Category: Leela – Spiritual pastimes

Pastimes of Chaitanya SantipurnPhulia spiritual stories

Advaita Acharya causes the appearance of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in this world

Post author By gaudiya
Post date October 5, 2021

advaita acharya chaitanya mahaprabhu panchatattva

Sri Advaita Acharya is also known as Gaura-ana Thakura, or who has caused Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the Supreme Lord, to descend in this world. Seeing the degraded consciousness of the people in general, Advaita acharya began to consider how they could be delivered from the clutches of Maya (material illusion). He finally concluded that only the Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna Himself can deliver these souls from their suffering. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada mentions in his purport that just as a condemned person is delivered by the special favor of the chief executive head, similarly, the condemned people in this age of kali can only be delivered by the Supreme Personality of Godhead or someone who is empowered by Him. Sri Advaita Prabhu thought that His name ‘Advaita’ would befit Him, only if He could cause the Supreme Lord to descend and inaugurate the sankirtana movement. He knew very well that Lord Krishna becomes indebted to a devotee and sells Himself to one who merely offers Him a Tulasi leaf and a palmful of water. Considering this, Sri Advaita Prabhu began regularly worshipping the Supreme Lord with Tulasi leaves and Ganges water. With His loud voice, He called upon Him to descend into this material world. The place where Sri Advaita Acharya used to worship His saligrama sila with Tulasi and Ganges water, is presently known as ‘Babla’ and is located not very far from the Santipur railway station in West Bengal. Being pleased with His earnest prayers, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the Supreme Lord, descended upon this world, in the year 1486 AD on the day of Phalguni Purnima.

Tulasi manjari sahita ganga-jale
Niravadhi seve Krishne maha kutuhale
Hunkara karoye Krishna-abeshera tyeje
Ye dhvani Brahmanda bhedi Vaikuntha te baje
(Chaitanya Bhagavata, Adi, 2.81-82)
–
He (Advaita Acharya) incessantly served Lord Krishna with the help of Tulasi Manjari and Ganges water. Being empowered by the strength of Lord Krishna, He roared loudly. The sound of His loud roars penetrated the coverings of this material universe and resounded in Vaikuntha (spiritual world).

santipur gtb

In Chaitanya Bhagavata , the Lord reveals to His associates that it was Advaita Acharya, who had called upon Him and caused Him to descend from vaikuntha (‘mohare anila nada vaikuntha thakiya…’). Srila Krishnadasa Kaviraja mentions in Chaitanya Charitamrta, that the merciful Lord Chaitanya had spread the sankirtana movement through Advaita Acharya and had delivered the world through Him.

yanra dvara kaila prabhu kirtana prachara
yanra dvara kaila prabhu jagata nishtara
(Chaitanya Caritamrta, Adi – 6.35)

navadvipa_bhava_taranga spiritual stories

Bhishma Pitamah glorifies Nabadwip | Instructs on Bhakti Yoga

Post author By gaudiya
Post date October 3, 2021

bhishma pitamah pandavas

In his earlier life, Bhishma, the son of Ganga, had studied in the holy land of Nabadwip (West Bengal, India) under the tutelage of Jahnu muni, his grandfather. He stayed over here for many days. It is over here that Bhishma pitamah had learned the science of devotional service, which he subsequently taught unto Yudhisthira on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.

Radha Krishna spiritual stories

Bhishma Pitamah glorifies Krishna on his deathbed at Kurukshetra

Post author By gaudiya
Post date September 29, 2021

bhishma pitamah pandavas

Twelve mahajanas are described in the Srimad Bhagavatam – Bali, Bhisma Pitamah, Lord Brahma, Janaka, Kapiladeva, Narada Muni, Sanat-Kumar, Shiva, Prahlada, Sukadeva Goswami, Svayambhuva Manu, Yamaraj. All of these twelve mahajanas are exalted devotees of the Supreme Lord and authorities on the science of devotion. Bhishma Pitamah, one of these twelve mahajanas, was a selfless soul who remained a lifelong celibate (brahmachari) simply to respect the wish of his father to marry Satyavati. Bhishma Pitamah yielded his claims to the royal throne. Although he was very powerful and core to the survival of the kuru dynasty, he never took any credits or honors for himself. He sided with the Kauravas in the battle of Kurukshetra although he understood very well that they would lose as Krishna, the Supreme Lord, had sided with the Pandavas. While resting on the deathbed of arrows in Kurukshetra, Bhishma instructed Maharaj Yudhisthira on various subjects concerning dharma. Then, when it was time for Bhishma Pitamah to leave his body, he withdrew his mind from everything else and fixed his wide-open eyes upon Sri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who stood before him, four-handed, dressed in sparkling yellow garments. Bhishma Pitamah then glorified his eternal master and prayed as follows.

