This man kissed my godbrother

Notes from Journal - 2008

This morning we went for a walk down Bhaktivendata Marg and stopped near the entrance of the Krishna Balaram Mandir. We chatted about how immense was the compassion and dedication possessed by AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaja and how the Ashram had changed in so many ways, from the time of his (acbsp) manifested lila.

A few moments later we noticed and older Iranian gentleman staring at us. We turned away yet continuing to chat when all of a sudden he came over and introduced himself saying; he had met the person I was talking with over 40 years ago in Tehran. Sure enough Harer Nama Das had been in Tehran teaching English at the university and was also engaged in the service of Swami Maharaja's preaching center. This man kissed my godbrother on the cheeks, left and right, as is the custom in Iran. He was so happy and thankful that Krishna's mercy had fallen upon him by the grace of the devotees. After Harer Nama Das left Iran, this gentleman became a full time devotee of AC Bhaktivedanta and was accepted as his disciple. We shared a few more very blissful memories together then we all went our separate ways.

Later that morning I saw a devotee from the Sree Caitanya Sarasvat Math walking down the parikrama path chanting japa. This particular devotee is always with Govinda Maharaj so I concluded that he must be in town. I will make an effort, tomorrow morning, to visit their Ashram and offer my respects to Him and his devoted followers. I know AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj had great affection for Sridhar Maharaj, Govinda Maharaj, Narayan Maharaj and others. I know I can benefit by offering all respect to others.

Next Day

I just now returned from visiting scsmath and the Radha Damodhara temple and feel very happy . The weather was very mild at first but it is getting very hot now . Today is one of those hot hot days .

When I got a rickshaw this morning I said to the driver slowly and clearly;"I want to visit the Sri Caitanya Sarasvat Math, do you know where it is?". The driver assured me that he knew where it was.#*?..WRONG. He almost knew where it was. We rode around and around, up and down the alley ways then finally stumbled in the right direction. I saw a devotee anointed with gaudiya tilak walking in an alley so I asked him if he knew where the ashram was, he then pointed to a narrow and crowded street. There were fruit stands, spice shops, cows, dogs, people, rickshahs, children playing and yelling, all on this little street. Finally I saw the sign. I asked if Govinda Maharaja was here and a Brijabasi lady said; "up the stairs". I went up and sure enough there he was sitting all bundled up and looking NOT WELL. I offered dandavats. I heard him say something to Goswami maharaja. He then went to his room. The devotees later told me that he had been feeling ill.

Goswami and Siddhanti then gave me the third degree. A speed question and answer period. Then finally we all relaxed a bit. We then went downstairs and Goswami gave a talk. It was the same OLE speech but with allot more polish so to speak. After the talk I went to Radha Damodhara and had darshan of the Deities and Tulasi devi. I circumambulated the temple grounds and the Goswamis Samadhis, meditating briefly of each of their individual contributions to the Vaisnava community. I then went into AC Bhaktivedanta's famous room. I introduced myself to the devotee maintaining the room. He was very nice to me and gave me a garland of flowers that was worn by Srimati Radharani and some sweets (MahaPrasad) offered to Radha Damodhara. They were amazing...something like fruit with sugar or something. I never had this type of sweet before. They were very tasty. I feel blessed that the deities and the devotees gave me some of their valuable time. We engaged in a wonderful kirtan, then I left for the famous Loi Bazaar. My intention was buy to some fruits,dates and figs but a little thing turned in to a big debate about a few rupees, so I left.

I then went to the Internet Cafe to use the computer to check my Email. My Brijabhasi friend who owns the place would not take my money. He said I don't need money because were friends. And I told him that a good business requires making money. He responded by saying ; "we will then go out of business, but at least I will have a friend". We both laughed.

After honoring lunch prasadam, consisting of rice , dahl, a vegetable, four chapattis and cucumber tomato raita, I being filled to the neck with prasadam then went to buy some gifts for friends and family. I wanted to make sure they were not made in China. That would be embarrassing, so I checked each and every item very carefully.

Now I am in my room typing as fast as I can, because the electricity is off and my battery is getting low and you know what that means.

Sweet Plantain

Recipe:

1 ripe plantain
Ghee and sugar - half tablespoon each or to taste.

Wash and cut plantains into 4 or 5 pieces crosswise.
Steam-cook them for about 15 to 20 minutes, until they soften. The outer skin will turn black and insides will turn soft. Remove the steam basket from steamer and let them cool. Peel the skin, cut each piece into 3 or 4 thin rounds.

Take melted ghee and sugar in a small cup. Stir until sugar melts in ghee. Lightly dip each plantain round in ghee-sugar mix, remove. Or simply sprinkle some sugar on top of these rounds and serve.

She played a Joke

Notes from Journal 2008

When first visiting Vrindavan some 38 years ago, it was mostly forest and flower gardens. A short walk through the Kunjas would easily take you to the Yamuna river. Now you have to make your way through pathway after pathway. The holy forests are practically all gone and concrete buildings, crowds, motorcars, scooters and rickshaws are all pervading.

During the time of the six Goswamis there was no electricity and a few mud huts. This area was for the most part jungle and forest.

Rasik Saints and Sadhus would live in the caves and during the summer live under the trees. At that time there were Small cowherd communities and some farmers but not so many. In the minds of the local people were memories of Krishna and his transcendental pastimes. Those pastimes would be passed down via word of mouth through out the generations. This still goes on even today.

When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu visited Vrindavan he felt great satisfaction just sitting under a tree. Krishna leela became overwhelming and he would sometimes laps into samadhi. He directed the six Goswamis to excavate this area and point out to the Vaisnava community the places of Radha Krishna's pastimes. This holy land is for understanding ones relationship with the divine couple and rendering service to them. We should not think the Holy Dham is for money making. That would be a dis-service (APA-RADHA ) and will only create problems for future Vaisnavas.

A Brijabasi friend and I were having a lengthy discussion about Braj Mandal when he suggested I visit Tatiya Stan. Tatiya Stan is a very old temple dating back to the 1500's. They do not have electricity or modern amenities of any sort. The ashram is surcharged with goodness and immediately upon entering the grounds we begin to think of Radha and Krishna. We went upstairs and offered respects to the resident Guru then went for Darshan of the Deity. It is said; "this Krishna Deity self manifested for the pleasure of his pure devotee ( Swami Haridas )". All the devotees are very kind and follow very strictly the Goswami teachings.

