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In the Name of Krishna: the Cultural Landscape of a North Indian Pilgrimage Town
In the Name of Krishna: The Cultural Landscape of a North Indian Pilgrimage Town A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA BY Sugata Ray IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Frederick M. Asher, Advisor April 2012 © Sugata Ray 2012 Acknowledgements They say writing a dissertation is a lonely and arduous task. But, I am fortunate to have found friends, colleagues, and mentors who have inspired me to make this laborious task far from arduous. It was Frederick M. Asher, my advisor, who inspired me to turn to places where art historians do not usually venture. The temple city of Khajuraho is not just the exquisite 11th-century temples at the site. Rather, the 11th-century temples are part of a larger visuality that extends to contemporary civic monuments in the city center, Rick suggested in the first class that I took with him. I learnt to move across time and space. To understand modern Vrindavan, one would have to look at its Mughal past; to understand temple architecture, one would have to look for rebellions in the colonial archive. Catherine B. Asher gave me the gift of the Mughal world – a world that I only barely knew before I met her. Today, I speak of the Islamicate world of colonial Vrindavan. Cathy walked me through Mughal mosques, tombs, and gardens on many cold wintry days in Minneapolis and on a hot summer day in Sasaram, Bihar. The Islamicate Krishna in my dissertation thus came into being. -
Gaudiya Vaishnava Calendar 2007 – 2008 Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math Sevaite-President-Acharya: Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj
All Glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga Gaudiya Vaishnava Calendar 2007 – 2008 Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math Sevaite-President-Acharya: Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj Founder-Acharya: Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Seva Ashram Santa Cruz, California Gaura-Gadadhar Mandir, Vidyanagar Sarvabhauma Gaudiya Math, Sri Vrindavan das Thakur’s Appearance Place, and the Deity served by Sri Saranga Murari and Vasudeva Datta Thakur. 21. (Fri) Sri Gauravirbhava Paurnamasi. Sri Gaura- Purnima. Divine Appearance of Sri Gauranga. Total fast until moonrise, then no grains. Grand Festival at Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math. Vasantotsav and Dolyatra of Sri Sri Radha-Govinda. Special offering of worship and arati. Sri Chaitanya-charitamrita reading and Maha-Sankirttana. Start of 523 Gaurabda year. VISHNU 22. (Sat) Krishna-pratipada. Paran by 9:43 a.m. Anandotsav of Sri Jagannath Misra. Last gathering of the week-long yearly meeting at Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math and yearly festival. 26. (Wed) Krishna-panchami. Festival at the Appearance Place of Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj, Sripat Hapaniya: Grand Appearance of the Holy Deities of Sripat Hapaniya, Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Radha Gopinathjiu at Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Ashram. Appearance of Tridandi Swami Srimad Bhakti Saran Santa Maharaj. 13 7. (Fri) Amavasya. Anniversary Festival of the installation of All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga Sri Sadasiva Gangadhara, Sri Govinda Kunda, Nabadwip. 8. (Sat) Gaura-pratipada. Disappearance of Vaishnava Sarvabhauma Srila Jagannath das Babaji Maharaj, Srila Rasikananda Dev Goswami and Tridandi Swami Srimad Bhakti Gaudiya Vaisnava Dayita Madhava Maharaj. 10. (Mon) Gaura-tritiya. Sri Sri Guru-Gauranga-Radha- Calendar (2007 – 2008) Ramanasundarjiu installation anniversary festival, at Sree This calendar is based on the translation of the Bengali Vaisnava Calendar, "Sri Chaitanya Saraswata Krishnanushilana Sangha, Kaikhali, Gaudiya Parvva Talika," compiled by Sriyukta Dibyendu Bhattacharyya, M.Sc., B.T., Jyotibhushan, Headmaster. -
Inquiries Into the Absolute
