What say you?

"According to social conventions, it is said that one can speak the truth only when it is palatable to others. But that is not truthfulness. The truth should be spoken in such a straight and forward way, so that others will understand actually what the facts are. If a man is a thief and if people are warned that he is a thief that is truth. Although sometimes the truth is unpalatable, one should not refrain from speaking it.

Truthfulness demands that the facts be presented as they are for the benefit of others. That is the definition of truth."

Bhagavad-Gita. Ch 10:4 Purport - acbsp

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When Murali-Manohar encounters the Vraja Gopis, their golden splendour mingles with His blue sapphire-like complexion and makes Him look like an emerald.

“Sri Krishna looked exceptionally beautiful on the Rasa dance-floor and He dazzled like an exquisite emerald amidst golden gems.” - (S.B. 10.33.6)

“Srimati Radharani’s lightning-like lustre makes Sri Krishna’s splendour resemble an emerald and Sri Krishna’s effulgence too lends a brilliant green shade to Sri Radha.

Only when they reside separately will they express golden and blue splendours respectively.

– (Alankar-kaustubha)

***

* This is the reason why Srimati is experiencing His complexion as emerald-like. His naturally sweet face is lit up with an appealing smile. His eyes are large and reaching the ears. They are moving restlessly and His eyebrows are dancing. His eyes are thirstily searching for Her.

* Srila Kavi karnapura wrote many books that are important in Vaisnava literature, such as the Ananda-vrndavan-campu, Alankara-kaustubha, Gaura-ganoddesa-dipika and the great epic Caitanya-candrodaya-naraka. He was born in the year 1448 Sakabda (A.D. 1526). He continually wrote books for ten years, from 1488 until 1498.

Sri Isopanishad

Invocation mantra:

oḿ pūrṇam adaḥ pūrṇam idaḿ
pūrṇāt pūrṇam udacyate
pūrṇasya pūrṇam ādāya
pūrṇam evāvaśiṣyate

oḿ — the Complete Whole; pūrṇam — perfectly complete; adaḥ — that; pūrṇam — completely perfect; idam — this phenomenal world; pūrṇāt — from the all-perfect; pūrṇam — complete unit; udacyate — is produced; pūrṇasya — of the Complete Whole; pūrṇam — completely, all; ādāya — having been taken away; pūrṇam — the complete balance; eva — even; avaśiṣyate — is remaining.

Translation:

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

Mantra 1-18

1: Everything animate or inanimate that is within the universe is controlled and owned by the Lord. One should therefore accept only those things necessary for himself, which are set aside as his quota, and one should not accept other things, knowing well to whom they belong.

2: One may aspire to live for hundreds of years if he continuously goes on working in that way, for that sort of work will not bind him to the law of karma. There is no alternative to this way for man.

3: The killer of the soul, whoever he may be, must enter into the planets known as the worlds of the faithless, full of darkness and ignorance.

4: Although fixed in His abode, the Personality of Godhead is swifter than the mind and can overcome all others running. The powerful demigods cannot approach Him. Although in one place, He controls those who supply the air and rain. He surpasses all in excellence.

5: The Supreme Lord walks and does not walk. He is far away, but He is very near as well. He is within everything, and yet He is outside of everything.

6: He who sees everything in relation to the Supreme Lord, who sees all living entities as His parts and parcels, and who sees the Supreme Lord within everything never hates anything or any being.

7: One who always sees all living entities as spiritual sparks, in quality one with the Lord, becomes a true knower of things. What, then, can be illusion or anxiety for him?

8: Such a person must factually know the greatest of all, the Personality of Godhead, who is unembodied, omniscient, beyond reproach, without veins, pure and uncontaminated, the self-sufficient philosopher who has been fulfilling everyone's desire since time immemorial.

9: Those who engage in the culture of nescient activities shall enter into the darkest region of ignorance. Worse still are those engaged in the culture of so-called knowledge.

10: The wise have explained that one result is derived from the culture of knowledge and that a different result is obtained from the culture of nescience.

11: Only one who can learn the process of nescience and that of transcendental knowledge side by side can transcend the influence of repeated birth and death and enjoy the full blessings of immortality.

12: Those who are engaged in the worship of demigods enter into the darkest region of ignorance, and still more so do the worshipers of the impersonal Absolute.

13: It is said that one result is obtained by worshiping the supreme cause of all causes and that another result is obtained by worshiping what is not supreme. All this is heard from the undisturbed authorities, who clearly explained it.