The benevolent shade trees have the Sanskrit names of Radha and Krishna growing outward from their trunks.. The devotees here at Tatiya Stan say they naturally appeared . The trees are very old and a few have even witnessed the pastimes of Sri Radha and Krishna.

The spiritual atmosphere of this ashram is self evident.

As I am writing these notes back at the guest house, miles from Tatiya Stan, the electricity went out. Now it is very quite, peaceful and dark. Luckily I am by a window with plenty of sunlight streaming in so I can continue. I only hear the monkeys and squirrels.

The generator at this guest house must be in need of service or something. It turns off about eight times a day at the most unexpected times. I have batteries that will hold me over for a few minutes so I will hurry along.

As we took our leave from Tatiya Sthan I noticed a little Brijabhasi girl about 7-8 walking on the side of the road. She was so charming that I had to make mention of her to my Brahmacari friend. We were traveling by bike rickshaw as we passed her. We went around a corner about 100 feet, when all of a sudden I felt a gentle tap on my left shoulder and knew it was that young girl. I turned around quickly an saw her about half a block away smiling as if she had just played a joke on me . I believe she did because I can't figure out how she could tap me from such a distance. The sensation did not feel like a stone but like a child gently tapping, trying to get my attention. My mind is still dwelling on this incident, it is so pleasing to contemplate. I can only imagine how charming Srimati Radharani and her childhood girlfriends must be. Jai Radhe

Apr 27, MATHURA, INDIA (ET)

Materialists continue to exploit spiritual 'properties'.

Key religious places in Mathura are set to get a facelift with the district administration drawing up a multi-crore plan to attract more tourists. In the first phase, Rs 350 crore would be spent to develop infrastructure at Vrindavan while works in Goverdhan, Barsana, Mathura, Gokul and Baldeo would be carried out in later stages, District Magistrate Anita C Meshram said today.

The administration felt the need for giving a facelift to areas in Mathura as it has failed to be a centre of tourist attraction despite being on the way to Agra, the city of Taj Mahal, he said. "Mathura is a centre of cultural, historical and spiritual wealth...So we are now pressing on improving basic amenities", Meshram said. Apart from widening roads among other measures, the plan also envisages better power supply in 'Parikrama Marg' and other areas. If needed, a power sub-station will be set up in Vrindavan, she added.

Consultants have been appointed for solid waste management and permission has been granted for a 100-bed modern hospital and a police station in Vrindavan where tourists could lodge their complaints, the DM said. The plan is aimed at making Mathura a place of tourist attraction, Shyam Sunder Sharma, chairman of Mathura Municipal Board, said.

Monkey business and Pawn-duh scams

Notes from journal - 2008

Monkey business and Panda Scams - pronounced Pawn-duh

Our journey to Braj from Delhi was very pleasant and for the most part uneventful save and except for getting started. One hour in India means two hours and two hours means 3-4 hours. The "Counting Translation Story" will come later.

Monkey Business

I noticed that Poverty in India has created unusual ways to make a buck. Nobody is starving but there is widespread poverty.

When coming to a complete stop at a toll bridge our driver got out of the taxi which was immediately swarmed with young men selling what looked like plastic necklaces and other worthless novelty items. Trademarked Made in China. I was struck with wonder because India has such a large unemployment rate, why would the Manufacturer of these Indian styled novelties out source them ? Then it hit me like a brick. China cloned them and are selling their copied version at a much cheaper rate. Even the poor Indians feel the economic pressure caused by the Chinese.

I was thinking about that when a monkey jumped in the car window nearest to me and startled the heck out of everyone in the car. Monkeys are known to snatch eye glasses and any other loose item , then they run off with them and you will never see them again. No pun intended. I quickly closed the window leaving it opened just enough as not to smash the little rascals toes and fingers. This allowed him to hang on the window long enough for both of us, the monkey and myself, to get a very close look at each other, eyeball to eyeball . I said to the funny little monkey; "you should watch out for your toes, they could easily have been smashed ". At that exact moment he jumped down. I noticed he was attached to a long rope and at the other end a young man around 18-19 said; "picture !!??? TAKE PICTURE WITH MONKEY - 1 dollar". As I looked around I noticed about 7-13 other men and boys walking their captive monkeys toward the many cars getting ready to stop . If they can get a dollar from 50 cars in one day it would be a very sizable amount. There's definitely no shortage of customers for the traffic is endless.

A Nice Visit

The following day we went to Radha Kund to visit some friends. They had prepared a very wonderful lunch consisting of coconut salad, pumpkin dahl, a sweet vegetable. They sprouted wheat berries then ground them into flour, then adding water making them into dough for chapattis. They cooked them outside over a wooden fire. Rice was also served and some Brijabhasi sweets, lugdo and gulab jamin, devotee favorites. After enjoying the meal we then read from Sri Prabodhananda's book in glorification of Sri Vrindaban Dham. Prabhodhananda prabhu is none other than Tungavidya Shaki. The mood was very pleasant and all the devotees were feeling transcendental bliss. After the meal we went for a walk around the back of the house down a side street toward Radha Kund. My traveling partner was walking up front with the others and I was bringing up the rear with our driver.

The Panda Scam .......

At Holy places there's what's called Pandas. A Panda is a person who can explain the holy sites to you. Most of these guys are crooks and are not really Pandas and if they say anything at all , they demand rupees. In any event I was chatting with the driver and I saw my friend fall into a Panda rupee trap and it ended costing over 500 rupees. I said to the driver as soon as the panda speaks he demands rupees. IT IS AGREED BY ALL that these guys should be avoided . When going to a holy place go with a Friend\Guide who is a resident and can speak the local language to ward off these guys. This reminded me of plunders that roamed the streets during the 70-? just ripping people off. It is common sense that when you rip someone off they will be upset with you and your organization but their idea is; "IT'S OK, THEY'RE JUST KARMEES and its for their own good". What nonsense; but that was then and these rupee monsters are now. They do seem to have the same mentality as the plunders. I have also noticed that some European and Westerners who have lived in India for a long time begin to display this Pawn-Duh and monkey business mentality.

More thoughts on Pandas ......