Inquiries into the Absolute (A collection of thought provoking & intriguing answers given by His Holiness Romapada Swami for questions raised by devotees on various spiritual topics) Shri Shri Radha Govinda, Brooklyn, NY We invite you to immerse yourself into the transcendental answers given by Srila Romapada Swami! These sublime instructions are certain to break our misconceptions into millions of pieces and to deepen our understanding of various topics in Krishna consciousness. Compilation of weekly digests 1 to 242 (Upto December 2007) His Holiness Srila Romapada Swami Maharaj! Everyone one likes to inquire. Srila Prabhupada writes, "The whole world is full of questions and answers. The birds, beasts and men are all busy in the matter of perpetual questions and answers... Although they go on making such questions and answers for their whole lives, they are not at all satisfied. Satisfaction of the soul can only be obtained by questions and answers on the subject of Krishna." -- Purport to Srimad Bhagavatam 1.2.5 "Inquiries into the Absolute" is a wonderful opportunity provided by Srila Romapada Swami to help us fruitfully engage our propensity to inquire and seek answers. Please take advantage! Guide to “Inquiries into the Absolute” om ajïäna-timirändhasya jïänäïjana-çaläkayä cakñur unmélitaà yena tasmai çré-gurave namaù I offer my respectful obeisances unto my spiritual master, who has opened my eyes, blinded by the darkness of ignorance, with the torchlight of knowledge. ‘Inquiries into the Absolute’, is a weekly email digest comprising of thought provoking and sublime answers given by His Holiness Romapada Swami Maharaj to the questions raised by devotees on myriad spiritual topics. -
Dasavatara in Puranas
Component-I (A) – Personal details: Prof. P. Bhaskar Reddy Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati. Prof. V. Venkata Ramana Reddy Director, O.R.I., S. V.University, Tirupati. Prof. V. Venkata Ramana Reddy Director, O.R.I., S. V.University, Tirupati. Prof. V. Kannan University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad. Component-I (B) – Description of module: Subject Name Indian Culture Paper Name Vedic, Epic and Puranic culture of India Module Name/Title Dasavatara in Puranas Module Id I C / VEPC / 33 Pre requisites Knowledge in Puranas and importance of Dashavataras of Vishnu To know about the general survey of Puranas, Objectives Meaning of Dashavatara, Types of Incarnation Dashavatara, Scientific analogy of Avataras and Darwinian Theory of Evolution Keywords Puranas / Dashavatara / incarnation / Vishnu E-text (Quadrant-I): 1. Introduction to Avatara(Incornation) The word 'avatara' means 'one who descends' (from Sanskrit avatarati). The descents of Vishnu from Vaikuntha to earth are his avatars or incarnations. The form in each time he descents will be different because the needs of the world each time are different. The different avatars thus balances and reinforce the dharma that rules and regulations that maintain order. They are harmed when the demands of evil clash with the good for order. As man's understanding of the world changes, desires change and so do concepts of order.. Social stability and peace on the earth must not be compromised, yet new ideas that are good for mankind must be respected. Vishnu's descents are not just about The word specifically refers to one who descends from the spiritual sky. The word 'incarnation' is can also mean as 'one who assumed flesh body’ 2. -
Ramanuja Darshanam
Table of Contents Ramanuja Darshanam Editor: Editorial 1 Sri Sridhar Srinivasan Who is the quintessential SriVaishnava Sri Kuresha - The embodiment of all 3 Associate Editor: RAMANUJA DARSHANAM Sri Vaishnava virtues Smt Harini Raghavan Kulashekhara Azhvar & 8 (Philosophy of Ramanuja) Perumal Thirumozhi Anubhavam Advisory Board: Great Saints and Teachers 18 Sri Mukundan Pattangi Sri Stavam of KooratazhvAn 24 Sri TA Varadhan Divine Places – Thirumal irum Solai 26 Sri TCA Venkatesan Gadya Trayam of Swami Ramanuja 30 Subscription: Moral story 34 Each Issue: $5 Website in focus 36 Annual: $20 Answers to Last Quiz 36 Calendar (Jan – Mar 04) 37 Email [email protected] About the Cover image The cover of this issue presents the image of Swami Ramanuja, as seen in the temple of Lord Srinivasa at Thirumala (Thirupathi). This image is very unique. Here, one can see Ramanuja with the gnyAna mudra (the sign of a teacher; see his right/left hands); usually, Swami Ramanuja’s images always present him in the anjali mudra (offering worship, both hands together in obeisance). Our elders say that Swami Ramanuja’s image at Thirumala shows the gnyAna mudra, because it is here that Swami Ramanuja gave his lectures on Vedarta Sangraha, his insightful, profound treatise on the meaning of the Upanishads. It is also said that Swami Ramanuja here is considered an Acharya to Lord Srinivasa Himself, and that is why the hundi is located right in front of swami Ramanuja at the temple (as a mark of respect to an Acharya). In Thirumala, other than Lord Srinivasa, Varaha, Narasimha and A VEDICS JOURNAL Varadaraja, the only other accepted shrine is that of Swami Ramanuja. -
IJ..Ta,.Dharma, and Sanfltana Dharma in Indian Culture: a Critical Appraisal
IJ..ta,.Dharma, and Sanfltana Dharma in Indian Culture: A Critical Appraisal G.C. NAYAK Saniitana dharma literally means eternal law, principle or norm. But in order to understand the concept of Saniitana dharma, as it is used in our cultural heritage, it is important that we first have a working knowledge of what dharma stands for. The word dharma is not easily translated into the English language. Dharma has been used in different contexts to means different things, but it is usually understood as that principle or law which sustains, supports or maintains (dhiiralJaY individuals as well as the social order, and when applied beyond the context of society to a broader universal context, it would mean that law which sustains or maintains the world as a whole, the universe itself. It may mean a supporting principle that is inherent in things tl1emselves; it may also denote that principle which needs to be followed for the sustenance of the individual and of society. Radhakrishnan in his Religion and Society talks of dharma as "the norm which sustains the universe, the principle of a thing by virtue of which it is what it is." In the Brh adiira~tyaka Upani~ad1 , we ftnd dharma being identified with satya or truth and being extolled as the most powerful of all, stronger than even the ruling class. It is possible for a man who is righteous to vanquish one who is physically or otherwise strong, and therefore there is nothing greater than dharma. 3 !Jta of the !Jgveda, as a matter of fact, is an antecedent of dharma, where it finds a more varied application, in the context of the universe, society as well as the Li fe of individuals. -
NARASIMHA – 4Th AVATAR
NARASIMHA – 4th AVATAR In the last avatar, Lord Vishnu as Varaha the wild boar, killed the asura Hiranyaksha and rescued the earth from him. Soon after that, Hiranyakashipu, a brother of Hiranyaksha, was very angry with the death of his sibling and wanted to take revenge. He ordered the Asuras, “Go destroy all good people on earth, put out their sacrificial fires & kill their cows. I will practice meditation and become the master of all the three worlds -Heaven, earth & the nether regions”. He went to Mount Mandara chala and began austere penance. He stood still for a long time and focused his thoughts on Lord Brahma. A big ant hill and grass grew on him but he did not move. While he was away in penance, Gods attacked the asuras. They found Hiranyakashipu’s pregnant queen Kayadhu in the palace bur sage Narada took her to his ashram to protect her. There she learned about the glory of Vishnu, and the child within also absorbed all the knowledge. Meanwhile, Hirayakashipu was still in meditation. Finally, Lord Brahma appeared before him and said, "I am very pleased with your prayers, so ask for a boon." Hirayakashipu asked Lord Brahma that he should live forever. Brahma refused, saying, "All living beings must face death. You can, however, choose your death wish." Hiranyakashipu then asked for the following conditions, as his death wish, "'O Brahma, let not death come to me either by man or beast, by day or by night, with a weapon or without a weapon, or indoors or outdoors, Brahma said, "May it be so!" After getting such a boon Hiranyakashipu lost no time in conquering and bringing both earth and heaven under his rule. -
Dharma Vahini Chapter IX
Chapter IX. All May Seek Spiritual Wisdom igh and low, rich and poor, male and female —all are affected by illness, and all have the right to seek the Hdrugs that cure illness. So too, all people are affected by the illness of birth and death and all have the right to the drug, named knowledge of Brahman (Brahma-vidya), that is its effective cure. That is the heritage of all. According to the stage reached by each, the degree of development attained in spiritual discipline, and the extent of assimilation of the drug, each person will improve in health, that is to say, in peace and equanimity. But one thing has to be specially mentioned: along with the drug, the regulations regarding the mode of living have also to be strictly adhered to. The drug, Brahma-consciousness, has to be supplemented and strengthened by the appropriate dharma as well as by cultivation of devotion, wisdom (jnana), and discrimination (vairagya). Dietary and other restric- tions are essential components of the treatment of illness; so also mere initiation into knowledge of Brahman (Brahmajnana) is not enough. Without equanimity (sama), self-control (dama), and the other moral and spiritual excellences, no one, be they emperor or bondsman, high-born or low-born, can reach the goal. Though everyone is entitled to the heritage of knowledge of Brahman, only those who equip themselves with the qualifications can receive it. One must be strong enough to undergo treatment and to digest and assimilate the medicine, right? If the strength is not there, the great physician Himself will not certify that the patient can take the medicine. -
SRIVAISHNAVISM No.1
OM NAMO BHAGAVATHE VISHVAK SENAYA NAMA : SRIVAISHNAVISM No.1. WEEKLY MAGAZINE FOR SRIVAISHNAVITES. Estd : 07 – 05 -2004. Issue dated 22-03-2009. editor : poigaiadian swamigal. Sub editor : sridhara srinivasan. Flower : 4 petal : 46. srivaishnavism LETTERS FROM OUR READERS. A beautiful composition inspired by the name Adyaril. Adiyen could not have imagined that the name Adyar could inspire a poet. With best regards TGRamamurthi ABOUT THE TAMIL KAVITHAI “ ADAYANINAINTHA “ I am regularly going through your divine mails...and thankyou very much for the pain you are taking to enrich our sampradhaya knowledge.. The recent mail on Vivaha Manthrarthangal is also very good & very explanatory with namaskarams. Gayatri thank u very much for these efforts. adiyen- anuradha raghavan ABOUT DESIKASTHOTHRANGAL IN TAMIL & JIDHANTHE STHOTHRAM. Very happy please include my address in your mailing list. V. Parthasarathy, No.6 Kailash Nagar, II st, Lawspet, Puducherry 605 008.Bye. Yes. I am happy. N Balaji Srimathe Ramanujaya Namaha: Thats a wondrfull effort and service to fellow Bhagavadas. Let Thayar and perumal bless the effort by making it reach many bhagavadas. Adiyen Srinivas ABOUT SRIVAISHNAVISM MAGAZINE IN OTHER YAHOO GROUPS. ************************************************************************************** READERS ARE REQUESTED TO SEND THEIR COMMENTS TO ; [email protected]. SRIVAISHNAVISM SRIMADH RAHASYATHRIYASAARAM. “IF YOU HAVE REFORMED ME FROM WICKEDNESS. WHAT REQUITAL CAN I MAKE TO YOU?” WHEN THE SISHYA HANDS OVER THE GREAT WEALTH OF THE TRUTHS CONTAINED IN THE GIST OF THE THREE MYSTERIES (MONTHRAS) THUS ACQUIRED BY HIM (FROM HIS ACHARYA) TO ONE WHO, AS POINTED OUT IN AN EARLIER CHAPTER, HAS BEEN FOUND FIT FOR IT,M HE SHOULD IMPART INSTRUCTION FIRST ON THE SUCCESSION OF ACHARYAS AND REVEAL ALSO HIS GRATITUDE (TO THEM) AND THE ACREDNESS OF THOSE TRUTHS. -
Sri Venkateswara Swamy Avataram (Manifestation of Lord Venkateswara)
TIRUMALA TIRUPATI DEVASTHANAMS, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, Tirupati TIRUPATI Sri Balaji Arogya Varaprasadini scheme (SRI BALAJI INSTITUTE SURGERY, RESEARCH AND REHABILITATION FOR THE DISABLED TRUST Health is wealth. The TTD in 2007 has (BIRRD) established a multi speciality hospital Sri BIRRD is established to provide treatment, free Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences of cost to the disabled patients, diseased due to Polio (SVIMS) to provide treatment for poor people. It mellitus, Cerebral Palcy, congenital diseases diseases has founded Arogya Varaprasadini scheme. We related to backbone injuries, the handicapped patients request the public to generously donate for this due to bone and joint disorders. Please extend your scheme and get the blessings of Lord Venkateswara. kind co-operation in the form of donation as a helping Section 80(G)/35(i),(ii) provides tax exemption for hand. Service to the poor and needy is itself a service to God. donars Under Section 80 (G) exemption from Income tax Address for Demand draft/cheques to be sent: is provided to donars The Director, SVIMS, Send Demand Draft/Cheques to the under said Tirupati - 517501 address: Ph. No: 0877-2287777 The Director, Accounts section: 2225 BIRRD Trust For more details please contact T.T.D, TIRUPATI - 517501 0877-2287152, 2286131, 2287777 Ph.No: 0877-2264025 For other details, please contact Website:www.tirumala.org 0877 - 2264619 website: www.tirumala.org “Tirumala Kshetra Darshini” Series SRI VENKATESWARA SWAMY AVATARAM (MANIFESTATION OF LORD VENKATESWARA) English Rendering A. Krishna Telugu Original Dr. Samudrala Lakshmanaiah Published by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, Tirupati. 2017 SRI VENKATESWARA SWAMY AVATARAM (MANIFESTATION OF LORD VENKATESWARA) Preface English Rendering Venkatadrisamam Sthanam Brahmande Nasti A. -
Constant Touch with the Supreme Spirit
Constant Touch with the Supreme Spirit Date: 2008-02-19 Author: Sajjana Priya Krishna das Dear Prabhujis and Matajis, Hare Krishna! Please accept my humble pranams! All glories to Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudev! When I was leaving Rajkot after a wonderful Rath Yatra and most memorable association of our beloved Guru Maharaj, I just prayed to Maharaj and requested him to forgive all the inebrieties in me and requested him to grant his mercy for purifying my existence. Maharaj said that not to worry about the defects because these will be cleared as long as you take the shelter of the holy names constantly and sincerely. Most of us are chanting 16 rounds and some of us are chanting some rounds and therefore the holy names are so pure in itself and has the potency to remove all the defects of the conditioned soul. This chanting is nothing but a soul wash (presently the conditioned soul is contaminated on association with matter from time immemorial). It is called jagat pavitram ( purifying the entire universe). Even though some people may be appearing to be materially super intelligent, they have to eventually surrender their intelligence at the time of death. Whereas service to the Lord is eternal as long as we keep in touch with the Supreme Lord through the holy names at least, if not other devotional service. I came across a powerful verse in Srimad Bhagavatam 3.19.27 in this regard: kṣitau śayānaṁ tam akuṇṭha-varcasaṁ karāla-daṁṣṭraṁ paridaṣṭa-dacchadam ajādayo vīkṣya śaśaṁsur āgatā aho imaṁ ko nu labheta saṁsthitim Aja [Brahmaa] and others arrived on the spot to see the fearfully tusked demon lyingon the ground, biting his lip. -
Bhagavata Dharma – the E- Magazine of Sri Gopinath Gaudiya Math Page | 2
All Glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga! Founder Acharaya His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Promode Puri Gosvami Thakura BHAGAVATA The e-magazine of Sri Gopinath Gaudiya Math Issue No.6 May 2017 DHARMA President & Acharaya His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Bibudha Bodhayan Gosvami Maharaja In this issue: The Disappearance of His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Ballabha Tirtha Gosvami 2 MAHARAJAThe Glories of Pure Devotees 4 Prayers to Lord Narasimha Deva by Prahlada Maharaja 4 Sarvabha uma Bhattacharya’s Description of Ramananda Raya 6 Glorification of Gaura Nitai 8 Gopa -Kumara’s Experience of Çré Jagannätha 11 Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura 12 Vaiñnava Festivals 13 Travel & Satsang with Srila Bhakti Bibudha Bodhayan Goswami Maharja 14 Our search for, and subsequent attainment of beauty depends on the nature of our association. If we associate with devotional personalities, then our idea of beauty will naturally be Kåñëa’s beautiful form, and His abode in Vrindavan adorned by green creepers, fragrant flowers, etc. Krsna is eternally beautiful. Therefore, in order to make our life eternally beautiful, we should seek the association of devotional personalities (Kåñëa’s pure devotees). In the Service of Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's Mission, His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Bibudha Bodhayan Gosvami Maharaja Bhagavata Dharma – The e- magazine of Sri Gopinath Gaudiya Math Page | 2 THE DISAPPEARANCE OF HIS DIVINE of SCGM with my spiritual Master, His Divine GRACE SRILA BHAKTI BALLABHA Grace Srila Bhakti Pramode Puri Gosvami TIRTHA GOSVAMI MAHARAJA Thakur from 1990 to 1994. During this period, I served my Spiritual Master there by Srila Bhakti Bibudha Bodhayan Gosvami under the guidance of Srila Tirtha Goswami Maharaja Maharaj.