14: One should know perfectly the Personality of Godhead Śrī Kṛṣṇa and His transcendental name, form, qualities and pastimes, as well as the temporary material creation with its temporary demigods, men and animals. When one knows these, he surpasses death and the ephemeral cosmic manifestation with it, and in the eternal kingdom of God he enjoys his eternal life of bliss and knowledge.

15: O my Lord, sustainer of all that lives, Your real face is covered by Your dazzling effulgence. Kindly remove that covering and exhibit Yourself to Your pure devotee.

16: O my Lord, O primeval philosopher, maintainer of the universe, O regulating principle, destination of the pure devotees, well-wisher of the progenitors of mankind, please remove the effulgence of Your transcendental rays so that I can see Your form of bliss. You are the eternal Supreme Personality of Godhead, like unto the sun, as am I.

17: Let this temporary body be burnt to ashes, and let the air of life be merged with the totality of air. Now, O my Lord, please remember all my sacrifices, and because You are the ultimate beneficiary, please remember all that I have done for You.

18: O my Lord, as powerful as fire, O omnipotent one, now I offer You all obeisances, falling on the ground at Your feet. O my Lord, please lead me on the right path to reach You, and since You know all that I have done in the past, please free me from the reactions to my past sins so that there will be no hindrance to my progress.

***
The name of this text is linked to the word, īśā,
The Lord of all lords, Lord of Everything, Master of all Senses, My lord etc.
The Sanskrit term upanishad derives from upa- (nearby), ni- (at the proper place) and sad, "sitting down near" a bonified spiritual master (Guru Acharya ) in order to receive instruction.
***

Saint Issa

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Issa said : "Man had filled the temples with his abominations. In order to pay homage to metals and stones, man sacrificed his fellows in whom dwells a spark of the Supreme Spirit. Man demeans those who labor by the sweat of their brows, in order to gain the good will of the sluggard who sits at the lavishly set board. But they who deprive their brothers of the common blessing shall be themselves stripped of it."

Comment:
Saint Issa said this after seeing the hypocracy of the hereditary Brahmanas and Ksatriyas. They were demeaning the merchants, farmers and laborer class . Saint Issa insisted that love of god was attainable by everyone.

*******************

According to the legend, Issa left his father's house secretly at age thirteen. He joined a merchant caravan and arrived in India "this side of the Sind" sometime during his fourteenth year.

Young Issa, the Blessed One, traveled south to Gujarat, through the country of the five streams and Rajputana, then on to the holy cities of Jagannath and Benares where Brahman priests taught him Vedic scripture.

Issa continued north into the Himalayas and settled in the country of the Gautamides, followers of the Buddha Gautama, where for six years he applied himself to the study of the sacred sutras. He left India in his twenty-sixth year, traveling to Persepolis, to Athens, to Alexandria.

Issa was twenty-nine when he returned to Israel.

Religion - Politics - Bureaucracy

Hindu did not originate in India

The Indus River

The word “Hindu” is not a Sanskrit word. It is not found in any of the thousands of native dialects and languages of India. Neither is it a religious word. It is a secular word whose origin is rooted in the language of ancient Persians, who supposedly said to have shared common ancestry with ancient Indians. It was practically unknown in India until the medieval period, although it was used in several countries outside the Indian subcontinent from earlier time. It is said that Persians who were familiar with the Indian subcontinent, used to refer to the Indus River as Shindu, a major river that still flows in the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent, partly in India and partly in Pakistan. However, due to language barrier, they could not pronounce the letter “S” correctly in their native tongue and mispronounced it as “H”. Thus for the ancient Persians the word “Shindu” became “Hindu”.

For a long time for the native Indians, the Indian subcontinent was Bharta, the land founded by the famous king Bharta, the progenitor of Bharta clan. Literally translated, the word “Bharta” meant lover of knowledge and the people inhabiting the land considered themselves as such. They believed the religion they followed was an eternal religion and called it as “sanatana dharma”, which meant the same.

It is interesting to know that the word “Hindu” is neither Sanskrit nor Dravidian and it did not originate in India.

I am not a Hindu

Vedic wisdom trickles down to us via the bonified spiritual master. Such a spiritual master may have one disciple or thousands. Sometimes in order to distribute transcendental knowledge he will sit under a tree and speak about spiritual matters at other times he may feel the need to construct buildings as to assemble his devotees so he can teach them as he desires. This can take place anywhere at anytime.