The Scamming Pandas see the tourist "especially the non-Indian" as targets of opportunity and will show you nothing and tell you very little about a holy place and will demand a large donation. They know you are "with wide open eyes" in awe of the place and exploit your devotional sentiments but that is your own naivety. In my opinion it is nothing more than robbery. Again a genuine Panda is an honest and kind person generally born and raised at that holy place and we must show him or her a great deal of respect. Have knowledge of where you are visiting so you can ask good questions and get your rupees worth.

Shadow Pandas should be respectfully avoided.

Every opportunity has been provided us to revive our original transcendental consciousness, even in this dark Age of Kali. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and his genuine followers have made it very clear as to what should and should not be done. If one is pessimistic about this then he should question his associations. He has contacted an infectious disease (Atheism , No faith) and needs desperately the antidote - AD

If your not optimistic you're an atheist. -Srila Sridhara Swami

When the ass begs

The ass is an animal who is celebrated as the greatest fool, even among the animals. The ass works very hard and carries burdens of the maximum weight without making profit for itself. The ass is generally engaged by the washerman, whose social position is not very respectable. And the special qualification of the ass is that it is very much accustomed to being kicked by the opposite sex. When the ass begs for sexual intercourse, he is kicked by the fair sex, yet he still follows the female for such sexual pleasure. A henpecked man is compared, therefore, to the ass.

The general mass of people work very hard, especially in the age of Kali. In this age the human being is actually engaged in the work of an ass, carrying heavy burdens and driving thela and rickshaws. The so-called advancement of human civilization has engaged a human being in the work of an ass. The laborers in great factories and workshops are also engaged in such burdensome work, and after working hard during the day, the poor laborer has to be again kicked by the fair sex, not only for sex enjoyment but also for so many household affairs.

Shastric knowledge is unlimited, and the arts to be learned are many; the time we have is short, and our opportunities to learn are beset with obstacles. Therefore select for learning that which is most important, just as the swan drinks only the milk in water. -Chanakya Pandit

The Significance of Mahaprasad

The system of Mahaprasad is not only emblematic of the superior life of the vaishnavas, but it is a part of the worship which ordinary theists cannot fully understand. The ordinary men are very much inclined to preserve the superiority of reason over the intuitive feelings of man towards the God of Love. We must now proceed to show with healthy arguments that our intuitive feelings want us to offer everything we eat to the Lord of our heart.

We must first examine the arguments of the antagonists. The Rationalist holds that God is infinite and without wants, and consequently it is foolish to offer eatables to such a Being. It is a sacrilege to offer created things to the Creator and thereby degrade the Divinity of God into humanity. These are reasonable arguments indeed, and one who has heard them will certainly be inclined to declare to others, “Down with the Mahaprasad”. These conclusions, however reasonable, are dry and destructive. They tend to separate us from all connections with God in the form of worship. When you say that the Infinite wants nothing, you forbid all contemplation and prayer. The Infinite does not want your grateful expressions or, in other words, flattery. Utter a word to the Unconditioned and you are sure to degrade Him into a conditioned Being. Hymns, prayers and sermons are all over! Shut your temple door and the church gates, because our Rationalist has advised you to do so. Believe a creating principle and you have done your duty! Oh! What a shame! What a dreadful fall! Theists, beware of these degrading principles!

Now the Rationalist appears in another shape and admits prayers, sermons, psalms and church going, saying that these things are wanted for the improvement of the soul, but God does not want them at all. We are glad that the Rationalist has come towards us and will make further approaches in course of time.

Yes, the progressive Rationalist has admitted a very broad principle in Theology, viz. whatever we do towards God is for our own benefit and not for the benefit of God, who is not in want of any such thing. But the Rationalist is a Rationalist still and will continue to be so, as long as he will seek self interest.

We know for certain that religion promises to give eternal felicity to man and it is impossible to conceive of any religion which has not at its bottom self interest. This view however, smells of utilitarianism and can never claim to be theistic.

We must love God for God’s sake however unreasonable our action may be. Our love must be without any object whatever that concerns ourselves. This love must be a natural emotion to the Deity as our Lover without inference or experience. Salvation, dear as it is, should not be the object of this love: what then about other shapes of felicity? “Love of God” is its own reward. Salvation as a concomitant consequence, must be a hand-maid of Love, but we must not look on it as its main object. If the Rationalist be prepared to believe this, he becomes a Theist of the vaishnava class; but the mere assuming of the name is of no consequence.

Though fully aware that the unconditioned has no conditions whatever, yet our holy and sweet principle of love takes a quite different view of the matter. Reason says one thing but Love prescribes its contrary. Reason tells me that God has no sorrow, but Love sees God in tears for those of His sons that are misled to evil. Reason tells me that the strict laws of God reward and punish me in a cold manner, but Love reveals that God slackens His laws to the repentant soul! Reason tells me that with all his improvements, man will never touch the Absolute God; but Love preaches that on the conversion of the soul into a state of spiritual womanhood, God, the unconditioned as He is, accepts an eternal marriage with the conditioned soul of man! Reason tells me that God is in infinite space and time, but Love describes that the all-beautiful God is sitting before us like a respected relative and enjoying all the pleasures of society.

As a father in his amusements with his young children, God is spreading all sorts of delicious food all over the earth and expecting that His sons should gather all the scattered blessings and, without the exercise of reason in consequence of a strong feeling of love, offer all the blessings to the Father whom they love more than their lives. The Father again, in reply to their kind feelings, gives back the blessings to the children and tells them these kindlier words, “0! My children! These are blessings intended for you! Out of your natural love you bring them to me for my enjoyment; but I have naturally no wants to supply. But then I have accepted that part of your offering which corresponds with me, viz. your unmixed love and disinterested affections for which alone I am exceedingly anxious. Take back these sweet things and enjoy them”.

This process of disinterested love, which dry reason can never brook, sanctifies the food we take, and leaves us to harmless enjoyment for all the days of our natural life! This is a system of sincere worship which theists of a higher class alone can act upon. We cannot express the joy we often felt when we took the holy Mahaprasad in the temple! The holiness we attach to it is its sweetness and often pray that all men may enjoy it.

- Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur

Pārijāta

(Nyctanthes arbor-tristis)

According to Bhagavatam, Pārijāta is a heavenly tree brought to earth by lord Krishna. A quarrel over it ensued between Satyabhama and Rukmini, Krishna's queens. But Krishna planted the tree in Satyabhama's courtyard in a way that when the tree flowered, the flowers fell in Rukmini's courtyard. Lord Vishnu's throne is placed under a flowering Parijata tree. Hanuman also lives under a Pārijāta tree, in it's shade.

