Be Healthy, Happy and Holy -­­­­­ sleep by 10 P.M.

Be Healthy, Happy and Holy -����� sleep by 10 P.M.
By Pujya Mahanidhi Swami

This short essay based on scientific research, is presented to help aspiring Krsna devotees recognise the need to take rest early each night (latest by 10 p. m.) and to rise by 4 a. m. each morning in order to chant the Hare Krsna Mahamantra and attain the perfection of human life.

Special thanks goes to Kirti Mataji for I-net researching the topic of sleep and providing the printed scientific reports and conclusions which form the basis of this article. After conducting hundreds of experiments on sleep and health, the world�s leading scientists have discovered that to keep optimum health, one should sleep early and rise before sunrise. The best hours of sleep for your body are between 10 p. m. and 6 a. m. going to bed at 11 p. m., 12 p. m. or 1 p. m. is extremely harmful to human health, and is a direct cause of many modern �killer diseases� such as heart disease and cancer.

Nature acts and moves according to precise rhythm cycles influenced by the rotation of the earth, sun and moon. Daily the sun rises and sets, the seasons come and go, the moon waxes and wanes, and the ocean tides rise and fall. The function of sleeping and wakefulness is part of this natural rhythm. In Nature, one finds that the animals and plants are awake and asleep in tune with these rhythms. human beings also have natural rhythms.

Our human bodies, like Mother Nature, function according to natural cycles, body rhythms commonly called the internal body clock or the biological clock. Disruptions of the natural functions of our biological clock due to improper habits and incorrect sleeping patterns cause many different diseases. When our bodies are out of balance and not functioning in harmony with nature, nothing seems to feel right. This is because hormones, chemicals and neurotransmitters that determine our energy levels, vitality, and how we feel, sleep and eat are out of sync. In other words, we are imbalanced and out of tune with our biological clock and going against the natural harmony established by mother nature. Prior to the widespread use of electricity, as seen in Indian villages fifty years ago, people would go to bed shortly after sunset, as most animals do and which Nature intended for humans as well. The best hours of sleep for your body are the hours of 10 p. m. � 6 a. m.

These hours and what your body is naturally programmed to do during these hours (see chart below), are governed by the movements of the sun and the 24-hour natural rhythm cycle of your internal body clock � both of which are beyond your control. During these times (10 p. m. �6 a. m.), human body is designed to be at a state of rest, repair, detoxification (elimination of waste products and poisons) and rejuvenation. Our bodies are produced by Mother Nature. If we act foolishly and go against the natural order and design of our body, we will pay the price by getting various diseases and problems. For example, if your body is overtaxed digesting a heavy late meal or you are up late (after 10 p. m.) working, playing, watching TV or computer, your vital body energy is focused there and not available for rest and rejuvenation. The biological clock and your internal organs The main internal organs of your body work according to a �Time Schedule�. Knowing how your body works can help you regulate your schedule in order to attain the optimum level of health and well-being.

9.00 p. m. � 11.00 p. m. : At this time, your body eliminates toxic chemicals from the immune system (lymph nodes).**It is best to be sound asleep by

9 p. m. or 10 p. m. for your body to properly execute this important function.

11.00 p. m. � 1.00 a. m. : This is the time your liver eliminates poisons and rejuvenates itself.**It is best to be sound asleep by 9 p. m. or 10 p. m. for your body to properly execute this important function. 12.00 midnight � 4.00 a. m. : this is the time your bone marrow produces blood.**

1.00 a. m. � 3.00 a. m. : This is the time your gall bladder eliminates toxins and rejuvenates itself.**

3.00 a. m. � 5.00 a. m. : This is the time your lungs eliminate toxins and rejuvenate themselves.**

5.00 a. m. � 7.00 a. m. : This is the time your colon eliminates poisons and rejuvenates itself. This is the proper time to empty your bowel.**

7.00 a. m. � 9.00 a. m. : This is the time that vitamins, minerals, proteins and nutrients are absorbed in your small intestines. You should definitely eat breakfast at this time.

** Global scientists have concluded that everybody should go to bed early (falling asleep by 10 p. m.) to obtain Quality Sleep, which will ensure proper physical regeneration. When you co-operate with your internal biological clock and allow Nature to take her course, you will feel refreshed, joyful and energized when you wake up (by 4 a. m., of course!). Going to bed before 10 p. m. is essential to keep the human body in tune with Nature and to remain healthy, happy and holy. material scientists have concluded that the average human being needs 8 hours of sleep per day, which is best obtained by sleeping between 10 p. m. � 6 a. m. when you follow the spiritual path, however, by eating sattvik vegetarian Krsna prasada, your body becomes sanctified. And by chanting the Hare Krsna Mahamantra and engaging in Krsna�s devotion, your mind becomes purified, pacified and relaxed.

Although, most people require 8 hours daily sleep, Krsna devotees usually only need 6 hours daily rest to maintain ideal health because their spiritual practices produce tremendous physical and mental peace, purity and internal harmony.

Besides, all sincere devotees want to follow the teachings of the scriptures and saints like his Divine grace Srila Prabhupada, who said, �In this Krsna conscious movement, we request everyone to rise early in the morning by Four A. M.� (NOI Pg. 34). Someone may think the Srila Prabhupada phrase, �Krsna conscious movement� refers only to temples and the devotees living therein, and it does not apply to anyone living outside the temples in their own homes or apartments. This is incorrect! Actually, Srila Prabhupada is saying that �Everyone should rise by 4 a. m.�

In other words, if you are conscious, alive and serious about moving towards Krsna and attaining pure love of God then you are, regardless of where you live, in the Krsna conscious movement. Aspiring practitioners of Krsna consciousness and initiated devotees should remember that rising by 4 a. m. and chanting the Hare Krsna Mahamantra between 4 a. m. and 7 a. m. is an absolute requirement. Everyone must follow this golden rule to be mentally happy and progress nicely in spiritual life. It is a fact � early to bed, early to rise, makes one healthy, wealthy and wise. of course, to rise by 4 a. m or before, you must sleep early. Practice makes perfect.

You have to try sincerely to change your schedule and work towards this goal of taking rest at 10 p. m. and rising at 4 a. m. We hope this short essay will help the devotees understand the extreme importance of sleeping and rising early in order to realize the full potential of this rare and valuable form of human life. Our heartfelt desire is that each and everyone of you will live long healthy life full of Krsna conscious happiness, and attain the ultimate perfection of Radha Govinda�s eternal loving service in the groves of Vrndavana.

Scientific tips for good rest

1. Cave � Like darkness: The bedroom should be pitch-black, so you can�t even see your hand in front of your face, which means no bright lights, clock lights or any light coming in from the windows. why? When we sleep in total darkness, the human brain produces a hormone called melatonin. Melatonin is an important antioxidant which protects our DNA structure and prevents cancer. Tests prove that even a small amount of light hitting the skin almost immediately shuts off the production of melatonin. Therefore, scientists say, never turn on the light should you need to get up from sleep and go to the toilet. And as everyone knows, black (Syama) is beautiful!