The formation of institutions and the swelling of the congregation may take on a certain characteristic according to time and place and the casual observer may label it as "Hindu, Christian, Muslim etc"

The fact remains that we were born in this world alone developed a body and in time will pass away alone. We cannot take organizations or dress with us. The Idea that I am Hindu, Christian, Muslim, Man, Woman, American, Indian is a temporary designation only. The eternal soul (jiva atma) needs to wake up as to return back to the spiritual atmosphere (Vaikuntha) and gain association with the supreme lord and his devotees.

One does not need to be Hindu, Indian, European, or PHD. One simply needs to realize one's real self-interest and engage in devotional service under the direction of the bonified spiritual Master. This is called Sanatana Dharma (Eternal Natural Propensity).

Sri Chaitanya has taught us that our eternal designation is not this or that, but instead we should aspire to be the servants of the servants of Sri Krishna. Then we will truly be happy.

a last look at the mansion

Dwaraka was a city-state extending upto (Sankhodhara) in the north and Okhamadhi in the south. Eastward it extended upto Pindara. The 30 to 40 meter-high hill on the eastern flank of Sankhodhara may be the Raivataka referred to in the Mahabharata .

Artistic rendition of Dwarka City

The general layout of the city of Dwaraka described in ancient texts agrees with that of the submerged city discovered by MAU. Four enclosures are laid bare; each one had one or two gateways. The port Aramda (Arambhadvdra) on way to Dwaraka was the first gateway in the outer fortifications. The bastions flanking gateways of submerged Dwaraka resemble those of Kusinagara and Sravasti carved on the Gateways of Sanchi Stupa. The prasada referred to in the epic must be the high fort walls of Dwaraka, a part of which is extant. The epic says that flags were flying in the city of Dwaraka. This can be corroborated by the stone bases of flag posts found in the sea bed excavation. Umashankar Joshi is of the view that antardvipa in the region of Kugasthali referred to in the Mahabharata must be Bet Dwaraka (Sankhodhara). The Bhagavata Purana says that before leaving his mortal frame Sri Krsna put the ladies and children in boats and sent them to Sankhodhara. Hirananda Sastry also identified the antardvipa of Mahabharata with Dwaraka.

"The sea, which had been beating against the shores, suddenly broke the boundary that was imposed on it by nature. The sea rushed into the city. It coursed through the streets of the beautiful city. The sea covered up everything in the city. Even as they were all looking, Arjuna saw the beautiful buildings becoming submerged one by one. Arjuna took a last look at the mansion of Krishna. It was soon covered by the sea. In a matter of a few moments it was all over. The sea had now become as placid as a lake. There was no trace of the beautiful city which had been the favourite haunt of all the Pandavas. Dwaraka was just a name; just a memory." -Mahabharata

Sculpture of Vishnu from onshore excavation, Dwaraka.

Bits and Pieces

Megasthenes, the Greek ambassador in the court of Chandragupta Maurya (4th century B.C) makes the first reference to the deification of Vasudeva. He says that Heracles (who is closest to Krishna-Vasudeva) was held in high regard by the Sourasenoi (Surasenas) who possessed two large cities namely Methora (Mathura) and Cleisobora (Krishnapura, that is Vraja and Vrindavana). Apart from references by Megasthenes to the deification of Krishna-Vasudeva, Buddhist texts mention the existence of shrines dedicated to Vasudeva (Krishna) and Baladeva (Balarama).

Heliodorus, the son of Dia (Dion), a resident of Taxila had come to Besnagar as an envoy of the Greek king Antalikata (Antialkidas) to the court of Kasiputra Bhagabhadra during his 14th regnal year. Antialkidas is placed between 175-135 B.C. The Greek king Agathocles (2nd century B. C) was also devoted to the Bhagavata cult. The figures of Krishna and Balarama are shown on his coins found in the excavations at Al-Khanuram in Afghanistan

From 180-165 BCE, the Greek ruler Agathocles issued coins with images of Vasudeva holding a chakra.

