Ur Eternal Protector…….

Protection is offered to a devotee even from the very beginning of his devotional service. Kaunteya pratijanihi na me bhaktah pranasyati (Bhagavad Gita 9.31). If one simply begins devotional service, he is immediately protected by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is also confirmed in Bhagavad Gita (18.66) : aham tvam sarva papebhyo moksayisyami. Protection begins immediately. The Lord is so kind and merciful that He gives the devotee proper guidance and all protection, and thus the devotee very peacefully makes solid progress in Krishna Consciousness without outward disturbances. A serpent may be very angry and ready to bite, but the furious snake is helpless when faced by a blazing fire in the forest. Although an enemy of a devotee may be very strong, he is compared to an angry serpent before the fire of devotional service.

Queen Kunti stated in a Poem “You befriended us and stayed with us and guided us through all tribulations I offer myself and whatever I have unto you my lord your loving kindness and mercy often comes clothed in strange guises enveloped in a shroud of tribulation yet our journey through life is made easy by these hardships you provide

Oh Lord let us not falsely claim that this world is our home let us not ever forget that this place is full of danger and let the calamities come again and again that we may remember you and meet with you again and again for by remember you we no longer meet with repeated birth and death”

Well in this Poem Queen Kunti is inviting calamites again and again so that she may remember Krishna and meet Krishna again and again.

Queen Kunti taught us very nice thing that when we are happy we tend to forget God and as soon as suffering start we try to go behind him, so she prayed let the calamities come again and again so that she will remember Krishna and meet Krishna again and again, this is the statement of Queen Kunti who is such an  exalted devotee of Lord Krishna wondering where I stand.

Even Kabir Das said “ Dukh Mein Simran Sab Karen, Sukh Mein Karay Na Koye Jo Sukh Mein Simran Karay, To Dukh Kahay Ko Hoye “[In anguish everyone prays to Him, in joy does none To One who prays in happiness, how sorrow can come]

The Lord is so kind and merciful that He gives the devotee proper guidance and all protection, and thus the devotee very peacefully makes solid progress in Krishna Consciousness without outward disturbances.

As they say where there is Hari (Lord) there is no Worry, if you face any situation just keep your faith strong and  you will be out of that situation in no time.

Now the question is, I am devotee, I am very Kind, I am Good with every one then why I am facing such an horrible situation – referring answer by very senior devotee “

Complete surrender to Krishna destroys all stages of karma, both a priori and a posteriori, just as Krishna promises. In other words, a fully surrendered devotee is NOT AFFECTED by karma.

How, then, are we to understand the devotee's suffering? Srila Prabhupada likened this to a fan that is switched off, yet continues to rotate for a while due to previous momentum. Similarly, when a person surrenders to Krishna, he may continue to experience some of the effects of residual material conditioning for a while, but they are soon depleted and destroyed.

Further, the suffering of a surrendered devotee is not exactly a karmic reaction under the agency of the Lord's external energy. Rather, Krishna Himself may give His devotee some token reaction just to purify him/her of any residual material attachment or to increase their dependence on Him. This suffering and the suffering of a non- devotee are not the same just as the suffering of an orphan is not the same as the apparent suffering/punishment a king's son might undergo in the process of being trained by the king.

Because of their confidence in the Lord's protection, a pure devotee actually never suffers, even if externally they seem to be undergoing difficulties. Being situated in transcendental knowledge by the Lord's grace, they know that all suffering pertains only to the material body, which is simply a source of suffering in any case, and is illusory. In fact Queen Kunti, in her famous prayers, requests Krishna for more and more calamities because such calamities are an opportunity for her ecstatic remembrance of Krishna and taking shelter of His lotus feet! (SB 1.8.25)

Of course, to the degree one is surrendered, to that degree one becomes free from past material reactions. And as far as their present and future karma is concerned, a symptom of surrender is acting fully in accordance with the directions of the Supersoul through the medium of scripture / spiritual master and with the intention of serving Krishna. Therefore all such activities become Krishna-karma and therefore free of material reactions”

Krishna stated in Bhagavad Gita “But those who always worship Me  with exclusive devotion, meditating on My transcendental form – to them I carry what they lack, and I preserve what they have.” BG 9.22

Even stated in Bible - JOHN 3:16“"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17"For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.…. “

As they say this day will also pass….so dont worry lord is there to protect you, just keep him in your mind 24x7.