2. Daily go outside and get natural sunlight: This helps regulate your biological clock and increases the production of melatonin, which promotes well-balanced sleeping patterns.

3. Daily exercise: At least thirty minutes a day will help improve the quality of your sleep.

4. Avoid bright lights: One should avoid keeping bright lights on inside the house before going to bed. At this time, bright light hitting the eye disrupts the bio-rhythm of the pineal gland and shuts off your melatonin production.

5. Hot shower before bed: This relaxes the body and helps you fall asleep quickly.

6. Sleep as early as possible: You should be in bed and asleep by 10 p. m.

7. Don't Wear Socks to Bed (Edited).

8. the bedroom should be free from electromagnetic field: Do not keep a TV, computer or any other electronic item in your bedroom because they create strong electromagnetic field which disrupts the quality of your sleep.

9. Fresh Air: Open the window at least a crack to get fresh air to circulate while sleeping.

10. Avoid fluids: Do not drink any fluids two hours before sleep.

11. Sleep Regulation: Get up and go to sleep at the same time everyday. If you are up late one night, still rise at your usual time and nap later in the day.

12. Daytime Nap: If one needs to take a nap in the day, it should not be longer than one hour for optimal rejuvenation, rest and repair. If you nap longer, it will disrupt the night-time sleep quality.

13. Avoid Noise: Because it disrupts sleep.

14. Hot Water Bottle: To relieve tension and anxiety, place a hot water bottle between the navel and the bottom of your ribcage.

15. Head Massage: To relax before sleeping.

16. Foot Rub: Rub ghee or sesame oil on the bottom of your feet and promote restful sleep.

17. Read Sastras: Everyone knows that reading Srimad Bhagavatam or chanting Hare Krsna is a guaranteed method of instant sleep!!

Comment on this Post

Sleeping Too Much

In The Japa Room one of the things we instruct devotees about is sleeping enough, and also not sleeping too much. I really got a strong reminder this morning of just how much of a problem sleeping too much is.
For reasons that aren't important to mention, I had to sleep much more than I usually do yesterday.  Well, this morning, trying to chant, was one of the most difficult times I've have in ages. I felt drugged.  I felt dull.  I didn't feel like chanting at all.  I had no taste for chanting.  It seemed like a total chore.  I was tired (even though I had slept extra).
Most of all... my mind was a total nightmare!  It was all over the place, totally uncontrolled.  This thought, that thought, any thought.  Complete distraction.
I fought and struggled, using every technique I have learned over the years, just to try to accomplish some attentive japa.  After about 12 rounds this way, fighting and struggling to "pay attention", I was finally back to the state of consciousness that I am usually in when I START chanting on any "normal" day!
So, I was really thinking how important this is, not sleeping too much.  We get so many people in The Japa Room asking about controlling the mind, and not having a taste for chanting, so it occurs to me, after this struggle I just went through that perhaps they might be helped by reducing the amount of hours they are sleeping.
I have found that we really don't need as much sleep as we think we do.  When you sleep a lot, you have to work really hard at chanting.  Much harder than if you sleep less.  Why make it harder than it has to be?

Hare Krishna

Navasi

Comment on this Post

The First Regulative Principle

"The first regulative principle is that one must chant the Hare Krsna maha���mantra loudly enough so that he can hear himself, and one must vow to chant a fixed number of rounds."

Sri Caitanya Caritamrta Antya 11.24

Comment on this Post

The Three Types of Inattention

Pramada means madness but inattention and carelessness are  also  synonyms  of  this  word. Inattentive chanting sows the seeds  of anarthas which soon develop in the heart. Inattention is of  three  kinds.
The  first  is  called Audasinya or apathetic devotional  service  meaning a lack of fixed resolve in sadhana.
The  second type is Jadya - laziness or even inertia.
The third kind  is  Viskepa  which means distraction or misplacing one's attention in engagements other than sadhana bhakti.

From Harinama Cintamani

Comment on this Post

The Process for Overcoming Apathy Pt 2

"Advanced Vaisnavas advise that chanting is best performed in the presence of Tulasidevi and in a place of Lord Krsna's pastimes.  The chanter should always seek the association of saintly devotees and emulate their discipline.  He must follow in the footsteps of previous acaryas in the joyful method of worshiping the Lord through His Holy name.  He may begin with an hour of such chanting, then two, then increase it to four until finally he will chant not less then three lakhas of Holy names a day.  This helps him to soon sever his links with materialism."

Harinama Cintamani

Comment on this Post

Honesty

We've been discussing obstacles to our chanting in the Japa Room since the beginning, it's one of the main things that we focus on.  We cover a lot of other aspects of chanting Japa, but with this aspect we ask everyone to monitor their Japa constantly and we take some time to discuss everyone's obstacles every week.
The thing that keeps repeatedly coming to my attention is how hard it is for some to be honest about these things....we think we have no obstacles or we think we can just "keep them to ourselves and work them out on our own... much better not to reveal our weaknesses and have other devotees know our 'failings'."
It's also been coming to my attention that those who carefully examine their own obstacles and are willing to reveal them in the Japa Room and have them discussed, are also the same people who make the most progress in correcting those obstacles and then having better Japa as a result.
Honesty....it's all about being really honest.  First we have to be totally honest with ourselves and really take a good hard look at our Japa practices....then we have to be willing to at least discuss them with one other devotees (revealing your mind in confidence).
Of course it's helpful to everyone if you reveal them in a room full of devotees so that everyone can benefit, or on a website such as this one dealing with Japa only.
Either way, it all comes down to being willing to be honest with yourself and others and then make a change.

Hare Krishna

Navasi

Comment on this Post

Japa Beads vs The Clicker

I recently was part of a conversation about the use of the clicker rather than beads....the devotee was explaining that they were chanting on a clicker because they felt that some chanting was better than nothing. I prefer chanting on my beads...it's Tulasi - a pure devotee of Krsna....it also helps with my concentration by fingering the beads.
I have never used a clicker myself but have noticed that some use them when they are in a public place or it's easier to use a clicker and do other things at the same time....for me it's not about clicking or not clicking, it's about placing yourself in an atmosphere that's going to give you the best chance of attentive and quality Japa where you can hear yourself properly.

Comment on this Post

First Things First

Arranging festivals like Sri Gaura-Purnima is nice and blissful but your  sadhana often goes out of the window. Sometimes you don't take any breaks for the whole day but there might still be 10 or 12 rounds to be chanted at 5pm. I once tried to serve prasadam H.H. Kavicandra Swami in late afternoon or evening but since he had been travelling and could not finish his rounds on the plane, he refused prasadam and  said: "First things first"...and continued chanting.
I have noticed this is very effective - if you do the small vow that you are not going to honor any prasadam before you have finished your Japa, you are sure to get your rounds done before the evening. Somewhere in the late afternoon when your mind realizes that "Oh, we are not going to eat anything before we have chanted..." even the greatest numbers of rounds will surely get done.

ys

Muniraja dasa

Comment on this Post

Taking Shelter Of The Holy Names

Someone asked in the Japa Room this weekend a very nice question:

"How do we take shelter of the Holy Names?"

