Nityaananda! Gauraanga! Hare Krishna! Nice Matus. Please post the text script of song also if you can. It is easier to sing along with the script.
Daaso'smi, Swami Gaurangapada.
Nityananda! Gauranga! Hare Krishna! Will be forever loving Nityananda Gauranga!
Nityaananda! Gauraanga! Hare Krishna! The above video is 577px in height and is embedded for the common 1024 x 768 resolution and above. Those viewers who have a 600px vertical monitor resolution or lower, please click the fullscreen button near the right bottom of the player to view the full video without it getting cut at the bottom.
Yours,
Matus
Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krishna!
Dear Swamiji, Nava and devotees,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga.
Nave this is such a set of funny pictures. A similar question I asked myself when I was 5 years old. My parents and many generations of my ancestry were completely atheistic and the word God was not even in the family dictionary. By the time I had to go to school the closest and safest-to-walk-to school was a Christian school and my parents decided to put me in there. In that school I became influenced with stories about God and they fascinated me. But of course when I related them at home my parents said they were just nice fairytales and considered it was harmless that I enjoyed these stories. But it triggered something in me that was beyond any anticipation of my parents. The teachers told me that it was real and that God was looking out for me.
To make a long story short: At that time I slept with many stuffed animals in my bed. They were my childhood friends and I was quite attached to them. One night, I so clearly remember that special night, I asked the Lord: �If You exist please would You be so kind to show Yourself to me?� At that very moment my bedroom became extremely light as if 1000 lamps went on simultaneously and I felt a tremendous warm and loving feeling filling the entire room. It was as if divine Light and Love was dancing in everything; in and around me�and I was overwhelmed with the awesome presence of the Lord. I removed all the stuffed animals from my bed and lay on the far side of the bed. I opened my blankets really widely and invited the Lord to lie besides me. That intensified the already overwhelming feelings I had a thousand fold and since then the Lord was sleeping with me. The stuffed animals never made it back into my bed because in my mind God was really big so He needed a lot of room to lie in my bed. I granted myself only a tiny spot on the far side of the bed�the rest was for the Lord. When I told my parents about this extra-ordinary experience they considered sending me to a psychiatrist and taking me from school because of the fierce indoctrination I must have gotten there. So I just stopped talking about it and everything settled down, no psychiatrist, no change of school, just me and the Lord in a secret and sacred communion. And the beauty of it all is that He never left me. He always stayed with me through thick and thin and eventually He has brought me to the lotus feet of Guruji and revealed Himself as Lord Nityananda and Lord Gauranga and as Radha and Krishna. Now I am so blessed that I am allowed to experience His presence even more refined and with more distinction and to know about His Form and His Lilas.
Thank you Nava for those pictures it triggered really nice memories that I wanted to share with all of you. Isn�t it amazing how the Lord reaches out to us? I was only five years old and surrounded by convinced atheists who really did there outmost best to convince me that God doesn�t exist. By His arrangement I end up in a school were He is discussed in a favorite way. In all my confusion between Him and the atheists I called upon Him�and He in His unlimited mercy gave me a sign of His presence. Not only that but in such a convincing way that it changed the course of my entire life and instead of being surrounded by only atheists I am now surrounded only by Vaisnavas. Therefore I humble fall down at the lotus feet of all the Vaisnavas in this forum and beg for your mercy to keep me in your midst.
Your servant,
Hadai Nityananda dasa
Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krishna!
Jaya Nava. Nityananda! Gauranga! Hare Krishna!
Thank You very much. You really rock it out and i feel so much purified by Your chanting. Indeed ecstatic!! Actually it was You who inspired me to sing Nityananda Gauranga Naam with guitar. And the chords You are using, wow! Never seen such chords 
Much better and accurate version than mine. And the same way as passing Shrimad Bhagavatam through the Lotus Mouth of Shrila Shukadeva Goswami it became even more relishable, passing this kirtan and melody through Yourself, it became even more relishable. Jaya Nava. Yes, let's chant Nityananda Gauranga always and then finally together back at home, Navadvipa Dhama!
Yours gratefully,
Matus
April 22, 2008. Reading
Swami Gaurangapada says: Nityaananda! Gauraanga! Hare Krishna! Welcome Jan
Jan Reijm says: Thank you Swamiji for your answers that Lord Krishna is the enjoyer of everything. There has been a long time that my ego said that the most important thing is "me". I hope I can live my life in the realisation that everything belongs to Sri Sri Radha Krishna
Jan Reijm says: With the mercy of Lord Krishna I am trying to cultivate my little vonarable Bhakti plant and I feel insecure to enter this room and ask the right questions. And I feel the need to contact other devotees. What is the best for me to do, how to serve and how to please Lord Krishna with all my heart and soul?
