Re: Happiness

Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krsna
All glories to Swami Gaurangapada!
Srinath gave wonderfull, wonderfull explanation. Nityananda! Gauranga!

Just want to add few words.
In Bhagavad gita, Lord Sri Krsna is saying 

abrahma-bhuvanal lokah
punar avartino �rjuna

"From the highest planet in the material world down to the lowest, all are places of misery wherein repeated birth and death take place" (Bg. 8.16)

Word abrahma means Brahmaloka, highest planet. That is real problem. Even if one enters the highest planet, Brahmaloka, there is still birth and death. We are constantly changing bodies, now we are on Brahmaloka or Indraloka, tomorow we may be in body of pig or dog. So evan highest planet in universe is place of "punar avartino" - repetition of birth and death.

Lord Krsna is explainig this point and He is giving us solution! If evan highest planet in universe is not secure for constant hapiness and enjoyement, where we should go? We want to be eternaly happy? Dont we? That is our nature. But where to find that eternal joy and hapiness? In second part of this verse Lord Krsna, Parta-sarathi is giving us answer:

mam upetya tu kaunteya
punar janma na vidyate

" But one who attains to My abode, O son of Kunti, never takes birth again."

Person who attains Krsna's abode attains all perfection. Real problem in this world is that evan if person finds "hapiness" and "security", manage somehow to have enough money, etc. he or she will be forsed to leave body. That is same evan on Brahmaloka. No difference. So, Lord Krsna is saying, if you want to become happy, and that is reason why you want to go to any planet, come to highest destination, come to me.

It is not possiable in this age for any person to performe severe austerities like you described and there is no need to do that. If person wants ultimate benefit then he or she should engage in Naam sankirtan chanting Nityananda Gauranga and Hare Krsna. That is top-most yoga process. And result will be that person will become perfectly happy and attain highest planet, Goloka Vrindavana. That is real, eternal happiness.

Thank you for asking this important question. All glories to Swami Gaurangapada!
Nityananda! Gauranga! Hare Krsna!

your servant,
Ishana Thakura das

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Гауранга Мантра в Писаниях

Собрано и переведено Его Святейшеством
Бхактиратна Садху Свами Гаурангападой

Четырёх-сложная Гауранга-мантра, или Гаура-гопала мантра описана в Шри Чайтанья-Чаритамрите, Антья-лиле 2.24,31 следующим образом:

апане болана морэ, иха йади джани; амара ишта-мантра джани' кахена апани.
'гаура-гопала мантра' томара чари акшара; авишваса чада, ей карийча антара

Накула Брахмачари сказал Шивананда Сене, "Ты повторяешь Гаура-гопала мантру, состоящую из четырех слогов (она же - твоя ишта-мантра, т.е. мантра поклонения). Пожалуйста отбрось все сомнения, поселившиеся в тебе."

Комментарий Шрилы Прабхупады

Шрила Бхактивинода Тхакур объясняет  Гаура-Гопала мантру в Амрита-праваха-бхасье. Поклоняющиеся Шри Гаурасундаре воспринимают четырёх-сложную мантру "гау-ра-ан-га" как Гаура-мантру, в то же время те, кто поклоняется Радхе и Кришне воспринимают четыре слога ра-дха криш-на, как Гаура-Гопала мантру. Вместе с тем, вайшнавы считают Шри Чайтанью Махапрабху неотличным от Радхи и Кришны (шри-кришна-чайтанья радха-кришна нахе аньйа). Поэтому тот, кто повторяет мантру "Гауранга" и тот, кто повторяет имена Радхи и Кришны находятся на одном уровне.

Комментарий Шрилы Бхактивиноды Тхакура из Амрита-правана-бхасьи:

гаура-гопала-мантра-гауравади гана 'гауранга'-наме чатура-акшара гаура-мантра ке уддешая карена;
кевала кришнавади гана эи 'гаура-гопала-мантра' сабде радха-кришнера чатура-акшара-мантраке уддешая карена.

Ниже приводится объяснение Гаура-Гопала мантры. Последователи Господа Гауры принимают имя 'Гауранга' как мантру, состоящую из четырёх слогов, последователи только Кришны как Гаура-Гопала мантру принимают только 'Радха-Кришна'. Последователи как Господа Гауры, так и Господа Кришны принимают одну из этих мантр, понимая, что они не отличны друг от друга.

Комментарий Бхактиратна Садху Свами:

Из вышеописанного становится понятно, что самые близкие спутники Господа, такие как Шрила Шивананда Сена, постоянно повторяли Мантру из четырёх слогов 'гау-ра-ан-га', которая неотлична от 'ра-дха-криш-на'.

Таким образом, постоянное повторение Святого Имени или Мантры 'Гауранга' авторитетно, упоминается в Писаниях, а также практиковалось великими ачарьями прошлого. Согласно комментарию Шрилы Прабхупады, а также комментарию к Анбхашье Ч. Ч. Ади 8.31 Шрилы Бхактисиддханты, самым большим преимуществом является то, что наибольшую пользу от повторения 'радха-кришна', или Маха-Мантры Харе Кришна получают души сиддхов и мукт, в то время как Мантра 'Гауранга' наиболее полезна для таких душ, как анартха-юкта, бадха, Патита (падших, ограниченных).
(окончание комментария)

В Шри Чайтанья-мангала Сутра-кханде, созданной Шрилой Лочаной Даса Тхакуром, в 527 стихе, Гаурнага мантра, состоящая из четырёх слогов описывается как Мантра, с помощью которой Господу Гауранге поклоняются на Голоке Вривдаване, самой высшей планете из Вайкунтх в Духовном мире.

хема-гаура калевара, мантра чари-аксара;
сахаджа ваикунтха-натха шьяма.

"Господь сидит на троне, украшенном драгоценными камнями. Его образ во множества раз по своему сиянию превосходит сияние расплавненного золота. Повторяя мантру 'Гауранга', состоящую из четырёх слогов, Ему поклояются преданные."

