Deity and Godbrothers

Q. by Bhushan Nityananda dasa

Nityananda!Gauranga!Hare Krishna!
Gurudeva please accept my humble dandavats at your lotus feet
dandavats at lotus feet of all Vaishnavas

1. Gurudeva, I had a question about diety worship. Diety of Lord Nitai GauraKrishna are non different from Them, how does one approach Them? When one goes to temple to see Shri Shri Radha Krishna ,Shri Shri Gaura Nitai, or when one goes to Dhaam and sees pastime places and Self manifested Dieties Lord Tota Gopinath, what should be the mood, how should one glorify and serve?

2. When one visits of Samadhis of Acharyas, what should be the mood and how should one glorify or respect and serve Them? Gurudeva since I am a neophyte and have absolutly no qualification and am filled with offenses, please tell how should I approach the most situations given above.

3. One more question I had regarding service of Vaishnavas, I heard that Shrila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura Prabhupada said that if one accepts service from ones godbrothers/sisters one falls down. Is that true? But then Shrila Rupa Gosvami said that devotees always try to give each other gifts. Would accepting gifts from Godbrother/sisters lead to falldown? Or would it increase love? I am fallen, with dim intelligence hence I cannot understand the words of Acharyas. By serving Godbrothers/sisters is Shri Gurudeva also pleased? I mean like if everyone comes together and helps each other in advancement of KC. In what way would accepting services lead to falldown? Does it mean that one shouldnt serve devotees, as that would lead to thier falldown ?But everywhere its said one should serve devotees.

These statements sound very confusing because of my dim intelligence, please forgive me for mistakes and my ignorance.

Thank you sooo much
aspiring to be humble servant of your lotus feet
bhushan nityananda das
Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krishna

Answer by Swami Gaurangapada:

Nityananda! Gauranga! Hare Krishna! Jaya Shri Guru Parampara! Pranams!

1. The mood should be that we are actually going to see the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself. How much prepared we would be if we have an appointment with Lord Gauranga Krishna Himself? We should read or hear His Pastimes and chant His Names before going to see Him. When we are before him, we should audibly glorify Him with choicest prayers and kirtans by our Acharyas which we should memorize or read or sing for His pleasure in His presence. We should intensely pray for His causeless mercy for our deliverance. And we should offer Him our dandavats, flowers and fruits for His pleasure.

2.Same as above for the Acharyas' Samadhis. These Samadhis are non-different than the Acharyas themselves and the Acharyas are still present there. So we should go with the mood that we will be directly associating with them with a straw in our mouth (very humbly).

3. The six devotional reciprocations in Upadeshamrita are not the association which Shrila Bhaktisiddhanta Prabhupada and Shrila Prabhupada talked about in regards to accepting service from Godbrothers. They were talking about the attitude of seeing our Godbrothers and Godsisters as our servants or inferior to us and ordering them to do personal service for us like washing our clothes, errands etc. That should be minimized. Engaging each other in devotional service of Guru and Gauranga with the proper humble mood of a servant of the Vaishnavas is not prohibited by this injunction.

Daaso'smi, Swami Gaurangapada.

Siddhanta and Paths

Q. by Bhakta Igor

Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krsna
All glories to Swami Gaurangapada! All glories to Srilla Prabhupada!

Dear Gurudeva could you please elaborate about following inqury.

Questions

1. We know that Lord's incarnations are mentioned in scriptures. Is it possible that sometimes Lord appear and that this is not mentioned in scriptures?

2. How we should react/talk/preach with different followers/disciples of such paths

3.How to make difference between real and false prophets, incarnations, devotees (this is very important, because if someone criticize or minimize some great devotee or empowered jiva who is dear to Lord, offencess are severe.But in the same time if we are offering our respects to someone who is cheater or do not preach siddhantha we are surerly making apparadha to Lord. So how to understand and act properly according to that rule is very delicate.

Could you please elaborate about what is our understanding about above mentioned teachings and please give us some guidance regarding that.
Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krsna

Answer by Swami Gaurangapada:

Nityananda! Gauranga! Hare Krishna! Jaya Shri Guru Parampara! Pranams!

1. Very very rarely. Almost all bonafide Vishnu Tattva incarnations are mentioned in the Vedic scriptures. Though the Vedic scriptures may not mention the name of all the devotee souls who come as empowered representatives of the Lord (jiva shaktyavesha).