Chant Hare Krishna and Be Happy….your eternal servant.

~Krishna Das (Karan Gulati)

Sri Gurvastakam

Song Name - Samsara Davanala Lidha Loka
Author - Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura

Sri Gurvastakam sung by Srila Prabhupada

(1)
saṁsāra-dāvānala-līḍha-loka
trāṇāya kāruṇya-ghanāghanatvam
prāptasya kalyāṇa-guṇārṇavasya
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam

The spiritual master is receiving benediction from the ocean of mercy. Just as a cloud pours water on a forest fire to extinguish it, so the spiritual master delivers the materially afflicted world by extinguishing the blazing fire of material existence. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master, who is an ocean of auspicious qualities.

(2)
mahāprabhoḥ kīrtana-nṛtya-gīta 
vāditra-mādyan-manaso rasena
romāñca -kampāśru-taraṅga-bhājo
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam

Chanting the holy name, dancing in ecstasy, singing, and playing musical instruments, the spiritual master is always gladdened by the sańkīrtana movement of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Because he is relishing the mellows of pure devotion within his mind, sometimes his hair stands on end, he feels quivering in his body, and tears flow from his eyes like waves. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.

(3)
śrī-vigrahārādhana-nitya-nānā
śṛṅgāra-tan-mandira-mārjanādau
yuktasya bhaktāṁś ca niyuñjato ‘pi
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam

The spiritual master is always engaged in the temple worship of Srī Srī Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa. He also engages his disciples in such worship. They dress the Deities in beautiful clothes and ornaments, clean Their temple, and perform other similar worship of the Lord. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.

(4)
catur-vidha-śrī-bhagavat-prasāda
svādvanna-tṛptān hari-bhakta-saṅghān
kṛtvaiva tṛptiṁ bhajataḥ sadaiva
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam

The spiritual master is always offering Kṛṣṇa four kinds of delicious food [analyzed as that which is licked, chewed, drunk, and sucked]. When the spiritual master sees that the devotees are satisfied by eating bhagavat-prasāda, he is satisfied. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.

(5)
śrī-rādhikā-mādhavayor apāra
mādhurya-līlā guṇa-rūpa-nāmnām
prati-kṣaṇāsvādana-lolupasya
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam

The spiritual master is always eager to hear and chant about the unlimited conjugal pastimes of Rādhikā and Mādhava, and Their qualities, names, and forms. The spiritual master aspires to relish these at every moment. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.

(6)
nikuñja-yūno rati-keli-siddhyai
yā yālibhir yuktir apekṣaṇīyā
tatrāti-dākṣyād ati-vallabhasya
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam

The spiritual master is very dear, because he is expert in assisting the gopīs, who at different times make different tasteful arrangements for the perfection of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa's conjugal loving affairs within the groves of Vṛndāvana. I offer my most humble obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.

(7)
sākṣād-dharitvena samasta-śāstrair
uktas tathā bhāvyata eva sadbhiḥ
kintu prabhor yaḥ priya eva tasya
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam

The spiritual master is to be honored as much as the Supreme Lord, because he is the most confidential servitor of the Lord. This is acknowledged in all revealed scriptures and followed by all authorities. Therefore I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master, who is a bona fide representative of Srī Hari [Kṛṣṇa].

(8)
yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādo
yasyāprasādān na gatiḥ kuto ‘pi
dhyāyan stuvaṁs tasya yaśas tri-sandhyaṁ
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam

By the mercy of the spiritual master one receives the benediction of Kṛṣṇa. Without the grace of the spiritual master, one cannot make any advancement. Therefore, I should always remember and praise the spiritual master. At least three times a day I should offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of my spiritual master.

