Prophecies of Srila Prabhupada and His Mission
In the Brahma-vaivarta Purana, in a conversation with Ganga Devi, Lord Krishna describes that after 5,000 years of Kali-yuga have passed, His mantra upasaka, the great sage and worshiper of Krishna's holy names, will appear and spread the chanting of Krishna's names (in the form of the Hare Krishna mantra) not only in India but throughout the world. Lord Krishna explains that by the chanting of His holy names the world will become spiritualized and everyone will be hari-bhaktas, engaged in the process of devotion to the Supreme. The purified devotees will visit the holy places and holy rivers of India and will purify them. They will also purify those with whom they come in contact. Thus, Sri Krishna predicted the appearance of a powerful devotee who would spread the chanting of His names worldwide.
1. idam sthanam parityajya videsam gamyate maya
“I will leave this place [Vrndavana] and travel to foreign lands...”
Bhakti Devi speaking to Narada, in Srimad Bhagavata Mahatmyam (Padmapurana, Uttarakhanda) translated by Sri Satyanarayana Dasa
[The Srimad Bhagavata Mahatmyam (The Glories of Srimad Bhagavatam) is a section of the Padma Purana. It tells the story of how Bhakti can be revived in Kali yuga through recital of Srimad Bhagavatam. When Srila Prabhupada left Vrndavana and came to America, it is significant that his only possession was a trunk containing the first volumes of his Srimad Bhagavatam, which he considered his most important work. It is also significant that he instituted daily recitation of the Bhagavatam as the foundation of the temple program, and that Srimad Bhagavatam (in the form of Krsna Book) was the first of Srila Prabhupada's books to be distributed in large quantities. Until Srila Prabhupada came west, devotional service (Bhakti) had never been successfully introduced in foreign lands.]
2.krsne sva-dhamopagate
dharma-jnanadibhih saha
kalau nasta-drsam esa
puranarko 'dhunoditah
“This Bhagavata Purana is as brilliant as the sun, and it has arisen just after the departure of Lord Krsna to His own abode, accompanied by religion, knowledge, etc. Persons who have lost their vision due to the dense darkness of ignorance in the age of Kali shall get light from thisPurana. (Srimad Bhagavatam 1.3.43)
3. (Lord Caitanya speaking of the reasons for His descent):
ebe nama sankirtana tikshna khadaga laiya, antara asura jivera phelibe katiya
“Taking the sharp sword of the congregational chanting of the Hare Krsna mantra, (nama-sankirtana) I will root out & destroy the demoniac mentality in the hearts of all the conditioned souls.”
yadi papi chadi dharma dure dese yaya
mora senapati-bhakta yaibe tathaya
“If some sinful people escape and giving up religious principles go to far off countries, then my Senapati Bhakta will come at that time to give them Krsna consciousness.” (senapati - a military field commander, bhakta - a devotee. Lord Caitanya will empower His own devotee to spread Krsna Consciousness around the world.)
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu
Sri Caitanya Mangala, Sutra-Khanda
by Locana das Thakura
4. prthivite ache yata nagaradi grama
sarvatra pracara haibe mora nama
“In every town and village, the chanting of My name will be heard.”
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu
Caitanya-bhagavata, Antya 4.126
5. “Very soon the unparalleled path of hari-nama sankirtana will be propagated all over the world. Oh, for that day when the fortunate English, French, Russian, German, and American people will take up banners, mridangas, and karatalas and raise kirtana through their streets and towns! When will that day come?”
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura
Sajjana Tosani 4.3, 'Nityadharma Suryodoy'
1885
6. Prabhupada: Just like Thakura Bhaktivinoda. In 1896 he sent the Caitanya Mahaprabhu's message to McGill University. That book you have seen. The letter was there. And these are coincidence. Now, after so many years, a servant of that disciplic succession has come here again to preach. So these things are significant.
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila 7.149-171
San Francisco, March 18, 1967
Prabhupada: ...in 1896. Bhaktivinoda Thakura was the first origin of this movement. But he simply thought of it. And he was expecting some others that willing to take up the work. Well, somebody says that I am the same man. And I was born in 1896.
Room Conversation with Canadian Ambassador to Iran Iran, March 13, 1975
7. “Anyway please try to save temple of Jiva Goswami because in very near future many people from all parts of the world will come to see the Temple and Samadhi of Jiva Goswami and Rupa Goswami.”
