MOVED TO NITAAYOGA.COM AND PASSWORDS CHANGED

Dear Devotees and Visitors, Nityananda!! Gauranga!! Hare Krishna!! All Glories of Shri Guru Parampara! All Glories to the Shrimati Radha's Holy Month of Damodara which is so dear to Lord Krishna!

I am happy to let you know that we have moved our website from the NITAAI.net forums (NITAAI.com) to NITAAIYoga.com. Considering the fact that browsing the web from mobile phones, mids and netbooks is on the rise worldwide, this new site has been optimized for browsing and posting from all browsers even those with the lowest 240 wide screen resolutions on PCs, Macs, Linux, TVs, Netbooks, MIDs, iPhones, touchphones, smartphones and all other mobile devices. Those who spend a lot of time away from their computers can now read, participate (post) and even share files on our site from the comfort of their mobile phones if they have or can get a touchscreen phone. We recommend the Opera Mini browser for the fastest experience on Windows mobile and Nokia Symbian phones. Or in case you cannot install Opera Mini, you can use the bigger brother Opera Mobile. The default browsers on the iPhone, Android, and Blackberry phones can also browse and post to NITAAIYoga.com nicely. We recommend phones with bigger screens with touch for the best experience. The minimum ideal screen width recommended is 480 like on the iPhone or at least 320.

The site has become even more faster to browse now and has some new features. Posting is closed on NITAAI.net forums and it will be archived as read-only. From now on, you can login to NITAAIYoga.com and we can continue our discussions there, which I hope will be even more frequent and spiritually fruitful.

We have migrated your usernames, emails and all your posts to NITAAIYoga.com but the passwords have changed. You can reset and receive your new password for NITAAIYoga.com on this page or you can register again if you are facing problems resetting your password or in case you have not registered before. The login page is here. Login is required for posting. If you check the "Remember Me" box while logging in, then it will never logout you out again unless you delete your browser cookies or change your browser or computer. If you want to change this password to something which you can easily remember and upload your avatar photo, please visit your profile page. We recommend that you upload your photo so that the spiritual discusssions can be more personal. To post, write or share a new spiritual article or share a file or to ask a question, please visit this page (recommended) after you have logged in or for the advanced editor go here.

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Hope to see you soon on NITAAIYoga.com and happy reading and posting of NITAAI Katha! We would greatly appreciate your feedback or suggestions about this new site in the form of your comments to this post and please let us know if you have any problems or questions regarding the new site. If you any problems resetting your password or logging in, just fill the new registration form and send it to us.

Daaso'smi, BR Sadhu Swami Gaurangapada.

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Foolosophy of Skepticism

Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krishna! 

You can never find the taste of sugar from reading a book or by speculating "Is it this or that?" That is not the right way to taste. The correct thing to do is to place a lump of sugar on the tongue and then you will know immediately how it tastes.

Similarly, spiritual life is known only by getting into it and doing things  -- chanting, worshipping, following -- not by just debating, doubting or speculating "What ifs?". . Skepticism is simply WASTE OF TIME AND OPPORTUNITY.

Is Skepticism Heroic?



Many people in the modern times tend to be skeptical about spiritual life and they are often proud of their skepticism thinking it to be sign of their freedom from dependence on any unverifiable schools of thought. However, despite the bluff and bravado of such skeptical people, underneath the veneer, their life is aimless, meaningless and filled with an existential emptiness.
On a deeper examination, one will find that their skepticism does not come from an intelligent inspection and rejection of different spiritual philosophies. Rather it arises from an obstinate determination to enjoy the things of this world irrespective of the facts of life. An American comedian has poignantly stated, 'I have already made up my mind. Don't confuse me with the facts.' Similarly most people who take shelter of skepticism have already decided that wealth, women, wine are the goals of their life. And even if the facts of spirituality - existence of God, the existence of soul, the potency of prayer - are presented to them with scientific evidence and sound logic, they blindly reject these facts so that their materialistic and often hedonistic lifestyle is not disturbed.
The factual miseries of life ? bodily disorders, mental anxieties, relationship problems, climatic inconveniences and natural calamities and ultimately old age, disease and death ? are an inescapable reality and are a spur for intelligent people to search our a spiritual solution. A skeptic is like a sick person who instead of searching for a competent doctor and medicine, pretends to be healthy ? and is proud of his pretense. Though seeming to be bold, skepticism is actually cowardice because a skeptical person does not have the willpower to control his unbridled mind and senses and discipline himself to live a life of spiritual principles. This unwillingness or inability to live a principle-centered life is covered over with a veneer of skepticism, which is used to offer a philosophical justification for an unprincipled life.
Once Srila Prabhupada after giving a discourse in New York was asked a question by a young man, "Swamiji, your philosophy sounds like the philosophy of Buddha." Srila Prabhupada counter-questioned, "Do you follow Buddha?" The person was taken aback. He said, "No". Srila Prabhupada chastised him, "This is the problem with you Americans. You just talk but don't follow anything. Follow Buddha, follow Jesus, follow Krishna, follow someone. Don't just talk."
Here Srila Prabhupada was emphasizing that armchair speculation will get us nowhere. If we follow a spiritual path properly, if it is faulty that will be exposed to us by the fact that we will get no results. And if it is proper, that too will be revealed to us by the fact that we will see transformation in our life. But if we just keep discussing about various paths and don't apply anything, we will get nowhere in life. And that is the ultimate unfortunate destiny of a skeptic. Achieving happiness neither in this life nor in the next, a skeptic simply suffers. On the other hand, a wise person intelligently examines different philosophies and praying to the Almighty God to guide him to what is the ultimate truth and what is the ultimate good for him, he takes a leap of faith. For such a person sooner or later, the best path will be revealed to him and he will be able to attain happiness not just in the next life but also in the next, because his life will be empowered and protected by the universal principles with which he is harmonizing.
Thus skepticism is not a philosophy, rather its a 'foolosophy,' the sophistry of fools
Millions of people since time immemorial and thousands even now have experienced the transforming potency of the Holy Names of God, which has elevated them from confused self-destruction to enlightened self-actualization. Therefore as a test case, as a bold path breaking personality who refuses to follow the beaten track that takes ordinary lesser people to their inevitable destiny of misery, anxiety, old age, disease and death, why not take an intelligent leap of faith and experience for yourself the wisdom of Srila Prabhupada?s timeless instruction, "Chant Hare Krishna and be happy"? Why continue to deprive yourself of spiritual empowerment and enrichment In the name of self-destructive skepticism?

Source : Spiritual Scientist magazine Vol 3 Issue 2

Daaso'smi,
Srinath

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At Your Lotus feet

Nityananda Gauranga hare Krishna!

Dear Guruji,

Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to the guru parampara. All glories to Lord Nityananda. All glories to Lord Gauranga. All glories to Sri Sri Radha Krishna.

Today I humble ask for your blessings so I may continue to serve your lotus feet. Your gift to the world is beyond comprehension especially for devotees who question the importance of chanting the holy Names of Lord Nityananda and Gauranga.

I humbly pray at your lotus feet for those who are offensive to your preaching the mantrarajas that you kindly forgive them and they can continue their spiritual practice so at one point in time they understand the glories of chanting the holy Names of Lord Nityananda and Lord Gauranga.

I humbly pray at your lotus feet for everybody who has ever committed knowingly and unknowingly an offence at your feet and that in the greatness of your loving heart you will forgive them.

You are the gate and the connection to the parampara and the Lord and I pray that this gate will remain wide open for everybody who wants to enter into the highest of all experiences: love for the Lord.

Thank you my dearest guruji for being my guru and by guiding me by your own example.

Your servant,

Hadai Nityananda dasa

Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krishna!

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Re: Srila Bhaktisiddhanta on the importance of chanting Gauraanga

Nityananda! Gauranga! Hare Krishna!
Jaya Jagannatha!
All Glories to the Guru Parampara!

Dear Swami Gaurangapada

Thank you for your clear explanation. I especially appreciate your clarification of the primacy of chanting of the Holy Names. It is true that this is most important. Any meditation or thought that I might do around Nitaai Gaura or Radha Govinda lila is only an auxiliary practice and not the primary. The Holy Names alone are sufficient.

Daaso'smi

Neil in LA

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Re: Srila Bhaktisiddhanta on the importance of chanting Gauraanga

Nityananda! Gauranga! Hare Krishna!
Jaya Jagannatha!
All Glories to the Guru Parampara!

Dear Swami Gaurangapada

Thank you for your clear explanation. I especially appreciate your clarification of the primacy of chanting of the Holy Names. It is true that this is most important. Any meditation or thought that I might do around Nitaai Gaura or Radha Govinda lila is only an auxiliary practice and not the primary. The Holy Names alone are sufficient.

Daaso'smi

Neil in LA

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Re: Srila Bhaktisiddhanta on the importance of chanting Gauraanga

Dear devotees,

           Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krishna! Pranams!

