Red Lentils-Carrots-Garlic-Onions

In Satya-yuga, the rsis performed gomedha (cow) and asvamedha (horse) sacrifices for the welfare of the whole universe. [This proved the efficacy of the recitation of the Vedic mantras uttered during the sacrifice.] A very old cow or a horse would be sacrificed by being cut into pieces and placed in the fire. Afterwards, the rsis would utter mantras and the same animal would come alive in a beautiful young body.

The wife of a rsi who was about to perform a gomedha sacrifice was once pregnant. She had a very strong desire to eat, and she had heard that if, during pregnancy, one has a desire to eat and does not fulfill it, the newly born child will always have saliva coming from its mouth. This will be troublesome, both for the mother and the child. She had a strong desire to eat meat, and thus she stealthily took one piece of meat from the body of the cow that was offered in sacrifice. She hid it and was planing to eat it very soon. At that time, the rsi was finishing the sacrifice and uttered all the mantras for the cow to come to life. However, when he then saw the new cow, he noticed that there was a small part missing from her left side. He was surprised because this had never happened to him before. He went into meditation and realized that his wife had taken away a piece of meat during the sacrifice. Due to the effect of the mantras uttered by the rsi, there was now life in this small piece of meat. The wife now also understood what happened, and she quickly threw the meat far away. Shortly afterwards, red lentils sprouted from the blood of this meat, garlic sprouted from the bones (both garlic and the bones of a cow are white), and onions and carrots sprouted from the flesh. Thus, these foods should never be eaten by any Vaisnava, because they are in the mode of ignorance. -NM

Mother of trees and bushes

Then a golden egg (anda) appeared. Vishnu(MahaVishnu) was inside the egg. He expanded himself and adopted a form (Garbhodaksayi Vishnu ) so as to create. From Vishnu was created Brahma, the one with four faces. All material ingredients were with in the egg. Brahma is the creator, Visnu (Ksirodaksayi Vishnu) the preserver and Shiva the destroyer. But it is Vishnu that empowers these different forms.

At first, Brahma created four types of beings. These are devas (gods), asuras (demons), pitris (ancestors) and manavas (humans). The gods are stronger during the day and the demons are stronger at night. Later, Brahma created two other types of beings. These were the rakshasas (demons) and yakshas (demi-gods). He also created the gandharvas (singers of heaven).

Snakes were created from Brahma’s hair, sheep from the chest, goats from the mouth, cows from the stomach, and horses, elephants, donkeys and camels from the feet. The hair on Brahma’s body became herbs. The brahmanas emerged from Brahma’s mouth and the kshatriyas from his arms. The third of the four classes consists of vaishyas. Agriculture and trade are the duties of vaishyas. The vaishyas came out of Brahma’s thighs. The last of the four classes consists of shudras. It is the duty of shudras to serve the other three classes. The shudras emerged from Brahma’s feet.

The four Vedas came out of Brahma’s four mouths. Brahma first created sons through his mental powers. Their names were Dharma, Rudra, Manu, Sanaka, Sanatana, Bhrigu, Sanatkumar, Ruchi, Shuddha, Marichi, Atri, Angira, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, Vashishtha and Narada. Then Daksha was created from Brahma’s right thumb and Daksha’s wife from Brahma’s left thumb, Daksha and his wife had several daughters.

From his own body Brahma also created a man named Svayambhuva Manu and a woman named Shatarupa. Manu and Shatarupa had two sons named Priyavrata and Uttanapada and three daughters named Prasuti, Akuti and Devahuti.

The sage Kashyapa was born from Brahma. He married thirteen of Daksha’s daughters. Their names were Aditi, Diti, Danu, Kala, Anayu, Muni, Kadru, Prabha, Ira, Krodha, Vinata, Surabhi and Khaga. The sons of Aditi were the adityas or gods and the sons of Diti were the daityas or demons. Two of Diti’s sons were Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu. Danu’s sons were the danavas or demons. Vinata had two sons, Aruna and Garuda, the same Garuda who composed the Garuda Purana. Kadru’s sons were the snakes. Kroudha’s sons were the pishachas (cannibalistic demons). Surabhi gave birth to cows and buffaloes. Ira was the mother of all trees and bushes. Kahaga gave birth to rakshasas and yakshas and muni to apsaras (dancers of heaven). - Garuda Purana

Glorifying Krishna by Adi Shankara

Vishnu Shatpadi Stotra - In the fourth verse, starting as 'uddhrta naga...'the lifter of Mount Govardhana is glorified.The story of Govardhana hill revealed in that book is very interesting.Govardhana hill was a peak of the mountain range originally belonged to Mount Sumeru.

In Treta yuga, when Lord Ramachandra was building the bridge across the ocean to fight a war with Ravana, Hanuman ji was bringing the Sumeru mountain to be used in the construction. As he reached Vraja (Vrindavan) he learned that construction of the bridge was completed and there was no need for the Sumeru. So Hanumanji felt dropping down the Sumeru right at Vraja but the mounain lamented for being separated from its original family and loved ones. So even this separation and pain was in vain. Sumeru could not be used in the great cause and felt devoid of divine service to Lord Rama in spite of Hanuman ji's effort by carrying it so far. Now its destiny seemed bad since it was left some where far away from its own family and the Lord. Hanumanji was concerned about the fate of this Sumeru and asked Lord Rama for advice.

The Lord had told Hanumanji that after the pastimes of Rama's Incarnation in Treta yuga, He would return as Lord Krishna and sport on the same mountain in the Land of Vraja. If the Lord had used the mountain in building the bridge across the ocean, He could simply tread upon it and its divine service, Seva, would thus be of limited importance. On the other hand, in Dwapara yuga, He as Lord Krishna would come back to play on the mountain itself day and night, He would engage in His confidential pastimes in its caves and groves along with His playmates. He and His cattle would be bathing in its streams and nourished by its trees with their produce. It would become very famous as a central stage for His cowherd-leela. In course of time He would also lift up by hand the whole mountain over His own head as an umbrella to protect the inhabitants of Vraja saving them from the torrential rain storm sent by Indra, the king of heaven. Not only He would simply be treading upon the mountain as if it were just a bridge but also it would be given a great honor as the majestic crown held upon the Lord's head!

The peak of Mount Sumeru became happy and satisfied, remained therein Vraja for a long time awaiting the Lord's return so Later on he became known as Govardhana hill.

Each stone is a living entity

Masculine and Feminine Stones

Different stones are either male or female or even neuter, according to V. Ganapati Sthapati, the chief temple architect in Hawaii. Male stones give a bell-like sound when struck. Female stones give a softer sound. To test a stone, a 6-inch by 6-inch by 3-feet or longer stone is placed on two wooden blocks and struck. Each quarry usually contains one gender, with few exceptions.

In Deity carving, Gods are made with male stones and Goddesses with female stones. In temple construction all load bearing stones, such as beams and pillars, should be male for their strength and density. Each stone is a living entity with its own sound, said Sthapati, and sound is life. When a stone is quarried using dynamite, the molecular structure is shattered, making the stone weak and destroying its life and sound.

The Holy Land

(Jaganath misra pur)

An interesting perspective worth seeing.

Humility

My path is very difficult. I am blind, and my feet are slipping again and again.

Therefore, may the saints help me by granting me the stick of their mercy as my support.

- Srila Krishnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami

Vaishnava-sangete mon,

anandita-anukshan,

jate hoy krishna-parasanga.

"My mind finds constant joy in Vaishnava sanga, because there we only discuss things related to Krishna."

Narottama Das

Golden Bliss

In this way the devotee, in a remote place, like a swan, he will begin tasting and speaking reverently the nectarean topics about the Lord, the juice from the fruit of the desire tree, the Great Upanisad, Srimad Bhagavatam, containing the mystic science of bhakti. He will converse constantly with devotees, to the exclusion of all topics other than Krsna--like a curious spectator, first standing, then sitting , finally entering in with full attention. He will take refuge in the Lord's dhama and will fix himself purely in the Lord's service.

Ignorant people will think he is going crazy. The blissful devotional service performed by the expert devotees is like a dance. The devotee begins to learn the lessons of that dance; being taken by the hands of the dance instructress, ruci, he learns all--experiencing an extraordinary, unprecedented, golden bliss which cannot be described. In what blissful realm will he come to exist, when in time, he is made to dance by the supreme masters of dance, bhava and prema?

- Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur

Cookies

NAN KHATAI

Ingredients

• 1 cup maida
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp vanilla essence
• 1/2 cup ghee (clarified butter)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 tsps chopped cashews or whole if you want to just place one on top of each cookie.
  
  Here is how you make these wonderful and tasty NAN KHATAI cookies.

1. Add 1 tsp cardamom powder, 1/4 tsp saffron and soak in 1 tbsp hot water a few minutes.


2. Seive flour and baking powder together.


3. Add vanilla essence.


4. Mix ghee and sugar till creamy.


5. Add the flour mixture,the saffron and cardomom .


6. Knead well and make into small balls.


7. Flatten and place on greased tray.


8. Dip a fingertip in water and dab on the centre of each ball of dough.


9. Now press a few cashewnut bits on top of each circle of dough or place one on top.


10. Bake in oven till cooked for about 20-25 mins at 375 deg.


11. Place on tray then offer and serve.

The Transcendental Autocrat

The matchless beauty of Krsna, the Supreme Lord of Goloka, is being described. Krsna, the all-pervading cognition, has a spiritual form of His own. The form of Krsna is not a fanciful creation of imagination formed after visualizing the beautiful things of the world. What Brahma saw in his ecstatic trance of pure devotion, is being described. Krsna is engaged in playing upon His flute. That flute by his enchanting musical sound attracts the hearts of all living beings. Just as a lotus petal produces a pleasant sight, so the two beautiful eyes of Krsna who causes the manifestation of our spiritual vision, display the unlimited splendor and beauty of His moonlike face. The loveliness that adorns His head with peacock feather figures, the corresponding feature of the spiritual beauty of Krsna. Just as a mass of blue clouds offers a specifically soothing, pleasant view, the complexion of Krsna is analogously tinged with a spiritual dark-blue color. The beauty and loveliness of Krsna is far more enchanting that that of Cupid multiplied a millionfold.

Brahma Samhita Chapter 5 text 30

Tricky Seva Enriches Pastimes

Once, Sri Narada Muni prayed to Lord Krsna, "Prabhu, I want to see You sitting with Lalita on a swing."

Krsna began to laugh, wondering what trick Narada will play.

Krsna replied, "Yes to fulfill your desire I will sit with Lalita on that swing."


Narada then went to Srimati Radhika and told Her, "Krsna doesn't want You any more. He loves Lalita more than You. Come with me so You can see, there is no need of any other beloved. Krsna is sitting beside Lalita on that swing."


Srimati Radhika came to the place indicated by Sri Narada Muni and, from very far away in a kunja, She saw that Krsna was enjoying on the swing with Lalita. She became angry. She knew that Lalita was Her dear friend, and yet a transcendental jealous mood arose in her heart. That day she did not speak a word to Lalita or Krsna. Later on Lalita told Radhika that it was Narada who requested Krsna to sit on the swing with her, and then everything was understood and things were back to normal. It happened like this for the sake of enriching the pastimes.

Opposition Parties

If various moods (mellows-exchanges) were not present in their pure forms in the transcendental world they could not exist in this world, so Srila Rupa Gosvami has written about all the gopi's moods for our benefit.

Jealous of Candravali, Srimati Radhika told Lalita, Visakha, and all Her sakhis, "Candravali does not know even the ABC's of love and affection. Since she has no real mana (transcendental loving anger due to jealousy), no sulky mood, how can she please Krsna? She will never be able to please Him." The prema of Candravali is called grta-sneha. Grta means ghee. It has the quality of being very soft and smooth, but it is not sweet. The prema of Radha is called madhu-sneha. Madhu means honey, which is both soft and smooth, and also sweet. Even if Radhika abuses Krsna, or even if she is in maan, Her mood is very attractive and wonderful. All become happy to see Her activities, and their love becomes more intense. Therefore, in all situations, Her madhu-sneha prema can be called "soft and sweet." Radhika continued, "Candravali is very soft in her dealings with Krsna. Even if she sees that Krsna has committed an offense to her lotus feet and, in front of her, He is meeting with other gopis, she will generally not become sulky. She may sometimes do so, but not often. Without this sulky anger, no one can serve Krsna, or please Him. She does not have a trace of love and affection, so I don't even want to hear her name. Never mention her name in My assembly."

Candravali likewise told her sakhis, "I don't want to hear the name of Radhika. I don't even want to hear the name of the star constellation called anuradha. Why not? Neither the experts on the subject of love, nor the great sages and munis, appreciate the mood of Radhika; nor do the yogis and rsis meditate on the mood of Radhika, nor do they appreciate Her name. Those rsis who always meditate upon Krsna's lotus feet never attract Radha to their hearts. Those who want to peacefully meditate on the lotus feet of Krsna become disturbed if they think about the moods of Srimati Radhika. In fact, Her name alone makes then tremble and become disturbed. That very same Krsna fell at the feet of Radhika, and still She rejected Him and said, 'I don't want You here. O black Krsna, get out of My kunja.' So don't utter Her name, and don't even utter the word anuradha."

Radhika and Candravali both speak in this way, but Radhika's love and affection is superior. The highest truths of Radhika's madhu-sneha prema have been described, in minute detail, in Srila Rupa Gosvami's Ujjvala Nilamani. They have not been disclosed in Srimad Bhagavatam, or in the books of Sri Jayadeva Gosvami, or by previous acaryas. Only Srila Rupa Gosvami has revealed these intimate moods, in Vidagda-Madhava, Lalita-Madhava, and here in Ujjvala Nilamani.

Once, a sakhi of Srimati Radhika asked Her, "O Radhike, why are you so jealous of Candravali? What is the fault that Candravali has the same desire? You want to make Krsna happy and Some of the young gopis were speaking to Sri Radha ; Candravali has the same desire. So what is the harm if She takes some of your workload? Let her do so." Radhika replied, "Yes, you are speaking the truth, but Candravali does not know at all what will please Krsna and make Him more and more happy. I'm bound to be jealous of her and in competition; otherwise Krsna will never be happy."

The love Boat Controversy

Once Krsna wanted to enjoy with Radhika and the other gopis who were on the bank of Manasi Ganga. At Govardhana, Manasi Ganga, there is a boat there, called vilasa-taraa, and Krsna wanted to have fun on that boat with the help of the gopis. Krsna invited Radhika, "O Srimati Radhike, tarani uttistha; please come and sit in this boat." According to Sanskrit grammar, tarani is the seventh case ending and it has more then one meaning. Taruni means "on the tree," and it also means "on the boat." Krsna was inviting Radhika to be seated inside the boat, but Radhika replied, "Oh, I am unable to climb the tree." Krsna meant one thing and Radhika replied with another meaning. Then Krsna told Her, "O Radhike, you are quite ignorant! You could not understand what I wanted to tell You. I am saying boat and You are hearing tree. Why? Oh, I think you must be very clever." He then again said, "Taruni uttistha." Taruni means "boat" and also "the Sun-god." This time Radhika replied, "I have no love for the Sun-god; I have love for You. Why are You asking Me to love the Sun-god? I don't like this."

Krsna was defeated by Radhika, but He did not want to accept defeat. He said, "You think You are the most clever person in the entire world. Now I am telling You, "Naukam uttistha. Naukam means boat. This word does not have two meanings. What will You say now?" Radhika replied, "Oh, according to the rules of Sanskrit grammar, nau is the sixth case ending of the root word asmad. Nau means the dialogue between You and Me for meeting. There was no dialogue between You and Myself for meeting. I never proposed to meet with You, so why are You saying, 'Naukam uttistha'? I'm not satisfied with Your words." Thus, Krsna was defeated again by Radhika, and He began to smile.

Srila Rupa Gosvamipada has explained how Radhika and Krsna joke with each other, and how Krsna is always defeated by Radhika. When Srila Dasa Gosvamipada was absorbed in an inner mood, he saw this pastime in trance and wrote the verse: "Vak yukta keli katu kejit. When will that day come for me that I will be able to see the debate between Radha and Krsna in which Krsna is defeated by Radhika, all the sakhis rejoice and clap, and Radhika's lotus face looks very happy? When will I be able to see all this?"

Time and Tide wait for no Man

It is written in the Vedas (Yasya brahma ca ksatram ca ubhe bhavata odanah mrtyur yasyopasecanam ka ittha veda yatra sah) that the Supreme Truth destroys everything, even Brahma. This form of the Supreme Lord is an all-devouring giant, and here Krsna presents Himself in that form of all-devouring time.

The Blessed Lord said: Time I am, destroyer of the worlds, and I have come to engage all people.

Bhagavad - Gita Chapter 11, Verse 32

Holi - Hips - Nanda

As the dust on the lotus flower exhibits the exquisite beauty of the flower, all the gopis (cowherd girls) applied the dust of kunkuma on their lotus-like faces. These beautiful gopis took their different presentations and very soon reached the house of Maharaja Nanda. Overburdened with their heavy hips and swollen breasts, the gopis could not proceed very quickly towards the house of Nanda Maharaja, but out of ecstatic love for Krsna they began to proceeded as quickly as possible. Their ears were decorated with pearl rings, their necks were decorated with jewel padlocks, their lips and eyes were decorated with different kinds of lipstick and ointment, and their hands were decorated with nice golden bangles. As they were very hastily passing over the stone road, the flower garlands which were decorating their bodies fell to the ground, and it appeared that a shower of flowers was falling from the sky. From the movement of the different kinds of ornaments on their bodies, they were looking still more beautiful. In this way, they all reached the house of Nanda-Yasoda and blessed the child: "Dear child, You live long just to protect us." While they were blessing child Krsna in this way, they offered a mixture of turmeric powder with oil, yogurt, milk and water. They not only sprinkled this mixture on the body of child Krsna but on all other persons who were present there. Also on that auspicious occasion, there were different bands of expert musicians playing.

When the cowherd men saw the pastimes of the cowherd women, they became very joyful, and in response they also began to throw yogurt, milk, clarified butter and water upon the bodies of the gopis. Then both parties began to throw butter on each other's bodies. Nanda Maharaja was also very happy to see the pastimes of the cowherd men and women, and he became very liberal in giving charity to the different singers who were assembled there. Some singers were reciting great verses from the Upanisads and Puranas, some were glorifying the family ancestors, and some were singing very sweet songs. There were also many learned brahmanas present, and Nanda Maharaja, being very satisfied on this occasion, began to give them different kinds of garments, ornaments, and cows in charity.

Krishna Book - ACBSP

When the pure spiritual experience is excited by means of cognition and service [bhakti], superexcellent unalloyed devotion characterized by love for Godhead is awakened towards Krishna, the beloved of all souls.

Brahma Samhita, Chapter 5 Text 58

Descent of the Holy Ganges

Srimad Bhagavatam

Canto 5, Chapter 17,

Verses 1 - 10

NPR (National Public Radio)

Mystery Factor Gives Ganges a Clean Reputation

by Julian Crandall Hollick

The fourth report in a six-part series

Gangotri--Gaumukh. Source of the Ganges

Hindus have always believed that water from India's Ganges River has extraordinary powers. The Indian emperor Akbar called it the "water of immortality" and always traveled with a supply. The British East India Co. used only Ganges water on its ships during the three-month journey back to England, because it stayed "sweet and fresh."

Indians have always claimed it prevents diseases, but are the claims wives' tales or do they have scientific substance?

In the fourth installment of a six-part series, independent producer Julian Crandall Hollick searched for the "mysterious X factor" that gives Ganges water its mythical reputation.

He starts his investigation looking for the water's special properties at the river's source in the Himalayas. There, wild plants, radioactive rocks, and unusually cold, fast-running water combine to form the river. But since 1854, almost all of the Ganges' water has been siphoned off for irrigation as it leaves the Himalayas.

Hollick speaks with DS Bhargava, a retired professor of hydrology, who has spent a lifetime performing experiments up and down Ganges in the plains of India. In most rivers, Bhargava says, organic material usually exhausts a river's available oxygen and starts putrefying. But in the Ganges, an unknown substance, or "X factor" that Indians refer to as a "disinfectant," acts on organic materials and bacteria and kills them. Bhargava says that the Ganges' self-purifying quality leads to oxygen levels 25 times higher than any other river in the world.

Hollick's search for a scientific explanation for the X factor leads him to a spiritual leader at an ashram and a biologist in Kanpur. But his best answer for the Ganges' mysterious substance comes from Jay Ramachandran, a molecular biologist and entrepreneur in Bangalore.

In a short science lesson, Ramachandran explains why the Ganges doesn't spread disease among the millions of Indians who bathe in it. But he can't explain why the river alone has this extraordinary ability to retain oxygen.

Could it be because the Ganges water flows through out the universe after washing the Holy feet of Lord Vishnu traveling downward toward earth landing on Lord Shiva's head then flows across Bharat Varsa (India) purifying everything on her path?

Salty Lassi (Amrta-Nectar)

Lassi is a yogurt-based drink and can be made either sweet or slightly salty with mild spices thrown in.

Lassi is an ideal refreshment on a hot day.

............................................

Ingredients

• 1 tsp. Salt
• 2.5 cup Water
• 1 cup Plain Yogurt
• 1 tsp. ground cumin
• 1 green chili, finely chopped (optional)

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend about 30 seconds until frothy. Offer then Serve

Sweet Mango Lassi (Amrta-Nectar)

In a blender, combine the mango, orange juice, ice, honey, and rose water. Process on high speed until well-combined, about 30 seconds. Add the yogurt and process until frothy, another 30 seconds.

.........Offer then Serve...............

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups diced fresh mango
• 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
• 1/2 cup ice cubes
• 2 tablespoons honey or sugar
• 1 1/4 teaspoons rose water
• 1 1/2 cups plain yogurt

Burn it

They were in their spiritual bodies.They passed all their sadhanas in previous lives. They also had their gopi face and form. They took birth from the wombs of gopis. It is all right up to this point. But something was lacking. What was lacking? They were sadhana siddha; not nitya siddha.

They had husbands, and there was some love and affection between them. They had some children also. And after that, they heard of and saw Krishna. After their marriage, after they begot their children, they saw Krishna; and then they become so much attached to Him. But still they had some love and affection for their husbands and children.

Anyone who has affection for husband and children, and they have met together, although they may have love for Krishna, they cannot come to Rasa. They cannot serve Krishna. It is rasabhasa - a semblance of rasa and opposed to rasa, so Krishna cannot allow them to come.

They could see Krishna, they could hear His flute, but they could not meet Krishna in Rasa, as the nitya-siddhas easily do. They were running towards Krishna, following the direction from where the flute voice was coming. But when they began to go, their husbands stopped them. Why? Yogamaya did it. She said, "You have children, you will have to burn your motherly mood". We have to give up the conception that, 'I am wife'. We have not to forget it, but we have to burn it. So Yogamaya, by trick, stopped them, and they did as we have discussed. This is a very high class of siddhanta. You should chant, remember, and pray to Krishna, and then you can realize something.

- Bhaktivedanta Narayana Maharaja

War and Peace

Sri Radha, along with her sakhis (young female associates), were picking flowers in the very beautiful and peaceful land of Vrndavan. They later become involved in a confrontation and quarrel with Her beloved Govinda. Krishna first glorifies Her bodily features, comparing them to an army complete with various weapons. But, then accusing Her of stealing flowers, He attempts to arrest Her. Lalita objects, pointing out that the forest actually belongs to Radha, thus begins a heated debate until one of the sakhis and Madhu-mangal (Krishna's close friend) decide that this serious dispute can only be settled by war. The vana-devis (guardians of the forests) arrange the vast battlefield with the two opposing camps. They supply flower-chariots, flower-decorated horses and elephants, and they outfit everyone with ingenious flower-weapons.

After the two Armies exchange bold challenges, the intense love-battle begins. They are bombarded with flowers; a FIRE-ARROW shot by Arjuna which is then countered by Lalita's MOUNTAIN-WEAPON; Lalita shoots a SWAN-ARROW that is countered by Arjuna's LION_ARROW, which is countered by Lalita's THUNDERBOLT-ARROW; all the soft flower-arrows feel good to everyone who get hit with them; ultimately the fighting is waged between Radha and Krishna alone; Radha shoots flower-arrows that worship Krishna's feet and even drape a garland around his neck; Krishna shoots flower-arrows that kiss Radha's cheek and return His garland of flowers and places it around Her neck; thus they release various amazing weapons and counter weapons upon each other.

Meanwhile, Madhu-mangal is riding on a horse but gets pulled off by a band of sakhis. They almost capture him, but a group of boys headed by Sridama rescue him. Madhu-mangal angrily demands protection from Krishna, who launches a volley of dark SYAMA-ARROWS that spread a cover of darkness up the enemy; Madhu-mangal takes advantage of this and runs quickly to attack Visakha, but Radha fires a SUN-ARROW that lights up the scene; thus the sakhis chase Madhu-mangal back to his own side of the battlefield. Krishna now wants to personally attack Visakha, but he sees that she is protected by a circle of warriors; He creates a FLOWER-SUDARSANA-CHAKRA whirling in front to protect Himself and Madhu-mangal from the enemy's flower-arrows as they advance their position; Madhu-mangal is terrified and hides behind Krishna as they penetrate the enemy lines under a hail of arrows; Krishna removes the whining of Madhu-mangal and leaves him in a safe place, then returns for a FLOWER-CLUB fight with the sakhis; He spars with Lalita and defeats her by striking her on the derriere, thus causing major embarrassment; Radha is outraged and takes up the fight with Krishna as they exchange furious blows with flower-clubs, executing very clever blocks and swift maneuvers; Radha pays back the insult to Lalita by cunningly striking Krishna on the derriere, which launches a tumultuous applause from the on looking sakhis.

Everyone sees that these two are equally matched, for their personal battle rages on and on with no one emerging victorious; thus the clever sakhis devise a cunning tactic to ultimately defeat Krishna and His army - they start bombarding the boys with large fruits, which smash and explode with their sticky juice splattering all over the boys and their chariots, thus upsetting the horses and elephants, causing chaos and confusion to over power the enemy; in this way Sri Radha is declared the winner of the battle, and a grand victory celebration begins. Next comes the majestic coronation abhiseka (bathing ceremony) of Sri Radha in Nidhu-vana where in she is crowned with the post of Vrndavanesvari. Thus Vrndavanesvari becomes known to all people as the principal Queen of Sri Krishna, who is Himself nava-yuva-raja (the charming young prince). The ceremonies are concluded with a sumptuous feast in an atmosphere of peace.

Vaidagdha-Vilasa, Rana-yuddha-lila by Manohara Dasa

Sak Attraction

Spinach Paneer

Sak is a very special vegetable dish. Literally the name means 'spinach'. In Bengal, where there are many dozens of varieties of green leafy vegetables, Sak(pronounced 'shak') is far from ordinary.

It has a special place in the Devotional Kitchens of Lord Sri Krishna and that of his most recent incarnation, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

Sri Bhaktivinoda Thakur writes in a song glorifying the relishing of food offered to Krishna. He sings : "heno sak-asvadane, krsna-prema aise mane, sei preme koro asvadana jada-buddhi pari-hari', prasada bhojana kori', 'hari hari' bolo sarva-jan - O brothers! One day at Santipura, in Sri Advaita's house, Lord Caitanya and Nityananda were seated to take their meal. When Lord Caitanya tasted the green vegetables, He said, 'My Dear Devotees, this sak is so delicious! Lord Krsna has definitely tasted it. At the taste of such sak as this, love of Krsna arises in the heart. In such love of God you should take this prasada. Giving up all materialistic conceptions and taking the Lord's prasada, all of you just chant 'Hari! Hari!'"

Chaitanya Bhagavata, a much loved devotional text composed in Bengali states: "Mother Saci knows that Lord Caitanya is greatly satisfied with sak, therefore she cooked twenty different varieties. The vegetable known as sak is more fortunate that any other preparation, for the Lord eats it again and again.

Slightly smiling the Lord takes His meal, speaking, the glories of sak to everyone. The Lord says "this sak is called Acyuta, by eating the sak attraction for Krsna develops (at the time of eating, Lord Caitanya would call different kinds of sak different names of Krishna) by eating patala, bastuka and kala sak, one gains the association of the vaisnava's life after life. If one eats salinca or helanca sak, he remain free from disease and gets devotion to Krishna". (CB Antya 4.279, 293, 295, 298)

Bengali Spinach (Sak)

The spinach is only lightly cooked, and the seasoning is subtle and unobtrusive to allow the full flavour of the greens to emerge.

Avoid cooking the greens in aluminium or cast-iron, since they tend to discolour and absorb flavours from the pan. Stainless steel, enamel or iron, or a non-stick surface is ideal.

Ingrediants

• 2kg spinach, about 2 large bunches, washed and chopped

• 1 tablespoon ghee

• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds

• 1/4 teaspoon fenugreek seeds

• 1 teaspoon chopped and seeded green chilies

• 2 teaspoons freshly minced ginger

• 2 teaspoons sugar

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg powder

• 2 teaspoons butter

• 1½ teaspoons lemon juice

Method

1. Place the spinach in a 5-litre/quart saucepan over moderate heat. Sprinkle on a few drops of water. Place a lid on the pan and cook the spinach for about 5 minutes, or until it softens.
2. Remove the spinach from the pan and squeeze off all the liquid. You may wish to reserve it for soup stocks.
3. Rinse the saucepan and dry it. Pour the ghee into the saucepan and place it over moderate heat.
4. When hot, add the cumin seeds and fry them until they turn a shade or two darker.
5. Sprinkle in the fenugreek seeds and fry them very briefly until they darken slightly.
6. Add the chili and ginger, and stir them for half a minute, then add the very well drained spinach.
7. Stir briefly, then add the sugar, salt, nutmeg, butter and lemon juice.
8. Cook the spinach for 1 or 2 minutes more, then remove from the heat and serve immediately.

No need of serving a Vaisnava

One has no need of serving a Vaisnava who may have undergone formal initiation but who has never once chanted the Holy Name offenceless. --- Bhaktivinode Thakur

The ordinary meaning of the word "Krishna" is an entity which is different from Krishna. It is something that is enveloped by the deluding energy of Krishna. It is an object which is comprehensible to the other gross senses besides the ear. It is a product of our sensuous perception. We shall not defile the word "Krishna" by accepting this meaning. --- Bhakti Siddanta Sarasvati

Sri Caitanya Caritamrta

Antya -lila Ch 1-verse 101

One has to learn about the beauty and transcendental position of the holy name of the Lord by hearing the revealed scriptures from the mouths of devotees. Nowhere else can we hear of the sweetness of the Lord’s holy name.

Purport
by
AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj

It is said in the Padma Purana, atah Sri-krishna-namadi na bhaved grahyam indriyaih. Chanting and hearing of the transcendental holy name of the Lord cannot be performed by the ordinary senses. The transcendental vibration of the Lord’s holy name is completely spiritual. Thus it must be received from spiritual sources and must be chanted after having been heard from a spiritual master. One who hears the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra must receive it from the spiritual master by aural reception. Srila Sanatana Gosvami has forbidden us to hear the holy name of Krishna chanted by non-Vaisnavas, such as professional actors and singers, for it will have no effect. It is like milk touched by the lips of a serpent, as stated in the Padma Purana:

avaisnava-mukhodgirnam putam hari-kathamrtam
sravanam naiva kartavyam sarpocchistam yatha payah

No Clue

The materialistic demeanor cannot possibly stretch to the transcendental autocrat who is ever inviting the fallen conditioned souls to associate with Him through devotion or eternal serving mood. The phenomenal attractions are often found to tempt sentient beings to enjoy the variegated position which is opposed to undifferentiated monism. People are so much apt to indulge in transitory speculations even when they are to educate themselves on a situation beyond their empiric area or experiencing jurisdiction. The esoteric aspect often knocks them to trace out immanence in their outward inspection of transitory and transformable things. This impulse moves them to fix the position of the immanent to an indeterminate impersonal entity, no clue of which could be discerned by moving earth and heaven through their organic senses.

- Bhakti Siddhanta Sarasvati

The Nectar Ocean

Sri Sri Radha and Krishna are like two blue and golden jewels in the nectar ocean, and They delight the hearts of Radha's playful gopi friends. Although I am greedy for material things and although I am spiritually blind, I nevertheless yearn someday to see them face to face.

-Srila Raghunath Das Gosvami

O brothers! By chanting Krishna's names, one can get Radhika's lotus feet; and by chanting Radha's names one can get the moon like Lord Krishna. In a few brief words I have told what gives relief to this aching heart - other talks are simply full of misery with conflicting words and thoughts.

-Srila Narottama Dasa Thakura

King of the land of Love

These eight precepts (Siksastakam) as taught by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu have the power to illuminate the hearts and minds of all honest theists on every continent of Bharata Varsa (Earth), giving them great comfort .

1. The Holy Name of Krishna


2. Unlimited Names of God


3. Humbler than a blade of Grass


4. Unalloyed Devotion


5. King of the Land of Love


6. Hankering for Perfection


7. Forever Without you


8. Union in Separation

Eight slokas (verses) composed by the lotus hand of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu

Abuse of Power

Love utters sounds of a spiritual character peculiar to herself, but Reason, having no pervious experience of it, mistakes it for a disease and administers medicine for her cure!! Thus it is that the natural strength of the Queen of our Soul is crippled by artificial administration of the dry principle of Reason and she rests in us as if a bird taken in a cage! Oh! What a havoc doth Reason commit by abuse of his power. Oh! Shame to the Rationalist! God help the man!!

BVT