At the Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math in Govardhan, when they started plowing the gardens with a big tractor, suddenly a very large Giriraj Shila came out of the land! Read the Article…
Archive for Seva Ashram Post
In 1967 the land of the Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math was being threatened by the communist government in West Bengal. Here is the story of how Srila Govinda Maharaj had to prove in court who were the real owners of the Math’s land to protect it from the threat of government seizure.
On the occasion of the 93th anniversary day of the Divine appearance of Srila Govinda Maharaj, we would like to present these wonderful stories about the miraculous events that sometimes occurred around him. Read Story…
Srila Govinda Maharaj tells the miraculous story of when Lord Shiva gave him the medicine to cure Srila Sridhar Maharaj who, due to ill health, was on the verge of departing from this world. Read Story…
Srila Trivikram Maharaj tells the most wonderful story of the many miracles that happened during Srila Govinda Maharaj’s trip to the Krishna Shakti Ashram in Brazil in 1998 when a dead boy miraculously came back to life. Ready Story…
Sripad Madhusudan Maharaj tells the miraculous story when the dead phone spoke, giving Srila Govinda Maharaj the news about acquiring the land in Vrindavan adjacent to the Sri Sri Radha Damodar Temple. Ready Story…
The amazing story of when Srila Govinda Maharaj lost his ornament in the Ganges and after praying to Mother Ganges, the ornament was returned to him. “Still I cannot believe what happened and which way it happened.” Read Article…
The following is an excerpt from Revealed Truth, the latest book published by Sripad Tyagi Maharaj on Srila Govinda Maharaj’s lectures. <em><a href=”http://www.sevaashram.net/3833/govinda-maharaj-pranam-mantra/” target=”_blank”>Read article…</a></em>
<em><strong>Sripad Jai Balai Prabhu’s</strong></em> beautiful offering for Srila Janardan Maharaj on the occasion of his auspicious Vyasapuja. <em>(In both English and Spanish.)</em><em><a href=”http://www.sevaashram.net/3723/honoring-janardan-maharaj/” target=”_blank”> Read article…</a></em>
Is the scientist a noble researcher or someone who is following a lust for recognition? Are we to put our faith in their conclusions and theories when trying to understand what will give us real happiness? Our faith should be placed in the Absolute’s divine agent, the saint, Sri Guru. <em><a href=”http://www.sevaashram.net/3693/faith-in-saints-or-scientists/” target=”_blank”>Read article…</a></em>
All those who came in contact with Srila Gurudev, Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev Goswami Maharaj, across the world or at home in India, could clearly see his magnanimity, his beauty and his kindness. To try and describe his charm and affection feels like, how Sri Krishna Das Kaviraj Goswami said in the <span style=”text-decoration: underline;”>Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita</span>, a dwarf trying to touch the moon. <em><a href=”www.sevaashram.net/3578/my-masters-voice/” target=”_blank”>Read article…</a></em>
Sri Guru and His Grace
Fossilism vs Subjective Evolution
An excerpt from Affectionate Guidance:
Devotee: In Srimad Bhagavad Gita, Krishna has explained about karmma-yoga. Can karmma-yoga ever be seva, or devotional service?
Srila Govinda Maharaj: Karmma and seva, action and divine service, are identical from the external perspective. Bhakti-yoga and karmma-yoga are the same apart from one thing—and that is the inner mood of the practitioner. The inner intention is the all-important, differentiating factor.
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Srila Bhakti Pavan Janardan Maharaj
Srimad Rupa-pada-rajah Prarthana Dasakam ~ Aspiring for the Dust of Srimad Rupa Goswami’s Lotus Feet
These 10 verses were written in glorification of Sri Rupa Goswami by His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj and they are published in Sri Sri Prapanna Jivanamritam.