Yamuna Devi flowing across Gokula

Narrow and Drooping

Common names: Hiptage, Helicopter Flower

• Hindi: Madhavi lata
• Manipuri: Madhabi
• Kannada: Madhvi
• Bengali: Madhabilata
• Tamil: Vasantakaala malligai

Botanical name: Hiptage benghalensis

Family: Malpighiaceae (Barbados cherry family).

Madhavi lata, native from India and found through-out Braj Mandal, is a vine like plant that is often cultivated in the tropics for its attractive and fragrant flowers. A woody climbing shrub with clusters of pink to white and yellow fragrant flowers with 3-winged, helicopter-like fruits. Flowers have a very interesting shape and look like a decorative accessory, with fluffy-toothed edges. The fragrance is very strong yet pleasant, resembles fruity perfume. Leaves are narrow and drooping. This plant can be trimmed as a bush or can be crown in container.

Make sure to provide lots of light for profuse blooming.


The genus name, Hiptage, is derived from the Greek hiptamai, which means "to fly" and refers to its unique three-winged fruit known as "samara". The fruit is carried away by wind because of its papery wings.


Medicinal uses: The bark, leaves and flowers are aromatic, bitter, acrid, astringent, refrigerant, vulnerary, expectorant, cardiotonic, anti-inflammatory and insecticidal. They are useful when treating; burning sensations, wounds, ulcers, coughs and asthma.

Padma Purana, Uttara-khanda, 42nd Adhyaya

Whatever results were attained in Satya-yuga by meditation, in Treta-yuga by yajna, and in Dvapara-yuga by arcana, are attained in the Kali-yuga by hari-nama-kirtana, chanting the glories of Krsna, who is known as Kesava.

Simple Living and High Thinking

My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. -Jesus

One who is not offensive and critical of others, who chants Krishna's holy name always, will soon be able to captivate with his love the uncontrollable and invisible Lord Chaitanya. The scriptures instruct that spiritual goals are unattractive through criticism of others, the religion expounded by The Bhagavat is to respect everyone as Krishna's part and parcel. -Sri Caitanya Bhagavat , Madhya 10

"Every home with a Tulasi plant is a place of pilgrimage, and no diseases, messengers of Yama, the God of Death, can enter it." Skandapurana 2,4,8,13 Padmapurana Uttarakhanda .

Wherever the aroma of Tulasi is carried by the wind, it purifies the atmosphere and frees all animals from all baser tendencies." Padmapurana, Uttarakhanda

"Vishnu, the Lord of the Three Worlds, takes up abode in the village or the house where Tulasi is grown. In such a house no one suffers calamities like poverty, illness or separations from dear ones." Padmapurana, Uttarakhanda, 624-31-32

Simply by seeing, simply by touching, simply by remembering, simply by praying to, simply by bowing before, simply by hearing about or simply by sowing this tree, there is always auspiciousness.

Vrinda Kunda and Gupta Kunda

Vrinda Kunda is where Srimati Vrinda Devi is said to contemplate how she will arrange the daily pastimes of Radharani and Krishna. Next to Vrinda Kunda is Gupta Kunda, which is where Radharani is said to secretly meet Krishna. There is a beautiful deity of Vrinda Devi in the temple here. She has a yellow parrot on her left hand. This parrot is said to fly around Vrindavana and on returning tells Vrinda Devi what is happening there. The parrot is named Daksa and is said to have one lakh (100,000) disciples. Vrinda Devi arranges the pastimes in Vrindavana. Tulasi is an expansion of Vrinda Devi. Paurnamasi is the guru of Vrinda Devi.

Gupta Kunda is considered to be one of the most important kunds in the Braja area. It is said to be one of the three yoga-pithas in Braja. The other two are at Radha Kunda and near the Govindaji temple in Vrindavana. A yoga-pitha is an eternal center of the Lord's pastimes. It is said that Radha and Krishna meet in the morning at Gupta Kunda, during the mid-day at Radha Kunda and near the Radha Govinda temple in Vrindavana at night.

There is an ancient Radha Krishna murti here, carved out of stone, that is said to have been established by Vajranabha, the great grandson of Krishna. This murti has been desecrated by the Muslims, so worship is no longer done to this murti. Every Monday the local villagers come and pour milk over this murti of Radha and Krishna.

Reads or Hears

O Vrnda-Devi, I offer my respectful obeiscances to your lotus feet. Let a person who becomes like a bumblebee at the lotus feet of Radha-Krishna, and who reads or hears these eight verses describing the glories of Vrinda-Devi, eternally reside at Goloka Vrndavana. He attains devotional service in pure love of Godhead, and all his spiritual aspirations become fulfilled.

Halavah

At the end of Dvapara-yuga, all the cowherd men of Vrndavana had arranged to worship King Indra, but they gave this worship up, following the advice of Krsna. Instead, they performed a ceremony whereby they worshiped the cows, brahmanas and Govardhana Hill. At that time Krsna expanded Himself and declared, "I am Govardhana Hill." In this way He accepted all the paraphernalia and food offered to Govardhana Hill. It is stated in Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.24.26, 31-33):

pacyantam vividhah pakah
supantah payasadayah
samyava-pupa-saskulyah
sarva-dohas ca grhyatam

kalatmana bhagavata
sakra-darpam jighamsata
proktam nisamya nandadyah
sadhv agrhnanta tad-vacah

tatha ca vyadadhuh sarvam
yathaha madhusudanah
vacayitva svasty-ayanam
tad-dravyena giri-dvijan

upahrtya balin sarvan
adrta yavasam gavam
go-dhanani puras-krtya
girim cakruh pradaksinam

" 'Prepare very nice foods of all descriptions from the grains and ghee collected for the yajna. Prepare rice, dal, then halavah, pakora, puri and all kinds of milk preparations like sweet rice, sweetballs, sandesa, rasagulla and laddu.'