Swami Gaurangapada says: Yes, living our life with the truth makes our life meaniningful
Jan Reijm says: The truth is that I commit so many mistakes like for instance become angry or other emotions and I wonder if I ever succeed in being a pure devotee
Jan Reijm says: How can I discuss Bhakti? Is it better for me to read more first?
Swami Gaurangapada says: You can read and discuss both
Swami Gaurangapada says: Nityaananda! Gauraanga! Hare Krishna! Welcome Igor, did you login directly via the Forum or you manually entered the loginname
Igor says: I login mannualy
Igor says: nityananda Gauranga!
Igor says: what is best book to start styding...soem say that devotee should learn bhagavad gita by hearth, others that sadhaka should learn Isopanisada...what do you recomend for devotees to study..I mean remembering not read
Igor says: I do not have audio here..is this live video streaming?
Swami Gaurangapada says: I am not streaming live right now
Swami Gaurangapada says: There is recommended reading sequence on our FOrum
Igor says: ok
Igor says: yes...I meant for learning, memorising by hearth...
Jan Reijm says: Hare Krishna, thank you Igor and Swami Gaurangapada
Swami Gaurangapada says: Jan, reading and discussion both can go hand in hand
Swami Gaurangapada says: You can memorize the 50 main verses of the Gita in the beginning
Swami Gaurangapada says: Then you can select verses from the Gaudiya Kantahara
Swami Gaurangapada says: And then from our Gaura Charita Books
Igor says: Nitaa!i Gaura! thank you!
Jan Reijm says: Thank you Swami, all I really want is learning how to serve
Igor says: hello Jan
Swami Gaurangapada says: Service attitude begins with our tongue, first we should learn to serve the Holy Names very sincerely with our tongue
Jan Reijm says: Hello Igor
Igor says: that is what we all need to learn
Igor says: ahankare matta hoya nitaai pada pasariya...we forgot lotus feet of nitaai...we forgot how to serve
Jan Reijm says: How can I read Gaura Charita Books, is it on Nitaai?
Swami Gaurangapada says: Yes, it means all the Gaura's Pastimes scriptures like Shri Navadvipa Dhaama Mahatmya, Shrila Chiatnya Chandramrita, Shri Chaitanya Bhagavata, Shri Chaitanya Charitamrita, Shri CHaitanya Mangala etc.
Swami Gaurangapada says: 'They are all in the NITAAI Veda at http://nitaaiveda.com
April 25, 2008. Insecurity
guest2452 says: Excuse me Swami, I feel insecure of asking questions and I am afraid of making mistakes to you and to the Lord Sri Krishna. How can I know that Nityananda and Gauranga are pleased?
guest2452 says: Hare Krishna Swami, I offer you my obeisances, Jan here
Swami Gaurangapada says: Nityaananda! Gauraanga! Hare Krishna!
Swami Gaurangapada says: May I know your good name guest2452?
guest2452 says: Hare Krishna Swamiji, my name is Jan Reijm.
Swami Gaurangapada says: Oh Jan, welcome
Swami Gaurangapada says: Jan, if you sign in to our Forums once, you don't have to sign in to this Room again, it will auto detect your name
guest2452 says: Thank you Swami
Swami Gaurangapada says: You will also remain signed in to our Forums on all your next visits
Swami Gaurangapada says: You have to just do it once
Swami Gaurangapada says: Please do not be afraid of anything. Bhakti is a blissful process, we need have no fear at all
guest2452 says: Thank you, that helps me. My Bhakti is just begun, it feels so vonarouble. I need your guidance Swami
Swami Gaurangapada says: Yes, We are always here for you Jan
Swami Gaurangapada says: You can feel free to ask questions and Lord Krishna is very merciful. He does not consider our mistakes
guest2452 says: I have so much pain inside, I have so much to cry about but I do not want to be sentimental. It looks like a test that it is mercyfull to have pain and I feel the healing, strong healing to do Japa meditation. It is the only way to make my restless mind calm. I thank you and Hadai bringing that into my life. I want to thank you and give you my obeisances.
Swami Gaurangapada says: Thank you Jan. I can understand. The pain will go away completely by Japa Meditation. It is for our purification.
guest2452 says: Now I chant the Holy Names Nityananda and Gauranga. Is it also good for me to chant the Maha Mantra on the Malam?
