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Srila Rupa Gosvami’s Disappearance Day
We read from Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila, Chapter 19: TEXT 1 vrndavaniyam rasa-keli-vartam kalena luptam nija-saktim utkah sancarya rupe vyatanot punah sa prabhur vidhau prag iva loka-srstim TRANSLATION Before the creation of this cosmic manifestation, the Lord enlightened the heart of Lord Brahma with the details of the creation and manifested the Vedic knowledge. In exactly the...
Sri Jhulana-yatra
Today we are celebrating the beginning of Jhulana-yatra, which is steeped in the moods of Vrindavan. When I first began reading Srila Prabhupada’s books, I was struck by the following description in the introduction to Teachings of Lord Chaitanya: “Actually, Vrindaban is as good as the Spiritual Vrindaban, and therefore Krishna Das Kaviraj Goswami says that underneath one of the desire trees of...
Accelerating Devotional Service
We shall read from Srimad-Bhagavatam, Canto Two, Chapter Three: Pure Devotional Service, Text 17. om namo bhagavate vasudevaya om namo bhagavate vasudevaya om namo bhagavate vasudevaya TEXT 17 ayur harati vai pumsam udyann astam ca yann asau tasyarte yat-ksano nita uttama-sloka-vartaya SYNONYMS ayuh—duration of life; harati—decreases; vai—certainly; pumsam—of the people; udyan—rising;...
ISKCON’s Incorporation
Srila Prabhupada incorporated ISKCON on July 13, 1966, in New York City, which corresponds to today on the Vaishnava calendar. One exchange between him and Bhavananda indicates some of the significance of the occasion: Bhavananda: In Svarup Ganj there’s one big astrologer. So, he saw your photograph, and he said, “This is the face of the most powerful spiritual personality on the planet.”...
Srila Lokanatha dasa Gosvami’s Disappearance Day
Today is Srila Lokanatha dasa Gosvami’s disappearance day. Some of his pastimes are described in Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila, Chapter 18: TEXT 48 tabe rupa gosani saba nija-gana lana eka-masa darasana kaila mathuraya rahiya TRANSLATION Srila Rupa Gosvami and his associates stayed in Mathura for one month and saw the Gopala Deity. TEXT 49 sange gopala-bhatta, dasa-raghunatha...
Srila Gopala Bhatta Gosvami’s Disappearance Day
Today I thought to read a verse and purport about Srila Gopala Bhatta Gosvami from Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, Chapter Ten, “The Branches of the Caitanya Tree”: TEXT 105 sri gopala bhatta eka sakha sarvottama rupa-sanatana-sange yanra prema-alapana TRANSLATION Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami, the forty-seventh branch, was one of the great and exalted branches of the tree. He always engaged in...
Reflections on Guru-purnima
Today is Guru-purnima. Srila Prabhupada has explained that the system of honoring the spiritual master is current in all sections of Vedic followers. In the Mayavadi (impersonalist) sects, the disciples offer respect to the spiritual master once a year, on Guru-purnima. And in the Gaudiya Vaishnava sampradaya, the disciples offer homage annually on the appearance day of the spiritual master,...
Hera-pancami: Seeing on the Fifth Day
After Snana-yatra, when Lord Jagannatha falls sick, He spends two weeks in His private apartments in the company of His wife, Laksmidevi, the goddess of fortune. At that time, He develops an intense desire to go to Vrindavan. So, on the pretext of participating in the Ratha-yatra festival, the Supreme Enjoyer leaves Nilacala (Jagannatha Puri) on His cart and journeys to Sundaracala, which is...
Sri Vakresvara Pandita’s Disappearance Day
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta (Adi 10.17–20) states, “Vakresvara Pandita, the fifth branch of the [Caitanya] tree, was a very dear servant of Lord Caitanya’s. He could dance with constant ecstasy for seventy-two hours. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu personally sang while Vakresvara Pandita danced, and thus Vakresvara Pandita fell at the lotus feet of the Lord and spoke as follows. ‘O Candramukha! Please give...
Dive into the Nectar
Books by Giriraj Swami
Dancing White Elephants
Traveling with Srila Prabhupada in India, August 1970-March 1972
I'll Build You a Temple
The epic story of challenge and triumph in the founding of the Juhu temple.
Watering the Seed
Anecdotes from the pastimes and teachings of Srila Prabhupada.
Many Moons
A recollection and celebration of the wonderful qualities, and activities of devotees who have left our vision
Life's Final Exam
Death and Dying from the Vedic Perspective
Deepen Your Spiritual Journey
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