Category: Vaishnava acharyas

Sri Krishna Udupi Temple: History, Details, and the Legacy of Madhvacharya and Bala Krishna

Post author By gaudiya
Post date September 30, 2023

Madhvacharya purnaprajna vasudeva udupi — P.C – Ashok Prabhakaran from Chennai, India, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Nestled along the Arabian Sea in the picturesque state of Karnataka, South India, lies the sacred town of Udupi. This tranquil town has earned its fame primarily due to the divine presence of Sri Krishna Math (Sri Krishna Udupi Temple), which is of great reverence and spiritual significance. The origins of this hallowed temple trace back to the illustrious Srila Madhvacharya (A.D. 1238-1317), an eminent saint, philosopher, and religious reformer of India. Udupi, often described as Vaikuntha, the abode of Lord Vishnu, is believed to have achieved this exalted status because the deity of ‘Bala Krishna’ graced it with His presence in response to the pure devotion of Srila Madhvacharya.

Srila and Prabhupada: Spiritual Meaning Behind These Sacred Titles

Post author By gaudiya
Post date February 13, 2023

chaitanya pancha tattva srila prabhupada

The term ‘Srila’ is made up of two words, ‘Sri’ and ‘La’. ‘Sri’ means beauty and knowledge, and is also used as a term of respect. ‘La’ means ‘Lila’ or the pastimes of the Supreme Lord. Consequently, ‘Srila’ is a title of reverence bestowed upon spiritual personalities who possess the capacity to grasp and admire Lord Krishna’s exalted pastimes, and their hearts are enriched with this ability.

The term ‘Prabhupada’ is used to describe an esteemed devotee who is a saint among saints. ‘Prabhu’ means master, and it is customary for Vaishnavas to address each other as ‘Prabhu.’ ‘Prabhupada’ refers to someone who is the shelter of many such ‘Prabhus.’ When numerous Prabhus seek refuge under the lotus feet of another Prabhu, the term ‘Prabhupada’ is used. In Vedic religious communities, ‘Prabhupada’ is a term of great respect.

Barsana, Yavat, Nandgaon Rupa Goswami

Ter Kadamba, Nandgaon – History and Pastimes

Post author By gaudiya
Post date January 10, 2023

Ter Kadamba nandgaon

Ter Kadamba, situated midway between Yavat and Nandgaon, is one of the most notable sites of Vraja Mandala. Here, a small temple has been constructed in the midst of a group of Kadamba trees (burflower trees). This is also a place of Krishna’s rasa Leela and hence a platform has been constructed to commemorate this pastime. It is believed that Krishna used to bring His cows to graze at this place. Later when it was time to return home, He used to climb up on the Kadamba tree and play on His flute. Hearing Him play, the cows would immediately return. Krishna would then count each cow on His jeweled necklace before departing for Nandgaon. Sometimes, under the gentle light of a full moon, Krishna would climb this tree and play upon His flute to call upon His sakhis. Radha and the other gopis would then leave their homes to respond to the call of their beloved. The surrendered Gopis would then engage in Rasa dance with Krishna. Since Krishna climbed upon the Kadamba tree and played His flute to call (ter) the cows and gopis, this place is known as Ter-Kadamba.

Srila Prabhupada videos

Video – Glorification of A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada | Lecture to devotees

Post author By gaudiya
Post date July 10, 2022

Gave an online lecture on 7th of July, 2022 glorifying Srila A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. The class was attended by devotees of Srila Prabhupada.

Watch Video :

cornerstone Vaishnava acharyas

Pancha Tattva – The Absolute Truth in five features

Post author By gaudiya
Post date May 17, 2022

pancha tattva

Pancha Tattva tmakam Krishnam
Bhakta rupa svarupakam
Bhaktavataram bhaktakhyam
Namami bhakta saktikam
–
I offer my obeisances unto the Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna, who is non-different from His features as a devotee (Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu), devotional manifestation (Sri Nityananda Prabhu), devotional incarnation (Sri Advaita Acarya), devotional energy (Sri Gadadhara Pandita) and pure devotee (Sri Srivasa Pandita).

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is always accompanied by His plenary expansion Lord Nityananda, His incarnation Sri Advaita Acharya, His internal potency Sri Gadadhara Pandita, and His marginal potency Srivasa Pandita. Lord Chaitanya is in the midst of them as the Supreme Lord.

Gaudiya Vaishnavism - An overview Hinduism (Sanatan Dharma) Vaishnava acharyas

Guru (spiritual master) – Why a Guru is Essential and how can he transform your life?

Post author By gaudiya
Post date March 12, 2022

siddha bakul guru

Who is a Guru ? Why do we need a Guru? How to identify a real Guru ? What is the difference between a real Guru and a Bogus Guru? In this article, we shall try to discuss, cite Vedic scriptures and find answers to these above questions.

#1 Why do you need a Guru ?

Tad vijnanartham sa gurum evabhigacchet
Samit panih srotriyam brahma nistham
(Mukunda Upanishad 1.2.12)
–
One who desires to know the absolute truth must approach a bonafide spiritual master and offer him everything required for sacrifice. Such a spiritual master must be fixed in the absolute truth, having heard it in disciplic succession.

bhaktivinoda thakura's house bhakti kuti guru

Yasya deve para bhaktir yatha deve tatha gurau
Tasyaite kathita hy arthah prakasante mahatmanah
(Svetasvatara Upanishad 6.23)
–
Only unto those great souls who possess implicit faith upon Guru and Krishna are all the imports of the Vedas fully revealed.

Janana-maranadi-samsaranala santapto dipto sira
Jala rasim iva upahara panih srotriyam
Brahma nistham gurum upasrtya tam anusarati
(Vedanta Sara 11)
–
Just as a person whose head is afire runs towards water, similarly one burning from the fire of material existence birth, death, old age, and disease must run to a Guru for relief. Such a guru must be well versed in the conclusions of Vedic literature. One should strictly follow the Guru’s instructions and become subservient to him.

Brahmanda bhramite kona bhagyavan jiva
guru-Krsne prasade paya bhakti lata bija
(CC, Madhya, 19-151)
–
Wandering throughout the universe, by the mercy of Guru and Krishna, a fortunate living entity receives the seed of the plant of devotion.

Bhaktivinoda thakur Jagannath Puri

Bhaktivinoda Thakur’s bhajan Kutir, Jagannath Puri – Iskcon Bhakti kuti

Post author By gaudiya
Post date December 23, 2021

bhaktivinoda thakura's house bhakti kuti

Iskcon Bhakti Kuti is situated beside the sea, near Haridas Thakura’s samadhi, in the well-known area of Swargadwar, in Jagannath Puri. ‘Bhakti Kuti’ is the original name that Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur gave to his bhajana Kutira. This is the same area where the sapta-rishis (seven celestial sages) had performed severe austerities and hari-bhajana millions of years ago. The place is now administered by Iskcon who have founded a beautiful temple at the site. Radha Giridhari jiu and an enchanting deity of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu bless all who visit this sacred place. A pure Sattvik restaurant is now located on the ground floor of the temple premises. Deities of Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur grace the simhasana in the temple hall.

Jagannath Puri Vaishnava acharyas

Birthplace of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, Jagannath Puri

Post author By gaudiya
Post date December 16, 2021

birthplace of bhaktisiddhanta sarasvati thakur

On the 6th of February 1874 AD at 3.30 pm, Bimala prasad Datta (later renowned as Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura) appeared in this world, at a place not very far from the Jagannatha temple in Puri. He was the fourth son of Bhaktivinoda Thakura (Kedarnath Dutta) and Srimati Bhagavati Devi. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, an exalted Vaishnava acharya, was then posted as the regional governor. He was also in charge of the administration of the Jagannath Puri temple. Sri Bimala Prasad Datta exhibited thirty-two bodily symptoms of a great personality, at the time of his birth. He was born with his umbilical cord wrapped around his neck like a Brahmin’s thread, perhaps a sign of his glorious mission. Analyzing his horoscope, a renowned astrologer commented, ‘I have done many horoscopes in my life, but never before have I witnessed a horoscope filled with all the signs of a great personality. This child shall become world-famous as a brilliant teacher of life’s ultimate goal’.

When Bimala Prasada was just six months old, Lord Jagannatha’s Rathayatra cart had halted in front of Srila Bhaktivinoda’s house in Puri for three continuous days. It could not be moved. The cart began moving only after little Bimala was brought before Lord Jagannath. As soon as Bimala came out, a garland fell off from the Lord’s neck and wrapped the child. This was taken as a sign of special favor by the Lord. The child’s grain ceremony was observed on the cart and it was done with Jagannath Maha-Prasad.

Bhaktisiddhanta sarasvati Thakura

Bhaktivinoda thakur spiritual stories

Bhaktivinoda Thakur & Chastisement of Bisak Sen

Post author By gaudiya
Post date October 12, 2021

Bhaktivinoda Thakura

While in Jagannath Puri, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur, who was a magistrate, faced numerous challenges. There was an imposter, named Bisak Sen, belonging to the Ati-bari sect (a non bonafide religious group of pseudo devotees) who claimed himself to be an incarnation of Maha-vishnu (a manifestation of the Supreme Lord lying in the causal ocean). Bisak Sen held a few mystic powers that he had obtained by performing some austerities, and he used them to deceive the local people. He could cure some incurable diseases, could emit fire from his matted hair, read others’ minds, etc. Now the scriptures assert that there are eight yogic siddhis, which can be achieved by anyone performing suitable yogic processes. But it does not imply that one holding these siddhis becomes God. The imposter Bisak Sen had even organized Rasa Lila and sexually exploited the wives of others, while claiming himself to be God.

spiritual stories Vaishnava acharyas

Madhavendra Puri – Pastimes with Gopal and Khirachora Gopinath

Post author By gaudiya
Post date October 9, 2021

Khirachora Gopinath madhavendra puri

Sri Madhavendra Puri was the spiritual master of Isvara Puri who in turn was the spiritual master of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the most merciful incarnation of the Supreme Lord. Sri Madhavendra was almost always intoxicated with an intense love for the Supreme. He was mostly devoid of his external consciousness and had no awareness of where he was or what time of the day it was. Sometimes standing and sometimes falling, all the ecstatic symptoms manifested in his body simultaneously. Sri Madhavendra Puri, a devotee in the line of Madhvacharya, is designated as the first sprout (ankura) of the desire tree of devotion.