Swami Gaurangapada says: Yes certainly, you can chant 1 round or 4 rounds of the Mahaa Mantra on the Mala if possible to begin with.
guest2452 says: Thank you
guest2452 says: For now I have no further questions. Thank you for guiding me on this Holy path. Nityananda!Gauranga!HareKrishna!
Swami Gaurangapada says: Nityaananda! Gauraanga! Hare Krishna! Please have a nice day.
May 6, 2008. Svarupa
Swami Gaurangapada says: We will be beginning the NITAAI Yoga Live Temple Room from tommorow or day after with Audio and Video also.
JagannathaGaurangadasa says: Nityananda! Gauranga! Hare Krishna!
Swami Gaurangapada says: I was not there last time when you had left a message
Swami Gaurangapada says: Nityaananda! Gauraanga! Hare Krishna! Jagannatha Gauranga dasa, thank you
JagannathaGaurangadasa says: Dandavats and obeissances. I hope you are doing well
Swami Gaurangapada says: We should be able to begin this Live Audio-Video Room by tomorrow JagannathaGaurangadasa says: I can't tell if you are in the room or not because your'e name is too long like mine
Swami Gaurangapada says: Yes, good point, I will change it tomorrow, once we get the video/audio functionality.
Nava Gauranga dasa says: Haribol
Swami Gaurangapada says: Welcome Nava
JagannathaGaurangadasa says: What times approximately will you be on?
Nava Gauranga dasa says: thank you Maharaja
JagannathaGaurangadasa says: Dandavats Nava
Nava Gauranga dasa says: Hare Krsna Prabhu))
JagannathaGaurangadasa says: I am listening to SB videos 2.4 Shukadeva meets Parik***
Swami Gaurangapada says: Around 10 pm Indian Time
Swami Gaurangapada says: But I plan to be on for some time throughout the day when we get the audio and video feature
Swami Gaurangapada says: We will plan some two or three periods during the day in order to accommodate all time zones
JagannathaGaurangadasa says: Is there going to be any structured format?
Nava Gauranga dasa says: jai nitaai
Swami Gaurangapada says: It will much easier when we will have audio tomorrow, since I can speak rather than type
2008JagannathaGaurangadasa says: Nitaai, Nitaai, Nitaai
Swami Gaurangapada says: This Room has also been integrated with our Forum login so you do not have to login again.
Nava Gauranga dasa says: )
JagannathaGaurangadasa says: Yes, I understand.
Swami Gaurangapada says: Let us hope we can have nice NITAAI Katha here
Nava Gauranga dasa says: how will you moderate it...or will it only be active when you are free?
Swami Gaurangapada says: Every message needs to be approved.
Swami Gaurangapada says: Let us begin first
Nava Gauranga dasa says: i loved matus kirtan
Nava Gauranga dasa says: of nitaai naam
Nava Gauranga dasa says: that makes our site so special
Swami Gaurangapada says: Yes, certainly
Swami Gaurangapada says: The program to record daily videos is always on my mind. I am sure it will happen. I just need to complete the other small things first.
JagannathaGaurangadasa says: Swami, I can't wait for the videos, they will be nice I'm sure
Swami Gaurangapada says: Yes Nava, our site is unique because of NITAAI GAURA Naama
JagannathaGaurangadasa says: Yes, I think Matus is very pure and comes through well
Nava Gauranga dasa says: yeah
JagannathaGaurangadasa says: The good thing is that your videos, one can watch many times, it is like chanting the holy names.
Nava Gauranga dasa says: one lady at another forum took Nitaai-Gaura Naaam jaap...even the the forum is not so nice
Nava Gauranga dasa says: she said she will chnat
Swami Gaurangapada says: Thank you Jagannatha
Swami Gaurangapada says: Certainly, even if she chants for a few days, NITAAI GAURA will remember her forever
JagannathaGaurangadasa says: Somehow we need to have the whole world hear the name Nityananda
Swami Gaurangapada says: That is why we have named it NITAAI Yoga
Nava Gauranga dasa says: thx Maharaja for this gift...we are all ecstatic what is awakeing within
JagannathaGaurangadasa says: What if one only chants once?
Swami Gaurangapada says: Yes, Shrila Sacchidananda Bhaktivinoda Thakura says about once also
Nava Gauranga dasa says: yes what if?