"The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, therefore advised the cowherd men to stop the Indra-yajna and begin the Govardhana-puja to chastise Indra, who was very much puffed up at being the supreme controller of the heavenly planets. The honest and simple cowherd men, headed by Nanda Maharaja, accepted Krsna's proposal and executed in detail everything He advised. They performed Govardhana worship and circumambulation of the hill. According to the instruction of Lord Krsna, Nanda Maharaja and the cowherd men called in learned brahmanas and began to worship Govardhana Hill by chanting Vedic hymns and offering prasada. The inhabitants of Vrndavana assembled together, decorated their cows and gave them grass. Keeping the cows in front, they began to circumambulate Govardhana Hill." - Sri Caitanya Caritamrta -Madhya lila

Ingredients

• 1 cup semolina
• 1 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2-3 slivers of saffron
• 4-5 tbsp Ghee/clarified butter
• 5-8 cashew nuts
• 2 tbsp raisins
• 1/3 cup pineapple chunks (optional)

Method of Preparation

1. In a deep bottomed pan roast the semolina for 5 minutes on medium low heat.
2. In another pan add 1tbsp ghee/clarified butter. Fry the cashew nuts and raisins till golden brown. Remove it from the pan and keep aside. Add the remaining ghee to the pan. To this fold in the semolina.
3. In a cup of warm water soak the saffron.
4. Add the water to the semolina. Also pour the remaining 1/2 cup water and stir well on medium low heat. Also add Sugar.
5. Once the water is absorbed fold in pineapple chunks, cashew nuts and raisins. Leave it on low heat of few minutes.

Offer to the lord of your heart and Serve hot

Di - ksa

Srila Jiva Gosvami explains diksa in his Bhakti-sandarbha (283) :divyam jnanam yato dadyat kuryat papasya sanksayamtasmat dikseti sa prokta desikais tattva-kovidaih

"Diksa is the process by which one can awaken his transcendental knowledge and vanquish all reactions caused by sinful activity. A person expert in the study of the revealed scriptures knows this process as diksa."

The gayatri-mantra gives all kinds of divya-jnana, transcendental knowledge, including the knowledge of krsna-tattva and jiva-tattva, and it also gives a relationship with Krsna. Nama alone will not give this relation to the person filled with anarthas. - Sri Caitanya-caritamrta: Madhya 15. 108 purp

All of our acaryas, from top to bottom, have stated that in order to purify us from our sinful actions and to clear offenses (anartha-nrvrtti) so that we can develop the ability to chant the pure name, we must accept diksa-vidhana (the process of initiation).

Di - ksa. Di means divya-jnana, or realized knowledge of our relationship with Krsna. Ksa is the washing away of all sins, aparadhas, and other impurities. For this, diksa-vidhana is essential. Without diksa-samskara, one's relationship with Krsna (sambandha-jnana) cannot manifest and one cannot chant suddha-nama. It is essential to accept diksa. yatha kancanatam yatikamsyam rasa-vidhanatahtatha diksa-vidhanenadvijatvam jayate nrnam

"As bell metal (a mixture of copper and tin) becomes gold by mixing with mercury, similarly, by the process of diksa, initiation, a person becomes a brahmana."( Sri Hari-bhakti-vilasa)

Bell metal turns into gold by the help of the element mercury in an al-chemical process. Similarly, by this element, the process of diksa, our chanting of the holy name will become pure; otherwise it is not possible.

If there is no necessity to accept diksa-mantra, why did Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Prabhupada take second initiation from Srila Gaurakisora dasa Babaji Maharaja, and why did he give diksa initiation to all of his disciples? If there is no necessity, why did Srila Prabhupada Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura give diksa initiation, and why did his disciples accept it?

Not only that, Brahma received kama-gayatri and gopal-mantra from Krsna Himself. Brahma then gave the diksa-mantra to Sri Narada Rsi, and Narada gave it to so many disciples. Narada not only gave harinama to Dhruva Maharaja; he gave him diksa by the mantra: om namo bhagavate vasudevaya. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu took initiation from Sri Isvara Puripada, who first gave Him harinama, and to purify that chanting of nama, he gave Him gopal-mantra. Gopal-mantra is transcendental and ever-existing, and it gives a relationship with Krsna as Gopijana-vallabha. We should consider all this evidence.All the acaryas in our guru-parampara have accepted second initiation from a bona fide guru.

Can those who say that harinama is sufficient for conditioned souls name any acarya in our guru-parampara who has not taken diksa initiation? Srila Gaurakisora dasa Babaji Maharaja, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura, and the Six Gosvamis took second initiation, and Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj took it. Why did they take diksa initiation if it is not essential?

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Sri Nityananda Prabhu, Sri Advaita Acarya, Sri Gadadhara Pandita, Sri Isvara Puri, and Sri Madhavendra Puri have all taken diksa. Why, then, should we not take it? Why is it not essential? If it is not essential, then why did Sri Sanatana Gosvami write about it in his Sri Hari-bhakti-vilasa? Why did Sri Gopal Bhatta Gosvami also write about it? Did he say it was useless? Those who say that diksa is not essential will not be able to answer these questions in hundreds and millions of years.

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu took initiation even though he is the Lord of lords - Radha and Krsna combined - and yet He went to Gaya and took initiation. He vividly explained this fact in a gathering of sannyasis in Kasi when those sannyasis asked Him, "O, You are a very young and qualified sannyasi. Why do you not hear Vedanta? Why do you engage in singing and dancing and rolling on the ground? A sannyasi should not dance and do all these things.

" Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu replied by telling them of the order of His guru, Sri Isvara Puripada:Mahaprabhu said, "Guru mora murkha dekhi - My Guru Maharaja told me that because I am foolish and unintelligent, I am not qualified to study Vedanta. He said that instead I should always chant Hare Krsna and I should remember this verse:harer nama harer namaharer namaiva kevalamkalau nasty eva nasty evanasty eva gatir anyatha(Caitanya Caritamrta Adi-lila 17.21)

"In this Age of Kali there is no other means, no other means, no other means for self-realization than chanting the holy name, chanting the holy name, chanting the holy name of Lord Hari."

But Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu not only took harinama from His gurudeva; He also took second initiation through the gopal-mantra. In our parampara, in order to purify one's chanting and to and give the chanter a relationship with Krsna who has kindly taken the form of His holy name, the gopal-mantra is given along with harinama. Up until Caitanya Mahaprabhu's manifested pastimes only the gopal-mantra was given.

