Reading Journey to the West

4 years, 6 months ago by Nityananda-rama dasa in Other

Please accept my humble obeisances, All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Guru Maharaja, you asked if I had read Journey to the West. I had not, but have started reading an abridged (~500 page) version called 'The Monkey and the Monk' by an author named Anthony C. Yu. His version seems to be the most widely recommended. I am currently reading it before Krishna Book before bed. I intend to read Mr. Yu's full translation once I have finished this abridged version.

I do not need a reply, but I wanted to answer your question.

Your servant,

Nityananda-rama dasa

HpS - Thank you! We got the full version on our Kindle reader. The introduction is super in terms of understanding Chinese religious history and current world view. It is long and we just got to the story. We read it before, maybe twice, over many years, but now our comprehension will be much deeprer.

Know your students!

Educational programs for children

4 years, 6 months ago by yajnasenidd in Other

Dear Maharaj,

Please accept my humble obeisances and all glories to Srila Prabhupad!

Dear Maharaj, thank you for being that pillar in our life that gives stability, security, ability to breathe, sleep and even live in the most turbulent times, when no one or nothing else can. Such is your grace, saints like you selflessly live for others. You keep yourself pure so others can find some solace and relief from material miseries. Thank you for your kind and most valuable association which we do not deserve. It is Krsna's causeless mercy, for probably the sins we have performed, we may not deserve anything good. Yet He is so merciful, He has given so much love and affection through His dear devotees. Relationships with whom, I realize is the most important possession without which one is unfortunate, and very poor. Hence having spiritual relationships like with you is the actual wealth of the soul. Nothing of this world can equal or surpass this sustainence, without which material nature will factually render us insane. I'm going through a difficult time, but I pray that when this phase ends, I never ever forget this one thing I have in my life from the spiritual world. My sadhana: able to chant 16rounds, some hearing, working on improving reading and morning program (really a struggle when living with my husband).

Dear Maharaj, you had asked us to share this message on your blog:

Someone messaged us a few days ago asking to make online videos for basic dance training videos for children 7-12. Any guidance on this subject how to give them some Krsna consciousness through educational dance training (maybe some theatre, yoga, dance steps etc as well)? Is this something I should pursue? Thank you!

Your aspiring servant,

YajnaseniDD

HpS - ASA --- AGTSP!!! We don't have any real ideas about the dance videos. We worked with Ranganiketana, Manupuri Dance Theater for many years, but only thing I might think of specifically is "Improvisation for the Theater" by Viola Spolin. It is one of the most useful books in the world.

I think that probably you know more than us.

Krsna is in control. He gives us free will, but if we have even a little energy to be His friend again, then He sends an Acharya!!

Thank YOu Maharaja Ji

4 years, 6 months ago by ramacarya in Other

Hare Krishna Maharaja Ji

Please Accept My Humble Obeisances, All Glories to Srila Prabhupada,

Thank you for blessing us with your words. We would like to send some donations. Kindly provide account info or mailing address where we can send check. Also, kindly find below recording of lectures loaded on Facebook and You Tube.

HpS - It was so, so nice to join the program. In Whatsapp we sent the info for sending checks to NIOS. We hope we can use them for nice Sankirtan. Nice movies on the internet abut Krsna. Putting SB into modern circumstances.

Bhisma, Arjuna, Karna they can be flying in Huey Apache helicopters.

Some drama, same super weapons, but totally real in modern eye! So much to do.

Srila Prabhupada gave us the books. We can use them as a base to make the movies.

I told Bh. Caru Swami that many years ago and he said that he had come to the same conclusion!

Thank you for the links!!!!!!

https://youtu.be/NaWd3wf__BU

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=308723296976548 

Your Aspiring Servant

Ramacarya das

Govinda Ji!...Happy Guru purnima. Bhakti Charu Swami, Jay!...Pandaveya Spain.

4 years, 6 months ago by PABLOPARIKRAMA in Personal Sadhana Reports, Other

Feliz Guru Purnima Guru Deva!!!!

Jaya Sanatana Goswami!!!!

Jay Bhakti Charu Swami!!!

Jay Sri Sri Radha Syamasundara!!!!


I hope He is laughing right now with his Guru Deva, Srila Prabhupada.

ASA - Or maybe crying in relief to meet again.

I hope that You find yourself the best, Guru deva, in all aspects.

HpS - Only death is good. Then real life can start, unless we use the things in this world to preach ie. lead people to die.