Swami Gaurangapada says: gauraanga nitaai je bale eka baara, ananta karma dosha anta haya taara
JagannathaGaurangadasa says: Will you ever reveal your eternal identity, or is it not for us to know at this time?
JagannathaGaurangadasa says: Sorry for the abrupt quesiton, I just always think about these things
Swami Gaurangapada says: Our identity is Daasa. Only if Lord Nitaai or Shrimati Raadhaa directly orders, does the Acharya reveal one's identity.
Swami Gaurangapada says: We know the identities of the Gaura Bhaktas because another Acharya Shrila Kavi Karnapura revealed them who was told by his own exalted father, the Gauraanga Mantraacharya Shrila Shivaananda Sena. Most of them never revealed themselves .
JagannathaGaurangadasa says: Yes that makes sense
JagannathaGaurangadasa says: Yes, I sometimes wonder how many eternal associates of the Lord are on the earth now and the time of Prabhupada, to help assist
JagannathaGaurangadasa says: I think their effulgence tells all
JagGaura dasa says to Swami: This good association is very strong, stronger than maya
Swami says: Yes, much stronger
Swami says: even for a short time
JagGaura dasa says to Swami: Yes watching your videos are very strong, stronger than even audio because we can concentrate on your form
Swami says: Thank you
Swami says: It is always on my mind to record more videos
JagGaura dasa says to Swami: Well you probably want to chant and I still I have 4 rounds to chant and then to read Caitanya Bhagavata before I retire
Swami says: Certainly, please have a nice rest
Swami says: Please continue with your chanting and reading.
Swami says: Thank you so much
JagGaura dasa: Nityananda! Gauranga! Hare Krishna!
Nityaananda! Gauraanga! Hare Krishna!
When you read Srila Sridhar Maharaj Gita there is no need for further explanationby lower
Oh yes Prabhu....its a beautiful book. I am very fortunate to have an older copy which is cloth bound with gold trim. It is an exquisite rendering of this timeless wisdom.
If you ever wish to post and write nectar from this Hidden Treasure Gita with your realizations...I am sure many at Nitaai Sangha would be grateful and appreciate. And for those who have never read it a nice surprise in store
Hidden Treasure of the Sweet Absolute Bhagavad Gita is available at mybloop account here for anyone who may be interested: http://mybloop.com/go/l7O8AR
I am not sure how my account at mybloop works...if it is not downloadable could someone let me know please. Thx.
y.s. Nava.
Thank you Bhakta Matus for sharing your joy, and how Nityananda! Gauranga! is blessing your life!
Sri Navadvipa-dhama-mahatmya, Chp 1, states:
gauranga-nitai yei bale eka bara; ananta karama-dosa anta haya tara.
"The most fortunate person who chants the names Nityananda and Gauranga just once immediately destroys the unlimited sinful reactions accumulated for unlimited number of lives in the past."
Chaitanya-charitamrita Adi 5.207:
emana nirghrna more keba krpa kare, eka nityananda vinu jagat bhitare
"Who in this creation but Lord Nityananda could show His mercy to such an abominable, comtemptible and the lowest person as me?
Chaitanya-bhagavata, Adi-khanda 9.385:
nityananda-hena bhakta sunile sravane; avasya paibe krsnacandra sei jane.
Shripada Madhavendera Puri states:
"If one simply hears the name 'Nityananda', he will most certainly attain the lotus feet of Lord Krishnacandra irrespective of any other consideration."
125. "Anyone who just once his life speaks the word 'Nityananda' becomes purified. He becomes My pure devotee."
(Chaitanya Mangala, Madhya Khanda, Deliverance of Jagai n Madhai)
Shrila Bhaktisiddhanta Prabhupada in Shri Chaitanya-Bhagavata, Madhya-Khanda 3.134:
"Simply by chanting or hearing the name of Lord Nityananda, the sinful inclinations in the hearts of all the living entities in the universe are permanently destroyed and their inherent purity is automatically awakened. On chanting or hearing the name of Lord Nityananda, even the merchants, degraded, fallen and foolish people are purified and immediately become realized in the Absolute Truth and devotees of the Lord."
Nityananda! Gauranga! Hare Krsna!
You know I love Jamin' in the Name of the Lord 
Thank you Bhakta Matus!
y.s. Nava
Will we ever understand fully the greatness of Krsna and His opulence?