Letter to Nripen Babu, San Francisco, March 18, 1967
8. & 9. Prabhupada: And in my horoscope there was written there, “After seventieth year this man will go outside India and establish so many temples.” I could not understand. "What is this, that I have to go outside India? That is not..." And Guru Maharaja foretold. He told my Godbrothers, Sridhara Maharaja and others, that "He'll do the needful when time comes. Nobody requires to help him." He told in 1935. And after all, this was true. Guru Maharaja told. And in the beginning, first sight, he told, "You have to do this."
Room Conversation, Vrndavana, June 17, 1977
10. He (Srila Prabhupada) seemed to know that he would have temples filled up with devotees. He would look out and say, "I am not a poor man, I am rich. There are temples and books, they are existing, they are there, but the time is separating us from them."
Mr. Ruben, (subway conductor who met Prabhupada in 1965)
Fulfillment of these prophecies was also confirmed by Srila Prabhupada's Godbrothers:
“This return back to homeland of Srila Prabhupada is particularly significant because this time he comes back with a host of his western disciples. This signifies to me the meeting of the East and the West, or at least the beginning of such a meeting. This signifies the victory of spiritualism over materialism, of good over evil. This is really a rare moment in history, for the first time in the history of the world, for the first time at least living memory, Vaisnavism, the message of Vaisnavism, the message of Mahaprabhu, the message of devotion and of pure devotion has been carried to the west and carried so successfully. I am sure that historians of the future will have a lot to say about Prabhupada and his movement, and they will be even envious of us for living in a time when this movement was begun and for participating in it.”
Introduction Speech By Dr. O.B.L. Kapoor, Vrndavana, October 15, 1972
“And what about the qualities he had? All devotional qualities he possess. And that we can know him that he is great only by preaching. Less than 10 years. There is no history, no recording anywhere. Preaching in 10 years he has established this divine name everywhere. As is told in Mahaprabhu's future [prediction].”
His Holiness B.V. Puri Maharaj, ITV, Memories of Srila Prabhupada
“Sripada Sridhara Maharaja also appreciated my service. He said that Caitanya Mahaprabhu's prediction: prthivite ache yata nagaradi grama/ sarvatra pracara haibe mora nama, would remain a dream only, but he congratulated me that I have done it practically.”
Srila Prabhupada letter to Bon Maharaja, Evanston, Illinois, July 7, 1975
“Any one of the feats mentioned above would be a significant feather in anyone's cap, even if it were the only thing a person accomplished in a lifetime. That Srila Prabhupada did all these things in just twelve years, and fulfilled so many predictions of sastra, great devotees, acaryas and astrologers, and the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself, is patent validation of his inimitable role in Vaisnava history. By his efforts, uncountable millions have read about Krsna, honored Krsna prasadam, and heard and chanted the maha mantra. Through his teachings, he continues to relieve humanity from the maladies spawned by doctrines of monism and voidism, while holding open the door of Krsna bhakti for many generations to come. Let us recognize and remember his unprecedented contributions and strive to bring him honor throughout the world.”
Devotee: Prabhupada, they said that if Caitanya Mahaprabhu wanted Krsna consciousness in the Western countries, why didn't He go there Himself? That's what they told us.
Prabhupada: So He left the credit for me. (laughter)
Morning Walk, Nellore, January 4, 1976
All glories to Om Visnu-pada Paramahamsa Parivrajakacarya Astotarra-sata Sri Srimad
His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada!
Some of Srila Prabhupada's Unparalleled Achievements
In 1965, at seventy years of age, he ventured outside India for the first time to fulfill the order of his spiritual master. During his voyage at sea, he suffered two severe heart attacks. He reached the shores of America with the equivalent of seven dollars to his name.
He founded the International Society for Krsna Consciousness with a small group of disciples, after a year of struggling alone in New York City. This marked the only time in history that a Krsna devotee successfully trained non-Indians in the strict disciplines of Vaisnavism. Amazingly, this was achieved during the blossoming of America's hedonistic counterculture movement.
He sent his followers, chanting the names of God, into the streets of cities and towns everywhere and Hare Krsna became famous in every corner of the earth.
He sent his disciples to London, where they recorded the single, "Hare Krsna Mantra", with George Harrison, in 1969. It became the fastest selling of all the Apple Corporation's releases, including those of the Beatles. The record reached #3 in Czechoslovakia, #9 in Britain, and made the top ten in Germany, Japan, Australia, South Africa, Yugoslavia, and many other
countries.
He formally initiated approximately five thousand disciples. These initiates represented a sweeping diversity of nationalities, races, ethnicities, and religious backgrounds.
He established 108 Krsna temples on six continents, installed the deity of Krsna in each center and trained his disciples in the process of deity worship. Thirty-two new temples (almost three a month) were opened in a single year, between 1970 and 1971.
He inaugurated the Rathayatra Festival of Lord Jaganatha in major cities around the globe, in effect, bringing the temple to the people.
