Galeria de Mukul Banerjee (www.mukulbanerjee.com)
Yezhil's Marriage, June 2010
foto Village Pond, Pallathur T.N.
Village Pond, Pallathur T.N.
Hampi & North Karnataka Trip, March 10
Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.
Virupaksha Temple, Hampi
Virupaksha Temple is located in Hampi 350 km from Bangalore, in the state of Karnataka in southern India.
Hampi sits on the banks of the Tungabhadra River in the ruins of the ancient city of Vijayanagar, capital of the Vijayanagara empire. Virupaksha Temple is the main center of pilgrimage at Hampi and has been considered the most sacred over the centuries. It is fully intact among the surrounding ruins and is still used in worship. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, known here as Virupaksha, as the consort of the local goddess Pampa who is associated with the Tungabhadra River. There is also a powerful Virupakshini amma temple (mother goddess) in a village called Nalagamapalle, Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh, approximately 100 km from Tirupati.
Historically this temple has an uninterrupted history from about the 7th century. The Virupaksha-Pampa sanctuary existed well before the Vijayanagara capital was located here. Inscriptions referring to Shiva date back to the 9th and 10th centuries.[1] What started as a small shrine grew into a large complex under the Vijayanagara rulers.[2] Evidence indicates there were additions made to the temple in the late Chalukyan and Hoysala periods, though most of the temple buildings are attributed to the Vijayanagar period.
Under the Virjayanagara rulers, in the middle of the 14th century, there began a flowering of native art and culture. When the rulers were defeated by invaders in the 16th century, most of the wonderful decorative structures and creations were systematically destroyed.
The cult of Virupaksha-Pampa did not end with the destruction of the city in 1565. Worship there has persisted throughout the years. At the beginning of the 19th century there were major renovations and additions, which included ceiling paintings and the towers of the north and east gopura.
At present, the main temple consists of a sanctum, three ante chambers, a pillared hall and an open pillared hall. A pillared cloister, entrance gateways, courtyards, smaller shrines and other structures surround the temple.
The nine- tiered eastern gateway, which is the largest at 50 meters, is well-proportioned and incorporates some earlier structures. It has a brick superstructure and a two-tiered stone base. It gives access to the outer court containing many sub-shrines.
The smaller eastern gateway leads to the inner court with its numerous smaller shrines.
A narrow channel of the Tungabhadra River flows along the temple's terrace and then descends to the temple- kitchen and out through the outer court.
Krishnadevaraya, one of the famous kings of the Vijayanagara Empire was a major patron of this temple. The most ornate of all structures in the temple, the central pillared hall is believed to be his addition to this temple. So is the gateway tower giving access to the inner courtyard of the temple. Inscriptions on a stone plaque installed next to the pillared hall explain his contribution to the temple. It is recorded that Krishna Devaraya commissioned this hall in 1510 AD.
Sasivekalu Ganesha, Hampi
Sasivekalu Ganesha, Hampi
Thanks to the resemblance the giant monolithic Ganesha statue is locally called Sasivekalu(mustard seed)Ganesha. This is located on the southern foothill of the Hemakuta Hill.
In Hindu mythology Lord Ganesha (also known as Ganapathi or Vinayaka) is notorious for his food habit. One day he ate so much of food that his tummy almost busted. He just caught a snake and tied it around his tummy as a belt to save his tummy from bursting.
On this statue you can see the snake carved around his tummy. Also he holds the goad, pasha (noose), and his broken tusk. The hand which holds modak (a kind of sweet ball) is broken and not reconstructed. This monolithic statue carved out of a huge boulder measures about 2.4 meters (8 feet). An open pavilion is build around the statue. According to inscriptions found nearby this pavilion was built by a trader from Chandragiri (in present day Andhra Pradesh)in 1506 AD, in memory of one of the Vijayanagara king – Narasimha II (1491-1505 AD)
A bit north of Sasivekalu Ganesha is another giant statue of Ganesha, called The Kadalekalu Ganesha. A bit south of Sasivekalu Ganesha is the Vishnupada shrine. All these are walkable from one to another and can be covered in 30-45 minutes.
Krishna Temple, Hampi
Krishna Temple_Panorama1
Krishna Baazar_Panorama1
Krishna Baazar_Panorama2
This temple was built by the king (Krishnadevaraya) in 1513 AD to celebrate the conquest of the eastern kingdom of Udayagiri or Utkala (in the present day Orissa state). The main idol installed in the temple was the figure of Balakrishna (Lord Krishna as infant). This idol is now displayed in the state museum at Chennai. A huge slab installed inside the courtyard of the temple states the story of this temple and the conquest of Ulkala.
This is one of the must see sites in Hampi. The carvings are especially spectacular with the Yalis (the mythical lion) on the pillars and the entrances to the temple hall flanged with impressive carvings of elephant balustrades. Many small shrines and pillared halls adorn the campus. The temple kitchen is located at the south east of the main shrine. The main tower at the east is an impressive sight with numerous carvings on it (now the tower is under restoration work). You can see the carvings of the 10 incarnations of Lord Vishnu in this temple.
This is one of the few temples where the epic stories carved on the walls of the tower. This is fairly an intact specimen of a Vijayanagara era temple.
The main road to Hampi passes through the temple campus. You can spot a small pavilion with a rectangular stone container in front of the temple across the road. This was used to store grains for the ritual purpose in the temple festivals. The position and design of the vessel suggests devotees used to donate food grain as offering at the temple.
Further east outside the temple you can see a long hall like structure. On the right (south) of it are the banana plantations. The left area is mostly a rocky landscape. This was actually the high street (the chariot street) once led to the temple. The long pavilions were shops in the market street. If you walk along these long structures, you would reach the impressive temple pond with structures around and at the middle of the tank. The temple tank is now not in use. The nearby agricultural places use water from the tank. The chariot street mentioned in fact terminates at a series of wide steps in front of the main temple campus, probably the only such chariot street in Hampi.
