Sri Saranga Thakura Ttirobhava tithi [disappearance]  
Sunday, December 13, 202 [Mayapura, West Bengal , India , Bharata Bhumi time]
Srila Prabhupada describes the glories of Sri Saranga Tahkura

compiled by Yasoda nandana dasa

In the Gaura-gaṇoddeśa-dīpikā (203) it is said, “Bhāgavatācārya compiled a book entitled Kṛṣṇa–prema–taraṅgiṇī, and he was the most beloved devotee of Lord CaitanyaMahāprabhu.” When Lord Śrī CaitanyaMahāprabhu visited Varāhanagara, a suburb of Calcutta, He stayed in the house of a most fortunate brāhmaṇa who was a very learned scholar in Bhāgavata literature. As soon as this brāhmaṇa saw Lord CaitanyaMahāprabhu, he began to read Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. When Mahāprabhu heard his explanation, which expounded bhakti–yoga, He immediately became unconscious in ecstasy. Lord Caitanya later said, “I have never heard such a nice explanation of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. I therefore designate you Bhāgavatācārya. Your only duty is to recite Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. That is My injunction.” His real name was Raghunātha. His monastery, which is situated in Varāhanagara, about three and a half miles north of Calcutta on the bank of the Ganges, still exists, and it is managed by the initiated disciples of the late Śrī Rāmadāsa Bābājī. Presently, however, it is not as well managed as in the presence of Bābājī Mahārāja. Another name of Ṭhākura Śāraṅga dāsa was Śārṅga Ṭhākura. Sometimes he was also called Śārṅgapāṇi or Śārṅgadhara. He was a resident of Navadvīpa in the neighborhood known as Modadruma-dvīpa,
and he used to worship the Supreme Lord in a secluded place on the bank of the Ganges. He did not accept disciples, but he was repeatedly inspired from within by the Supreme Personality of Godhead to do so. Thus one morning he decided, “Whomever I see I shall make my disciple.” When he went to the bank of the Ganges to take his bath, by chance he saw a dead body floating in the water, and he touched it with his feet. This immediately brought the body to life, and Ṭhākura Sāraṅgadāsa accepted him as his disciple. This disciple later became famous as Ṭhākura Murāri, and his name is always associated with that of Śrī Sāraṅga. His disciplic succession still inhabits the village of Śar. There is a temple at Māmagācchi that is said to have been started by Śārṅga Ṭhākura. Not long ago, a new temple building was erected in front of a bakula tree there, and it is now being managed by the members of the GauḍīyaMaṭha. It is said that the management of the temple is now far better than before.In the Gaura-gaṇoddeśa-dīpikā (172) it is stated that Śāraṅga Ṭhākura was formerly a gopī named Nāndīmukhī. Some devotees say that he was formerly Prahlāda Mahārāja, but Śrī Kavi–karṇapūra says that his father, Śivānanda Sena, does not accept this proposition.
prahlada — by Prahlada Maharaja — Sanskrit Dictionaryprahlada — by Prahlada Maharaja

Sri Caitanya-caritamrta – 1975 Edition : The Trunk, Branches and Subbranches of the Caitanya Tree : Adi 10.113 :

Sri Kaliya Krsnadasa tirobhava tithi [disappearance day] , Saturday, December 12, 2020
Srila Prabhupada explains the glories and the amazing position of Sri Kaliya Krsnadasacompiled by Yasoda nandana dasa



gaurīdāsa paṇḍita yāṅra premoddaṇḍa-bhakti

Rūpa Gosvāmī has stated that five kinds of devotional activities-namely, residing in Mathurā, worshiping the Deity of the Lord, reciting Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, serving a devotee, and chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra-are so potent that a small attachment for any one of these five items can arouse devotional ecstasy even in a neophyte.

Regarding worship of the form of the Lord, or Deity, Rūpa Gosvāmī has written the following verse: “My dear friend, if you still have any desire to enjoy the company of your friends within this material world, then don’t look upon the form of Kṛṣṇa, who is standing on the bank of Keśī–ghāṭa [a bathing place in Vṛndāvana]. He is known as Govinda, and His eyes are very enchanting. He is playing upon His flute, and on His head there is a peacock feather. And His whole body is illuminated by the moonlight in the sky.”
The purport of this verse is that if someone becomes attached to the Śrī Mūrti, or Deity of Kṛṣṇa, by worshiping at home, then he will forget his relationships of so-called friendship, love and society. Thus it is the duty of every householder to install Deities of the Lord at home and to begin the process of worshiping along with all of his family members. This will save everyone from such unwanted activities as going to clubs, cinemas, dancing parties, smoking, drinking, etc. All such nonsense will be forgotten if one stresses the worship of the Deities at home….