Комментарий Бхактиратна Садху Свами:

Следует отметить ещё одну интересную деталь: мантра 'Гауранга' также как и Маха-мантра 'Харе Кришна' является наматмака-мантрой. Точно так же, как Маха-мантра Харе Кришна называется иногда Мантрой, а иногда Харинамой, мантра  'Гауранга' иногда называется Гаура-Гопала Мантрой, а иногда - Гауранамой. Таким образом, мантра 'Гауранга' годится для всех, даже для для самых падших душ, не принимая во внимание их квалификацию.
Гаура-Мантра, состоящая из шести слогов, упоминается в Урдхвамнайа-Тантре и начинается словом 'клим'. Эта мантра была дана нашими ачарьями, как четвретая из семи гаятри мантр, дающихся при мантра-дикше. Поэтому очевидно, что эту мантру могут повторять только те, кто обладает квалификацией брахмана. В то же время, для повтоения мантры 'Гауранга' нет подобных препятствий и Господь Нитьянанда просил каждого, кого Он встречал, повторять её.

По руководству самого Шрилы Прабхупады, Панча-таттва Мантра может не повторятся на четках регулярно. Он рекомендовал читать эту мантру только в начале повторения Маха-мантры Харе Кришна. Однако подобные ограничения не были введены со стороны ачарьев для повторения Мантры 'Гауранга'. Её можно повторять на четках, громко воспевать на киртане и даже повторять в уме, координируя с дыханием т.д. В соответствии с мантра-шастрой,  мантра-сиддхи можно достичь, ежедневно повторяя мантру количество раз, равное количеству слогов в мантре, помноженное на 1000. Применяя это утверждение к четырёх-сложной мантре 'Гауранга', следует, что мантра должна повторятся 4000 раз ежедневно, что равняется 40 кругам на четках (1 круг = 108 раз). Таким образом, мы всем советуем повторять как минимум 40 кругов мантры 'Гауранга' ежедневно, а также 16 кругов Маха-мантры Харе Кришна, как этого просил Шрила Прабхупада.

Следование данным наставлениям, несомненно, поможет любому, в результате чего они через очень короткий промежуток времени смогут без оскорблений повторять Маха-мантру Харе Кришна и достичь любви к Богу. Как говорил Шрила Нароттама "Гаурангера нама лоя, тара хойя премодайя...".
Несмотря на то, что Панча-таттва мантра нигде прямо не упоминается в писаниях, Шрила Прабхупада дал ее нам из-за своей крайней и беспричинной милости, чтобы мы быстро были освобождены от десяти оскорблений, совершающихся при повторении Маха-мантры Харе Кришна.

Точно так же, как Господь Кришна является Верховной Личностью Бога, Господь Гауранга является Самим Кришной и достойным такого же поклонения, как и сама Верховная Личность Господа. Согласно Джайва-Дхарме, так же, как и Маха-Мантра Харе Кришна является мантрой, через которую любой (независимо от квалификации) может поклонятся Господу Кришне, у Господа Гауранги (который явился в Кали-Югу только ради того, чтобы спасти наиболее падшие, деградировавшие души) должна быть своя мантра, с помощью которой любой человек мог бы поклоняться Господу Гауранге. И эта мантра, состоящая из четырёх согов - мантра "ГАУРАНГА". (окончание комментария)

Господь Нитьянанда всегда обращается к ограниченным душам так:

бхаджа гауранга каха гауранга лаха гауранга нама рэ
йе джана гауранга бхадже сей амара прана рэ

"Поколоняйтесь Гауранге, повторяйте и примите имя  'Гауранга'. Те, кто будет поклонятся Гауранге таким образом, несомненно, Мои жизнь и душа"

Господь Нитьянанда даёт наставления:

каста нахи, вьяйя нахи на пабе ятана; шригауранга бали наче нахика бхавана.
(Шри Навадвипа-дхама-махатмья, Гл. 1)

"Все беспокойства и страдания уйдут, не будет больше никакий потерь, если вы забудете себя в танце и повторении мантры 'Гауранга'".

Поэтому пожалуйста, доставьте радость Господу Нитьянанде самым лучшим образом, всегда повторяя 'Гауранга'.

Шри Ананта-самхита, Шри Чайтанья-джанма-кханда, Часть Вторая, Глава Третья, Текст 54,
Господь Шива говорит Парвати:

дхарьями урдхва-ваданэ, девеши самхитам имам;
мантрам ча гаурачандрасья, намедам сарва-мангалам.

"О, Парвати, повелительница всех полубогов, я всегда с большим восторгом повторяю Ананта-самхиту и Мантрау Господа Гауранги, которая является самой благоприятной в мире"

Джайва-Дхарма Шрилы Бхактивиноды Тхакура, Глава 14:

враджанатха: шри гауранга йади сакшат парипурана-таттва хаилена, табе танхара пуджара вьявастха ки?

Враджанатха: Принимая во внимание то, что Господь Гауранга - это подлинная, безусловная Абсолютная Истина, как же мы должны поклонятся Ему?

бабаджи: гауранга-нама мантре гаурапуджа карилео яха хая, кришна-нама-мантре кришна пуджа карилео тахаи хая. кришна мантре гаурапуджа ва гаура-мантре кришнапуджа-сакалаи ека. ихате йе бхеда-буддхи каре, се нитана анабхиджна оу калира даса.

Бабаджи: Так же, как люди поклоняются Господу Кришна, повторяя Его Имя и Мантру Господа Кришны, они должны поклоняться Господу Гуаранге, повторяя Его Имя и мантру Гауранги. Можно также поклоняться Господу Гауре, повторяя Кришна-мантры, или поклонятся Господу Кришне, повторяя Гаура-мантры. Все эти мантры равнозначны. Те, кто думает, что Господь Кришна и Господь Гаура отличны друг от друга, являются невеждами, слугами Кали-Юги.

враджанатха: чаннаватарера мантра ки-рупе паойа джая?

Враджанатха: Где можно получить мантры для поклонения Господу Гауранге, кто пришел как скрытое воплощение?

бабаджи: йе тантра пракшая-аватараганера мантра пракашарупе варнана кариячена, сеи тантреи чаннаватарера мантра чаннарупе ликхийа ракхиячена. янхадера буддхи кутила найа, тахара буджхийа лаите парена.