           Good question. You see, the acharyas are more powerful than what we imagine -- time and time again I have repeatedly witnessed this for myself. That is also why preaching requires that much spiritual qualification and is not so simple. There are many complicated issues that you will see in real life that you won't find in a book. Some cases are so tricky that unless you actually know what people's inner thoughts are, you can never really know for sure.

            When an acharya preaches, it is never done alone. The Lord is always with his devotees. While someone can hide one's cheating from people like us or the society, no one can fool the Lord. The Lord knows fully well who is a cheater and who is not, and since His devotees are always with Him, they too know this. Externally one may look like some great Vaishnava, but what is within one's heart is really what matters. I do not know how far anyone may believe this, but logic alone can't answer trick questions regarding other people's hearts. But from my experience I can tell you, no one can fool a real devotee. One who knows real bhakti automatically knows what's fake too. That is why in spirituality, we HAVE to believe the true guru, even if it doesn't fit in with our level of experience or qualification.

          Either I can choose admit my limitations, trust the Lord, believe the scriptures and believe the guru, or else I can question everything and try to figure out everything on my own.

           The scriptures very clearly ask us to see the spiritual master as not different from the Lord, for some very good reasons. It is the Lord who speaks through the mouth of the guru, so it has to be given the importance it is due.

            Regarding proper worship, the Lord has given all the instructions on how one must be worshipped and how one must not. They are found in all the scriptures. No one can just say, "I'll do this my way..." and expect the Lord to be pleased. Unfortunately those who have preached those ideas have done great harm to real devotion over the years.

            So we accept any method of worship that is accepted by the Lord. If the Lord is happy with that type of worship, so are we. That is the criteria. Yes if someone thinks of Radha Krishna and chants their names, it is very good.  But when someone starts doing things like coming up with all the imaginations like what the Sahajiyas, mayavadis and others do...I am sorry, but anyone who claims oneself to be the Lord's follower has to stand up and speak the truth and say, "This is wrong and it is against what the Lord said."  Failure to follow the Lord's instructions can result in big offenses being committed against His devotees. It is not simply that the Lord has told us the right way to do things.

           So next you may choose to ask me, "Alright Mr. Smarts. How do YOU know that? Can you read minds and hearts?" The answer is I am NOT qualified, and I certainly have ZERO power to read what people think. I wouldn't be able to identify who's pure or not. But I prayed to Lord Nitaai to give me a real guru, and eventually He not only led me to one, but also gave me the eyes to recognise him too. I wasn't in proper company before I came here, but now I know, thanks to the devotees.

         That is where faith is required. And in my experience this is always the hardest part in dealing with people who have some interest in spirituality. Either one believes everyone is right or one believes everyone is wrong.  Both of them are not correct.  If you really want to know if the Lord approves of what some people do, just open your heart to Him and ask. Sooner or later an answer is bound to come. A sincere plea to the Lord always gets an answer. I got mine. And from my experience I've learned a bit about who's genuine and who's not. And if someday the Lord is pleased with whatever qualification I've got, I am sure He'll show me more light through the fog. Nityananda! Gauranga! Hare Krishna!

Daaso'smi,
Speaking from my personal experiences,
Srinath

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Re: Srila Bhaktisiddhanta on the importance of chanting Gauraanga

So what I hear you saying is that it is ok to use the descriptions of Radha and Krsna's (and Nityananda and Gauranga's) pastimes in our meditation to try our best to see them, but we shouldn't try to see how we will be participating in those pastimes once we attain our spiritual identity? To do so would be premature. That makes sense, because if we try to artificially imagine ourselves doing something, we might be mistaken.

Dear Neil, you have understood perfectly. Thank you so much. In addition, we have to remember one thing. We should never forget or replace the transcendental sound of the Holy Names in favor of only meditation on the Pastimes since meditation alone is for Satya Yuga not for Kali Yuga. All such meditation or visualization should be accompanied with the transcendental sound of Nityaananda, Gauraanga, and, Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Raama Hare Raama Raama Raama Hare Hare, to make if actually real and effective.

Daaso'smi, BR Sadhu Swami Gaurangapada.

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Re: Srila Bhaktisiddhanta on the importance of chanting Gauraanga

Nityananda! Gauranga! Hare Krishna!

Dear Swami Gaurangapada

Thank you. This clarifies things for me.

"Unless we first realize the Names, Forms, Qualities, Pastimes and Associates of Shri Shri Radha Krishna during our chanting, we cannot approach our own svarupa or spiritual form in those Pastimes. So artificially imagining it does not makes sense. Though, one can certainly visualize the Names, Forms, Qualities, Pastimes and Associates of the Lord in our chanting meditation according to our qualification."

So what I hear you saying is that it is ok to use the descriptions of Radha and Krsna's (and Nityananda and Gauranga's) pastimes in our meditation to try our best to see them, but we shouldn't try to see how we will be participating in those pastimes once we attain our spiritual identity? To do so would be premature. That makes sense, because if we try to artificially imagine ourselves doing something, we might be mistaken.

I guess I am just anxious to be in Divine Navadwip and Divine Vrindavan. I really don't like the material world and wish I could go to the spiritual world sooner rather than later!

Thank you for the  clarification!

- Neil in LA

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Re: Srila Bhaktisiddhanta on the importance of chanting Gauraanga

practice of giving manjari svarupa and a manjari name at the time of initiation. From the very beginning, their initiates would claim to have understood their position as a manjari (intimate gopi assistant of Srimati Radharani). Sarasvati Thakura did not approve of such a process and would say, �FIRST CHANT THE NAME OF GAURANGA".

Dear Neil, Nityananda!! Gauranga!! Hare Krishna!! Here Shrila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Prabhupada is not objecting or preventing anyone to become a devotee of Shri Shri Radha Krishna. He is just not approving the process of "siddha pranali" or "manjari diksha" for his own followers since this is not something to be attained by imagination but by purification and realization. This "process" of the Guru telling the manjari svarupa or name to the normal disciples at the normal process of f initiation is not authorized or explained in any scriptures or by any Acharyas.

The Guru imparts the Holy Names to the disciple and the Names in turn  impart the spiritual svarupa and the eleven characteristics of our spiritual body at the time when the disciple becomes qualified to receive it i.e. when the disciple attains rasa, rati and sthayi bhava. The Guru gives it in the form of the seed in the Name and leaves it to Naama Prabhu to reveal this at the correct time when the disciple becomes advanced and qualified. At that time, the disciple can approach the Guru and confirm these revelations of one's siddha svarupa.

Since the Guru imparts Naama Initiation to disciples who are on different levels of Bhakti, it will be an improper transgression for the Guru to tell all of these disciples to start imagining their svarupa after imagination. That would mean that the Guru does not have faith that the Naama will reveal the svarupa to the disciple at the right time when the disciple is qualified. We cannot force our way into the pastimes of Shri Shri Radha Krishna simply by imagination. It is only possible by adequate  purification via the causeless mercy of Shri Shri Guru and Gauranga.

If the Guru tells a disciple, who has anarthas or misgivings, to think about his or her svarupa, then it may have an opposite effect because the disciple is trying to attain it without proper purification and qualification. dusta phala karibe arjana. Unless we first realize the Names, Forms, Qualities, Pastimes and Associates of Shri Shri Radha Krishna during our chanting, we cannot approach our svarupa or spiritual form in those Pastimes. So artificially imagining it does not makes sense. Though, one can certainly visualize the Names, Forms, Qualities, Pastimes and Associates in our chanting meditation according to our qualification.

And to do so, our Acharyas state that one requires to first approach and realize the more merciful Holy Names, Forms, Qualities, Pastimes and Associates of Shri Shri Nityaananda Gauraanga. That said, sometimes an Acharya can reveal the svarupa to one's disciple along with imparting the Naama, if he find that the disciple is sufficiently advanced to practice Bhajana on that level. But certainly, this should never be done as a general practice to attract followers, otherwise it may have an opposite effect i.e. to take us away from the Pastimes of Shri Shri Radha Krishna due to the offense of approaching it without proper qualification and patience. That is why Shrila Sarasvati Prabhupada did not approve of this method for the common people as it totally negates or nullifies the basic practice and importance of practicing vaidhi bhakti in order to progress to the higher stage.

You can further read two articles: Qualification to Hear Radha Krishna Lila and Prakrita Rasa Shata Dushani, to understand the full depth of this matter. I hope this helps.

Daaso'smi, BR Sadhu Swami Gaurangapada.

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Re: Srila Bhaktisiddhanta on the importance of chanting Gauraanga

Nityananda! Gauranga! Hare Krishna!

Please forgive me if I am being disrespectful, but  this post  brings up a question  for me.

How can we make a blanket statement and say that people who worship Radha but do not follow our line exactly are worshipping falsely?

Doesn't that presuppose that we know everyone else's innermost heart?

How can we say another person's worship of Radha is false?

To me, anyone who worships Radha is a friend. Granted, I might not want to follow their method of worship, but I wouldn't expect them to follow my method of worship either.