Glorifications of Sri Chaitanya Kali Yuga

Kali Yuga and its savior – Chaitanya Mahaprabhu | Chaitanya Upanishad

Post author By gaudiya
Post date September 19, 2021

chaitanya mahaprabhu childhood pastimes kali yuga

Chaitanya Upanishad has been excerpted by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura from the sacred texts of the Atharva Veda. The Thakura searched the length and breadth of Bengal to obtain an original copy of this rare manuscript that describes the unique position, advent of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, and how He is our savior from the evil influences of Kali Yuga. He was finally provided with a copy of this original hand-written manuscript from Pandita Madhusudana Maharaja, of Sambala Pura. The texts along with their English translations is provided below.

Pastimes of Chaitanya

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu arrives at Puri and travels to South India | Gauranga Lila Smarana

Post author By gaudiya
Post date September 5, 2021

chaitanya mahaprabhu childhood pastimes sannyasa

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, had mercifully appeared at Yogpeeth (in Mayapur, West Bengal, India) about 500 years ago (in the year 1486 AD), to bless us with the most wonderful, deep and ecstatic pastimes of Gaura lila. Eminent brahmana, Sri Jagannatha Misra and Saci devi were the proud parents of Lord Chaitanya. The below article is a humble attempt to ponder upon the most blissful pastimes of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the golden avatar, after He accepted His sannyasa (renounced order) and then traveled to South India. The identity of Lord Chaitanya as the Supreme Personality of Godhead can be verified in a number of Vedic scriptures like Srimad Bhagavatam, Mahabharata, Garuda Purana, Nrsimha Purana, Padma purana, Bhavishya Purana, Narada Purana etc. We are quoting two of such scriptural references below, for the pleasure of the devotees.

aham purno bhavisyami yuga sandhyau visesatah
mayapure navadvipe bhavisyami saci sutah
(Garuda Purana)

Translation – In the future, in first part of Kali yuga, I shall appear in my complete spiritual form at Mayapura, Navadvipa and become the son of Saci.

The mission of the Lord,along with a description of His golden complexion and how He descends along with His confidential associates in this age of Kali ,to inaugurate the Sankirtana Yajna is revealed in Srimad Bhagavatam (Bhagavata purana) –

Krishna varnam tvishakrishnam sangopangastra-parsadam
yajnaih sankirtana prayair yajanti hi sumedhasah
(Srimad Bhagavatam 11.5.32)

Lord Chaitanya’s life and teachings have been instrumental in uniting people across different nationalities, across different backgrounds – be it social, economic, linguistic, cultural. Eminent personalities have concluded that Sri Chaitanya’s life & teachings have no parallel in human history. Sri Chaitanya’s pastimes defy the investigative and the descriptive abilities of phenomenologists and psychologists of religious experience. The below verses depicting the wondrous pastimes of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu have been composed by Srila Saccidananda Bhaktivinoda Thakura in his book – Srimad Gauranga Lila Smarana Mangala Stotram.

Pastimes of Chaitanya

Pastimes of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in His Boyhood and Youth

Post author By gaudiya
Post date August 29, 2021

childhood pastimes of chaitanya mahaprabhu boyhood youth

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, had mercifully appeared at Yogpeeth (in Mayapur, West Bengal, India) about 500 years ago (in the year 1486 AD), to bless us with the most wonderful, deep and ecstatic pastimes of Gaura lila. Eminent brahmana, Sri Jagannatha Misra and Saci devi were the proud parents of Lord Chaitanya. The below article is a humble attempt to address and ponder upon the most blissful pastimes of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the golden avatar, in His boyhood and youth. The identity of Lord Chaitanya as the Supreme Personality of Godhead can be verified in a number of Vedic scriptures like Srimad Bhagavatam, Mahabharata, Garuda Purana, Nrsimha Purana, Padma purana, Bhavishya Purana, Narada Purana etc. We are quoting two of such scriptural references below, for the pleasure of the devotees.

aham purno bhavisyami yuga sandhyau visesatah
mayapure navadvipe bhavisyami saci sutah
(Garuda Purana)
–
Translation – In the future, in first part of Kali yuga, I shall appear in my complete spiritual form at Mayapura, Navadvipa and become the son of Saci.