Krsna leela is wall to wall

Sri Sri Radha Gopinath

Good Character

In the modern setup of democratic states the citizens can have no cause for grievances, because the whole administration is conducted by the people themselves. If the people themselves are dishonest, the administrative machinery must be corrupt. Although a damned government of the people may be given a good or fancy name, if the people are not good they cannot have a good government, regardless of which party governs the administration. Therefore good character is the first principle for good government. ACBSP

Ekadasi's personal character

Ekadasi is considered to be the favorite day of Krsna, when devotees refrain from material activities. Ekadasi is aprakrta. Aprakrta means which is like prakrta but is supramundane. We are warned that Ekadasi is not mundane, though it seems to be. Because it is influenced by the moon Ekadasi seems to be mundane. The heat of the world, and the watery portion in the body increases due to the influence of the moon just as the high tide and low tide of the ocean are also effected by the moon. As we approach the full moon and the new moon, the watery portion of our bodies is enhanced by the movement of the earth, the moon and the sun, and thereby the enjoying spirit is also developed.

So, fasting is necessary to meet with that external movement of nature. Fasting can save us from that peculiar reaction. Fasting has been recommended, and especially, if one can’t fast at all, then one may take some process of diet that will give less cause for excitement, therefore one may take anukalpa (non-grains). We fast to check the senses, because the senses by the natural flow become more intense at that time. The result is, that one will be excited and want to enjoy - to encroach on the environment. So this unfair encroachment of one’s own self is to be controlled, therefore this fasting has been recommended - this is one way.

We take some types of food, and not others, because they are considered to be less injurious and less exciting to the body. Also it is mentioned in Hari-bhakti-vilasa, that some particular sins are fond of taking shelter in those foods that we reject. Papa means a type of sin that is very fond of taking shelter in grains and those places which we surely want to avoid. First-class fasting means without even taking water (nirjal). Those who cannot do without food, may take fruit, roots, and milk.

Also, from the spiritual perspective, Krsna Himself also feels more necessity for enjoyment, and when Krsna feels more necessity, the devotees have a greater chance to offer service. The time is more valuable for them, because Krsna wants to enjoy, and at that time, devotees should be busy to supply the things for His enjoyment - so much so that they won’t have any time for their own necessities. So, the first reason is to please Krsna and the secondary reason is, that by fasting, we can make our body dry and so our enjoying spirit will be lessened. This is the general explanation. There are so many other things also. Everything is conscious, everything is personal, and Ekadasi has her own personal character, and she devotes herself with all her company in the service of Krsna.

She does not take any food or anything else, and also does not allow others in her group to take food or waste time, but is always engaged in the service of Krsna. We are told that Ekadasi and Dvadasi are favored by Hari - the underlying cause is already explained. Hari will be pleased with any small service performed on these days. So, Dvadasi and Ekadasi are both considered the favorite days of Krsna. Ekadasi observance is compulsory - though Dvadasi is also honored as the favorite of Hari, still Ekadasi has preference. Dvadasi has preference over Ekadasi only in eight cases, determined by the combination of naksatra, tithi, etc. - when we observe Maha-Dvadasi and not Ekadasi.

On Ekadasi and Dvadasi, even a little service gives some greater remuneration. Remuneration means that our serving attitude and our earnestness will be enhanced at that particular time. In deeper sense, this means that Hari at that time want to accept more service. That is the fortune of the servitors, that Hari demands more of the servitors, so the importance for the servitors increases at that time during Ekadasi and Dvadasi. Also on Dvadasi, we do not pick the leaves of tulasi because it is considered that Tulasi-devi has observed fasting on Ekadasi.

It is also noted that service is the first consideration. If I fast and do not take any water, then I may have to lie down and not be able to do any service to the Lord. That is not desirable. So, to take anukalpa and do service to the Lord is better.


Service is better than sitting idly. So, if prasada-seva is taken as service, this is best. But at the same time, the individual position of a devotee should be considered. The Sahajiyas do not observe Ekadasi fasting at all. They say, “Oh, we are in Vrndavan - no fasting here!” But Srila Prabhupad did not like this - the Sahajiya, in the name of krsna-bhakti, goes on feeding the senses. But when necessary for the service of Krsna, to keep up the body, we take prasadam - we don’t like that by fasting the loss of energy may occur. In this way we honor Ekadasi. If fasting does not hamper our service, we may go on fasting.

Once on Janmastami day, Hayagriva Brahmachari (the later Madhava Maharaj) had to arrange for Prabhupad to go to Mathura, in order to observe the Purusottam-masa. Hayagriva was sent one day earlier to hire a suitable house and that day happened to be Janmastami. Prabhupad asked his own cook to feed Hayagriva rice on Janmastami day. “He will have to take a tedious journey and his energy will be wasted - he has an important duty to arrange that house there.” That was his order. But Hayagriva hesitated and the cook also hesitated. Anyhow, he did not take rice on Janmastami - instead he took sabhu (tapioca), plantain and curd.