He instituted the brahmacarini ashram, something previously unheard of in Vedic culture, to give shelter to single women wishing to practice Krsna consciousness.
He instructed his disciples in 1967 to start an incense business to provide financial support for the temples. Within four years the business, Spiritual Sky Incense, generated an annual revenue of one million dollars (equivalent to $4,600,000 in 2004).
He introduced the "Sunday Love Feast" and other prasadam (sanctified food) distribution programs that provided millions of free meals to the public.
He created the world's first chain of vegetarian restaurants.
He spoke daily on the philosophy of Krsna consciousness, delivering thousands of formal lectures. Over 2,200 were recorded and archived.
He conducted many hundreds of informal conversations on the science of Krsna consciousness with disciples, guests and friends. Over 1,300 were recorded and archived.
He had scores of interviews and philosophical discussions with news reporters, scientists, religious leaders and politicians, as well as meetings with world-renowned dignitaries and celebrities like Indira Gandhi, Allen Ginsberg, Ravi Shankar, Alice Coltrane, John Lennon and George Harrison.
He recorded more than twenty albums of devotional music.
He published the monthly magazine, Back to Godhead, which he called the backbone of his movement. At the height of its circulation in the mid seventies, over a million copies per issue were sold.
He launched the ISKCON Life Membership Program that enrolled tens of thousands of members.
He built major temples in Bombay and Vrndavana, and founded a spiritual city at Mayapur. All became international sites of pilgrimage.
He established primary schools to provide education in the principles of devotional service.
He founded the Bhaktivedanta Institute to advance Krsna consciousness within the scientific community, engaging serious academics in the consideration of the science of self-realization.
He formed the Bhaktivedanta Swami Charity Trust to unearth and renovate the holy places of Lord Caitanya's pastimes.
He set up farm communities to teach "simple living and high thinking", emphasizing cow protection and dependence on God and nature.
He commissioned his artist disciples to produce hundreds of illustrations of Krsna's pastimes based on his meticulous instructions and the descriptions in his books.
He directed some of his followers to learn the Indian art of "doll making" to present Vedic philosophy through dioramas. This project became the FATE Museums.
He counseled his disciples on complex managerial, philosophical and personal issues in more than 6,000 archived letters.
He was the subject of more than 30,000 archival photos and more than seventy hours of documentary film footage.
He wrote approximately seventy books on the science of Krsna consciousness, sleeping only a few hours per day. Dozens of prominent scholars and educators from leading universities praised his work. The Encyclopaedia Britannica proclaimed that his voluminous translations from the original Sanskrit and his lucid commentaries "have astounded literary and academic communities worldwide." This feat is even more astonishing considering the translations and commentaries were in English, which was a second language to the author.
He founded the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT) in 1972, to produce his books. By 1976, over 55,000,000 literatures had been published in twenty-five languages and distributed in almost every country, making the BBT the world's largest publisher of Indian religious and philosophical texts. One printing alone of Bhagavad-gita As It Is required seventy-six train cars to ship the paper needed to print it.
He completed the entire Caitanya-caritamrta manuscript (seventeen volumes) in eighteen months.
He ordered and supervised the BBT in publishing seventeen volumes of his books in only two months time, in 1974.
Srila Prabhupada increased the standard of Deity worship in all the temples in Vrindavana, India when he installed the Deities in the Sri Sri Krishna-Balarama Mandir in the Vrindavana. Before this many of the Deities in the temples there were dressed in sheets, poor clothes, and even had bugs crawling on Them, and were often only offered tulasi water and no food offerings. Now everything has changed because of Srila Prabhupada, and numerous temples have beautiful worship for the Deities. Even the shop owners who cater to the needs of the growing number of devotees, many of whom are Western, have become rich because of Srila Prabhupada. Many also have his portrait hanging in their shops.
Prabhupada also circled the globe fourteen times, visiting twenty-four countries, preaching, inspiring his followers and making countless public appearances before multitudes of people.
He skillfully managed his international society simply through letters and personal meetings, virtually without the use of a telephone.
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.....Jai Srila Prabhupada
Raval- The Birth Place Of Srimati Radharani
In the fifth wave of Sri Bhakti Ratnakara, Narahari Chakravarti Thakur glorifies the birthplace of Srimati Radharani. In this first excerpt, he quotes Raghava Pandit’s discussion with Srinivas Acharya when he took Narottama das Thakura and Srinivasa Acarya on Vraja mandal parikrama
ahe srinivasa dekha e ‘ravala’-grama
etha vrishabhanura vasati anupama
sri-radhika prakata ha-ila eikhane
yahara prakate sukha vyapila bhuvane
“O Srinivasa see Ravala, the village where Vrishabhanu used to live happily. Sri Radhika appeared here, and by Her auspicious appearance the whole world was filled with joy.”