Achyuta Raya's Temple, Hampi
Consecrated in AD 1534, this temple is an example of Vijayanagara style temple architecture in its most advanced form than any other temples in Hampi. This was one of the last grandiose temple projects executed in the capital, before the fall of the empire.
The temple dedicated to Lord Tiruvengalanatha, a form of Vishnu , was constructed by a high officer in Achyuta Raya's court and hence the name. The temple complex and the ruined market street in front of it sit in a semi secluded valley created by two hills - the Gandhamadana & Matanga hills . Partially due to its off location from the main tourist track and the hidden nature of the temple's location makes it less crowded, welcome news for the ones like a quiet tour.
The main shrine is located at the centre of two rectangular concentric courtyards. The inner sides of both the courtyard walls are lined with a cloisters or pillared verandah. The outer cloisters are mostly in ruins with the pillars scattered randomly along the wall base. Two huge ruined towers, one behind the other, give access to the temple courtyards.
On heading straight to the inner court you can spot a chamber facing the porch to the central hall. This tiny shrine chamber once enshrined an idol of Garuda, the eagle god and mount of the principal deity. The open hall just ahead spots some of the finest carved pillars in Hampi. On either side of the porch the pillars spot lion faced rampant Yalis standing on elephants. The armed solders riding the Yalis hold the chains hanging from the beast's mouth. The whole theme is carved on monolithic block of rocks. Two club-holding giant doorway guard deities stand on either side of the door to the inner sanctorum. This sanctum with the circumambulatory corridor around it is empty and dark. Though harmless the noisy bats hanging inside the dark corners can scare an unsuspecting visitor.
To the west of the main shrine is the twin chambered shrine of the goddess. A close look at the carvings on the pillars in the halls can reveal many themes like lord Krishna playing flute and the calves watching it with interest, lord Vishnu blesses an elephant, the infant Krishna dances holding the snake by its tail. At the northwest corner of the outer compound, a Kalayana Mandapa (marriage hall for the annual wedding ceremony of the God and the Goddess). A water channel is seen running along the second compound. In front of the temple is the wide Courtesan's street . A tiny exit at the northwest of the outer compound wall can take you to a boulder where a 10 handed fierce goddesses' image is carved on the rock surface. The narrow path further winds southward and joins the path to Matanga Hill top.
Achyuta Raya's Temple
Pushkarani at Achyuta Raya's Temple Campus, Hampi
Stone Chariot, Hampi
| The Ultimate Self Realization Course (tm) | | |
| Special New Release--Hear It Right Now!! | Special Announcements!
| See Sankarshan Prabhu's | |
| Get Krishna's Special Mercy by Rendering Devotional Service If you'd like to contribute something to help cover the expenses of Sankarshan Prabhu's European Lecture Series you can | On the order of his spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada, Sankarshan Prabhu has dedicated his life for the most urgent work of spreading Krishna consciousness all over the world. The more that Krishna consciousness spreads, the more that the suffering, scarcity, and hate on this planet will be replaced with bliss, abundance and love. This is a golden opportunity for us to do the highest good for all living beings and receive the special blessings of the Lord. Therefore we should, as much as possible, sacrifice our time, energy, and resources to assist Sankarshan Prabhu in his most important work. If you would like to help out to any extent, little or big, kindly inform Sankarshan Prabhu of your desire. | Meet If you would like to meet Sankarshan Prabhu or hear his lectures, you may contact us directly for an appointment or specific information on where and when his lectures will be held. | |
| Do You Have Questions or Need Guidance? | All inquiries are welcome. | Contact Information: Phone: 1-512-835-2121 or Email your questions |
Sri Krishna Janmastami Maha Kalash Abhisekha
Annual Patron Member Puja You are cordially invited to sponsor a Golden Kalash to bathe Sri Sri Radha Krishna, on the most auspicious day of
Sri Krishna Janmastami
(September 4, 2007)
This is a wonderful chance for you and your family to sponsor a beautiful bathing ceremony for Sri Sri Radha and Krishna. With your generous sponsorship, you will get to keep the sacred Kalash that the temple priest uses to bathe the Lord on your behalf. We will mail you your golden Kalash along with a wonderful assortment of prasadam sweets that will be offered to Sri Sri Radha Krishna on Janmastami. Your tax deductible contribution with help us to maintain and develop the worship of Lord Krishna.
Your golden Kalash is an amazingly beautiful transcendental work of art that your family will treasure for many generations. It will be shipped to you in a red velvet box as seen above:
There is a very limited supply. So if you would like to to sponsor a Kalash, do so right away before they are all taken: www.backtohome.com/KalashBroadcast from the Ecstatic Road Back to Godhead In the Most Amazing Transcendental Abode of Sri Vrindavan Dham in India
===========================================================================
Special Announcements:
Don't be cheated by false gurus. Discover the qualifications of a bona fide spiritual master at the following web page:
http://www.ultimateselfrealization.com/articles.php?articleId=52
===========================================================================
Sankarshan Prabhu is residing in Vrindavan up until 10 November and is available for personal meetings. He may be traveling to Jaipur for one or two days within this time period, but the rest of the time he will be in Vrindavan. If you would like to meet with him for guidance on how to make your human form of life perfect you may meet with him. He is staying in MVT-Bhaktivedanta Ashram behind the Krishna Balarama Mandir in Building 101, Apartment #A17. If you plan to come send an email to: vrindavan_meet@backtohome.com
===========================================================================
Off to Nanda Gao
Today I have one half hour until the bus leaves for Nanda Gao, the place where Krishna grew up with Nanda Maharaja and Mother Yasoda. This has to be brief. What can be said of these holy places of Lord Krishna's pastimes? They are most auspicious than anything we can conceive of even in our wildest dreams.
Sankarshan das Adhikari
===========================================================================
How Do We Understand Who is Greater?