I can't expect that Gauranga would say that anyone who worships Radha is "false."  I think that Gauranga would be extremely happy if anyone thought of Radha and Krsna at all. Isn't that the reason Gauranga came here? To get all people to think about Radha and Krsna and chant their names?

Am I misunderstanding something you are saying?

- Neil in LA

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Re: Srila Bhaktisiddhanta on the importance of chanting Gauraanga

"After getting the mercy of Lord Caitanya there will be anartha nivritti"

Srila Visvanatha Chakravarti Thakura explains that the stage of
anartha-nivrtti consists of elimimation of four kinds of anarthas:

(1) Duskrtottha
Anarthas coming from one's past sinful activities leading to envy & anger
even while performing devotional service.

(2) Sukrtottha
Anarthas coming from one's past pious activities leading to a craving in the
heart for temporary sensual pleasure even while performing devotional
service.

(3)Aparadhottha
Anarthas coming from our offenses (basically nama-aparadhas). Most strong
anartha.

(4) Bhaktyuttha
Anarthas coming from devotional service like desires for profit, adoration &
distinction.

Are there any other types of anarta-nivrti?

Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krsna

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Re: Bhaktivinoda Thakura and brahmana ghost

Nitaaaai Gauraaaaanga!
All glories to Swami Gaurangapada!
It is also very impotant to notice that brahmana/ghost got positive result of his spiritual activities/chanting in form of saintly association of Srilla Bhaktivinoda Thakura. He was able to hear his chanting and therefore he surerly continue his spiritual life and soon again atain human form of life.
Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krsna

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Srila Bhaktisiddhanta on the importance of chanting Gauraanga

On chanting Gauranga

The Jata Gosais and Brijbasis had the practice of giving manjari svarupa and a manjari name at the time of initiation. From the very beginning, their initiates would claim to have understood their position as a manjari (intimate gopi assistant of Srimati Radharani). Sarasvati Thakura did not approve of such a process and would say, �FIRST CHANT THE NAME OF GAURANGA". After getting the mercy of Lord Caitanya there will be anartha nivritti. Then there is the possibility of artha pravriti. Anartha nivritti means to get rid of all the bad things in the heart, and artha pravriti means to enter into, or develop ones actual goal of life. Those who do not obey Caitanya Mahaprabhu, their claims of being manjaris and their worship of Radharani is all false.�

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Re: Bhaktivinoda Thakura and brahmana ghost

Nityananda!! Gauranga!! Hare Krishna!! Yes, that is true Mihir. Since Nityaananda Gauraanga Naama do not consider our offensive mentality, he would have neutralized his reactions towards the offensive chanting of Hari Naama and would have been saved from the ghostly body.

Daaso'smi, BR Sadhu Swami Gaurangapada.

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Re: Bhaktivinoda Thakura and brahmana ghost

Dear Gurudev, Ishan Prabhu and devotees,

Nityaananda ! Gauraanga ! Hare Krishna !

Dandavat Pranaams.

Thank you for such a wonderful post. I would like to request you to post more of such nectar daily.

However there is a question that has arisen in my mind. Incase if this cheater brahman would have chanted NGN also along with HKMM then would he have become a ghost or he would have got liberation ? Can someone pls guide me with my query ?

Sincerely,
Mihir.

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Bhaktivinoda Thakura and brahmana ghost

When Sarasvati Thakura was young he was often taken to visit holy places of Bengal by his father, Bhaktivinoda Thakura. Bengal abounds in holy places connected to Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His associates. Once they set out for Kulina-grama, a village whose inhabitants were very dear to Caitanya Mahaprabhu (cf. Caitanya-caritamrta Adi-lila 10.80-83). Arriving there late one evening, father and son were given a house to stay in. Next morning the villagers asked, �Did you sleep comfortably?�
Bhaktivinoda replied, �Yes! Thank you very much.� Surprised, the villagers asked, �How could you sleep? That house is haunted by a brahma-raksasa (the ghost of a brahmana). We had no other place to give you. But no-one can sleep there peacefully because of disturbances from the ghost.� Bhaktivinoda Thakura replied, �Yes, that ghost came and tried to disturb us. But I chanted the Hare Krsna maha-mantra very loudly. As a result, not only did the ghost go away, but I can assure you he will not trouble anyone else any more.� Astonished, the villagers asked Bhaktivinoda Thakura, �How could you send him away by chanting Hare Krsna? He was a priest here in this village and he chanted �Hare Krsna� throughout his life. How then, did he become a ghost, and how was it that your chanting has sent him away?�
Bhaktivinoda Thakura explained that the priest�s chanting could not have been actual chanting at all. Sinful people make a show of chanting with the intention of acquiring wealth and reputation. Such so-called chanting is only cheating. It is not actual chanting. Bhaktivinoda Thakura quoted Jagadananda Pandita�s Prema-vivarta: � �asadhu-sange bhai nama kabhu naya, bahire nama-aksara bate, tabe nama nahi haya� �Those not in the association of bona-fide devotees, strictly following theirinstructions, cannot actually chant the holy names. Even though they may externally vibrate the sound, �Hare Krsna,� thatis not actually the name of Krsna.�
The name of Krsna is non-different from Krsna. It is completely pure and spiritual. Krsna-nama does not allow Himself to be hijacked by materialists. This man never actually chanted the Hare Krsna mantra even once in his life. On the contrary, he was a sinful person who wanted to use the name for sense gratification. Because of the great offense of taking Krsna�s name to cheat people, he became a ghost. When I chanted, Krsna was pleased to manifest Himself as that sound. A sinful ghost cannot stay in the presence of such chanting.� This incident was published in a famous daily newspaper of Bengal, the �Amrit Bazar Patrika.�After this, the glories of Bhaktivinoda Thakura becamewidely known for the first time.

Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krsna
All glories to  Srilla Bhaktivinoda Thakura!
All glories to guru parampara!
Nityanaaaaandaaaa! Gauraaaaaanga!

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Use every moment of good health to chant

Nityaananda ! Gauraanga ! Hare Krishna !

Jaya Gurudev ! Jaya Guru Parapara !

I have realized a very important point in my spiritual life. When we have a very good health then we can chant and serve the Lord much much more. However when our health is not good bhakti is a bit difficult. Therefore I think that when we are in good health we must use every moment of our time to chant chant and only chant. This way at the end of the day we can derive a lot of satisfaction because we never know what misery is waiting for us in the near future therefore why not use every moment of our good health days to serve the Lord.

Sincerely,
Mihir.

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Re: Bhishma's death

Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krishna!

Lord Shri Krishna continued, "Now I am going to narrate a famous historical event concerning the previous birth of Draupadi. In her previous birth Draupadi was the daughter of a great brahmana sage called Medhavi. Her mother died when she was a small child, and so she was under the care of her father. Day by day, she grew to full bloom youth. She was very beautiful, but her father was not interested in arranging her marriage Seeing her other girlfriends with their husbands and young children she passed her days in a very miserable way  In the mean time, her father passed away from this material world while uttering the sacred name ofHari.

" This made his daughter even more miserable. Fortunately, the great sage Durvasa Muni appeared in her asrama shortly after her father's death. Seeing the great sage, the girl paid her obeisances to him and respectfully worshiped him. She offered flowers and fruits to the great sage When he expressed his pleasure with her reception, she began lamenting and crying before him. Concerned, the sage inquired about her lamentation. The brahmana girl began to speak, "Oh great saint Durvasa, you know everything - past, present and future. 1 have no shelter in this world. I have lost all of my relatives. My parents have passed away, and I have no elder brother. I am also unmarried, and therefore there is no husband to protect me. Oh great sage, please do something, please help me! Please give me some advice to relieve me from this miserable condition." After listening to her prayer, Durvasa began to consider the unfortunate condition of the girl, and he decided to show mercy towards her.

Durvasa rsi began to speak, "Oh beautiful one, three months from now the most auspicious Purusottama month will begin. This sacred month is most dear to Lord Shri Krishna. Just by taking a holy bath in this month a man or woman can become completely sinless. This Purusottama month is more glorious than all other months, including Kartik month The glories of all other months is not even equal to one sixteenth of the glories of Purusottama month the merit of a person who takes a holy bath even once in this month is equal to the merit of taking bath in the Ganges for twelve thousand years, or the merit achieved by a person who takes a bath in holy water of Ganges or Godavari when Brihaspati [Jupiter] enters to Leo [lion] If you will take a holy bath, give in charity and chant the holy name of Krishna during this month all your miseries will go away, you will attain all kinds of perfection, and all of your desires will be fulfilled. Please follow my advice - please do not forget to worship the forthPurusottama month very sincerely "

After speaking these words. Sage Durvasa remained silent. Unfortunately, the young brahmani did not believe in his words, rather she became angry and started blaspheming, "Oh great sage, you are lying. How could this extra month, which is also called Mala-masa [stool month], be superior to other great months like Magha, Kartika and Vaisakha. I cannot believe your words. You are trying to cheat me. This extra month is known to be most abominable for any kind of pious activity " Hearing these words of the brahmana girl Durvasa became very angry, his whole body started burning, and his eyes became red. But remembering the helpless condition of the girl, he consciously controlled himself

Sage Durvasa told the girl, "Oh unintelligent one, I am not going to curse you because your father was a good friend of mine. You are in such a helpless condition   Being an ignorant child, you cannot understand the sastric conclusion. I am not going to take your offenses towards me seriously. But at the same time, I cannot and should not tolerate your offences towards Purusottama month. In your next life you will certainly reap the results of your offensive words" The great sage Durvasa then hurriedly left that place to perform his service for Lord Narayana.