Бабаджи: Писания, в которых открыто даются мантры для поколонения явным воплощениям Господа, также тайком раскрывают мантры, предназначенные для поклонения сркрытым, тайным проявлениям Господа Гауранги. Люди, чей интеллект не извращен, могут понять присутствие этих мантр.

Шрила Нароттама даса Тхакур поёт во многих своих песнях:

дже гауранга нама лой, тара хой премодой, таре муи джай болихари.

"Повторяющий имя 'Гауранга' мгновенно пробуждает дремлющую в нем чистую любовь к Господу. Я (Нароттама) прекланяюсь перед такой личностью и предаюсь ей."

грхе ба банетэ тхаке, 'ха гауранга' бо'ле даке, нароттама маге тара санга.

"Кто-то может проживать дома или же в лесу, но если он от всей души взывает к Гауранге, то я, (Нароттама) жажду его общения."

гауранга балитэ хабэ пулака сарира; хари хари балитэ наянэ ба'бэ нира.

"Только после того, как повторяя имя 'Гауранга', моё тело почувствует волны экстаза, я смогу пролить слёзы, повторяя Имена Господа Хари."

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Good Eating Habits in Ayurveda

It is fundamental for a person to be healthy that they have a good diet and a healthy routine. A person should eat a diet that fits their constitution.

The eating of food should be judged by the condition of Agni (digestive fires in body). Unless you feel hungry you should not eat. Don�t eat if you feel thirsty or drink if you feel hungry. If you feel hungry your digestive fire is enkindled and if you drink at this time it can put out the fire of digestion, dissolving the digestive enzymes.

Agni

If Agni is disturbed you will not taste the food properly, as the taste of food depends on Agni. Spices help to enkindle Ami, help to make food taste better and clean the body.

Before Meal

Before eating it is good to bathe, or at least clean the hands, feet and face. It is a good ideal to meditate (say a prayer) before eating and sanctify the food.

Just before a meal eat a teaspoon of ginger with a pinch of salt (black salt is best), which awakens the taste buds and starts your juice flowing and purifies the mouth and tongue. But this may not be a good idea for Pitta people. Best to cut the ginger into long thin strips and then marinate it in lemon juice.

How Much Food To Eat

Fill the stomach one-third full with food, one-third full with water, and one-third full with air (or empty). In general this means to eat no more food than what can fit in two cupped hands. In general if one eats more than this, the stomach will expand and want additional food. Over-eating causes the stomach to expand like a balloon.

Overeating is unhealthy as it causes an increase of toxins in the digestive tract. This causes the food to become poisonous and the body has to spend a large amount of work to discharge the food.

Things to Take Into Consideration with Food (Whether It Is)

� Oil or Dry
� Hot or Cold producing
� Heavy or Light
� Taste of Food (astringent, bitter, pungent, salty, sour and sweet).
� Liquid or Solid

Healthy Foods

� Eat only freshly cooked food while it is still hot.
� Eat only good tasting foods.
� Food cooked with love is beneficial.
� Eat food that is proper for your constitution; ones that nourish you and don�t aggravate your Doshas.
� Choose food according to the season.
� Eat fresh, Sattvic food.

Water and Drinks

� Drinking too much water can cause obesity.
� Too many cold drinks reduce resistance and create excess mucus.
� Don�t drink anything too hot or cold, or fruit juices while eating. Best to sip warm water, every couple of mouthfuls of food.
� Water can be taken in the form of fruit juices, but not during meals.
� Should sip water while eating, as it aids in digestion. If a good quantity of water is drunk right after eating it will dilute the digestive juices and harm digestion.
� The amount of water needed changes according to the seasons and climate.
� Water and other drinks should be taken at a luke-warm (room) temperature.
� If you want weight loss, drink before the meal. To maintain weight, drink during the meal. If want weight gain, drink after meal.
� Don�t drink tea during a meal and not within a half-hour before or after a meal.

Food to Avoid

� Best to avoid greasy, fried foods or overly dry foods.
� Reheated and canned foods create gas.
� Don�t eat snacks. This includes all liquids except water.
� It is a good idea not to eat too much in restaurants, as food cooked by people who don�t give a damn is not good.
� Best not to eat Kapha-producing food at night such as yogurt, cheese, ice cream, sesame products or melons.
� Ice cold foods as a class weaken the digestion.
� Cooked honey should not be eaten, as the molecules become like glue that adheres to mucous membranes and clogs the subtle channels, which produces toxins.

Bad Eating Habits

� Overeating
� Drinking too much water, or no water at a meal
� Drinking water just before or after a meal.
� Best to not drink very cold water, especially during a meal.
� Drinking fruit juice and eating fruit during a meal.
� Emotional Eating
� Taking snacks between meals.
� Eating when constipated
� Eating at a wrong time of day.
� Eating food that is too heavy
� Not eating enough food.
� Eating when not hungry.
� Eating foods that are incompatible combinations.

During Meal

� Don�t eat too slow or too fast.
� Don�t rush a meal and don�t linger too much while eating.
� Eat and drink only when sitting, not when standing.
� Give full attention to the food when eating.
� Don�t eat hot and cold dishes at the same meal.
� Use only clean utensils.
� Eat in a pleasure atmosphere.
� Best to eat in a clean, isolated place.
� Eat alone or with people that you know and trust.
� Play pleasant music.
� Flowers are nice.
� Best to face east while eating, the direction of the sun. Don�t eat facing south.
� Pay attention to food while eating. Best not to watch TV, listen to the radio or talk, as this interrupts your concentration.
� Best to remain silence while eating. Best not to talk while eating.
� Best to eat with you hands (not with utensils, in this way the skin sends information to the brain about the texture and temperature of the food.
� Feed all five senses: food that taste good, smells good, has a nice texture, looks good and sounds good (like frying) is good for you.
� Chew over 32 times per mouthful. This makes it possible for the digestive enzymes in the mouth to act properly. Chewing food slowly and thoroughly gives the stomach time to prepare for the incoming food.
� Chew at a moderate speed. Don�t gobble down food.
� Sit up straight while eating.
� Avoid distractions.
� A teaspoon of ghee with rice improves digestions.
� A glass of warm, raw milk with ginger before bedtime is good for the body and calms the mind.

