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.

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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.

oà pürëam adaù pürëam idaà

oà pürëam adaù pürëam idaà
pürëät pürëam udacyate
pürëasya pürëam ädäya
pürëam evävaçiñyate

SYNONYMS

oà—the Complete Whole; pürëam—perfectly complete; adaù—that; pürëam—perfectly complete; idam—this phenomenal world; pürëät—from the all-perfect; pürëam—complete unit; udacyate—is produced; pürëasya—of the Complete Whole; pürëam—completely, all; ädäya—having been taken away; pürëam—the complete balance; eva—even; avaçiñyate—is remaining.

TRANSLATION

The Personality of Godhead is perfect and complete, and because He is completely perfect, all emanations from Him, such as this phenomenal world, are perfectly equipped as complete wholes. Whatever is produced of the Complete Whole is also complete in itself. Because He is the Complete Whole, even though so many complete units emanate from Him, He remains the complete balance.

Who was Putna in her previous Birth?

Today listen a very nice lecture where Previous Life of Putna was discussed, well not many people are aware this story so thought of writing it to my blog.

In her previous life Putna was a daughter of Bali Maharaja, now question is who is Bali Maharaja…so here goes the Katha.

Bali Maharaja: He is born in the same atheistic family of Maharaja Prahlada. He happened to be the grandson of Maharaja Prahlada, and as his great grand-father, Hiranyakasipu was very powerful.

Bali Maharaja also defeated the demigods several times, and was occupying all the planets. On request of Devtas, Lord Vishna agreed to help them and appeared as Vamandeva, son of Kasyamuni & Aditi.

Bali Maharaj vowed to fulfill give any and everything in charity so in a Yajna organized by Bali Maharaja under the guidance of his Spiritual Manager Skuracharya Lord posed himself as a dwaf brahmana and asked Bali Maharaja three footsteps in charity, without giving a second thought Bali Maharaj promised Vamandev to give three footsteps in charity even thought Bali Maharaj was instructed by Skuracharya that its a plot of Devta and Bali you are tricked by Vishu but Bali adhered his promised.

Lord Vamana expanded his body and in first footstep covered entire surface of the earth, the sky with His body and all directions with His arms. As the Lord took His second step, He covered the heavenly planets. And not even a spot remained for the third step, for the Lord's foot extended higher and higher, beyond Maharloka, Janaloka, Tapoloka and even Satyaloka.

Lord Vamana said, . O King of the demons, you have promised to give Me three steps of land, but I have occupied the entire universe with two steps. Now think about where I should put My third & looked mischievously toward Bali Maharaja,

Bali Maharaja was fixed in his determination. Considering himself not to have fulfilled his promise, he spoke I cannot allow my promise to be false. Please, therefore, place Your third lotus footstep on my head.

After hearing answer of Bali Maharaj, Lord Brahma who was present there said,  O well-wisher and master of all living entities, Bali Maharaja had already offered everything to Your Lordship. Without hesitation, he has offered his land, the planets and whatever else he earned by his pious activities, including even his own body.  How then can he deserve to suffer from arrest?

Lord Vamanadeva said: My dear Lord Brahma, because of material opulence a foolish person becomes dull-witted and mad. Thus he has no respect for anyone within the three worlds and defies even My authority. To such a person I show special favor by first taking away all his possessions. While rotating in the cycle of birth and death again and again in different species because of his own fruitive activities, the dependent living entity, by good fortune, may happen to become a human being. This human birth is very rarely obtained. If a human being is born in an aristocratic family or a higher status of life, if he performs wonderful activities, if he is youthful, if he has personal beauty, a good education and good wealth, and if he is nonetheless not proud of his opulences, it is to be understood that he is especially favored by the Supreme Person. Although aristocratic birth and other such opulences are impediments to advancement in devotional service because they are causes of false prestige and pride, these opulences never disturb a pure devotee of the Supreme Person. Bali Maharaja has become the most famous among the demons and nonbelievers, for in spite of being bereft of all material opulences, he is fixed in his devotional service. Although bereft of his riches, fallen from his original position, defeated and arrested by his enemies, rebuked and deserted by his relatives and friends, although suffering the pain of being bound and although rebuked and cursed by his spiritual master, Bali, being fixed in his vow, did not give up his truthfulness. It was certainly with pretension that I spoke about religious principles, but he did not give up religious principles, for he is true to his word.

The Lord continued: Because of his great tolerance, I have given him a place not obtainable even by the gods. He will become the Indra in the next coming Manvantara. Until Bali achieves the position of Indra, he shall live on the planet Sutala, which was made by Visvakarma according to My order. Because it is especially protected by Me, it is free from mental and bodily miseries, fatigue, dizziness, defeat and all other disturbances. Bali, you may now go live there peacefully. On the planet Sutala, not even the predominating deities of other planets, what to speak of ordinary people, will be able to conquer you. As far as the demons are concerned, if they transgress your rule, My disc will kill them. O great hero, I shall always be with you and give you protection in all respects along with your associates and paraphernalia. Moreover, you will always be able to see Me there.