Later, Srila Dhyanacandra Gosvami and Srila Gopal-guru Gosvami gave the regulations we now follow. They gave brahma-gayatri, guru-mantra, guru-gayatri, gaura-mantra, gaura-gayatri, krsna-mantra (gopal-mantra) and finally kama-gayatri. This is the process followed in our sampradaya as begun by Srila Gopal-guru Gosvami, who is a disciple of Vakresvara Pandita, who is an associate of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

Caitanya Mahaprabhu quoted His gurudeva saying, "Krsna-mantra japa sada - ei mantra-sara. You must always chant the holy name of Krsna. This is the essence of all mantras, or Vedic hymns."krsna-mantra haite habe samsara-mocanakrsna-nama haite pabe krsnera carana

"Simply by chanting the holy name of Krsna one can obtain freedom from material existence. Indeed, simply by chanting the Hare Krsna mantra one will be able to see the lotus feet of the Lord."

The offenseless chanting of the holy name does not depend on the initiation process. But that name must be the pure name, and how will it become so? It can only become pure through that diksa process; otherwise it is not possible. It is not that the holy name is not pure, but if a person is not a pure devotee he cannot chant the pure name. He can only chant syllables that sound like the name. He can only chant offenses to the name (nama-aparadha) or a shadow of the name (nama-abhasa).

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu chanted the pure name, and therefore He was able to tell His gurudeva:kiba mantra dila, gosani, kiba tara balajapite japite mantra karila pagala

"'My dear lord, what kind of mantra have you given Me? I have become mad simply by chanting this maha-mantra!'"(Caitanya-caritamrta Adi 7.81)

Caitanya Mahaprabhu told the sannyasis, "You ask why I dance and sing and roll on the ground. Here is the reason: When My gurudeva initiated me, he gave me both the harinama mantra and the gopal mantra.

" Then He said, "japite japite mantra."

If He had only received harinama, the maha-mantra, He would not have said the word "mantra"? Mantra especially refers to gopal-mantra and kama-gayatri. He first received harinama and then gopal-mantra.

"Japite japite mantra karila pagala - and this made Me mad. Krsna nama mantra - meaning gopal and maha mantra made Him "like a madman".

For those who always remember and meditate on the gopal-mantra and kama-gayatri, by the power of the mantra, rati (bhava-bhakti) will at once enter their hearts. It has been written in Caitanya-caritamrta: Antya-lila 4.192: diksa-kale bhakta kare atma-samarpanasei-kale krsna tare kare atma-sama "At the time of initiation, when a devotee fully surrenders unto the service of the Lord, Krsna accepts him to be as good as Himself."

First initiation is called harinama initiation only, and the second initiation is called diksa. Atma samarpana - at the time of diksa the disciple totally surrenders unto the feet of his gurudeva. Sei-kale. At that time Krsna gives the shelter of His lotus feet, and He makes that disciple atma-sama, very near and dear to Him.

According to the Vaisnava regulative principles, one must be initiated as a brahmana. As quoted in the Hari-bhakti-vilasa (2.6) from the Visnu-yamala, Lord Sankara says to his wife Parvati: adiksitasya vamoru krtam sarvam nirarthakampasu-yonim avapnoti diksa-virahito janah"

O Vamaru - O beautiful Parvati. Regarding those who have not taken diksa, all their devotional activities, such as sadhana, bhajana, and puja, have all gone in vain. They are all useless. Such persons who are not properly initiated must again enter the many animals species.

"In addition, it has been told that nama can give everything, including Krsna-prema, simply by touching the tongue.
It is stated in Padyavali, a book compiled by Srila Rupa Gosvami: akrstih krta-cetasam su-manasam uccatanam camhasamacandalam amuka-loka-sulabho vasyas ca mukti-sriyahno diksam na ca sat-kriyam na ca purascaryam manag iksatemantro 'yam rasana-sprg eva phalati sri-krsna-namatmakah

"'The holy name of Lord Krsna is an attractive feature for many saintly, liberal people. It is the annihilator of all sinful reactions and is so powerful that, it is readily available to everyone, including the lowest type of man, the candala. The holy name of Krsna is the controller of the opulence of liberation, and it is identical with Krsna.

When a person simply chants the holy name with his tongue, immediate effects are produced. Chanting the holy name does not depend on initiation, pious activities or the purascarya regulative principles generally observed before initiation. The holy name does not wait for any of these activities. It is self-sufficient.' - Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Madhya 15.110

The story of Lokanath

Vishwarupa, an incarnation of Baladeva, was then born. He was initiated by Ishwara Puri. His younger brother was Nimai Pandit, who later became known to the world as Sri Krishna Chaitanya. The son of Ratnagarbha Acharya [Sachi Mata’s younger brother] was Lokanath. Vishwarupa wanted to take Lokanath as a companion [when he left home]. As soon as this thought entered his mind, Lokanath came and joined him. Vishwarupa took him along when he went to South India. When he took sannyasa and was renamed Shankararanya Puri, then he made Lokanath, his maternal cousin, his disciple.

Lokanath served Vishwarupa. One day, Ishwara Puri suddenly appeared there. Vishwarupa offered him pranams and when he did so, he invested Ishwara Puri with godly effulgence (aiza-tejah). This is stated in the Chaitanya Chandrodaya Nataka (1.30)

He then told Ishwara Puri to place this effulgent power in Nityananda Prabhu when he initiated him. With these words, Vishwarupa left the world. Ishwara Puri then continued on his travels and eventually came to Ekachakra in Rarhadesh. [Here is given information about Nityananda Prabhu’s family tree. His six brothers all had ananda names—Krishnananda, Sarvananda, Brahmananda, Purnananda, Premananda and Vishuddhananda.Ishwara Puri had a dream and was told that Nityananda was an incarnation of Balaram and that he should take him with him and give him sannyasa. Which he did. And when he gave him initiation, Vishwarupa’s effulgence entered Nityananda.

Hear it

Japa Meditation

Find a quite place free from disturbances and sit comfortably. When saying the mantra say it so only you can hear it. Chant sincerely and you will please Krishna. After chanting read a little Gita or Bhagavatam and in a very short time you will feel the result.

Use this Mantra - Hare Krishna - Hare Krishna - Krishna Krishna - Hare Hare - Hare Rama - Hare Rama - Rama Rama - Hare Hare

1. Hold the beads in your right hand.


2. There's one head bead, a bead that's bigger than all the rest. Grasp the first bead to one side of the head bead (the one which is the largest) with your right thumb and the middle finger of your right hand. (Your index finger doesn't touch the bead.)
   