Lord Shri Krishna told Arjuna, "Oh sinless one, when Durvasa Muni left that place the brahmin girl [Draupadi in her previous birth] lost all of her opulences in a moment.  Being an offender to Purusottama month, her body began to look very ugly, and she lost all of her bodily effulgence. She then decided to worship Lord Siva who is known as Asutosa, one who is very easily pleased.

This young brahmani then began to perform great austerities to please Lord Siva, the husband of Parvati She continued her austerities for nine thousand years.  In the summer season, she would sit for meditation surrounded by fire and under the hot sun. In the winter season, she meditated under freezing cold water. Observing her great austerities, even the demigods became fearful. Lord Sankara then appeared before the brahmin girl because he was pleased by her worship and austerities. When Lord Siva appeared before the girl in his spiritual form, the girl immediately stood up rejuvenated. In the presence of Lord Siva all of her bodily weakness disappeared and she again started to look beautiful. Seeing Lord Siva in front of her, she started to worship him in her mind, and then began to recite nice prayers to please Him.

Being very pleased with the girl. Lord Siva said, "Oh performer of austerity, all good fortune to you Now please ask some boon from me. 1 am pleased with you I shall grant whatever you want "

Hearing these words from the mouth of Lord Siva, the girl said, "Oh friend of the poor, if you are pleased with me then please give me a husband. Repeatedly speaking the same words - "give me a husband" - five times, the girl then fell silent. Then Lord Siva replied, "Let it be. You have asked for a husband five times, and so you will get five husbands." Hearing Lord Siva's words, the girl became very ashamed. She said, "Oh Lord, it is most abominable for a girl to have five husbands. Please retract your words " Lord Shiva then spoke to her very gravely, ""That is impossible for me. What you have asked from me will be granted. You will get five husbands in your next life. Previously you offended Purusottama month by not following the kind advice of sage Durvasa. Oh brahmana girl, there is not difference between the body of Durvasa and mine. All we demigods, including Lord Brahma and all the great saints like Narada, worship this Purusottama month in accord with the order of Lord Shri Krishna.

A devotee of Purusottama month achieves all good fortune in this life and at the end of his life he goes back to Goloka Dhama, the abode of Lord Shri Krishna. Being an offender to this sacred Purusottama month, you will get five husbands in your next life." The girl became very remorseful, but Lord Siva immediately disappeared from the place. After Lord Siva's departure, the young brahmani became very morose and fearful about her future life In this way, after few days, the girl left her body by the arrangement of providence.

Lord Shri Krishna then said, "Oh Arjuna, in the meantime the great king Draupada had been performing an elaborate sacrifice. From this sacrificial fire, the young brahmani took her birth. She appeared as the daughter of Maharaja Draupada. Oh Arjuna, the same daughter of Medhavi Rsi has now became famous in the world as Draupadi - she is none other than your present wife. Because she blasphemed Purusottama month in her previous life, she was insulted by Dushasana in front of the whole Kuru assembly in the presence of all her Pandava husbands. Fortunately she remembered Me [Shri Krishna] and took My shelter. Forgiving her offenses, I protected her from that most abominable condition and saved her from the hand of Dushasana. Oh dear Pandava brothers, please don't forget to worship the forthcoming Purusottama month. A person who blasphemes Purusottama month and doesn't worship her, and doesn't worship Me, will never attain good fortune. This Purusottama month is fully potent to fulfill all your desires and remove all miseries. Now your fourteen years of forest life is coming to an end. Please worship this Purusottama month sincerely, for it will bestow all good fortune upon you." Giving full consolation to the Pandavas in this way, Lord Shri Krishna then left that place for Dwaraka.

After a few days, when Purusottama month appeared, Maharaja Yudhistira reminded his younger brothers and wife Draupadi of the words of Lord Shri Krishna. All of them followed the instructions He had given them. They worshiped Purusottama Shri Krishna in various ways during this sacred month The merit they achieved by performing Purusottama vrata meant they regained their lost kingdom, and after enjoying a happy life they all returned back to Godhead by the grace of Lord Shri Krishna.

All glories to Purushottama Masa!

Daaso'smi,
Srinath

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Re: Bhishma's death

Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krishna!

Lord Shri Krishna continued, "Now I am going to narrate a famous historical event concerning the previous birth of Draupadi. In her previous birth Draupadi was the daughter of a great brahmana sage called Medhavi. Her mother died when she was a small child, and so she was under the care of her father. Day by day, she grew to full bloom youth. She was very beautiful, but her father was not interested in arranging her marriage Seeing her other girlfriends with their husbands and young children she passed her days in a very miserable way  In the mean time, her father passed away from this material world while uttering the sacred name ofHari.

" This made his daughter even more miserable. Fortunately, the great sage Durvasa Muni appeared in her asrama shortly after her father's death. Seeing the great sage, the girl paid her obeisances to him and respectfully worshiped him. She offered flowers and fruits to the great sage When he expressed his pleasure with her reception, she began lamenting and crying before him. Concerned, the sage inquired about her lamentation. The brahmana girl began to speak, "Oh great saint Durvasa, you know everything - past, present and future. 1 have no shelter in this world. I have lost all of my relatives. My parents have passed away, and I have no elder brother. I am also unmarried, and therefore there is no husband to protect me. Oh great sage, please do something, please help me! Please give me some advice to relieve me from this miserable condition." After listening to her prayer, Durvasa began to consider the unfortunate condition of the girl, and he decided to show mercy towards her.

Durvasa rsi began to speak, "Oh beautiful one, three months from now the most auspicious Purusottama month will begin. This sacred month is most dear to Lord Shri Krishna. Just by taking a holy bath in this month a man or woman can become completely sinless. This Purusottama month is more glorious than all other months, including Kartik month The glories of all other months is not even equal to one sixteenth of the glories of Purusottama month the merit of a person who takes a holy bath even once in this month is equal to the merit of taking bath in the Ganges for twelve thousand years, or the merit achieved by a person who takes a bath in holy water of Ganges or Godavari when Brihaspati [Jupiter] enters to Leo [lion] If you will take a holy bath, give in charity and chant the holy name of Krishna during this month all your miseries will go away, you will attain all kinds of perfection, and all of your desires will be fulfilled. Please follow my advice - please do not forget to worship the forthPurusottama month very sincerely "

After speaking these words. Sage Durvasa remained silent. Unfortunately, the young brahmani did not believe in his words, rather she became angry and started blaspheming, "Oh great sage, you are lying. How could this extra month, which is also called Mala-masa [stool month], be superior to other great months like Magha, Kartika and Vaisakha. I cannot believe your words. You are trying to cheat me. This extra month is known to be most abominable for any kind of pious activity " Hearing these words of the brahmana girl Durvasa became very angry, his whole body started burning, and his eyes became red. But remembering the helpless condition of the girl, he consciously controlled himself

Sage Durvasa told the girl, "Oh unintelligent one, I am not going to curse you because your father was a good friend of mine. You are in such a helpless condition   Being an ignorant child, you cannot understand the sastric conclusion. I am not going to take your offenses towards me seriously. But at the same time, I cannot and should not tolerate your offences towards Purusottama month. In your next life you will certainly reap the results of your offensive words" The great sage Durvasa then hurriedly left that place to perform his service for Lord Narayana.

Lord Shri Krishna told Arjuna, "Oh sinless one, when Durvasa Muni left that place the brahmin girl [Draupadi in her previous birth] lost all of her opulences in a moment.  Being an offender to Purusottama month, her body began to look very ugly, and she lost all of her bodily effulgence. She then decided to worship Lord Siva who is known as Asutosa, one who is very easily pleased.

This young brahmani then began to perform great austerities to please Lord Siva, the husband of Parvati She continued her austerities for nine thousand years.  In the summer season, she would sit for meditation surrounded by fire and under the hot sun. In the winter season, she meditated under freezing cold water. Observing her great austerities, even the demigods became fearful. Lord Sankara then appeared before the brahmin girl because he was pleased by her worship and austerities. When Lord Siva appeared before the girl in his spiritual form, the girl immediately stood up rejuvenated. In the presence of Lord Siva all of her bodily weakness disappeared and she again started to look beautiful. Seeing Lord Siva in front of her, she started to worship him in her mind, and then began to recite nice prayers to please Him.

