-
The Greater Krishna Consciousness Movement Part 2 of 4
by Nitya Krsna dasa The Circular Firing Squad Schism, Factions and Sectarianism Initiation in Vaishnavism means, among other things, that one agrees to follow the direction of their spiritual master for the rest of their life. It is by this submission to a pure personality that sincere initiates are delivered from the burden of the past karma of many lifetimes, both sinful and otherwise. Genuine deliverance is, however, dependent on the guru being genuine and the disciple being sincere. Initiated people are commonly called disciples and receive a spiritual Sanskrit name when they take their initiation vows. Uninitiated devotees are called bhakta John or bhaktin Mary, etc.…
-
The Greater Krishna Consciousness Movement Part 1 of 4
by Nitya Krsna dasa Sects & How the Swanlike Condemn Pretenders While Remaining Strictly Non-Sectarian The greater Krishna consciousness movement always exists in the spiritual sky, and to the extent that we connect to those pure representatives of Krishna that are fully devoted to Him, we can also participate. This movement was most recently shown to the world by the last widely accepted pure devotee of Krishna, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta swami Prabhupada (Srila Prabhupada). He was acting on behalf of the previous spiritual masters of the Brahma-Madhava-Gaudiya Vaishnava disciplic succession, or sampradaya, going back to Lord Krishna Himself. Those unalloyed servants of Krishna have taught us…
-
When Oh When Will that Day Be Mine?
Kabe Ha’be Bolo Se-Dina āmār By Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura Text One kabe ha’be bolo se-dina āmār (āmār) aparādha ghuci’, śuddha nāme ruci, kṛpā-bale ha’be hṛdoye sañcār TRANSLATION When, oh when will that day be mine? When my offenses ceasing, taste for the name increasing, when in my heart will your mercy shine, when, oh when will that day be mine? Text Two tṛṇādhika hīna, kabe nije māni’, sahiṣṇutā-guṇa hṛdoyete āni’ sakale mānada, āpani amānī, ho’ye āswādibo nāma-rasa-sār TRANSLATION Lower than a blade of grass, more tolerant than a tree. When will my mind attain this quality? Respectful to all, not expecting their honour, then shall I taste…
-
Five Prayers to Lord Nrsimha
By Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur, Bengali Verses composed in 1899 by Thakura Bhaktivinoda, Translation by Dasaratha-suta dasa Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has written five beautiful prayers in “Sri Navadvipa Bhava Taranga” for receiving the mercy of Lord Narasimha. These prayers are certainly assurance to all sincere devotees that the worship of Lord Narasimha is purely in the line of aspiring love and devotion to Sri Sri Radha and Krsna. Those prayers are as follows: e dusta hrdaye kama adi ripu chaya kutinati pratisthasa sathya sada raya hrdaya-sodhana ara krsnera vasana nrsimha-carane mora ei to’ kamana Within my sinful heart the six enemies headed by lust perpetually reside, as well as…
-
Soka Satana (The Destroyer of Lamentation)
by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, English translation by Bhumipati dasa pradosa-samaye, srivasa-angane sangopane gora-mani sri-hari-kirtane, nace nana-range, uthila mangala-dhvani In the evening, Lord Gauranga danced in various ways within Srivasa’s enclosed courtyard as the auspicious vibration of Hari’s name filled the atmosphere. mrdanga madala, baje karatala majhe majhe jayatura prabhura natana, dekhi’ sakalera, haila santapa dura The kirtana was accompanied by mrdangas, drums, karatalas, and occasional cries of “Jaya!” The miseries of everyone who saw the Lord’s dancing were destroyed. akhanda premete, matala takhana sakala bhakata-gana apana pasari’, goracande gheri’, nace gaya anuksana The devotees became intoxicated in uninterrupted ecstatic love. They forgot themselves as they continually danced around Gauracandra. e-mata…
-
Vaiṣṇava Nindā (Offenses to Devotees)
by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura (translated by Swami B.V. Giri and Sanātana Dāsa) Of all the various offences a jīva can commit, no offence is as severe than offending a Vaiṣṇava. Thus it is crucial to deliberate upon the meaning of vaiṣṇava-nindā according to the śāstras. It is said in Skanda Purāṇa: nindā kurvanti ye mūḍhā vaiṣṇavānāṁ mahātmanām patanti pitṛbhiḥ sārdhaṁ mahā-raurava-saṁjñite hanti nindati vai dveṣṭi vaiṣṇavān nābhinandati krudhyate yāti no harṣaṁ darśane patanāni ṣaṭ “Those fools that blaspheme those great souls who are devoted to Viṣṇu fall down into the hell known as Mahā-raurava, along with their descendants. There are six types of behaviour that result in such…
-
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s Disappearance Day
“One should give up the association of dharmadvajis, the hypocritically devout,with special care.” Sri Bhaktyaloka – Jana-sanga – Association with Worldly-minded Persons By Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, English translation by Bhumipati dasa The word jana refers to both male and female human beings. Srila Rupa Gosvami has written in the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu: sadho sangah svato vare – “a devotee should associate with devotees who are more advanced.” Practicing devotees are generally superior to karmis and jnanis in all respects. In the Bhagavad-gita (7.28) it is said: yesam tv anta-gatam papam jananam punya-karmanam te dvandva-moha-nirmukta bhajante mam drdha-vratah “Persons who have acted piously in previous lives and in this life and whose sinful…