What you have done is given me a quote from a scripture that says Govinda is greater than Shiva. Well just as easily I could give you a quote from another scripture that says Shiva is greater than Govinda. Then what? These two scriptures will be going against each other. Your Bhagavata Purana will be going against someone else's Siva Puranas..
What to do?
Love
Ravi
===========================================================================
Take the Vedic Wisdom in Toto, Not out of Context
The key is to take everything in context. There is a danger in Vedic studies to "not see the forest for the trees." This means to take one statement as the all-in-all without seeing how it fits into the complete picture. This sort of approach tends to make us narrow and fanatical. We have to take the Vedic wisdom in toto in order to become properly situated in self-realization. By taking every statement in the context of the overall message we understand the meaning of each verse clearly and clearly understand who is the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
Top of Page
Broadcast from the Ecstatic Road Back to Godhead In the Most Amazing Transcendental Abode of Sri Vrindavan Dham in India
===========================================================================
Special Announcements:
Don't be cheated by false gurus. Discover the qualifications of a bona fide spiritual master at the following web page:
http://www.ultimateselfrealization.com/articles.php?articleId=52
===========================
Sankarshan Prabhu is residing in Vrindavan up until 10 November and is available for personal meetings. He may be traveling to Jaipur for one or two days within this time period, but the rest of the time he will be in Vrindavan. If you would like to meet with him for guidance on how to make your human form of life perfect you may meet with him. He is staying in MVT-Bhaktivedanta Ashram behind the Krishna Balarama Mandir in Building 101, Apartment #A17. If you plan to come send an email to: vrindavan_meet@backtohome.com
===========================================================================
Living in Vrindavan at Every Minute
Sri Vrindavan Dham is known as tirtharaja, the king of all holy places. Just by touching this holy dust of Sri Vrindavan Dham one receives the blessings of every holy place throughout the entire universe. It is extremely important to note in this connection that one cannot enter into Sri Vrindavan Dham by purchasing an airline ticket to Delhi and then catching a cab to Vrindavan. It is described in authoritative scripture that the spiritual master is the revealer of the holy dham. This means that the only way one can enter into the actual holy dham is by the mercy of the bona fide spiritual master.
For the purpose of attracting his mercy we gather every morning at 4:10am in large numbers in Srila Prabhupada's Samadhi (a beautiful marble temple in front of Vrindavan's Krishna Balarama temple, in which his body is entombed) to observe an arati ceremony being offered to his deity form and to sing to him the Gurvastakam Prayers with great love and devotion. The first verse of Gurvastakam is as follows:
samsara-davanala-lidha-loka-
tranaya karunya-ghanaghanatvam
praptasya kalyana-gunarnavasya
vande guroh sri-caranaravindam
"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." Sri Sri Gurvastaka 1
Even if we fail to visit any of Sri Vrindavan Dham's thousands of holy places and we simply remain here in Srila Prabhupada's Samadhi worshipping his lotus feet, we will still receive the unlimited blessings of all the holy places. Why is this? The pure devotee of Krishna is constantly living in Sri Vrindavan Dham, the transcendental abode of Lord Sri Krishna. Because of this, wherever he goes he is able to transform that place into Vrindavan. By worshipping him purely within our hearts he will remain always there and Vrindavan will fully manifest within our hearts. The best worship of Srila Prabhupada is to carefully study and follow the sublime teachings which he has so painstakingly given us in his books. If we do this sincerely and carefully we will be living in Vrindavan at every minute and the whole world will be transformed into Vrindavan.
Sankarshan das Adhikari
===========================================================================
Should I Chant Aloud or Silently?
Your daily mails are enabling me to chant regularly and therefore lifting me up from the bodily plane. Recently, following one of your mails, I am trying to get up at 5.00am and chant. I notice that after the initial few rounds, if the mind gets quieted, I feel comfortable chanting silently within and feel there is greater concentration than when chanting aloud. Is this correct? Or should I only chant aloud?
Regards,
Divakar
===========================================================================
Audible Chanting is the Best
Audible chanting, if done properly, will always yield far better concentration than inaudible "chanting."
Actually chanting means audible chanting. Unless it is audible, it is not chanting.
If your chanting starts to feel mechanical like the mindless talking of a parrot, take a minute out and intensely beg Krishna to help you to purely focus your mind on His names. Then resume your chanting with intensified devotion. This technique will greatly facilitate your becoming more and more absorbed in Krishna consciousness and can be applied to any and all Krishna conscious activities.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
Top of Page
Broadcast from the Ecstatic Road Back to Godhead In the Most Amazing Transcendental Abode of Sri Vrindavan Dham in India
===========================================================================
Special Announcements:
Don't be cheated by false gurus. Discover the qualifications of a bona fide spiritual master at the following web page:
http://www.ultimateselfrealization.com/articles.php?articleId=52
===========================
Sankarshan Prabhu is residing in Vrindavan up until 10 November and is available for personal meetings. He may be traveling to Jaipur for one or two days within this time period, but the rest of the time he will be in Vrindavan. If you would like to meet with him for guidance on how to make your human form of life perfect you may meet with him. He is staying in MVT-Bhaktivedanta Ashram behind the Krishna Balarama Mandir in Building 101, Apartment #A17. If you plan to come send an email to: vrindavan_meet@backtohome.com
===========================================================================
Journey Beyond Time and Space
We've just returned from a journey beyond time and space into the ultimate dimension of reality. On the most holy day of Ekadasi, in the most holy place of Vrindavan Dham, in the most holy month of Kartik, beginning at the most holy time of the day during the Brahma Muhurta hour (before sunrise) we have just completed the six miles parikrama (walking around as a pilgrim) of the town of Vrindavan. Vrindavan has 5,000 temples. By walking around even one temple one receives immense spiritual benefit. So it becomes inconceivable to imagine how much spiritual benefit we have received today by doing the parikrama of the 5,000 temples and innumerable other holy pastime places of Lord Sri Krishna located in Vrindavan.