Being very pleased with the girl. Lord Siva said, "Oh performer of austerity, all good fortune to you Now please ask some boon from me. 1 am pleased with you I shall grant whatever you want "

Hearing these words from the mouth of Lord Siva, the girl said, "Oh friend of the poor, if you are pleased with me then please give me a husband. Repeatedly speaking the same words - "give me a husband" - five times, the girl then fell silent. Then Lord Siva replied, "Let it be. You have asked for a husband five times, and so you will get five husbands." Hearing Lord Siva's words, the girl became very ashamed. She said, "Oh Lord, it is most abominable for a girl to have five husbands. Please retract your words " Lord Shiva then spoke to her very gravely, ""That is impossible for me. What you have asked from me will be granted. You will get five husbands in your next life. Previously you offended Purusottama month by not following the kind advice of sage Durvasa. Oh brahmana girl, there is not difference between the body of Durvasa and mine. All we demigods, including Lord Brahma and all the great saints like Narada, worship this Purusottama month in accord with the order of Lord Shri Krishna.

A devotee of Purusottama month achieves all good fortune in this life and at the end of his life he goes back to Goloka Dhama, the abode of Lord Shri Krishna. Being an offender to this sacred Purusottama month, you will get five husbands in your next life." The girl became very remorseful, but Lord Siva immediately disappeared from the place. After Lord Siva's departure, the young brahmani became very morose and fearful about her future life In this way, after few days, the girl left her body by the arrangement of providence.

Lord Shri Krishna then said, "Oh Arjuna, in the meantime the great king Draupada had been performing an elaborate sacrifice. From this sacrificial fire, the young brahmani took her birth. She appeared as the daughter of Maharaja Draupada. Oh Arjuna, the same daughter of Medhavi Rsi has now became famous in the world as Draupadi - she is none other than your present wife. Because she blasphemed Purusottama month in her previous life, she was insulted by Dushasana in front of the whole Kuru assembly in the presence of all her Pandava husbands. Fortunately she remembered Me [Shri Krishna] and took My shelter. Forgiving her offenses, I protected her from that most abominable condition and saved her from the hand of Dushasana. Oh dear Pandava brothers, please don't forget to worship the forthcoming Purusottama month. A person who blasphemes Purusottama month and doesn't worship her, and doesn't worship Me, will never attain good fortune. This Purusottama month is fully potent to fulfill all your desires and remove all miseries. Now your fourteen years of forest life is coming to an end. Please worship this Purusottama month sincerely, for it will bestow all good fortune upon you." Giving full consolation to the Pandavas in this way, Lord Shri Krishna then left that place for Dwaraka.

After a few days, when Purusottama month appeared, Maharaja Yudhistira reminded his younger brothers and wife Draupadi of the words of Lord Shri Krishna. All of them followed the instructions He had given them. They worshiped Purusottama Shri Krishna in various ways during this sacred month The merit they achieved by performing Purusottama vrata meant they regained their lost kingdom, and after enjoying a happy life they all returned back to Godhead by the grace of Lord Shri Krishna.

All glories to Purushottama Masa!

Daaso'smi,
Srinath

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Re: Bhishma's death

Dear devotees,

       Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krishna! I have found some more information about this topic. Previously I had not found a complete answer to why the Pandavas had to suffer and I said that there was more to it than meets the eye

       Once Shri Krishna, son of Devaki, visited the Pandavas in that forest. All the Pandavas, including Draupadi, were very happy to see their Lord, and they forgot their painful forest life immediately. They felt enriched with a new life just by taking Krnsa's darshan. They paid their obeisances at their Lord's lotus feet Seeing the miserable living condition of the Pandavas, Lord Shri Krishna became very upset. and at the same time He became very angry towards Dhuryodhana. It appeared as if the Lord was going to destroy the whole universe, and so the Pandavas became fearful and all began to pray to the Lord in a humble mood. Listening to the humble prayers of Arjuna, the Lord composed Himself and said, "Oh Arjuna, being very pleased with all of you [ Pandavas], and being controlled by your devotion and friendship towards Me, I will now tell you about the wonderful history of Purusottama month....

        A fortunate person who follows My instructions and observes this Purusottama month properly, and in a faithful way worships Me will attain fame, opulence and a good son in this very life And after enjoying a happy life, he will return back to Goloka Dhama. By following My instructions, everyone should worship this sacred month. 1 have made it the best among all other months Oh husband of Rama devi (Vishnu), give up all kinds of mental speculation about (his extra month  Just take this Purusottama month with you to your Vaikuntha abode

After narrating this brief history of the Purusottama month. Lord Shri Krishna glanced very mercifully upon Yudhisthira and Draupadi, and then began speaking to Arjuna

"Oh lion among man, can you now understand the reason why you Pandavas are suffering? You did not acknowledge or honor the presence of Purusottama month, which has just recently finished. That month which is most dear to Vrndavana Chandra has passed, but you Pandavas were in the forest and did not worship Purusottama month.  So now you are suffering. You have been following the ritualistic principles given to you by Vyasadeva, but unless you worship Purusottama month you cannot perform pure devotional service to Me."

     More to come in the next post. Very interesting. Mihir, our questions are answered at the right time!

Daaso'smi,
Srinath

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Re: Sweet Radha Madhava Kirtana 9-9-9 Video

Dear Swamiji,

     Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krishna! That kirtana was on your deities in the ashram right? And Lord Jagannatha alone is there in your ashram... manima! manima! Gaura Nitaai! Jaua Pancha Tattva!  Hare Krishna! 

     Your kirtans are so beautiful! One day we should also be able to join you in that!

Daaso'smi,
Srinath

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Feasibility of Theory in Practice

Dear devotees,

    Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krishna! My pranams!

    This is from a reply to a previous topic on bhoga but since it crossed over into other subjects I have put this separately.

    I would agree with Ishana Thakur Dasa prabhu. I am simply getting excessively confused and bewildered by topics like this. Hari Bhakti Vilasa's standards are so high that they belong to previous yugas literally. It is that ideal standard which one can only dream of today. It has so many thousands of rules and regulations that if you saw it all, you would faint! I can't follow everything and it would be too much to expect it out of other people like me. I am not finding any fault in the scripture, I am just saying I am too fallen for its higher standards.

    First please understand that we don't live in those times anymore. In this present age of Kali Yuga, you never get something near an ideal situation for devotion. All over the world there are always some limitations or the other and we have to make do with what we have. We can only follow so much....the rest is practically impossible. As they say, "Look at what you have and count your blessings. Don't keep moaning over what you don't have and can't get." Make the best use of your life with whatever limitations you have.

    I will tell you my painful experiences. It is an effect of too much dabbling in theory. Come down to earth and see what is practically feasible today. When we read without realizing whether it is possible or not, we simply raise the bar to unreal expectations and then get frustrated if we cannot reach it. Not only that all this excess theory simply makes life unlivable and only causes a big disturbance. Finally it becomes irritating for both oneself and others. You offend many people and your result becomes counter productive. Finally we simply become some sort of fanatic or eccentric, and you would end up quarrelling with practically everyone around you and create unnecessary trouble. Soon your life would be so miserable that you would ruin your chances of advancing, and also make others around you develop a hatred for bhakti and devotees -- that is badly offensive.

    I live in a hostel, I have to eat food which is by no means ideal, and has all masala, onion and other stuff. I have to mingle with people who have zero interest spiritually, I have work that keeps me awake till late night, so many limitations. But am I supposed to starve and die because its unethical and non-ideal? Please! I would lose this opportunity to do chanting and whatever little bhakti I can do...food problem is not so important compared to losing out on whatever little bhakti I can do. Of course I would follow a better standard if I could, but when I can't there's no point complaining.

    Following all the rules and regulations is only useful so long as it can strengthen one's devotional service. If they go so far that they become an obstacle and distract us from what is really important, then it is not worth spending all that time and effort on them. Soon one will only become a rule follower and forget the devotion that was the most important thing. So while reading the rule books, please use some discretion. If I were to force newcomers who don't know ABCD of devotion to follow Satya Yuga standards right away, they would all run away, defeating the purpose of preaching! So I have to use my common sense and know where to draw the boundary lines.

    So first I recommend that we all forgive ourselves and others for their limitations. Only when we accept that and say, "All right. With this I must make my success." Only then can we allow devotion to enter in and allow us to transcend those limitations and make advancement in spite of all that stands in the way. So please forgive me if any of this was offensive in any manner. I just wanted to share my feelings about my limitations and hope that you will still give me a chance for bhakti despite them.

     In this age, life is short and opportunities few. We don't even have enough memory to remember all the rules! We ought to concentrate more on the most important principles. The important principle is chanting the Holy names and the main rules that everyone has to follow are only those pillars that can never be compromised.

    In the past I had just such bitter lessons. Issues like this caused so much trouble, dreadful offenses (even Vaishnava aparadha which I had to see and hear) and pain - the bitter results of which I have to eat today that is affecting me spiritually. I have no desire to re-live those scenarios which I cannot forget. I realized that I can argue logic and prove my point is right, but in the process I would lose friends and a budding devotee, and ruin my own chances!  Having said that, in fact I wonder if I have indeed contradicted myself by writing this post and fallen into the same error that I have written about avoiding.