3. Chant -- Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. The word Hare is pronounced huh-ray. Krishna is pronounced Krish-na. And Rama rhymes with the English word drama. Say each syllable of each word as clearly as you can. Concentrate your attention on the sound of each word of the mantra.


4. After you've chanted the complete mantra one time, move your thumb and finger to the next bead and chant the mantra again.


5. Chant on the next bead and then the next, until you have chanted on all 108 beads. You have now reached the other side of the head bead and have completed one full "round."


6. Do not chant on the head bead, and don't cross over it to continue. Instead, turn the whole set of beads around in your hand and chant in the other direction. The last bead of your first round is the first bead for your next. Chant on this bead, then the next. and then the next. Stop when you reach the side of the head bead again. Then you'll have completed your second round.


7. Keep reversing directions in this way to chant your third and fourth rounds, and keep going.


8. Treat your beads respectfully. Don't let them touch the floor, your feet, or any unclean place. Don't take them into the bathroom.

Try to find time to chant a fixed number of rounds every day. You can start with two rounds or even one -- but chant regularly, without fail, preferably in the early morning. This regularity of chanting will give you a firm basis for further progress toward transcendental realization.

Religion without philosophy is sentiment, or sometimes fanaticism, while philosophy without religion is mental speculation.

Catastrophic rain

Lord Krishna ascended to His Divine abode at the end of dwapara yuga and immediately kali yuga started. Just after he left the earth planet, a catastrophic rain, storm and sea deluge, that lasted for seven days, totally drowned and destroyed the town of Dwarika ( His Royal Kingdom). This catastrophe was also recorded in Babylonia’s ancient town known as "Ur" (which was mythologized in the West as Noah’s flood) and in the ancient Mayan records. Both dates are identical.

Vaisnava's in VietNam

The Balamon Hindu Cham people of Vietnam consist of 70% Kshatriyas (pronounced in Vietnamese as "Satrias"). Although Balamon make up only 25% of the overall Cham population (the other 75% are Muslims or Cham Bani). These Balamon Kshatriyas claim to be the descendants of the Champa Empire.

Vietnam was the home to a vibrant Vedic civilization. Many spectacular temples and sculptures still remain to this day . Vedic Deities such as Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma and minor Deities were widely worshiped. Buddhism also has a certain role in Cham people, but Shiva sect has always been considered as the national religion. According to the statistics of Palumus, in total of 128 statues found in Cham Pa , there were 92 of Shiva Deities of the Shiva sect, 3 of the Vishnu sect, 5 of the Brahma sect and 7 of Buddhism.

Rasikananda' Syamantaka Sataka

Any person who faithfully and regularly reads or recites these one hundred verses which are a great festival of nectar which are a flood of sweet nectar which describe the glories of Sri Syamananda which are filled with descriptions of Lord Krsna's pastimes and which increase the reader's blissful love for the Lord will attain eternal and great faith for his spiritual master and for Lord Krsna the master of the vraja-gopis.

My first condition is that if someone wants to become my student he has to follow these four regulative principles.

1. No illicit sex
2. No meat-eating
3. No gambling
4. No intoxication.

Plus chanting the holy names of God.

Consequently I do not have many followers, but I do have a select few. Because they are select, they will bring about a revolution in the world. One moon is sufficient to dissipate darkness. If there is one moon, there is no need for millions of stars. It is useless to expect a large number of followers. We want only one good follower. If I can get one man to become Krishna conscious, I will consider my mission fulfilled. - AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj

Maha Bharata

The wisdom of this work, like unto an instrument of applying ointment, hath opened the eyes of the inquisitive world blinded by the darkness of ignorance. As the sun dispels the darkness, so does the Bharata by its discourses on religion, profit, pleasure and final release, dispel the ignorance of men. As the full-moon by its mild light expands the buds of the water-lily, so this Purana, by exposing the light of the Sruti hath expanded the human intellect. By the lamp of history, which is the destroyer of darkness and ignorance, the whole mansion of nature is properly and completely illuminated.

Bhishma - foremost of all warriors

Vaishampayana continued, "Even thus that king, burning with grief and deprived of relatives and kinsmen, repeatedly swooned, overwhelmed with sorrow on account of the death of his sons. Having wept for a long while, Dhritarashtra, the son of Ambika, breathed heavy and hot sighs at the thought of his defeat. Overwhelmed with sorrow, and burning with grief, that bull of Bharata's race once more enquired of his charioteer Sanjaya, the son of Gavalgana, the details of what had happened.

Vaisampayana said,--"Possessing a knowledge of the past, the present and the future, and seeing all things as if present before his eyes, the learned son of Gavalgana, O Bharata, coming quickly from the field of battle, and rushing with grief (into the court) represented unto Dhritarashtra who was plunged in thought that Bhishma the grandsire of the Bharatas had been slain."

"Sanjaya said,--'I am Sanjaya, O great king. I bow to thee, O bull of Bharata's race. Bhishma, the son of Santanu and the grandsire of the Bharatas, hath been slain. That foremost of all warriors, that grandsire of the Bharatas, hath been slain. That foremost of all warriors, that embodied energy of all bowmen, that grandsire of the Kurus lieth to-day on a bed of arrows. That Bhishma. O king, relying on whose energy thy son had been engaged in that match at dice, now lieth on the field of battle slain by Sikhandin. That mighty car-warrior who on a single car had vanquished in terrific combat at the city of Kasi all the kings of the Earth mustered together, he who had fearlessly fought in battle with Rama, the son of Jamadagni, he whom Jamadagni's son could not slay, oh, even hath he been to-day slain by Sikhandin. Resembling the great Indra himself in bravery, and Himavat in firmness, like unto the ocean itself in gravity, and the Earth herself in patience, that invincible warrior having arrows for his teeth, that bow for his mouth, and the sword for his tongue, that lion among men, hath to-day been slain by the prince of Panchala. That slayer of heroes, beholding whom when addrest for battle the mighty army of the Pandavas, unmanned by fear, used to tremble like a herd of kine when beholding a lion, alas, having protected that army (of thine) for ten nights and having achieved feats exceedingly difficult of accomplishment, hath set like the Sun. He who like Sakra himself, scattering arrows in thousands with the utmost composure, daily slew ten thousand warriors for ten days, even he slain (by the enemy), lieth, though he deserveth it not, on the bare ground like a (mighty) tree broken by the wind, in consequence, O king, of thy evil counsels, O Bharata.'"