After attending Mangala Arati at the Krishna Balarama temple we proceeded to the parikrama trail which encircles Vrindavan. After reaching the path we bowed down in its sacred dirt and offered our respectful obeisances to the holy land of Vrindavan. The holy dham must always be worshipped with great awe and reverence. By offering our obeisances to Vrindavan Dham at the beginning of the parikrama we beg the Lord's blessings for an auspicious parikrama. We found ourselves in the company of thousands of other pilgrims who were doing just the same thing that we were.
As it was completely dark, I used a flashlight to illuminate the way down the dark trail. After some time we came to the a huge goshalla, the place of cows where ISKCON is maintaining and protecting hundreds of cows. With great joy with the help of my flashlight I gazed very briefly upon Krishna's peaceful cows. I did so very briefly so as to minimize any disturbance the cows may feel.
As we proceeded further we came to Kaliya Ghata where still standing is a famous Kadamba tree that is over 5,000 years old. This is the tree from which Krishna jumped into the River Yamuna to subdue the Kaliya serpent 5,000 years ago. We departed briefly from the parikrama trail to walk around the tree and offer it our respects. We can hardly begin to imagine how great a devotee of the Lord that tree is to have been blessed with the touch of Krishna's lotus feet. Thinking what a great devotee that tree is I begged it to bless me with pure devotional service to Lord Sri Krishna.
Further down the pathway we saw the silhouette of the beautiful Madan Mohan temple standing atop the famous Dvadasaditya Hill upon which Krishna warmed up in the sun after subduing the Kaliya Serpent in the River Yamuna. On that day the Sun god appeared in 12 forms and then manifested as 12 suns simultaneously so that Krishna could quickly recover from the chill of being in the water.
As we proceeded further we caught our first faint glimpse of the River Yamuna in the predawn darkness. Srila Prabhupada explains that the River Yamuna is 100 times more sanctified than the River Ganges because Krishna touched the Yamuna so many times in His sporting pastimes. It was a mystical sight to behold. Many villagers were there taking their baths. One lady was offering arati to the Yamuna, worshipping it by offering it a ghee lamp. I sat down to chant my morning Gayatri mantras in a state of awe in the peace and quietude of that incredibly serene and sweet setting. After that Mataji and I carefully made our way down the steep bank to the water where we respectfully took three drops of it upon our heads. Then up the bank to resume our walk.
In this way we continued to Keshi Ghata where Krishna killed the Keshi demon. Everywhere people were chanting Hare Krishna the name of Krishna's topmost devotee Srimati Radharani.
After about five miles of tasting the sweetest nectar of Vrindavan, feeling that I had entered into a state of existence more wonderful than heaven, I noticed to my right that a number of sadhus (saintly persons) in saffron cloth suddenly appeared. I was very happy to see there standing on my right just a few feet away my very dear Godbrother, His Holiness Indradyumna Swami. I smiled and told him, "Maharaja, today I am blessed by your sanga." He smiled back and offered me his folded palms in respect.
I cannot imagine how much nectar is available in the sublime process of Krishna consciousness. Today I tasted a few insignificant drops from the vast unlimited ocean of Krishna prema. Those few drops were enough to fill up the entire universe.
Sankarshan das Adhikari
===========================================================================
Which is Greater, the Hare Krishna Mantra or the Gayatri Mantra?
You have told us to chant the Hare Krishna mantra. I accept this. But why not chant the Gayatri mantra also? Is Hare Krishna the only way?
The Gayatri mantra is how old we don't know. All our sages all our forefathers has done it from thousands of years? Why are you saying not to maximize. While speaking to our Swamiji of Shankar Math he told that do minimum 108 time of japa for 3 times or do maximum number of japa as much as possible he told. But you are telling to minimize it? Now which is greater the Gayatri mantra or the Hare Krishna mantra?
Please give me light on this.
Dwarkesh
===========================================================================
All Mantras are Great. We Follow the Vedic Injunctions
The Vedas are full of many powerful and beneficial mantras, and the Gayatri mantra is no doubt one of them However, for understanding which mantra is most beneficial we take help for the same Vedic wisdom which has given us the Gayatri mantra. We are not interested in the opinion of this or that. We want to know what is stated in the authoritative scriptures. It is clearly stated in the Kali Santarana Upanishad:
hare krsna hare krsna krsna krsna hare hare
hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare
iti sodasakam namnam kali-kalmasa-nasanam
natah parataropayah sarva-vedesu drsyate
"After searching through all the Vedic literature, one cannot find a method of religion more sublime for this age than the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra."
In our Krishna consciousness movement we chant both the Hare Krishna Mantra and the Gayatri Mantra, but in full obedience to the above Upanishad injunction we give more importance to the Hare Krishna mantra.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
Top of Page
Broadcast from the Ecstatic Road Back to Godhead In the Most Amazing Transcendental Abode of Sri Vrindavan Dham in India
===========================================================================
Special Announcements:
Today is the Vyas Puja day, the transcendental appearance day, of His Grace Sriman Sankarshan Das Adhikari. In honor of this occasion disciples are to write and submit to him by email a Vyas Puja homage, fast until noon, and offer him a feast and an arati at noon along with singing the Gurvastakam prayers.
Sankarshan Prabhu is residing in Vrindavan up until 10 November and is available for personal meetings. He may be traveling to Jaipur for one or two days within this time period, but the rest of the time he will be in Vrindavan. If you would like to meet with him for guidance of how to make your human form of life perfect you may meet with him. He is staying in MVT-Bhaktivedanta Ashram behind the Krishna Balaram Mandir in Building 101, Apartment #A17. If you plan to come send an email to:
vrindavan_meet@backtohome.com
===========================================================================
The Meaning of Vyas Puja
Today my disciples are celebrating this day of my appearance in this world, the tenth day of Kartik. It is the duty of the spiritual master to accept ervice and worship from his disciples on behalf of the previous acharyas. The spiritual master never personally feels that he is worthy of such worship and service. To the contrary, he feels that he is most unfit to receive to such service and worship. But yet, he is duty bound to accept these in order to give his disciples full access to the realm of pure devotional service. This is so because Krishna only accepts our service when it is offered to Him through the medium of the spiritual master.
