Hare Krishna Society

Angry Mlechas, by Haripada dasa

It is said that the Acharya or spiritual master authorized by God or Krishna is softer than a rose and harder than a thunderbolt. Softer than a rose means that when he is satisfied with the service of his disciples he gives unlimited mercy and much nectar, but when he is displeased with his disciples he scolds them in a very harsh way. I share that I remember a class of Srila Prabhupada who said that I have given them the sacred thread that is worth a few paisas, but because of their behavior they look like irate mlechas, the mlechas are the lowest people in the culture of India. Once one of his disciples wrote a letter to Srila Prabhupada and told him that I have found a better guru than you, so give me your blessings to be with him, and Srila Prabhupada replied that there are my blessings, that you go to the hell and you never remember Krishna.

It is said that even the most intelligent people cannot understand the mentality of the Acharya or bona fide spiritual master authorized by God or Krishna, in the book of Krishna in the chapter entitled the prayers of the personified Vedas, it is said that God or Krishna and the Acharya or spiritual master authorized by God or Krishna live on the absolute plane. Absolute plane means pure goodness, and the neophyte devotees should never criticize the Acharya or spiritual master authorized by God or Krishna. A devotee told me that he was present there that once Puri Maharaja scolded very harshly the devotee who wrote the biography of Srila Prabhupada. The biography of Srila Prabhupada is 6 books of 400 pages each, the Maharaja told him that he had seen Srila Prabhupada from his point of view and not from the point of view of the Holy Scriptures, that is why he committed many offenses against Srila Prabhupada. TThe greatest offense he committed is that he said that Srila Prabhupada authorized his disciples to be gurus, the Maharaja told him that you know very well that Srila Prabhupada did not leave anyone as a guru but ordered them to be his representatives or ritviks, however you put it there that Srila Prabhupada authorized his disciples to be gurus, for that offense your destiny is very dark.

Srila Prabhupada said that the most important verse of the spiritual life is the one that says in the Upanisads that one who has full faith in the words of God or Krishna and full faith in the words of the Acharya or spiritual master authorized by God or Krishna, all Vedic knowledge is revealed to him.

SB 1.9.12 purport–Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira was disturbed due to the great massacre in the Battle of Kurukṣetra. Bhīṣmadeva could understand this, and therefore he spoke first of the terrible sufferings of Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira. He was put into difficulty by injustice only, and the Battle of Kurukṣetra was fought just to counteract this injustice. Therefore, he should not regret the great massacre. He wanted to point out particularly that they were always protected by the brāhmaṇas, the Lord and religious principles. As long as they were protected by these three important items, there was no cause of disappointment. Thus Bhīṣmadeva encouraged Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira to dissipate his despondency. As long as a person is fully in cooperation with the wishes of the Lord, guided by the bona fide brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas and strictly following religious principles, one has no cause for despondency, however trying the circumstances of life.Bhīṣmadeva, as one of the authorities in the line, wanted to impress this point upon the Pāṇḍavas.

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The Way of Self-Realization

According to the Vedas, the scriptures of ancient India, this human form of life is a unique opportunity in the evolutionary cycle. A human being has the potential to achieve self-realization, or God-realization. This is the greatest opportunity in life.

What is self-realization?

Self-realization begins when we understand we are spiritual beings, distinct from our temporary material bodies and minds. We rely of our bodies and minds in this world, but unless these are utilized for self-realization, they cause our bondage. The spirit soul, the self within, is eternal, pure, indestructible and free. Our real self, the soul, never dies or grows old. We are the soul, not the body or mind. Due to our obsession with material objects, pains and pleasures, we have become implicated in illusion in this prison-house of material existence. We have accepted fleeting lives full of disappointments and hard struggles due to our false attachment to material existence. Human life is the chance offered by God, or Krishna, to free ourselves forever from illusion and bondage by returning to our real home of eternal bliss in the Kingdom of God.

What is God-realization?

God-realization is the process of understanding our intimate relationship with the Absolute Truth, who is known by many names, such as God, Allah, Jehovah, Narayana, Vishnu, Rama and Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Full self-realization and God-realization are one and the same.

What is the best spiritual practice?

The best spiritual practice is bhakti-yoga, the path of devotion to God. Every living being is part of God and one with God in essence. Krishna, the Absolute Truth, is always perfect and complete. Our complete life of perfection and bliss can be realized when we resume our loving relationship with God, the Absolute Complete. Because we have forgotten our real life with God in the eternal world of knowledge and bliss, we must purify our impure consciousness by chanting devotional prayers or mantras. The best mantra for this purpose is the Hare Krishna maha-mantra: “The Great Mantra for Deliverance.”

What is the best way of learning about Krishna consciousness, or God-realization?

According the Bhagavad-gita and all Vedic scriptures, one must hear from a self-realized soul to learn the true science of liberation and God-consciousness. Hearing from professional “teachers” and speakers will not help us achieve freedom from the cycle of birth and death. One must hear from a self-realized soul or his genuine representative.

Where can I find a self-realized soul?

Sri Krishna Chaitanya, the avatar of Krishna for this age, encouraged everyone to regularly chant the names of God, particularly those of Krishna and Rama. He advised everyone to advance quickly in spiritual life by reading Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam and studying the commentaries of great spiritual masters in the guru-parampara. These books and other essential Vedic scriptures have been translated and explained in English by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, a God-realized soul. Although one need not apply for admission in any school, club, seminary or cult, it is best to study these books in the association of serious practitioners, as far as possible. Sri Krishna Chaitanya and A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada have opened the door for everyone in this age to achieve love of God through the chanting and singing of Krishna’s holy names. They have shown us the highest essence of Vedic knowledge in the form of Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam and the commentaries (bhasyas) of self-realized souls. Swami Prabhupada repeatedly advised, “Please chant the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. Your life will be sublime.”

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare.

Srila Prabhupada presents the glories of Sri Gadadhara Pandita
compiled by Yasoda nandana dasa

gadādhara-paṇḍitādi–prabhura nija-śakti
tāṅ’-sabāra caraṇe mora sahasra praṇati

SYNONYMS

gadādhara-paṇḍita-ādi—headed by Śrī Gadādhara Paṇḍita; prabhura—of the Supreme Lord; nija-śakti—internal potencies; tāṅ’-sabāra—of all of them; caraṇe—unto the lotus feet; mora—my; sahasra—thousands; praṇati—respectful obeisances.

TRANSLATION

I offer my respectful obeisances unto the internal potencies of the Lord, of whom Śrī Gadādhara Prabhu is the foremost.
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta – 1975 Edition : Cc. Adi-lila : Adi 1: The Spiritual Masters : Adi 1.41

advaita ācārya, nityānanda, śrīnivāsa
gadādhara, dāmodara, murāri, haridāsa
āra yata caitanya-kṛṣṇera bhakta-gaṇa
bhakti-bhāve śire dhari sabāra caraṇa

SYNONYMS

advaita ācārya—Advaita Ācārya; nityānanda—Lord Nityānanda; śrīnivāsa—Śrīvāsa Paṇḍita; gadādhara—Gadādhara Paṇḍita; dāmodara—Svarūpa Dāmodara; murāri—Murāri Gupta; haridāsa—Haridāsa Ṭhākura; āra—other; yata—all; caitanya-kṛṣṇera—of Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya; bhakta-gaṇa—devotees; bhakti-bhāve—with a devotional attitude; śire—on my head; dhari—I take; sabāra—of all of them; caraṇa—the lotus feet.