After Meal

� If possible laugh after a meal, as this helps with digestion.
� Don�t sleep within 2 hours of a meal at this disturbs the digestion and mind.
� Wash hands, mouth, face and eyes after a meal.
� Avoid physical activities or heavy mental concentration for two to there hours after eating.
� Urinate after eating. It is best not to defecate for at least three hours after a meal.
� After a meal clean the mouth, put water in eyes (helps to prevent weakening the eyes because of an increase in Pitta after eating), urinate (but best not to defecate). Then take a 100 step walk, which help digestion.
� Do not exercise within an hour of eating.
� Best not to study or take rest within two hours of eating.
� If you have overeaten or are physically weak, lie on your left side to get the right nostril working which will to get the digestion working better.
� After a meal eat a mixture of yogurt and water. If you have a strong digestion you can take 3 to 1, yogurt to water. If you have a weak digestion can have 1 to 3 proportion of yogurt to water. Vata persons can add lemon juice, a pinch of salt, fresh diced ginger or chilies, or whole or powdered cumin or coriander. Pitta persons can add coriander leaf or seed, cardamom powder, lemon juice (less than Vata), and a sweetener such as maple syrup or sugar. Kapha can add honey and powdered ginger or black pepper, diced green chilies or other hot spices.

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Shrila Prabhupada and Practical Instruction to Chant Gauranga Mantra

Why did Shrila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and other Acharyas not practically instruct his disciples to chant the Gauranga Mantra?

(1) Answer by Bhaktiratna Sadhu Swami Gaurangapada
(2) Answer by Hadai Nityananda dasa
(3) NG Naama Quotes by Shrila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
(4) Those who chant Gauranga and Hare Krishna are on the same level
(5) Gauranga Mantra and Pancha Tattva Mantra


(1) Answer by Bhaktiratna Sadhu Swami Gaurangapada:

We can understand that he must have done so because that was desire and instruction of Lord Nityananda for him at that time and situation. Even though all the Acharyas knew the great importance of the Gauranga Mantra in Kali Yuga, Lord Nityananda wanted it to be revealed later at the right time which He chooses and Shrila Prabhupada and the previous Acharyas knew that. So even though they themselves chanted the Gauranga Mantra, the Acharyas did not practically tell their disciples to chant the Gauranga Mantra directly even though they recommended it in their books because the time was not right to practically implement it because Lord Nityananda wanted the regular chanting of the Gauranga Mantra to be introduced later. And that time has now come because Lord Nityananda has inspired its revelation now. It is quite inconceivable to understand how and when Lord Nityananda wants the Holy Name of Lord Gauranga to be taught and spread even by His intimate associates like Shrila Swami Prabhupada and the previous Acharyas. Lord Nityananda desired that they should clearly describe and reveal the four-syllable Gauranga Mantra in Shri Chaitanya Charitamrita and leave it so that it will be very easy for the future devotees to understand this confidential teaching and then implement and spread the chanting of the Gauranga Mantra in their day-to-day Naama Bhajana in addition to the Hare Krishna Mahamantra. One of the reasons for this is because the Gauranga Mantra is very hidden and confidential and is not easily revealed even in this Kali Yuga when Lord Gauranga came personally.

The teachings in the holy books of Shrila Swami Prabhupada are also direct instructions to devotees. I would say that Shrila Swami Prabhupada did directly tell his followers to chant the Gauranga Mantra along with the Hare Krishna Mantra when he stated in Shri Chaitanya Charitamrita Antya-lila 2.31 purport that Gauranga Mantra and Hare Krishna Mantra are on the same level. He has not compared any other Mantra with the Hare Krishna Mantra in this way and not given prominence to any other Mantra in this way like he did for the Gauranga Mantra by stating that the Gauranga Mantra is equal to the Hare Krishna Mantra. When a Mantra is as equally important as the Hare Krishna Mantra, one would be expected to chant the Mantra at least sometimes daily along with the Hare Krishna Mantra. And one would expect the followers of Shrila Swami Prabhupada to be respectful to those who chant the Gauranga Mantra along with the Hare Krishna Mahamantra due to these instructions of Shrila Swami Prabhupada.

If the Gauranga Mantra was never chanted or if Shrila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada never wanted it to be chanted, why would he have used the words "One who CHANTS the Gauranga Mantra..." It means that Shrila Swami Prabhupada does accept that some devotees chanted or are chanting or will chant the Gauranga Mantra and they should be respected to be on the same level as those devotees who chant the Hare Krishna Mahamantra, what to speak of giving equal respect to devotees who chant both daily. Most of our Gaudiya Acharyas have two spiritual forms in Krishna's and Gaura's Pastimes respectively so they chant the Hare Krishna Mantra in Krishna's Pastimes and Gauranga Mantra in Gaura's Pastimes to worship those respective Forms of the Lord in Their respective Abodes.

There is proof that Shrila Prabhupada himself chanted the Gauranga Mantra even though he may not have directly instructed his disciples to do so. Shrutakirti dasa prabhu came to the Bhaktivedanta Manor UK to give a class on his memories of Shrila Prabhupada for the Birmingham University of 30 devotee students, as he was Shrila Prabhupada's personal servant for a year and had the opportunity to directly see his personal bhajana. When he was asked whether he had ever heard Shrila Prabhupada chanting the Pancha Tattva Mantra before each round of Hare Krishna Japa, he said no. However, he had directly heard Shrila Prabhupada spontaneously chant or shout "Gauraanga" during his japa often. (Submitted by a devotee)


(2) Answer by Hadai Nityananda dasa:

Once Srila Prabhupada was asked by one of his disciples how they would receive instruction from him after his departure. His famous answer: "Everything is there in my books".  You have to understand the time and circumstances when Srila Prabhupada started his journey. The West was at that time in deep darkness devoid of any knowledge about Krishna. Srila Prabhupada's primary mission was first and foremost to establish Lord Sri Krishna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In order to understand Lord Gauranga we have to know who Lord Sri Krishna is, and who Radharani is. That is exactly what Srila Prabhupada has done as no one has ever done before him. Everything comes in waves. The six Gosvamis have elaborately described the glories of Vrindavan dhama and humanity had to wait for another few hundred years to hear about the supreme glories of Navadvip dhama from the lotus lips of Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura. Hundred years later the supreme glories of Purushottama dhama (modern Jagannatha Puri) were broadcasted through the lotus lips of Shrila Gour Govinda Swami Maharaja and Shrila Bhaktiratna Sadhu Swami. The glories of these holy dhamas are of course existing for all of eternity but are, in material time, progressively revealed in waves. On a larger scale we see also the different Yuga dharmas. So in this material time of past present and future, different aspects and methods of self-realization are revealed at different times. When Srila Prabhupada came to the West Krishna consciousness was established in an area of the world were practically nobody knew about Krishna.