Quote:
Bg10.19
TEXT 19
śrī-bhagavān uvāca
hanta te kathayiṣyāmi
divyā hy ātma-vibhūtayaḥ
prādhānyataḥ kuru-śreṣṭha
nāsty anto vistarasya me
śrī bhagavān uvāca�the Supreme Personality of Godhead said; hanta�yes; te�unto you; kathayiṣyāmi�I shall speak; divyāḥ�divine; hi�certainly; ātma-vibhūtayaḥ�personal opulences; prādhānyataḥ�principally; kuruśreṣṭha�O best of the Kurus; na asti�there is no; antaḥ�limit; vistarasya�to the extent; me�My.
TRANSLATION
The Blessed Lord said: Yes, I will tell you of My splendorous manifestations, but only of those which are prominent, O Arjuna, for My opulence is limitless.
PURPORT
It is not possible to comprehend the greatness of Kṛṣṇa and His opulences. The senses of the individual soul are imperfect and do not permit him to understand the totality of Kṛṣṇa�s affairs. Still the devotees try to understand Kṛṣṇa, but not on the principle that they will be able to understand Kṛṣṇa fully at any specific time or in any state of life. Rather, the very topics of Kṛṣṇa are so relishable that they appear to them as nectar. Thus they enjoy them. In discussing Kṛṣṇa�s opulences and His diverse energies, the pure devotees take transcendental pleasure. Therefore they want to hear and discuss them. Kṛṣṇa knows that living entities do not understand the extent of His opulences; He therefore agrees to state only the principal manifestations of His different energies. The word prādhānyataḥ (principal) is very important because we can understand only a few of the principal details of the Supreme Lord, for His features are unlimited. It is not possible to understand them all. And vibhūti, as used in this verse, refers to the opulences by which He controls the whole manifestation. In the Amara-kośa dictionary it is stated that vibhūti indicates an exceptional opulence.
The impersonalist or the pantheist cannot understand the exceptional opulences of the Supreme Lord nor the manifestations of His divine energy. Both in the material world and in the spiritual world His energies are distributed in every variety of manifestation. Now Kṛṣṇa is describing what can be directly perceived by the common man; thus part of His variegated energy is described in this way.
When I was a child I thought, 'when I get to heaven I will understand what God is fully....this mystery will all be explained?'
As a man at some point I realized, 'I may never know fully even in the after-life!' I was somewhat despondent to realize this...
Now I ponder, 'do I really need to know all?' Its relishable to hear of His glories? What is so sweet about the sweetness?
If any of you would like to glorify Sri Krsna please feel free to post here.
Bg10.19
TEXT 19
śrī-bhagavān uvāca
hanta te kathayiṣyāmi
divyā hy ātma-vibhūtayaḥ
prādhānyataḥ kuru-śreṣṭha
nāsty anto vistarasya me
śrī bhagavān uvāca�the Supreme Personality of Godhead said; hanta�yes; te�unto you; kathayiṣyāmi�I shall speak; divyāḥ�divine; hi�certainly; ātma-vibhūtayaḥ�personal opulences; prādhānyataḥ�principally; kuruśreṣṭha�O best of the Kurus; na asti�there is no; antaḥ�limit; vistarasya�to the extent; me�My.
TRANSLATION
The Blessed Lord said: Yes, I will tell you of My splendorous manifestations, but only of those which are prominent, O Arjuna, for My opulence is limitless.
PURPORT
It is not possible to comprehend the greatness of Kṛṣṇa and His opulences. The senses of the individual soul are imperfect and do not permit him to understand the totality of Kṛṣṇa�s affairs. Still the devotees try to understand Kṛṣṇa, but not on the principle that they will be able to understand Kṛṣṇa fully at any specific time or in any state of life. Rather, the very topics of Kṛṣṇa are so relishable that they appear to them as nectar. Thus they enjoy them. In discussing Kṛṣṇa�s opulences and His diverse energies, the pure devotees take transcendental pleasure. Therefore they want to hear and discuss them. Kṛṣṇa knows that living entities do not understand the extent of His opulences; He therefore agrees to state only the principal manifestations of His different energies. The word prādhānyataḥ (principal) is very important because we can understand only a few of the principal details of the Supreme Lord, for His features are unlimited. It is not possible to understand them all. And vibhūti, as used in this verse, refers to the opulences by which He controls the whole manifestation. In the Amara-kośa dictionary it is stated that vibhūti indicates an exceptional opulence.
The impersonalist or the pantheist cannot understand the exceptional opulences of the Supreme Lord nor the manifestations of His divine energy. Both in the material world and in the spiritual world His energies are distributed in every variety of manifestation. Now Kṛṣṇa is describing what can be directly perceived by the common man; thus part of His variegated energy is described in this way.