2. You can read Jaiva Dharma and Prema Pradipa about how the devotees interacted with followers of other paths. It depends on the path that person is following, the nature of the person one is talking to and also our capacity and purity to help him. If a person is following a wrong path other than pure Bhakti and claiming or following an ordinary mortal as God that he or she should be humbly corrected in a very polite and palatable manner so that they may realize the truth one day. If a Vaishnava sadhu does not tell them the truth then who will? But there are some who are just not ready for it. They should be somehow made to hear the Holy Names and given Prasadam instead of entering into fruitless argument with them. And those who are fanatic and antagonistic should be simply avoided and we should pray for their souls to attain pure Bhakti one day.

3. To understand and respect a bonafide teacher, we have to first deeply understand the bonafide philosophy of Gaudiya Vaishnavism from the Holy Books of our Acharyas. When we know the Bhakti tattva deeply, we can easily understand who is teaching the essence, who is diluting it, who is deviating from it and who is not preaching Bhakti. We should give proper respect as spirit souls even to those who are in ignorance about the truth of Naam and Bhakti Yoga but we would not be able to accept any spiritual teachings from them.

Daaso'smi, Swami Gaurangapada.

Nitaai is Carefully Hidden

By Bhakta Igor

Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krsna
All glories to Swami Gaurangapada! All glories to Srilla Prabhupada!

Nitaai Naam is greatest secret. It is greatest mystery. It is mystery evan to devotees who are belonging to any of four sampradayas, what to speak about other spiritualists like yogis, jnjanis or impersonalists. It is so confidential that many devotees within Brahma-gaudiya sampradaya are not fully aware of Nitaai Naam magnificence.

bada gudha nityananda eha avatare
caitanya dekhaya yare, se' dekhite pare

"In this incarnation Lord Nityananda is carefully hidden. Only if Lord Caitanya Himself reveals Him can anyone see Lord Nityananda." (C.Bhag. Madhya 3.171)

Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krsna

Nityananda Tattva

By Bhakta Igor.

Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krsna

All glories to Swami Gaurangapada! All glories to Srilla Prabhupada!

Let us remember and chant ambrosial verses from Caitanya Caritamrita where are described glories of Nityananda Prabhu! Jay Nitaai Naam!

5.2

sankarsanahkarana-toya-sayi
garbhoda-sayica payobdhi-sayi
sesasca yasyamsa-kalahsa nitya-
nandakhya-ramahsaranammamastu

May Sri Nityananda Prabhu be the object of my constant remembrance.
Sankarsana, Mahavisnu, GarbhodaksayiVisnu, and KsirodaksayiVisnu, as well as
Sesa are His expansions and the expansions of His expansions. That
sameNityananda Prabhu, is none other than Balarama. (Cc. Adi1.7)

5.3

mayatitevyapi-vaikuntha-loke
purnaisvaryesri-catur-vyuha-madhye
rupamyasyodbhatisankarsanakhyam
tamsri-nityananda-ramamprapadye

I surrender unto the lotus feet of Sri Nityananda Rama, who is known
asSankarsana in the midst of the catur-vyuha. He has full opulences and
residesin Vaikunthalokafar beyond the material creation. (Cc. Adi1.8)

5.4

maya-bhartajanda-sanghasrayangah
setesaksat karanambhodhi-madhye
yasyaikamsahsri-puman adi-devas
tamsri-nityananda-ramamprapadye

I offer my full obeisances unto the feet of Sri Nityananda Rama, whose
partialrepresentation called KaranodakasayiVisnu, lying on the Karana
ocean, is the original Purusa, the master of the illusory energy and the shelter
ofall the universes. (Cc. Adi1.9)

5.5

yasyamsamsahsrila-garbhoda-sayi
yan-nabhy-abjamloka-sanghata-nalam
loka-srastuhsutika-dhama dhatus
tamsri-nityananda-ramamprapadye

I offer my full obeisances unto the feet of Sri Nityananda Rama, a partial
partof whom is GarbhodaksayiVisnu. From the navel of Garbhodaksayi
Visnu sprouts the lotus stem that is the birthplace of Brahma, the engineer
ofthe Universe. The stem of that lotus is the resting place of the multitude
ofplanets. (Cc. Adi1.10)

5.6

yasyamsamsamsahparatmakhilanam
postavisnur bhati dugdhabdhi-sayi
ksauni-bhartayat-kala so 'py anantas
tamsri-nityananda-ramamprapadye