Well, wow, I just loved that question because on the surface, taking shelter of the Holy Name would seem like a rather abstract concept... right? I mean, how do you "take shelter" of a "Name"?

So I had a great time answering this question, I was pointing out to this person all the practical ways we can "take shelter".... by doing everything we can to arrange our lives so that we can chant quality Japa without distraction....avoid the ten offenses....follow the regulative principles....chant early in the morning....chant a fixed number of rounds (at least 16 if you are initiated) etc.
Then, when you are actually chanting your Japa, being totally attentive to Krishna, putting aside all other things and just focusing on Krishna and nothing else. Krishna's name is non-different from Krishna Himself, so we are associating directly with Krishna during this time....why would you want to do anything else or pay attention to anything else?

 

It's Krishna! Wow, what mercy that He gives us this chance to associate with Him directly just by chanting this Maha Mantra! Those are some ways to "take shelter" of the Holy Name....

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare

Navasi

Comment on this Post

The Material Energy

The material energy is always bombarding us constantly every single day.
So we have to chant our rounds very carefully and very attentively every single day so we will be strong enough to cope with it.

Our Japa is our protection.

Hare Krishna

Navasi

Comment on this Post

Early to Bed - Early to Rise

It will be a good choice for all of us to follow this simple rule - "Early to Bed, Early to rise". This one rule can make our chanting strong. If we rise early then we can chant early and have a good 2hrs of ride on the transcendental platform of krsna consciousness where all talking is singing all walking is dancing and there is festival everyday!!!!  So chanting should be done during the Brahma Muhurta   time - hat time is best to chant our Japa.

Try it and see it, you will not regret that you got up early.

Comment on this Post

From Harinama Cintamani - Anuraga

I was reading in the Harinama Cintamani today about Anuraga (spontaneous  attraction  for  the Lord's name):
"It  is  essential  to  give special attention to chanting while Anuraga is undeveloped. By a special stroke of good fortune, a  jiva  develops enough sraddha to take shelter of the Holy name. By regularly chanting a fixed number of holy names with special care  and  attention  he may, by degrees, progress to anuraga, or spontaneous  attraction  for  the Lord's name. He should chant his prescribed number of rounds on a tulasimala and increase his rounds with time. Before he reaches the stage of anuraga, he must be very cautious about offenses in chanting."

Comment on this Post

Overcoming Laziness Pt 2

"It is the nature of saintly Vaisnavas to be always engaged in devotional activities.  They never waste time uselessly.  One should become attracted to this devotional trait.  One should ask himself how he also can become like these devotees, immersed in meditation upon the Holy name; how, from this very day, he can increase his chanting step by step until such time as he can actually chant three lakhas of Holy names with inspiration and eagerness.  When Lord Krsna sees such enthusiasm, He reciprocates by removing the neophyte's mental inertia with the power of His name, and by allowing him to remain in the association of His advanced devotees."

Harinama Cintamani

Comment on this Post

Please Join the Japa Group

Please share your realisations with other devotees from around the world....simply send me an introduction email and I will be happy to make you a member:

rasa108@gmail.com

ys

Rasa Rasika dasa

Comment on this Post

Please Join the Japa Group

Please share your realisations with other devotees from around the world . . . . simply send me an introduction email and I will be happy to make you a member:

rasa108@gmail.com

ys

Rasa Rasika dasa

Comment on this Post

Utter and Hear the Name Distinctly

"The  devotee  should  make  it  a regular practice to spend a little  time  alone in a quiet place and concentrate deeply on the Holy  name.  He  should  utter and hear the name distinctly. It is impossible  for  the jiva to singlehandedly avoid and overcome the illusion  of distraction. By the mercy of the Lord, however, this is   accomplished   with   ease.  Therefore  it  is  essential  to prayerfully beg for the Lord's grace with great humility, for this is the only means to salvation from this offense."

Harinama Cintamani

Comment on this Post

Inattention

I've been noticing lately how inattention can happen without me even realizing it.  I had been thinking I was attentive, but on closer inspection discovered all these ways that I wasn't. Some of the things  I realized I was doing are:

- Opening and closing doors while going from one room to another
- Turning lights on and off
- Adjusting the thermostat
- Playing with my counter beads
- Adjusting the strap on my bead bag

All of these things can really wait at least until a round is finished, and be done inbetween rounds (or not be done at all, like playing with the counter beads).  I was doing them unconsciously, not actually even aware that I was doing them at all. It was only by really thinking about what it means to be inattentive that I discovered these things, and now, I am able to correct them.

Hare Krishna

Navasi

Comment on this Post

Hear the Glories of the Holy Name

We try to keep it as our daily practise to hear some glorification of the Holy name, from the lectures of the sadhus, from sastras and from the Japa Group also. I just heard lecture from one of our sadhus who spoke about the glories of the Holy name. When someone speaks with realization the effect is more powerful. For the last few days I have meditated on this simple statement of his "The Holy name is Krsna directly...", I was staring at my picture on the altar and chanting my Japa...when I was spacing out I just repeated..."Krsna is here, there is nothing more important than to continue chanting".

We will have public mantra-yoga workshop on Saturday in the city of Turku, please give your blessings that we will have some audience.

ys

Mrd

Comment on this Post

Association

I know this is a simple concept and everyone who reads this Japa Group website knows this, but I was just realizing (further and deeper) this and wanted to write about it.  Forgive me please if it's too simple or basic for anyone.
I was thinking about association and how important association is to our spiritual advancement.  So we make a lot of effort to seek out association that will help us progress in Krishna consciousness.  We also make a lot of effort to avoid association that drags us down or hinders our progress.
However, chanting Japa is associating directly with Krishna every single day.  We don't have to make any extra endeavors to get this association, it's given to us freely as a Golden Opportunity.  Here we have about 2 1/2 hours every single day where we can directly associate with Krishna Himself.
So I was realizing this (again) and really appreciating the incredible mercy contained in this aspect of chanting Japa.  For me this totally removes the "chore" mentality when I'm aware and realizing this, because we are not devotees for any other reason than to be able to associate with Krishna (ultimately).  So with Japa we don't have to be totally pure, yet we are already being given this amazing and causeless blessing of being able to directly associate with Krishna in the form of His Holy Name.

Lord Chaitanya distributed Love Of God freely to everyone without qualification, without distinction through this chanting of the Maha Mantra.