    I hope that no one is offended and that what I have written does not bounce back and result in another such embarrasment.

    So I am sorry, but this will be the final time that I participate in this kind of discussions. My humble pranams! Nityananda! Gauranga! Hare Krishna!   

Daaso'smi,
Srinath

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Re: Tommy induces others to chant Gouranga

Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krsna
All glories to Bhakta Tommy  Gauranga! Most wonderfull video! Thank you so much. Gauuuurangaaaaaaaaa

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Re: Sweet Radha Madhava Kirtana 9-9-9 Video

Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krsna
Thank you so much for sharing it with us. You are inspiring us with your example. Hopefully in some life time we will be able to  feel drop of that Naam-rasa.

Your's fallen, Ishana Thakura dasa

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01 Ramananda Gauranga Talks Video

Nityaananda!! Gauraanga!! Hare Krishna!! This is the first lecture (Ramanand9-9-09) on the divine conversation between Shrila Ramananda Raya and Lord Gauranga Mahaprabhu. It is in mixed Hindi and English.

500 kbps


100 kbps

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Tommy induces others to chant Gouranga

Nityaananda!! Gauraanga!! Hare Krishna!! I had tears in my eyes to see this sincere effort of our Bhakta Tommy to request people on the street to chant "Gauranga" many times. Tommy has induced them to begin their spiritual journey to Godhead.



Daaso'smi, BR Sadhu Swami Gaurangapada.

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Re: Sweet Radha Madhava Kirtana 9-9-9 Video

Nityananda! Gauranga! Hare Krsna!

I pray that all disciples and devotees and friends of Swami Gaurangapada my develop the same taste for and attachment to the Holy Names that Swami Gaurangapada shows in this posting!

- Neil in LA

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Sweet Radha Madhava Kirtana 9-9-9 Video

Dear Devotees, Nityaananda!! Gauraanga!! Hare Krishna!! I had so many wonderful undescribable realizations while singing this Kirtana today. It is so astonishing how every single time, the Holy Names of the Lord reveal so many new and ever-fresh characteristics of the Lord while singing Them. I just pray and beg to the Holy Names that They should never stop revealing these truths to me and in exchange for this reward I will never stop chanting Them.

Daaso'smi, BR Sadhu Swami Gaurangapada.


100 kbps


Daaso'smi, BR Sadhu Swami Gaurangapada.

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Bhagavad Gita e-Courses by Dhruva Maharaja dasa and Samapriya dasi

Dear Devotees, Nityaananda!! Gauraanga!! Hare Krishna!! Jaya Shrila Prabhupada! Our dear devotee friends from Jagannatha Puri, Dhruva Maharaja dasa prabhu and Samapriya devi dasi  are now in USA and have started Bhagavad Gita e-Courses. Any devotees who are interested can kindly partiicpate.

Daaso'smi, BR Sadhu Swami Gaurangapada.

Bhagavad-gita eCourses

Learn about yoga, meditation, and how to get free from stress.

Lord Krishna’s instructions for mankind were spoken on the Battlefield of Kuruksetra thousands of years ago in the form of Bhagavad-gita, ‘The Song of God.’

This ancient Sanskrit text was translated into English with elaborate commentaries by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, whose life of devotion exemplified the message of Bhagavad-gita. Srila Prabhupada founded the International Society for Krishna Consciousness in the hopes of benefiting the people of the world with the teachings of Lord Krishna.

Themes Discussed in the Bhagavad-gita

   
• Who Krishna Is
   
• The Science of the Soul - Who Am I?
   
• What Material Nature Is
   
• Distinguishing Matter from Spirit
   
• Work Performed by God & Sages
   
• How to Work in Devotion For the Benefit of All People
   
• How to Remain Free from Sin
   
• Types of Yoga: Bhakti, Jnana, Karma
   
• Instructions for the Mind - How To Remain Peaceful and Happy
   
• How to Make the Best Use of Time
   
• Modes of Nature: Goodness, Passion, Ignorance
   
• Divine Qualities and Character Traits
   
• The Art of Dying to Live Eternally
   
• Developing Love of God

You can choose between an introductory and a complete course. The 20-week complete course covers one chapter of Bhagavad-gita per week. The 4-week introductory course gives you an overview of the Bhagavad-gita, along with an in-depth study of the book’s Introduction, Chapters 1 and 2. Participants have the option to upgrade to the complete course, and continue with Chapters 3 through 18. In both courses, students will have a personal instructor who is a devoted practitioner of Bhakti yoga, work with fellow students via online forums, answer study questions, quizzes, write essays and learn to apply the essential teachings of Lord Krishna in their everyday lives.

Check the left sidebar for upcoming courses.

   
• Register for this e-Course.
   
•  
   
• Try our Free Bhagavad-gita Mini Course.
   
• Learn more about Krishna.com’s Online Education Programs.

                                                                           

Taught by: Dhruva Maharaja Dasa & Samapriya dasi

Dhruva Maharaja dasa began studying Bhagavad-gita in 1974, and has taught and distributed its message worldwide for over 35 years.                         Having lived in the holy places of India for more than three decades after growing up in the United States, Dhruva Maharaja blends cultures by teaching how to practically apply and understand the ancient teachings of Bhagavad-gita in today’s modern enviornment.

Samapriya devi dasi, a disciple of AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, is a seasoned devotee of almost 40 years. She has spent her life studying and distributing the teachings of Bhagavad-Gita in many places throughout the world.                         She joined Iskcon in New York City in 1971 and was immediately attracted to the beautiful forms of Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha- Govinda. After some time she moved to Los Angeles and dressed Sri Sri Rukmini Dwarkadish, the presiding deities in the LA temple for the next ten years.                         Chanting the holy name and encouraging others to take up this process of self-realization has become her prime duty in life. She performed Sankirtan for many years distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books.

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Re: offering bhoga to the deity

Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krishna!  Considering the offering of Bhoga, let's get into what type of nice foodstuffs we can make for the Lord. That's right, I say cookbooks.

As a matter of fact, the Gaura Ebook which I downloaded (v 1.3) has a series of cookbooks on the subject, including some ekadasi recipies. It also has links on where to get devotional cookbooks. It had some really fantastic recipes from all over the world from 1000 yr old South Indian specials to all the other typical dishes in other countries including where many of you devotees live. Try getting some of the cookbooks online before geocities closes.

Daaso'smi,

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Re: offering bhoga to the deity

Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krsna


Above are quotations from sastras :

"Anyone  who eats eggplants, Lord Sri Hari always stays  a far distance from him."

"Any  food  which is mixed with wine, meat,  eggplant  and beetroot,  if  it is offered by someone to the  Lord,  he  cannot receive unalloyed devotion to Lord Janardana."


Could someone please explain - according to Hari Bhakta Vilasa if person offer eggplant he or she can not attain unallloyes devotion to Lord!

We are offering eggplant dishes and Srilla Prabhupada liked it too! What does it mean? Is this quote from Haribhakta-vilasa right or wrong?

Srila Prabhupada: Pleasing taste. So the Vedas say, raso vai sah. The exact translation of mellow is rasa. [Malatī, Śyamasundara�s wife, enters with a tray of food] What is that?
Malatī: Eggplant, fried.
Srila Prabhupada: Oh! All-attractive! All-attractive! [Laughter.]

Also above is quote :"One should also give up turnips and beetroots, carrots,  kinsuka, forest  figs, and white pumpkin.  If the twice born  persons  eat these things, they all become fallen."

We are prepring carrots? Gajar Halava is devotees favorite? Does it mean that if "persons  eat these things, they all become fallen?"

Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krsna

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Re: offering bhoga to the deity

chatur-vidha-sri-bhagavat-prasada svadv-anna-trptanhari-bhakta-sanghan krtvaiva trptirh bhajatah sadaiva vande guroh sri-charanaravindam

(4)    I worship the lotus feet of the Divine Master,
who fully satisfies the devotees of Sri Krishna with four types of nectarean prasadam foodstuffs that are chewed, sucked, licked, and drunk (that is, he brings about the dispellation of mundanity and the awakening of the joy of love that develops from respecting prasadam), and he is thereby himself satisfied.

onions, shallots, leeks, scallions and herbs such as garlic and chives are not offerable

The Portuguese brought tomatoes and chilies to India in the sixteenth century.

Asian. Tropical cauliflower used in China and India. Developed in India during the 19th century from the now-abandoned Cornish type.[3] Includes old varieties Early Patna and Early Benaras.
These vegetables are not mentioned in the Srimad Bhagavatam

(Bihar Times) Some years ago it was discovered that owners of Vanaspathi oils were putting cow and pig lard into the oil.
There was a furore which died down after a few months and no one knows till today what happened to the Jains who
owned the enterprise � but I have little doubt that they got off and a few bureaucrats and policemen are richer.


Forbidden foods
Conrmon forbidden foods include meat, fish, eggs, onions, mushrooms,garlic,masur-dal(red lentils), burned rice, white eggplant, hemp (marijuana), citron,+ saps from trees (if not boiled first), buffalo- and goat-milk products, and milk with salt in it.