However, if Professor Sanyal had been in such a position, he would have certainly taken rice - he was so much adherent and extremely submissive to Prabhupad’s order. He would have said, “Oh Prabhupad has asked me to take rice - I must take rice!” That was his line of thought. But Hayagriva hesitated, “No, no, it is not necessary, I am strong enough. I can do my duty.” Also, when Prabhupad wanted to eat something on fasting days, he would take anukalpa.

My Guru Maharaj felt that you will get the maximum energy if you take good food and you do good service. That was his maxim. Krsna is not a liquidated party. Take full prasadam and do full service. Whatever is necessary, take it for the cause of Krsna - not for your own cause. You are Krsna’s, so if you grow weak and your service is hampered, then you will be the loser. “Better that my soldiers are well fed and working well.” That was my Guru Maharaj’s principle.

Srila Bhakti Raksaka Sridhara Gosvami Maharaja

Rukmini's stolen child - Cupid

It is said that Cupid, who is directly part and parcel of Lord Vasudeva and who was formerly burned to ashes by the anger of Lord Siva, took birth in the womb of Rukmini begotten by Krsna. This is Kamadeva, a demigod of the heavenly planets especially capable of inducing lusty desires.

Full Story:

Lalita said

"Oh friend, please drink the fragrant waters of the Yamuna which are as blue as the jambu fruit and satisfy yourself with some tender lotus stems which are soft and as cooling as camphor. Then rest a while under the deep shadows of this large-branched tree before starting for Mathura".

Sri Hamsadhuta (a poetic swanlike pastime)

by Sripad Rupa Goswami

Ruciranana said "take care of me"

Sri Krsna kidnapped this girl, as she desired, from the midst of her marriage ceremony that was pre-arranged by her father.

Rukmini, the only daughter of King Bhismaka, was exquisitely beautiful. She was known as Ruciranana, which means "one who has a beautiful face, expanding like a lotus flower."

Rukmini's love letter to Krsna:

"My dear Krsna, O infallible and most beautiful one, any human being who happens to hear about Your transcendental form and pastimes immediately absorbs through his ears Your name, fame and qualities; thus all his material pangs subside, and he fixes Your form in his heart. Through such transcendental love for You, he sees You always within himself; and by this process all his desires become fulfilled. Similarly, I have heard of Your transcendental qualities. I may be shameless in expressing myself so directly, but You have captivated me and taken my heart. You may suspect that I am an unmarried girl, young in age, and may dobut my steadiness of character, but my dear Mukunda, You are the supreme lion among the human beings, the supreme person among persons. Any girl, although not yet out of her home, or any woman who may be of the highest chastity, would desire to marry You, being captivated by Your unprecedented character, knowledge, opulence and position. I know that You are the husband of the goddess of fortune and that You are very kind toward Your devotees; therefore I have decided to become Your eternal maidservant. My dear Lord, I dedicate my life and soul unto Your lotus feet. I have accepted Your Lordship as my selected husband, and I therefore request You to accept me as Your wife. You are the supreme powerful, O lotus-eyed one. Now I belong to You. If that which is enjoyable for the lion to eat is taken away by the jackal, it will be a ludicrous affair; therefore I request You to immediately take care of me before I am taken away by Sisupala and other princes like him. My dear Lord, in my previous life I may have done public welfare work like digging wells and growing trees, or pious activities such as performing ritualistic ceremonies and sacrifices and serving the superior spiritual master, the brahmanas and Vaisnavas. By these activities, perhaps I have pleased the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Narayana. If this is so, then I wish that You, Lord Krsna, the brother of Lord Balarama, would please come here and catch hold of my hand so that I may not be touched by Sisupala and his company."

Her internal potency

According to the authority of Caitanya-caritamrta, the expansion of Krsna and Srimati Radharani is simultaneous; Krsna expands Himself into various Vishnu-tattva forms, and Srimati Radharani expands Herself into various Shakti-tattva forms by Her internal potency.

Dvaraka city -discoverd

This is a nice presentation of the recent discovery of the lost city of Dvaraka.

Dvaraka - Engineered by VisvaKarma

Krsna decided to construct a formidable fort in a place where no two-legged animal, either man or demon, could enter. He decided to keep His relatives there so that He would then be free to fight with the enemy. It appears that formerly Dvaraka was also part of the kingdom of Mathura, because in the Srimad-Bhagavatam it is stated that Krsna constructed a fort in the midst of the sea. Remnants of the fort which Krsna constructed are still existing on the Bay of Dvaraka.