NITAI PADA KAMALA by Narottama Dasa

 

It is said that without mercy of Nityananda one cant achieve true love of Radha and Krishna, he is a gateway to Radha and Krishna eternal prema and one can get pure devotion only by serving Lotus feet of Lord Nityananda..interesting part is meaning of Nityananda is  Nitya Eternal Ananda – Pleasure, Eternal Pleasure…awesome bhajan by Jahanvi Harrison with Lyrics and Translation. May you will get mercy of Lord Nityananda

nitāi-pada-kamala, koṭi-candra-suśītala
je chāyāy jagata jurāy
heno nitāi bine bhāi, rādhā-kṛṣṇa pāite nāi
dṛḍha kori' dharo nitāir pāy

The lotus feet of Lord Nityananda are a shelter where one will get the soothing moonlight not only of one, but of millions of moons. If the world wants to have real peace, it should take shelter of Lord Nityananda. Unless one takes shelter under the shade of the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda, it will be very difficult for him to approach Radha-Krsna. If one actually wants to enter into the dancing party of Radha-Krsna, he must firmly catch hold of the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda.

se sambandha nāhi jā'r, bṛthā janma gelo tā'r
sei paśu boro durācār
nitāi nā bolilo mukhe, majilo saḿsāra-sukhe
vidyā-kule ki koribe tār

Anyone who has not established his relationship with Nityananda Prabhu is understood to have spoiled his valuable human birth. Such a human being is actually an uncontrollable animal. Because he never uttered the holy name of Nityananda, he has become merged into so-called material happiness. What can his useless education and family tradition do to help him?

ahańkāre matta hoiyā, nitāi-pada pāsariyā
asatyere satya kori māni
nitāiyer koruṇā habe, braje rādhā-kṛṣṇa pābe
dharo nitāi-caraṇa du'khāni

Being maddened after false prestige and identification with the body, one is thinking, oh, what is Nityananda? What can He do for me? I don't care. The result is that he is accepting something false to be truth. If you actually want to approach the association of Radha-Krsna, you must first achieve the mercy of Lord Nityananda. When He is merciful toward you, then you will be able to approach Radha-Krsna. Therefore you should firmly grasp the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda.

nitāiyer caraṇa satya, tāhāra sevaka nitya
nitāi-pada sadā koro āśa
narottama boro dukhī, nitāi more koro sukhī
rākho rāńgā-caraṇera pāśa

The lotus feet of Nityananda are not illusion; they are a fact. One who engages in the transcendental loving service of Nityananda is also transcendental. Always try to catch the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda. This Narottama dasa is very unhappy, therefore I am praying to Lord Nityananda to make me happy. My dear Lord, please keep me close to Your lotus feet.

Beautiful Prayer by Queen Kunti

Few days back, watched a Video in which  heard recitation of beautiful prayer by Queen Kunti, though that video had subtitle but I wasn’t able to find that complete poem, even gone through book “Teachings of Queen Kunti”  by Srila Prabhupada but looks like reciter had referred specific lines from the book and presented it in this beautiful video.

Today, had few free hours in my pocket so thought of investing them in this productive task of documenting same beautiful video here in my blog.

Queen Kunti was the wife of King Pandu and the mother of five illustrious sons known as the Pandavas, she was top most devotee of Krishna, Normally when we Pray in front of Hari we ask for good health, money, good wife, bright future of children but look at Queen Kunit she asked Krishna for troubles, miseries so that she will find Krishna around her all time, that you appreciate by going through this video or poem.

Watch this video and if you like take printout of this poem and stick it on your workstation wall, hopefully this will bring you near to Lord Krishna.

All Glories to Queen Kunit……Haribol

Poem by Queen Kunit as follow

Oh Krishna as the river Ganges forever flows to the sea
let my mind, my being be constantly drawn to Thee.