In the Chaitanya lila, after coming from Gokula, Gaurachandra and His associates stayed here for sometime. He became overwhelmed with ecstatic love when He saw Ravala.
Raval is the most auspicious birthplace of Srimati Radharani who is the embodiment of mahabhava, the essence of Sri Krishna’s pleasure potency. Raval is 9km (6 miles) south of Mathura, on the other side of the Yamuna River. It is about halfway between Mathura and Gokula. It is not so frequently visited place, which inspires unique mood of separation in the hearts of Her devotees. Only by great fortune will someone desire to visit this holy place, and reverentially touch and remember it.
Srimati Radhika is most loved by Her father Vrishabhanu Maharaja. For this reason, devotees usually refer to Her as “Vrishabhanu-nandini” (the daughter of Vrishabhanu Maharaja).
The word ravala means “an influential landlord”. This place is named after Sri Vrishabhanu Maharaja, who was a most influential landlord.
Once King Vrishabhanu went to the Yamuna river to take bath. He saw a golden lotus flower that shone like a million suns in the middle of the river. In the middle of the lotus flower was baby Srimati Radharani. Lord Brahma appeared before King Vrishabhanu and told him that in his previous life he and his wife, Kirtida, had performed great austerities to get the consort of Lord Vishnu as their daughter.
Sri Radha's effulgent form illuminated the ten directions. Whoever sees Radha once is freed from the threefold miseries. Her body is extremely soft and Her complexion is like molten gold.
King Vrishabhanu took the child home, but found her to be blind. Narada Muni appeared before the king and told him that despite the child's blindness he should go ahead and perform all the auspicious birth ceremonies Nanda Maharaja brought baby Krishna along for the ceremonies held by king Vrishabhanu for his daughter.
When baby Krishna crawled before Srimati Radharani, She could smell the wonderful aroma of His body, and at that moment She opened Her eyes. The first person She saw was Her eternal consort, Sri Krishna.
Sri Radha would wander around with many other girls, and Her mother felt joyful watching Her. Vrishabhanu with his associates would sit at one place and, like this, there is no limit to the fun in Ravala.
There is a small temple here called Larly-Lal. Small, but very sweet Deities of Radha and Krishna are said to be installed by Vajranabha, Krishna's great grandson.
After circumambulating the altar and offering prayers to Radharani one can climb to the roof and see dried Yamuna bed. On the opposite side of the temple is Radharani's garden. Radha-Krishna tree in Radharani's garden resemble white Radha standing next to blackish Krishna. There are ruins of old temple in Radharani's garden.
The desire to become a maidservant of Srimati Radhika awakens in the heart of one who comes to this place, hears pure Vaishnavas speak hari-katha here and touches its sacred dust.
Srila Raghunath Das Goswami, in the Vraja-vilasa-stava prays as follows: “May I be filled with love for Ravala - the place of Maharaja Vrishabhanu, which is surrounded in all directions by surabhi cows, cowherd boys and gopis. The precious gem, Sri Radha, appeared there in the mine of Kirtida's womb, which is praised by the demigods, rsis, and human beings.”
Ladli Lal Raval
Darshans of Shree Ladliji-Radha Appearance Sthali of Radha in the Kamal flower
Raval The birthplace of Radharani, view from the roof of the mandir
Radharani's garden at Raval
Raval Another view from the roof of the mandir
Radha Rani's Well According to the gardener, Radha's family well
Trees in Radharani's garden
Main entrance on the road leading towards the Mandir
Roses at Radharani's garden
View of ShreeLaadli-Radha mandir from a distance at Rawal
Sign showing the location of this sacred place
Raval Mandir before renovation.jpg
Radha's Name on Trees
Mercy of Shrimati Radharani
No Krishna without Radha
No Lord Krishna without Shrimati Radharani
vina radha-prasadena krishna-praptir na jayate
tatah shri-radhika-krishnau smaraniyau su-samyutau
"Without the mercy of Shrimati Radhika, one can never attain Krishna. Therefore one must remember them together, as They are always nicely situated by each others' side."
(Shrila Dhyana-chandra Goswami's Paddhati)
prema-bhaktau yadi sraddha mat prasadam yadicchasi
tada narada bhavena radhaya radhako bhava
Shri Krishna says: "O Narada!! If you have faith in the process of prema-bhakti and wish to attain my favour, then please become the worshipper of Shrimati Radharani in the mood of ecstatic emotion."