srimac-caitanyapadau cara-kamalayugau netra-bhrngau madhu dyau
gaude tau payayantau vraja-vipina-gatau vyajayuktau samutkau
bhatau sabhratrkasya svajana-gana-pater yasya saubhagya- bhumnah
sa sri-rupah kada mam nija-pada-rajasa bhusitam samvidhatte(1)
pita-sri-gaura-padambuja-madhu-madironmatta-hrd-bhrnga-rajo
rajyaisvaryam jahau yo jana-nivaha-hitadatta-citto nijagryam
vijnapya svanujena vraja-gamana-ratam canvagat gauracandram
sa sri-rupah kada mam nija-pada-rajasa bhusitam samvidhatte(2)
vrndaranyat prayage hari-rasa-natanair nama-sankirtanais ca
lebhe yo madhavagre jana-gahana-gatam prema-mattam janams ca
bhavaih svair madayantam hrta-nidhir iva tam krsna-caitanyacandram
sa sri-rupah kada mam nija-pada-rajasa bhusitam samvidhatte(3)
ekantam labdha-padambuja-nija-hrdaya-prestha-patro mahartir
dainyair-duhkhasru-purnair dasana-dhrta-trnaih pujayamasa gauram
svantah krsnan ca ganga-dinamani-tanaya-sangame sanujo yah
sa sri-rupah kada mam nija-pada-rajasa bhusitam samvidhatte(4)
svasya prema-svarupam priya-dayita-vilasanurupaika-rupam
dure bhu-lunthitam yam sahaja-sumadhura-sriyutam sanujan ca
drstva devo ‘titurnam stuti-bahu-mukham aslisya gadham raranje
sa sri-rupah kada mam nija-pada-rajasa bhusitam samvidhatte(5)
kaivalya-prema-bhumav-akhila-rasa-sudha-sindhu-sancara-daksam
jnatvapy evan ca radha-pada-bhajana-sudham lilayapayayad yam
saktim sancarya gauro nija-bhajana-sudha-dana-daksam cakara
sa sri-rupah kada mam nija-pada-rajasa bhusitam samvidhatte(6)
gauradesac ca vrnda-vipinam iha parikramya nilacalam yo
gatva kavyamrtaih svair vraja-yuva-yugala-kridanarthaih prakamam
ramananda-svarupadibhir api kavibhis tarpayamasa gauram
sa sri-rupah kada mam nija-pada-rajasa bhusitam samvidhatte(7)
lila-samgopane sri-bhagavata iha vai jangame sthavare ‘pi
sammugdhe sagrajatah prabhu-viraha-hrta-praya-jivendriyanam
yas casid asrayaika-sthalam iva raghu-gopala-jivadi-varge
sa sri-rupah kada mam nija-pada-rajasa bhusitam samvidhatte(8)
sri-murteh sadhu-vrtteh prakatanam api tal-lupta-tirthadikanam
sri-radha-krsna-padambuja-bhajanamayam raga-margam visuddham
granthair yena pradattam nikhilam iha nijabhista-devepsitan ca
sa sri rupah kada mam nija-pada-rajasa bhusitam samvidhatte(9)
lila-samgopa-kale nirupadhi-karuna-karina svaminaham
yat padabje ‘rpito yat pada-bhajanamayam gayayitva tu gitam
yogyayogyatva-bhavam mama khalu sakalam dusta-buddher agrhnan
sa sri-rupah kada mam nija-pada-rajasa bhusitam samvidhatte(10)
1. Srila Rupa Goswami is the mine of the most precious treasure, the leader of the associates of Lord Chaitanya (the Divine Succession being known as the Rupanuga Sampradaya, ‘the followers of Sri Rupa’). In the company of his brothers, he was resplendent in (the province of) Gauda, causing the fervent twin bumblebees in the form of the lotus eyes of Sri Chaitanyadev to drink nectar, as the Lord’s lotus feet moved on the pretext of visiting Vrindavan. When will that Srimad Rupa Prabhu grace me with the dust of his holy feet?
2. At Sri Ramakeli Dhama, the king of bees–the heart of Sri Rupa–became intoxicated drinking the honey-wine of the lotus feet of Sri Gaurachandra, and sacrificed its life (in Hari-kirtana) for the benefit of all the people of the world, summarily abandoning a life of kingly opulence. After informing his elder brother Sri Sanatana, Sri Rupa and his younger brother Sri Vallabha followed the footsteps of Sri Chaitanyadev, whose heart was absorbed in going (from Nilachal) to Sri Vrindavan. When will that Sri Rupa Prabhu grace me with the dust of his holy lotus feet?
3. Sri Chaitanyadev returned from Vrindavan to Prayaga Dhama and performed Nama-sankirtan, surrounded by crowds of hundreds of thousands. Intoxicated with divine love, dancing, He melted the hearts of hundreds of faithful souls with His astonishing transcendental ecstasies. Sri Rupa, as though regaining his most precious treasure, thus found Sri Chaitanyadev in the direct presence of the Deity Sri Bindu Madhava. When will that Sri Rupa Prabhu grace me with the dust of his holy lotus feet?
4. At the sacred spot on the confluence of the Ganga and the Yamuna, Sri Rupa achieved intimate union with the lotus feet of the dearmost Lord of his life – the Lord who is Krishna within and Gaura without. In grave humility, with straw in mouth and with tears of sorrow, he along with his younger brother worshiped Sri Gaura-Krishna in intense love. When will that Sri Rupa Prabhu grace me with the dust of his holy lotus feet?
5. Sri Chaitanyadev saw Sri Rupa and his younger brother rolling on the ground some distance away. Seeing His endeared one, His favorite, His love divine personified in natural beauty and charm, His exclusive alter ego in divine pastimes, the Lord swiftly approached Sri Rupa, profusely singing his glories, and embraced him in ecstasy. When will that Sri Rupa Prabhu grace me with the dust of his holy lotus feet?
6. Sri Gaurahari knew that (as an eternal associate of the Lord) Sri Rupa was already proficient in wandering throughout the ambrosial ocean of all mellows, in the land of unalloyed love (in Vraja-rasa). Nonetheless, to expand His own pastimes, the Lord enabled him to drink the sweet ecstasy of servitude unto Sri Radha, and empowered him with the skill to distribute the nectar of His personal devotional service. When will that Srimad Rupa Prabhu grace me with the dust of his lotus feet?
7. When on the order of Sri Gauranga, Sri Rupa visited Sri Purusottama Ksetra after completing the circumambulation of Sri Vraja Mandala, He highly gratified Sri Chaitanyadev and the sagacious devotee assembly headed by Sri Svarup Damodar and Sri Ramananda Ray by his ambrosial poetry on the pastimes of the Divine Couple of Vraja. When will that Srimad Rupa Prabhu grace me with the dust of his lotus feet?
8. When the manifest lila of the Supreme Lord Sri Chaitanyadeva was withdrawn, all beings including the immobile entities were mortified, deeply afflicted in sorrow. Sri Rupa and his elder brother were the only shelter for even the intimate devotees of the Lord, headed by Sri Raghunath, Sri Gopal Bhatta, and Sri Jiva, who had almost lost their lives in the Lord’s separation. When will that Srimad Rupa Prabhu grace me with the dust of his lotus feet?
9. By writing many, many books, he gave the world all the most cherished desires of his worshipful Lord Sri Chaitanyadev, principally–revealing the service of the Deity, establishing the pure code of conduct in devotion, revealing the lost holy places, and revealing the path of spontaneous devotion (Raga-marga) in transcendental loving service to Sri Radha-Govinda. When will that Srimad Rupa Prabhu grace me with the dust of his holy lotus feet?
10. Just prior to the withdrawal of his manifest lila, my causelessly merciful Divine Master, Srila Saraswati Thakur, handed me over to the holy feet of that Divine Personality by having me sing the glorious prayer unto his lotus feet (Sri Rupa-manjari-pada). Despite my lowliness, when will–disregarding all my various qualifications and disqualifications–Srimad Rupa Prabhu grace me with the dust of his holy lotus feet?
The Grand Victory of Love – krsnas tu bhavan svayam
Srila Sridhar Maharaj writes: Knowledge is above power, and above knowledge is beauty, charm and love. That is the supreme. Srimad-Bhagavatam has declared krsnas tu bhavan svayam: the Krishna conception of Godhead is the most original conception of the Absolute. Read full article…
Devotion is above all. Sharanagati, surrender, is the highest property of everyone. Surrender to Him, and He may graciously make His name known to us, and we will be able to know Him.
Srila Sridhar Maharaj
In the Upanishads, it is said, yam evaisa vrnute tena labhyah: whoever He chooses to make Himself known to, can know Him. Otherwise, no one can know Him against His will. He has reserved all the right of not being exposed to the senses of anyone and everyone. He is so high, He can do that. If He does not wish to make Himself known, no one can known Him. Whenever He wishes to make Himself known to someone, they can know Him. This is His position.
On the order of Gurudev Devarsi Narada, the scripture Srimad Bhagavatam was given by Vedavyasa as the conclusion of his teachings. After giving the Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas, Mahabharata, Bhagavad-Gita, etc., the last gift of Vedavyasa in the world of scriptures was Srimad-Bhagavatam. And the message of the Bhagavatam is that beauty is above all; not knowledge or justice. Mercy is about justice. Affection, love, beauty, charm, harmony; these are above all, and this absolute conception of the ultimate reality is in the Krishna conception.
Lord Krishna and Mother Yasoda
Beauty is above knowledge and power. Knowledge is above power, and above knowledge is beauty, charm and love. That is the supreme. Srimad-Bhagavatam has declared krsnas tu bhavan svayam: the Krishna conception of Godhead is the most original conception of the Absolute. This is the prime declaration of the Bhagavatam: the Lord, as Beauty, is above all. And below Him is awe, reverence, power, etc.
Mahaprabhu Sri Chaitanyadev pointed out, “Go to the beautiful, Reality the Beautiful.” This is the highest realization. Don’t waste your energy by engaging yourself in any other pursuits, but go straight to jnana-sunya bhakti (devotion devoid of the covering of knowledge). By the help of sadhu sanga (association of saints), take the name of the Lord and try to march straight onwards to the Krishna conception of Godhead. Krishna consciousness is our highest achievement, and this is given by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Srimad Bhagavatam.
Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu recommended, “Don’t waste your energy for anything else. Utilize your energy for the Krishna conception of Godhead.”
Mahaprabhu Sri Chaitanyadev
So we try to make our progress in this line, and at the same time we also ask our friends to try to embrace this life. The fulfillment of life for every particle of existence of this world can be found here.
March towards universal good. Wherever and whoever you are, it does not matter. Take your course towards Krishna consciousness. This is the highest fulfillment of life for everyone. You are only to turn your face towards Him and march. The Sweet Absolute Sri Krishna, will welcome you. This is the campaign of the Gaudiya Vaishnavas.