We should never think that the spiritual master is feeling very proud thinking that he is being worshipped by so many followers. In this regard we should understand that the spiritual master never considers anyone to be his disciple. He simply sees his disciples as representatives of his Guru Maharaja, who have been sent by his Guru Maharaja for him to engage in Krishna's service so that they can be liberated from this material existence.
Krishna speaks very, very highly of the spiritual master. In a conversation with Uddhava he states,
acaryam mam vijaniyan
navamanyeta karhicit
na martya-buddhyasuyeta
sarva-deva-mayo guruh
"One should know the acarya as Myself and never disrespect him in any way. One should not envy him, thinking him an ordinary man, for he is the representative of all the demigods." Srimad Bhagavatam 11.17.27
The original spiritual master is Vyasadeva, and worship of him is called Vyas Puja. In order for the spiritual master to be bona fide he must come in the line of disciplic succession from Vyasadeva. When we worship our spiritual master that worship is transferred up the line of disciplic succession to Vyasadeva. This means that when we worship our guru we are
actually worshipping Srila Vyasadeva. Therefore the special worship that we give our spiritual master on the day of his appearance in this world is known as Vyas Puja.
Sankarshan das Adhikari
===========================================================================
Vyas Puja Homage from Ahaituki Bhakti devi dasi
My dear Srila Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
It rains and snows here in Helsinki this evening. The sky looks like one huge heavy cloud that is hanging over the city where the people hurry here and there with their black umbrellas. I was there too but without an umbrella. Still I felt very much protected from any inconvenience because I was there for serving You. This way it was not aimless wandering but it was
auspicious, purposeful activity, because it was done for pleasing You who are my eternal spiritual father.
Gurudeva, I like it so much how You say in a lecture (Denver, Jan 05) that “Prabhupada had so much affection and therefore the devotees had so much affection for him” and that how there is no way, no way we can ever give Prabhupada more love than he is giving us because his love is so pure and selfless. We can only try and do our best and then Prabhupada will shower
even more love.
So on the most auspicious day of Your appearance I beg that You please accept this offering as a humble attempt to somehow or other reciprocate with Your causeless mercy. Furthermore, I beg that You kindly remove the black umbrella of ignorance that is presently covering me so that I can properly receive and follow Your instruction and try and serve Your
lotusfeet with ever-increasing purity, love and devotion.
Your servant,
Ahaituki Bhakti devi dasi
===========================================================================
Situated in Transcendental Bliss
My Dear Ahaituki Bhakti,
Please accept my blessings. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
You have very nicely and poetically described the dark condition of material existence. The spiritual master delivers us from this dark condition by carrying with him the shining lamp of knowledge. It's a fact that by always serving Sri Guru the disciple is situated in transcendental bliss billions of light years beyond the chaotic, bewildering condition of material so-called existence.
I very much appreciate your desire to become completely free from ignorance so that you can serve your spiritual master with ever-increasing purity, love, and devotion. This is the proper mood for the disciple to always be absorbed in. There is nothing that pleases the spiritual master more than to see his disciples steadily advancing in Krishna consciousness. In fact
all of our activities in devotional service are for this purpose.
Continue as you are doing serving Guru and Vaisnavas in the most sublime ISKCON movement of Srila Prabhupada and your life will be a glorious success.
I am hoping this meets you in the best of health and in an ecstatic mood.
Always wishing you the very best,
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
Top of Page
Broadcast from the Ecstatic Road Back to Godhead In the Most Amazing Transcendental Abode of Sri Vrindavan Dham in India
===========================================================================
Blessed by Sickness in Sri Vrindavan Dham
Now all of sudden I've gotten very sick. I've got a heavy cold that appears to be quickly turning into a bronchial infection that will require a cycle of anti-biotics to knock out. Krishna says that we have to tolerate the dualities of material existence without being disturbed. So I am taking this heavy energy-draining sickness to be an opportunity to become more detached from this material body. Especially when we are in Vrindavan we must be very, very detached from material sense gratification and purely engaged in Krishna consciousness at every minute. Therefore to be sick here is a great blessing. Our happiness is in on the spiritual platform, not the material platform. We can take advantage of when suffering comes to us by using it as springboard to reach even higher plateaus within the spiritual dimension.
Sankarshan das Adhikari
===========================================================================
The Significance of Kartik (October-November)
I would like to know the significance of the month of Kartik (October-November). Why is it in this month that whatever devotional
service that we do is magnified by 1,000 times?
Thank you for your spiritual guidance.
Hare Krishna
Presha
===========================================================================
Remembering Krishna's Most Ecstatic Pastime
The month of Kartik (October-November) is auspicious in any part of the world because it is an opportunity to increase our remembrance of Lord Sri Krishna's most ecstatic pastime of being bound with a rope by Mother Yasoda. But it is especially auspicious in Vrindavan. I have never heard that we get 1,000 times the benefit for our devotional activities during the month of Kartik, but it is a fact that any devotional service done in Vrindavan gives us 1,000 times the benefit.
Srila Rupa Goswami glorifies the month of Kartik in his Mathura Mahatmyam: "To they who worship Krishna in Vrindavan, the Lord gives them their original spiritual forms. The perfect atonement to purify the sins of a lifetime is to worship Lord Damodar in Vrindavan during Kartik. The month of Kartik spent in Vrindavan brings the supreme destination."
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
Top of Page
Broadcast from the Ecstatic Road Back to Godhead In the Most Amazing Transcendental Abode of Sri Vrindavan Dham in India
===========================================================================
Cleaning All the Dirt out of the Heart
Our hearts are contaminated from many, many lifetimes of sense gratification within the cycle of birth and death. One who is intelligent recognizes his fallen condition and engages in the purifying process of Krishna consciousness to fully cleanse his heart of all unwanted things. Gradually by this cleansing process one's original pure consciousness becomes fully reawakened and one relishes at every minute the highest happiness of pure love of God.