Srila Prabhupada didn't institutionalize the chanting of the mantrarajas. However he has given the instruction in his books. Why? Lord Gauranga is a hidden incarnation and is recognized by His devotees who will accept His holy Names without a second thought. Srila Prabhupada didn't reveal this secret plainly to everybody in an institutionalized form but it is very clear to bhaktas who study his books very carefully. Do you see the correlation between the hidden incarnation of Lord Chaitanya and the hidden instruction of His holy Name in Srila Prabhupada's books? How confidential this information is we can see even nowadays. Although Srila Bhaktiratna Sadhu Swami Gaurangapada Maharaja accentuates these very confidential secrets they are still not embraced by all devotees as you describe in your letter.


(3) NG Naama Quotes by Shrila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Shrila Prabhupada in Cc Antya-lila 2.31 purport: �Worshipers of Shri Gaurasundara accept the four syllables gau-ra-an-ga as the Gaura mantra, but pure worshipers of Radha and Krishna accept the four syllables ra-dha krs-na as the Gaura-gopala mantra. However, Vaishnavas consider Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu nondifferent from Radha-Krishna (shri-krishna-chaitanya radha-krishna nahe anya). Therefore one who chants the mantra �gauranga� and one who chants the names of Radha and Krishna are on the same level.�

(Shrila Prabhupada in Cc Adi 8.31 purp)�A neophyte student who is not sufficiently educated or enlightened should not indulge in the worship of Shri Radha and Krishna or the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra. Even if he does so, he cannot get the desired result. One should therefore chant the names of Nitai-Gaura and worship Them without false prestige. In the beginning one should *** very regularly *** chant Shri Gaurasundara�s holy name and then chant the holy name of Lord Nityananda. Thus one's heart will be cleansed of impure desires for material enjoyment. Then one can approach Vrndavana-dhama to worship Lord Krishna."

Prabhupada: �Now, what is the difference, Nitai-Gauranga and Hare Krishna? Nitai-Gauranga and Hare Krishna, there is no difference. Nitai-Gauranga is also nice. Whatever he finds convenient, let him chant.� (Shrila Prabhupada's Room Conversation with Yoga Student specifically regarding Japa, March 14, 1975, Iran)

�It is very beneficial to chant the names shri-krishna-chaitanya prabhu-nityananda before chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra because by chanting these two holy names -shri-krishna-chaitanya prabhu-nityananda-one immediately becomes ecstatic, and if he then chants the Hare Krishna maha-mantra he becomes free of offenses.� (SP in Cc Adi 8.24 purport)

Shrila Prabhupada in Cc Adi-lila 8.31 purport: �It should be noted in this connection that the holy names of Lord Krishna and Gaurasundara are both identical with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore one should not consider one name to be more potent than the other. Considering the position of the people of this age, however, the *** chanting *** of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu�s name is *** more essential *** than the chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra because Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is the most magnanimous incarnation and His mercy is very easily achieved.�

On board the ship Jaladuta, September 13, 1965, Verse 3, by Shrila Prabhupada: �By his (my Guru Shrila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Prabhupada�s) strong desire, THE HOLY NAME OF GAURANGA will first spread throughout all the countries of the Western world. Then in all the cities, towns, and villages on the earth, from all the oceans, seas, rivers, and streams, everyone will chant the Hare Krishna Mahamantra.�

Shrila Prabhupada�s Letter to: Niranjana, Brooklyn, 21 May, 1973: �You mention that they have not even heard of Lord Gauranga. So that is their misfortune, and our misfortune also. _________________ in India, they could not preach Lord Gauranga�s name all over India.�

Shrila Prabhupada in Cc Madhya 24.330: �The spiritual master has to select a mantra for his disciple according to the disciple�s ability to chant different mantras.�

Shrila Prabhupada�s Letter to: Shachimata, Bombay, 8 December, 1974: �It is the advice of Narottama das Thakura to chant the holy name of Gauranga either if one remains at home or in the forest. Similarly, do not forget the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra either you live in the temple or at home.�

Shrila Prabhupada in Shrimad-Bhagavatam Lecture 2.1.2, Vrndavana, March 17, 1974: �Then you become gosvami. Then, as Narottama dasa Thakura says, grhe va banete thake ha gauranga bole dake. Ha gauranga, �Always chanting Nitai-Gaura, and thinking of Nitai-Gaura,� such person, Narottama dasa Thakura says... Grhe va... �He may be a sannyasi, or he may be a grhastha. It doesn't matter. Because he is absorbed in the thought of Nitai-Gaura.� So narottama mage tanra sanga: �Narottama is always desiring to associate with such person.��

Shrila Prabhupada in Shri Chaitanya-charitamrita class, Adi-lila 7.4, Mayapur, March 4, 1974: �Narottama dasa Thakura is aspiring for the day when Nityananda Prabhu will be pleased upon him. Just like Jagai-Madhai was delivered by the mercy of Shri Nityananda Prabhu, so we have to pray Nityananda Prabhu. He's very merciful. He's so kind, Baladeva, He gives spiritual strength. Then we can approach the Supreme Lord. Therefore we chant �Nitai-Gaura.� This is the process. We cannot change this policy.�

Shrila Prabhupada in Krishna Book Chp 20, Description of Autumn: �Shrila Narottama dasa Thakura prays that he will have the association of a person-either a householder or a man in the renounced order of life-who is engaged in the transcendental loving service of the Lord and is always crying the holy name of Lord Chaitanya.�

Shrila Prabhupada in SB 1.5.16 purport: �The expert devotees also can discover novel ways and means to convert the nondevotees in terms of particular time and circumstance. Devotional service is dynamic activity, and the expert devotees can find out competent means to inject it into the dull brains of the materialistic population. Such transcendental activities of the devotees for the service of the Lord can bring a new order of life to the foolish society of materialistic men.�

Shrila Prabhupada in Cc Adi 7.31-32 purport: �Here is an important point. Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu wanted to invent a way to capture the Mayavadis and others who did not take interest in the Krishna consciousness movement. This is the symptom of an acarya. An acarya who comes for the service of the Lord cannot be expected to conform to a stereotype, for he must find the ways and means by which Krishna consciousness may be spread.�

Shrila Prabhupada during a Room Conversation, August 14, 1971, London: Prabhupada: No. We are recommending �Chant the holy name of God.� So if you have got the holy name of God, you can chant that. Prabhupada: Anyway, if one chants Allah or Jesus Christ, we have no objection. We don�t say that you stop it. We say that you chant the holy name of God. If that name is of God, you chant.�


(4) Those who chant Gauranga and Hare Krishna are on the same level                                                   
                                                            \
Shrila Prabhupada in Shri Chaitanya Charitamrita Antya-lila 2.31 purport: "Worshipers of Shri Gaurasundara *accept* the four syllables gau-ra-an-ga as the Gaura mantra, but pure worshipers of Radha and Krishna accept the four syllables ra-dha krs-na as the Gaura-gopala mantra. However, Vaishnavas consider Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu nondifferent from Radha-Krishna (shri-krishna-chaitanya radha-krishna nahe anya). Therefore one who *chants* the mantra "gauranga" and one who chants the names of Radha and Krishna are on the same level."

Shrila Prabhupada states that all worshipers of Lord Gauranga accept the Name "Gauraanga" as the four-syllable Gaura Gopala Mantra. And he emphatically authorizes the chanting of the Gauranga Mantra by stating that anyone who *CHANTS* the mantra Gauranga and one who chants the names of Radha and Krishna (in the form of the Hare Krishna Mahamantra) are on the same level. The quotes you have quoted about concocted Mantras in Kali Yuga do not apply for the Gauranga Mantra because it is authorized by Shrila Prabhupada and all the Acharyas and has been chanted by great Acharyas like Shrila Shivananda Sena and Lord Nityananda Prabhu Himself. Pancha Tattva Mantra is regularly chanted along with the Hare Krishna Mahaamantra by all our students and accepted by us according to Shrila Prabhupada instructions. We are teaching our students to gradually increase to the stage of chanting 64 rounds of the Hare Krishna Mahamantra, therefore we are not compromising the Hare Krishna Mahamantra or the Pancha Tattva Mantra in any way whatsoever.

Iif someone states that chanting the Gauranga Mantra is a deviation or stops others from chanting the Gauranga Mantra, such a person is not only rejecting outright Shrila Prabhupada's above instructions but also cannot be called a worshiper of Lord Gauranga according to the above purport of Shrila Prabhupada since he or she is rejecting the Gauranga Mantra even though Shrila Prabhupada has established and glorified the chanting of the Mantra himself and himself said that all Gaudiya worshipers accept the Gauranga Mantra.

Therfore, I think that before coming to hasty decisions about what is a deviation and what is not, one should study the instructions of the Acharya (like Shrila Prabhupada) in totality and also understand them in accordance to the instructions of all our previous Acharyas. An Acharya may sometimes practically not implement some of his own universal teachings and instructions (in his own books) according to time, place and circumstance, but that does not mean that those universal instructions are to be rejected or ignored or minimized in any way or that they can be never implemented ever in the future. I would suggest that you kindly study all the extensive scriptural quotes from our Acharyas on this important matter, which we have compiled and discussed in our Nityaananda Gauraanga Naama book before coming to a conclusion.

Thank you for your respectful etiquette. That is highly appreciated. Just to be clear, none of Shrila Prabhupada posts which you have posted, talk about or refer to the authentic 4-syllable Gaura Gopala Mantra i.e. Gauranga Mantra, which has been clearly accepted as the authorized Mantra for Lord Gauranga's worship and chanting by Shrila Prabhupada himself in the Chaitanya Charitamrita Antya 2.31 purport quoted above. Shrila Prabhupada has never contradicted this purport about the glories of the Gauranga (Gaura Gopala) Mantra in any of his other writings, letters or conversations nor has he ever instructed or discouraged anyone from chanting this authentic Gauranga Mantra in any way whatsoever. We are also simply repeating what Shrila Prabhupada has said about the Gauranga Mantra and we want to honor and implement these sublime instructions as our humble service to his lotus feet.


(5) Gauranga Mantra and Pancha Tattva Mantra

If Shrila Prabhupada is against or does not recommend the chanting of the Gauranga Mantra, why is he using the words, *one who #CHANTS# the mantra Gauranga...*. In fact, he says that those who chant the Gauranga Mantra and the Hare Krishna are to be considered on the same level. He categorically states that all Gaudiya worshipers #ACCEPT# the Gauranga Mantra. What does *ACCEPT* mean? Does it means to only theoretically know about the Gauranga Mantra while rejecting, criticizing and prohibiting  others from chanting the Gauranga Mantra? I don't think so. "ACCEPT" means to worship the Gauranga Mantra as non-different from Lord Gauranga Himself and respect those devotees who are chanting the Gauranga Mantra along with the Hare Krishna Mahamantra, as being on the same level in the words of Shrila Prabhupada even if one does not want to chant the Gauranga Mantra oneself. "ACCEPT" means to be happy by singing and chanting the Gauranga Mantra sometimes. "ACCEPT" means to take shelter of this Holy Name of Lord Gauranga according to the instruction of Lord Nityananda Himself. Whether there is only one instruction or many instructions, every universal instruction of the Acharya in his books is the topmost instruction, and cannot be minimized by saying that he only said it at one place in his books. We, in this group, feel that this one purport is perfectly clear and enough for us about Shrila Prabhupada's position on the chanting of the authentic Gauranga Mantra and we don't need for him to repeatedly state it again and again. We are also trying to be sincere followers of Shrila Prabhupada's vani and for us, one clear universal instruction in his books which is not contradicted by any of his other instructions is enough, to sincerely follow that instruction. Sometimes the confidential secrets are mentioned only a few times by the Acharyas, like Shrila Bhaktivinoda Thakura states in the Navadvipa Dhaama Mahatmya about Gauranga's Holy Name. For your kind information, we are also worshiping the Deities of Shri Pancha Tattva in Shri Jagannatha Puri Dhaama and also chanting the full Pancha Tattva Mantra according to the instructions of Shrila Prabhupada.

Our understanding differs from your understanding of this purport of Shrila Prabhupada. When he says.."one who *CHANTS*  the mantra Gauranga..", we clearly understand that he has no objection whatsoever for chanting the Gauranga Mantra and when he says that all worshipers of Shri Gaurasundara *ACCEPT* the Gaura Gopala Mantra, we understand that this is his merciful recommendation to chant the Gauranga Mantra even though he may not have practically implemented it himself. You are free to maintain your own understanding, but please don't reject the last part of his commentary which states that both the chanters of the Gauranga Mantra and the chanters of Hare Krishna should be considered on the same level. So I would kindly request you to give proper respect if not equal respect to those devotees who are chanting the Gauranga Mantra along with the Hare Krishna Mahamantra, even though you may not be able to chant the Gauranga Mantra yourself, instead of attempting to minimize or discourage others from chanting the Gauranga Mantra. We are not trying to force or impose the chanting of the Gauranga Mantra on anyone nor do we expect all the devotees to Lord Krishna to chant the Gauranga Mantra because we know it is a very confidential secret according to Shrila Bhaktivinoda Thakura. We just have our own small group here where we discuss and glorify Nitaai Gaura Naama to those who are interested. We welcome healthy discussion here in the proper mood which you have, but we want to glorify the Holy Names of Gauranga and Nityananda more than simply discussing why They should or should not be chanted since that is a no-brainer to us.

In regards to the Pancha Tattva Mantra, I have explained many times that Shrila Prabhupada has more than once stopped the regular chanting of the Pancha-tattva Mantra in japa as well as kirtana more than three times. On one hand, he states many times in his books that one should very regularly chant the Holy Names of Gauranga and Nityananda but on the other hand he did not want rounds of Pancha-tattva Mantra to be chanted on beads and also he wanted that the Pancha-tattva Mantra be chanted three times only at the beginning of the kirtana. This is because there is no precedent in the lives of our previous Acharyas and Associates of Lord Gauranga that the Pancha Tattva Mantra has been specifically chanted as japa on Tulasi beads regularly, thus Shrila Prabhupada did not recommend chanting it regularly on beads. It is believed that the Pancha Tattva Mantra was mercifully revealed more as a hymn or a song by Shrila Jagannatha Dasa Babaji to be sung. It is not mentioned as specific japa Mantra in any of the scriptures or the writings of our Acharyas. For this same reason, Pancha Tattva Mantra has not been mentioned in the books of Shrila Bhaktivinoda Thakura or Shrila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Prabhupada. A Japa Mantra has a fixed number of syllables and according to Jaiva Dharma, authorized Gaura Mantras are all clearly mentioned in the scriptures unlike the Pancha Tattva Mantra which is more like a hymn or a song or a verse glorifying the Shri Pancha Tattva.

Shrila Prabhupada's purport of Shri Chaitanya Charitamrita 8.31 is considerably taken from the Bengali commentary of his own Gurudeva Shrila Bhaktisiddhanta Prabhupada to the same verse. And in those original commentaries of Anubhashya of Shrila Bhaktisiddhanta Prabhupada and of Amrita Prvaha Bhashya of Shrila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, the Pancha Tattva Mantra is not mentioned at all. Both the Acharyas greatly recommend the very regular chanting of the two Holy Names of Gauranga and Nityananda not the Pancha Tattva Mantra in their commentaries to the same verse. Thus our understanding is that Shrila Prabhupada recommends the Pancha Tattva Mantra for chanting a few times before Japa and Sankirtana but not very regularly as he recommends for the Holy Names of Gauranga and Nityananda, if we consider all his instructions regarding the Pancha Tattva Mantra in totality.

On the other hand, the 4-syllable Gaura Gopala Mantra "Gauraanga" has been chanted on beads as the most worshipable Ishta Mantra by great Rasika Acharyas like Shrila Shivananda Sena so it is fully authorized to be chanted both in Japa and Kirtana. There is no instruction of any Acharya or Scriptures which contradicts this. I hope you can kindly agree with that and see the truth behind it with an open mind, not just think about what you have been told or what you feel about it.

I would like to kindly suggest that one tries to read all the quotes of Shrila Prabhupada and the Acharyas from our Nityananda Gauranga Naama section and understand the Nitaai Gaura Naama Tattva better so that you can share the proper conclusions with other devotees and not commit an offense against the Naama Tattva by stopping others from chanting Nityananda Gauranga Naama along with the Hare Krishna Mahamantra.

Daaso'smi, BR Sadhu Swami Gaurangapada.

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Re: Diary of chanting aspirant

Nityananda!! Gauranga!! Hare Krishna!! Jaya Shri Guru Parampara!! Thank you so much Ishana Thakura dasa for your most inspiring message. Shrila Ishana Thakura, the great Associate of Lord Advaita Acharya is Shri Mauna Manjari is the pastimes of Shri Shri Radha Krishna.

Daaso'smi, BR Sadhu Swami Gaurangapada.

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Re: Happiness

Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krsna
All glories to Swami Gaurangapada!
Srinath gave wonderfull, wonderfull explanation. Nityananda! Gauranga!

Just want to add few words.
In Bhagavad gita, Lord Sri Krsna is saying 

abrahma-bhuvanal lokah
punar avartino �rjuna

"From the highest planet in the material world down to the lowest, all are places of misery wherein repeated birth and death take place" (Bg. 8.16)

Word abrahma means Brahmaloka, highest planet. That is real problem. Even if one enters the highest planet, Brahmaloka, there is still birth and death. We are constantly changing bodies, now we are on Brahmaloka or Indraloka, tomorow we may be in body of pig or dog. So evan highest planet in universe is place of "punar avartino" - repetition of birth and death.

Lord Krsna is explainig this point and He is giving us solution! If evan highest planet in universe is not secure for constant hapiness and enjoyement, where we should go? We want to be eternaly happy? Dont we? That is our nature. But where to find that eternal joy and hapiness? In second part of this verse Lord Krsna, Parta-sarathi is giving us answer:

mam upetya tu kaunteya
punar janma na vidyate

" But one who attains to My abode, O son of Kunti, never takes birth again."

Person who attains Krsna's abode attains all perfection. Real problem in this world is that evan if person finds "hapiness" and "security", manage somehow to have enough money, etc. he or she will be forsed to leave body. That is same evan on Brahmaloka. No difference. So, Lord Krsna is saying, if you want to become happy, and that is reason why you want to go to any planet, come to highest destination, come to me.

It is not possiable in this age for any person to performe severe austerities like you described and there is no need to do that. If person wants ultimate benefit then he or she should engage in Naam sankirtan chanting Nityananda Gauranga and Hare Krsna. That is top-most yoga process. And result will be that person will become perfectly happy and attain highest planet, Goloka Vrindavana. That is real, eternal happiness.

Thank you for asking this important question. All glories to Swami Gaurangapada!
Nityananda! Gauranga! Hare Krsna!

your servant,
Ishana Thakura das

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How to Sleep According to Ayurveda

The time to sleep is night. Sleep promotes proper growth. Sleep is bodily inertia with mental relaxation.

Ten-minute naps are good for Vata types. Long naps are permitted in the hot part of the summer, when days are long and nights are short. Sleeping during the day increases Kapha. Only the very weak, very young, very old, those exhausted by sex, diseased, overwork, one under the influence of intoxicants and other emotional or physical trauma should sleep longer than 15 minutes in the afternoon. Sometimes a nap before eating can help with acute indigestion.

Sleeping during the day produces Ama, unless a person has been awake all night.

Sleeping on the left side helps digestion. It promotes the functioning of the right nostril and is good for a person. The right nostril heats and activates the body and when it is working a person becomes more interested in food and sleep.

Sleeping sitting up provides the most alert sleep and is the best. Yogis often sleep sitting up.

Sleeping on the right side is relaxing, and it activates the left nostril, which cools and relaxes the body making it easier to control (which is good for Yoga).

Sleeping on the back disturbs Vata. It activates both nostrils at the same time, which produces disease by (encouraging energy to leave the body). Sleeping on the back harms the brain.

Sleeping on the stomach disturbs everything. It causes disease by obstructing deep, healthy breathing.

It is best to sleep with the top of the head facing east and the feet facing west (promotes meditative sleep). Facing south while sleeping draws energy into body.

Sleeping facing north draws energy from the body, and disturbs the body, mind and spirit. Sleeping with the head facing west causes disturbing dreams.

Before going to sleep it is best to wash the hands, feet and face. Then it is good to massage the feet with a little oil and meditate for a while to allow the negative impacts of the day to dissipate. Then do some Pranayama before sleeping.

To stop wet dreams a person can wash the feet and legs with cold water before going to sleep, as this draws energy from the genitals which reduces the chance of nocturnal emission.

It is best to go to bed only to sleep and not to read, write or think. It is best to rise immediately after awakening.

Don�t sleep in the kitchen or where food is prepared as the subtle vibrations will get your digestive tract working and disturb your sleep.

It is best to wear the least amount of cloths possible and one should especially avoid socks.

Don�t cover the face while sleeping so you can not breathe properly, otherwise a person breathes their own deoxidized air.

The bed should be at least 12 inches above the ground. Sleeping on a damp or wet surface is very bad. The level of the head should be above that of the feet.

Sleeping under the moon is very good and sleeping under the sun is very bad.

Sleeping while hungry is not good for health. Sleeping after lunch will increase Kapha and body weights.

It is especially bad to sleep during the sunset hours, as it is said to cause poverty, disturb the bodily systems and impairs digestion. Sex at this time is also bad. Reading at this time hurts the eyes. During the sunset hours there is an increased chance of having an accident during walking and driving.

How to Get Good Sleep

1. People who do more physical labor need more sleep than people who sit behind a desk all day.
2. People who are working need more sleep than a person who is retired,
3. A person over 21 should not sleep more than 8 hours. If a person does they will have an excess of Tamas (Ignorance) in the system, which will cause a person to feel tire and listless.
4. The amount of sleep needed varies according to age. The list below is for extraordinary persons and is not for the average persons, but it gives an idea of the amount of sleep one needs according to age.
a. First seven years one needs 10 to 12 hours sleep.
b. 8 to 10 years old needs 8 to 10 hours
c. In the third seven years of life a person needs 6 to 8 hours sleep.
d. In fourth seven years a person needs 5 to 6 hours.
e. In fifth seven years a person needs 4 to 5 years
f. In sixth seven years a person needs 3 to 4 hours
g. In seventh seven years a person needs little sleep

5. Persons in a service position need more sleep than a person in an administrative position.

6. If a person feels refreshed and inspired after they wake up, than they have slept a correct amount of time. If after waking up one feels tire and drained they are not sleeping the correct amount of time (usually too much). You can change sleeping time by 15 minute a day increments to see what is the proper amount of sleep one needs.

7. Sleeping during the day disturbs gases, bile, lymph and blood flow. It causes disturbances of breathing, heaviness in the head, chest regions disorders and other problems.

8. It is alright to sleep during the day for a person who has done hard physical labor, persons in pain, and for persons with nausea. Also for a person with gastric disorders, alcoholic intoxication, and persons who are fasting. In extremely hot weather it is alright to take a nap at the hottest time of the day.

9. Best time to sleep is from three hours after sunset to 90 minutes before dawn. Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.

10. Going to sleep with a full stomach diverts the body�s energy from recharging the system and also causes bad dreams.

Bedtime

Vata persons should go to bed by 10 pm and sleep on their left side. Pitta persons should go to sleep between 10 pm to 11 pm and sleep on their right side. Kapha people should go to bed between 11 pm and 12 midnight and sleep on their left side.

Kapha persons like to sleep 9 hours. Sleeping this long slows down their metabolism and causes them to put on weight. Kapha persons should go to bed between 11 pm and midnight and it is best for them to wake up between 4:30 am to 5 am and then take a walk. This amount of sleep will make the body feel better and help them lose weight.

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