When I was a child I thought, 'when I get to heaven I will understand what God is fully....this mystery will all be explained?'
As a man at some point I realized, 'I may never know fully even in the after-life!' I was somewhat despondent to realize this...
Now I ponder, 'do I really need to know all?' Its relishable to hear of His glories? What is so sweet about the sweetness?
If any of you would like to glorify Sri Krsna please feel free to post here.
Nityananda! Gauranga! Hare Krsna!
I don't know if this is a miracle as such, but it lasted as a strong impression in my mind, a mystical experience, that would not let me forget the Hare Krishna Movement.
I first saw devotees when I was 16 or 17 back around 1986. The next time I saw them was in San Diego Botanical Gardens near the Zoo. As you all know I am from Australia, it was 1992 and I was backpacking. I was searching everywhere to find God, but the heart. Deeply dis-satisfied with life, no idea who or what was God, no idea about what is this world....and no idea of who I was! But I left home with the intention to find out! With a copy of Jack Kerouac's 'On The Road' in my pack (I still have not read it).
I saw a band of devotees in this park playing bhajans with harmonium, mrdanga, and kartals. One two three...one two three... There must have been about 6 or 9 bramacaris. I was attracted immediately by their saffron cloth (my desire)... I was on my way to Thailand eventually to seek out buddhism. Secretly in my heart I was desiring to be a monk. Young, ego....keen to drop out...to tune in! To prove myself.
To prove myself to others also. I had no idea of the workings of the ego and my psychology at this time. I was a simple 22 yo...still a boy ) Little did I know that I would glimpse my mind...very very soon!!! )
I approached the 'band' of monks after they had finished their 'gig' . There was a throng of a crowd around them, arguing with them as they attempted to sell books. But the monks did not argue back. I was impressed by their look, their calm....and that funny looking marking on their forehead ). 'What does that mean? Is that the third eye...are they psychic?'
I walked up to them amidst all the debating...and said 'Hi, I liked this music alot'. LOL They smiled and began to pack up the bookstall. One monk asked me if I would like to come and stay with them. I was shy and said 'yep!!!'
So the next day I awoke in a strange place...so early...something was in the air! I was scared and excited...it felt exotic! A young man with tattoos would not get out of bed. An older man came into the bedroom and yelled at him, 'do you want to be Krsna conscious or not!!!'. Hmmm...I thought...don't know what to think about that!
The kirtan started...the devotees danced...as high as the roof it seemed. Who is that 'black statue', I thought. A black statue...maybe it is a demon, so I wondered....black? I was a catholic boy, and cautious.
The next day, after making a fool of myself in the kitchen the previous day, couldn't even chop a zuchinni properly...they put me in a shed eventually to wrap sesame bars that they sold. The poor customers....you should have seen the wrappings .....the morning program started again!
I dont remember much of the mangala arati anymore. I remember the lecture, during it they put a pair of reading glasses on this statue of Srila Prabhupada. 'Hmmm....how odd', I thought quietly to myself. 'Very odd!!!'.
We began to dance like a snake around this plant called Tulasi. It seemed like for hours. Around and around we went. Around and around....everything seemed like it went for hours in that temple. Restless was my mind! Then all of a sudden as we were dancing around this Tulasi plant....it happened!!! A golden/white effulgence....like a glowing haze filled the room...I felt detached from my body...it felt odd...other wordly. Then all the orange monks turned smaller in stature....and their robes became a glowing white! At that moment I saw my mind for the first time ever in such a way...normally I was that mind. But now I saw it, I saw I was fallen....I cried uncontrollably and left the dance party. I sat on the edge of the temple and wept...and a weight lifted from my shoulders. I felt light and clear....and embarrased!
Later that day the temple president approached me and asked if I wanted to live with them. I did not tell him of my mystical experience! He told me his life story, and that he was from Germany, and that I could stay like him. I wanted to stay more than anything in the world. I wanted to be a monk. I still do want to wear saffron to this day....16 years later. I thought of my family (who still do not accept) and could not stay. They would be broken if I joined a 'cult' overseas never to come back.