I offer my full obeisances unto the feet of Sri Nityananda Rama, whose
secondarypart is the Visnu lying in the ocean of milk. That Ksirodakasayi
Visnu is the Supersoul of all living entities and the maintainer of all the universe. Sesa Nagais His further sub-part. (Cc. Adi1.11)

Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krsna

Nitaai Veda in Second Life

By Nava Gauranga dasa

Nityananda! Gauranga! Hare Krsna! The full Nitaai Veda is available for distribution in Second Life. People can take their own Second Life copy, and distribute as many copies throughout Second life as they wish. It has full copy/transfer permissions built in! Book distribution is very easy in Second Life, most people happily take copies. Nitaai Veda has also been very useful for group classes and reading.

Nitaai Veda can also be read online in Second life and downloaded to hard drive whilst in Second Life.

http://nitaai.com/temple

Nitaai Veda in Second Life
Nava Gauranga dasa
Sat, 20 Oct 2007 16:07:00 GMT

Devotional Service in Nitaai Sangha Virtual

By Nava Gauranga dasa

http://nitaai.com/temple

Devotional Service in Nitaai Sangha Virtual
Nava Gauranga dasa
Sat, 20 Oct 2007 15:54:00 GMT

Disciple Characteristics

Q. by Bhakta Igor:

Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krsna

Dear Gurudeva, all glories to you!
All glories to Nityananda and Gauranga Naam!

I realized that I am kali chela and that I do not have any characteristics of genuine devotee or disciple. Please, could you kindly write about basic characteristics of disciple and how to develop them? What are most common mistakes that neophyte devotees are making? How to avoid them? Thank you.

Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krsna

Answer by Swami Gaurangapada:

Nityananda! Gauranga! Hare Krishna! Jaya Shri Guru Parampara! All the divine characteristics of a disciple or a devotee are gradually developed by very steady and regular Naam Bhajana, hearing of Gaura Krishna Katha and worshiping of Tulasi plant daily. The main devotional virtues are humility, patience and enthusiasm as explained by Shrila Rupa Goswami.

The most common mistakes which restrict the flow of Bhakti are critical-mindedness of other devotees, wrong association in life, excessive indulgence in sense-gratification and anything which prevents us from gradually increasing the quality and quantity of our Naam Bhajana.

Daaso'smi, Swami Gaurangapada.

Arrangement of Maya

Q. by Bhakta Igor:

Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krsna
Dear Gurudeva,

How can we know difference between Krishna's arrangement and Maya's test? We may see that many advanced devotees felt on different Maya's test. Is there any hope for us then?

Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krsna

Answer by Swami Gaurangapada:

Nityananda! Gauranga! Hare Krishna! Jaya Shri Guru Parampara! If a devotee is sincere, steady and constant in Naam Bhajana, then he or she will know whether it is Maya's test or Lord Gauranga Krishna's arrangement.

Actually in the path of Bhakti, no one falls down except for those who criticize devotees as the Bhakti we have performed is never lost. It remains forever attached to the soul. It is only a temporary loss of time and we will start again in the future in this life or the next lives until we attain 100% perfection in pure love for Lord Gauranga Krishna. Thus, there is no question of defeat for the Bhakti Yogis if they strictly avoid offenses to devotees. Success is only a matter of time. So the process of Bhakti and Naam Bhajana is the most hopeful truth in creation.

Daaso'smi, Swami Gaurangapada.

Shri Nityanandastaka

Posted by Bhakta Igor:

Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krsna All glories to Swami Gaurangapada! All glories to Shrila Prabhupada!

With causeless mercy of Srilla Vrindavana dasa Thakura everyone who read this wonderfull prayer to Lord Nityananda will be blessed and Lord Nityananda will place His two lotus feet in the heart of devotee! Therefore let us read and chant glories of Nitaicandra! Jaya Srila Vrindavana dasa Thakura! Jaya Nitaai Naam!


Sri-Nityanandastaka
Eight Prayers Glorifying Lord Nityananda
by Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura

Text 1

sarac-candra-bhrantim sphurad-amala-kantim gaja-gatim
hari-premonmattam dhata-parama-sattvam smita-mukham
sada ghurnan-netram kara-kalita-vetram kali-bhidam
bhaje nityanandam bhajana-taru-kandam niravadhi

I worship Lord Nityananda, the limitless root of the tree of devotional service, who is pure and splendid as the autumn moon, who walks as gracefully as majestic elephant, who is maddened with pure love of Krsna, who is the Absolute Truth, who smiles, whose eyes are always rolling, who holds a staff in His hand, and who breaks the power of the age of Kali.