If one wants to be actually situated in the genuine happiness of spiritual enlightenment, one must acknowledge one's fallen condition and fully accept the process of rectification known as self-realization. If one wants spiritual enlightenment without any purification of consciousness there are many cheaters who will sell you this product. When the blind lead the blind they both end up in the ditch.
Sankarshan das Adhikari
===========================================================================
Does the Soul Change When a Heart is Transplanted?
I have one doubt. When a heart surgery is done the person on which this is done has his own soul in his heart. But when heart transplant is done the heart is removed and another heart is put in its place because the soul is seated within the heart we would expect that after the heart transplant and new soul and personality would be in the body. So it would seem his thoughts & other activities should change but practically we see that this does not happen. Why does the man who has transplanted his heart has the same consciousness and personality as before?
Santosh
===========================================================================
The Soul Switches It's Seat to the New Heart
If the heart transplant is successful the soul gives up his seat in the old heart and takes a new seat in the new heart. If the heart transplant is not successful, the soul completely leaves the body, never to return again.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
Top of Page
Broadcast from the Ecstatic Road Back to Godhead In the Most Amazing Transcendental Abode of Sri Vrindavan Dham in India
===========================================================================
Swimming in an Ocean of Unlimited Sweetness
We have finally arrived in Sri Vrindavan Dham, the most sacred place in the entire material world! This most holy of all pilgrimage places is non-different from the spiritual world. Srila Rupa Goswami describes it in the Bhakti-rasamrita-sindhu, "The results of traveling to all the places of pilgrimage in the three worlds is achieved simply touching the holy land of Vrindavan."
Srila Prabhupada describes, "On this earth, Vrindavan, ninety miles southeast of Delhi, is a replica of that supreme Goloka Vrindavan located in the spiritual sky. When Krishna descended on this earth, He sported on that particular tract of land known as Vrindavan, comprising about eighty-four square miles in the district of Mathura, India."
Instead of answering emails on my laptop computer as our taxi came within 20 kilometers of Sri Vrindavan Dham I took Mataji's expert advice and simply meditated on Sri Vrindavan with intense devotion by repeatedly singing these lines from the song entitled, "Sri Vraja-dhama-mahimamrta"
(The Nectarean Glories of Vraja-dhama [Sri Vrindavan Dham]):
jaya radhe, jaya krishna, jaya vrindavan
sri govinda, gopinatha, madana-mohan
(All glories to Radha and Krishna and the divine forest of Vrindavan! All glories to the three presiding Deities of Vrindavan -- Sri Govinda, Gopinatha, and Madana-mohana!)
syama-kunda, radha-kunda, giri-govardhan
kalindi jamuna jayav, jaya mahavan
(All glories to Syama-kunda and Radha-kunda, Govardhana Hill, and the Yamuna River (Kalindi)! All glories to the great forest known as Mahavana, where Krishna and Balarama displayed Their childhood pastimes!)
keshi-ghata, bamsi-bata, dwadasa-kanan
jaha saba lila koilo sri-nanda-nandan
(Glories to Keshi-ghata, where Krishna killed the Keshi demon! All glories to the Vamsi-vata tree, to which Krishna attracted all the gopis by playing His flute! Glories to all twelve forests of Vraja! At these places the son of Nanda, Sri Krishna, performed His pastimes.)
We are here up until 11 November. It is the most auspicious place to be. Just by entering into this holy land one's dormant propensity to love the Supreme Person naturally becomes stimulated.
Sankarshan das Adhikari
===========================================================================
I Love Your Work
I just want to say "Thank you," for this wonderful email. One doesn't often hear about how truly nice some people can be. I love your work. It's the only email material I read consistently. I have been a member of SRF for 30 years or more. Thank you very much.
Chris Kolivas
===========================================================================
It Is All by the Grace of My Spiritual Master
I am very happy that you so much appreciated my email describing the wonderful service mood of the devotees in Doha, Qatar. All the credit of course goes to them for their wonderful saintly qualities. I am simply trying to be an honest reporter.
Thank you very much for being such a generous, loving person. Your admiration of my humble attempt to spread the science of self realization all over the world on the order of my spiritual master, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, is a great encouragement to me. Whatever I have been able to accomplish is all by his grace.
I wish you all success on your pathway of self-realization that you may quickly and easily realize the Absolute Truth in full. According to the Srimad Bhagavatam, the Absolute Truth is realized in three phases:
vadanti tat tattva-vidas
tattvam yaj jnanam advayam
brahmeti paramatmeti
bhagavan iti sabdyate
"Learned transcendentalists who know the Absolute Truth call this nondual substance Brahman, Paramatma or Bhagavan." Srimad Bhagavatam 1.2.11
Realization of Brahman is called auspicious. Realization of the Paramatma is called more auspicious. And realization of Bhagavan is described as most
auspicious.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
Top of Page
Saturday, October 22, 2005
Unbelievable Service Mood in Doha, Qatar
We stopped off here in Qatar on our way to India to visit one of the students from our e-course. We had no idea that we would be the recipients of so much love and affection. The devotees here have an unparalleled mood of Vaisnava seva (service to devotees.) We have never seen their mood for Vaisnava seva exceeded anywhere else. The Vaisnava mood is to give service. To facilitate the giving of service by other Vaisnavas, the Vaisnavas agree to accept service from other Vaisnavas even though they feel themselves unworthy of being served and prefer to give service. The wonderful Vaisnava service mood is described by Rupa Goswami as follows:
dadati pratigrhnati
guhyam akhyati prcchati
bhunkte bhojayate caiva
sad-vidham priti-laksanam
"Offering gifts in charity, accepting charitable gifts, revealing one's mind in confidence, inquiring confidentially, accepting prasada and
offering prasada are the six symptoms of love shared by one devotee and another." Nectar of Instruction, Verse 4
In the material world even the ultra rich do not receive such loving service as we received. When it came time for our lunch six devotees came to our residence to serve us hand and foot. There was a 24 hours a day rotating schedule of personal servants at our residence who took care of our every need. They even took up a collection to help pay for our airfare.