Being a catholic boy and conditioned with impressions that catholicism was the only truth, I said to the temple president (thinking at that moment of my dad)...'I have heard you guys brain-wash people...do you?' He smiled and said, 'yes, we cleanse the mind, we wash it well' I was stuck for words, wanted to stay, I liked the people, I liked him. But thought of my parents (who still do not see - they are in process of separating at the moment - 65 years old - very sad)...'I cannot stay...I have to go'. I thought of the world, of Europe...and of Asia and becoming that Buddhist monk. I left. With japa mala and the Hare Krsna Mahamantra!
I never forgot my short stay in that San Diego ashram/temple. The exotic air, the austerity, the mood....the mystical experience that I did not understand! Years later..
When life had broken me, a devotee approached me on the street and said, 'Hare Krsna'. I looked at that tilaka and thought....what does that mean? I replied, 'Haribol!'.
Anyhow dear devotees, here I am today. Alive and happy in KC. Was this a miracle...or just life. Or was it causeless mercy of Bhakti Devi...who needs no cause to appear in the heart. I know one thing today...the causeless mercy residing in the heart of a pure devotee is why I wish to share my story with you all.
All glories to Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga!
All glories to the devotees who are like desire trees!
Simply...Nava...aspiring to be a servant of the devotees and not my fallen mind.
with repeated respects to the Kings of Vaisnavas, and vaisnavas
Dandavats Hadai Nityananda das nice reply.
Yes the Bhagavad Gita by Srila Sridhar Maharaj Hidden treasure is special when reading it your like a miner seeking treasure,
But the more you seek the nectar, the more is found within the Gita the Hidden treasure.
We have Sri Bhagavad Gita as it is by Srila Swami Maharaj , but Srila Sridhar Maharaj gave us the Hidden Treasure of the Bhagavad Gita.
Bhagavad Gita as it is
The Supreme Lord Himself declares in the Bhagavad-gita (14.27),
�I am the basis of the impersonal Brahman....� The Supreme Lord describes Himself in this way to reveal His real position. Therefore the Vedic scriptures, both sruti and smriti, point out that Krishna, son of Maharaja Nanda, is the Supreme Lord, eternally situated in pure goodness. He is the primeval Supreme Godhead who manifests Himself through His name, form, qualities, and pastimes, independent of any causes or conditions. Krishna reveals Himself by His sweet will in such a way that the jivas can experience Him with their senses, mind and intelligence.
Bhagavad gita Hidden treasure
26) A person who renders service exclusively unto Me (in My
form of Syamasundara) by the path of pure devotion
(unadulterated by all spurious attempts based on exploitation or
renunciation), absolutely transcends these three modes of material
nature. He thus becomes qualified for the cognizance of his
internal divine identity.
27) I alone am the original mainstay of the undivided divine
vitality, the inexhaustible nectar, the timeless pastimes, and the
sweetness of the ambrosia of profound love divine.
When you read Srila Sridhar Maharaj Gita there is no need for further explanation
Nityananda! Gauranga! Hare Krsna!
Sri Krsna was a thief since a baby, a thief as a teenager, and to the extreme he tried to steal Radharani's effulgence coming as Sri Gauranga - the golden one. But Radharani's love was so deep that even Sri Krsna's body as Sri Gauranga was unable to contain that love. In his later life his body manifested wonderous ecstacies....like his limbs elongating and then contracting into his body. Radha's love is the highest of all love. The gopies serve her....feeling her love...they dont need to go to Krsna directly. Gauranga came to give us the gopies love. All glories to that transcendental thief who attracts the whole universe. (Sri GaurangaKrishna- all attractive golden limbed one).
The Resevoir of Rasa - Sri Krishna
Dear devotees I am reading Madhurya Kadambini presently as a study to understand my inner gradual awakening in bhakti. The book is very helpful for understanding the inner process of mercy (Bhakti Devi), and where we are at. This book is mercy personified itself in my humble realization, I am really grateful that this great saint penned it.
Madhurya Kadambini by Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura
First Shower of Nectar (Bhakti is the Ultimate)
The Supreme Personality of Godhead and Brahman
The sruti or Veda offers irrefutable evidence that establishes the Absolute Truth. The Taittiriya Upanishad states that Brahman is the support and mainstay (brahma-puccham pratistha) of He who is the embodiment of unlimited absolute bliss (the Supreme Godhead), His existence being dependent on Brahman. By this statement the sruti gives preeminence to Brahman, although in a later verse the Taittiriya Upanishad states that the Supreme Lord is the reservoir of rasa or ecstatic pleasure (raso vai sa), and on attaining this reservoir of ecstatic pleasure, who is the Supreme Godhead, even that one Brahman who embodies brahmananda becomes submerged in sublime joy (rasam-hy eva-ayam labdhanandi bhavati).
This statement clearly asserts that the Supreme Personality of Godhead is superior to everything, including Brahman. In this way, the One who has been defined as the reservoir of ecstatic pleasure, rasa svarupa, is described in that crestjewel. and essence of all revealed scriptures Shrimad-Bhagavatam as Krishna, son of Maharaja Nanda, the embodiment of rasa.
The Shrimad-Bhagavatam (10.43.17) states,
The wrestlers saw Lord Krishna as a thunderbolt, the men of Mathura [saw Krishna] as the best of males, the women [saw Krishna] as Cupid in person.
This statement clarifies that the gradual development of spiritual joy depends entirely on rasa and the degree of its intimacy. Therefore rasa is the singular support of spiritual happiness and bliss.
The Supreme Lord Himself declares in the Bhagavad-gita (14.27), �I am the basis of the impersonal Brahman....� The Supreme Lord describes Himself in this way to reveal His real position. Therefore the Vedic scriptures, both sruti and smriti, point out that Krishna, son of Maharaja Nanda, is the Supreme Lord, eternally situated in pure goodness. He is the primeval Supreme Godhead who manifests Himself through His name, form, qualities, and pastimes, independent of any causes or conditions. Krishna reveals Himself by His sweet will in such a way that the jivas can experience Him with their senses, mind and intelligence.
Nityananda! Gauranga! Hare Krsna!
Thank you Lowerthanarat,
This translation of Gita verses is wonderful! I remember Prabhu the first time I read this translation, my attraction for Reality the Beautiful awakened! And by the grace of Srila BR Sridhara Dev Goswami, slowly began to realize what Brahman is, to some degree. Before reading the Hidden Treasure I did not see God, my realization was minimal, I could only see a mundane world. And a mundane me! I will never forget that day my eyes opened by his Divine Grace. This is a very special book for me. This happened in 2002 or 2003. In 2001 I met a catholic priest, I was suffering at the time. He said Neil, where is God? I replied, 'oh, in the temple, I dont know?' This indian catholic (he was influenced by sanatana dharma) priest replied, 'my son, christ is in all things'. I did not understand what he meant. I was so scared and insecure! In total separation!
On a personal level I see two things in conscious awareness presently (to simplify). By the grace of Guru and Gauranga!
1/ The wonder of this world. The beauty of looking at the stars and heavens since a child, the diversity of nature, animals, rivers, trees, moons and suns, planets. And beginning to realize we are a part of something very grand and amazing. To see this painting of a master painter. In goodness to see societies, friendships, compassion....and to see the consequences of selfishness, isolation, and materialism. All the complexities of this vast manifestation. Bringing one to the point of awe.
2/I see in the Gita a God who is a friend. After showing Arjuna all things He again manifests as a friend and well-wisher. I see that this scope for intimacy is also unlimited and has the potential to influence and inner life and dealings one with another. I can also see the painful fruit of dealing with nature, our-self care, and others, when we forget this potential for intimant spiritual awareness.
In regards to these realizations I can say that the sadhana and bhajana of preceiving God in his highest form as a Person, and bhakti as the essence of all things, is beautiful. Grateful.
Nityaananda! Gauraanga! Hare Krishna! Things are moving well. Here is one more paragraph I have added. This article has taken me one of the longest period of time to complete. But I think it would be worth it in the end.
Since only 5000 years of Kali Yuga have passed, the balance duration remaining is 427,000 years, which will be even more ghastly than the present times. After that, Satya Yuga will again be established. The total duration of one cycle of the four yugas of Satya, Dvaapara, Tretaa and Kali is 4,320,000 earthly years. 1000 such cycles are present in the twelve hours of a day of Brahma. And Brahma lives for 100 years in Satyaloka, the topmost planet in this universe. At the end of his 100 years which is 311 trillion earthly years, all the universes merge into the divine body of Lord Mahaa Vishnu as He inhales. He is a partial expansion of Lords NITAAI GAURA. All the souls and universes remain in a dormant state for another 311 trillion years of his inhalation and again manifest for 311 trillion years during His next exhalation. This is how the material creation is constantly created, maintained and again destroyed. The mission of our soul is become free from this never-ending cycle of the material creation at the time of our death and enter into the eternal home of the soul and join our Lords NITAAI GAURA and RADHA KRISHNA forever in the spiritual creation which is 3/4th of the total creation of God. This mission is known as NITAAI Yoga.