You must be wondering how Putna is connected with all this incident, image of God as Vaman Avtar was so beautiful that Bali's daughter was so pleased and wished in her mind that hope one day I should get a child like this and breastfeed Him. (Vatslyabhav) So God who knows everything said TATHASTU. But when Lord Vaman took everything from Bali looking at this Bali's daughter became upset and angry in her mind and wished she would feed poison to the same child for destroying my father. And God again said TATHASTU (Your wish will be granted). In Dvapar Yuga when Krishna appeared, HE fulfilled her both wishes when She fed poison to God of course God still gave her Mother’s status and permanent residence in his permanent abode.

Samsara Davanala Lidha Official Name: Śrī Śrī Gurv-aṣṭaka (Eight Prayers to the Guru)

Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura, who appeared in the middle of the seventeenth century, is a great spiritual master in the Krsna conscious chain of gurus and disciples. He says, “One who, with great care and alteration, loudly recites this beautiful prayer to the spiritual master during the Brahma-muhurta obtains direct service to Krsna, the Lord of Vrndavana, at the time of his death.”

Why Am I worried about my Future - ?

 

27th April 2010

Yesterday night slept at around 230am but still manage to awake up at around 750am. Took quick bath and left for temple. When i reached temple last part of lecture was going-on where Prabhu was specifying that due to lack of faith people are so depressed with the worry of their future which is making them to work hard so they can save money for their future. But they are not aware of the fact if they will be fully dependent on Krishna and spend only legitimate hours at work without compromising their spiritual standards then all their anxiety about future will be vanished. Even Jesus taught us that we need to pray for our daily bread that's why we pray "Thank you Lord for our daily bread" here we are not complaining that God why you gave us rotten bread yesterday or God tomorrow please provide us Bread with Butter & Milk but that's not a case because we pray "Thank you lord for our daily bread" which means live in present give 100% to your present without worrying about future. There is very nice story which we can relate to this, it’s a story of a Hunter Mrgari

(Ref Sri Caitanya Caritamr?ta Madhya)

- "Once upon a time the great saint Narada, after visiting Lord Narayana in the Vaikunthas, went to Prayaga to bathe at the confluence of three rivers — the Ganges, Yamuna and Sarasvati.

- "Narada Muni saw that a deer was lying on the path through the forest and that it was pierced by an arrow. It had broken legs and was twisting due to much pain.

- "Farther ahead, Narada Muni saw a boar pierced by an arrow. Its legs were also broken, and it was twisting in pain.

- "When he went farther, he saw a rabbit that was also suffering. Narada Muni was greatly pained at heart to see living entities suffer so.

- "When Narada Muni advanced farther, he saw a hunter behind a tree. This hunter was holding arrows, and he was ready to kill more animals.

- "The hunter's body was blackish. He had reddish eyes, and he appeared fierce. It was as if the superintendent of death, Yamaraja, were standing there with a bow and arrows in his hands.

- "When Narada Muni left the forest path and went to the hunter, all the animals immediately saw him and fled.

- "When all the animals fled, the hunter wanted to chastise Narada with abusive language, but due to Narada's presence, he could not utter anything abusive.

- "The hunter addressed Narada Muni: 'O gosvami! O great saintly person! Why have you left the general path through the forest to come to me? Simply by seeing you, all the animals I was hunting have now fled.'

- "Narada Muni replied, 'Leaving the path, I have come to you to settle a doubt that is in my mind.

- "'I was wondering whether all the boars and other animals that are half-killed belong to you.'"The hunter replied, 'Yes, what you are saying is so.'

- "Narada Muni then inquired, 'Why did you not kill the animals completely? Why did you half-kill them by piercing their bodies with arrows?'

- "The hunter replied, 'My dear saintly person, my name is Mrgari, enemy of animals. My father taught me to kill them in that way.

- "'When I see half-killed animals suffer, I feel great pleasure.'

- "Narada Muni then told the hunter, 'I have one thing to beg of you.'"The hunter replied, 'You may take whatever animals or anything else you would like.

- "'I have many skins, if you would like them. I shall give you either a deerskin or a tiger skin.'

- "Narada Muni said, 'I do not want any of the skins. I am asking only one thing from you in charity.

- "'I beg you that from this day on you will kill animals completely and not leave them half-dead.'

- "The hunter replied, 'My dear sir, what are you asking of me? What is wrong with the animals' lying there half-killed? Will you please explain this to me?'

- "Narada Muni replied, 'If you leave the animals half-dead, you are purposefully giving them pain. Therefore you will have to suffer in retaliation.'

- "Narada Muni continued, 'My dear hunter, your business is killing animals. That is a slight offense on your part. But when you consciously give them unnecessary pain by leaving them half-dead, you incur very great sins.'