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare

Navasi

Comment on this Post

The Process for Overcoming Apathy Pt 1

"One  must  make  it his daily routine to chant for an hour in the company of saintly Vaisnavas in a sacred, undisturbed place. Taking note of the Vaisnava's devotional attitude and their relish for  the Holy  name, the neophyte should try to emulate this mood and gradually rid himself of his apathy to chanting. Step by step his  mind  and  attention should become fixed in the Holy name. By constant  chanting,  the  sweetness  of  the Holy  name makes him anxious to taste more of that nectar."

Harinama Cintamani

Comment on this Post

Srila Prabhupada on Chanting

"I am happy to hear that you continued to chant despite so many doubts and skepticism. That is the process. Even there may be doubts and skepticism, if one continues the chanting process, the doubts will all disappear, and real knowledge will be revealed by the Grace of Krishna. There is the example given of the jaundice patient. He is suffering from disease, and when given sugar-candy, which is the cure, he finds it very bitter and distasteful. But that does not mean the sugar-candy is not very sweet and delicious; it is simply due to his diseased condition that it seems bitter. In order to be cured from his disease, he must take the medicine of sugar-candy, despite the apparently bitter taste, and as he becomes cured, the real sweet taste of the candy is gradually revealed.
Similarly, we are diseased, and only if we take to this chanting process may we be cured. Maya may put so many doubts and worthless arguments into our minds, but if we continue the chanting, the curing process will go on, never mind the doubts, and gradually we will get a taste of that sweet nectar of Krishna Nama Sankirtana. That is the process; and you may explain it to all your friends, so they may understand the nature of their doubts and skepticism, and be benefited."
Srila Prabhupad, Letter, March 22, 1968

Comment on this Post

The Result of Distraction

"Distraction in chanting breeds illusion which becomes the cause of further serious offenses against the Holy name.  This illusion, difficult to overcome, engenders attraction to wealth, women, position, success and the cheating propensity.  When these attractions cover the heart, the neophyte becomes neglectful of the chanting of the Holy name."

Harinama Cintamani

Comment on this Post

Hearing is the First Process

I was listening to a Japa workshop conducted by Bhurijan in Melbourne....he was emphasising the importance of hearing the Holy Name. All the devotees would chant together at the same speed along with him and make a concerted effort to properly hear what they were chanting.
I have found this of great importance myself....hearing is the first of the nine processes of devotional service and the most important one. The soul is compared to a man sleeping....in his ignorant state he cannot perceive who he really is...but when a sound is made, he immediately wakens and is aware of himself and his surroundings.
The same goes for the Jiva....the sleeping soul is awakened to his constitutional position by hearing about the glories and activities of the Lord - in the age of Kali hearing the Holy Names is the most effective process for awakening love of God.

Comment on this Post

Far Away from the Chanting

"Most  people  are  naturally very attached to material things, their  memories  always  absorbed in matter. They may indeed chant the Holy name of the Lord, but their minds may be far away from the chanting. Even if they daily chant one lakha (one hundred thousand)  Holy names on the japamala, not a drop of taste for the Lord's  name  will be produced in their hearts. It is difficult to restrain materialistic hearts from such offenses."

Harinama Cintamani

Comment on this Post

4 Ways to Avoid Inattention

Here are 4 ways that I discovered can be helpful for attentive chanting:

1. Listen very carefully to the sound coming out your mouth...by hearing we can control the wandering mind
2. Pronounce each word very clearly (even if it means slowing down your chanting)
3. Don't do anything whilst chanting Japa
4. Read the Mantra whilst you chant (in Temples this was a common addition to the Temple room...the Maha Mantra on the wall)..I personally found this a very effective way to keep the mind from wandering.

We all have to pray to Krsna and the Spiritual Master to help us chant attentively...

Comment on this Post

Overcoming Laziness

"Inattention arising from laziness (jadya) prevents a person from relishing the nectar of the Holy name.  He is slow to chant and remember the Holy name. Even after trying, he very soon finds the effort unendurable and wants to sleep or otherwise engage himself in frivolity. Advanced devotees are cautious against such an offense. They never waste a single moment in useless talks or activities. Their meditation on the Lord's holy name is unbroken.  They are so absorbed in the nectar of the Holy name that they do not want anything else.  One must therefore aspire to associate with such rare devotees and follow their example, thus ridding himself of his laziness."

Harinama Cintamani

Comment on this Post

Listening and Hearing

Today I was thinking about this aspect after I chanted my Japa....there is a gulf of difference between just listening to our Japa (as you would listen to a music CD in the background) and actually hearing every single word and syllable of the Maha mantra as we chant.
When we actually hear properly, it is also good so we can monitor our pronounciation and hear if we are mispronouncing or slurring or skipping the words of the Maha mantra. When we just listen, we can be chanting something that is not the Hare Krsna mantra and we wouldn't even be aware of it (unless someone points it out to us).
When we just listen, it gives the mind license to wander off all over the universe, thinking about this, that and the other (sometimes known as Wandering Mind Syndrome). When we actually HEAR the Maha mantra properly, concentrating on what we are chanting, then the mind is kept focused and we are able to overcome the wandering mind.
Sometimes we don't even realise that the mind is wandering, such is the power of the material energy, but if we consciously HEAR the Hare Krsna mantra, then there is no danger of the mind wandering off.

Devotee: Srila Prabhup��da, it's very difficult to control my mind when I chant. It wanders.
Srila Prabhupada: So what is the controlling of mind? You have to chant and hear. That is all. You have to chant with your tongue, and the sound you hear. What is the question of mind

Comment on this Post

Laptop Japa

It's something that I can easily fall into if Iam not careful, the dreaded "Mouse Japa"...it's a great temptation but I avoid that temptation and just sit back and look at the beautiful image of Lord Caitanya on the LCD screen. Whenever I get any thoughts of Mouse Japa (bead bag in one hand, mouse in the other), I simply get up and go for a  Japa walk.

Comment on this Post

4 Ways to Avoid Inattention

Over the years I have discovered some effective ways to overcome inattention:

1. Don't do anything else whilst chanting Japa

2. Listen very carefully to the sound coming out your mouth...choose a quiet place to chant - or some devotees hold a cupped hand to their ear to hear more clearly

3. Pronounce each word very clearly...even if it means slowing down your chanting

4. Read the Mantra whilst you chant (in Temples this was a common addition to the Temple room...the Maha Mantra on the wall)...I personally found this a very effective way to keep the mind from wandering.

Comment on this Post

Be Honest

Let's be honest. We are chanting Japa daily fixed number of rounds so we need to be able to keep that fixed . You do 1 round daily or you do 2 rounds or 16 no problem. But we should be honest in terms of quantity and quality. We should know that Krsna is present with us always and that he is witnessing everything from within. So we should not become lazy and just stop our chanting. We should know why we are chanting Japa - for Krsna's pleasure right?
So we should be honest in our Japa. We should know that while chanting japa we are dealing with not an ordinary person but with krsna. So be there and do it.

Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Comment on this Post

The Process for Overcoming Apathy Pt 3

"Another effective method for ridding oneself of apathy towards the Holy name is to sit in a closed room alone and meditate on the name as did the previous sages.  Or one can cover the head and face with a cloth and concentrate on the sound of the Holy name.  This will immediately fix the mind firmly on the Holy name; slowly, one develops attraction for the name, and the offense of apathetic inattention will vanish."

Harinama Cintamani

Comment on this Post

The Ocean

I really love the ocean.  I don't live near it, and so am always longing for the times when I can be there, and just dive in and swim and swim. I was chanting today and I realized that actually Krishna's Holy Name is the real ocean that I am longing for.  No matter how long you've been chanting for, you can always go deeper into the ocean of the Holy Name.
Krishna's Holy Name is unlimited...just as He is.  There is never a limit to the depths of experience with the Holy Name,  unlike the ocean which is limited and my ability to experience it's depths is even more limited.
I want to dive into the ocean of the Holy Name, deeper and deeper, and stay immersed there forever.  I pray that I will be able to.

Hare Krishna,

Navasi

Comment on this Post

Words From Mahatma dasa

���Nish, nish, ram, ram, nish, nish, ram, ram.��� Prabhupada once imitated how we sometimes chant without focus, without concentration, without proper pronunciation ��� how we chant when we don���t feel like chanting. You know the mood behind this chanting; ���I have to chant but I���d rather be doing something else.��� And in our minds we are thinking, ���I can���t wait to get these rounds out of the way.���
We all do this and it can get pretty bad...I know devotees who chant rounds while watching football games on TV.
Prabhupada explained that this type of chanting is more or less useless because it will not produce the desired result, love of Krsna.
To even call this chanting is a stretch. It is closer to a ritual. But Prabhupada acknowledged the value in the ritual by saying that although this kind of chanting is not very productive, at least those who are chanting this way are keeping their vow to chant.

From http://www.dandavats.com/?p=2639

Comment on this Post

Words from Haridasa Thakura

Srila Haridasa Thakura then said, "O Lord Caitanya, to Srila Sanatana Goswami here in Jagannatha Puri and Srila Gopala Bhatta Goswami in South India, you taught that the holy name must be chanted attentively.  Inattention in chanting is namaparadha. One may carefully avoid all other namaparadhas, yet still not experience the ecstasy of the pure name.  This is an indication of another type of namaparadha known as pramada, which prevents the chanter from reaching the stage of nistha, or firm faith. This in turn blocks the further growth of bhakti to the flowering of Krsnaprema."

Comment on this Post

Japa Katha

Over the last few days I have been having intense discussions about all the ins and outs of chanting Japa....it's been very satisfying and purifying for my devotee friend and I.
This then reminded me of the importance of Krsna katha, in this case Japa katha. I have noticed a boost of enthusiasm with my chanting over the last few days since the Japa discussions began...I have been very enthused to nail down my chanting and get it as good as I can...no distractions, mind focused, hearing well and pronouncing properly...in the zone of the Holy name.
The importance of Krsna or Japa katha can't be stressed enough, it definitely has a positive effect.

Comment on this Post

Drops of Nectar

We participated in an enlivening Sri Vrindavan festival - senior devotees like H.H. Mahanidhi Swami and H.H. Janananda Gosvami had many nice sayings concerning the Holy name:

"If you want to love the Lord of play, you must chant your days away"

"The more you chant, the more Krsna likes you to chant"

"Everything in this material world will go off, but this Holy name will
always go on"

"Even once in your life,  for one round, be so absorbed that you don't notice anything that happens around you, even if someone asks you for prasadam" 

"The more attentive we are towards the Holy name, the more attentive the Holy name becomes towards us"

ys

Mrd

Comment on this Post

Praying

I was listening to a lecture by a devotee about chanting Japa the other day. She brought up what I consider to be a great idea for chanting.
Her suggestion was to say a prayer to guru and Krsna before each round or even between each and every bead if you want to.
I have tried this before and it has helped me to better focus my mind attentively on hearing the Holy Names. My mind, when chanting Japa, seems to wonder quite often. I find myself thinking of many things of not so much importance.  So to be brought back to my proper mindset for chanting, was a great experience. I felt more connected with Krsna and guru than I had in a long time. If you are having problems controlling the mind, it might be a good idea to give this a go!

Hare Krsna,

Bhaktin Geri-Lynn

Comment on this Post

Please Join the Japa Group

Please share your realisations with other devotees from around the world....simply send me an introduction email and I will be happy to make you a member:

rasa108@gmail.com

ys

Rasa Rasika dasa

Comment on this Post

Super Natural Video

Super Natural Video by DrTommyGouranga

Comment on this Post

The Soul Video

The Soul Video by DrTommyGouranga

Comment on this Post

Prepared for Death Video

Prepared for Death Video by DrTommyGouranga

Comment on this Post

Misplaced Love

Comment on this Post

Re: Why Chant 'Nityananda' first?

In Chaitanya Bhagavata, Madhya-khanda 3.17 Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati in his purport mentions that in order to understand the characteristics of Sri Nityananda we need the mercy of Lord Gauranga. He says: �It is impossible for conditioned souls to take shelter of the Lotus feet of Sri Nityananda. The truth regarding Nityananda is realized only by the grace of Sri Chaitanya�s merciful form as the caitya-guru, the Supersoul.'

Nityaananda! Gauraanga! Hare Krishna! The whole of Shri Chaitanya Bhagavata, right from the beginning, states that Lord Nitaai is the possesser and giver of Gaura Prema. As I had explained earlier, the above quote is describing confidential understanding of Lord Nityaananda. Thus, with the preliminary mercy of Lord Nityaananda, we understand Lord Gaura and when we receive the causeless mercy of Lord Gaura, we can attain full shelter and knowledge about the confidential truths about Lord Nitaai. The practical proof is that many Acharyas in Shri Chaitanya Charitamrita and Shri Chaitanya Bhagavata including the Goswamis have attained Lord Gaura specifically due to the initial mercy of Lord Nitaai. So that fact remains undisputed.

In our case we chant the Mantraraja �Nityananda� first and then we chant the Mantraraja �Gauranga�. Do we adhere to this sequence because of the direct instruction of Lord Gauranga Himself when He says to Murari Gupta to pay first obeisances to Lord Nityananda and then to Himself because: �Lord Nityananda is the elder brother?� Or because we approach the Lord via His devotee and the topmost devotee (and guru) is Lord Nityananda?

Both. Lord Gaura instructions is the highest method to please Him as well as Lord Nitaai. And He was clearly upset when Shrila Murari Gupta worshiped Him first in the presence of Lord Nitaai, His elder brother, so much so that He personally taught Shrila Murari Gupta in a vision to worship Lord Nitaai before His worship. And what greater form of worship is possible in Kali Yuga, than the chanting of His Name? Worshiping Lord Nitaai has to include chanting His Name because that is the highest form of worship and one has to chant His Name even while offering Him obeisances.