In the above two verses of Rūpa Gosvāmī there are some metaphorical analogies, which indirectly condemn the association of materialistic society, friendship and love. People are generally attracted to society, friendship and love, and they make elaborate arrangements and strong endeavors to develop these material contaminations; but to see the Śrī Mūrtis of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa is to forget such endeavors for material association. Rūpa Gosvāmī composed his verse in such a way that he was seemingly praising the material association of friendship, love, etc., and was condemning the audience of Śrī Mūrtis or Govinda. This metaphorical analogy is constructed in such a way that things which seem to be praised are condemned, and things which are to be condemned are praised. The actual import of the verse is that one must see the form of Govinda if one at all wants to forget the nonsense of material friendship, love and society. 

Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī has similarly described the transcendental nature of relishing topics which concern Kṛṣṇa. A devotee once said, “It is very astonishing that since I have seen this Personality of Godhead who is washed by the tears of my eyes, there is shivering of my body, and He has made me a failure in executing my material duties. Since seeing Him I cannot remain silently at home. I wish to go out to Him always.” The purport of this statement is that as soon as one is fortunate enough to contact a pure devotee, he must be anxious immediately to hear about Kṛṣṇa, to learn about Kṛṣṇa, or, in other words, to become fully Kṛṣṇa conscious.link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/nod/13

I don’t think that Hayagriva is at fault. He has not changed
the meaning or the philosophy in any way

Letter to Hansadutta written from Honolulu
June 08, 1975

Bhaktivedanta Manor

My dear Hansadutta,

Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated May 30, 1975 and have noted the contents.I don’t think that Hayagriva is at fault. He has not changed the meaning or the philosophy in any way. But if you like to use the original manuscript, then if it is possible, you can use it.

I hope this meets you in good health.

Your ever well-wisher,

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

ACBS/ps

.
——————————Srila Prabhupada says – So to play tricks with guru, to become diplomat
and intriguer, these rascaldom will not help bhagavad-bhakti-yoga. 

 Topmost yoga system is bhagavad-bhakti, and bhagavad-bhakti-yoga begins, ādau gurv-āśrayaḥ. First of all surrender to guru.

tad viddhi praṇipātenaparipraśnena sevayā (BG 4.34)

The official initiation has no meaning. Unless one who has fully surrendered to guru, there is no question of initiation. Divya jñāna hṛde prokāśito. Divya-jñāna means “Transcendental knowledge.” So to play tricks with guru, to become diplomat and intriguer, these rascaldom will not help bhagavad-bhakti-yoga. You can get some other things, some material profit, but spiritual life will be spoiled.

So this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is for spiritual enlightenment, not for how to get money, how to earn money. This is not Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Caitanya Mahāprabhu teaches:

na dhanaṁ na janaṁ na sundarīṁkavitāṁ vā jagad-īśa kāmaye(CC Antya 20.29, Śikṣāṣṭaka 4)

Na dhanaṁ. The materialists, they, what they want? They want money. They want many followers and many subordinates, or nice, beautiful wife. This is materialist. But Caitanya Mahāprabhu refuses. Na dhanaṁ: “No, no. I don’t want money.” This is teaching. Na dhanaṁna na janaṁ: “I don’t want to rule over somebody.” No. Na . . . na dhanaṁ na janaṁ na sundarīṁ kavitāṁ—a poetic imagination of nice, beautiful wife. “These things I do not want.” What is? Then, bhagavad-bhakti-yoga:

mama janmani janmanīśvarebhavatād bhaktir ahaitukī tvayi(CC Antya 20.29, Śikṣāṣṭaka 4)
[Srila Prabhupada Lecture on SB 1.2.20,New York – July 24, 1974]
Key points:

• Topmost yoga system is bhagavad-bhakti, and bhagavad-bhakti-yoga begins, ādau gurv-āśrayaḥ.
• First of all surrender to guru.
• tad viddhi praṇipātenaparipraśnena sevayā(BG 4.34)
• The official initiation has no meaning. Unless one who has fully surrendered to guru, there is no question of initiation.
• So to play tricks with guru, to become diplomat and intriguer, these rascaldom will not help bhagavad-bhakti-yoga.
• You can get some other things, some material profit, but spiritual life will be spoiled.
• So this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is for spiritual enlightenment, not for how to get money, how to earn money.
• This is not Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Caitanya Mahāprabhu teaches:
• na dhanaṁ na janaṁ na sundarīṁkavitāṁ vā jagad-īśa kāmaye(CC Antya 20.29, Śikṣāṣṭaka 4)
•  The materialists, they, what they want? They want money. They want many followers and many subordinates, or nice, beautiful wife. This is materialist. But Caitanya Mahāprabhu refuses. Na dhanaṁ: “No, no. I don’t want money.” This is teaching. Na dhanaṁna na janaṁ: “I don’t want to rule over somebody.”
• This is teaching. Na dhanaṁna na janaṁ: “I don’t want to rule over somebody.” No. Na . . . na dhanaṁ na janaṁ na sundarīṁ kavitāṁ—a poetic imagination of nice, beautiful wife.

Srila Prabhupada describes the glories of Sri Narahari sarakara Thakuracompiled by Yasoda nandana dasa

Hare Krsna-below we put together this series of quotes because of the very first one I read last night before retiring, In this conversation Srila Prabhupada is pointing out that the great Acaryas and sages  in India of days gone  neglected building skyscrapers and instead focused upon simple living.  He asks-why, they were less intelligent? But because their brains were not filled up with this so called material progress nonsense, they were so clear thinking that they left behind to us the clear path back to Godhead. This path does not include building skyscrapers, freeways, incomprehensible  economic systems, and the like.But he says who will understand this? So that simple  life willbe possible if one is bhakta. Bhaktih  paresanubhavo viraktir anyatrasyat. Only by devotion. Not  by otherwise.

Hare Krsna

damaghosa das———————————–

Nov 20 1976 Vrndavna room conversation
Akṣayānanda: …Kṛṣṇa will also increase?
Prabhupāda: Hm?

Akṣayānanda: The ability to remember Kṛṣṇa, that will also increase?Prabhupāda: Yes. Yes, if the brain is clear—it is not filled up with rubbish cow dung—then Kṛṣṇa consciousness easy. Yes. Kṛṣṇa consciousness means there is no more material consciousness. Sarvopādhi-vinirmuktam [Cc. Madhya 19.170]. Anyābhilāṣitā-śūnyam [Brs. 1.1.11]. That is required. In material existence we have got so many obligations, thoughts (indistinct), and so many things. Bṛthā.eta saba chāḍi’ āra varṇāśrama-dharmaakiñcana hañā laya kṛṣṇaika-śaraṇaSarva-dharmān: Everything give up. That is India’s Vedic civilization. They are not concerned with the material advancement. Simple life. That’s all. And our present leaders, they are thinking that “brainwashed.” They are not deeply thinking, “Why our great sages and ācāryas recommended this life, not the skyscraper life? Why? They were not less intelligent.” They are not thinking in that way.They are thinking that “Because we neglected the skyscraper thoughts, we are so backward.” At least this rascal Nehru was thinking like that. “So finish this.” The Russia is… What is called? Opiate, brainwashed. These things are accepted like that. “It has no value, simply some prejudice and superstition, and they are thinking like that and they are spoiling their material side of life.” This is their idea. “What is this? No meat-eating?”

►740525mw.room Conversations Prabhupada: Yes, that was Gandhi’s philosophy, village  organization. These people, they are attracting villagers to work in the  factory, and they are exploiting them…. our philosophy. Make your  life successful. By becoming Krsna conscious, you become free from  allthese troubles of material  condition. This is our education. Don’t be after these  motorcars, television, and all nonsense things, sporting, wine, women. Don’t  be after these. Simply eat sufficiently, keep  yourhealth nicely, chant Hare Krsna, realize Krsna, and  go back  to home This is our  philosophy…

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Once a person begins to worship the Deity of the  Lord with a trace of bhakti it is to be understood that he has sown the seed  of his own food fortune and that he is free from corrupt  ideologies.

After hours of scouring thru two large books by Bhaktivinode Thakur-Jaiva Dharma and Caitanya siksamrita-I finally found the one quote I was looking for-and that would be the above one.These two books are literally a gold mine of nectar and I wish I could read and remember them both verbatim-

“Unless one is under the shelter of a realized spiritual master, his understanding of the Supreme is simply foolishness” quote from TLC

LA July 13 1971—Prabhupāda: Unless one is prepared that “I am accepting somebody as my spiritual master. I must accept whatever he says,” if there is any doubt, that “I cannot accepthis words verbatim,” then one should not accept him as spiritual master. That is hypocrisy
  

 Chapter 8, Jaiva Dharma-Nitya Dharma and Vaisnava  Behavior-translated by Sarvabhavana das starting at pg. 110 

He begins this chapter by quoting Manu samhita 6.92 with  the 10 characteristics of religiosity. Contentment, forgiveness, not  revenging a wrong, self control, remaining in control of the mind in spite of  the presence of allurements, honesty, cleanliness, withdrawing the senses from  sense objects, scriptural knowledge, education, knowledge of the soul,  trutfulness, awareness of reality and freedom from anger, to be not angered when  provoked.Of these, 6 are characteristics directed to oneself and 4  are obligations to others. However the duty or worshipping the Supreme Lord  Sri Hari is not clearly delineated in any of these 10 characteristics.

Then he quotes SB 2.3.19 which states that “men who are  like dogs, hogs, camels and asses praise those men who never listen to the  transcendental pastimes of  Sri  Krsna, the deliverer from evils.”This is meant to distinguish ordinary moral persons, who  are on the material level, from Vaisnavas who are not in the material world. A  huge gulf of difference between the two. Now he begins to make the distinctions between kanistha  (3^rd class), madhyama (2^nd class) and Uttama  (1^st class) devotees.

SB 11.2.47—Arcayam eva haraye, pujam yah sraddhayehate,  na tad bhaktesu canyesu, sa bhaktah prakrtah smrtah.A materialistic devotee does not purposefully study  the sastra and try to understand the actual standard of pure devotional  service. Consequently he does not show proper respect to advanced  devotees. He may however follow the regulative principles he has  learnt from his spiritual master or family tradition and worship the Deity in  the temple. He is to be considered as being on the material platform  although he is trying to advance in devotional service.Such a person is bhakta praya or bhakta abhasa, a  neophyte devotee for he is but a little enlightened about the Vaisnava  philosophy. One who worships the Deity of the Lord with faith, but neither  respects the created living creatures of the Lord nor worships and serves His  devotees with devotion is a prakrta-bhakta…To worship the Deity of the Lord  with sraddha is certainly bhakti, but without worshipping and serving the  devotee of the Lord, one cannot execute suddha –bhakti. This position of  serving the Lord but not His pure devotee can be described as being at best a  step inside the portals of the realm of bhakti. 

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“So let us try to make an attempt to organize a New Vrindaban scheme, andI 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.”“Everyone has to earn his livelihood by agriculture,..”“Every man must possess a piece of land..”“The first necessityis that you should be self-sufficient. That is God’s arrangement.”“There are so many land. Come here and grow food. Grow fruit. That is… That is the desire of Krsna. Annad bhavanti bhutani. Produce food and eat in sufficiently, be strong, and chant Hare Krsna.That is our philosophy.”“When men are uncivilized, they do not how to growfood, they kill animals in the jungle and eat. When they arecivilized, they know how to grow food now and the nice food grains,fruit, flowers”“There is a proverb: agriculture is the noblest profession. Is it not said? Agriculture is noblest, and Krsna was farmer, His father”.“I wish to introduce this ideal now.Then if we are successful this cheating civilization will stop.”“ The beginning of life is how tobecome cent percent obedient to guru.”“We want two favours. One from guru, one from Krsna.That’s all. We don’t want anyone’s favour. “

Hare Krsna-below and above we have compiled some quotes and realizations based upon these quotes and the application in our personal life of these quotes or instructions by Srila Prabhupada. Everybody knows-chant Hare Krsna and be happy. How that instruction was to be applied as the days move more into kali yuga can be found within this article.

Hare Krsna

damaghosa das————————Srila Prabhupada explains why everyone should grow their own food—this is to be done gradually- because for so many lifetimes we are addicted to city living

May 28 1974 RomeYogeśvara: Śrīla Prabhupāda, the way you’ve been describing our solutions to the problems of the world, they seem to be on two levels. One is the extended solution, that is to say, the ultimate solution of Kṛṣṇa conscious.

Prabhupāda: No, there is no question of extended. You keep yourself in a limited solution. And then, when it is appreciated it will be automatically extended. You don’t touch the extended. You become ideal civilized man. Others will follow.

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