The mission of the Lord, along with a description of His golden complexion and how He descends along with His confidential associates in this age of Kali ,to inaugurate the Sankirtana Yajna is revealed in Srimad Bhagavatam (Bhagavata purana) –

Krishna varnam tvishakrishnam sangopangastra-parsadam
yajnaih sankirtana prayair yajanti hi sumedhasah
(Srimad Bhagavatam 11.5.32)

Pastimes of Chaitanya

Childhood Pastimes of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu | Gauranga Lila Smarana

Post author By gaudiya
Post date August 21, 2021

chaitanya mahaprabhu childhood pastimes

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, had mercifully appeared at Yogpeeth (in Mayapur, West Bengal, India) about 500 years ago (in the year 1486 AD), to bless us with the most wonderful, deep and ecstatic pastimes of Gaura lila. Eminent brahmana, Sri Jagannatha Misra and Saci devi were the proud parents of Lord Chaitanya. The below article is a humble attempt to address and ponder upon the most blissful childhood pastimes of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the golden avatar. The identity of Lord Chaitanya as the Supreme Personality of Godhead can be verified in a number of Vedic scriptures like Srimad Bhagavatam, Mahabharata, Garuda Purana, Nrsimha Purana, Padma purana, Bhavishya Purana, Narada Purana etc. We are quoting two of such scriptural references below, for the pleasure of the devotees.

aham purno bhavisyami yuga sandhyau visesatah
mayapure navadvipe bhavisyami saci sutah
(Garuda Purana)
–
Translation – In the future, in first part of Kali yuga, I shall appear in my complete spiritual form at Mayapura, Navadvipa and become the son of Saci.

The mission of the Lord, along with a description of His golden complexion and how He descends along with His confidential associates in this age of Kali ,to inaugurate the Sankirtana Yajna is revealed in Srimad Bhagavatam (Bhagavata purana) –

Krishna varnam tvishakrishnam sangopangastra-parsadam
yajnaih sankirtana prayair yajanti hi sumedhasah
(Srimad Bhagavatam 11.5.32)

Radha Krishna

Ashta Sakhi of Radha – 8 Principal Gopis of Vrindavan

Post author By gaudiya
Post date August 7, 2021

krishna accessories ornaments articles ashta sakhi radha

The eight principal Gopis of Vrindavan are Lalita, Visakha, Citra, Champakalata, Tungavidya, Indulekha, Rangadevi and Sudevi. They are also known as ‘Ashta sakhi’ or ‘Parama Prestha Sakhis’ as they are the dearmost friends of Sri Radha. These most exalted Gopis of Vrindavan are celebrated as the most intimate associates of Sri Radha-Krishna and they are always engaged in assisting the divine couple manifest their loving pastimes. The love these Gopis hold for Sri Radha and Krishna is unique and unmatched. They are endowed with beautiful forms, transcendental qualities, and sweet features. A brief sketch of their families, moods, and the services they render is presented below.

#1 Lalita

Among the eight Gopis of Vrindavan, Sri Lalita devi is the chief. She is twenty-seven days older than Sri Radha. Another of her names is ‘Anuradha’. Her body possesses a yellowish tone resembling that of cow’s urine and her attire mirrors the hue of a peacock feather. Visoka is her father and Sarada is her mother. She is endowed with the quality of harshness which adds a special flavor to her relationship with Krishna. Bhairava, her husband, also a friend of the cowherd boy Govardhana.

Glorifications of Sri Chaitanya Hare Krishna Mahamantra Leela - Spiritual pastimes

108 Names of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu | Gauranga Ashtottara ShataNamaVali

Post author By gaudiya
Post date August 1, 2021

Gauranga Chaitanya Ashtottara Shata Nama

Sri Gauranga Ashtottara Shata Nama (Ashtottara ShataNamaVali) are the 108 names of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. The following amazing all-purifying verses have been composed by Sri Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya to disseminate the glories of Lord Gauranga all over the creation. Below are their translations for the pleasure of all the devotees of Lord Gauranga.

namaskrtya pravaksyami deva-devam jagad-gurum
namnam-astottara-satam caitanyasya mahatmanah

After offering my respectful obeisances unto Lord Chaitanya, who is a great soul, the Lord of all Lords, and the spiritual master of the entire universe, I will now narrate His 108 holy names.

visvambharo jita-krodho maya-manusa-vigrahah
amayi mayinam sretho vara-deso dvijottamah

Viswambhara – He supports and sustains the creation
Jita Krodha – He is triumphant over the influence of ordinary worldly anger
Maya Manusha vigraha – He assumes the illusory form of a human
Amayi – He is bereft of deceitful behaviour
Mayinam Shrestha – He is the chief of transcendental cheaters
Vara desha – He appears in the best of lands
Dvijottama – He is best among the brahmanas

Leela - Spiritual pastimes

5 exalted sites of Vrindavan dham | Krishna’s favorite places

Post author By gaudiya
Post date July 14, 2021

Srila Rupa Goswami has described the most exalted sites of Vrindavan dham that are very dear to Krishna. Srila Rupa Goswami has listed down these pastime places of Krishna in his book Sri Radha Krishna Ganoddesa Dipika. This article is an attempt to summarize the relevant contents presented in his book.

#1 Vrindavan Dham

Vrindavan is Krishna’s favorite forest. It is deemed to be the most exalted of all the others. Govardhan hill is the major site of Krishna’s sporting pastimes. Govardhan nourishes the cows and calves of Vrindavan by supplying them with water, grass, and other eatables.

vrindavan madan mohan