Also. one should not offer canned or frozen foods to the Deity, and it is best to avoid offering foods containing
unhealthy substances such as yeast and white sugar.

Conceming the use of sour cream in the temple, it should be stopped immediately. Nothing should be offered to the
Deities which is purchased in the stores. Things produced by the karmis should not be offered to Radha-Krishna.
Ice cream, if you can prepare, is O.K., but not otherwise. letter from Srtla Prabhup6da, 6 April 19761 Unpolished rice which  looks like brown can be used. . .
We do not mind polished or unpolished, but doubly-boiled* [siddha rice] mustn't be used. Doubly-boiled rice is considered
impure. Sunbaked rice (atapa) is all right. [letter from Srtla Prabhupdda,   1967.

Soya beans and lentils are unofferatrle.

Frozen rneans nasty. I never take fiozen. AII rotten, rather the same vegetable, as we have got in India practice,
we dry it and keep it. That is tasteful'

So far the cucumber pickles: As far as possible we should not offer to the Deity things which are prepared by
nondevotees.

We can accept from them raw fruits, grains, or similar raw things. So far cooking and preparing' that
should be strictly limited to the initiated devotees.

And aside from this, vinegar is not good; it is tamasic, in the darkness, nasty food. [letter from Srila Prabhupada  24 March 1969

Conceming the use of sour cream in the temple, it should be stopped immediately.

Nothing should be offered to the Deities which is purchased in the stores. Things produced by the karmis should not be offered to Radha-Krishna.

Ice cream, if you can prepare, is O.K., but not otherwise. Letter from Srtla Prabhupada, 6 April 19761


The Hari-bhakti-vilasa
kirn ca
mahisam varjayen mahyarh ksirarh dadhi ghrtarh yadi
kirn ca-furthermore; mahisam-from a buffalo; varjayet-should avpid; mahyam-to Me; ksiram-milk; dadhi-yogurt; ghrtam-ghee; yadi-if.
The Lord Himself says:
"One should not offer to Me milk, yogurt, or ghee that have come from a buffalo."


VRNTAKAM JALISAKAM KUSUMBHA SMANTAKAM TATHA
PALANDU LASUNAM SUKLAM NIRYASAN CAIVA VARJAYET
GRJANAM KINSUKAN CAIVA KUKUNDANCA TATHAIVA CA
UDUMBARAM ALAVUN CA JAGDHVA PATATI VAI DVIJAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA  8/158, 159 KURMA PURANA)


        One  should  not eat eggplant, banana  leaves,  sunflower leaves and asmantaka leaves, onions, garlic.  One should not  eat sour  gruel  (a thin watery pouriage) or the juice of  the  tree.  One should also give up turnips and beetroots, carrots,  kinsuka, forest  figs, and white pumpkin.  If the twice born  persons  eat these things, they all become fallen. 

YO BHAKSATI BRNTAKAM TASYA DURATARO HARIH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA  8/161  SKANDA PURANA)


                Anyone  who eats eggplants, Lord Sri Hari always stays  a far distance from him.


VARTANKUM URHATIN CAIVA DAGDHAM ANNAM MASURAKAM
YASYA UDARE PRAVARTETA SASYA DURATARO HARIH

(HARI BHAKTI  VILASA 8/162)


        Beetroot,  eggplant,  burnt grains  (rice)  masura  (pink dal),  whoever  has  these foods in his stomach,  Lord  Sri  Hari remains a long distance from him.


YATRA MADYAM TATHA MANSAM TATHA VRNTAKA MULAKE
NIVEDAYEN NAIVA TATRA HARER AIKANTIKI RATIH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA  8/164 quoted from YAMALA)


        Any  food  which is mixed with wine, meat,  eggplant  and beetroot,  if  it is offered by someone to the  Lord,  he  cannot receive unalloyed devotion to Lord Janardana.


NA BHAKSAM NAIVEDYARTHE BHAKSESU APY AJA MAHISI
KSIRAM PANCA NAKHA MATSYAS CA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/152 HARITA SMRTUI)


        Uneatable  food  should not be offered to  the  Lord  and   among those foods which are  eatable, milk from the goat and milk from  the  buffalo,and milk from animals which  have  five  nails (tigers,  lions  and  elephants, etc.) and  fish  should  not  be offered to the Lord.


MAHISAN CA VIKAM CA AJAM AYAJNIYAM UDAHRTAM
MAHISAM VARJEYEN MAHYAM KSIRAM DADHI GHRTAM YADI

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA  8/155 VARAHA PURANA)


        Ghee made from sheep and goats is unusable in the worship of  the  Lord.  If someone offers Me (the Lord) yogurt,  milk  or ghee,  one  should not offer me these items  made  from  buffalo, sheep or goats.
...............................................................................

Offerable foods
The Hari-bhakti-vilasa lists some of the foods that may be offered: bilva, amalaki, dates, coconut, jackfruit, grapes, tala fruit,lotus root, leafy vegetablesc, owmilk products,a nd items
made from grains, ghee, and sugar. Grains, especiaily rice, should always be offered with ghee.

Rice without ghee is considered asuric. The Lord is pleased when offered items made with ghee, sugar, yogurt, guda jaggery), and honey; chickpea preparations,dals, soups (wet sabji's),varieties of cakes,and other items that can be licked, chewed, sucked, or drunk are all pleasing as well.
One may aiso offer drinks such as sugar cane juice, yogurt drinks, sweetened lemon water, water flavored with cinnamon, camphor, or cardamom, and fruit drinks of various scents and colors.

Many passagesi in the Caitanya-caritamrta describe reparations that please Krsna. Here is a sample, from Antya-Lila, describing hat Lord Caitanya's associate  would prepared or Him: They offered Him preparations made with black pepper,sweet-and-sour preparation ginger,salty preparations,
limes,milk, yogurt,cheese two or four kinds of spinach, soup made with bitter melon (Sukta), eggplant mixed wtth nimba flowers, and fried patola. Cc. Antya 10.135-36


respects to all

lowerthanarat

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Re: offering bhoga to the deity

Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krishna! Not to mention that there are so many dishes from my part of the country that will be all staple impossible to make without tomatoes or all the other things not mentioned in the songs -- rasam, sambhar, etc...and so many staple recipies of India!

Srila Prabhupada has mentioned that Srimati Radharani never cooks the same dish twice for the Lord because of the infinite variety of the spiritual world. In that case we can only imagine what kinds of foods Krishna eats -- we cannot even imagine how many varieties of dishes must be there in that bhoga arati song...amazing don't you agree?

Pranams,
Srinath

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Re: Found a new ebook of spiritual nectar

Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krishna! I have found that the links mentioned above have become dead or invalid ...  the working link is here : Download v1.3

Srinath

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Re: offering bhoga to the deity

Nitaai Gauranga!
I think that lowerthanarat asked what Krsna like to eat not what is forbiden? Really, in Bhoga arati song there are no cauliflower potatoes or tomatos. Hardly to imagine subji withouth this!  Pranams

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When willl...prayer

When will nectar of Holy Name fill my sinful hearth? When will eternal Navadvipa become manifested before my eyes? When will I abandon all fruitive useless activities and jubilantly preach about Nityananda and Gauranga?

When will Advaita Acharya become merciful upon me and gave me mercy to see Nitaai-Gaura?
When will this stone-like hearth melt upon hearing Hari Naam, and shake like leaf just thinking about pastimes of Lord Gauranga?

When will Rupa and Sanatana  become merciful upon me and grant me understanding of their writings? When will Haridasa Thakura place his benedictions upon me by giving me entrance into realm of pure chanting of HariNaam?

When will Srilla Bhaktivinoda Thakura become merciful upon me and grant me permanent residence in Puri Dham, where I will be able to hear sweet sound of Tota Gopinath's flute? When will Srilla Prabhupada gave me his mercy and gave me strength to take part in sankirtana mission?

Bound by endless ropes of kama and karma, this fallen Ishana Thakura dasa is meditating upon lotus feet of his spiritual master, praying to attain association of devotees and crying out Names of Nityananda and Gauranga.

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Re: offering bhoga to the deity

Dear Devotees,

        Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krishna! My pranams! No onion, garlic or red lentils. Simple as that.

        Shak is spinach. I do not know why there is this type of confusion. Anything can be offered except what is explicitly forbidden. How can we mention all the things that can be offered to the Lord in one song? There's an infinite variety of dishes!

Srinath

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Re: Found a new ebook of spiritual nectar

respects to all

  thank you for you patients. By your last post I was able to download 1.2. now everything works fine.

I am wondering how to build such e-book as I have many books, and it much easyer to search have the books on in a data base.

Nitai gaur nitai gaur.

lowerthanarat

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Re: Found a new ebook of spiritual nectar

Devotees,

      Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krishna! Majority of the pages are in Verdana with some in Balaram fonts.  I had to manually install the fonts to my PC so I guess other users have to do the same.