Text 2

rasanam agaram svajana-gana-sarvasvam atulam
tadiyaika-prana-pramita-vasudha-jahnava-patim
sada-premonmadam param aviditam manda-manasam
bhaje nityanandam bhajana-taru-kandam niravadhi

I worship Lord Nityananda, the limitless root of the tree of devotional service, who is the abode of the mellows of devotional service, to whom no one can be compared, who is His devotees' life-treasure, who is the Lord of Jahnava-devi and Vasudha-devi, who both think Him more dear than life, who is always maddened with pure love of Krsna, and whom the unintelligent non-devotees cannot understand is the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself.

Text 3

sacisunu-presham nikhila-jagad-istam sukha-mayam
kalau majjaj-jivoddharana-karanoddhama-karunam
harer akhyanad va bhava-jaladhi-garvonnati-haram
bhaje nityanandam bhajana-taru-kandam niravadhi

I worship Lord Nityananda, the limitless root of the tree of devotional service, who is very dear to the son of Saci-dev, who is worshiped by the entire universe, and who by chanting the name of Lord Hari mercifully rescues the souls drowning in the age of Kali and crushes the pride of the ocean of repeated birth and death.

Text 4

aye bhratar nrnam kali-kalusinam kim nu bhavita
tatha pr?yascittam racaya yad-anayasata ime
vrajanti tvam ittham saha bhagavata mantrayati yo
bhaje nityanandam bhajana-taru-kandam niravadhi

I worship Lord Nityananda, the limitless root of the tree of devotional service, who said to Lord Caitanya, "O Brother, the people will become infected by the sins of Kali-yuga. How will they atone for them? Please give them a way easily to approach You. "

Text 5

yathesam re bhratah kuru hari-hari-dhvanam anisam
tato vah samsarambubdhi-tarana-dayo mayi laget
idam bahu-sphotair atati ratayanyah pratigrham
bhaje nityanandam bhajana-taru-kandam niravadhi

I worship Lord Nityananda, the limitless root of the tree of devotional service, who went to each house and raised His arms, saying, "O brother, if you will, please constantly chant the Holy Name of Lord Hari. If you do this, you will become free from the ocean of repeated birth and death. Please give this gift of your liberation to me. "

Text 6

balat samsarambhonidhi-harana-kumbhodbhavam aho
satam sreyah-sindhunnati-kumuda-bandhum samuditam
khala-sreni-sphurjit-timira-hara-surya-prabham aham
bhaje nityanandam bhajana-taru-kandam niravadhi

I worship Lord Nityananda, the limitless root of the tree of devotional service, who is an Agastya Muni forcibly swallowing the ocean of repeated birth and death, who is a rising full moon expanding the ocean of the saintly devotees' welfare, and who is a blazing sun extinguishing the darkness that is the community of demons.

Text 7

natantam gayantam harim anuvadantam pathi pathi
vrajantam pasyantam svam api na dayantam jana-ganam
prakurvantam santam sakaruna-drg-antam prakalanad
bhaje nityanandam bhajana-taru-kandam niravadhi

I worship Lord Nityananda, the limitless root of the tree of devotional service, who traveled on every path, dancing, singingthe names of Lord Hari, and mercifully glancing at the people.

Text 8

su-bibhranam bhratuh kara-sarasijam komalatara
mitho vaktralokocchalita-paramananda-hrdayam
bhramantam madhuryair ahaha madayanta pura-janan
bhaje nityanandam bhajana-taru-kanda niravadhi

I worship Lord Nityananda, the limitless root of the tree of devotional service, who wandered here and there, delighting the townspeople with His sweetness, and whose heart became filled with bliss when he held His brother's (Lord Caitanya) gentle lotus hand and They gazed into each other's face.

Text 9

rasanam adharam rasika-vara-sad-vaisnava-dhanam
rasagaram saram patita-tati-taram smaranatah
param nityanandastakam idam apurvam pathati yah
tad-anghri-dvandvabjam sphuratu nitaram tasya hrdaye

May Lord Nityananda place His two lotus feet in the heart of one who who reads this unprecedented Nityanandastaka, which is the abode of the mellows of devotional service, the great treasure of the great devotees that know what is really sweet, the abode of sweetness, and the savior the memory of which delivers the fallen souls.