- "Narada Muni continued, 'All the animals that you have killed and given unnecessary pain will kill you one after the other in your next life and in life after life.'

- "In this way, through the association of the great sage Narada Muni, the hunter was a little convinced of his sinful activity. He therefore became somewhat afraid due to his offenses.

- "The hunter then admitted that he was convinced of his sinful activity, and he said, 'I have been taught this business from my very childhood. Now I am wondering how I can become freed from these unlimited volumes of sinful activity.'

- "The hunter continued, 'My dear sir, please tell me how I can be relieved from the reactions of my sinful life. Now I fully surrender unto you and fall down at your lotus feet. Please deliver me from sinful reactions.'

- "Narada Muni assured the hunter, 'If you listen to my instructions, I shall find the way you can be liberated.'

- "The hunter then said, 'My dear sir, whatever you say I shall do.'"Narada immediately ordered him, 'First of all, break your bow. Then I shall tell you what is to be done.'

- "The hunter replied, 'If I break my bow, how shall I maintain myself?'"Narada Muni replied, 'Do not worry. I shall supply all your food every day.'

- "Being thus assured by the great sage Narada Muni, the hunter broke his bow, immediately fell down at the saint's lotus feet and fully surrendered. After this, Narada Muni raised him with his hand and gave him instructions for spiritual advancement.

- "Narada Muni then advised the hunter, 'Return home and distribute whatever riches you have to the pure brahman?as who know the Absolute Truth. After you have distributed all your riches to the brahman?as, you and your wife should leave home, each of you taking only one cloth to wear.'

- "Narada Muni continued, 'Leave your home and go to the river. There you should construct a small cottage, and in front of the cottage you should grow a tulasi plant on a raised platform.

- "'After planting the tulasi tree before your house, you should daily circumambulate that tulasi plant, serve her by giving her water and other things, and continuously chant the Hare Kr?s?n?a maha-mantra.'

- "Narada Muni continued, 'Every day I shall send sufficient food to you both. You can take as much food as you want.'

- "The three animals that were half-killed were then brought to their consciousness by the sage Narada. Indeed, the animals got up and swiftly fled.

- "When the hunter saw the half-killed animals flee, he was certainly struck with wonder. He then offered his respectful obeisances to the sage Narada and returned home.

- "After all this, Narada Muni went to his destination. After the hunter returned home, he exactly followed the instructions of his spiritual master, Narada.

- "The news that the hunter had become a Vaisnava spread all over the village. Indeed, all the villagers brought alms and presented them to the Vais?n?ava who had formerly been a hunter.

- "In one day enough food was brought for ten or twenty people, but the hunter and his wife would accept only as much as they could eat.

- "One day, while speaking to his friend Parvata Muni, Narada Muni requested him to go with him to see his disciple the hunter.

- "As the saintly sages approached the hunter's place, the hunter could see them from a distance.

- "With great alacrity the hunter began to run toward his spiritual master, but he could not fall down and offer obeisances because ants were running hither and thither around his feet.

- "Seeing the ants, the hunter whisked them away with a piece of cloth. After thus clearing the ants from the ground, he fell down flat to offer his obeisances.

- "Narada Muni said, 'My dear hunter, such behavior is not at all astonishing. A man in devotional service is automatically nonviolent. He is the best of gentlemen.

- "'O hunter, good qualities like nonviolence, which you have developed, are not very astonishing, for those engaged in the Lord's devotional service are never inclined to give pain to others because of envy.'

- "The hunter then received the two great sages in the courtyard of his house. He spread out a straw mat for them to sit upon, and with great devotion he begged them to sit down.

- "He then fetched water and washed the sages' feet with great devotion. Then both husband and wife drank that water and sprinkled it on their heads.

- "When the hunter chanted the Hare Krsna maha-mantra before his spiritual master, his body trembled and tears welled up in his eyes. Filled with ecstatic love, he raised his hands and began to dance, waving his garments up and down.

- "When Parvata Muni saw the ecstatic loving symptoms of the hunter, he told Narada, 'Certainly you are a touchstone.'

- "Parvata Muni continued, 'My dear friend Narada Muni, you are glorified as the sage among the demigods. By your mercy, even a lowborn person like this hunter can immediately become attached to Lord Krsna.'

- "Narada Muni then asked the hunter, 'My dear Vaisnava, do you have some income for your maintenance?'"The hunter replied, 'My dear spiritual master, whoever you send gives me something when he comes to see me.'

- "The former hunter said, 'Please do not send so much grain. Only send what is sufficient for two people, no more.'

So, this is real incident from which we can learn that a heartless person can transform to a Vaishnava by getting right direction from his Guru, Association and firm faith in the words of Guru. Without worrying about future Mrgari broke his bow which is the only source of his income and you saw how Krishna had arranged food for his devotee.

Hare Krishna