He first of all constructed a very strong wall covering ninety-six square miles, and the wall itself was within the sea. It was certainly wonderful and was planned and constructed by Visvakarma. No ordinary architect could construct such a fort within the sea, but an architect like Visvakarma, who is considered to be the engineer among the demigods, can execute such wonderful craftsmanship anywhere in any part of the universe. If huge planets can be floated in weightlessness in the outer space by the arrangement of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, surely the architectural construction of a fort within the sea covering a space of ninety-six square miles was not a very wonderful act.

It is stated in the Srimad-Bhagavatam that this new, well-constructed city, developed within the sea, had regular planned roads, streets and lanes. Not only were there well-planned roads, streets and lanes, but there were well-planned paths and gardens filled with plants known as kalpavrksas, or desire trees. These desire trees are not like the ordinary trees of the material world; the desire trees are found in the spiritual world. By Krsna's supreme will, everything is possible, so such desire trees were planted in the city of Dvaraka constructed by Krsna. The city was also filled with many palaces and planned and constructed by Visvakarma, or big gates. These gopuras are still found in some of the larger temples. They are very high and constructed with extreme artistic skill. Such palaces and gates held golden waterpots (kalasa). These waterpots on the gates or in the palaces are considered to be auspicious signs.

Almost all the palaces were skyscrapers. In each and every house there were big pots of gold and silver and grains stocked in underground rooms. And there were many golden waterpots within the rooms. The bedrooms were all bedecked with jewels, and the floors were mosaic pavements of marakata jewels.

The Visnu Deity, worshiped by the descendants of Yadu, was installed in each house in the city. The residential quarters were so arranged that the different castes, brahmanas, ksatriyas, vaisyas and sudras, had their respective quarters. It appears from this that the caste system was existing even at that time. In the center of the city there was another residential quarter made specifically for King Ugrasena. This place was the most dazzling of all the houses.

When the demigods saw that Krsna was constructing a particular city of His own choice, they sent the celebrated parijata flower of the heavenly planet to be planted in the new city, and they also sent a parliamentary house, Sudharma. The specific quality of this assembly house was that anyone participating in a meeting within it would overcome the influence of invalidity due to old age.

The demigod Varuna also presented a horse, which was all white except for black ears and which could run at the speed of the mind. Kuvera, the treasurer of the demigods, presented the art of attaining the eight perfectional stages of material opulences. In this way, all the demigods began to present their respective gifts according to their different capacities. There are thirty-three million demigods, and each of them is entrusted with a particular department of universal management. All the demigods took the opportunity of the Supreme Personality of Godhead's constructing a city of His own choice to present their respective gifts, making the city of Dvaraka unique within the universe. This proves that there are undoubtedly innumerable demigods, but none of them are independent of Krsna. As stated in the Caitanya-caritamrta, Krsna is the supreme master, and all others are servants. So all the servants took the opportunity of rendering service to Krsna when He was personally present within this universe. This example should be followed by all, especially those who are Krsna conscious, for they should serve Krsna by their respective abilities.

When the new city was fully constructed according to plan, Krsna transferred all the inhabitants of Mathura.

Krsna Book Ch-50 ----- ACBSP

Sometimes

Gaura amazed the universe with his sweet variety of moods. Sometimes he became absorbed in the character of Krishna and would begin dancing with a variety of gestures; sometimes he took on the mood of Radha and would repeatedly call out the name of Hari in a pained and tearful voice. And sometimes he would crawl like a baby and sometimes act like a cowherd. (Chaitanya Chandramrita)

Srimad Bhagwatam
1. 3. 32
* * *
Atah param yad abyaktam abudha gunbringhitam
Adrista ashruta vastutwat sa jiva yat punarbhabam

Ataḥ — this, param — beyond, yad — which, avyaktam — non-manifested, abudha — without formal shape, gunabringhita — affected by the qualities, adrista — unseen, ashruta — unheard, vastutwat — being like that, sa-that , jiva—living being, yat — that which, punarbhavam— takes birth repeatedly.

