DOCSLIB.ORG

Pinnacle of Devotion

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

www.purebhakti.com for news, updates and free downloads of books and lectures www.harikatha.com to receive, by email, the lectures given by Çréla Bhaktivedänta Näräyaëa Gosvämé Mahäräja on his world tours www.purebhakti.tv to watch and hear classes online, or get links and schedule updates for life webcasts Printed by: Spectrum Printers (India) ISBN: 978-1-935428-13-8 Copyright © Gauòiya Vedänta Publications, inc. 2009 First printing: February 2000 (2,000 copies) Second printing: October 2009 (3,500 copies) Cover design graphics: Vikäç Öhäkur Layout: Haladhara däsa Cover painting and painting of Mahäprabhu with Çréla Rupa Gosvämi, by Çyämaräëé däsé © Bhaktivedänta Book Trust International. Used with permission. Photograph of Çré Çrémad Bhaktivedänta Näräyaëa Gosvämé Mahäräja © Candramukhé däsé. Used with permission. Photograph of Çré Çrémad Bhaktivedänta Svämé Mahäräja © Bhaktivedänta Book Trust International. Used with permission. www.krishna.com. Unless indicated differently, all verse translations and quotes from Bhagavad-gétä, Çrémad-Bhägavatam and Çré Caitanya-caritämåta are by Çré Çrémad Bhaktivedänta Svämé Mahäräja © Bhaktivedänta Book Trust International. Table Of Contents Foreword vii Introduction ix AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 2-17, 1997 The Glory Of Çré Guru 1 Çré Guru as a Manifestation of Kåñëa 29 A Verse With Deep Secrets 41 The Purpose Of Lord Caitanya’s Descent 43 Auspicious Invocation 59 The Highest Devotion 73 The Gopés’ Selfless Love 85 Supreme Chastity 99 Without This, The World Is Useless 125 Lord Caitanya As The Perfect Devotee 139 No One But Kåñëa 149 SINGAPORE - MARCH 7, 1997 Kåñëa Teaches Through His Pastimes 159 NAVADVIPA -MARCH 15, 1997 The Pure Name Is Kåñëa 179 ADDENDUMS The Mother Of Prema-bhakti 191 Çré Nanda-nandanäñöakam 197 Çré Rädhä kåpä-kaöäkña-stava-räja 199 A Beautiful Song 205 A Life Sketch of The Author 207 English titles published by Çréla Bhaktivedanta Näräyaëa Gosvämé Mahäräja Arcana-dépikä Çré Bhakti-rasämåta-sindu-bindu Bhajana-rahasya Çré Camatkära-candrikä – A Moon- Bhakti-rasäyana beam of Complete Astonishment Bhakti-tattva-viveka Çré Dämodaräñöakam Controlled by Love Çré Gauòéya Gété-Guccha Dämodara-lélä-mädhuré Çré Gétä-govinda Essence of the Bhagavad-gétä Çrémad Bhagavad-gétä Five Essential Essays Çré Brahma-saàhitä Gauòéya Vaiñëavism versus Çrémad Bhakti Prajïäna Keçava Sahajiyaism Gosvämé – His Life and Teachings Gaura-väëé Pracäriëe Çré Manaù-çikña Going Beyond Vaikuëöha Çré Navadvépa-dhäma Parikramä Gopé Gétä Çré Prabandhävalé Guru-devatätmä Çré Prema-sampuöa Happiness in a Fool’s Paradise Çré Çikñäñöaka Jaiva-dharma Çré Upadeçamåta Letters From America The Butter Thief My Çikñä-guru and Priya-bandhu The Essence of All Advice Prabandhävalé The Essence of Bhagavad-gétä Raga Vartma Candrikä The Nectar of Govinda-lélä Secret Truths of the Bhägavata The Origin of Ratha-yäträ Secrets of the Undiscovered Self The Way of Love Shower of Love Veëu-géta Çiva-tattva Vraja-maëòala Parikramä Çré Saìkalpa-kalpadrumaù Rays of the Harmonist (periodical) Foreword We all have a tendency to love. No one can live without loving someone. Even a tiger has this tendency; we see this in the way a mother tiger carries, maintains, and protects her babies. The problem, however, is where to place our love so that everyone will be happy. In the beginning of life we love our parents, then our brothers and sisters, then our entire family, our beloveds, our community, nation, and even all of humanity. Yet, in spite of our giving so much love, we still feel frustrated. And it will continue to remain this way, until we know the identity of our Supreme Beloved. As particles of sun-light or air expand without knowing where to end, so does our tendency to love whole-heartedly. According to the timeless wisdom-books of ancient India called the Vedas, our love can only be fully satisfied when it is fixed in Çré Kåñëa, the Absolute Truth. He is the reservoir of all pleasure, all worlds, and all relationships. Pinnacle of Devotion, its source of knowledge taken from the ancient mystical Vedas, teaches us how to love all living beings – humans, birds, beasts, insects, and even trees and plants – by the easy method of loving Kåñëa. Pouring water on the root of a tree is the universal and practical method of supplying water to all the leaves and branches. In that connection, the Vedas say that Kåñëa, the Supreme Person, is the root of all. All beings are His parts, and therefore by loving Him, everyone becomes happy. In this book you will find that this elevated concept is written in very simple, easy to understand language, because the words herein were spoken that way by Çréla Näräyaëa Gosvämé Mahäräja and then transcribed. If you feel some hesitancy to continue reading because of the several Sanskrit verses, phrases, and words scattered here and there, please don’t miss this opportunity, even if this is the first time you are coming in contact with the Sanskrit language. Even if you don’t understand the language, the transcendentally viii Pinnacle Of Devotion powerful verses, which are like mantras for meditation, free us from false material love. Material love is always frustrating. Reading, hearing, and uttering these verses gives us an opportunity to enter the all-blissful, loving Reality. You will also be happy to know that all the Sanskrit verses, phrases, and words are always translated. Sanskrit is the main language of the ancient Vedas, and it is the world’s original language. In fact it is the language that is spoken in the celestial planets as well as in the transcendental world. The Sanskrit word veda means ‘the aggregate of knowledge.’ When knowledge comes to its most advance stage, it becomes a brilliant, spiritual love and affection. The quintessence of the Vedas is an ancient spiritual literature called Çré Caitanya-caritämåta, and the essence of the Çré Caitanya-caritämåta is vividly explained in this book, the Pinnacle of Devotion. Our respected readers will be introduced to that supremely beautiful love which is the ultimate goal of life and the foundation of endless, ever-fresh, and ever- unfolding fulfillment. The Publishers Introduction In February 1997, Çré Çrémad Bhaktivedänta Näräyaëa Gosvämé Mahäräja gave his divine teachings to devotees in Australia, where he spent three weeks as part of his Bhakti Festival touring in the West. There he lectured on the principle causes for Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu’s appearance in this world. He also revealed the special gift which Mahäprabhu came to give the fortunate souls of this iron- age of Kali-yuga – a gift which is the very pinnacle of attainment for the spirit soul. In order to give his audience a platform for understanding this sublime topic, Çréla Näräyaëa Gosvämé Mahäräja first gave four lectures based on Chapter One of Çré Caitanya-caritämåta. In these lectures, he explained the essential principal of the spiritual preceptor (guru-tattva), who is a manifestation of Çré Kåñëa, the personification of Absolute Reality. He also emphasized the importance of association with pure saints (sädhu-saìga). In the remaining nine lectures, he spoke on the primary purpose for Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu’s appearance, and explained with great care and in detail how one becomes qualified for His mercy. Çréla Näräyaëa Gosvämé Mahäräja wanted his western audience to understand that the mission of his çikñä-guru and intimate friend, Çré Çrémad Bhaktivedänta Svämé Mahäräja, known throughout the world as Çréla Prabhupäda, the Founder Äcärya of the International Society for Kåñëa Consciousness, was to fulfill this same principal purpose for which Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu appeared. In his discourses, he therefore quoted extensively from Çréla Bhaktivedänta Svämé Mahäräja’s Çré Caitanya-caritämåta, Ädi-lélä Chapters Three and Four. In order to elaborate on certain points in his discourses, we have added quotes from Çréla Bhaktivedänta Svämé Mahäräja’s books and recorded lectures as footnotes, all taken from Çréla Svämé Mahäräja’s Vedabase folio. Kåñëa-bhakti was practically unknown outside of India before Çréla Bhaktivedänta Svämé Mahäräja started his worldwide x Pinnacle Of Devotion preaching movement. We fall at his lotus-feet and offer our eternal gratitude to him for giving Kåñëa consciousness so extensively, and for creating a world-wide interest in bhakti-literature, such as this edition of Pinnacle of Devotion. We, the editors, are happy to present this revised edition of Çréla Näräyaëa Gosvämé Mahäräja’s discourses in Australia, and we humbly request our respected readers to please excuse any errors made by us in presenting his divine words. This publication is presented by the laudable efforts of several devotees. In alphabetical order they are: Çrépad Mädhava Mahäräja; Ananta-äcärya däsa, Anétä däsé, Brajanätha däsa, Haladhara däsa, Jänaké däsé, Käliya-damana däsa, Kamaläkänta däsa, Kåñëa- käminé däsé, Madana-mohana däsa, Mädhuréka däsé, Madhusmita däsé, Pétämbara däsé, Prahlädänanda däsé, Prema-prayojana däsa, Premavaté däsé, Åñabhadeva däsa, Vaijayanté-mäla däsé, Vasanti däsé,Vikäç Öhäkura, Yaçodä-gopé däsé. The editorial team The Glory Of Çré Guru Come with me to Våndävana, where Çréla Kåñëadäsa Kaviräja Gosvämé, the author of Çré Caitanya-caritämåta, wrote his book in the solitary atmosphere of the Rädhä-Dämodara Temple in Sevä- kuïja. Sevä-kuïja is one of the places in which the Lord performed His amorous pastimes. The foot-dust of all the gopés is there, Çrématé Rädhikä’s foot-dust is there, and Çré Kåñëa engaged in the service of Çrématé Rädhikä there. Çré Kåñëa also served Çrématé Rädhikä at Vaàçévaöa and Nidhuvana. At these places, Kåñëa, Rädhikä, and the gopés are controlled by prema, love personified. Their devotees do not aspire for Kåñëa, but for kåñëa-prema, love for Him. Kaàsa, Jaräsandha, Çiçupäla, and other demons wanted Kåñëa, but they did not possess that prema. kåñëa, guru, bhakta, çakti, avatära, prakäça kåñëa ei chaya-rüpe karena viläsa (Çré Caitanya-caritämåta, Ädi-lélä 1.32) Lord Kåñëa enjoys by manifesting Himself as the spiritual masters, the devotees, the diverse energies, the incarnations, and the plenary portions.
Recommended publications
  • The Meaning of Sexuality

    The Meaning of Sexuality

    ESTABLISHING UNIVERSAL VALUES IN A RELATIVE WORLD Chapter 19 The Meaning of Sexuality The most important education is instruction in how to deal with sexual love. —Sun Myung Moon Of all the awesome powers of love, sexual love is perhaps the most formidable. It is inextricably intermingled not only with the impulse to bond for life but also the creation of life, and the passing down of genes and lineage. Indeed, sexuality itself taps into the deepest aspects of being human. It is a power as deep and elemental as the wind or the sea and just as impossible to tame or even fully comprehend. For this reason, educating for true love necessarily involves imparting insights about sexuality and coaching in direct- ing this marvelous force. Sex within its rightful place of marriage is an expression of deepest trust and affection, bonding the two partners together in deep communion and joy. Spouses’ physical communion is the origin of families that in turn are the schools for learning love and what it means to be human. Sex outside of marriage, however, is like a fire outside of its hearth, a threat to all concerned. As both a primal urge and one of the highest possible pleasures, unless well disciplined, it is uniquely prone to compulsiveness that overrides the conscience.1 For these reasons, religious traditions and societies throughout history have provided strong guidelines for sexual expression. Its importance cannot be overstated. “The moral man,” 369 FOUNDATIONS OF CHARACTER EDUCATION reads a Confucianist text, “finds the moral law beginning in the relation between man and woman” (Doctrine of the Mean 12).2 Yet keeping sexuality only in the service of true love repre- sents a formidable challenge.
  • Cow Care in Hindu Animal Ethics Kenneth R

    Cow Care in Hindu Animal Ethics Kenneth R

    THE PALGRAVE MACMILLAN ANIMAL ETHICS SERIES Cow Care in Hindu Animal Ethics Kenneth R. Valpey The Palgrave Macmillan Animal Ethics Series Series Editors Andrew Linzey Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics Oxford, UK Priscilla N. Cohn Pennsylvania State University Villanova, PA, USA Associate Editor Clair Linzey Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics Oxford, UK In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the ethics of our treatment of animals. Philosophers have led the way, and now a range of other scholars have followed from historians to social scientists. From being a marginal issue, animals have become an emerging issue in ethics and in multidisciplinary inquiry. Tis series will explore the challenges that Animal Ethics poses, both conceptually and practically, to traditional understandings of human-animal relations. Specifcally, the Series will: • provide a range of key introductory and advanced texts that map out ethical positions on animals • publish pioneering work written by new, as well as accomplished, scholars; • produce texts from a variety of disciplines that are multidisciplinary in character or have multidisciplinary relevance. More information about this series at http://www.palgrave.com/gp/series/14421 Kenneth R. Valpey Cow Care in Hindu Animal Ethics Kenneth R. Valpey Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies Oxford, UK Te Palgrave Macmillan Animal Ethics Series ISBN 978-3-030-28407-7 ISBN 978-3-030-28408-4 (eBook) https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-28408-4 © Te Editor(s) (if applicable) and Te Author(s) 2020. Tis book is an open access publication. Open Access Tis book is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.
  • Some Important Facts About Hyerath... 1. Why Tithi Triyodashi Is Important

    Some Important Facts About Hyerath... 1. Why Tithi Triyodashi Is Important

    Some important facts about Hyerath... 1. Why Tithi triyodashi is important to celebrate Hyerath; According to Bharav Yaag Granth Triyodashi is the deciding factor to solemnize the day of Hyreath. Triyodashi should be present at midnight. That is the reason our Hyreath festival is sometimes celebrated on Dwadashi and sometimes at Triyodashi. 2. Are Herath and Maha Shiv Ratri same festivals? No. Our Hyreath is Har-Ratri (Hura Ratri) celebrated on Triyodashi & MahaShivratri deciding factor is Chaturdashi that is the reason Maha shivratri is also called Shiv-Chaturdashi. Hyreath and Maha- Shivratri cannot be solemnized on the same day. Recent example is Year 2011, 1st march jantri Page already posted in the group. 3. All over the Hindu world Hindus celebrate MAHASHIVRATRI on Chaturdashi that falls on 24th Feb and they are fine with that. Why are few among us comparing Herath with MahaShivratri? Our Hyreath deciding factor is Triyodashi and Mahashivratri is based on Chatrudashi as per Dharam Sindu. This is the reason Triyodashi Festival cannot be celebrated on chaturdashi. 4. At what time Triyodashi starts on 23rd Feb? Triyodashi is starting at 09-19 PM on 23rd Feb which decides the Hyreath to be solemnized on 23rd Feb. 2017. 5. What is sparsh and what is its importance? As already mentioned above Triyodashi starts at 09-19 PM which indicated that Puja to be performed at Dwodashi having sparsh of triyodashi at midnight. 6. What is PRADOSH and what is said about its impact on 24th Feb? Does this imply that even during chaturdashi ? Pradosh kaal is of 05 types.
  • Nc-15-P21 0305

    Nc-15-P21 0305

    NC-15-P21 0305 Jun 06, 2014 1 Jaya Rādha Mādhava Jaya Kunja Vihārī Jaya Gopī Jana Vallabha Jaya Giri Vara Dhārī ... (Jaya) Yaśodā Nandana Vraja Jana Ranjana Yamunā tīra Vana Cāri ... (Jaya) [ Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rāma Hare Rāma Rāma Rāma Hare Hare ] 2 * All materials used in this are only for educational purpose. 3 How much do we really know about our own Body? 4 What about a single cell from 10 trillion cells ? 5 How much do we really know about our own World?6 How much do we really know about our own World?7 Are there other world existing? .. If so, where? 8 Are there more dimensions? If so, how can I see them?9 Our senses and also Science are very limited to understand truths.. 10 11 12 But, are there gradations in the spiritual world as well? 13 Material creation is temporary. It is also per Brahma’s power..14 As of now..: Most of the Vedas had been destroyed.. Only about 6% of original is now available. 15 Four Paramparas Immediate Receptor Last famous Acharya 16 But GAUDIYA sampradaya brought out by Caitanya Mahaprabhu stands out from all the 4 sampradayas. 17 18 19 20 21 Vaikuntha is NOT the topmost destination.. 22 EVERY Jiva has sambandha with Krishna.. 23 24 25 Spiritual world is like 4 level compartments Goloka Vrindavan (Madhurya) Madura (Vatsalya) Dwaraka (Sakhiya) Vaikunta (Dasya) 26 Vaikunta (Dasya) – Highest Destination for all 4 paramparas 27 28 Goloka Vrindavan Madura Dwaraka Vaikunta 29 Goloka Vrindavan – The Purest of Purest 30 31 32 Vrindavanam parityajya krishna padam ekam na gacchet
  • Conjugal Love

    Conjugal Love

    Conjugal love Christ Our Lord has abundantly blessed this love, which is rich in its various features, coming as it does from the spring of Divine Love and modeled on Christ's own union with the Church. ( GS , #48) Authentic married love is caught up into Divine love and is directed and enriched by the redemptive power of Christ and the salvific action of the Church, with the result that the spouses are effectively led to God and are helped and strengthened in their lofty role as mothers and fathers. ( GS , #48) This love is an eminently human one since it is directed from one person to another through an affection of the will; it involves the good of the whole person, and therefore can enrich the expressions of body and mind with a unique dignity, ennobling these expressions as special ingredients and signs of the friendship distinctive of marriage. This love God has judged worthy of special gifts, healing, perfecting and exalting gifts of grace and of charity. Such love, merging the human with the divine, leads the spouses to a free and mutual gift of themselves, a gift providing itself by gentle affection and by deed, such love pervades the whole of their lives: indeed by its busy generosity it grows better and grows greater. Therefore it far excels mere erotic inclination, which, selfishly pursued, soon enough fades wretchedly away. (GS, #49) Authentic conjugal love will be more highly prized, and wholesome public opinion created about it if Christian couples give outstanding witness to faithfulness and harmony in their love, and to their concern for educating their children also, if they do their part in bringing about the needed cultural, psychological and social renewal on behalf of marriage and the family.
  • The Intimacy of Sound and Listening Among Krishna Devotees in Mayapur

    The Intimacy of Sound and Listening Among Krishna Devotees in Mayapur

    Journal of Ethnology and Folkloristics 10 (1): 3–24 DOI: 10.1515/jef-2016-0001 SEARCHING FOR THE HIDDEN GOD: THE INTIMACY OF SOUND AND LISTENING AMONG KRISHNA DEVOTEES IN MAYAPUR MARJE ERMEL Lecturer and PhD candidate Cultural Theory / Social and Cultural Anthropology Tallinn University, School of Humanities Uus-Sadama 5, Tallinn 10120 e-mail: [email protected] ABSTRACT This article looks at how the Krishna devotees in Mayapur, West Bengal, learn how to chant and listen to the sound of the holy name properly. They suggest that if one is ‘pure’ enough and knows how to listen one experiences the syneasthetic level of sound called pashyanti. At this level, one can reach beyond the duality of the ‘hidden and manifested’ worlds, the external and internal levels of sound; and one can ultimately see God face to face. This is also considered a level at which one can realise that the sound of God’s name and God himself are the same. I will focus on how the devotees learn to create this sense of intimacy with God through the sound of his holy name, and argue that listening is not merely a process connected to our auditory sense but rather a creative and engaging activity, a skill that one can develop. KEYWORDS: Hare Krishna devotees • religion • sound • skill • intimacy INTRODUCTION I am a beggar on the outskirts of the marketplace of the holy name. Can anyone spare me a crumb of faith, a drop of purification, steadiness, or taste, or even a little love for Krishna? (Kancana-Valli Devi Dasi) In her book Crying for Krishna, Genevieve Brewster (2013: 32), with the initiated name Kancana-Valli Devi Dasi, captures the nature of the long journey of learning how to hear and chant the holy names of the Lord.
  • Vaiṣṇava Calendar 2020-2021 Śrī Gaurābda

    Vaiṣṇava Calendar 2020-2021 Śrī Gaurābda

    śrī śrī guru-gaurāṅgau jayataḥ! VAIṢṆAVA CALENDAR 2020-2021 ŚRĪ GAURĀBDA 534 In accordance with the vaiṣṇava-smṛti Śrī Hari-bhakti-vilāsa and based on Viśuddha Sārasvata Śrī Caitanya-pañjikā (Calculated for Mathurā-Vṛndāvana 27'30'N, 77'41'E, according to the Sūrya-siddhānta) Prepared and presented by the Gaudiya Vedanta Publication Team under the instructions and direction of 7 February 1921––Centennial Appearance––11 February 2021 nitya-līlā-praviṣṭa oṁ viṣṇupāda aṣṭottara-śata ŚRĪ ŚRĪMAD BHAKTIVEDĀNTA NĀRĀYAṆA GOSVĀMĪ MAHĀRĀJA DEDICATION gurudevaWe present, nitya-līlā-praviṣṭa this Vaiṣṇava oṁ calendar viṣṇupāda as aṣṭottara-a humble śata-śrīoffering into the lotus hands of our most worshipful Śrīmad Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Gosvāmī Mahārāja, in the year leading to his centennial appearance day, 11 February 2021. Throughout his life, he perfectly practised all aspects of Gauḍīyaguru-varga Vaiṣṇavism as enunciated by the six Gosvāmīs of Vṛndāvana and their devoted followers, our Gauḍīya . He then educated those who took shelter of him, so that the dignified tenets of this devotional science are not lost in times to come. He specifically ordered the calculation of this Vṛndāvana Vaiṣṇava calendar. To enhance the devotees’ understanding of the calendar, some basic elements of i t s v a r i o u s a s p e c t s h a v e a l s o b e e n i n c l u d e d h e r e i n . Gauḍīya Vedānta Publications Team 2 pañjikā's nitya- līlā-praviṣṭa oṁ viṣṇupāda aṣṭottara-śata [The following is based on the Bengali preface, written by Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Prajñāna Keśava Gosvāmī Mahārāja and Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktivedānta Trivikrama Gosvāmī Mahārāja.] PREFACE nitya-līlā praviṣṭa oṁ viṣṇupāda aṣṭottara-śata It is by the causeless mercy, instruction, direction and inspiration of our Śrīla Gurudeva, Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Gosvāmī Mahārāja, that we are able to present this Vaiṣṇava calendar.
  • Meditation As Devotional Practice in Jīva Gosvāmin's

    Meditation As Devotional Practice in Jīva Gosvāmin's

    MEDITATION AS DEVOTIONAL PRACTICE IN JĪVA GOSVĀMIN’S PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION Barbara A. Holdrege In the philosophy of education articulated by Jīva Gosvāmin in the Kṛṣṇa Sandarbha and Bhakti Sandarbha, he emphasises the critical importance of incorporating internal meditative practices alongside external bodily prac- tices in the training of the sādhaka in the advanced phases of rāgānugā- bhakti. The role of meditation in Jīva’s philosophy of education is par- ticularly evident in his discussion of Vraja-dhāman, Kṛṣṇa’s abode, in the Kṛṣṇa Sandarbha, in which he maintains that while the earthly Vraja can be engaged with the material senses through bodily practices such as pilgrimage, the transcendent Vraja-dhāman, Goloka-Vṛndāvana, is beyond the material senses (atīndriya) and can only be apprehended through direct experience (anubhava) attained by means of meditation. Although Goloka-Vṛndāvana is not visible to the material eye (carma-cakṣus), it can be ‘seen’ (root dṛś) through direct visionary experience (sākṣāt-kāra or sākṣāt-darśana). Jīva invokes the authority of Vyāsa and the other sages who, while immersed in samādhi beyond the material realm of prakṛti in the depths of medita- tion, attained a direct cognition of Gopāla Kṛṣṇa in his transcendent Vraja- dhāman and then recorded their cognitions in the śāstras.¹ He declares the direct experiences of the sages (vidvad-anubhava) to be the ‘crest-jewel of all pramāṇas’ in that the records of their experiences preserved in the śāstras are authoritative testimonies of valid knowledge for future generations.² He claims, moreover, that these experiences are not the exclusive prerogative of the sages of the past but can be attained ‘even today’ by advanced prac- titioners of rāgānugā-bhakti who incorporate meditation into their regimen of sādhana-bhakti as a form of devotional practice.³ ¹ Kṛṣṇa Sandarbha 106, 115, 116, 15⒊ ² Kṛṣṇa Sandarbha 1⒖ ³ Kṛṣṇa Sandarbha 10⒍ ISKCON Studies Journal, Vol.
  • Concepts of Love and Some Implications for Education

    Concepts of Love and Some Implications for Education

    CONCEPTS OF LOVE AND SOME IMPLICATIONS FOR EDUCATION Dina Andersen A thesis submitted in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy of the Department of Theory and Policy Studies in Education, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the Universis. of Toronto Copyright 0 Dina Andersen 1998 National Library Bibliothèque nationale of Canada du Canada Acquisitions and Acquisitions et Bibliographie Services services bibliographiques 395 Wellington Street 395, rue Wellington Ottawa ON K1A ON4 Ottawa ON K1A ON4 Canada Canada The author has granted a non- L'auteur a accordé une licence non exclusive licence allowing the exclusive permettant à la National Library of Canada to ~ibliothequenationale du Canada de reproduce, loan, distribute or sell reproduire, prêter, distribuer ou copies of this thesis in microform, vendre des copies de cette thèse sous paper or electronic formats. la forme de rnicrofiche/fïlm, de reproduction sur papier ou sur format électronique. The author retains ownership of the L'auteur conserve la propriété du copyright in this thesis. Neither the droit d'auteur qui protège cette thèse. thesis nor substantial extracts fiom it Ni la thèse ni des extraits substantiels may be printed or otheMrise de celle-ci ne doivent être imprimes reproduced without the author's ou autrement reproduits sans son permission. autorisation. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS When 1 decided to undertake a study of love 1 did not realize that rnany would express hesitations and personal reservations about the topic. 1 am therefore doubly grateful to Dr. Clive Beck, chair, for his continuous support, and to Dr. Grace Feuerverger as well as Dr.
  • The Calendars of India

    The Calendars of India

    The Calendars of India By Vinod K. Mishra, Ph.D. 1 Preface. 4 1. Introduction 5 2. Basic Astronomy behind the Calendars 8 2.1 Different Kinds of Days 8 2.2 Different Kinds of Months 9 2.2.1 Synodic Month 9 2.2.2 Sidereal Month 11 2.2.3 Anomalistic Month 12 2.2.4 Draconic Month 13 2.2.5 Tropical Month 15 2.2.6 Other Lunar Periodicities 15 2.3 Different Kinds of Years 16 2.3.1 Lunar Year 17 2.3.2 Tropical Year 18 2.3.3 Siderial Year 19 2.3.4 Anomalistic Year 19 2.4 Precession of Equinoxes 19 2.5 Nutation 21 2.6 Planetary Motions 22 3. Types of Calendars 22 3.1 Lunar Calendar: Structure 23 3.2 Lunar Calendar: Example 24 3.3 Solar Calendar: Structure 26 3.4 Solar Calendar: Examples 27 3.4.1 Julian Calendar 27 3.4.2 Gregorian Calendar 28 3.4.3 Pre-Islamic Egyptian Calendar 30 3.4.4 Iranian Calendar 31 3.5 Lunisolar calendars: Structure 32 3.5.1 Method of Cycles 32 3.5.2 Improvements over Metonic Cycle 34 3.5.3 A Mathematical Model for Intercalation 34 3.5.3 Intercalation in India 35 3.6 Lunisolar Calendars: Examples 36 3.6.1 Chinese Lunisolar Year 36 3.6.2 Pre-Christian Greek Lunisolar Year 37 3.6.3 Jewish Lunisolar Year 38 3.7 Non-Astronomical Calendars 38 4. Indian Calendars 42 4.1 Traditional (Siderial Solar) 42 4.2 National Reformed (Tropical Solar) 49 4.3 The Nānakshāhī Calendar (Tropical Solar) 51 4.5 Traditional Lunisolar Year 52 4.5 Traditional Lunisolar Year (vaisnava) 58 5.
  • The Glories of the Month of Kartika

    The Glories of the Month of Kartika

    3ب&≥∂π∞¨∫∂≠ªØ¨¥∂µªØ∂≠*®πª∞≤® TThhee GGlloorriieess ooff tthhee mmoonntthh ooff KKaarrttiikkaa Kartika M aas, also know n as Damodara M aas is described in the scriptures as the best among months. ª®∫¥®´Ω𮪮ªπ®¿®¥Ø¿¨ª®µ¥®¥®ª∞Ω®∑π∞¿®µ≤®π®¥ ¥®ÆØ®≤®πª∞≤®¿∂∫ª®´Ω®ªª®ªØ®∞Ω®∞≤®´®∫∞Ω𮪮¥ Ω®µ®∫∑®ª∞µ®¥ªº≥®∫∞¥®∫®µ®¥≤®πª∞≤®Ø∑π∞¿®Ø ¨≤®´®∫∞ª∞ªØ∞µ®¥™®≤∫¨ªπ®µ®¥´Ω®π®≤®¥®¥® ¨ª¨∫®¥∫¨Ω®µ®¥¿®∫ªº≤®π∂ª∞™®±∞ª¨µ´π∞¿®Ø ∫®¥¨Ω®≥≥®©Ø®ª®¥¿®ª∞µ®ª®ªØ®¿®±®µ®´∞©Ø∞Ø .≠®≥≥∑≥®µª∫ ªØ¨∫®™π¨´3º≥®∫∞∞∫¥∂∫ª´¨®πª∂,¨ ∂≠®≥≥ ¥∂µªØ∫ *®πª∞≤®∞∫¥∂∫ª´¨®π ∂≠®≥≥∑≥®™¨∫∂≠∑∞≥Æπ∞¥®Æ¨ ,¿ ©¨≥∂Ω¨´ #Ω®π®≤® ∞∫ ¥∂∫ª ´¨®π ®µ´ ∂≠ ®≥≥ ´®¿∫ $≤®´®∫∞ ∞∫ ¥∂∫ª ´¨®π /®´¥® /ºπ®µ® 4ªª®π® *Ø®µ´® ! * ®πªª∞≤® ∂π ªØ¨ ≠¨∫ª∞Ω®≥ ∂≠ ∂≠≠¨π∞µÆ ≥®¥∑∫ ª∂ +∂π´ * π∫µ® ≥®∫ª∫ªØ¨¨µª∞π¨¥∂µªØ∂≠#®¥∂´®π® * ®πªª∞≤®∫ª®πª∞µÆ≠π∂¥ ªØ. ™ªªØ- ∂Ω æØ∞™ØÆ≥∂π∞≠∞¨∫* π∫µ®!∫∑®∫ª∞¥¨∂≠©¨∞µÆ ©∂ºµ´æ∞ªØπ∂∑¨∫©¿, ∂ªØ¨π8®∫Ø∂´®'. ©∫¨πΩ∞µÆΩ𮪮∞µ ªØ¨¥∂µªØ∂≠* ®πªª∞≤®∞∫Æ≥∂π∞≠∞¨´∞µªØ¨/ºπ®µ®∫' ) ∫2®ª¿®¿ºÆ®∞∫ªØ¨©¨∫ª∂≠¿ºÆ®∫®Æ¨∫®∫ªØ¨5¨´®∫®π¨ ªØ¨ ©¨∫ª ∂≠ ∫™π∞∑ªºπ¨∫ ®∫ &®µÆ® ∞∫ ªØ¨ ©¨∫ª ∂≠ π∞Ω¨π∫ ∫∂ *®πªª∞≤® ∞∫ ªØ¨ ©¨∫ª ∂≠ ¥∂µªØ∫ ªØ¨ ¥∂∫ª ´¨®π ª∂ +∂π´ *π∫µ® !2≤®µ´®#/ºπ®µ® 3ب Ω𮪮 ©¨Æ∞µ∫ ∂µ +ªØ . ™ª∂©¨π ®µ´ ∂µ¨ ¥®¿ ∂©∫¨πΩ¨ ªØ¨ ≠∂≥≥∂æ∞µÆ ≠∂π¨¥∂∫ª ®™ª∞Ω∞ª∞¨∫ ªØπ∂ºÆØ∂ºªªØ¨¨µª∞π¨¥∂µªØ∂≠* ®πªª∞≤®, )®∑®™Ø®µª∞µÆªØ¨Ø∂≥¿µ®¥¨∫∂≠ªØ¨+∂π´ 6 ∂π∫Ø∞∑* π∫µ®©¿∂≠≠¨π∞µÆÆب¨≥®¥∑∫ ≠≥∂æ¨π∫ ∞µ™¨µ∫¨ ≠∂∂´®µ´¨ª™ /𮙪∞™¨©π®Ø¥®™®π¿®™¨≥∞©®™¿ 6 ∂π∫Ø∞∑∂≠3º≥∫∞´¨Ω∞ & ∞Ω¨∞µ™Ø®π∞ª¿ /¨π≠∂π¥®º∫ª¨π∞ª∞¨∫ ´®¥∂´®π®®∫ª®≤®¥µ®¥®∫ª∂ªπ®¥´®¥∂´®π®®π™®µ®¥ µ∞ª¿®¥´®¥∂´®π®®≤®π∫∞∑®ªØ¨ª∫®ª¿®Ω𮪮º´∞ª®¥ ' 1(40 1 * 3(5 (+ 2 +78+9 (µ ªØ¨ ¥∂µªØ ∂≠ *®πªª∞≤® ∂µ¨ ∫Ø∂º≥´ ´®∞≥¿ æ∂π∫Ø∞∑ +∂π´ #®¥∂´®π® ®µ´
  • Srimad-Bhagavatam – Canto Ten” by His Divine Grace A.C

    Srimad-Bhagavatam – Canto Ten” by His Divine Grace A.C

    “Srimad-Bhagavatam – Canto Ten” by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Summary: Srimad-Bhagavatam is compared to the ripened fruit of Vedic knowledge. Also known as the Bhagavata Purana, this multi-volume work elaborates on the pastimes of Lord Krishna and His devotees, and includes detailed descriptions of, among other phenomena, the process of creation and annihilation of the universe. His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada considered the translation of the Bhagavatam his life’s work. COPYRIGHT NOTICE: This is an evaluation copy of the printed version of this book, and is NOT FOR RESALE. This evaluation copy is intended for personal non- commercial use only, under the “fair use” guidelines established by international copyright laws. You may use this electronic file to evaluate the printed version of this book, for your own private use, or for short excerpts used in academic works, research, student papers, presentations, and the like. You can distribute this evaluation copy to others over the Internet, so long as you keep this copyright information intact. You may not reproduce more than ten percent (10%) of this book in any media without the express written permission from the copyright holders. Reference any excerpts in the following way: “Excerpted from “Srimad-Bhagavatam” by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, courtesy of the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, www.Krishna.com.” This book and electronic file is Copyright 1977-2003 Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, 3764 Watseka Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90034, USA. All rights reserved. For any questions, comments, correspondence, or to evaluate dozens of other books in this collection, visit the website of the publishers, www.Krishna.com.