I have been very saddened by the departure of Bhakti Charu Swami, I had his indirect association on a few occasions in Spain and India, and much for his classes. It has been one of my references to advance within Krsna consciousness. There are people with a sweetness in their personality that surprise me a lot, a little like milk is surprised by oil.

I have no doubt that he is with Krsna, Prabhupada and all the rock. I am almost certain that in a little while he will return to care for the devotees, and preach.

-0-0-

I would like to tell you about an experience that I have had in relation to the departure of Maharaja, I am sure it is because I know that he was very critical for days, but even so I really liked the experience.

Perhaps, by singing a few rounds for Him, and the austerity of a full fast in ekadasi honored for His pleasure, perhaps, my subconscious was very sensitive to His person.

The day he left, like an hour or two before I knew anything about his death, I think I was singing a few rounds, I think the mid-day rounds, I could see him in my heart and in my mind, in the rounds, and I greeting and said goodbye to him. Tears came out of my eyes remembering with him good moments in Malaga and Mayapur, he was also very excited and surprised, I imagine that because of the affection I felt for him. I guess he didn't expect it ... When we said goodbye, I gave him dandavats and pranamas, and when I touched his feet and put dust on my head from the path of his feet, I started to jump like a monkey and I ran in the opposite direction, chanting Hare Krsna. I think he was very surprised to see a devotee go into mental ecstasy thinking about the dust on his lotus feet.

A few hours later I saw that he had passed away, and I wondered if he was saying hello to everyone on his farewell journey.

HpS - When the sun rises it smiles on everyone!

I hope he is very happy in his future service. It makes me a little envious, good, to think how he is enjoying the fruits of his intense devotional service to his Gurudeva, Prabhupada, and Radha Krsna.

He is a person who makes my heart softer and softer.

I hope you have a very good day, especially this auspicious day of the Guru.

My humblest obeisances Guru deva.

Accept my humblest respects and surrender.

I hope you have a very intense day with your Guru deva, Srila Prabhupada.

Hare Krsna.

HpS - More in the foreground we can try to learn more and more of his practical projects as they relate to us and how we can push them with our personal abilities. Of course, this is development of eternal relationships in the Traveling Road Show. AGTSP! Paoho.

Sri Guru Carana Padma

4 years, 6 months ago by amrtadevidasi in Other

HpS - Thank you! I don't know how it just became four verses in ISKCON. Maybe Srila Prabhupada edited it so that it was not too long for a Guru puja arati.

But it is so nice. Thank you...

Hare Krsna,

Please receive my obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada

The following is what I have copied from kksongs.org. Notice there are 10 verses. We sing four. Also notice the word for word translation.

your servant

Amrta Devi dasi

<img src="http://kksongs.org/image_files/image002.jpg" alt="http://kksongs.org/image_files/image002.jpg" height="104" width="215">

Krsna Kirtana Songs est. 2001                                                                                                                                                

www.kksongs.org

Song Name: Sri Guru Carana Padma

Official Name: Song 1; Guru Vandana (Verses 1 to 4)

Author: Narottama Dasa Thakura

Book Name: Prema Bhakti Candrika

Language: Bengali

LYRICS:

(1)

śrī-guru-caraṇa-padma, kevala-bhakati-sadma,

bando muñi sāvadhāna mate

jāhāra prasāde bhāi, e bhava toriyā jāi,

kṛṣṇa-prāpti hoy jāhā ha'te

 

(2)

guru-mukha-padma-vākya, cittete koribo aikya,

ār nā koriho mane āśā

śrī-guru-caraṇe rati, ei se uttama-gati,

je prasāde pūre sarva āśā

 

(3)

cakṣu-dān dilo jei, janme janme prabhu sei,

divya jñān hṛde prokāśito

prema-bhakti jāhā hoite, avidyā vināśa jāte,

vede gāy jāhāra carito

 

(4)

śrī-guru karuṇā-sindhu, adhama janāra bandhu,

lokanāth lokera jīvana

hā hā prabhu koro doyā, deho more pada-chāyā,

ebe jaśa ghuṣuk tribhuvana

 

(5)

vaiṣṇava caraṇa reṇu, bhūṣaṇa koriyā tanu,

yāhā hoite anubhava hoy

mārjana hoy bhajana, sādhu sańge anukṣaṇa,

ajñāna avidyā parājaya

 

(6)

jaya sanātana rūpa, prema bhakti rasa kūpa

yugala ujjvalamaya tanu

yāhāra prasāde loka, pāsarilo sab śoka,

prakaṭa kalapa taru janu

 

(7)

prema bhakti rīti yoto, nija granthe suvekata

likhiyāchen dui mahāśaya

yāhāra śravaṇa hoite, premānande bhāse cite,

yugala madhura rasāśraya

 

(8)

yugala kiśora prema, lakṣa bāṇa yeno hema

heno dhana prakāśilo yārā

jaya rūpa sanātana, deho more prema dhana

se ratana more gole hārā

 

(9)

bhāgavata śāstra marma, nava vidhā bhakti dharma,

sadāi koribo susevana

anya devāśraya nāi, tomāre kohilo bhāi,

ei bhakti parama bhajana

 

(10)

sādhu śāstra guru vākya, hṛdoye koriyā aikya,

satata bhāsibo prema mājhe

karmī jñānī bhakti hīna, ihāke koribo bhina,

narottama ei tattva gāje

 


WORD FOR WORD TRANSLATION: 

LYRICS:

(1)

śrī-guru-caraṇa-padmaS–the lotus feet of our spiritual master; kevala – only; bhakati–pure devotional service; sadma–the abode; vando muñi–I bow down; sāvadhāna mate–with great care and attention; yāhāra prasāde–by whose mercy; bhāi–O my dear brothers!; e bhava–this material existence; toriyā yāi–crossing over; kṛṣṇa-prāptiri –obtaining Kṛṣṇa; hoyGur– there is; yāhā haite–by which.

 

(2)

guru-mukha-padma–the lotus mouth of the spiritual master; vākya–the words; cittete–with your heart; koribo aikya – I will make one; ār–anything else; –do not; koriho mane–consider in the mind; āśā–desires; śrīguru-caraṇeu–to the lotus feet of the spiritual master; rati–attachment; ei–this; sei–that; uttama-gati–ultimate goal; ye prasāde–by which mercy; pūre–fulfills; sarva āśā–all desires.

 

(3)

cakṣu-dān –the gift of transcendental vision; dilo yei–who has given; janme janme–birth after birth; prabhu sei–he is my lord; divya-jñān– divine knowledge; hṛdeC–in the heart; prokāśito–is revealed; prema bhakti–loving devotional service; yāhā hoite–by which; avidyā– ignorance; vināśa yāte–is destroyed; vede–in the Vedic scriptures; gāy–is sung; yāhāra carito–whose character.

 

(4)

śrī-guru–O spiritual master!; karuṇā-sindhua–O ocean of mercy!; adhama janāra–of the fallen souls; bandhu–the friend; lokanāth–O Lokanātha Goswami (or master of the planets)!; lokera jīvana–the life of all people; hā hā–alas! alas!; prabhu–O master!; koro doyā–please be merciful; deho more–give to me; pada-chāyā–the shade of your lotus feet; ebe–now; yaśa–fame; ghuṣukr–may it be proclaimed; tri-bhuvana–throughout the three worlds

 

(5)

vaiṣṇava caraṇaana – the feet of the Vaisnavas; reṇu – dust; bhūṣaṇaPa – jewels; koriyā – making; tanu – body; yāhā hoite – by which; anubhava hoy – there is affectionate feelings; mārjana – cleaning; hoy bhajana – there is devotional worship, sādhu sańge – association of saintly persons; anukṣaṇadm – continuously; ajñāna – ignorance; avidyā – lack of knowledge; parājaya – becomes defeated

 

(6)

jaya – all glories; sanātana – Srila Sanatana Goswami; rūpa – Srila Rupa Goswami; prema bhakti – loving devotional service; rasa – nectar; kūpa – a deep well; yugala – the Divine Couple; ujjvalamaya – full of effulgence; tanu – body; yāhāra – by whose; prasāde – mercy; loka - planets, pāsarilo – one could surpass; sab śoka – all forms of grief; prakaṭaa – appears; kalapa taru – desire trees; janu – these personalities

 

(7)

prema bhakti – loving devotional service; rīti – tradition; yoto – that is, nija – one’s own; granthe – scripture; suvekata – these great identities; likhiyāchen – it has been written; dui – two; mahāśaya – great intelligent personalities; yāhāra śravaṇa  – by hearing about them; hoite premānande bhāse – there is language of ecstatic love; cite – in the heart; yugala – the Divine Couple; madhura rasa āśraya – shelter in the sweet mellows

 

(8)

yugala kiśora – the Youthful Divine Couple; prema - love, lakṣa bāṇaKe – the target of an archer’s arrow; yeno – by whose; hema – gold; heno – such; dhana – wealth; prakāśilo – has illuminated; yārā – their; jaya – all glories; rūpa – Srila Rupa Goswami; sanātana – Srila Sanatana Goswami; deho more – my body; prema – divine love; dhana – wealth; se ratana – this jewel; more – my; gole hārā – a necklace around my neck

 

(9)

bhāgavata – Srimad Bhagavatam; śāstra – scripture; marma – rule; nava vidhā bhakti – nine fold process of devotional service; dharma – religious duties and principles; sadāi – always; koribo – I will do; susevana – perform loving service; anya – others; devāśraya – taking refuge in demigods; nāi - no, tomāre – to you; kohilo – I have said; bhāi – O brother; ei – this; bhakti – devotional service; parama – the topmost; bhajana – devotional worship

 

(10)

sādhu – saintly persons; śāstra – scriptures; guru – spiritual master; vākya – words; hṛdoyev – in the heart; koriyā aikya – I will make one; satata – all; bhāsibo – I will swim; prema – divine love; mājhe – float; karmī – people engaged in fruitive activities; jñānī – philosophical speculators; bhakti hīna – without devotional service, ihāke – from them; koribo – I will do; bhina - difference, narottama – Narottama Dasa Thakura; ei tattva – this truth; gāje – he sings

 TRANSLATION

1) The lotus feet of our spiritual master are the only way by which we can attain pure devotional service. I bow to his lotus feet with great awe and reverence. By his grace one can cross the ocean of material suffering and obtain the mercy of Krsna.

 2) My only wish is to have my consciousness purified by the words emanating from his lotus mouth. Attachment to his lotus feet is the perfection that fulfills all desires.

 3) He opens my darkened eyes and fills my heart with transcendental knowledge. He is my Lord birth after birth. From him ecstatic prema emanates; by him ignorance is destroyed. The Vedic scriptures sing of his character.

 4) Our spiritual master is the ocean of mercy, the friend of the poor, and the lord and master of the devotees. O Lokanatha Goswami! O master! Be merciful unto me. Give me the shade of your lotus feet. Your fame is spread all over the three worlds.

 5) By making the dust of the Vaisnavas' feet the ornament of my body, ecstatic love comes. Washing the Vaisnavas' lotus feet is my method of worship. By always associating with the Vaisnavas, I shall overcome the darkness of ignorance.

 6) O Srila Sanatana Gosvami and Srila Rupa Gosvami, who are two deep wells of the nectar of pure love, two personifications of the splendid nectar of the Divine Couple, and two desire trees by whose mercy the entire world is free from suffering, all glories to you!

 7) In your books, you two great souls clearly described prema-bhakti. You are reservoirs of the sweet nectar of the Divine Couple. Hearing about you brings bliss to the heart. Their sweet mellows are my shelter.

 8) You are fabulously wealthy, possessing ecstatic love for the youthful Divine Couple, a love more precious than gold purified in ten thousand flames. O Rupa and Sanatana Gosvami, all glories to you! I beg you, please give me in charity some of these jewel necklaces.

 9) I shall eternally engage in the nine-fold process of devotional service, which is the essential message of Srimad-Bhagavatam, and I shall not worship the demigods. O brother, I say to you: Devotional service is the most exalted kind of worship.

 10) Making the words of the guru, sadhus and sastras one with my heart, I constantly float and swim in the ocean of pure love. I am different from the karmis and jnanis, who have no devotion for Krsna. Narottama speaks the truth.

REMARKS/ EXTRA INFORMATION:

From original research of the Prema-Bhakti Candrika, the original words were “cittete koribo aikya” Translation of that is, “I will make the teachings from the lotus mouth of the spiritual master be one with my heart and I will not have any other desires.” Some renditions will translate this as “hṛdi kori mahā sakya.”

 Verses 1 to 4 are celebrated in ISKCON temples as the “Guru Puja prayers.”

 This song is mostly rendered in Raga Misra Kafi in Kaherva tala.

Hare Krsna Dear Maharaj

4 years, 6 months ago by Gopal C Biswas in Other

Hare Krsna Dear Guru Maharaj,

  Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.

  All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

  All glories to Guru parampara.


  URL : https://monkeywarrior.com/detail/11310/

  Let me find a way to transfer from India to US account, will update you again.   

  Thank you so much Gurudev for everything.

HpS - We have transfered money through the bank many times but usually the transfer fee is $50 for 1-1 million dollars. So a minimum amount of $1000 is really necessary. You can use any money locally for ISKCON and tell us about how it is being used, no??


your fallen servant,

Girivaradhari-Gopal Das