From Shri Navadvipa-dhama-mahatmya, Chp 4: Jiva Goswami to Lord Nityananda:
gaura danta kara yadi tumi raksa kara, tumi yare danta kara gaura tara para.

�If Lord Gauranga punishes a devotee, You (Nityananda) protect him and somehow engage him in Gauranga�s service (like in the example of Kala Krsnadasa), but if You punish a devotee, he eternally becomes estranged from Lord Gauranga.�

The above verse proves without doubt that Lord Nitaai is even more causeless merciful than Lord Gaura. This is also confirmed in the pastimes of the deliverance of Shrila Jagai and Shrila Madhai. I don't think any devotee would dispute this truth. So, considering this situation, it is much more advisable to approach the more merciful Personality first by chanting His Holy Name in the beginning if we want to stand any chance to attain Lord Gaura and Lord Krishna. In the beginning, we are in the most fallen state, thus we need to approach the most merciful Personality first. This is our best chance to attain Gaura Krishna Prema. Even our Prayojana Acharya, Shrila Raghunatha Dasa Goswami had to approach, serve, please and satisfy Lord Nitaai first by organizing the Shri Chida Dahi Festival in Shri Panihati to get His causeless mercy to approach Lord Gaura in Puri Dhaama.

Also the Pancha Tattva starts first with Lord Gauranga and then Lord Nityananda.

Paramahansa Shrila Jagannatha Dasa babaji chanted the Pancha Tattva Mantra is that way, so we accept it in the same form as our Acharyas have chanted without change.

Among the bonafide Nitaai Gaura Nishta Bhaktas, there are three kinds according to their rasa (constitutional mellow):

(1) Those who are Gauravadis (more inclined to Lord Gaura)
(2) Those who are Nitaaivaadis (more inclined to Lord Nitaai)
(3) Those are Nitaai Gauravaadis (equally inclined towards Them both)

(1) may chant Gaura Naama first, (2) may chant Nitaai Naama first, and (3) may chant either Naama first. So, in the ultimate sense, there is not a very hard and fast rule that Nitaai Naama has to be chanted before Gaura Naama. One can chant These two Holy Names in any sequence. But for the benefit awarded to the conditioned souls in our fallen stage, Nityaananda Naama certainly grants us the qualification to chant Gauraanga Naama and then the Hare Krishna Mahamantra. Thus it is recommended to chant Nitaai Naama in the beginning and become sufficiently purified.

Daaso'smi, Swami Gaurangapada.

Comment on this Post

Why Chant 'Nityananda' first?

Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krishna!

Dear Guruji please accept my humble obeisances.

It seems that the follow order of the most merciful holy Names �Nityananda� and �Gauranga� are very much intertwined in the scriptures as well as according to the acharyas. We read and hear: �Nitai-Gauranga�, �Gaura-Nitai�, �Gaura-Nityananda� and �Nityananda-Gauranga�.

Instruction into the follow order of the Names is more specific mentioned by for instance Srila Narottama dasa Thakura who sings: �In the beginning one should very regularly chant Sri Gaurasundara's holy name and then chant the holy name of Lord Nityananda. Thus one's heart will be cleansed of impure desires for material enjoyment. Then one can approach Vṛndavana-dhama to worship Lord Kṛṣṇa.�

In Chaitanya Bhagavata, Madhya-khanda 3.17 Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati in his purport mentions that in order to understand the characteristics of Sri Nityananda we need the mercy of Lord Gauranga. He says: �It is impossible for conditioned souls to take shelter of the Lotus feet of Sri Nityananda. The truth regarding Nityananda is realized only by the grace of Sri Chaitanya�s merciful form as the caitya-guru, the Supersoul.�

Srila Prabhupada in his purport in CC Adi Lila 8.31 also says more than once that we should take shelter of the Names �Gaura-Nityananda�.

Also the Pancha Tattva starts first with Lord Gauranga and then Lord Nityananda.

In our case we chant the Mantraraja �Nityananda� first and then we chant the Mantraraja �Gauranga�. Do we adhere to this sequence because of the direct instruction of Lord Gauranga Himself when He says to Murari Gupta to pay first obeisances to Lord Nityananda and then to Himself because: �Lord Nityananda is the elder brother?� Or because we approach the Lord via His devotee and the topmost devotee (and guru) is Lord Nityananda?

What is the exact reason why we chant first �Nityananda� and then �Gauranga�?

Your servant,

Hadai Nityananda dasa

Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krishna!

Comment on this Post

Re: Question about the Jiva's position

Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krishna!

Dear Guruji please accept my humble obeisances. I came across this statement: "Uddhava is a siddha-bhakta (a devotee already at the stage of perfection), so he cannot attain a new relationship with Krsna. But we are now independent (we are free to endeavor for that prema). If, by serving and hearing from a rasika tattva-jna Vaisnava, you will develop greed for serving the gopis and the Divine Couple Sri Sri Radha Krsna, then, by devotional practices you can go to Goloka Vrndavana. One can even attain the state of enjoying the rasa-dance with the gopis, to serve Them there. "

My questions are:

1) From your realizations can you confirm that it is possible that the conditioned jiva, with its infinitesimal free will, can aim for a certain rasa as opposed to an eternal liberated soul like Uddhava or Nanda Maharaja cannot?

2) Since the jiva comes from the marginal potency has he in the liberated position still the possibility to �change� rasa?

3) Can we conclude that in general eternal liberated souls (suddha-avastha) have a �fixed� rasa while the conditioned souls (baddha-avastha) can have a �changeable� rasa?

Thank you for your continuous efforts to clear our path to bhakti and to unwaveringly attach us with the Supreme Lord without asking for anything in return.

Your lowly servant,

Hadai Nityananda dasa

Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krishna!

Comment on this Post

Re: changed the color of ..Lord Madhava

Nityananda! Gauranga! Hare Krishna! Jaya Shri Guru Parampara! Pranams!   Thanks Igor for the nice verse. It will be nice if you can use the non-diacritics versions of the verses so that it helps in searching etc. To get the non-diacritics version of page, you have to simply add en1 after the vedabase.net url, i.e. http://vedabase.net/cc/adi/17/12/en1 instead of http://vedabase.net/cc/adi/17/12/ .

Daaso'smi, Swami Gaurangapada.

Comment on this Post

Re: changed the color of ..Lord Madhava

lowerthanarat wrote:

just one more satatement here as I have not found the verse as yet.
Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu did manifest his form as sad-bhuja-murti, Lord Ram, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, and Lord Krsna..

Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krsna

Here is wonderfull verse from Caitanya Caritamrta, Ādi 17.12

tabe nityānanda-svarūpera āgamana
prabhuke miliyā pāila ṣaḍ-bhuja-darśana

TRANSLATION

After this function at the house of Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura, Nityānanda Prabhu appeared, and when He met with Lord Caitanya He got the opportunity to see Him in His six-armed form.