Oh most gentle, Oh original personality master of the senses
seated in the hearts of all that be, existing both within and without
seeing all but seen by none, unto you I offer all my respect.

Oh Krishna, Oh soul of the universe beyond the range of our perception covered by the curtain of misconception
we are bewildered by your movements.

Though you work you are inactive, thought you take birth you are unborn and though you descent, amongst men,sages,animals and aquatics.

You are the transcendent reality and although you are unknown above all that be you reveal yourself to the surrendered souls
who worship you in the core of their hearts unto you I offer all my respects.

Oh Krishna, Oh eternal master and friend once when you were a    small child Your mother Yasoda took a rope to bind you. Your perturbed eyes filled with tears and though fear personified is  afraid of you at that moment you were afraid how can i understand these things.

Oh my lord I offer all to you, Oh Lord whose glance is as cool as a lotus who protected us from the great fire from Poisonous cake from cannibals from the vicious assembly of the kurus from sufferings and in exile from a fierce battle from a devastating weapon

You befriended us and stayed with us and guided us
through all tribulations I offer myself and whatever I have unto you
my lord your loving kindness and mercy often comes clothed in strange guises enveloped in a shroud of tribulation yet our journey through life is made easy by these hardships you provide

Oh Lord let us not falsely claim that this world is our home
let us not ever forget that this place is full of danger and let the calamities come again and again that we may remember you and meet with you again and again for by remember you we no longer meet with repeated birth and death.

Oh Krishna, those who always hear your glories who always repeat your glories who always see you in all things who always take pleasure in your pastimes certainly find shelter at your Louts Feet.

My lord you can be easily approached but only by those who are exhausted with sensual pleasure unimpressed with opulence
unimpressed with fame and wealth with prestigious birth and scholarship only by those who are finished with idle talk
finished with mundane beauty finished with all forms of religiosity.

My Lord I am not afraid to be abandoned by luck and good fortune
by friends and relatives I am not afraid to be handled roughly
I am not afraid to be wander the streets homeless like a beggar
I am not afraid to be cast away condemned, quarantined or exiled

Oh most gentle, most holy, most merciful master help me, prepare me do whatever is necessary to render fit this unworthy soul for entrance into your eternal abode.

========================================================

Meaning of word Wahe Guru (vaha guru) as Explained by Bhai Gurdasa ji

The meaning of word vaha guru is well put forth by Bhai Gurdasa ji who is a contemporary of the fifth Sikh guru Arjun Dev ji. He is the one who penned down the Granth Sahib while the fifth guru recited it. Bhai Gurdasa has authored a book called ‘Vaara’ where he elaborates on the compilation of the mantra vaha guru.
In his book in the section of 1 Varaa, Pauri 49 he says:

Satyuga satgur vasdev va-va vishna nama japavey
duapara satgur hari krishna ha ha hari hari nama japavey
trete satgur rama jii ra ra rama jape such pavey
kaliyuga nanak gur govinda ga ga govinda nama alavey
care yagi cahu yugi panchin vic jai samavey
caro akshara ik kar vahaguru jap mantara japavey
Jaha te upjia phir taha samavey

Translation: In Satyayuga to attain the Lord, meditation on the Vasudeva form is advocated. The letter ‘v’ of vaha guru reminds of Vishnu. In Dvapara yuga Hari Krishna appeared; the letter ‘h’ of vaha guru reminds of Hari. In Treta yuga Rama appeared; the letter ‘r’ of vaha guru reminds of Rama. In Kali yuga came Nanak as a guru to make others chant Govinda. The letter ‘g’ of vaha guru reminds of Govinda. Thus the four yugas have concluded this. The four letters combined together to form this mantra (vaha guru) By chanting this mantra the living entity goes back from where he has come.