TRANSLATION

Bowing down with devotion, I hold on my head the lotus feet of Advaita Ācārya, Nityānanda, Śrīvāsa Paṇḍita, Gadādhara, Svarūpa Dāmodara, Murāri Gupta, Haridāsa and all the other devotees of Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya..

PURPORT

The author of Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta teaches us that we must offer our respectful obeisances to all such pure confidential devotees of Lord Caitanya if we indeed want to know Him in truth.
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta – 1975 Edition : Cc. Adi-lila : Adi 4: The Confidential Reasons for Lord Caitanya’s Appearance : Adi 4.227-228

gadādhara-paṇḍitādi prabhura ‘śakti’-avatāra
‘antaraṅga-bhakta’ kari’ gaṇana yāṅhāra

SYNONYMS

gadādhara—of the name Gadādhara; paṇḍita—of the learned scholar; ādi—headed by; prabhura—of the Lord; śakti—potency; avatāra—incarnation; antaraṅga—very confidential; bhakta—devotee; kari’-accepting; gaṇana—counting; yāṅhāra—of whom.

TRANSLATION

The devotees headed by Gadādhara Paṇḍita are to be considered incarnations of the internal potency of the Lord. They are confidential devotees engaged in the service of the Lord.

PURPORT
In connection with verses sixteen and seventeen, Śrī Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura explains in his Anubhāṣya: “There are specific symptoms by which the internal devotees and the unalloyed or pure devotees are to be known. All unalloyed devotees are śakti-tattvas, or potencies of the Lord. Some of them are situated in conjugal love and others in filial affection, fraternity and servitude. Certainly all of them are devotees, but by making a comparative study it is found that the devotees or potencies who are engaged in conjugal love are better situated than the others. Thus devotees who are in a relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead in conjugal love are considered to be the most confidential devotees of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Those who engage in the service of Lord Nityānanda Prabhu and Lord Advaita Prabhu generally have relationships of parental love, fraternity, servitude and neutrality. When such devotees develop great attachment for Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, they too become situated within the intimate circle of devotees in conjugal love.” This gradual development of devotional service is described by Śrī Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura as follows:
gaurāṅga balite habe pulaka śarīra
hari hari balite nayane ba’be nīra
āra kabe nitāicāṅda karuṇā karibe
saṁsāra-vāsanā mora kabe tuccha habe
viṣaya chāḍiyā kabe śuddha habe mana
kabe hāma heraba śrī-vṛndāvana
rūpa-raghunātha-pade ha-ibe ākuti
kabe hāma bujhaba śrī-yugala-pirīti

“When will there be eruptions on my body as soon as I chant the name of Lord Caitanya, and when will there be incessant torrents of tears as soon as I chant the holy names Hare Kṛṣṇa? When will Lord Nityānanda be merciful toward me and free me from all desires for material enjoyment? When will my mind be completely freed from all contamination of desires for material pleasure? Only at that time will it be possible for me to understand Vṛndāvana. Only if I become attached to the instructions given by the six Gosvāmīs, headed by Rūpa Gosvāmī and Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī, will it be possible for me to understand the conjugal love of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa.” By attachment to the devotional service of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu one immediately comes to the ecstatic position. When he develops his love for Nityānanda Prabhu he is freed from all attachment to the material world, and at that time he becomes eligible to understand the Lord’s pastimes in Vṛndāvana. In that condition, when one develops his love for the six Gosvāmīs, he can understand the conjugal love between Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa. These are the different stages of a pure devotee’s promotion to conjugal love in the service of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa in an intimate relationship with Śrī Caitanya MahāprabhuSri Caitanya-caritamrta – 1975 Edition : Cc. Adi-lila : Adi 7: Lord Caitanya in Five Features : Adi 7.17

jaya jayādvaita ācārya kṛpāmaya
jaya jaya gadādhara paṇḍita mahāśaya

SYNONYMS

jaya jaya—all glories; advaita—unto Advaita Prabhu; ācārya—teacher; kṛpāmaya—very merciful; jaya jaya—all glories to; gadādhara—of the name Gadādhara; paṇḍita—learned scholar; mahāśaya—great personality.

TRANSLATION

Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto Advaita Ācārya, who is very merciful, and also to that great personality Gadādhara Paṇḍita, the learned scholar.
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta – 1975 Edition : Cc. Adi-lila : Adi 8: The Author Receives the Orders of Krsna and Guru : Adi 8.3

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu called Puṇḍarīka Vidyānidhi “father,” and He gave him the title Premanidhi. Puṇḍarīka Vidyānidhi later became the spiritual master of Gadādhara Paṇḍita and an intimate friend of Svarūpa Dāmodara’s. Gadādhara Paṇḍita at first misunderstood Puṇḍarīka Vidyānidhi to be an ordinary pounds-and-shillings man, but later, upon being corrected by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, he became his disciple. Another incident in the life of Puṇḍarīka Vidyānidhi involves his criticizing the priest of the Jagannātha temple, for which Jagannātha Prabhu chastised him personally by slapping his cheeks. This is described in Śrī Caitanya-bhāgavata, Antya-līlā, Chapter Seven. Śrī Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura informs us that there are still two living descendants of the family of Puṇḍarīka Vidyānidhi, who are named Śrī Harakumāra Smṛtitīrtha and Śrī Kṛṣṇakiṅkara Vidyālaṅkāra. For further information one should refer to the dictionary known as Vaiṣṇava-mañjuṣā
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta – 1975 Edition : Cc. Adi-lila 10.14

baḍa śākhā,–gadādhara paṇḍita-gosāñi
teṅho lakṣmī-rūpā, tāṅra sama keha nāi

SYNONYMS

baḍa śākhā—big branch; gadādhara paṇḍita-gosāñi—the descendants or disciplic succession of Gadādhara Paṇḍita; teṅho—Gadādhara Paṇḍita; lakṣmī-rūpā—incarnation of the pleasure potency of Lord Kṛṣṇa; tāṅra—his; sama—equal; keha—anyone; nāi—there is none.

TRANSLATION

Gadādhara Paṇḍita, the fourth branch, is described as an incarnation of the pleasure potency of Śrī Kṛṣṇa. No one, therefore, can equal him.