TRANSLATION

Beyond this gross conception of form there is another subtle conception of form which is without formal shape and is unseen, unheard and unmanifest. The living being has his form beyond this subtlety otherwise how it is possible for repetition of births

PURPORT

As the gross cosmic manifestation is imposed as the gigantic body of the Lord so also there are others who conceive of the subtle form of Him which is simply realized without being seen, heard or manifested. But in fact all these gross or subtle conception of the body are in relation with the living beings. The living being has his spiritual form beyond this gross material or subtle psychic existence. The gross body and psychic functions cease to act as soon as the living being leaves the visible gross body and still we say that the living being has gone away although his is still unseen or unheard

Even the gross body not acting when the living being is in sound sleep we can know that he is within the body by the sound of sleeping inhalation. So the living being's passing away from the body does not mean that there is no existence of the living soul. It is there otherwise how can he repeat his births again and again?

The conclusion is that the Lord is eternally existent in His transcendental form which is neither gross nor subtle like that of the living being. His body is never to be compared with such gross and subtle bodies of the living being. All such conceptions of God's body are different types of imagination only. The living being has his eternal spiritual form which is conditioned only by his material contamination. - ACBSP

A Bow (dhanu) named Sarnga

Proper selection of Bows and Arrows
(DhanurVeda)

A bow which can be drawn by an archer with ease (by his own strength) is considered to be auspicious. The bows of the Gods are heavier and superior to those of the human beings.

A bow measuring five cubits and a half is considered to be the best one and that type is called a ‘divine one’, and that was held by Sankara in ancient days.

Then the bow was taken by Parasurama and from him it came to Drona and then it was received by Partha from Drona, and thereafter it was taken by Satyaki.

During golden age (satyayuga) that divine bow was held by Mahadeva. In the silver age (treta yuga) it was held by Raghava. During the bronze age (dvapara yuga) it was taken by Drona, who was a Brahmana by caste.

The length of a hand is equal to the length of twenty-four fingers of the hand and a bow measures four such hand lengths (caturhasta) and this type is known to be the bow of a human being with all good signs.

A bow may have three, five or seven joints. A bow having nine joints is renowned by the name ‘kodanda,’ which truly is an auspicious one.

A bow having four, six or even eight joints should be discarded. But there are some bows which are more extended in size and are made by a new technique.

A bow should not be used if it is extremely old, or made of unripe materials, or used by one’s kinsmen, or burnt, torn or spoiled inside or outside.

A bow without a string, or a bow in which the string is not suitably fitted, or an arrow with a fault or an arrow in which there are joints on the upper or middle or lower portion should not be used.

A bow made of unripe materials may break up. A bow in a very dilapidated condition loses its smoothness. A bow already used by one’s kinsmen may always be an object of anxiety or dispute among friends and relatives.

A burnt bow causes a house to burn, and a bow having holes always brings defeat and destruction in war. Such a bow does not reach the target, external or internal.

If an inferior type of arrow is fitted to a bow, it may bring defeat in war. Moreover, if such an archer is being attacked, he cannot shoot back effectively.

A joint on the upper portion of a bow or even one on its lower side, causes destruction and loss of wealth. Bows without such defects are considered to be very effective for all types of activities.

The bow of Vishnu is named ‘Sarnga’ and it is considered to be the best weapon. It was a bow, the measurement of which was seven times greater than an ordinary bow which is made by Viswakarma.

That bow remained untouched by anybody in Heaven, in the Nether Region or on Earth. It could only be used by the Supreme personality of Godhead and know one else.

Gradually, over many years, He created and extended a bow which is fit to be used by human beings It measures six and a half vitasti (i.e. the span of the thumb and the middle finger when stretched fully, roughly measuring half a cubit) i.e. total three-and-a-half cubits in length. The bow serves all purposes.

A Sarnga-bow is successfully used by the soldiers on elephant back and the cavalry. For charioteers and foot soldiers, however, a bow made of Bamboo is more useful.

Arrow selection

I shall narrate the auspicious characteristics of Arrows.

Arrows should neither be very heavy nor very fine. They should not be made of unripe materials which are grown on barren land. An arrow with small joints or having splits should be avoided.

The material for an arrow should be selected thus…

The arrow should have matured joints, it should be made with fully ripe materials, the colour of the arrow is to be brownish and gathered at the right time. The material should be hard and round. The tree from which the arrow is to be made should grow on fertile land. [Such an arrow is commendable for the use of a king in battle.]

The size of the arrow should be two cubits less one fist in length and its breadth will be like the little finger. This is the measurement of an arrow which is to be placed on the bow for drawing and discharging towards the target.