Srinath

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Re: Found a new ebook of spiritual nectar

Dear Devotees,

       Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krishna! Mac Users please try Fonts Required

       Also I noticed that the zip contained only the PC font installer. It seems version 1.2 of the book is out with a new fonts package for Mac. Someone please try it out and see if it works.

Srinath

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Re: Found a new ebook of spiritual nectar

Dear Devotees,

      Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krishna! These days software has made it possible for devotees to publish spiritual books like never before. It may revolutionize preaching in the future Take a look at   this link here ...its awesome.

Daaso'smi,
Srinath

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Re: Found a new ebook of spiritual nectar

respects to all.

I check on my computer and I have all these diacritic and more, but for some reason the diacritics are not working. The Devanagari are working fine. In xchm I am able to pick the fonts normal and fixed fonts so which fonts will I use for reading Chaitanya bhagavat with diacritics

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offering bhoga to the deity

repects to all
We all know this bhogha aroti song of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura. And all the tings Lord Krsna like to eat:

I know in most maths in India and in the west other food stuffs are .

eggplant, potato, and tomato. Could you imagine subji without potatoes? Chillies? , peanuts, tapioca, cucumbers, cauliflower, and the "stick" sabji  Bhogarati song.

And what food does Nitai Gauranga like besides Shak.

So this is the question: Will Lord Krsna accept eggplant, potato,  tomato, peanuts, tapioca, cucumbers, cauliflower etc.

Is there any other reference as to what Krsna like to eat.


lowerthanarat

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Re: Found a new ebook of spiritual nectar

Dear prabhu.

      Nityananda! Gauranga! Hare Krishna Try here for a font convertor http://tc.versiontracker.com/product/re … .5.sit.hqx

Srinath

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Re: Found a new ebook of spiritual nectar

respects to you for the link. I down ok . I have four chm readers, but xchm works every time.

Now the problem. I can't download the mac fonts. and when I try and read a page from example : chaitanya bhagavat any chapter the page is blank; this happens in all books I try and read.

thanx

ratnanabha das

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07 SB Canto 10 to 12 Pastimes of Lord Krishna Hindi Video

Dear Devotees, Nityananda!! Gauranga!! Hare Krishna!! Jaya Shri Pancha Tattva! Jaya Shri Jagannatha! Jaya Shri Shri Tota Gopinatha! Jaya Shri Guru Parampara! Jaya Shrila Bhaktivinoda, Shrila Bhaktisiddhanta, Shrila Prabhupada and Shrila Gurudeva! Blessings and pranaams.

High Quality 500 kbps


Low Quality 100 kbps for slow connections

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New Videos Added to the Playlists

Dear Devotees, Nityananda!! Gauranga!! Hare Krishna!! The Video Players at nitaai.com/all and nitaai.com/100 have been updated with the new videos. More videos are coming.

Daaso'smi, BR Sadhu Swami Gaurangapada.

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06 SB Canto 8 and 9 Gajendra Rama Parashuram Hindi Video

Dear Devotees, Nityananda!! Gauranga!! Hare Krishna!! Jaya Shri Pancha Tattva! Jaya Shri Jagannatha! Jaya Shri Shri Tota Gopinatha! Jaya Shri Guru Parampara! Jaya Shrila Bhaktivinoda, Shrila Bhaktisiddhanta, Shrila Prabhupada and Shrila Gurudeva! Blessings and pranaams.

High Quality 500 kbps
http://blip.tv/file/get/Nitaai-A0586SB0 … ama782.avi

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04 SB Canto 5 and 6 Hells Ajamila Hindi Video

Dear Devotees, Nityananda!! Gauranga!! Hare Krishna!! Jaya Shri Pancha Tattva! Jaya Shri Jagannatha! Jaya Shri Shri Tota Gopinatha! Jaya Shri Guru Parampara! Jaya Shrila Bhaktivinoda, Shrila Bhaktisiddhanta, Shrila Prabhupada and Shrila Gurudeva! Blessings and pranaams.

High Quality 500 kbps
http://blip.tv/file/get/Nitaai-A0585SB0 … ila682.avi

Low Quality 100 kbps for slow connections

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Re: Found a new ebook of spiritual nectar

Dear lowerthanarat,

           Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krishna! I have been searching for this book in chm format for a while myself. I found an updated link today. It turns out that the version 1.1 which is more improved than 1.0 is in a chm format along with some troubleshooting tips.

The book can be downloaded from this link here http://www.4shared.com/file/127357015/f … k_1v1.html

           Please note that it is not a direct download link. It will take you to a page from where you will be given an auto download link. If I find a direct link, I will put it up in this thread.

Daaso'smi,

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Re: Windows, Linux programs on MAC OS Compatibility

respects to all

    I am still running the old ppc tiger on the mac.
So I am using virtual pc and guest pc

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Re: Found a new ebook of spiritual nectar

respects to all will this ebook be available in chm

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Re: Paintings of Jagannatha?

[riffly_audio]4EC727CA908211DE8432E33E17436622[/riffly_audio]

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Re: Paintings of Jagannatha?

[riffly_audio]09D9138A908211DE8432E33E17436622[/riffly_audio]

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Re: Prayer to Jagannatha

Nityananda! Gauranga! Hare Krishna!
Jagannatha KI JAYA! Jagannatha Dasi KI JAYA! HARIIIBOOOOL!!!
THANK YOU for your wonderful poem!! Hare Krishna!!!!

Always ys
Katyayani Radha ddddd

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Prayer to Jagannatha

Prayer to Jagannatha

I have a house
I have a car
I have things,
But my heart is not
In that house
In that car,
Among those things.
It is longing to hear
about the name Of Jagannatha.
Oh Jagannatha Swami,
In this lifetime I cannot see You-
My eyes are imperfect,
My senses limited,
My body dissolving
Day by day.
So,please don�t let me forget
Your Beautiful eyes,
Your endless smile.
With the impatience of a restless child
I want to surrender
To Your Lotus Feet

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03 SB Canto 4 Sati and Dhruva Hindi Video

Dear Devotees, Nityananda!! Gauranga!! Hare Krishna!! Jaya Shri Pancha Tattva! Jaya Shri Jagannatha! Jaya Shri Shri Tota Gopinatha! Jaya Shri Guru Parampara! Jaya Shrila Bhaktivinoda, Shrila Bhaktisiddhanta, Shrila Prabhupada and Shrila Gurudeva! Blessings and pranaams.

High Quality 500 kbps
to be added ...

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Windows, Linux programs on MAC OS Compatibility

Dear Devotees,

          Nityananda! Gauranga! Hare Krishna! My pranams!

          For mac os users, I would advise them to try out Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac. The link is here. 

           The software is priced at $80 but for that one can run all the important windows applications like exe, etc. Note that it works on Intel based mac os.

       There are some spiritual vani and books out there that are so important and beautiful for devotees that no one should miss them for anything else. Sometimes we don't get things exactly according to our requirements, but fixes are available for that.

Features are follows.
              
Run Windows-only applications on your Mac. Access key Windows applications from the comfort of your Mac. Run your favorite software on your favorite hardware.
   
Use your favorite Windows-only devices. Use your favorite in-demand USB 2.0 devices, even if they�re Windows-only. Connect your phone, camera and MP3 player to your Mac!
   
Run OS X, Windows and Linux at the same time.
Run your favorite applications at the same time, regardless of the OS! No more rebooting to switch between OSs to use the applications you need.
   
Bring your PC with you!
Move an entire physical or virtual Windows system to your new Mac in just a few simple steps. No losing data, reinstalling software or re-customizing your computer.

Daaso'smi,
Srinath

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02 SB Cantos 2 and 3 Creation Hindi Video

Dear Devotees, Nityananda!! Gauranga!! Hare Krishna!! Jaya Shri Pancha Tattva! Jaya Shri Jagannatha! Jaya Shri Shri Tota Gopinatha! Jaya Shri Guru Parampara! Jaya Shrila Bhaktivinoda, Shrila Bhaktisiddhanta, Shrila Prabhupada and Shrila Gurudeva! Blessings and pranaams.

High Quality 500 kbps
to be added...

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01 SB Avataras Cantos 1 and 2 Hindi Video

Dear Devotees, Nityananda!! Gauranga!! Hare Krishna!! Jaya Shri Pancha Tattva! Jaya Shri Jagannatha! Jaya Shri Shri Tota Gopinatha! Jaya Shri Guru Parampara! Jaya Shrila Bhaktivinoda, Shrila Bhaktisiddhanta, Shrila Prabhupada and Shrila Gurudeva! Blessings and pranaams.

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What is Akarma English Video

Dear Devotees, Nityananda!! Gauranga!! Hare Krishna!! Jaya Shri Pancha Tattva! Jaya Shri Jagannatha! Jaya Shri Shri Tota Gopinatha! Jaya Shri Guru Parampara! Jaya Shrila Bhaktivinoda, Shrila Bhaktisiddhanta, Shrila Prabhupada and Shrila Gurudeva! Blessings and pranaams.

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