(Bhavisyottara Purana)
satyam satyam punah satyam satyam eva punah punah
vina radha prasadena mat-prasado na vidyate
Shri Krishna says: "O Narada! I tell you truly truly, again truly, truly, again and again - without the mercy of Shrimati Radharani, one cannot attain my mercy."
(Narada Purana)
Why Krishna is called Atma Rama
Why is Lord Krishna called Atma-Rama
atma-ramasya krishnasya
dhruvam atmasti radhika
Kalindi has stated that ''Surely Shri Radhika is the very soul (Atma)of Lord Krishna Who is Atma-Rama, that is, One Who delights in Himself alone.''
atma tu radhika tasya tayaiva ramanad asau
atma-rama iti prokto muni-bhir gudha vedi-bhih
Bhagavan Krishna is always immersed in Shri Radha consciousness, which is His very soul. Therefore learned sages who have grasped the secret esoteric significance of this deep mellow call him 'Atma-Rama.'
Mercy of Shrimati Radharani
Shrimati Radharani is the ideal maha-bhagvata. As the greatest devotee, She is also the most compassionate. She is unable to bear the suffering of the souls trapped in the material world. The word “aradhaya” (prayers) is derived from “Radha” and means “worshippable”. Similarly the word “aparadha” (offenses) means “against Radha”. When one performs devotional service, one is pleasing Shrimati Radharani and when commits Vaishnava aparadha against Krishna or His devotees, one is offending Radharani. Shrimati Radharani is the guardian, the mentor and the benefactor of all aspiring devotees. When a soul starts to inquire about Krishna, Shrimati Radharani is most pleased and takes charge of his devotional advancements. As one makes progress, one continues to invoke the mercy of Shrimati Radharani and when She is pleased, Krishna is automatically pleased.
The glory of name 'Radha' is explained below:
'ra' sabdoccaranad eva sphito bhavati madhavah
'dha' sabdoccarata pascad dhavatyeva sa-sambhramah
Simply by vibrating the sound 'Ra', Shri Krishna's ecstatic jubiliation fully blooms; simply upon hearing the sound 'dha', He chases after vibrator with great awe and reverence.
(Brahma Vaivarta Purana)
'ra' sabdam kurvatas trasto dadami bhaktim uttamam
'dha' sabdam kurvatah pascat yami sravana lobhatah
(Lord Shri Krishna proclaims): ''The moment I hear the sound 'Ra' from anyone's lips, I grant them My supreme prema-bhakti. But the next moment when I hear the sound 'dha', I completely lose Myself and become intoxicated in Radha-nama. Because of My great longing to hear the name of My Beloved, I run after the devotees who chant Radha-nama.''
radhety evam ca samsiddha ra-karo dana-vacakah
dha nirvanam ca tad-datri tena radha prakirtita
The holy name of Radha is fully accomplished in perfection as follows: the syllable 'Ra' denotes dana, bestowal of a gift, and the syllable 'dha' indicates nirvana, liberation. Thus, She Who mercifully bestows liberation into the eternal kingdom of painlessness is called 'Radha.'
(Brahma Vaivarta Purana, Shri Krishna-janma-khanda)
sa radheti sada hrdi sphuratu me vidya-para dvayaksara
Let the name of Shri Radha, in which the two divine syllables are embodied and which personifies para-vidya (the ultimate truth) eternally shine in my heart.
(Radha-Rasa-Sudha-Nidhi 96 by Shrila Prabodhananda Sarasvati)
radheti me jivanam
Shri Radha and Radha alone or the nectarean name of Shri Radhe is my life breath. (Radha-Rasa-Sudha-Nidhi 97)
All glories to Shrimati Radharani !!
Faith- By His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada
Faith means unflinching trust in something sublime.
By rendering transcendental service to Krsna, one automatically performs all subsidiary activities. This confident, firm faith, favorable to the discharge of devotional service, is called sraddha.
Sraddha, faith in Krsna, is the beginning of Krsna consciousness. Faith means strong faith.
Faith means complete conviction.
Faith means that faith is created after reading Bhagavad-gita.
Faith means one who has got firm faith in the words of Krsna.
Faith means strong faith, not flickering faith.That faith means unflinching faith without any deviation, with full understanding.
Faith means real faith. So whenever there is real faith, there is activity also.
Faith means firm conviction that “If I become transcendentally engaged in the service of the Lord, then my life becomes successful.” This is called faith. And that conviction must be firm, not tottering faith.
Faith means believing firmly.
Faith means to believe in the word of Krsna, that “Surrendering to Krsna I will get everything. Now, I am free. This is my perfection.” That is called faith.
Faith means acceptance. When you accept, then your faith begins. If you have got hesitation, then the faith has not begun. Or it is in the hazy state. Not that “So long God is my order supplier, I trust in Him, and as soon as He refuses to supply my order, I don’t trust Him,” that is not firm faith. “God is putting me in distress; still, I trust Him. Or God is putting me in happiness; still, I trust Him.” That is called firm faith. In any circumstances, the faith is not withdrawn. That is firm faith.
Faith means krsne bhakti, “If I surrender to Krsna, then my all perfection is there.” This is called sraddha.
That is faith — means on knowledge. So faith with knowledge is very good. But beginning must be faith, with knowledge or without knowledge.
Faith means to believe strongly.
Faith means by seeing others, respectable persons following, “And why not I shall follow?”
Faith means that you are meant for giving some service to Krsna. You should stick to that service, that path, in spite of all impediments. That is the passing of test.
Faith means extreme faith. Not reserved. Faith does not mean any reservation.
By His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada
Quality in Chanting
Brahmananda, November 2, 1975, Nairobi: [...] The quality of the chanting he’s asking. How can we make the quality the best?
Prabhupada: Quality, you’ll understand first of all come to the quality. Without having quality, how he’ll understand the quality? You follow the instruction of your spiritual master, of the sastra.
That is your duty. Quality, no quality—it is not your position to understand. When the quality comes there is no force. You will have a taste for chanting. You will desire at that time, “Why sixteen round? Why not sixteen thousand rounds?”
That is quality. That is quality. It is by force. You’ll not do it; therefore at least sixteen rounds. But when you come to the quality, you will feel yourself, “Why sixteen? Why not sixteen thousand?” That is quality, automatically.
Just like Haridasa Thakura was doing. He was not forced to do. Even Caitanya Mahaprabhu, He requested, “Now you are old enough. You can reduce.” So he refused, “No. Up to the end of my life I shall go on.” That is quality. Have you got such tendency that you will go on chanting and nothing to do? That is quality.
Now you are forced to do. Where is the question of quality? That is given a chance so that one day you may come to the quality, not that you have come to the quality. Quality is different. Athasaktih. Asakti, attachment.
Just like Rupa Gosvami says that “How shall I chant with one tongue, and how shall I hear, two ears? Had it been millions of tongue and trillions of ear, then I could enjoy it.” This is quality. Quality is not so cheap. Maybe after many births.
For the time being you go on following the rules and regulations. It is being done by force. Where is the quality? So you wanted to understand quality. This is the quality. You’ll not be forced, but automatically you’ll desire. That is quality.
I am writing books. I am not being forced by anyone. Everyone can do that. Why one does not do it? Why I get up at night, one o’clock, and do this job? Because I cannot do without it. How one will do it artificially? This is quality. Therefore they like my purports.
That quality is shown by Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Sunyayitam jagat sarvam govinda virahena me. “Oh, I do not see Govinda. The whole world is vacant.” Sunyayitam jagat sarvam govinda virahena me. This is quality. Just like we have got practical example. One man’s beloved has died, and he is seeing the whole universe vacant. Is it vacant?
So that is quality of love. So there is no formula of quality. It is to be understood by himself. Just like if after eating something you feel refreshed and get strength, that is quality. You haven’t got to take certificate: “Will you give me a certificate that I have eaten?”
You’ll understand whether eaten or not. That is quality. When you will feel so much ecstasy in chanting Hare Krsna, that is quality. Not artificially—”Chant. Chant. Otherwise get out.” This is not quality. This is in expectation that someday you may come to quality.
That requires time. That requires sincerity. But quality is there. Sravanadi suddha citte karaye… It will be awakened. Not by force. Just like love between two persons, it cannot be forced. “You must love him. You must love her.” Oh, that is no love. That is not love. When automatically you love one another, that is quality. Dora vede prema.
Five Prayers to Lord Narasimha by Bhaktivinoda Thakura
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has written five beautiful prayers in "Sri Navadvipa Bhava Taranga" for receiving the mercy of Lord Narasimha. These prayers are certainly assurance to all sincere devotees that the worship of Lord Narasimha is purely in the line of aspiring love and devotion to Sri Sri Radha and Krsna. Those prayers are as follows.....
e dusta hrdaye kama adi ripu chaya
kutinati pratisthasa sathya sada raya
hrdaya-sodhana ara krsnera vasana
nrsimha-carane mora ei to' kamana
Within my sinful heart the six enemies headed by lust perpetually reside, as well as duplicity, the desire for fame, plus sheer cunning. At the lotus feet of Lord Narasimha, I hope that He will mercifully purify my heart and give me the desire to serve Lord Krsna.
kandiya nrsimha-pade magibo kakhana
nirapade navadvipe jugala-bhajana
bhaya bhaya paya yan'ra darsane se hari
prasanna hoibo kabe more daya kari
Weeping, I will beg at the lotus-feet of Lord Narasimha for the benediction of worshipping Radha and Krsna in Navadvipa, perfectly safe and free from all difficulties. When will this Lord Hari, Whose terrible form strikes fear into fear itself, ever become pleased and show me His mercy?
yadyapi bhisana murti dusta-jiva-prati
prahladadi krsna-bhakta-jane bhadra ati
kabe va prasanna ho'ye sa krpa-vacane
nirbhaya karibe ei mudha akincane
Even though Lord Narasimha is terrifying toward the sinful souls, He offers great auspiciousness unto the devotees of Lord Krsna headed by Prahlada Maharaja. When will He be pleased to speak words of compassion unto me, a worthless fool, and thereby make me fearless?
svacchande baiso he vatsa sri-gauranga-dhame
jugala-bhajana hau rati hau name
mama bhakta-krpa-bale vighna jabe dura
suddha cite bhajo radha-krsna-rasa-pura
He will say, "Dear child! Sit sown freely and live happily here in Sri Gauranga-dhama. May you nicely worship the Divine Couple, and may you develop loving attachment for Their Holy Names. By the mercy of My devotees, all obstacles are cast far away. With a purified heart, just perform the worship of Radha and Krsna, for such worship overflows with sweet nectar."
ei boli' kabe mora mastaka-upara
sviya sri-carana harse dharibe isvara
amani jugala-preme sattvika vikare
dharaya lutibo ami sri-nrsimha-dvare
Saying this, will that Lord delightedly place His own divine lotus-feet upon my head? I will experience sublime love for the Divine Couple Radha-Krsna and undergo the ecstatic transformations called sattvika. Falling on the ground, I will roll about at the door of Sri Narasimha's temple.
(Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, - "Sri Navadvipa Bhava Taranga", 36-40)
Sanatana Goswami (1488-1558 A.D.)
Sanatana Goswami was a principal disciple of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Sanatana Goswami wrote a number of important works in the bhakti tradition of Gaudiya Vaishnavism and was the senior most of the influential Six Goswamis of Vrindavan, among whom was his brother Rupa Goswami.
Birth and early years
Sanatana Goswami, or Santosha as he was named at birth, was born in Jessore in East Bengal (present-day Bangladesh) in 1488 as the son of Mukunda, the private secretary of the Sultan of Bengal, Jalaluddin Fateh Shah (ruled 1481-1487 A.D.). Sanatana Goswami was the eldest son of Mukunda, and his younger brothers were Amara (Rupa Goswami) and Srivallabha (Anupama).
Sanatana and his brothers studied Nyaya (rhetortic) and Vedanta from the famous logician Vasudeva Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya. They also studied under Sarvabhauma's brother, Madhusudana Vidyavachaspati, from whom Sanatana Goswami took initiation in his childhood.
On the death of his father, Sanatana Goswami was forced to take up the post of Sakara Mallika (treasurer) to the new ruler of Bengal, Alauddin Hussein Shah (ruled 1493-1519 A.D.), while his brother Rupa Goswami was given the post of Dabir-i-khas (private secretary).
First meeting with Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
Sanatana Goswami and Rupa Goswami received land from the government for their personal use in Fatehbad, where they built a huge palace. They also built several beautiful mansions at Ramakeli. It was at Ramakeli in 1510 that Sanatana Goswami and his two brothers met Chaitanya Mahaprabhu for the first time. After meeting them, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu gave them the names Rupa, Sanatana and Anupama. Due to this meeting, the brothers decided to renounce the world and join Sri Chaitanya and his entourage. Rupa Goswami resigned from his post, but Sanatana Goswami’s resignation was refused by the Sultan. Sanatana Goswami stopped coming to court and feigned sickness. But when the Sultan sent his personal physicians to treat Sanatana they returned and reported that Sanatana Goswami was in perfectly good health. The Sultan personally visited Sanatana Goswami and tried to convince him to continue to render his governmental duties and accompany him on a military campaign against the neighboring state of Orissa. Upon Sanatana Goswami’s refusal, Hussein Shah had him thrown into prison.
While in prison, Sanatana received a letter from his brother Rupa Goswami telling him that Chaitanya Mahaprabhu had left Puri to go to Vrindavana and that Rupa Goswami and Anupama had decided to meet Him there. Sanatana Goswami managed to bribe the jailer with money Rupa Goswami had sent him for emergencies. Sanatana Goswami then crossed the Ganges River and made his way towards Vrindavana.
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in Banaras
As Sanatana Goswami made his way to Vrindavana he learned that Chaitanya Mahaprabhu had already left Vrindavana and was then residing in Banaras. There Sanatana Goswami met Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who imparted to him instructions pertaining to sambandha-jnana (knowledge of the self and one's relationship with God). Chaitanya Mahaprabhu taught that the constitutional identity of each soul is to be an eternal servant of Krishna. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu explained His teachings to Sanatana Goswami by summarizing them in three categories: sambandha (one's relationship with Godhead), abhidheya (the method for reviving that relationship), and prayojana (the ultimate attainment of the supreme goal of life). After instructing Sanatana Goswami in the sambandha aspect of Gaudiya Vaishnava theology, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu instructed him to go to Vrindavana, where Sanatana Goswami visited the sites connected to Krishna’s pastimes.
When Sanatana later went to Puri and met Sri Chaitanya once more, Sri Chaitanya gave him four direct instructions:
1) To write books teaching Bhakti yoga, the process of devotion to Krishna
2) To discover and excavate the places in Vrindavana where Krishna had His pastimes
3) To establish the service of the deity (murthis/vigrahas) of Krishna in Vrindavana
4) To compile a book establishing the proper behavior for devotees of Krishna in order to create the foundations of a Vaishnava society.
Sanatana Goswami returned to Vrindavana, where he located various lost holy places. He also established the worship of the deity of Madana-mohana. Soon after Sanatana Goswami discovered the deity, a rich officer in the Moghul army named Krishna Dasa Kapura built a temple for Madana-mohan. This later became one of the seven principal temples of Vrindavana.
Sanatana Goswami left his body in the year 1558 A.D. His samadhi (tomb) is located behind the Madana-mohana temple at the foot hill of the old Madana Mohana Mandir.
Literary works
Sanatana Goswami wrote four important books in Sanskrit on Gaudiya Vaishnava philosophy:
Brihat-bhagavtamrita ("The Great Nectar of the Lord’s Devotees")
This work of 2,500 verses is divided into two parts. The first section explains the ontological hierarchy of the devotees of Krishna. The second section deals with the soul's journey to the eternal realm of Krishna. Narrated as stories, both sections explain many aspects of Gaudiya Vaishnava philosophy. Sanatana also wrote for this book his own commentary, called the Dig-darshini.
Hari-bhakti-vilasa ("Performance of Devotion to Hari")
This book was a joint work between Sanatana Goswami and Gopala Bhatta Goswami. Compiled on the order of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the book deals with the rituals and conduct of Gaudiya Vaisnavas. Sanatana also wrote an auto-commentary on Hari-bhakti Vilasa.
Krishna-lila-stava ("Glorification of the Pastimes of Krishna")
Krishna-lila-stava consists of 432 verses tracing Krishna’s pastimes as told in the Bhagavata Purana, from the beginning of the 10th Canto up through the vanquishing of Kamsa. Krishna-lila-stava is also sometimes referred to as the Dasama-charita.
Brihad Vaishnava Toshani ("That which brings Great Joy to the Devotees of Krishna")
The Brihad Vaishnava Toshani is Sanatana’s extensive commentary on the Tenth Canto of the Bhagavata Purana. This commentary is also known as the Dasama-tipanni.
Bhajan kutir of Sanatana Goswami
Adjacent to Ter-kadamb tree, to the west, is the bhajan-kuti of Shri Rup Goswami. He often performed bhajan here at this secluded place, remembering Krishna's sweet pastimes. He also composed many of his treasured books here. Whenever the sentiments of deep separation from Srimati Radharani, who is comprised of mahabhava, manifested in his heart, werses of separation would emanate from his mouth. At that time, all the leaves of the kadamb tree here would dry up in the fire of separation, and fall to the ground. And when the meeting of the Divine Couple manifested in his heart, he recited verses of Their meeting, and the kadamb tree would sprout new leaves.
Sri Sanatana Goswami is described in the Gaura-gandodesa-dipika (181). He was formerly known as Rati-manjari or sometimes as Lavanga-manjari. Manjaris are small girls - intimate maidservants of Srimati Radharani. Next to his bhajan-kutir, there is also sweet water well here that Sanatana Goswami used.
Samadhi of Sanatana Goswami
There are several places throughout the Vraja area where Srila Sanatana Goswami performed his bhajans, but the last days of his life he spent at Govardhan Hill. He departed from this world on Guru Purnima, while residing at Govardhan.His transcendental body was brought to Vrindavan and placed in samadhi behind the Radha Madana Mohan Mandir.
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