The eyes of that Golden Purusa are as lovely as lotuses blossomed by the rays of the sun.”

A Beautiful Day at Harihara Kshetra

BY VRINDAVAN LILA & PADMALOCHAN DAS

Jan 27, MAYAPUR, INDIA (SAT) — The devotees in Mayapur spent a very beautiful day at Harihara Kshetra, where Lord Visnu and Lord Siva are residing combined into one Deity form - Harihara. This deity has quite a history. A few times Harihara has been stolen by bandits and recovered. The last time this happened, Harihara was held in the custody of the police for 8 months.

Only after ISKCON (GM, Nitai Prasad Prabhu) had contacted them were they willing to release Him, under condition that a nicer temple would be built for Him first. So, ISKCON Bhaktivedanta Charity Trust has restored and significantly improved the existing temple in Harihara Kshetra.

On Vasanta Panchami day, devotees bathed Harihara in celebration of His release from Police custody.

Sri Madhvacarya

Jan 27, KUALA LUMPUR (SAT) — Today is the Disappearance Day of Sri Madhvacarya.

Madhvacarya was born around 1238 A.D. eight miles south-east of the modern town of Udipi, in the Karnataka State. He is reputed to be the incarnation of Bhima, taking birth in Kali-yuga to destroy the daityas. Others refer to him as Vayu himself and it was his life’s mission to defeat the followers of Sankaracarya.

He was born in the family of very elevated brahmanas and from his early childhood performed many amazing pastimes, such as the killing of a huge serpentine demon named Maniman, simply with the big toe of his left foot.

He was born in the family of very elevated brahmanas and from his early childhood performed many amazing pastimes, such as the killing of a huge serpentine demon named Maniman, simply with the big toe of his left foot.

Madhava was only eight years old when he received spiritual initiation and at the age of twelve he accepted the sannyasa order and began to travel the length and breadth of India.

Parishad: Srimad Advaita Acharya

Jan 25,  KUALA LUMPUR (THU) — The Appearance Day of Srimad Advaita Acharya.

vraje avesha-rupatvad vyuho yo’pi sadashivah
sa evadvaita-gosvami caitanyabhinna-vigrahah

Sadashiva, an expansion of the supreme lord in Vraja, is here known as Advaita Acharya. He is non-different from Chaitanya.
(Gaura-ganoddesha- dipika 76)

yash ca gopala-dehah san vraje krishnasya sannidhau
nanarta shri-shiva-tantre bhairavasya vaco yatha
ekada karttike masi dipa-yatra-mahotsave
sa-ramah saha-gopalah krishno nrityati yatnavan
nirikshya mad-gurur devo gopa-bhavabhilashavan
priyena nartitum arabdhash cakra-bhramana-lilaya
shri-krishnasya prasadena dvi-vidho’bhut sadashivah
ekas tatra shivah sakshad anyo gopala-vigrahah

In Vraja, he took the form of a cowherd boy and danced alongside Krishna. This is stated by Bhairava in the Shivatantra: “Once, during the Divali festival in the month of Karttik, my guru Shankaradeva saw Krishna dancing with Balaram and the cowherd boys. He became desirous of becoming a cowherd boy himself and he began to dance, spinning like a whirling wheel for Krishna’s pleasure.” Thus, by Krishna’s mercy, Sadashiva plays two different roles in Vraja, in one he is Shiva himself, in the other, he is a cowherd boy.
(Gaura-ganoddesha-dipika 77-80)

Bhishmastami: Appearance of Bhishmadeva

Jan 26, KUALA LUMPUR (FRI)

Geneology: From Vishnu were descended in the following order -

Brahma - Atri - Candra - Budha - Pururavas - Ayus - Nahusha- Yayati - Puru - Janamejaya - Prachinvaa - Pravira - Namasyu - Vitabhava - Shundu - Bahuvidha - Samyati - Rahovadi - Raudrasva - Matinara - Santurodha - Dushyanta - Bharata - Suhotra - Gala - Gardda - Suketu - Brhatksetra - Hasti - Ajamidha - Riksha - Samvarana - Kuru- Jahnu - Suratha - Vidaratha - Sarvabhauma - Jayatsena - Ravyaya - Bhavuka- Chakroddhata - Devatithi - Riksha - Bhima-Pratipa-Shantanu-Bhishma.

Birth and Boyhood:

Bhishma’s name in his boyhood was Devavrata. He was the eighth son of Shantanu, a king of the lunar dynasty and Gangadevi. This boy was the human embodiment of Dyau, one of the Ashthavasus. Shantanu, his father was the re-birth of another king, Mahabhisheka. The story concerning this is given in the Mahabharata as follows:

King Mahabhisheka after his death, attained Vishnuloka. Once he went to visit Brahma at Satyaloka. At that time Ganga devi was also present in Brahma’s assembly. In that pious atmosphere, a gentle breeze began to blow and Gangadevi’s clothes were slightly deranged. Just at that moment Mahabhisheka took a stealthy glance at her and she also returned that glance. This was noted by Brahma who turned both of them into human beings by a curse. Gangadevi begged pardon and Brahma lifted the curse and blessed her that the Ashthavasus would come to the earth to be born as her sons and that afterwards she could come back to heaven. After that Gangadevi was born as a mortal woman in the world under the name Ganga and she spent her days in the forests near the Ganga river valleys.

Vasanta Pancami Altar

 Jan 25, MAYAPUR (THU) — Scenes from the Holy Dhama - Photography by Vrindavan Lila devi dasi

A Glimpse of Vedic Literature

BY KUMAR SANJAY JHA

Jan 23, (TUE) — A fundamental overview of the corpus of texts constituting the Vedic Literature.

In basic terms, ‘Vedic literature‘ simply means literature based on or derived from the Vedas. The texts which constitute the Vedic literature are: 1. The four Vedas i.e. Samhitas, 2. the Brahmanas attached to each of the Samhitas, 3. the Aranyakas, and 4. the Upanishads.

The Vedas

The Rg-Veda, Samveda and Yajurveda are collectively known as Vedatrayi. Atharva Veda is considered a later addition. Bharatamuni’s Natyasastra is considered to be the panchama Veda (fifth Veda). The Rg-Veda is the oldest among all Vedas. It must have been compiled over several centuries. Some of the earliest hymns are said to have been composed around 1500 BC. These were passed on from the teacher to the disciple, orally. The different parts (mandalas) are ascribed to different families of seers’ e.g. Gautama and Kanva etc. It is the foundation of all the Vedic literature.

Vasanta Pancami Snana

BY DEENA BANDHU DASA (ACBSP)

Jan 24, ALLAHABAD, INDIA (SUN) — Yesterday was Vasanta Pancami, or the first day of Spring. But when we woke up, it felt like mid-winter! Fog, which the devotees who stayed here the whole time said was only there in the first few days, descended as did the mercury. Luckily this time since the group of Vaisnavas (Akhara) to which we belong went first in the main snana, our turn was last and in our group, since we have only recently joined, was toward the end. In the end, we didn’t really start till after 11 AM when the sun was shining brightly.

For this Royal Snana, His Holiness Gopala Krishna Goswami joined us. Again we decided to take our wonderful long-horned bulls with us instead of the tractor. This time the ladies had more practice so the Padayatra Deity Cart was very nicely decorated with yellow and orange marigolds, even the bulls had garlands and a small garland ring around each horn.

Vasanta Pancami - Sarasvati Puja - Visnupriya Devi & other Acaryas

Jan 23, KUALA LUMPUR (TUE)

Sri Vasanta Pancami
Srimati Visnupriya Devi - Appearance
Srimati Sarasvati Puja
Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur - Disappearance
Sri Pundarika Vidyanidhi - Appearance
Sri Raghunandana Thakur - Appearance
Sri Raghunatha Das Goswami - Appearance

Vasanta Pancami (the first day of spring)

This is the first day of spring in India (Northern Hemisphere). On the fifth day of the waxing moon one should celebrate the coming of spring to Vrndavana by offering Krishna many types of leaves and flowers, and fresh shoots of sprouting grasses. Things that symbolise life and new growth.

Following in the footsteps of the Vraja-basis of Vrindavana, one should paint designs on His (Krishna’s) body and perform a special aratrika for Him. It is appropriate to offer yellow flowers too. The vasanta raga should be played on this day. The Deities in the temples, especially in Vrindavana wear yellow or yellow-green on this day.

In places like Vrindavan, Mayapur, Jagannath Puri and Udupi many of the women folk dress in yellow also. As it is the first day of spring many fertility rites are performed at this time - for the family, for the women folk, for the crops, for the cows, etc. It’s a very festive time.

Many new projects are begun, weddings performed…….
fields of yellow mustard flowers growing.

Pictures of Maha Snana at Ardha Kumbha Mela

BY DEENA BHANDHU DASA

Jan 22, ALLAHABAD, INDIA (SUN) — Following his recent detailed story of the transcendental activities of the devotees at Ardha Kumbha Mela, Deena Bhandhu prabhu has kindly provided these photographs of ISKCON’s presence at the Maha Snana procession, where Srila Prabhupada’s murti form was drawn on bullock cart, giving his darshan to the throngs of sadhus and pilgrims attending the mela.

Sarasvati River

BY DEENA BHANDU DASA

Jan 21, INDIA (SUN) — Regarding the Sarasvati River, Jaya Vijaya who wrote the Ganga book sent me the following information:

There is a common understanding that whenever and wherever Ganga and Yamuna join, then Sarasvati is also there, and visa-versa at times!

The Brahma-vaivarta Purana explains why Sarasvati no longer exists in her full glory: When Ganga-devi cursed Sarasvati-devi to become a river here on Mrtyuloka, one of the conditions was that she would only remain on earth as long as rishis and other great sages performed tapasya on her banks. Since we are now in Kali-yuga, there are no longer these great souls performing austerities, so she vanished.

Origins of Vedic Science, Part 4

BY DR. SUBASH C. KAK

Subatomic Particle Tracks

Jan 20, BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA (SAT) — The last in a four-part series on the Vedic origins of science.

We are in the midst of a paradigm shift in our understanding of Vedic science and cosmology. We now know that measurement astronomy is to be dated to at least the third millennium B.C.E. which is more than a thousand years earlier than was believed only a decade ago; and mathematics and geometry date to at least the beginning of the second millennium B.C.E. Indian mythology is being interpreted in terms of its underlying astronomy or / and cognitive science.

We find that many Indian dates are much earlier than the corresponding dates elsewhere. What does it all mean for our understanding of the Indian civilization and its interactions with Mesopotamia, Egypt, China and Greece? Was Indian knowledge carried to the other nations or do we have a case here for independent discovery in different places?

Genetic Engineering: Fish Protein in your Ice Cream?

BY KATHRINE NERO

Jan 20, USA (WCPO) — The fat and calories in ice cream have many of us doing without the double dips, but scientists are looking to a little-known fish to pull your diet out of the deep freeze. You may have seen it on store shelves: new low-fat ice cream with all the flavor of the real stuff. But a University of Cincinnati researcher says to stay away from the sweet treat- that flavor may bring with it some unintended consequences.

As manufacturers strive for that rich and creamy but low fat combination, it’s another combination: a DNA combination that is causing some strong controversy. Ice cream scientists are adding a cloned protein from the arctic pout fish that keeps it from freezing in icy water.

19th Annual World Religions Conference 2007

BY ISKCON VANCOUVER

His Grace Bhava Das (ACBSP), invited guest lecturer representing ISKCON
addresses the audience while an attentive panel of delegates look on

Jan 20, (SAT)— The 19th annual World Religions conference was held in New Westminster, British Columbia this past Sunday January 14th 2007. Delegates from various major religious denominations such as Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism were present to address the topic “God Solution” Bhava Das (ACBSP) from ISKCON was invited to represent Hinduism.

Apart from the various scholarly delegates several special guests of honor representing municipal, provincial and federal governments were present. Honorable Chuck Puchmayr, MLA for New Westminster was the presiding chairperson and moderator.

It’s Eggs vs Bananas for Karnataka Government

BY D. BALAKRISHNAN & S. KAMALPURKAR Jan 20, BANGALORE, INDIA (CNN-IBN) — The Karnataka government could slip on the proverbial bannana peel on a new issue that has cropped up - whether school children should be fed eggs or bananas. The question is not ‘what came first, the chicken or the egg’. For the Karnatak government, the question instead is, ‘what comes first, the egg or the banana?’ For more than 58 lakh government school students in the state, mid-day meal programmes may soon have eggs, for the government wants to ensure they get a nutritious diet. However, in most schools mid-day meals are funded by religious mutts and institutions like Akshaya Patra foundation of ISKCON who think that eggs are not vegetarian. Comments (0) Older Posts » Home IskconKL Recent Posts Klang’s “Gopal’s Fun School” organizes mini Ratha Yatra for children Official Statement from Bhaktivedanta Manor Krishna carnival lights up London Flower Palace in Nandagram Snana Yatra 2008 in Singapore Categories Damodara Ekadasi India International Jaladuta Diary Local Misc Pandava Sena - Youth Parishad Pastimes Philosophy SP Padma-vakya Special Days Stories Voice - University   January 2007 S M T W T F S « Dec   Feb »   1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31   Search for: Recent Comments rajani dasi on Helena dreams about Srila… Krishnadas on Vrindavan-Mayapur Ganga Voyage… Jitender Sahni on Lord Shiva’s Pastimes wi… Sree Krishna Kanth D… on Krishna’s Gopi Asso… jeyanthy on Think Before You Eat jeyanthy on University College Sedaya Inte… jeyanthy on The Devis and Demons jeyanthy on Krishna’s Gopi Asso… jeyanthy on UNITEN - Shivarathri Jonathan Crane on Was Taj Mahal a Vedic Tem… ganesh on Amazing fire display at Iskcon… Sivan (devotee) on UNITEN - Shivarathri Roshnie on University College Sedaya Inte… Krsna Kris on Muslim Clerics Boycott ISKCON… rajeshparasa on Krishna’s Gopi Asso… Top Posts Was Taj Mahal a Vedic Temple? Krishna's Boyhood Friends Lord Shiva's Pastimes with Demons The Pattern of Hinduism and Hindu Temple Building in the U.S. Lord Ramacandra's Pastimes with the Demons The Asta-sakhis at ISKCON Tirupati ISKCON Janmastami Celebrations Can Hanuman save Rama's Underwater Bridge? Sri Radhashtami Celebrations in Mayapur Sudarshan, the King of Wheels Archives July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 July 2006 June 2006 Blog Stats 70,870 hits Blog at WordPress.com.