The service that they accepted from me was to hear me speak on the transcendental subject matter of Krishna consciousness. Whatever I have realized regarding the science of self-realization, I simply tried to share it with them in the choicest most compassionate words possible. I cannot conceive of any other lifestyle. Krishna consciousness is the epitome of sweetness.
Sankarshan das Adhikari
===========================================================================
How Did We Fall from the Spiritual World?
Hare Krishna. All Glories to His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada.
How did we fall from being worthy of remaining in the spiritual world? I know that we became contaminated by material nature. But how did our desires overtake us in the spiritual world? I apologize if I've got this all wrong.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
Annjelyn
===========================================================================
We Became Envious of Krishna
We became envious of Krishna, infected with the desire that we should become God.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
Top of Page
Friday, October 21, 2005
Broadcast from the Ecstatic Road Back to Godhead in Doha, Qatar
Giving Up the Enjoying Mood
The greatest enemy of spiritual advancement is to be in an enjoying mood. Such a feverish state of consciousness constantly buffets one back and forth between happiness and distress. The solid, stable position of transcendental bliss can only be experienced when one is situated beyond the enjoying mood. This position of self-realization is described in the Bhagavad-gita as follows:
brahma-bhutah prasannatma
na socati na kanksati
samah sarvesu bhutesu
mad-bhaktim labhate param
"One who is thus transcendentally situated at once realizes the Supreme Brahman and becomes fully joyful. He never laments or desires to have
anything. He is equally disposed toward every living entity. In that state he attains pure devotional service unto Me." Bhagavad-gita 18.54
Some transcendentalists seek to solve the enjoying mood problem by becoming "moodless" or mindless. This system does not work. The easy way to become free from the enjoying mood is to replace it with the service mood. Service mood means that we are always thinking how to give enjoyment to Krishna by sincerely serving Him and how to give the ultimate enjoyment to others by connecting them with Krishna.
Sankarshan das Adhikari
===========================================================================
Can I Accept Srila Prabhupada as My Diksha Guru?
Hare Krishna.
Thank you so much for your inspiring letters. I hope you don't mind me asking. But can I accept Prabhupada as my diksha (initiating) Guru and get siksha (instructions) from all devotees?
You seem to be continuing very well without Prabhupada's bodily presence. Can I do the same and follow the instructions in his books while getting clarification and encouragement from devotees like your self who know more than me?
Hare Krishna
Your servant,
SPC
===========================================================================
We Must Follow Srila Prabhupada
According to Srila Prabhupada's teachings diksha (initiation) can only be accepted from a spiritual master who is physically manifest on the material plane. Siksha (instruction), however, may be accepted from all spiritual masters and devotees throughout all of eternity.
You should fully surrender yourself to Srila Prabhupada accepting him as your eternal siksha (instructing) guru. Then when you are fully fixed in
following his instructions he will send you one of his qualified disciples who will initiate you into his sampradaya (disciplic succession). That
initiator will be your diksha guru, and he will serve you by always helping you to understand and implement the teachings of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
Top of Page
Thursday, October 20, 2005
in the association of the wonderful ISKCON devotees in Doha, Qatar
===========================================================================
Krishna Consciousness At 30,000 Feet
The sun has just set. We are cruising at 30,000 over Syria on our way to Doha. I've been answering emails ever since we took off hours ago from Amsterdam. By Krishna's grace it is a pretty empty flight. I was able to move up to the front of economy section and occupy a bulk head aisle seat with tons of leg room and an empty window seat beside it. My computer case is comfortably situated on the floor in front of the window seat next to me and my laptop is in its constitutional position on my lap.
This situation is very favorable for spiritual productivity. It's not always like this. Most seats are very cramped. And when the person in front of me leans back there is not enough room to properly utilize my laptop computer for any extended period of time. Hence, I take this flight as a special blessing from Krishna to help me do a lot of preaching.
I am touched and moved by the wonderful sincerity of so many souls throughout the world who have come to me seeking guidance how they can achieve the ultimate happiness of pure Krishna bhakti. To be a spiritual master is a great responsibility. I am praying to Krishna to bless me that I can always represent Him purely and intelligently in such a profound way that I can influence the entire world to seriously adopt the principles of Krishna consciousness as their only business.
That being said, it's time for me to get back to my correspondence. I hope to get a lot more emails answered before we land in Doha.
Sankarshan das Adhikari
===========================================================================
Overwhelmed by Confusion
Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by confusion. It is very painful condition. I don't know even how to describe it. Everything seems so difficult and without outcome. This is disturbing to all my duties, relationships and service I try to do. I don't know even how to take shelter of Krishna at times like that. Please, give me advice how to deal with such situations when they arise. And also what is the cause of this suffering? It is so intense...
===========================================================================
Capitalize On It For Increased Krishna Consciousness
These times of feeling completely overwhelmed are a great blessing for us because at these times we can do nothing but bow down at the lotus feet of Guru and Krishna and beg for their mercy. The key for rapid advancement in Krishna consciousness is to fully capitalize on these moments of emotional devastation to our advantage.
A savvy businessman will always push his business forward whether prices are going up or going down. When prices are going up, he sells. When prices are going down, he buys. In this way he always moves his business forward.
In a similar way a devotee utilizes everything for his advancement in Krishna consciousness, whether he is going through happiness or times of great distress. In this way gradually, gradually step by step as he trains himself more and more, he becomes completely immune to all forms of anxiety and always absorbed in transcendental bliss.