-Mahabharata

And what is seen in the universe, whether animate or inanimate, of created things, will at the end of the world, and after the expiration of the Yuga, be again confounded. And, at the commencement of other Yugas, all things will be renovated, and, like the various fruits of the earth, succeed each other in the due order of their seasons. Thus continue perpetually to revolve in the world, without beginning and without end, this wheel which causeth the destruction of all things. -Ved Vyas

Not an Ink Pen

This is the pen of Srila Ramananda Ray found at his ancestral home near Puri. It’s not an ink pen -- back in the day this is what was used for writing on palm leaves.

Two syllables -Jeeva Goswami Pad

The derivation of the word Krsna is given in these words (Mahabharata, Udyoga-parva 71.4):

krsir bhu-vacakah sabdo
nas ca nirvrti-vacakah
tayor aikyam param brahma
krsna ity abhidhiyate

"The word 'krs' is the attractive feature of the Lord's existence, and 'na' means spiritual pleasure. When the verb 'krs' is added to the affix 'na', it become Krsna which indicates the Absolute Truth."

This verse indicates how the two syllables "krs" and "na" are joined to make the name Krsna. The word "bhu-vacakah" here refers to the way the verb "bhu" is thus changed into the noun "bhava"(being) by the agency of the kvip-pratyaya affix. As the verb "bhu" is thus changed to become "bhava" so the verb "krs" to attract becomes "akarsana" (attraction). Thus "krs" means "He who attracts the hearts of others." The words "tayor aikyam," mean "As two lovers join, so the two syllables "krs" and "na" (bliss) join. When united in this way they create the meaning "all-attractive bliss". - Gopal Champu

Remnants of that poison

One night the soothing rays of the full moon illumined the courtyard of Nanda’s house. Yasoda sat there talking with some elderly gopis while Krishna played nearby gazing at the moon. Sneaking up behind Yasoda, Krishna removed the veil covering her head, loosened her braid, and patted her on the back to get her attention with His butter-soft lotus palms. His voice choked up as He continually cried. Yasoda’s heart swelled with maternal love, so she indicated with a glance that her friends should attend to Krishna..

With great respect and affection the gopis enthusiastically lifted up Krishna and asked, "O darling! What do you want? Do you want some khira?

" Krsna replied, "No, No!"

"Do you want some thick creamy yoghurt?"
Krishna replied, "No, No!"

"Do you want some cheese?" Again Krishna said,
"No, no! I want freshly churned condensed butter.

" The gopis continued, "Do not lament or be angry with your mother. What do you mean by ‘condensed butter’?"

Pointing His little index finger to the full moon, Krishna replied, "I want that freshly churned condensed butter!"

The elderly gopis said, "O Vatsa! Do not mistake the moon for a huge piece of butter. It is a rajahamsa (royal swan) gliding across the lake of the sky." Krishna said, "Then give Me that rajahamsa so I can play with him. Quickly catch him before he reaches the bank of the lake. Full of anxiety, Krishna kicked His legs and cried loudly, "Give me! Give me!"

While Krishna showed his childish antics, some other gopis said, "O darling! They have lied to You. What You see is not a rajahamsa, but it is the moon hanging in the sky and it is called Candra." Krishna said, "Then give me that Candra! I really want it so I can play with it. Right now! Get it!"

Yasoda placed her crying son on her lap and comforted Him, "Darling! Actually it is freshly churned condensed butter! Definitely, it is not a rajahamsa nor is it the moon. Regardless, I can never give it to you. Just see by chance or by the arrangement of Providence it has poisonous spots on it. Although it looks very tasty, no one in this world can eat it."

Then Krishna said, "Mother, mother! Why is it stained with spots of poison? What is poison anyway?" Seeing a change in Krishna’s mood, mother Yasoda embraced Him and spoke in a gentle, sweet voice. "Listen attentively my dearest son. There is an ocean of milk called Ksira-sagara."

Krishna: "Mother please tell Me about that? How many milk cows made that ocean?"
Yasoda: "Darling, the milk ocean was not made by cows."

Krishna: "Mother, you are lying to Me. How can there be milk without cows?"
Yasoda: "The one who gave cows the ability to produce milk can also make milk even without cows."

Krishna: "Who is He?"
Yasoda: "He is the Lord, the cause of creation. He is Bhagavan. He is immovable and all pervading. Although He is everywhere, I cannot show Him to You."

Krishna: "Well mother, are you telling Me the truth?"
Yasoda: "Long ago the demigods and the demons had a fight. To favor the demigods and bewilder the demons, the Lord churned the ocean of milk. Mandara Mountain served as the churning rod and Vasuki, the king of the serpents, offered his body for the rope. The demons and demigods stood on opposite sides pulling that rope."

Krishna: "Mother, did they churn the way the gopis do?"
Yasoda: "Yes my son. The churning of the Ksira-sagara produced a poison named kalakuta."

Krishna: "Mother, how did churning milk produce poison? Only snakes have poison."
Yasoda: "Darling, Mahadeva drank that poison. But the snakes drank the drops of poison that fell from his mouth. As a result, they now have poison. The poison rising from that milk is also the energy of the Lord."

Krishna: "Yes mother that is indeed true."
Yasoda: "Darling, this condensed butter you are seeing in the sky is produced from that Ksira-sagara. That is why the moon is spotted with the remnants of that poison. Look carefully, do you see it? Therefore, do not try to eat that butter, but please take my freshly churned butter instead." After hearing this description, Krishna felt sleepy so mother Yasoda put Him to rest in an opulent golden bed on a fluffy soft mattress, whiter than powdered camphor.

Ananda Vrindavan Champu, Chapter five - Kavi Karnapur

Gauranga-lila-smarana-mangala

-Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura

*****

The Lord ordered His two avadhuta devotees (Lord Nityananda and Haridasa Thakura) to give the holy names of Lord Krishna, the master of Gokula, to all living entities, high and low, in all towns and villages, everywhere. I meditate on Lord Caitanya, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who mercifully descended to this world.

Read the 104 verses here: