Author: Purushottam Nitai Das

The most important places to see inside Jagannath Puri temple

Jagannath Puri is the abode of Lord Jagannath, the Lord of the universe. It is one of the most important holy places. Whenever I get a chance, I always try to be in Puri. So, when devotees were planning to visit this sacred place then I was excited. I too wanted to go. 

You can visit the temple an unlimited number of times but still, you want to be there again and again.  

We decided to go by Howrah Puri express. We boarded the train from Kolkata on Friday night at 8:55 pm and reached Puri the next day, Saturday, at around 6 am. We had booked our accommodation in Sri Chaitanya Gaudiya Math.

The math is around 3 km from the railway station. We took a 10-seater vehicle to Sri Chaitanya Gaudiya Math. It cost us Rs 220. It was a prepaid auto.

We decided to stay there because of two reasons and both the reasons are equally important. This math is near to the Jagannath Temple and it is also the birthplace of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura, spiritual master of Srila Prabhupada, the founder acharya of Iskcon. The Jagannath temple is just 5 minutes’ walking distance from the math. And from the terrace of the math, the famous Chakra of Lord Jagannath is clearly visible.

The temple has three altars. The middle altar has the deity of Lord Krishna and Srimati Radharani along with Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. The deity name is Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Radha Nayanmani. The left altar has the deity of Lord Jagannath, Lord Baladeva, and Subhadra Devi. And in the right altar deity of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura is present.

Once we reached the math, we decided to get ready as soon as possible so that we can immediately go to the temple.

As we were going to the temple, we saw a huge security arrangement. It looked like some important dignitary is present there or is going to come. 

And soon we saw Amit Shah, the Home Minister of India, and other members of Narendra Modi Cabinet like Dharmendra Pradhan and few others.

Amit Shah was sitting in an SUV and we were standing very close to his vehicle. Some devotees greeted him, and he responded too.

Similarly, other cabinet ministers passed. It seems they all had come to take darshan of the Lord.

Entering the temple from Simha Dwara:

We entered the temple from Simha Dwara. It is also called Lion’s Gate or Eastern Gate.  It was around 9 am when we went inside the temple. Already hundreds of devotees were there inside the temple hall. But the darshan was closed. Some said it will open at 9:30 am. We had to wait. I somehow managed to get near the Garuda stambh.

The Garuda stambh

Anyone who comes to take darshan of the Lord should bow to Garuda stambh first. If one stands near Garuda stambh then one can see the three Lord’s directly from there. 

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu would always take darshan of the Lord from Garuda stambh. He thought himself to be too fallen to go near the Lord. By his own example, the Lord is teaching us that we should never have any superiority complex. But we should think that we are unworthy, and it is because of the Lord’s causeless mercy he is giving us his darshan and in fact even allowing us to come inside his temple. So, Garuda stambh is very dear to the followers of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

I bowed to Garuda Stambh and embraced it with both my hands. Other devotees were also reverentially touching it and embracing it.

The lamps at Garuda stambh is always lit. I saw Pujaris pouring ghee (or it could be oil) into the big lamp so that it continues to burn. Above the stamb are many metallic lamps. At that time, one lamp was lit. May be during the festival time all the lamps are lit.

Inside the temple hall of Lord Jagannath

I stood beside the Garuda stambh. The darshan was to open after 30 min. In between someone from the crowd would shout ‘Jay Jagannath’. And everyone would respond by chanting ‘Jay Jagannath.’ Sometime someone would say ‘Haribol’ and the entire crowd would say ‘Haribol.’ As soon as anyone heard ‘Jay Jagannath’ and ‘Haribol’ everyone would look expectedly thinking that the darshan has opened.

We waited for around 40 minutes and I liked it. Because this gave an opportunity to be in the temple hall of Lord Jagannath and chant the holy names of Krishna standing beside the Garuda stambh. Many people were standing, and many were sitting waiting for darshan to open.

Taking darshan of Lord Jagannath

And finally, the darshan opened. One young boy lifted one young girl (I am not sure about their relationship), so that she could see the Lord. And they both were asked not to do so. In fact, the Pujaris got angry too. It’s a traditional temple and the expectation is that everyone follows the traditional code of conduct and not the one which is shown in Bollywood movies.

Several hundred devotees were there.  The crowd was moving slowly but steadily.  Finally, I got near to the place where I could see the Lord. I was apprehensive that I may be pushed by the people and will not be able to properly see the Lord. So, I was praying to the Lord.

And finally, I saw a glimpse of Lord Jagannath, then Subhadra Devi and then Lord Baladeva.

I wanted to go near to the barricade so that I can closely see the Lord. Also, I wanted to offer some Lakshmi (money) to the three deities.

I came near the Pujari. Since he was in front of Lord Jagannath, so I believe he was the priest of Lord Jagannath. I offered Rs 100. And then I came to the Pujari who was in front of Subhadra Devi. I gave Rs 100.

And the Pujari started putting a yellow cloth of the Lord around my neck.

He asked me to give Rs 100 more which I happily gave. He gave me offered Tulasi of the Lord. I stood there for a few minutes. Then moved back in such a way that I continue taking darshan of the Lord. Fortunately, by Lord Jagannath’s grace even security was not asking me to move. I was able to take darshan for several minutes and then decided to come out. I thought I should not take undue advantage of the security personnel’s leniency. Then I came out of the Lord Jagannath temple hall.

Other devotees of our group had already taken darshan and were outside. 

Lord Narasimhadeva temple

From there we went to the temple of Lord Narasimhadeva. One has to climb flights of stairs to reach the temple of Lord Narasimhadeva. Already many devotees were in queue. I also stood in the queue. When I was allowed to go, I was able to properly take darshan of the Lord.

Earlier times the pujari of Lord Narasimhadeva would not allow to touch the lotus feet of the Lord. This time the Pujari had come out.  And I was the only person in front of the Lord.

I not just touched the lotus feet of the Lord but also put my head on the Lord’s lotus feet. I also touched the lotus feet of Prahlad Maharaj.

While standing in the queue and during taking the darshan of the Lord I sang Namaste Narasimhaya prayers.

Anand Bazar – the pleasure market

It was already 10 am. We had not taken breakfast. So, we decided to go to Anand Bazar to take breakfast and after breakfast we thought to return back to again take darshan of other deities within the temple premise.  

In Anand Bazar the Mahaprasad of Lord Jagannath is always available. In this market you get only prasad and nothing else. No outside food is allowed.

We got full plate prasadam for Rs 50. Rice, Dal and three different sabzis were there. It was mixture of sweet and sour taste. Some also enjoyed Malpua. But it was night prasadam.

The morning prasadam which is offered to the Lord comes in Anand Bazaar around 12 noon. So those who want hot rice, hot dal and everything hot should try to take prasad around 12 or 1 pm.

But the prasad of the Lord is transcendental so we relished it.

Snana Bedi – The place where Snana Yatra is celebrated

We then went to Snana Bedi. It is the place where Snana Yatra of Lord Jagannath, Lord Baladeva and Subhadra Devi is performed. This is just beside Anand Bazaar. After Snana Yatra i.e. the bathing ceremony, the Lord gets sick and remains confined in sick room for 15 days. During this period there is no darshan of the Lord. The Lord is given special food preparation to cure his sickness. After Lord recuperates, we have the world-famous Rath Yatra festival.  

Lord Chaitanya’s footprints

We came out of Anand Bazar. Little ahead from Anand Bazar is the temple where the footprints of Lord Chaitanya are present. We paid obeisances there. Lord Chaitanya during his stay in Puri would always visit Jagannath Puri temple.

Mahalakshmi Temple

From there we went to the temple of Goddess Lakshmi. Where the Supreme Lord Jagannath is there, there will be his eternal consort, Lakshmidevi. There is always a big queue in front of Lakshmidevi temple. Priests inside the temple generally ask for some donation to worship Goddess Lakshmi who provides wealth.

But if we serve the Supreme Lord Jagannath with love then it will automatically please Lakshmidevi and she will happily provide lots of wealth to the devotees of Lord Jagannath. We prayed to her and sought her blessings. 

Pure devotees of the Lord teach us that we should not pray for wealth, but we should always pray to the Lord to always engage us in his service.

Bimala (Vimala) Devi Temple

Then we went to the temple of Bimala ‎(Vimala) Devi.

Bimala Devi is another name of Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva.

There is a famous pastime associate with her. Once Parvati had become extremely angry because she did not get Mahaprasad of Lord Vishnu. So, to pacify her Lord Vishnu declared that “In Jagannath Puri the bhoga which will be offered to me will first go to Bimala Devi and then only it will be distributed to others.”  

This instruction of the Lord is still followed. The bhoga which is offered to Lord Jagannath first goes to Bimala Devi and then after being offered to Bimala Devi it goes to Anand Bazaar for distribution to the devotees.

Rohini Kund

Then we took darshan of Rohini Kund. This kund is near Bimala Devi temple. It’s a very small kund but it has great spiritual significance.  

The Purushottama Kshetra Mahatmya of Skanda Purana tells the story of a crow who fell in the Rohini Kund and immediately got four-handed forms similar to Lord Vishnu and went to the spiritual world.

This kind of liberation is called sarupya mukti i.e. the devotees have form similar to Lord Narayana and live with the Lord in the Vaikuntha planets.

Kalpabata – The desire fulfilling tree

From there we went to take darshan of the famous Kalpabata – The desire fulfilling tree.

This banyan tree is existing since time immemorial.

It is a very sacred tree.  It is said that during the devastation of the material universe this tree remains unaffected.

It was on the leaf of this Kalpabata tree that sage Markandeya saw the beautiful child form of Krishna.

Little Krishna was licking his own toe and relishing it. The tree fulfills all the desires if asked with a pure heart.  But the devotees never ask for any material desire but they only desire to love and serve Krishna. We bowed to the tree and tried to embrace it. Many devotees were there praying to the tree for their desires.

Around this sacred tree are the deities of Bata Krishna, Bata Balamukunda, Bata Madhava, Bata Jagannath, Bateswar Mahadeva, Bata Ganesh, Bata Mangala, and Bata Markandeya.

There are many other small temples within the temple premise. We took darshan of Sakshi Gopal, Kshira Chor Gopinath, and Kanchi Ganesh.  Deities of many demigods are also inside the temple. If one wants to take darshan of each one of them then it will take several hours, almost the entire day.

If one wants, then one can see all the places inside the temple complex but the places we visited are the most important places inside the temple and one must always visit these places.

The most important activity in the Jagannath temple is to pray to the Lord again and again to remove all impurities from our hearts so that we develop unmotivated and unconditional love for him.

We spent around 4-5 hours inside the temple. In fact, one can spend an entire day inside the temple. The temple is always crowded with thousands of devotees who are very eager to see the Lord.

They continuously pray to the Lord, sing devotional songs, chant his beautiful names, meditate on his beautiful form and enjoy discussing various pastimes of the Lord.

And when they feel hungry, they go to Anand Bazar to relish delicious prasad of Lord Jagannath!

One should visit this temple again and again.

Iskcon opens world’s largest Pujari floor in Mayapur

Iskcon opened the world’s largest Pujari floor on 17^th Feb 2020 in Mayapur on the auspicious occasion of the appearance day of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura.  

The Pujari floor is part of the Temple of Vedic Planetarium (TOVP).

Spread over 2.5 acres, the Pujari floor will have 69 rooms.

This is the largest facility in the world to serve the Lord.

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The plan is to open TOVP by 2022. It will be the tallest temple in the whole world.

HG Braj Vilas Prabhu who coordinated the whole event in his opening address said, “Every Vaisnava acharya has been trying their best to serve Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakura built the Yogapita and for that, he collected Re 1 from each house. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura established 64 Gaudiya Maths with its headquarter, Chaitanya Math, in Mayapur. Srila Prabhupada wanted to build TOVP as his personal offering to Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. He would encourage all to come together to build this magnificent temple for the prince of Mayapur.”

This auspicious occasion was graced by many Iskcon sannyasis, Iskcon leaders, Srila Prabhupada’s disciples and thousands of devotees who congregated in Mayapur to witness this wonderful event.

The first speaker was HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaj without whom Mayapur is incomplete.

HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaj said:

“Lord Nityananda had said, “Ek Adhbut Mandir hoibe prakash, Gauranga Nitya seva hoibe vikas.” A wonderful temple will be built which will broadcast the message of Lord Chaitanya all over the world. TOVP is that ‘Adbhut Mandir.’

This is a special service to Prabhupada. Someone asked Prabhupada why Lord Chaitanya or Lord Nityananda did not preach all over the world. Prabhupada said that because they gave me the service to spread Krishna Consciousness all over the world.

Prabhupada once called all his godbrothers and said that we all should come together to satisfy our spiritual master, HDG Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura. But unfortunately, it did not work out. We are still trying to unite. In the evening we are inviting devotees from Gaudiya Maths.

I want to thank all. I like to see opening of the temple. Krishna has blessed me. I am still here. I hope to be there when temple will be opened.”

Ambarish Prabhu, a disciple of Srila Prabhupada, is the chairman of TOVP. He is the great-grandson of Henry Ford. It is because of his efforts that this magnificent temple, an architectural marvel, is wonderfully manifesting.  In his address, HG Ambarish Prabhu thanked all the devotees who have been putting their best efforts to build the temple. He welcomed all the devotee community for enthusiastically participating in the Pujari room opening event.

Ambarish Prabhu said:

“Srila Prabhupada had planted the seed of this temple in my heart in 1976.  In 1976, Srila Prabhupada was discussing the TOVP model with many of his disciples. I was also present during that conversation.

After describing how TOVP should look, Prabhupada looked towards me and asked, “So Ambarish Maharaj what do you think about it.” 

He would lovingly call me Ambarish Maharaj!

I said the idea sounds nice.  

And Srila Prabhupada immediately said, “If you like the idea then why don’t you help us fund it.” 

At that time, I had no idea of Mayapur and where is Mayapur in India. But these immortal words of Prabhupada got imprinted in my heart and since then I am trying to help build TOVP. 

As the communist regime in West Bengal was making difficult to build the temple so there was a plan to build it in Jagannath Puri.

But in 2005 -06, I had a dream and, in the dream, Prabhupada asked me to build TOVP in Mayapur.

I thank Sadbhuja Prabhu who worked with gammon on the idea of building a magnificent dome for the TOVP.

When a wealthy person plans to move to his summer home then before his arrival all the arrangements are made for his comfort. Radha Madhav is the richest couple of the universe so before they move to TOVP in 2022 efforts are being made to make all the arrangements so that they can be served magnificently.

I thank HG Srinathji Prabhu who helped a lot financially to build the temple. HG Srinathji Prabhu left this world a few years back. But his wife and children are carrying his dream and helping TOVP.  Many devotees have come forward to fund this great project.  There are devotees who are contributing 20 dollars because this is what they can afford and there are devotees who are contributing a million dollars. 

I thank each one of them and request more devotees to come forward and contribute in building this adbhut (astounding) temple for the Lord.

HG Swaha Mataji is the wife of HG Ambarish Prabhu. They both are teaching by their personal example that how husband and wife should cooperate with each other to serve the Lord. Mataji while speaking remembered that in 2018 how all had gathered for the installation of Lord’s cakras. And today (13^th Feb 2020) on the most auspicious occasion of the appearance day of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura all gathered for the opening of the beautiful pujari room for the Lord.

HG Swaha Mataji said:

“Lord Nityananda Prabhu had predicted that an adbhut (astounding) temple for the Lord will come up in Mayapur 500 years ago and it is by his mercy only TOVP is wonderfully manifesting.

Lord Nityananda Prabhu expands as dham and also as Lord’s paraphernalia. And currently, the Lord Nityananda’s padukas are travelling all over the world inspiring all to help build this magnificent temple.  

The spiritual world is always expanding and services to the Lord are also expanding. So this new palace is required so that Sri Sri Radha Madhava and Asta Sakhis, Lord Narasimhadev, Pancha Tattva,  and Srila Prabhupada and all the Vaisnava acharyas can be served magnificently.

From Nityananda Charitamrta she told a pastime:  

Once Lord Nityananda brought 40kg of very fine white rice from Bengal and gave it to Gadadhar Pandit. He also brought a beautiful coloured cloth for Lord Gopinath.

Gadadhar Pandit was so pleased to see the beautiful dress and fine quality rice for the Lord. He plucked some spinach and the tender leaf of tamarind from the Tota Gopinath temple in Jagannath Puri and prepared a nice preparation of rice.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu smelled the aroma of the rice and came running to Tota Gopinath temple and said how can you celebrate a festival without me.

And then the three Lords enjoyed the simple preparation of white rice. Mahaprabhu glorified Gadadhar Pandit’s culinary ability. Gadadhar Pandit knew how to prepare a wonderful thing for the Lord and offer him by love.

Similarly, Srila Prabhupada, an intimate associate of Lord Nityananda, knows how to offer wonderful things to the Lord.

This TOVP is an offering of Srila Prabhupada to his spiritual master and all the great acharyas and we are fortunate that he left it for us to manifest his dream. For this, we are eternally grateful.

I thank GBC and all senior leaders who are actively working to help the project.”

HH Gopal Krishna Goswami, Chairman of Indian bureau, said: 

“TOVP was very dear to Srila Prabhupada. Once HH Giriraj Swami asked Prabhupada what will please him the most. Then he himself said, “I think if we distribute your books and build TOVP you will be so happy.”

And Prabhupada said, yes. Prabhupada wanted this temple because it was the desire of Lord Nityananda that an adbhut (astounding) temple comes up.

Prabhupada wanted to make temple like Taj Mahal. Taj Mahal is so famous and people from all over the world come to visit it. Similarly, TOVP should be built so attractively that people from all over the world come here.

He wanted this temple be built from the support of all the people of the world. 

Lord Krishna can build the temples on his own, but he has given us an opportunity to build the temple for our own purification.

We should endeavour sincerely and go from house to house to collect funds for this temple.

There are more than 60 pujari rooms. The purpose of opening Pujari rooms is also to make everyone especially donors aware that we are making progress. We should work together. TOVP will enhance Srila Prabhupada’s reputation. It will attract the whole world.”

HH Shivram Maharaj gave valuable inputs in designing the kitchen. Initially, he was not satisfied with the Kitchen look. He said that this is Radharani’s kitchen and so it should be shining and beautiful. He arranged for 10,00,00 dollars to make sure that the kitchen looks beautiful. In his address, he emphasized the importance of deity service.

HH Shivram Maharaj said:

In my experience of traveling to different temples, I found that deity worship is a struggle. Srila Prabhupada wanted to establish deity worship on the level probably not seen for a long time and we should continue with that standard.

I thank HG Jananivas Prabhu and HG Pankajangriya Prabhu for maintaining a high standard of deity worship in Mayapur.

TOVP will set a standard of service to Krishna and will make wave of Krishna Consciousness.

I thank Ambarish Prabhu, his wife, and Braj Vilas Prabhu for their efforts. This is one project where everyone contributes. This shows that Iskcon is an international organization. We should come together. No doubt Lord Chaitanya and Srila Prabhupada will give us the ability to complete TOVP.

HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj

In his address, HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj explained that Pujari room is Krishna’s personal room. And this pujari room also has kitchens and kitchen is Srimati Radharani’s favorite room. Pujari room will have Krishna’s personal belongings and from here Krishna will be given personal services.

He further said that in 1977 Srila Prabhupada was in his last week at Krishna Balarama temple in Vrindavan. Devotees were performing soft kirtan.

In the middle of the night, Srila Prabhupada whispered in the ear of Brahmananda Prabhu and asked where the Pujari is.

In those days, devotees were coming from all over the world, so no one knew where the Pujari is. But fortunately, he was in veranda, sleeping. Brahmananda Prabhu woke him up and gave the message that Srila Prabhupada wants to see him.

It was middle of the night. The Pujari was in shock. He was thinking what is so urgent. What happened?

He got up from the floor and ran to Prabhupada. He put his ear close to Prabhupada’s mouth so that he can hear clearly.

Prabhupada said, “Pujari is the most fortunate because he is always close to Krishna.”

And that’s all Prabhupada said and asked him to go. So, pujari rooms and pujaris are very special. 

Maharaj further said: In 2022 we are planning to open the TOVP temple.

2022 is the 100th anniversary of Srila Prabhupada receiving the instruction from his spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura to preach all over the world. That instruction is the seed of the root of Iskcon.

And 2022 is also the 50^th anniversary when HG Jananivas Prabhu and HG Pankajanghri Prabhu began the worship (puja) of Sri Sri Radha Madhav in Mayapur.

So the year is so special. Let us all come together to complete the temple.

HH Loknath Swami Maharaj, the Kirtan Samrat of Iskcon, in his address said:

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura gave instruction to Srila Prabhupada, “You seem to be intelligent. You should propagate Bhagavat Dharma in the western world in English language.”

The two Lords – Lord Chaitanya and Lord Nityananda – were speaking through Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura to Abhay.

Srila Prabhupada took the instruction very seriously.

He fulfilled the instruction of both the Lords.

Gauranga Mahaprabhu’s instruction was – pṛthivīte āche yata nagarādi grāma/ sarvatra pracāra haibe mora nāma. “In every town and village, the chanting of My name will be heard.” Prabhupada travelled 14 times all over the world. He went to different countries, cities, towns and villages to spread the names of Lord Chaitanya. He made that prediction true.

And then Lord Nityananda also made a prediction. Lord Nityananda was taking Jiva Goswamu for Nabadwip Mandal parikrama. On the first day of parikrama he told Jiva Goswam in Bengali – Ek Adhbut Mandir hoibe Prakash. There will be an astounding temple around here. He pointed in a direction. And then he said, “Gauranga Nitya seva hoibe vikas.” The eternal service to Lord Gauranga will be propagated from that temple all over the world. And that temple is this TOVP temple. So Prabhupada is making the prediction of Lord Nityananda also true by establishing TOVP.

Prabhupada received instruction in 1922 from his spiritual master.

1972 i.e. on the 50^th anniversary of receiving that instruction he organized first Mayapur festival.

At that time there was just a little piece of land. Not many followers were there. Only 40 – 50 devotees were there but it was considered that so many devotees have come.

Prabhupada immediately got into action. Groundbreaking ceremony was performed. Ananta sesa was installed. Temple opening proceeding was inaugurated.

Prabhupada started the temple in 1972 and it is taking us 50 years to open the temple in 2022.

Ambarish Prabhu said how Srila Prabhupada planted a seed in his heart in 1976 in Detroit.

Once the seed is planted, it has to be watered. From seed comes the tree. From that seed is springing up the tallest temple on the planet.

Ambarish Prabhu is playing the role of Hanuman. Hanuman helped in building the bridge from Ramesvaram to Lanka. He was bringing big boulders, mountains, and trees for the bridge.

But also, there was a little squirrel who was assisting. He was rolling on the sand, picking some particles of mud or sand, climbing on mountains of big boulders and was throwing the sand between the boulders to fill the gap.

So ultimately it was a team effort.

We do not want this temple to be known as Alfred Ford temple. Like in India we have Birla temple.

In fact, Ambarish Prabhu also does not want it. Of course, he will always be remembered for his herculean task.

We little squirrels have also to play our role. So, let us join the effort.

I was thinking why the opening of the temple floor is happening. We have heard many reasons. Pujari floor opening is also a confidence-building measure.

We older folks have been doubting whether we are going to see the temple completed. Now Ambarish Prabhu, Braj Vilas Prabhu and the immediate core group working with him is giving us confidence. When VIPs come, they will see the Pujari floor opened. Then next is Sri Sri Radha Madhav, Pancha Tattva, Lord Narsimhadeva, Prahlad Maharaj and parampara. It will happen.

So just keep backing up, supporting, contributing.

Lot more has happened. Lot more has to happen. We should dedicate our life and heart in this temple.

HH Bhakti Purusottama Swami Maharaj in his brief address said:

We are opening the Pujari floor. HH Shivram Mahraj was saying it should be named as the deity floor. But before deity comes Pujari, so Pujari floor. And here the Pujari is HG Jananivas Prabhu. He was given the service of serving the deity in Mayapur by Srila Prabhupada. So, it should be Jananivas floor.

We are opening Pujari floor 2 years before the temple is opened because so many preparations are required to serve the deities. When I went to see the Pujari room, I found in different rooms vast preparations are being made to serve the deity.

This should become a museum.

People should take tickets and come and see how wonderful facilities have been created to serve the Lord. In fact, the whole world will see how important it is to serve the deity.

HG Jananivas Prabhu said:

This is Gauranga’s temple so it has to be the best. Lord Nityananda while revealing the dham to Jiva Goswami said that the temple will come by the desire of Lord Chaitanya. So this temple is coming by the desire of Mahaprabhu, the Supreme Lord.

Once in Mayapur Bhavananda Prabhu had asked Srila Prabhupada, “We are now sitting in a rice field. There is nothing here. You want us to build a beautiful temple, a city. But from where the money will come.”

Prabhupada said, “O Bhavananda, you are always worried about money. But here we have Sri Sri Radha Madhav. Madhav means the husband of the goddess of fortune. Serve Madhava nicely and the money will come.”

Prediction is that Gauranga’s service will spread all over the world from Mayapur. 

What is that service? Mahaprabhu has come to give braj prem (love), Krishna prem (love) which is very rare in the form of service to the Lord. How can you love without service? By serving the Lord we express our love. Without service, you cannot love. Mahaprabhu is giving us the service and we should take it up.

At present, the most important service is to finish the temple by 2022. This is the ideal way to service. “

TOVP team has been receiving help from all over the world and it was time to thank all those who have been contributing in building the tallest temples of the world.  A Memento, a replica of TOVP, was presented to the donors and all those who have been serving sincerely.  After the gifts, it was time to light the fire and perform yagna. It was followed by melodious kirtan.

And then the Pujari floor was thrown open to the world to come and see how wonderfully devotees are working hard to serve the Supreme Lord.

All are now waiting for 2022 when the deities will move to TOVP.

Pic Courtesy: www.tovp.org

For Complete video of the Celebration please visit: www.tovp.org

Bilvamangala Thakura: Blinded by Lust liberated by Love

Bilvamangala Thakura was a wealthy south Indian Brahmin and belonged to a cultured family. But he got attracted to a prostitute named Cintamani. The attraction soon became an attachment. And as it happens when we get attached to worldly enjoyment, we lose our intelligence and subsequently our dignity.

The fire of lust was so intense that he was not at all moved when his father died; in fact, standing near the pyre of his father he was engrossed in the thought of Cintamani. The body of his dead father did not bring tears to his eyes, but his eyes were eager to see the physical beauty of the lady.

Overwhelmed with the desire to be with her he ran from the funeral pyre of his father towards her house. Cintamani lived on the other side of the river. That day was full of grief; thunderstorms, lightning, and heavy rain had created chaos and had over flooded the river.

Determined Bilvamangala Thakura hurriedly came near the bank of the river and asked the boatmen to ferry him across the river. The boatmen fearing for their life refused to take him in spite of the lure of money.

But just like a moth get attracted to the deadly fire and gets burned ultimately, similarly Bilvamangala Thakura jumped into the deadly river risking his life.

Struggling for his life in the river, he got hold of a floating object and desperately grabbed it. It was a putrefied dead body of a person. Using it as the support he successfully crossed the river.

Cintamani’s house was locked, so he decided to climb the wall and enter through the window.

He saw a rope hanging on the wall, it wasn’t a rope it was a snake!

Blinded by lust, he grabbed it and reached to the window and jumped through it falling on Cintamin’s feet.

He had succeeded in his mission to be with his beloved on that dreadful night.

Seeing an uninvited guest jumping through the window in such an hour of the night Cintamani was frightened.

Bilvamangala Thakura had hoped that seeing him she will be happy but in fact, the lady was disgusted seeing a stinking lusty man who had come to meet her on the day when his father had died.

Rebuking him she said, 
“What a shame that you have so much attraction for my physical body which is made of flesh, bones, blood, mucus, stool and other such obnoxious substances. This body rots every day and ultimately becomes food for the worms. Your attraction for this temporary body is not going to do any good to you. Instead, if you have the same attachment for Krishna then your life would be successful; it will deliver you from all the miseries of material existence and give you an opportunity to join Krishna in his eternal abode thus giving you eternal happiness.”

Being rebuked, humiliated and thrown out from her house, he came to his senses. He understood the futility of attachment for flesh which weakens one’s heart.

He took a decision to devote his life to Krishna and take shelter of his lotus feet.

Remembering and chanting the names of the Supreme Lord he marched towards Vrindavan. But as it is said that old habits die hard and sinful tendencies are not easy to give up.

Bilvamangala Thakura’s weakness was lust and so Maya attacked him again in the form of a woman.

On his way to Vrindavan, he saw a woman and got captivated by her beauty.

Shackled by lust he followed her to her house. He knocked at the door; a very sober man came out.

Seeing a guest donning a devotee’s attire pleased him, he thought his guest to be a chaste devotee of the Lord and so he wanted to serve him at any cost.

When the pious and gentle man inquired from him as to how can he serve him, Bilvamangala Thakura took a promise from him that he would fulfill his desire.

Eager to serve a devotee of the Lord he gave his word but to his utter shock, disbelief, and dismay Bilvamangala Thakura asked him to leave him alone with his wife.

Bound by his words and with tears in his eyes, he told his wife about the nefarious proposal of his guest disguised as a devotee.

Bilvamangala was left alone in the room with the lady.

With a choking voice, Bilvamangala said, “Mother, can I have your hairpin.”

He took the hairpin and to the lady’s utter shock, he immediately gouged both his eyes using the hairpin.

Falling at the feet of the lady and her husband, he begged for forgiveness.

He plucked his eyes to make sure that for the rest of his life he will never be seeing and nor getting enticed towards any form of the opposite sex.

Bilvamangala Thakura was now although physically blind but was spiritually awakened.

Life’s experience had taught him that lust can never be satiated but this disease aggravates as soon as one makes an endeavour to give in to lusty desires and thoughts.

From there he went to Vrindavan without getting distracted anymore. He had become so sincere in his devotion that life’s each moment he used in worshipping the Supreme Lord.

His genuine devotion attracted Krishna.

In fact, Krishna as a cowherd boy would come to meet him regularly carrying a glass of milk which he would give to him.

Bilvamangala Thakura did not know that the Supreme Lord was personally coming to see him. They both would speak with each other for hours.

Once when Krishna played his flute Bilvamangala Thakura was captivated by it and he wanted to embrace Krishna.

Krishna playfully escaped his embrace.

The great devotee of the Lord said you can escape from my hold but not from my heart.

Once Bilvamangala Thakura’s heart was flooded with lusty desires but with his determined devotion, he had cleansed his heart and had now enthroned Krishna in his heart.

Although his past wasn’t glorious, Krishna wasn’t bothered about his previous background.

In this world, once a person is caught doing something abominable, he is condemned and abandoned by all forever.

But Krishna is magnanimous and forgiving and is least interested in unearthing our previous sins.

As soon as he sees that our intentions are pure, and we are genuinely striving to purify our life he is eager to accept us and take us back to the spiritual world.

In Gita 16.21 and 16.22, Krishna tells that lust is a gateway to hell and those who can escape from it attains Supreme Destination.

Lust binds us to this material world but love for the Lord liberates us.

Bilvamangala Thakura was able to achieve Krishna only after his heart got thoroughly cleansed of all lusty desires.

So, to attain love of Krishna it is essential that we guard ourselves against the onslaught of lust and do not succumb to it.

(Published in Dandavats and ISKCON Desire Tree)

The Unique Position of Lord Shiva

Lord Shiva has a very unique and significant position in the cosmic manifestation. In fact Lord Shiva is the most powerful, second only to Lord Vishnu. Shiva is an expansion of Lord Krishna.

Revealed scriptures explain that Krishna has 64 qualities. 

Lord Brahma posses 78% of these qualities and Lord Shiva possesses 84% of these qualities.

Since living entities are also like Brahma so they also possess 78% of these qualities but in a lesser extent.

None of them possess all 100%. 

Srila Prabhupada explains, “The living being can never possess attributes like Shiva, Vishnu or Lord Krishna. A living being can become godly by developing the seventy-eight-percent transcendental attributes in fullness, but he can never become a God like Shiva, Vishnu or Krishna. He can become a Brahma in due course: – Srimad Bhagavatam 1.3.28 purport”

Lord Shiva has connection with the material nature but Lord Vishnu (or Lord Krishna) is transcendental to material nature. The position of Lord Shiva is very beautiful explained in Brahma – Samhita (Verse 45), “Just as milk is transformed into curd by the action of acids, but yet the effect curd is neither same as, nor different from, its cause, viz., milk, so I adore the primeval Lord Govinda of whom the state of Shambhu is a transformation for the performance of the work of destruction.”

The scriptures like Srimad – Bhagavatam, Brahma – samhita, Padma – Purana etc. explains the position of Lord Shiva in this universe.

• Srimad – Bhagavatam (S.B) (12.13.16) states vaisnavanam yatha sambhu i.e.Lord Shiva is the best of the Vaishnavas, the devotee of Lord Krishna.

• S.B (6.3.20) informs us that Lord Shiva is one of the 12 Mahajanas, the authorities on Vaisnava philosophy.

• In S.B 4.24.76, Lord Shiva states that if anyone reads his Rudra Geeta prayer then he will invoke the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Krishna.

• Lord Shiva tells his wife that he drank hala hala, the poison which came out during the churning of the ocean, to please Lord Vishnu.(S.B. 8.7.40)

• In Padma Purana Shiva tells his wife Sati,”sri rama rama rameti rame rame manorame sahasra namah tat tulyam rama nama varanane.” Lord Shiva clearly speaks here that he relishes chanting the names of Lord Rama.

• Lord Shiva got bewildered when he saw the female form of Lord Vishnu, Mohini Murti. Lord Shiva later reveals that he is unable to completely understand the illusory energy of Lord Krishna. This is stated in S.B. (8.12.10).

• When Krishna displayed his Universal form then Arjuna said: “My dear Lord Krishna, I see assembled in Your body, all the demigods and various other living entities. I see Brahma sitting on the lotus flower, as well as Lord Shiva and all the sages and divine serpents.” Bhagavad-gita (11.15).

•  During Lord Krishna’s pastimes in Vrindavan, Lord Shiva wanted to participate in the rasa – lila dance along with the cowherd damsels and he desired to become a gopi.

(Reference: Self – Manager by H.G. Radheshyam Das, President Iskcon Pune)

Braham Samhita (verse 10) clearly establishes that Lord Shiva derives his power from Lord Vishnu,

“The person embodying the material causal principle, viz., the great lord of this mundane world [Maheshvara] Shambhu, in the form of the male generating organ, is joined to his female consort, the limited energy [Maya] as the efficient causal principle. The Lord of the world Maha-Vishnu is manifest in him by His subjective portion in the form of His glance.”

Lord Shiva is neither an avatara nor avesha and is also not in between them. Lord Shiva is the greatest demigod, even greater than Lord Brahma. He is the spiritual master of the entire universe. He has his own spiritual line (sampradaya) called the Rudra – sampradaya.

At present this sampradaya is represented by Vishnusvami-sampradaya, or the Vallabha-sampradaya.

Published in Dandavats

A day with HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj at Iskcon New Town, Kolkata

Srimad Bhagavatam 4.30.34 says that a moment of association with a pure devotee is so valuable that it cannot be compared to anything in this entire material universe. It is more valuable than meeting a movie star, sports star, singers, politicians or any famous person in this world.

Just like the rays of the sun immediately dispels darkness similarly the pure devotees of the Lord by their grace dispels the darkness of ignorance from the hearts of the people.

So when I came to know that HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj, a disciple of Srila Prabhupada and a renowned sannyasi, is going to be in Iskcon New Town temple, Kolkata on 10^th Feb, Monday, I kept aside all my important work and decided to be in the temple so that I get an opportunity to be with Maharaj. 

And I prayed to the Lord too because unless and until Lord’s mercy is there our plan will not work.

But Lord and Lord’s devotees are always compassionate towards all the unfortunate souls who are unfortunately struggling hard for survival in this world.

So finally, Lord permitted me, and I did not get occupied with any other emergencies and was able to come to the temple.

Maharaj was to come by noon, but I came much before that. Few working devotees had taken off from their work just to be with Maharaj.

When I came, I saw devotees working hard to clean the temple and the surrounding. Everyone was putting their best efforts to beautify the temple to please Maharaj.

Maharaj was in Kolkata for the last three days. He had given a class on the day of Nityananda Trayodasi, 7^th Feb, and an evening class at Iskcon House, Gurusaday Road on 8^th Feb.

The New Town temple visit was not a public program, so few devotees were there, so chances were high to be close with Maharaj.

It was a rare opportunity, and no one wanted to miss it.

As soon as devotees came to know that Maharaj is about to reach, they began kirtan. All were waiting eagerly.

And when Maharaj’s car came inside the temple complex Kirtan reached its crescendo.

Everyone was joyful. We all paid our respectful obeisances to him.

Maharaj had a big smile on his face. He was so happy to be with all of us. And we were so fortunate to be present there.

In Bhagavad Gita 2.54 Arjuna asks Krishna about the symptoms of a pure devotee. How does he speak, and what is his language? How does he sit, and how does he walk?

And Lord Krishna had given an opportunity to us to be with a pure devotee!

Maharaj speaks politely, humbly and softly. He is so busy but never in a hurry. He is calm and in complete control of himself. His activities are not mere rituals or done because of social obligation. Whatever he does, he puts his complete heart into it. He speaks from the depth of his heart. When he speaks, we feel he is speaking to each one of us.

He entered the temple hall and closely looked towards each corner of the temple. He admired the beautiful paintings hung on the walls which depict various pastimes of Lord Krishna and Lord Chaitanya.

He went to the beautiful picture of Srila Prabhupada and immediately folded his hands and paid his respectful obeisances to his spiritual master. Then he turned towards the altar where Sri Sri Radha Govinda and Sri Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra Devi is present. He paid obeisances to them.

He offered arati to the Lord while the melodious tune of Govindam Adi Purusam played.

He thanked a few devotees who had contributed a large amount of money for the construction of the new temple hall.

He then addressed all the assembled devotees. 

He asked each one of us to serve in the mood of the servant of the servant. 

Srila Prabhupada explains in one of his lectures, “You cannot seek favor of Bhagavān directly. That is another foolishness. You must go through the servant of Kṛṣṇa. Gopī-bhartur pada-kamalayor dāsa-dāsa-dāsānudāsaḥ. This is our process. We don’t approach Kṛṣṇa directly. We must begin our service to the Kṛṣṇa’s servant. And who is Kṛṣṇa’s servant? One who has become the servant of another Kṛṣṇa’s servant. This is called dāsa-dāsānudāsa. Nobody can be independently servant of Kṛṣṇa. That is another foolishness. Kṛṣṇa never accepts anyone’s service directly. No. That is not possible. You must come through the servant of the servant (CC Madhya 13.80).” Lecture on SB 7.9.42 — Mayapur, March 22, 1976

Maharaj always expects that each devotee develops a humble mood.  In almost all of his talks, he emphasizes that “we all should become humble than a blade of grass, tolerant than a tree, there should not be any hankering for prestige and we should always be ready to give all respects to others and expect none for us.”

This is the consciousness of the residents of the spiritual world. If we want to qualify ourselves to become part of the spiritual world then we must put in our best efforts to develop these attributes.

Maharaj wants to have a magnificent temple for the Lord in Kolkata, the birthplace of Srila Prabhupada.  When devotees showed to Maharaj the temple plan then he was so pleased and encouraged all to work hard together to build a beautiful temple to glorify the Supreme Lord Krishna and his dear devotee, Srila Prabhupada.

Maharaj wants that the devotee should do service in the right mood. There should not be any desire for power and position. And most importantly all devotees should have a wonderful relationship with each other and should always try to serve others selflessly. 

This is the consciousness of the residents of the spiritual world.

If we want to qualify ourselves to become part of the spiritual world then we have to give up the desire for name and fame. We have to give up arrogance. We have to give up personal motives.

If we fail to do so we will fail to go back to the abode of Krishna. And we will always remain frustrated in this world even though we may succeed in achieving name and fame, power and position.

And Maharaj very much wants us to be happy.

He wants that we should clean our hearts of all impurities. We should sin no more. We should always take shelter of the holy name of Krishna. And whatever we do we should do for the pleasure of Krishna and his devotees.

Maharaj stayed for two hours. He discussed the new temple project with the temple management devotees. He also had lunch. He has no special preference for food.

He takes anything which is offered to Krishna with love. 

HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj has thousands of disciples all over the world.  Tens of thousands of people look up to him for guidance.  But he lives a simple life. He always maintains a humble mood. 

He is teaching us by his immortal words and also by his personal example.

Before leaving he again encouraged all of us to practice devotional life sincerely. And then he left for Mayapur, the abode of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

Fun Filled Spiritual Picnic

Devotees pray hard and party hard. They like to celebrate. They sing, they dance, they laugh, they joke and they enjoy delicious prasadam (sanctified vegetarian food).

Of course, everything is done by keeping Lord Krishna in the centre and as per his guidelines given in the holy books.

Devotees of New Town (Jalvayu, Greenfield, Alka Awasan, Omni Tulsi society), Kolkata have been practicing devotion to Lord Krishna sincerely.

They celebrate all the festivals and every weekend come together to meditate on the holy names of Krishna and discuss from scriptures like Bhagavad Gita. 

But devotees also had a desire to go for an outing. So, we all decided to go for a spiritual picnic. Everyone happily agreed.

Eco Park is today one of the most famous parks in Kolkata. People from far off places come to enjoy here.

So, we decided to have our picnic at Eco Park. It is near New Town, so it was convenient for all. 

We decided to go on a picnic on Saturday, 1^st Feb.

Everyone was enthusiastic to join. The weather god was merciful. Not too cold not too hot. No cloud. No rain.

The park looked beautiful.

We choose to assemble in the Japanese forest of Eco Park. It is filled with greenery and was full of colourful flowers.

We were supposed to reach by 2 pm. But following Indian Standard Time we reached by 3 pm ?

We chose a spot overlooking a small pond and pagoda as our picnic spot.   

We decided to begin our picnic by chanting the holy names of Krishna.

Before chanting we recited verses from Sistastakam and discussed the meaning of the first verse.

In the first verse Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu explains that chanting the holy names of Krishna cleanses our hearts of all impurities and fills it with love for Krishna.

After the verse recitation, we began chanting on the beads which many of us had carried. Those who did not carry beads we provided them the beads. Devotees were trying their best to chant with sincerity.

Since it’s a public place so slight distraction was expected. Few people were walking through that place.

Since Arijit Singh, one of the famous Bollywood singers, was having a concert the next day (Sunday,3rd Feb) so the sound system was being tested. So intermittently the technicians used to play some movie track.

But fortunately, it used to last for not more than a few seconds.

In spite of these minor distractions, we all tried our best to absorb ourselves in the holy names of Krishna for more than half an hour.

Children were thoroughly engaged too. When parents chanted, they were busy in drawing beautiful pictures and colouring them.

They learned moral lessons from Ramayana on the topic – let us build a bridge for Lord Rama.

They also attended a short talk on the subject – Environment Preservation & Go Green. 

Chanting was followed by short and soft kirtan. It was good enough to set the mood.

All – parents & children – were eagerly waiting for the next activity to start.

It was fun time now.

In spiritual life, one of the most important requirements is to have good and healthy relationships amongst the devotees.

So our first activity was “Know the devotee.”

We wrote the names of each devotee on a piece of paper, collected all the pieces and shuffled it.

Each devotee had to come and pick a piece of paper. 

Now the paper they got had the name of a devotee and their task was to introduce that devotee in an interesting way.

During the introduction focus was on devotee’s qualities, their devotional journey and how their presence is an inspiration to all.

5 minutes were given for preparation. After that, each devotee came forward to introduce their partner.

During the introduction focus was on devotee’s qualities, their devotional journey and how their presence is an inspiration to all.

Each devotee has some unique spiritual qualities and these qualities should be appreciated.

Snacks Time

After the introduction it was time for evening snacks and herbal coffee.

We had prepared jhalmoori and herbal coffee.

Jhaalmori is always loved by all.

But everyone liked hot herbal coffee too although they were tasting it for the first time.

Anything offered to Krishna becomes enjoyable!

Evening refreshments was followed by games. For games, devotees were divided into two groups.

Journey to Goloka Vrindavan

For ‘Journey to Goloka Vrindavan’ game, a seven-layer hurdle was created.

Each hurdle was named after the anarthas (vices) – lust, greed, pride, anger, envy, illusion, false ego – which are impediments in our spiritual journey.

One of the devotees of a group was blindfolded. He had to pass through the obstacles to reach the final destination which was Goloka Vrindavan.

The blindfolded devotee had to be guided by his group members.

It was not just the hurdles that he had to pass through but during his journey the other group members were tasked to distract the devotee and he had to be cautious to identify who is the genuine guide and who is the fake guide. 

In our spiritual life too, we have to identify our genuine friend and well-wisher who takes us on the right path and be cautious of those who may misguide us.

Everyone including the children enjoyed the game.

Churning the ocean

As demons and demigods had come to churn the ocean.

So, the devotees divided themselves into two groups for ‘Churning the ocean’ game.

One group became the demons and other demigods.

We did not have Vasuki the gigantic serpent which was used to churn the ocean.

But instead, we had a rope and the demigods with the chant of Hare Krishna tried to pull the demons.

Demons too held the rope tightly and with all their might pulled the demigods. 

And the rope broke ?.

Well built devotees had to move out and only children and few ladies then participated.

Everyone enjoyed but it was becoming late. So, we decided to windup.

Dinner Time

Dinner prasadam was for all – Veg Pulav, aloo gobi sabji and Jalebi.

It was a fun-filled Krishna Conscious picnic. Children also got gifts.

Hiranyakasipu: The Supreme ruler who lived miserably and died pitifully

Hiranyakashipu had all the riches of the world but still, it wasn’t sufficient enough to buy him happiness. He was the most powerful person in the universe, but he was always insecure.  Everyone feared him but still, he lived in fear.

He had conquered all the worlds, but he always lived under the control of his two masters – his mind and his senses.  

His cunning mind had convinced him that he can attain immortality and enjoy in this world unlimitedly for eternity. The greedy senses always forced Hiranyakasipu to acquire more and more material opulence.  

It was not only Hiranyakasipu who became a victim of his mind and senses. All the great conquerors of this world have been its victim too. And we too are always driven by the desires and demands of our mind and senses. 

But history is testimony to the fact that no one has ever lived here forever and enjoyed here forever.

Senses like venomous serpents are always a threat to our existence. The more we try to feed them the more deadly they become. And no matter how much we feed them their hunger never subsides. We work hard day and night to buy things to our senses hoping that they will be pleased with us.  But it never happens.

Hiranyakasipu had performed austerities for several thousand years and acquired everything of the universe but still, his senses and mind were never satisfied, they never allowed him to live peacefully, they made his life hell.

Srila Prabhupada explains “if one wants to go to hell he must endeavor very much, but if he wants to return home, back to Godhead, there is no difficult endeavor.” Srimad Bhagavatam 7.7.38 Purport

Our uncontrolled mind and unchaste senses force us to work very hard throughout our life. No matter how much we try our mind and senses keep on demanding more and more and never gives us any pleasure.  

But becoming a devotee of the Lord is easy. And practicing devotion is so simple. We just have to chant the names of the Lord like Hare Krishna Mahamantra and live as per the guidelines of the holy scriptures. 

If with determination we utilize our mind and senses in practicing devotion to the Lord then the Supreme Lord who is also known as Hrisikesa, the master of the senses, takes control of our mind and senses and purifies them.

Our mind and senses then no longer become the cause of our misery but instead gives us great joy. 

Hiranyakasipu, the supreme ruler, with all his material positions and possessions never succeeded in satisfying his senses.

He lived miserably and died pitifully.  

Prahlada, his son, utilized his mind and senses in chanting and singing the glories of the Supreme Lord and he lived happily in this world and went to the abode of the Supreme Lord after leaving this world.

So instead of becoming the devoted servants of our whimsical mind and senses, we should become a devotee of the Supreme Lord. 

If we follow the footsteps of Hiranyakasipu we will suffer for sure. If we follow the footsteps of Prahlada we will enjoy for sure.

Choice is ours!

Published in ISKCON News

Lord Chaitanya led India’s first Civil disobedience movement

India has always been glorified as the land where the sacred rivers effortlessly flow to sanctify the places. The King of all the great mountains, the great Himalayas, as her crown brings her great glory.

It is the land where Lord Rama and Lord Krishna appeared to enjoy many pastimes – they walked, they danced, they sang, they played in this blessed land.

But sadly, this great land of ours slowly began to see the downfall. Scriptures tell that in the age of Kaliyuga, in which we are currently living, irreligion will gain prominence.

So, its not surprising that the Indian society which has its roots in spirituality began seeing the deterioration of spiritual culture and values.

As the society began to weaken from within many foreign invaders began attacking the country to loot her of the riches. Thousands of temples were desecrated, and thousands of people were forced to give up their religion. 

People although carried on with their daily routine and religious practices but within their hearts remained petrified for fear of being persecuted.

It was not just the foreign invaders whom the people feared but even the brahmanas who had all the say in the religious life of a person had begun exploiting the common people.

Religious practices that uplift one’s consciousness and connect it to God had taken a backseat. Instead, rituals that were against the spirit of the Vedas gained prominence. People had become utterly materialistic.

A revolutionary reformer appears

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appeared during this time when India was suffering from within and without.  He appeared in 1486 in Mayapur,Navadvipa, West Bengal. 

Through his teachings and life’s example, he singlehandedly ended the monopoly of the priestly class, the brahmanas, who had introduced rigid hereditary caste system to gain unparalleled control over day to day life of the people.

As per the laws of the caste brahmanas the general masses were forbidden to worship the deities, to read Vedic scriptures, perform any rituals and chant any mantra. They had appointed themselves as the blessed representatives of the Lord and it was through them only anyone can attain any favour from the Lord.

Scriptures never ask anyone to discriminate against others. The social divisions that Vedas talk about are meant for the smooth functioning of society. This division is not based on birth but on one’s work. (Bhagavad Gita 4.13)  

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu had come to re-establish the true teachings of the spiritual books. He came to break the shackles of the unjust caste system and to give an equal opportunity to all to practice devotion to the Supreme Lord.

The sankirtana movement was born

He introduced the sankirtana movement i.e. the congregational chanting of the Hare Krishna Mahamantra.

Quoting the scripture, Srimad-Bhagavatam (12.3.51), he said that chanting is the only effective way by which one attains salvation in this age of Kaliyuga.  

The Hare Krishna Mahamantra was not a new mantra. Chanting was not a new process. In fact, the chanting of Hare Krishna Mahamantra has been going on since eternity and not just on earth even on all the higher planets this mantra is chanted.

But unfortunately, people had forgotten this and had subjected themselves to a miserable state of life.  Chanting can be done individually and when done together along with several people, it becomes congregational chanting.

All were eligible to chant the names of the Lord. So called upper caste and lower caste, men and women, rich and poor, Hindus and non-Hindus all were welcomed. First time in their life they began to experience a deep connection with the Lord.

Thousands of people began chanting.

From almost every house in Navadvipa one could hear the holy name of Krishna being chanted. And those unfortunate souls who refused to chant always heard the chant.  It spread like wildfire.

This fire also began destroying the hegemony of the caste brahmanas, the priestly class. They were furious. 

The Muslim rulers feared being overthrown by the united Hindus. Seeing many non-Hindus participating in congregational chanting was a cause of great concern.

The caste brahmanas approached the Muslim rulers. They together devised a plan to stop the sankirtan movement. Chand Kazi, the then magistrate of Navadvipa, issued an order.

‘Chanting had to stop immediately. Anyone who defied the order will be severely punished.’ His soldiers went to houses warning people against chanting. At the house of Srivas Thakur, who was one of the prominent followers of Chaitanya Mahaprbahu, a mridanga was even broken.

The common men and women who enjoyed chanting the Lord’s names were devastated. The limited freedom which they had to practice their faith was totally taken away.

They had only two choices now.

To live they had to give up chanting. To chant they had to give up their life.

Thousands come on the street to protest

They approached Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, their leader, their saviour.  He who had reinstated the true teachings of the holy Vedas had to now save the life of the followers of the Vedas.  

‘No one is powerful enough to stop the chanting of the Lord’s name. None we must fear. We will defy the discriminatory order.’ Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s clarion call brought great hope to all. They had complete faith in the leadership of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

Mahaprabhu along with thousands of followers launched the Civil disobedience movement, hundreds of years before Gandhiji used it as a weapon to overthrow the British regime.

One hundred thousand men carrying thousands of mridangas and kartals (hand cymbals) fearlessly sang and danced on the streets of Navadvipa.  

The chant of the great mantra, the Hare Krishna Mahamantra, filled the entire atmosphere. They began marching to the house of the Kazi.  The powerful soldiers were helpless, they fled.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu decided to meet Kazi to challenge his order. Seeing the mammoth crowd which stretched for miles, the Kazi had hidden himself inside the inner chambers of his house. Reluctantly he came out.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu had a long conversation with the unjust ruler.

Mahaprabhu wasn’t harsh with him. He was not there to harm him. He spoke politely but logically. His reasoning had a great impact. The Kazi understood his mistake. His heart was now transformed.

With tears in his eyes, he said, “To as many descendants as take birth in my dynasty in the future, I give this grave admonition: No one should check the sankirtana movement.” Chaitanya Charitamrita, Text 222.

The devotees were jubilant. They were now free to practice devotion to Krishna.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu whose advent had been predicted in the Vedas – Srimad Bhagavatam 11.5.32, Mahabharata, Adi Purana, Narada Purana, Padma Purana – was a revolutionary social reformer. He laid the foundation of a worldwide sankirtana movement.  

The sankirtana movement spreads all over the world

Srila Prabhupada, the founder acharya of Iskcon and one of the foremost followers of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, has played a significant role in carrying forward the sankirtana movement. 

He worked tirelessly to make sure that millions of people of this world too become the recipient of the mercy of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.  

And so today be it the streets of London or New York, Moscow or Cape Town, Mumbai or Sydney one can find thousands of devotees joyfully singing and chanting the Hare Krishna Mahamantra.

The sankirtana movement which was started by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu around 500 years ago in Navadvipa has spread all over the world and millions of people are now participating in it.  

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu came to teach us that we all are children of the same God and so no one should be discriminated on the basis of caste, creed, religion, gender or economic status.

Also, we the seekers should fearlessly practice devotion to Krishna having complete faith that Mahaprabhu will protect us in any difficult situation.

Should we forgive those who have hurt us?

We all have heard the virtue of forgiveness umpteen number of times. But we all know how difficult it is to forgive someone especially those who have intentionally tried to make our life miserable. Our mind continuously keeps us reminding of those terrible moments in which we were put by them.

Our heart burns in anger. We are desperate to seek revenge. We eagerly want them to be subjected to great misery like us. And we use all logic to justify these emotions. But little do we realize that these thoughts and emotions are not harming the person who violated us but are instead making our life utterly miserable.

Feeling of hatred, revenge, vengefulness affects our hearts. It is compared to holding a burning charcoal with a hope of throwing it on the person who harmed us. We hold it for days, for weeks, for years little realizing that the burning charcoal is burning us and not others.

The person may have wronged us once or twice or may be few numbers of times. But we are punishing ourselves daily. In fact, we have voluntarily given control of our lives to them. Its an unwise decision.

But as soon as we take a conscious decision of forgiving those who wronged us, we liberate ourselves from the deadly toxic poison which is slowly devouring us. Forgiveness is an art of letting go the feelings and thoughts of anger, bitterness, resentment.

Forgiveness does not mean we are condoning the actions of the perpetrator. It also does not mean we are allowing ourselves to be exploited again by the same person who wronged us. We should always keep a safe distance from the wrongdoer and if we have to deal with them then we should be extremely careful.

When we decide to forgive, we decide to close a bad phase of our life. We release all our negative emotions. We feel relieved. Our mind attains peace. We decide to march ahead in our life.

If we study the life of great personalities, we find that they forgave people who did great harm to them.  Lord Rama unconditionally forgave Kaikeyi who had not just deprived him of the throne of Ayodhya, who had not just forced him to live in forest for 14 years, but it was only because of her that Lord Rama’s father, Dasharatha, left his body. Lord Rama later even beseeched his father to forgive his wife, Kaikeyi, and Dasharatha immediately obliged. 

Forgiveness is a divine quality and so the scriptures glorify it. Srimad Bhagavatam 9.15.40 tells that the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari, is immensely pleased with those who are forgiving. Forgiveness not just liberate us from intolerable negative emotions, but it also helps us to win the heart of the Lord.  

When we forgive, we find we have so much time and so much energy to pursue our dreams. Our life is Lord’s gift to us, we should not waste it. We should utilize this beautiful gift in doing wonderful things for the pleasure of the Lord.

52 important reasons to worship Tulasi Devi at our homes

The sacred Tulasi plant is revered by all especially by the followers of Vedic culture. Let us see what the scriptures say about having a Tulasi plant at home and what benefits we get by worshipping her.

• Skanda Purana says that if one worships Tulasi then one attains the same result which one attains by worshipping Saligrama Sila on sravana dvadasi. Text 106

• Garuda Purana says that if one is worshipping Tulasi then one will attain the same result which one obtains by observing fast on Janmashtami or by honouring the fruit, dhatri. Text 107

• Garuda Purana quoting the demigods say that by worshipping Tulasi Maharani one gets the same result which one gets by bathing in Prayaga or leaving his body in Varanasi.  Text 108

• Agastya Samhita states that if one is worshipping Tulasi Devi properly then she fulfills the desires of all the men and women of the four varnas and ashramas.  Text 109

• Simply by planting Tulasi Devi, watering her, seeing her or touching her purifies one’s existence. Upon being worshipped by love and devotion she fulfils all the desires. Text 110

• If one is circumambulating Tulasi Devi regularly and also bowing down to her regularly then that person becomes free from all the sins. Text 111

• In Narada Purana in the Yajnadhvaja’s story it is stated, “A person’s fortune increases everyday if one begins worshipping Tulasi daily in their house.” Text 112

• There is a conversation in Padma Purana between Devaduta and Vikundala wherein it is said, “In each Dvadasi all the demigods headed by Lord Brahma reverentially worship Tulasi forest.” Text 113

• A person who glorifies Tulsi with beautiful prayers for sure becomes dear to devtas, pitas and human beings. Text 114

• Skanda Purana categorically says that in this age of Kali yuga Lord Hari who is the controller of the universes and the demigods is pleased only by Tulsi and by nothing else. Text 115.

• In Kali – yuga, Lord Krishna avoids staying in holy places and in sacred mountains but prefers staying in Tulasi forest. Text 116

• A person for sure attains Lord’s supreme abode if he plants a Tulsi forest or even sees her. Text 117

• A place is like a graveyard if in that place there are no devotees of Vishnu (Vaisnavas), Lord Vishnu’s deity, fruit bearing dhatri tree and no sacred Tulsi plant. Text 118

• Even Yamaraj or his order carriers, Yamaduttas, may be displeased with a person but they cannot do anything to him if he has planted Tulsi for the pleasure of Lord Krishna. Text 119

• A person’s thousands of offenses are forgiven by the merciful Lord if he plants Tulasi in temples or holy places. A place becomes sacred and dear to Lord Vishnu if Tulasi is planted in that place. Text 120 & 121

• A person can please the three worlds by simply offering water to Tulsi. Text 122

• Lord Brahma says to sage Narada that “Shraddha ceremony to please pitas (forefathers) should be done in Tulasi forest.” Text 124

• Brahma tells Narada, “Pinda offering to the forefathers should be done in a place where seeds of Tulasi have fallen. This ensures the success of the shraddha ceremony.” Text 125

• By planting her, seeing her, hearing about her, remembering her, serving her, watering her, bowing to her, serving her, touching her one gets auspicious results. Text 126

• If one worships Tulasi Devi as mentioned above then he becomes fortunate to reside in the kingdom of Lord Hari for ten billion yugas. Text 127

• As soon as a new root appears in the sacred Tulasi plant, the person who has planted the sacred tree in Kali yuga earns ten billion pious credit. Text 128

• The benefits which one get by planting the sacred plant is enormous. As a new branch or a new twig or a new seed or a new flower or a new fruit grows on Tulasi Devi, the person who had the fortune of planting the plant gets several pious descendants. Text 129

• The holy Purana further glorifies the person who worships the Tulasi plant by saying that “all those who were born in his family or who is going to be born in his family from the beginning of the kalpa and extending up to a thousand yugas in future gets to reside in the kingdom of Lord Hari.”  Text 130

• Avanti Khanda says that those who plant Tulasi and offer her leaves at the lotus feet of Lord Hari becomes extremely fortunate in this age of Kali yuga. Text 131

• In the age of Kali yuga if someone plants Tulasi, glorifies her, remembers her, baths her, gives her in charity, offers her to Krishna’s lotus feet and after offering eats the remnants of the sacred leaves then all his sins are burned. Text 132

• In Kasi Khanda, Yamaraja instructs his messengers, the Yamaduttas, “Please stay away from a person who chants the names of Tulasi, decorates himself with Tulasi or who has protected a Tulasi forest.” Text 133

• In Kasi Khanda, Dhruva – carita it is further mentioned that, “The servants of Yamaraj, the Yamaduttas, will never enter a house where Tulasi is worshipped reverentially daily.” Text 134

• In Padma Purana there is a conversation between Devaduta and Vikundala where it is said, “A person who has planted a Tulasi never ever sees Yamaraj or his messengers. Tulasi forest is so glorious that she removes all sins of a person and fulfils all the desires.” Text 135

• Just by keeping the sacred Tulasi plant at home, the home gets transformed into a holy place. Yamaraj or his servants never ever enter such a house. Text 136

• Those who plant the sacred Tulasi plant, stay for each of its seed and its leaf, in Devaloka, the heavenly planet, for a thousand years. Text 137

• The forefathers (pitas) becomes so happy when they smell the scent of Tulasi. Happily riding on Garuda, the king of birds, they go to the kingdom of Lord Hari. Text 138

• Bathing in the holy Ganges, seeing the river Narmada and touching a sacred Tulasi leaf are three equal pious activity. Text 139

• When a person serves sacred Tulasi by planting her, watering her, touching her, seeing her, protecting her, worshipping her then it burns all his sins which he might have committed with his body, minds and words. Text 140

• Tulasi plant is so glorious that her single branch is equal to hundred pippala trees or thousand mango trees. Text 141

• When a Vaisnava plants Tulasi Devi then for hundred thousand yugas he enjoys in Devaloka. Text 142

• In Padma Purana, Vaisakha mahatmya it is mentioned, “All the holy places including Puskara, all the holy rivers including Ganges, all the deities including the deity of Lord Krishna, the Supreme Lord reside in every single Tulasi leaf.” Text 143

• Just like Haritaki which cures bodily disease similarly the sacred Tulasi swiftly removes all kinds of sufferings, diseases, sins and poverty. Text 144

• When the forefathers are given the remnants of Tulasi and sacred water then they are so pleased. It is like they have been offered water for a period of ten thousand years. Text 146

• Just like it’s an offense to consider Lord Vasudeva who resides in Vaikuntha an ordinary person or to consider saligrama sila an ordinary stone similarly it is an offense to consider Tulasi as an ordinary tree. Tulasi Devi is an incarnation of Lakshmi, goddess of fortune, and she has appeared by the will of Krishna as a tree in this material world for our benefit. In fact, those who plant her, worship her, sings her glories, sees her, touches her then she mercifully destroys all the sins of those person. Text 148 – 150

• In Agastya – Samhita, it is mentioned that “As Sita Devi is so dear to Lord Ram, the Supreme Lord of the three worlds similarly Tulasi Devi who purifies the three world is also dear to Lord Ram. Text 151

• When Lord Ram was exiled to the forest he stayed with his consort, Sita Devi, in a forest which was filled with sacred Tulasi trees and hundreds of beautiful flowers. Text 152

• A single Tulasi plant is so potent that it purifies all the places which is within 2 miles. It is as if the entire area within two miles have been inundated with sacred Ganges water. Text 153

• Those who leave their body near a Tulasi plant do not have to go to hell. In fact, they are so fortunate that they go to the spiritual abode. Text 154

• Those who practice austerity religiously and those who see the sacred Tulasi as soon as they open their eyes in the morning become from that very moment from all the sins which they might have committed in days and nights.
• In fact, it is also important that the person should have taken a vow not to again commit any sins. Its not that the person may intentionally continue committing sin and expect that their sins will be abolished if they see the sacred Tulasi plant early morning. Text 155

• In Garuda Purana it is mentioned, “O great Garuda, son of Vinata, those who plant Tulasi Devi attains liberation for sure.” Text 156

• “O Garuda, the king of birds, those who plant Tulasi at home or in a forest or in a beautiful garden has done a wonderful deed. Its akin to creating seven worlds.” Text 157

• “If a person takes rest in a Tulasi forest then he becomes freed from all the sins for sure which he would have committed for ten million births.” Text 158

• If a person circumambulates a Tulasi forest while chanting the thousand names, then he attains the result equivalent to ten thousand yajnas. Text 159

• Hari Bhakti sudhodaya says that Lord Vishnu always stays in Tulasi forest hoping that some devotee will offer him an unbroken Tulasi leaf. Text 160

• Narada Purana glorifies the worship of Tulasi by saying that “If one chants the names of Ganga then Ganga destroys all his sins. But when someone chants the holy names of Lord Hari then Tulasi Devi grants him the gift of devotional service.” Text 161

• Lord Hari prefers to be in that place where there is a lotus forest or forest of Tulasi or at the place where Puranas are read. Text 162

Note: Reference to the text is from Sri Hari Bhakti Vilasa, Chapter – Ninth Vilasa