Raga Ramakali

 

Guru Nanak Dev, the first Sikh guru, recites in the Raga Ramakali Mahala 1, Dakhni Omkar as follows:
Ik omkara satgur prasada
Omkara brahma utpatti
Omkara kian jin cit
Omkara sail jug bhaya
Omkara ved nirmaya
Omkara sabad udraya
Omkara gurmukh taraya
Onam akhar suno bicara
Onam akhar tribhuvan sara
Sun pandey kia likhau janjala
Likh rama nama gurmukh gopala
Translation:
God is one, realized by the grace of the guru.
Absolute Truth Om is the creator of Brahma.
Brahma kept Om in his heart, in his consciousness.
Absolute Truth is the creator of mountains, eras (yugas).
Absolute Truth is the one from whom Vedasa come.
Omkara is the word that liberates.
Omkara liberates the ones who follow the instruction of their spiritual master.
Om is the word you listen and ponder.
Om is the word—the essence of the three worlds.
Listen O pandita! Why you pen down all worldly deeds
Write only the name of Rama and Gopala attributed by the mercy of guru.

Glories of Kusuma-Sarovara

Well reading these days “Vrindavan Dhama Ki Jay” by Dhruva Maharaja Dasa and also watching videos of 2007 Vrindavan Parikrama with HH Lokhnath Swami, So thought of writing article so that devotees who cant visit daham can remotely relish pass times by reading and looking at beautiful pictures. I tried my level best to collate all possible details of Kusuma Sarovara only picture of Ashok-Lata temple is missing, next time when I will visit Vrindavan will certainly take a pic and post it on this article.

Kusuma Sarovara, a beautiful sandstone monument, is a 25-minute walk from Radha Kunda. It is said that Radharani along with some of Her gopi friends used to pick flowers (kusuma) here before going to Radha-Kunda to meet  Krsna. During Lord Caitanya’s time it was known as Sumanas Lake. It is stated in the Caitanya Caritamrita that Lord Caitanya took bath here. Kusuma Sarovara is 140m (460 ft) long and the platforms go out 20m (65 ft) into the water. It is said that this kunda is as deep as three (some say 14) celestial elephants standing on top of each other. It is also said that it is bottomless.
It is said that Asta Vakra Muni did austerities in Satya Yuga to get the darshan of Radha and Krishna, and that he left his body on the bank of Kusuma Sarovara. The small Siva linga temple on the western bank of the kunda marks the spot where he gave up his body. There is also a small murti of him next to the stairs that go up to the upper lever where the tombs are located. Next to Kusuma-sarovara stands a small temple with a deity of Uddhava, that was established by Krishna’s great-grandson about 4,900 years ago. There are deities of Surya-narayana and Uddhava in this temple. Uddhava is remaining here in the form of grass. He prayed, “The gopis of Vrindavan have given up the association of their husbands, sons and other family members, who are very difficult to give up, and they have forsaken the path of chastity to take shelter of the lotus fee of Mukunda, Krsna, which one should search for by Vedic Knowledge. Oh, let me be fortunate enough to be one of the bushes, creepers, or herbs in the Vrindavan, because the gopis trample them and bless them with the dust of their lotus feet” (Bhagvatam 10.47.61). Uddhava is the cousin of Lord Krishna. He is the son of Vasudeva’s brother and was almost the same age as Krishna.  It is said that Uddhava stays at three places, Badrinatha, Dwarka, and here at Kusuma Sarovara.

Also on the banks of Kusuma-sarovara is Ashoka-lata, a kunja(grove) where Krsna rendered service to Srimati Raharani by braiding her hair.  The Deities in this temple are Radha Banabihariji. The pastime of Krishna braiding Radha’s hair is described by Krishnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami in his Govinda Lilamrita. There is a picture of this pastime at Kusuma Sarovara. There is a small yellow temple, on the left of Kusuma Sarovara, next to the road, that marks the place where Krishna decorated Radharani’s hair. The pujari in this temple and his wife are very nice devotees and are friendly.

Directions: This kunda is about 2km from Radha Kunda. It is between Radha Kunda and the town of Govardhana. It is a large kunda with some impressive architecture, so it is very difficult to miss. Everyone knows where it is located.