From Srilla Prabhupada's Purport:

The form of Ṣaḍ-bhuja, the six-armed Lord Gaurasundara, is a representation of three incarnations. The form of Śrī Rāmacandra is symbolized by a bow in one hand and an arrow in another, the form of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa is symbolized by a stick and a flute like those generally held by a cowherd boy, and Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu is symbolized by a sannyāsa-daṇḍa and a kamaṇḍalu, or waterpot.

Comment on this Post

Re: changed the color of ..Lord Madhava

I bow my head at the feet of the Maharajs and vaisnavas as you have reaffirmed my faith in the true vaisnavas.

  just one more satatement here as I have not found the verse as yet.

             Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu did manifest his form as sad-bhuja-murit
Lord Ram, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, and Lord Krsna

with humble respects to all the vaisnavas

lowerthanarat

Comment on this Post

Re: changed the color of ..Lord Madhava

Swami wrote:

Thus, unless we know that the Deities have an explicit desire for being dressed up as one of Their incarnations.

Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krsna

During Snana-yatra of Lord Jagannatha, Lord is wearing Hati Vesha (elephant mask), dressed like Lord Ganesh! So, we can see that Supreme Lord is sometimes manifesting and perform His Lila in many, many forms. Advaitam acyutam anadim ananta-rupam [Bs. 5.33]. Anadim means without end, rupam means form.

Here is nectarian pastime how Lord Jagannath appeared like Lord Ganesh. Nityananda! Gauranga!

Once, a profound scholar, devotee of  Lord Ganesh visited Puri during Snana Yatra. The king asked the scholar to accompany him to see Lord Jagannath which he refused under the pretext that he wouldn't worship any "God" other than his Ishthadevata � Lord Ganesh. Somehow he was persuaded and brought before the Snana vedi.  To the utter surprise of all, Lord Jagannath appeared with an elephantine form that resembled as Lord Ganesh! Since then during Snana Yatra when the sacred bath is performed, the Deities are dressed wearing Hati Vesha (elephant mask),

Your�s Igor

Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krsna

Comment on this Post

Re: Material Distress

Nityananda ! Gauranga ! Hare Krishna !

Dandavats Pranaam to everyone here. Thanks for such wonderful information.

Mihir.

Comment on this Post

Re: Material Distress

Nityananda! Gauranga! Hare Krishna!
Dandavats and obeissances.

Here is Lord Nityananda telling Jiva Goswami that Lord Shiva chants Gauranga's name in ch. 8 of Navadvipa Dhama Mahatyma:

(A) gauri saha siva gauranga-nama; gaiya gaiya puraya kama.
"In Navadvipa, Lord Siva constantly is singing the name of Gauranga alongwith his wife Gauri and thus fulfilling his innermost desires."

(B) gauranga bhajana sarala ati; sahaja tahara phala-vitati.
"Lord Gauranga's worship by the chanting of His name is very easy and simple to do. And Lord Gauranga very easily and immediately rewards the worshipper with the desired results or fruits of his or her worship."

(C) gauranga baliya krandana kare; gauranga darsana paya satvare.
"One who chants the name 'Gauranga' and cries in ecstasy will receive the audience of the Supreme Personality of Godhead Lord Gauranga very quickly."

Here is something Bhakta Igor posted more than 2 years ago:

Shiva is always singing the Name of Gauranga
By Bhakta Igor

Shrilla Bhaktivinoda Thakura explained in Shri Navadvipa Mahatmya that even great Siva, who is - vaishnava yatha sambu - best and topmost vaishnava is always chanting the name of Lord Gauranga:

"To the west of the Alakananda River see Kasi, where the followers of Siva and his consort endeavor for liberation. This Navadvipa Kasi, however, is superior to the other Kasi. Here, Siva is always dancing and chanting the name of Gaura, begging his followers to accept gaura-bhakti. The sannyasis who live for a thousand years in Kasi may attain liberation through the cultivation of jnana, but here the devotees kick away that liberation as they dance and chant the name of Gauranga. While leaving the body here, living entities are delivered by Lord Siva, who chants the name of Gauranga in their ears. This dhama is thus called Maha-Varanasi, for here there is no fear of death.'
At that moment Nityananda Prabhu began dancing, and He asked Jiva to accept gaura-prema. Invisible to everyone, Siva came forward arid bowed at Nityananda's lotus feet. Lord Siva and his consort, Gauri, achieved all their desires by always singing the name of Gauranga."
from Shri Navadvipa Mahatmya, Chapter Eight

Shrilla Bhaktivinoda Thakura here specifically wrote that Siva is chanting the name of Gauranga and that he together with his consort Gauri achieved all desires by singing the name of Gauranga! Holy names of Nityananda and Gauranga are wonderful touch stones and simply by chanting them regularly all our desires can be fulfilled. Nityananda! Gauranga!

Here is some more evidence from Bhaktivinoda Thakura's Jaiva dharma:

vrajanatha: shri gauranga yadi saksat paripurna-tattva hailena, tabe tanhara pujara vyavastha ki?

Vrajanatha: Since Shri Gauranga is the the original complete Absolute Truth, how should one worship Him?

babaji: gauranga-nama mantre gaurapuja karileo yaha haya, krishna- nama-mantre krishna-puja karileo tahai haya. krishna-mantre gaurapuja va gaura-mantre krishnapuja-sakalai eka. ihate je bheda- buddhi kare, se nitanta anabhijna ou kalira dasa.

Babaji: As one worships Lord Krishna by chanting the name and mantra of Lord Krishna, so one should worship Lord Gaura by chanting the name and mantra of Gauranga. One may worship Lord Gaura by chanting Krishna-mantras, or for that matter one may worship Lord Krishna by chanting Gaura-mantras. They are all the same. Anyone who thinks Lord Krishna and Lord Gaura are different is a fool. He is a servant of Kali-yuga.

vrajanatha: channavatarera mantra ki-rupe paoya jaya?

Vrajanatha: Where to obtain the mantras to worship Lord Gauranga who has come as a covered incarnation?

Babaji: je tantra prakasya-avataraganera mantra prakasarupe varnana kariyachena, sei tantrei channavatarera mantra channarupe likhiya rakhiyachena. yanhadera buddhi kutila naya, tahara bujhiya laite parena.

Babaji: The scriptures that openly give mantras for worshipping the openly manifested incarnations of the Lord, secretly reveal the mantras for worshipping the secret and hidden incarnation of Lord Gauranga. People whose intelligence is not crooked can understand the presence of these mantras.

Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krishna
Jagannatha Gauranga dasa

Comment on this Post

Re: changed the color of ..Lord Madhava

Nityaananda! Gauraanga! Hare Krishna! Igor has answered the first part of your question nicely. Now let me address the second part of your question. Our past Acharyas have not dressed up the Deities of Lord Krishna as Lord Raama on Shri Raama Navami or any other day during the year. Nor have they authorized the program of dressing up children like Lord Krishna and Shrimati Radha or Lord Raama etc., worshiping them as God and swinging them on a swing etc. Lord Gauraanga did display His form of Lord Raama to Shrila Murari Gupta a few times but that was when He desired to do so not when we want. Thus, unless we know that the Deities have an explicit desire for being dressed up as one of Their incarnations (and to know that requires one to be a pure devotee), it is not advisable to do it. Unless we have a direct instruction from the Deity Himself, we should try to follow the normal Gaudiya principles of worship only and not introduce new ones which have never been performed by our Acharyas even if it may lead to more popularity or following for the Deities etc.

Daaso'smi, Swami Gaurangapada.

Comment on this Post

Re: changed the color of ..Lord Madhava

Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krsna
Dear lowerthanarat I do not know if this is rasabhasa, I just want to add few words. It may help.Let us talk about Krsna!

1. Lord Sri Krsna is known as avatari, source of all incarnation, including Lord Ramacandra.

ete cāmśa-kalāh pumsah
krsnas tu bhagavān svayam
indrāri-vyākulam lokam
mrdayanti yuge yuge

�All of the above-mentioned incarnations are either plenary portions or portions of the plenary portions of the Lord, but Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa is the original Personality of Godhead. All of them appear on planets whenever there is a disturbance created by the atheists. The Lord incarnates to protect the theists.�S.B. 1.3.28

Specificaly it is mentioned in Bhagavatam:

nara-devatvam āpannaḥ
sura-kārya-cikīrṣayā
samudra-nigrahādīni
cakre vīryāṇy ataḥ param

�In the eighteenth incarnation, the Lord appeared as King Rāma In order to perform some pleasing work for the demigods, He exhibited superhuman powers by controlling the Indian Ocean and then killing the atheist King Rāvaṇa, who was on the other side of the sea.�S.B. 1.3.22

So, Lord Madhava is source of Lord Ramacandra, or we can say, when Lord Madhava want to play �role� of ideal king He is enjoying in His Raam lila.

2  "Is it true three name of Ram are equal to one name of Krsna?"

In the Brahmanda Purana it is stated:
sahasra-namnam punyanam, trir-avrttya tu yat phalam;
ekavrttya tu krishnasya, namaikam tat prayacchati.
"And the pious results (punya) achieved by chanting the thousand holy names of Vishnu (Vishnu-sahasra-nama-stotram) three times or the Holy Name of Rama thrice can be attained by only one utterance of the Holy Name of Krishna."

3." is it true Lord Krsna has four more qualitys than Lord Ram?�

That is mentioned in Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu. Lord Krishna has four unique qualities These are: 61) the performer of wonderful pastimes (especially his childhood pastimes); 62) surrounded by devotees endowed with unsurpassed love of Godhead; 63) the attractor of all living entities in all universes through the expert playing of His flute; and 64) possessor of unexcelled beauty without rival.

Nityananda! Gauranga! I am hoping this helps a little.Please dear devotees, share, add and discuss more.
Your�s Igor

Comment on this Post

Re: Material Distress

Nityananda! Gauranga! Hare Krishna!
Dandavats and obeissances.

Responding to Bhakta Matus�s question to Bhakta Igor, Prabhupada regularly said in lectures that one should always remain a fool, or at least feel like a fool in front of one�s spiritual master. Just as he said that one should never consider oneself liberated or advanced.

I would also like to offer some more evidence that the Nityananda and Gauranga mantras are indeed bonafide mantras that one can chant. This is not directed at anyone personally but I would like to share. In Navadvipa dhama Mahatmya Lord Siva The Greatest Vaisnava in the universe was explaining to Parvati about the glorious Ananta Samhita he states the following:

�My dear Parvati, one time in Vaikuntha the Lord gave this samhita to Brahma for the benefit of all the worlds, and later, in another kalpa, He mercifully gave it to me when I was overcome from drinking poison. As my mouth was burning with the poison, I took this nectarean samhita in my mouth. O Parvati, since that time I have been constantly reciting this Samhita along with the auspicious mantra of Gauranga�s name. Being purified by this, I am considered the best of the devotees. I am now satisfied, having been freed from the sinful reactions due to creating the atheistic Mayavada scriptures which criticize Krsna.�

Here we can clearly see that Lord Shiva constantly chants the Gauranga mantra. Is Lord Shiva a rebellious upstart for chanting the Gauranga mantra? Should we go and instruct Lord Shiva to stop chanting the Gauranga mantra? No of course not as it is an eternal bonafide mantra and who wants to upset Lord Shiva anyway?

Shiva also states, �One cannot attain Radha and Krsna by hearing the glories of Visnu for a billion kalpas. Radha and Krishna can be attained only by association with the gopies. And one cannot attain the association of the gopies except by taking shelter of the lotus feet of Gauranga. Therefore, please, constantly worship Gauranga with full devotion.�

Also from the Navadvipa dhama Mahatmya, �Raising His lotus hands in the air, Lord Nityananda exclaims, "Come, living entities! Give up the troubles of karma and jnana. Since you are endeavoring for happiness, I will give you happiness without asking anything in exchange. In this happiness there is no trouble, loss, or pain. Just chant the name of Gauranga and dance without anxiety. There's nothing equal to the happiness that I am giving. That happiness is pure, eternal ecstasy-beyond all illusion!"

In this way, Nityananda Prabhu begged everyone to take pure ecstatic love. Still, unfortunate persons, influenced by previous sinful activities, did not even want it. But if such persons chant even once the names of Gauranga and Nitai, the effects of unlimited sinful activities are destroyed.

So as we can see here that there is no harm in chanting Nityananda and Gauranga as much as one likes as Nityananda Prabhu and Lord Shiva have stated. I will make a separate post of the very beginning of Navadvipa Dhama Mahatmya which states why and how Lord Caitanya�s pastimes and names were kept hidden by maya for so long.

Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krishna
Jagannatha Gauranga dasa

Comment on this Post

Re: Material Distress

Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krsna

Here is perfect explanation from Srilla Prabhupada�s letter Thursday, December 14, 1967:

�Regarding your last but one paragraph of your letter under reply. I may inform you that you cannot be fool as you have humbly expressed yourself. Better to remain an ever fool before the spiritual master. But if a disciple is actually fool it reflects on the spiritual master. To think of becoming a fool is the real qualification for a bonafide disciple.

As soon as one thinks that he has become the wiser man than the spiritual master one is surely doomed. We should remain everlastingly a fool before the spiritual master. Not artificially but feelingly and then we can make real progress.

Even my spiritual master a great scholar remained a so called fool before His spiritual master who was outwardly an illiterate village fellow. So in the Absolute world the fool is also the master and the master is also a fool in reciprocal exchange of dealings. Lord Caitanya also accepted Himself a great fool before His spiritual master and all of us must follow the transcendental process.�

Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krsna
Your's Igor

Comment on this Post