The end of an arrow may be fletched with the feathers of crane (kanka), swan (Hamsa), sasada (A variety of bird), fisher bird (matsyada), heron (kraunca), cataka (kinkini), vulture (grdhra) and hen (kukkuta).

Four feathers are to be attached to each arrow. The gap between two feathers should be six fingers.

In the bow (Dhanu) named Sarnga, the gap between two feathers is to be of ten fingers and the four feathers should be firmly tied with hard threads made from intestines.

There are three types of arrows – masculine, feminine, and neuter. Arrows which are flat and heavy in front are designated as ‘feminine, If flat and heavy in its lower portion it is termed as ‘masculine’.

If the top portion and the lowest portion of the arrow is of the same size, it is known as ‘neuter’. Such an arrow is fit for practising (by trainees etc.) The female arrow hits a target at a distance while a male arrow can firmly pierce tough targets.

The characteristics of the tip or arrowhead

The arrowhead should be made of pure iron. It should be sharp and pointed and without any sort of disorder. The head of the arrow should be painted with a coating of ‘diamond’ protective paste according to the proportion of the feathers (vajra means hard as diamond).

The head or tip portion of an arrow may be made of brass and its shape will be like that of a horse-shoe; or it may be like the tail of a cow or it may of the shape of a half-moon. An arrow is called ‘Bhalla’ (i.e. a missile) when its head is as sharp as the tip of a needle, and again it is known as ‘Dvibhallakam’ (.i.e., double missile) when there are two tips like the teeth of a heifer.

The arrowhead may be shaped in different forms according to the existing system of a country, such as ‘Karnikam’ or kakatundam’ etc..

By the arrows (made of brass or purified iron) skin should be pierce; by razor blade arrows, the enemy’s arrows (and his hands) may be severed, and by needle pointed arrows a shield or armour may be pierced, and an arrowhead shaped like half a moon should be used to sever the head of the enemy.

A spear-headed arrow may pierce the chest of the enemy, while a double speared arrow may pierce the string of his bow and counter his (enemy’s) arrows. Arrows made of iron may be countered by the arrows known as ‘Karnika’, and other targets may be pierced by arrows in the shape of the beak of a crow. The type of arrow named ‘Gopuccha’ is used for aiming at (and tearing off) the enemy flag.

If an arrow is made of pure wood it is known by the name ‘gopuccha’ (meaning the tail of a cow). The tip of such an arrow is made of pointed iron measuring three fingers.

The methods of annealing arrowheads

The following divine medicine is to be spread onto the head of the arrow so that it can pierce an unbreakable armour just like a leaf of a tree.

Long pepper (pippali) and sulpher (kustha) and rock-salt (saindhava) should be ground by mixing urine of a cow while pounding, to prepare a paste. That paste should be rubbed on the weapon and then it should be heated on fire.

The paste for annealing should not be very cold. If the arrow fails to pierce anything (i.e. hit the target) or if the arrowhead is one from which the yellow colour has faded, the paste should be applied to the tip and heated thereafter, and then the head of the arrow-head should be dipped in oil to remove the heat to make it especially effective.

Five types of salt should be ground together and that compound is to be soaked in honey and paste of white corn (sveta sasya). The arrowhead is to be covered with such a paste and then heated over a fire.

The arrowhead is to be annealed, and after heating, its colour will be like that of the neck of a peacock, i.e. a yellow colour when hot. Then it should be dipped into clear water for its permanent protection and strength.

Now the two types of rounds viz. Naracas i.e. all iron rounds and Nalika, known as ‘rounds shot from the gun’ (are being described)

Naraca is a round totally made of iron. In some naracas, there are five broad wings and such rounds are always effective (in hitting the targets).

Nalika is a form of round, shot from a weapon like the gun fitted with tube or barrel; it is used while a target is to be hit at a great distance, or in a war taking place in a high fort.

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Note: I will be the first to admit that this knowledge is not relevant in today's warfare scenarios. In the past it was very useful and in the future when modern societies destroy themselves and civilizations start over again, as they have done so many times in the past , warriors (ksatriyas) will certainly then take advice of the DhanurVeda. It is all very interesting to say the least and one should take note that the Name of Sri Vishnu's Bow (Sarnga) if uttered at the time of death, has the power to liberated the condition soul from the cycle repeated birth and death.

Krishna of Dvaraka also carries Sarnga. Krishna in Vrindaban does not, there he is armed with his flute and peacock feather. -AJD