PURPORT

In the Gaura-gaṇoddeśa-dīpikā, verses 147 through 153, it is stated: “The pleasure potency of Śrī Kṛṣṇa formerly known as Vṛndāvaneśvarī is now personified in the form of Śrī Gadādhara Paṇḍita in the pastimes of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu.” Śrī Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī has pointed out that in the shape of Lakṣmī, the pleasure potency of Kṛṣṇa, she was formerly very dear to the Lord as Śyāmasundara-vallabhā. The same Śyāmasundara-vallabhā is now present as Gadādhara Paṇḍita. Formerly, as Lalitā-sakhī, she was always devoted to Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī. In the Twelfth Chapter of this part of the Caitanya-caritāmṛta there is a description of the descendants or disciplic succession of Gadādhara Paṇḍita.
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta – 1975 Edition : Cc. Adi-lila : Adi 10: The Trunk, Branches and Sub-branches of the Caitanya Tree : Adi 10.15

There is no information that Acyutānanda ever married, but he is described as the biggest branch of the Advaita Ācārya family. From a book named Śākhā-nirṇayāmṛta it is understood that Acyutānanda was a disciple of Gadādhara and that he took shelter of Lord Caitanya in Jagannātha Purī and engaged in devotional service. The Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi-līlā, Chapter Ten, states that Acyutānanda, the son of Advaita Ācārya, lived in Jagannātha Purī, taking shelter of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Gadādhara Paṇḍita, in the last years of his life, also lived with Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu at Jagannātha Purī. There is no doubt, therefore, that Acyutānanda was a disciple of Paṇḍita Gadādhara. In the accounts of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s dancing in front of the car during the Ratha-yātrā festival, Acyutānanda’s name is to be found many times. It is stated that in the party of Advaita Ācārya from Śāntipura, Acyutānanda was dancing and others were singing. At that time the boy was only six years old. The Gaura-gaṇoddeśa-dīpikā, compiled by Śrī Kavi-karṇapūra, has described Acyutānanda as a disciple of Gadādhara Paṇḍita and a great and dear devotee of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu. According to the opinion of some, he was an incarnation of Kārttikeya, the son of Lord Śiva, and according to others he was formerly the gopī named Acyutā. The Gaura-gaṇoddeśa-dīpikā has supported both these opinions. Another book, Narottama-vilāsa, compiled by Śrī Narahari dāsa, mentions Acyutānanda’s presence during the festival at Khetari. According to Śrī Narahari dāsa, during the last days of his life Acyutānanda stayed in his house at Śāntipura, but during the presence of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu he lived at Jagannātha Purī with Gadādhara Paṇḍita.
Books : Sri Caitanya-caritamrta – 1975 Edition : Cc. Adi-lila : Adi 12: The Expansions of Advaita Acarya and Gadadhara Pandita : Adi 12.17 : PURPORT

Main Deities: Sri Tota Gopinatha graces the centre altar with Sri Radhika playing vina and Lalita sakhi playing flute on His left and right. Being deeply absorbed in syama-rasa – the mellow of satisfying all of Krishna’s conjugal desires – Radhika and Lalita-sakhi appear black. Holding Her kacchapi-vina, Srimati Radharani curiously stands in a three-fold bending form dancing in time with Her beloved syamam tri-bhanga-lalitam. The left altar features Lord Balaram with Revati and Varuni on His left and right. On right altar are Deities of Gaura-Gadadhara and Sri Sri Radha Madana-mohana installed by Mamu Thakura. He is the nephew of Sri Nilambara Cakravati, Lord Gauranga’s grandfather.

Sri Gaura `Gadadhra

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Tota Gopinatha has such a charismatic bewitching quality that draws one to His darshana over and over again. Srila Vrindavana Thakura extols His power: “Even an extreme atheist will be changed upon seeing the Deity of Gopinatha.” At 7am during darshana time, upon request, the pujari can show a small golden streak on Gopinatha’s right knee where Mahaprabhu entered the Lord.

APPEARANCE OF SRI TOTA GOPINATHA
Gopinatha temple is situated in Sri Ksetra Jagannatha Puri Dhama in an area named Yamesvara Tota. When Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu took sannyasa, He stayed at Jagannatha Puri Dhama for 18 years. Sri Gadadhara Pandita also came with Mahaprabhu. Most of Mahaprabhu’s other associates in Navadvipa remained in Bengal; they came to Puri only once in a year, for the four months of the rainy season, to attend the Lord Jagannatha Rathayatra and to see Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. But Gadadhara Pandita couldn’t bear to be separated from the Lord, and the Lord couldn’t bear to be separated from Him. So He was permitted to stay with Mahaprabhu in Puri. Gadadhara Pandita resided here at Sri Tota Gopinatha Temple. While residing here in this peaceful garden of trees and creepers, Gadadhara Pandita recited Srimad-Bhagavatam every afternoon. Mahaprabhu attended regularly and heard recount the stories of Dhruva Maharaj and Prahlada Maharaj 100 times.

One day here, Sri Caitanyadeva experienced immense separation from Lord Krishna. Crying out, “Where is My Prananatha,” Gauranga started digging the earth to search of His Lord. Feeling the carved stone mukuta of a murti below the ground, Gaurahari declared, “Gadai, I have found a most precious treasure here. Would you like to accept it?” Noticing the head of a murti emerging from the sand, Gadadhara helped Gauranga uncover a most beautiful Deity of Supreme Lord Sri Krishna.

Mahaprabhu named the Deity, Gopinatha, and because He appeared in this garden called tota in Oriya the devotees called Him, Tota Gopinatha. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu gave the responsibility of Sri Tota Gopinatha’s service to His most dear Gadadhara Pandita, and also awarded Him ksetra-sannyasa.

Sri Tota Gopinatha Deity is very beautiful. Sri Vrindavana Dasa Thakura describes Sri Tota Gopinatha’s beauty in his Sri Caitanya-Bhagavat as follows:
gadadhara bhavane mohana Gopinatha
achene, ye hena nanda-kumara saksat
apane Caitanya tare kariyachena kole
ati pasandi-o se vigraha dekhe bhule
dekhi sri-murali mukha angera bhangima
nityananda ananda asura nahi sima
(Sri Caitanya-Bhagavat Antya 7.114)

“In the house of Gadadhara there is most attractive Gopinatha. This Deity looks exactly like son of Nanda Himself is sitting there. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Himself had held Him in His lap. Even most atheistic person will be changed to see this Deity. By seeing the posture of the body and face with flute Lord Nityananda sheds tears of bliss limitlessly.” Gadadhara Pandita reciting the Srimad-Bhagavatam to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu

Sri Sri Gaura Gadadhara at Campahatta These Deities have been worshipped at Campahati since the time of Mahaprabhu’s lila.

Sri Caitanya-caritamrta (Antya 7.166, 163-164) concludes,
panditera saujanya, brahmanyata-guna drdha prema-mudra loke karila khyapana
“Gadadhara Pandita is celebrated all over the world for his gentle behavior, his brahminical attributes, and his steady love for Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.”
panditera bhava-mudra kahana na yaya ‘gadadhara-prana-natha’ nama haila yaya
“No one can describe the characteristics and ecstatic love of Gadadhara Pandita. Therefore, another name for Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is Gadadhara-prananatha, ‘the life and soul of Gadadhara Pandita.’
pandite prabhura prasada kahana na yaya ‘gadaira gauranga’ bali’ yanre loke gaya
“No one can say how merciful the Lord is to Gadadhara Pandita, but people know the Lord as Gadaira Gauranga, ‘the Lord Gauranga of Gadadhara Pandita.’”
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smara gaura-gadadhara keli kalam
bhava gaura-gadadhara paksa caram
srnu gaura-gadadhara caru katham
bhaja godruma-kanon kunja-vidhum
“Remember Gaura-Gadadhara during the time of Their pastimes, Meditate on Gaura-Gadadhar, the Divine couple, the par-excellence of beauty. Hear beautiful discussions on the topics of Gaura-Gadadhara, and worship them in the forest grove of Godruma, bathed in the light of the moon.” gadadhar pandit prabhu age bosi pare bhagavat – sudha dhale rasi rasi [B.R. 3/107] After enacting His pastimes on this planet for forty-eight years, it was seen by witnesses that Sri Gaurasundara entered into the body of Sri Tota-Gopinathji, who was the Deity in Puri on the Nilachala beach served by Sri Gadadhara Pandita.By [Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura]

Sri Gadadharastakam by Srila Svarupa Damodara Goswami:
Text 1
sva-bhakti-yoga-lasinam sada vraje viharinam
hari-priya-ganagragam cacisuta-priyecvaram
saradha-krishna-sevana-prakacakam mahacayam bhajamy aham
gadadharam supanditam gurum prabhum
I worship the greatly learned and exalted spiritual master, Srila Gadadhara Prabhu, who appears very splendid, engaged in the Lord’s devotional service. He always performs pastimes in Vraja, where he is very prominent among the gopis, who are very dear to Lord Hari. Lord Caitanya, the Son of Saci is the dear Lord of Gadadhara Prabhu, who is preaching the service of Radha and krishna.
Text 2
navojjvaladi- bhavana-vidhana-karma-paragam
vicitra-gaura-bhakti-sindhu-ragga-bhagga-lasinam
suraga-marga-darsakam vrajadi-vasa-dayakam bhajamy
aham gadadharam supanditam gurum prabhum
I worship the greatly learned spiritual master, Srila Gadadhara Prabhu. He is expertly absorbed in meditation on the nine rasas of devotional service, beginning with ujjvala-rasa (conjugal love), and he dances in the waves of the amazing ocean of devotional service to Lord Caitanya. He preaches the path of raganuga-bhakti (spontaneous devotional service), and He is a fit person to attain residence in the transcendental land of Vraja.
Text 3
sacisutagghri-sara-bhakta-vrnda-vandya-gauravam
gaura-bhava-citta-padma-madhya-krishna-vallabham
mukunda-gaura-rupinam svabhava-dharma-dayakam bhajamy
aham gadadharam supanditam gurum prabhum
I worship the greatly learned spiritual master, Srila Gadadhara Prabhu. The best of those who are devoted to the lotus feet of Lord Caitanya, the Son of Saci-devi, offer respecful obeisances to him and treat him with great importance, and he is very dear to Lord krishna, Who is seated in the middle of the lotus flower which is his heart, assuming His golden form of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He preaches that Lord Mukunda has assumed the golden form of Lord Caitanya, and he returns the living entities to their constitutional position as servants of the Lord.
Text 4
nikunja-sevanadika-prakasanaika-karanam sada
sakhi-rati-pradam maha-rasa-svarupakam
sadacritagghri-pankajam sariri-sad-gurum varam bhajamy
aham gadadharam supanditam gurum prabhum
I worship the greatly learned and exalted spiritual master, Srila Gadadhara Prabhu. It is only because of him that the truth of the exalted devotional service performed by the intimate associates of krishna in the forests and groves of vrindavana has been revealed. He is preaching the ecstatic love attained by the gopis, and he is indeed a personification of the mellows of devotional service. The saintly devotees take shelter of his lotus feet, and he teaches the truth of spiritual life to the living entities.
Text 5
mahaprabhor maha-rasa-prakasanagkuram priyam sada
maha-rasagkura-prakacanadi-vasanam mahaprabhor
vrajagganadi-bhava-moda-karakam bhajamy aham
gadadharam supanditam gurum prabhum
I worship the greatly learned spiritual master, Srila Gadadhara Prabhu. He is very dear to Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and it is as if he had sprouted from the manifestation of the Lord`s ecstatic love. He is always adorned with the garments of ecstatic love of Godhead, and He delights Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu by arousing in the Lord the ecstatic emotional love experienced by the gopis of Vraja.
Text 6
dvijendra-vrnda-vandya-pada-yugma-bhakti-vardhakam
nijesu radhikatmata-vapuh-prakacanagraham
asesa-bhakti-sastra-siksayojjvalamrta-prabam bhajamy
aham gadadharam supanditam gurum prabhum
I worship the greatly learned spiritual master, Srila Gadadhara Prabhu, who expands the mellows of devotional service and whose lotus feet are worshipped by the kings of the brahmanas. Among his confidential associates, he reveals his actual form as Srimati Radharani. He distributes the nectar of the ecstatic mellow of the gopis conjugal love, strictly following the instructions of all the devotional scriptures.
Text 7
muda nija-priyadika-svapada-padma-sindhubhir
maha-rasarnavamrta-pradesta-gaura-bhaktidam
sadast-sattvikanvitam nijesta-bhakti-dayakam bhajamy
aham gadadharam supanditam gurum prabhum
I worship the greatly learned spiritual master, Srila Gadadhara Prabhu. With delight, he is giving the devotional service of Lord Caitanya which reveals the nectarean ocean of the most exalted mellows of devotional service, along with the nectar flowing from the lotus feet of the gopis, headed by Srimati Radharani, who is most dear to krishna. Gadadhara Prabhu is decorated with the eight transcendental ecstatic symptoms of sattvika-bhava,and he is distributing devotional service to his worshippable Lord krishna.
Text 8
yadiya-riti-raga-ragga-bhagga-digdhamanaso naro `api
yati turnam eva narya-bhava-bhajanam tam
ujjvalakta-cittam etu citta-matta-catpado bhajamy aham
gadadharam supanditam guram prabhum
I worship the greatly learned spiritual master, Srila Gadadhara Prabhu. Even a conditioned soul, whose mind becomes anointed by the colorful waves of spontaneous devotional service as delineated by Srila Gadadhara Prabhu, quickly attains the highest level of devotional service. He becomes like a maddened bumble bee whose mind is anointed with the mellow of ujjvala-rasa (conjugal love).
Text 9
maha-rasamrta-pradam sada gadadhara-astakam pathet tu
yah subhaktito vrajaggana-ganotsavam
saci-tanuja-pada-padma-bhakti-ratna-yogyatam labheta
radhika-gadadharagghri-padma-sevaya
“These eight verses glorifying Srila Gadadhara Prabhu distribute the nectat of the most exalted mellow of devotional service, and they are like a festival for the gopis of Vraja. If one regularly reads these verses and serves the lotus feet of Srila Gadadhara Prabhu, who is an incarnation of Srimati Radharani, then he will become qualified to attain the jewel of pure devotional service for the lotus feet of Lord Caitanya,the son of Sacidevi.”
_____________________________________________________________________
shri-radha-prema-rupa ya pura vrindavandeshvari
sa shri-gadadharo gaura-vallabhah panditakhyakah
nirnitah shri-Svarupair yo vraja-lakshmitaya yatha
pura vrindavane lakshmih shyamasundara-vallabha
sadya gaura-prema-lakshmih shri-gadadhara-panditah
radham anugata yat tal lalitapy anuradhika
atah pravishad esha tam gaura-candrodaye yatha

The incarnation of love who previously was the queen of Vrindavan, Radha, is now the beloved of Gaura named Srila Gadadhara Pandit. Svarupa Damodar himself indicated that he was Vraja’s goddess of fortune, the Lakshmi who was previously the beloved of Shyamasundara in Vrindavan. She today has become the goddess of fortune of love for Gaura and is known as Srila Gadadhara Pandit. Lalita, who is also known as Anuradha, is Radha’s closest friend and confidante. She has also entered into Gadadhara, as was shown in the play Chaitanya-candrodaya. Gaura-ganoddesha-dipika 147-150)Sri Pundarika Vidyanidhi- Spiritual master of Gadadhara Pandita Sri Tota Gopinatha. – Deities of Sri Gadadhara Pandita in Jagannatha Puri
Tota-Gopinatha temple (Right)Sri Gadadhara Pandita falls unconscious after hearing Chaitanya’s Instructions.Original handwriting of Sri Gadadhara Pandiita Bhagavad-Gita copied by Sri Gadadhara Pandita Deity of Lord Krishna which Sri Gadadhara Pandita wore around his neck

SB 1.8.36–O Kṛṣṇa, those who continuously hear, chant and repeat Your transcendental activities, or take pleasure in others’ doing so, certainly see Your lotus feet, which alone can stop the repetition of birth and death.

PURPORT-… Therefore, even though the Lord may be present before our eyes, it is not possible to see Him unless we have the necessary vision. This necessary qualification is developed by the process of devotional service only, beginning with hearing about the Lord from the right sources. The Bhagavad-gītā is one of the popular literatures which are generally heard, chanted, repeated, etc., by the people in general, but in spite of such hearing, etc., sometimes it is experienced that the performer of such devotional service does not see the Lord eye to eye. The reason is that the first item, śravaṇa, is very important. If hearing is from the right sources, it acts very quickly. Generally people hear from unauthorized persons. Such unauthorized persons may be very learned by academic qualifications, but because they do not follow the principles of devotional service, hearing from them becomes a sheer waste of time. Sometimes the texts are interpreted fashionably to suit their own purposes. Therefore, first one should select a competent and bona fide speaker and then hear from him. When the hearing process is perfect and complete, the other processes become automatically perfect in their own way. There are different transcendental activities of the Lord, and each and every one of them is competent to bestow the desired result, provided the hearing process is perfect.

Some Conclusions–We have many times given similar quotes by Srila Prabhupada where he is telling us that hearing is most important of the 9 processes of Bhakti. And hearing from the authorized source is paramount for hearing to be effective. If we hear from those not authorized or who have not heard properly, the desired result will not take place-knowledge and detachment with the natural attraction for Krsna increasing more and more. This business of hearing from anyone and anywhere will not help us and is sentimental, at best. It sprouts the seeds of sahajiyas or those who take this scientific process of God Consciousness very cheaply. If you can hear directly from Srila Prabhupada, which we can, then why take chances with anyone else??

damaghosa das

“I shall request all my students to develop this idea“–SP

Aug 22 1968 Montreal—

So fortunately, one of our students, he has taken a very large tract of land in West Virginia to develop a society like that, that simple life, eat simple things, grains, vegetables, fruits, milk, and save your time for advancing in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Don’t be implicated in the ugra-karma. Modern civilization is implicated in ugra-karma—vast machinery, everything complicated. The government complicated, the society complicated, economics rule complicated, foreign exchange complicated. Everything has become complicated. So Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura has sung very nice song. Satsaṅga chāri kainu asatye vilās, ei kāraṇe lāgila more karma bandha-phāṅsa. Because we have given up Kṛṣṇa consciousness, therefore we have been entangled in the different varieties of material activities. Now we have to simplify it. The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is to simplify, to save the valuable life, to save the time of valuable life. This human form of life is very valuable. Bahūnāṁ janmanām ante [Bg. 7.19]. After many, many births we have got this important life. So we have to save our time to utilize it for Kṛṣṇa consciousness. That should… So far we have got this material body, we want to maintain it. The body and souls live together. That is all right. For that, Kṛṣṇa has given every chance. Anywhere you sit down, you have got land and cow. You produce something and cow’s milk. That is sufficient for maintenance. So let us try to make an attempt to organize a New Vrindaban scheme, and I shall request all my students to develop this idea and show a good example to this Western part of the world where people are always engaged in ugra-karma, asuric-karma.Things are becoming very implicated, complicated.

Thank you very much. Any question?

Organic garden Krsna Prasadam Ki Jaya-Any questions???

Who is going to Vaikuntha and Who is going to hell???

Hare Krsna-as for myself, I cant say for sure, but here is what Srila Prabhupada tells those who read his books.

SB -3.9.10 purport— To understand what is actually religion is very difficult even if one is situated in the principles of morality and nonviolence. It is very confidential because as soon as one is conversant with the real principles of religion, he is at once liberated to the eternal life of bliss and knowledge. Therefore, one who is not situated in the principles of devotional service to the Lord should not pose himself as a religious leader of the innocent public.

The Īśopaniṣad emphatically forbids this nonsense in the following mantra:

andhaṁ tamaḥ praviśanti ye ’sambhūtim upāsate tato bhūya iva te tamo ya u sambhūtyāṁ ratāḥ (Īśopaniṣad 12.

A person in ignorance of the principles of religion who therefore does nothing in the matter of religion is far better than a person who misguides others in the name of religion without reference to the factual religious principles of devotional service. Such so-called leaders of religion are sure to be condemned by Brahmā and other great authorities.

Follow bogus/ unauthorized guru-you go to hell

SB 1.19.37 P The Appearance of Sukadeva Gosvami Unless one is perfectly anxious to inquire about the way of perfection, there is no necessity of approaching a spiritual master. A spiritual master is not a kind of decoration for a householder. Generally a fashionable materialist engages a so-called spiritual master without any profit. The pseudo spiritual master flatters the so-called disciple, and thereby both the master and his ward go to hell without a doubt.

Continue reading →

The activities, by Haripada dasa

We understand and accept that people who are absorbed in material life, begin to worship God or Krishna due to the fear of death. The lotus feet of God or Krishna are the perfect refuge, free from anxiety, They are the only means to cross over the boundless ocean of ignorance. In chapter four of the Bhagavad-Gita entitled transcendental knowledge, what is karma, vikarma and akarma is explained. Karma means any material action that has to attract a subsequent reaction, in other words, if a person harms a living entity, that same pain will have to suffer in his own person, vikarma means unauthorized and sinful activity, which is executes against the commands of the Revealed Scriptures and akarma means activity by which no reaction is suffered because it is performed in God consciousness or Krishna, that activity is called devotional service, and purifies the spiritual soul of all material contamination.

Today in the whole world there are great demonstrations and protests, it would be a good idea if the people were demonstrating and shouting to say that we are tired of living in ignorance, since ignorance is the cause of all suffering and conditioning, we want knowledge transcendental, because this knowledge is the cause of happiness and freedom. Srila Prabhupada always said that what people like the most is suffering and that they are deceived, they are fanatics of suffering and deception. When human society is directed by very demonic people, an atmosphere of ignorance and passion is created, and people do not have much enthusiasm to live in kindness, to live in goodness one has to develop these qualities: “Live happily in conscience of God or Krishna and be free, (The Truth will make you free) and be kind, tolerant, friendly with everyone, always respect everyone and never want to be respected, be truthful, pure of heart, conquer hunger, thirst, lamentation, envy and old age, do not deceive themselves or others, are happy when they see others happy in God or Krishna consciousness and suffer when they see others suffer and have as their best friends to God or Krishna and His representatives.

At no time do they forget God or Krishna and His devotees, in all moments of life they feel the protection of God or Krishna and His devotees. They live free from fear because their future is very bright and they know that they will go back home to God or Krishna. God or Krishna seizes them to make strange people good people. They use their selfishness to go back home to God or Krishna. They do not envy anyone because they live full of peace and satisfaction. They know God or Krishna and they love Him and as there is only God or Krishna and His energies naturally love everyone and everything.

Srila Prabhupada glorifies the unique position of Srila Vrindavana dasa Thakura

compiled by Yasoda nandana dasa

Vrindavana dasa Thakura’s birth

nārāyaṇī–caitanyera ucchiṣṭa-bhājana

tāṅra garbhe janmilā śrī-dāsa-vṛndāvana

SYNONYMS

nārāyaṇī—of the name Nārāyaṇī; caitanyera—of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu; ucchiṣṭa-bhājana—eater of the remnants of food; tāṅra—of her; garbhe—in the womb; janmilā—took birth; śrī-dāsa-vṛndāvana—Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Thākura.

TRANSLATION

Nārāyaṇī eternally eats the remnants of the food of Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura was born of her womb.

PURPORT

In the Gaura-gaṇoddeśa-dīpikā, a book written by Kavi-karṇapūra that describes all the associates of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and who they previously were, there is the following statement regarding Nārāyaṇī:

ambikāyāḥ svasā yāsīn
nāmnā śrīla-kilimbikā
kṛṣṇocchiṣṭaṁ prabhuñjānā
seyaṁ nārāyaṇī matā

When Lord Kṛṣṇa was a child, He was nursed by a woman named Ambikā, who had a younger sister named Kilimbikā. During the time of Lord Caitanya’s incarnation, the same Kilimbikā used to eat the remnants of food left by Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. That Kilimbikā was Nārāyaṇī, who was a niece of Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura’s. Later on, when she grew up and married, Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura was born from her womb. A devotee of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa is celebrated in terms of devotional service rendered to the Lord; thus we know Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura as the son of Nārāyaṇī. Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura notes in this connection that there is no reference to his paternal ancestry because there is no need to understand it.

Books : Sri Caitanya-caritamrta – 1975 Edition : Cc. Adi-lila : Adi 8: The Author Receives the Orders of Krsna and Guru : Adi 8.41 : PURPORT :

Vrindavana dasa Thakura as the author of Sri Caitanya-Bhagavata

vṛndāvana-dāsa–nārāyaṇīra nandana

‘caitanya-maṅgala’ yeṅho karila racana

SYNONYMS

vṛndāvana-dāsa—Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura; nārāyaṇīra nandana—son of Nārāyaṇī; caitanya-maṅgala—the book of the name Caitanya-maṅgala; yeṅho—who; karila—did; racana—composition.

TRANSLATION

Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura, the son of Śrīmatī Nārāyaṇī, composed Śrī Caitanya-maṅgala [later known as Śrī Caitanya-bhāgavata]
Books : Sri Caitanya-caritamrta – 1975 Edition : Cc. Adi-lila : Adi 11: The Expansions of Lord Nityananda : Adi 11.54 :

bhāgavate kṛṣṇa-līlā varṇilā vedavyāsa

caitanya-līlāte vyāsa–vṛndāvana dāsa

SYNONYMS

bhāgavate—in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam; kṛṣṇa-līlā—the pastimes of Lord Kṛṣṇa; varṇilā—described; veda-vyāsa—Dvaipāyana Vyāsadeva; caitanya-līlāte—in the pastimes of Lord Caitanya; vyāsa—Vedavyāsa; vṛndāvana dāsa—Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura.

TRANSLATION

Śrīla Vyāsadeva described the pastimes of Kṛṣṇa in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. The Vyāsa of the pastimes of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu was Vṛndāvana dāsa.

PURPORT

Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura was an incarnation of Vedavyāsa and also a friendly cowherd boy named Kusumāpīḍa in kṛṣṇa-līlā. In other words, the author of Śrī Caitanya-bhāgavata, Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura, the son of Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura’s niece Nārāyaṇī, was a combined incarnation of Vedavyāsa and the cowherd boy Kusumāpīḍa. There is a descriptive statement by Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura in his commentary on Śrī Caitanya-bhāgavata giving the biographical details of the life of Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta – 1975 Edition : Cc. Adi-lila : Adi 11: The Expansions of Lord Nityananda : Adi 11.55 : PURPORT

vṛndāvana-dāsa ihā ‘caitanya-maṅgale’

vistāri’ varṇilā nityānanda-ājñā-bale

SYNONYMS

vṛndāvana-dāsa—Ṭhākura Vṛndāvana dāsa; ihā—this; caitanya-maṅgale—in his book Caitanya-maṅgala; vistāri‘-expanding; varṇilā—described; nityānanda—of Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu; ājñā—of the order; bale—on the strength.

TRANSLATION

By the order and strength of Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu, Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura has elaborately described in his Caitanya-maṅgala all that I have not.
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta – 1975 Edition : Cc. Adi-lila : Adi 17: The Pastimes of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu in His Youth : Adi 17.330

Srila Prabhupada explains the glories of Sri Caitanya-Bhagavata

ore mūḍha loka, śuna caitanya-maṅgala

caitanya-mahimā yāte jānibe sakala

SYNONYMS

ore—O all of you; mūḍha—foolish; loka—people; śuna—just hear; caitanya-maṅgala—the book of this name; caitanya—Lord Caitanya’s; mahimā—glories; yāte—in which; jānibe—you will know; sakala—all.

TRANSLATION

O fools, just read Śrī Caitanya-maṅgala! By reading this book you can understand all the glories of Śrī Caitanya

Mahāprabhu.

PURPORT

Śrī Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura’s Caitanya-bhāgavata was originally entitled Caitanya-maṅgala, but when Śrīla Locana dāsa Ṭhākura later wrote another book named Caitanya-maṅgala, Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura changed the name of his own book, which is now therefore known as Caitanya-bhāgavata. The life of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is very elaborately described in the Caitanya-bhāgavata, and Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī has already informed us that in his Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta he has described whatever Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura has not mentioned. This acceptance of Śrī Caitanya-bhāgavata by Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī indicates his acceptance of the disciplic succession. A writer of transcendental literature never tries to surpass the previous ācāryas.

Sri Caitanya-caritamrta – 1975 Edition : Cc. Adi-lila : Adi 8: The Author Receives the Orders of Krsna and Guru : Adi 8.33 : PURPORT

Srila Prabhupada explains the great potency of hearing Caitanya-Bhagavata

vṛndāvana-dāsa kaila ‘caitanya-maṅgala‘

yāṅhāra śravaṇe nāśe sarva amaṅgala

SYNONYMS

vṛndāvana-dāsa—of the name Vṛndāvana dāsa; kaila—compiled; caitanya-maṅgala—the book named Caitanya-maṅgala; yāṅhāra—of which; śravaṇe—by hearing; nāśe—annihilated; sarva—all; amaṅgala—inauspiciousness.

TRANSLATION

Ṭhākura Vṛndāvana dāsa has composed Śrī Caitanya-maṅgala. Hearing this book annihilates all misfortune.
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta – 1975 Edition : Cc. Adi-lila : Adi 8: The Author Receives the Orders of Krsna and Guru : Adi 8.35

Srila Prabhupada explains the result and benefit of hearing Caitanya-Bhagavata

caitanya-nitāira yāte jāniye mahimā

yāte jāni kṛṣṇa-bhakti-siddhāntera sīmā

SYNONYMS

caitanya-nitāira—of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Nityānanda Prabhu; yāte—in which; jāniye—one can know; mahimā—all glories; yāte—in which; jāni—I can understand; kṛṣṇa-bhakti—of devotion to Lord Kṛṣṇa; siddhāntera—of the conclusion; sīmā—limit.

TRANSLATION

By reading Śrī Caitanya-maṅgala one can understand all the glories and truths of Lord Caitanya and Nityānanda and come to the ultimate conclusion of devotional service to Lord Kṛṣṇa.

PURPORT

Śrīmad-Bhagavatam is the authoritative reference book from which to understand devotional service, but because it is very elaborate, few men can understand its purpose. Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is the original commentary on the Vedānta-sūtra, which is called nyāya-prasthāna. It was written to enable one to understand the Absolute Truth through infallible logic and argument, and therefore its natural commentary, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, is extremely elaborate. Professional reciters have created the impression that Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam deals only with Kṛṣṇa’s rāsa-līlā, although Kṛṣṇa’s rāsa-līlā is described only in the Tenth Canto (chapters 29-35). They have in this way presented Kṛṣṇa to the Western world as a great woman-hunter, and therefore we sometimes have to deal with such misconceptions in preaching. Another difficulty in understanding Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is that the professional reciters have introduced bhāgavata-saptāha, or seven-day readings of the Bhāgavatam. They want to finish Śrīmad-Bhagavatam in a week, although it is so sublime that even one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, if properly explained, cannot be completed in three months. Under these circumstances, it is a great aid for the common man to read Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura’s Caitanya-bhāgavata, for thus he can actually understand devotional service, Kṛṣṇa, Lord Caitanya and Nityānanda. Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī has said:

śruti-smṛti-purāṇādi-
pañcarātra-vidhiṁ vinā
aikāntikī harer bhaktir
utpātāyaiva kalpate

“Devotional service to the Lord that ignores the authorized Vedic scriptures like the Upaniṣads, Purāṇas, Nārada-pañcarātra, etc., is simply an unnecessary disturbance in society.” Due to misunderstanding Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, people are misled regarding the science of Kṛṣṇa. However, by reading Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura’s book one can very easily understand this science.

Sri Caitanya-caritamrta – 1975 Edition: Cc. Adi-lila The Author Receives the Orders of Krsna and Guru : Adi 8.36

_______________________________________________________

vedavyaso ya evasid daso vrindavano’dhuna
sakha yah kusumapidah karyatas tam samavishat

Vedavyasa became Vrindavan Das Thakur. Krishna’s friend Kusumapida also entered into him for special purposes. (Gaura-ganoddesha-dipika 109)

Vedavyasa described Krishna-lila in the Srimad Bhagavatam. Non-different from Vyasa, Vrindavan Das described Mahaprabhu’s lila in his Chaitanya Bhagavat. His book was first called Chaitanya Mangala, but when Locana Das gave the same name to his biography of the Lord, it was dubbed “Chaitanya Bhagavat”.

Vrindavan Das’s mother, Narayani

Vrindavan Das was born on the Krishna-dvadashi of the month of Vaishakh in 1429 of the Shaka era (1507 AD). Some say he was born in Mamgachi in the Nabadwip area, others say his birthplace was in Kumarahatta. His father was Vaikunthanatha Vipra, who originally came from Sylhet (Sylhet), his mother Narayani Devi. Narayani was the daughter of Srivasa Pandit’s elder brother, Shrinalina Pandit. Kavi Karnapura has also mentioned her name in his Gaura-ganoddesha-dipika:

ambikayah svasa yasin namna shrila-kilimbika
krishnocchishtam prabhuïjana seyam narayani mata

Kilimbika, who used to eat Krishna’s remnants, was the younger sister of Krishna’s nurse Ambika (Srivasa’s wife, Malini). In Mahaprabhu’s lila, she became Narayani.

Narayani also achieved fame because she received Gaurasundara’s mercy when he gave her his remnants. When the Lord displayed his divine form in the Mahaprakasha in Srivasa Angan, Narayani was only a small child of four, but the Lord made her intoxicated with the ecstasy of prema. Whether born in Mamagachi or in Kumarahatta, Vrindavan Das later lived in the village of Denuria, within the Matreshvara precinct of Burdwan district. Thus Denuria is considered to be his Shripata. He spent some of his childhood with his mother in Mamagachi, at the home of his maternal grandparents where Narayani was married. Vrindavan Das’s Gaura-Nitai deities are still worshiped at the Mamagachi home. When his father died, he and his mother moved to Srivasa’s house where he received Mahaprabhu’s special blessings.

Because of the copious blessings he received from Nityananda Prabhu, Vrindavan Das is said to have been his initiated disciple.

Vrindavan Das is the recipient of Nityananda’s blessings. He is the original Vyasa of Chaitanya’s pastimes. (Chaitanya Charitamrita 3.20.82)

He wrote Chaitanya Bhagavat in 1535 AD. Krishnadas Kaviraj Goswami, the author of Chaitanya Charitamrita, has written the following in praise of Vrindavan Das Thakur:

Vrindavan Das, the son of Narayani, wrote the Chaitanya Mangala. Vedavyasa described Krishna’s life in the Srimad Bhagavatam and Vrindavan Das is the Vyasa of Chaitanya-lila. (Chaitanya Charitamrita 1.11.54-5)

Just as Vyasadeva compiled Lord Krishna’s pastimes in Srimad Bhagavatam, Thakur Vrindavan Das depicted Lord Chaitanya’s pastimes. His Chaitanya Mangala annihilates all misfortune. From it, I learned the wonders of Lord Chaitanya and Nityananda and came to know all the most subtle doctrines of devotional service to Krishna. Vrindavan Das Thakur has summarized the essence of the teachings of the Srimad Bhagavatam in his Chaitanya Mangala. If even a Muslim or an atheist should listen to Chaitanya Mangala, he immediately becomes a great Vaishnava. An ordinary human being could not have composed such a sublime work; Lord Chaitanya himself has spoken through the mouth of Vrindavan Das. I offer millions of obeisances unto the lotus feet of Vrindavan Das Thakur who has delivered the entire universe through his book. He was born in the womb of Narayani who eternally enjoys Sri Chaitanya’s remnants. How wonderful is his description of the activites of the Lord, simply by hearing which the three worlds have become sanctified! (Chaitanya Charitamrita 1.8.34-42)

Vrindavan Das became so absorbed in the description of Nityananda Prabhu’s lila that he did not elaborately relate all of Mahaprabhu’s activities, only summarizing them in abbreviated form. Krishnadas then elaborated on these undescribed activities in his Chaitanya Charitamrita.

Vrindavan Das the authorized biographer of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and equal to Srila Vyasadeva. He has described the Lord’s pastimes in such a way as to make them sweeter and sweeter. I shall try as far as possible to fill in the accounts he left out out of fear of excessively enlarging his book. (Chaitanya Charitamrita 1.13.48-9)

Vrindavan Das’s criticisms of Vaishnava aparadha

Vrindavan Das primarily Mahaprabhu’s early activities such as his pastimes as a student, his childhood, his chastisement of the Qazi, his departure from Nabadwip, as well as some aspects of his life in Puri. Vrindavan Das Thakur demonstrated infinite mercy on the fallen souls by warning them:

eta parihare-o je papi ninda kare
tabe lathi maron tar shirera upare

Even after being told how objectionable it is, if someone still blasphemes the Vaishnavas, then I will kick him in the head.

These same words are repeated in the Adi, Madhya and Antya-khandas of the Chaitanya Bhagavat. Some foolish and arrogant persons misunderstand such statements and criticize Vrindavan Das for having made them. Such criticism leads them into the mud of offensiveness. In this connection, the remarks of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Goswami Thakur, the founder of the Sri Chaitanya Math and all the Gaudiya Maths, are well worth studying: “‘I am ready to kick the heads of those envious and hellish persons who blaspheme Nityananda Prabhu, if by so doing I will be able to forever prevent them from repeating their attempts to show disrespect for the Supreme Lord. Not only that, but if by so doing I can bring about a slear conception of the truth, I will be performing them the greatest service.’

“So says Vrindavan Das, the incarnation of Vyasa and acharya of the Vaishnava faith. If even a single fleck of dust should fall from his foot on the head of a sinful blasphemer, then that person will be blessed and all his sinful conditioning will inevitably be eradicated. In words which embody the Goddess of Learning and a flood of pure devotion, the Thakur reveals compassion for even the most atheistic blasphemer with the unswerving faith appropriate to a servant of Nityananda Prabhu, the supreme guru. He tells them that though they should be the object of indifference due to their foolishness, nevertheless, because of their ignorance of the truth of Nityananda, their insistence on rushing headlong on the path to hell, and their reluctance to act in their own real self-interest, he and other compassionate Vaishnavas like him who practice and preach the Lord’s doctrines unselfishly and disinterestedly act for their welfare. The compassion which is manifested in Vrindavan Das’s statement is beyond the comprehension of those who have no understanding of what is truly in their own self interest. Anyone who follows in the footsteps of Vrindavan Das, the incarnation of Vyasa, and both practices and preaches the Vaishnava religion is always engaged in an effort to bring about the ultimate well-being of everyone. Though he may make a superficial show of wishing to punish the enemies of the Lord, in fact he harbors a compassion toward them which knows no limit.”

Vrindavan Das Thakur’s disappearance day is the Krishna Dashami of Vaishakh. There is some dispute the exact year of his disappearance which was likely 1511 Shaka (1589 AD).

MAIN ENTRANCE TO SRI VRINDAVAN DAS THAKURA’S BIRTHPLACE AT MAMGACHHI.

THIS PLACE IS THE ANCESTRAL HOME OF MALINI DEVI, THE WIFE OF SRIVASA PANDITA.

DEITIES AT SRI VRINDAVAN DAS THAKURA’S BIRTHPLACE

On left-side are NITAI-GAURANGA. “NITAI-GAURANGA” are the original deities worshiped by Sri Vrindavan Das Thakura.

On right-side are SRI SRI RADHA-KRISHNA installed by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Gosvami.Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura also installed the deity of Sri Vrindavan Das Thakura (white in color).

Always working for others– means no time for Krsna

This lecture by Srila Prabhupada is for all of us who want to be devotees but have NO TIME or very little time for devotional services in the association of devotee. This brilliant lecture by Prabhupada clearly tells us how this body which we now inhabit does not belong to us- now or in the past or in the future. We are simply borrowing it from Krsna for some time. If it is not used for the owner of the body-Krsna, then all those activities are criminal or sinful.

The class has been summarized into 9 different points.

See SB 3.5.3 purport at the very end for final proof.

Damaghosa das

May 10 1973 LA– SB lecture

SB 1.8.48-Translation: “King Yudhiṣṭhira said: O my Lord, I am the most sinful man. Just see my heart, which is full of ignorance. This body, which is ultimately meant for others, has killed many, many phalanxes of men.”

Prabhupāda: So anyone explaining. You can explain.

1. Pradyumna: This body, even while we are in it, does not belong to us, and before we came into this body, it was matter, belonging to someone else, and after we leave this body, as it says in the purport, “While there is life in the body it is meant for the service of others, and when it is dead it is meant to be eaten by dogs and jackals or maggots.” So after death the body is disposed of in different ways. Some people bury the body; in that case the worms take the body. Some people burn the body; in that case it is consumed by fire and becomes ashes.

2. Prabhupāda: This one word, pārakyasya is very important. … But if we consider philosophically, we’ll see that even this body does not belong to me. Therefore it is a very important word, pārakyasya. From the very beginning. The body was given by father and mother. So if anyone creates something, so that thing belongs to the creator. If the father and mother has created this body, then from the very beginning the body belongs to the father and mother. And actually, in the childhood, as the father and mother says, “Sit down here, eat this, don’t go there,” everything is controlled by the father and mother, and originally given by the father and mother. So how we can claim, “This is my body”? From the very beginning. Then somebody maintains you. Suppose you are working in office, in a factory. So actually that body belongs to him, the maintainer. Just like a dog. The master maintains it, and the dog’s body is meant for the service of that master. As soon as the master indicates, “You do this,” immediately he does it. A dog has no independence, practical. So in this way the body belongs to the master. In the beginning, body belongs to the father and mother. Then, if you grow up, then body belongs to your country. In this way, go up to the death point, and after death also, the body belongs to others.

There are three stages, three different kinds of transformation of this body after death: stool, ashes and worms, uh, earth or dirt. According to the Vedic civilization, the body is burnt into ashes. So the body becomes ashes. And somebody throws the body to be eaten up by some animal. The Parsee community in India, they throw the body to be eaten by the vultures. That is their system. So after eating, the vultures, they pass stool; so body becomes stool.

3. So this is called ajñānam.[ignorance] If you work for your own thing, there is some sense. But if you are working for others only, you have no claim, and day and night, hard work, then what is that intelligence? That is ass’s intelligence. Ass. Ass just like works very hard, not for himself. He works for the washerman, for carrying tons of cloth on his back and for a morsel of grass. So in the actual sense also, if you go to see a gentleman, busy gentleman, businessman, ask him that “We want to talk with you something about Kṛṣṇa consciousness.” “Oh, I have no time. I have no time, sir.” “Why?” “I am very busy.” “Why you are busy?” “For business.” “What is this business for?” “For maintaining my family.” So in this way, ultimately, he is thinking he is working for himself, but he is working for others.

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Always working for others means no time for Krsna