The suffering is a result of our past sinful activities. By enduring it in Krishna consciousness and not engaging in any further sinful activities we gradually become cleansed of all of our past karma and enter into the realm of pure devotional service.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
Top of Page
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Broadcast from the Ecstatic Road Back to Godhead in the association of the wonderful devotees of ISKCON Amsterdam, Netherlands
Don't be cheated by false gurus. Discover the qualifications of a bona fide spiritual master at the following web page:
http://www.ultimateselfrealization.com/articles.php?articleId=52
===========================================================================
Living in the Spiritual World at Every Minute
After over a month of preaching Krishna consciousness in fourteen different European towns and cities we are now heading
out for a brief stop in the Middle East, in Doha, Qatar for two days. Then it will be on to India, to Sri Vrindavan Dham, the transcendental abode of Lord Krishna in which He exhibited His childhood pastimes 5,000 years ago. Everywhere we go we
absorb ourselves in hearing and chanting the glories of Lord Sri Krishna. This indeed is the purpose of our existence. Therefore we absorb ourselves in this wherever we go throughout the world. By this process of chanting and hearing the glories of the Lord we are always living in the spiritual world at every minute. No anxieties can ever penetrate the heart of someone who is 24 hour daily absorbed in Krishna consciousness.
This is the most important subject matter of education, how to be 24 hours absorbed in Krishna consciousness in all times, places, and circumstances. Lacking this education the entire world has been plunged into a condition of great adversity. Therefore the devotees of the Lord in a spirit of great compassion travel all over the world the enlighten those who are in
the darkness of ignorance by introducing them to the sweet transcendental vibration of Lord Sri Krishna's names.
Sankarshan das Adhikari
===========================================================================
Is Experiential Truth Relative?
All praises to Krishna and Srila Prabhupada.
I have a question. If Truth exists within the realm of experience, wouldn't that make Truth relative and not absolute?
Luis
===========================================================================
Truth is Not Relativized by Experiencing It
Experience can be both relative and absolute. Just like we can experience something in a dream state or in an awakened state. If we experience Truth within the realm of relativity this does not make Truth relative. Rather the experience of Truth within the relative world elevates us to the absolute plane. The relative plane is a manifestation of the absolute plane, just as the clouds which cover the sun are a product of the sun. They come into being by the influence of the sun to evaporate the ocean
water. Just as the sun can penetrate through the clouds, Truth can penetrate through relativity and fully manifest itself anywhere it chooses.
The Absolute Truth is Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
Top of Page
TABLA - FUENTES - FONTS
SOUV2
- SOUV2P.TTF - 57 KB
- SOUV2I.TTF - 59 KB
- SOUV2B.TTF - 56 KB
- SOUV2T.TTF - 56 KB
- bai_____.ttf - 46 KB
- babi____.ttf - 47 KB
- bab_____.ttf - 45 KB
- balaram_.ttf - 45 KB
- SCAGRG__.TTF - 73 KB
- SCAGI__.TTF - 71 KB
- SCAGB__.TTF - 68 KB
- inbenr11.ttf - 64 KB
- inbeno11.ttf - 12 KB
- inbeni11.ttf - 12 KB
- inbenb11.ttf - 66 KB
- indevr20.ttf - 53 KB
- Greek font: BibliaLS Normal
- Greek font: BibliaLS Bold
- Greek font: BibliaLS Bold Italic
- Greek font: BibliaLS Italic
- Hebrew font: Ezra SIL
- Hebrew font: Ezra SIL SR
Disculpen las Molestias
Sankarshan Das Adhikari - ANUAL
Conceptos Hinduistas (1428)SC
Aa-Anc · Aga - Ahy · Ai - Akshay · Akshe - Amshum · Ana - Ancie · Ang - Asvayu · Ata - Az · Baa-Baz · Be-Bhak · Bhal-Bu · C · Daa-Daz · De · Dha-Dry · Du-Dy · E · F · Gaa-Gayu · Ge-Gy · Ha-He · Hi-Hy · I · J · K · Ka - Kam · Kan - Khatu · Ki - Ko · Kr - Ku · L · M · N · O · P · R · S · Saa-San · Sap-Shy · Si-Sy · Ta - Te · U · V · Ve-Vy · Y · Z
Conceptos Hinduistas (2919) SK
Aa-Ag · Ah-Am · Ana-Anc · And-Anu · Ap-Ar · As-Ax · Ay-Az · Baa-Baq · Bar-Baz · Be-Bhak · Bhal-Bhy · Bo-Bu · Bra · Brh-Bry · Bu-Bz · Caa-Caq · Car-Cay · Ce-Cha · Che-Chi · Cho-Chu · Ci-Cn · Co-Cy · Daa-Dan · Dar-Day · De · Dha- Dny · Do-Dy · Ea-Eo · Ep-Ez · Faa-Fy · Gaa-Gaq · Gar-Gaz · Ge-Gn · Go · Gra-Gy · Haa-Haq · Har-Haz · He-Hindk · Hindu-Histo · Ho-Hy · Ia-Iq · Ir- Is · It-Iy · Jaa- Jaq · Jar-Jay · Je-Jn · Jo-Jy · Kaa-Kaq · Kar-Kaz · Ke-Kh · Ko · Kr · Ku - Kz · Laa-Laq · Lar-Lay · Le-Ln · Lo-Ly · Maa-Mag · Mah · Mai-Maj · Mak-Maq · Mar-Maz · Mb-Mn · Mo-Mz · Naa-Naq · Nar-Naz · Nb-Nn · No-Nz · Oa-Oz · Paa-Paq · Par-Paz · Pe-Ph · Po-Py · Raa-Raq · Rar-Raz · Re-Rn · Ro-Ry · Saa-Sam · San-Sar · Sas-Sg · Sha-Shy · Sia-Sil · Sim-Sn · So - Sq · Sr - St · Su-Sz · Taa-Taq · Tar-Tay · Te-Tn · To-Ty · Ua-Uq · Ur-Us · Vaa-Vaq · Var-Vaz · Ve · Vi-Vn · Vo-Vy · Waa-Wi · Wo-Wy · Yaa-Yav · Ye-Yiy · Yo-Yu · Zaa-Zy
GENERAL
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario