The four elements of the mind in Yoga. Buddhi – the intellect. Our ability to decide, discern, and discriminate. Manas – the mind. Citta – the unconscious mind, the seat of memory. It is the storehouse of all past impressions, past thoughts and experiences. The seat of our samskaras – either positive or negative. Samskaras are our psychological imprints. Ahankara – the ego and self-identity.
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8 Sakhis of Srimati Radharani
The 8 chief sakhis known as the Ashta-Sakhis of Sri Radha are as follows: The two most important are Lalita and Visakha. Sri Lalita Sakhi (also known as Anuradha) born in Karhala and from Unchaagaon. Sri Vishakha Sakhi from Kamai. Sri Champaklata Sakhi from Karhala. Sri Chitra Sakhi from Chiksauli. Sri Indulekha Sakhi from Aanjanaukh. Sri Rang Devi from Rankauli. Sri Sudevi from Suhara. Sri Tungvidya Sakhi from Dabhara.
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Lalita, Visakha…Candravali?
Lalita…Viskaha…Candravali are gopis that appear in the literature of our acharayas very often. They are vital to the eternal pastimes and pleasure of Sri Sri Radha Govinda. Sva-paksa means those sakhis who are totally on the side of Srimati Radhika. Vipaksa means those sakhis who are totally on the opposite side. For example those sakhis who are supporting Candravali and opposed to Srimati Radhika. Lalita and Visakha are examples of gopis who are svapaksa to Srimati Radhika. Both Lalita and Visakha are fully dedicated to Srimati Radhrani. We must pray to both Lalita and Visakha sakhis very sincerly to attain the grace of Sri Radha. They are much more powerful than any of the demigods of this material world and they can Radha-dasyam when pleased. We can do this through the songs of our acharayas or sanskrit verses. I will be sharing some examples on this blog. Candravali is vipaksa. She is opposed to our Srimati Radharani. She is Radha’s chief competitor in Golok Vrindavan, more specifically Gokul Vrindvan. She is Radharani’s niece. She desires union with Krishna herself and this is played out in the Nikunj pastimes. A note – Candravali is not worshipped by any Vaisnav sampraday. Radhanath […]
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The form of Krishna
Krishna is always in the Tribhanga form with his flute. He wears yellow clothes – Pitambara. He wears beautiful jewellery. He has a face like a million full moons with lotus eyes. Eyebrows like Rainbows. Body covered with both Chandan and Kasturi fragrances. Krishna has beautiful fragrances. Surrounded by thousands of peacocks with a Peacock feather on his crown. The red gem – Kaustubha gem – illuminates Krishna. Krishna is always talking and speaking about sastra. Krishna is always smiling. He is always singing and playing the flute. Vaisnavpada das Babaji.
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Kripa – Mercy – Vinod Baba
Kripa or Mercy discussed by Vinod Baba. Kripa lakshana – Symptoms of mercy 1. Heart and mind will be more towards Radharani and you will be more and more detached from the material world and energy. 2. That you see all as equal and see the Lord in all. 3. It will be natural that you see the glory and good in everyone. 4. That you do not see fault in anyone but you will see the fault in oneself. 5. That you see all as better than oneself. Humility. 6. When this kripa of Radharani has fully blossomed eagerness will arrive. If eagerness has not arrived you should know that kripa has not manifested yet. This was taken from a Hindi conversation between Vinod Baba and Sacinandan Swami.
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Kadamba Tree & Tamal Tree
The Kadamba tree signifies Radha, and the Tamal tree signifies Krishna. Both grow in Vrindavan. The Kadamba tree A beautiful tree with large spherical orange fruit. Once Krishna arrived late for his meeting with Radha in a kunj. Radha gathered madhavi-latas to tie Krishna up to a Kadamba tree. This is the Radha-Damodar lila. The Tamal tree The Tamal tree trunk has a dark and blackish colour thus reminding us of Krishna.
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Rupanuga Sampraday
Our entire Gaudiya sampraday or tradition follows Sri Rupa Goswami or Sri Rupa Manjari, dearmost servant of Srimati Radharani. In both this world and the spiritual world. We are Rupa-nugas…meaning we follow Rupa Goswami. His books are essential reading for all Gaudiya Vaisnavas. It is important to find authentic translations as many are simply inaccurate. He authored 14 works: Upadesamrta Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu Ujjval Nilamani Stavamala Vidagda Madhava Lalita Madhava Dana Keli Kaumadi Laghu Bhagvatamrita Mathura Mahatmya Uddhava Sandesh Hamsaduta Sri Radha Krishna Ganodessa Dipika Sri Krsna Janma Tithi Vidhi Nataka Candrika
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The power of Hari-katha.
Hari-katha is nectar. Amrita. It is svarupa-siddhi-bhakti. Topics related to Lord Krishna or Krishna-katha are medicine for the Vaisnavas. When pure Hari-katha is spoken the Lord is present. Wherever Hari-katha is spoken it is a holy place. Krishna enters through the ears. Then Krishna sits in the heart. Krishna cleans the heart and then reveals himself through the inner heart. We must hear from a pure source and in a mood that compliments our goal. The goal of the Gaudiya Sampraday is manjari-bhav. Radha-dasyam. To become a maidservant of Srimati Radharani. In order to achieve this we must follow in the footsteps of Sri Rupa Goswami and Sri Raghunath Goswami. Our acharayas. They have written such beautiful books that guide us through the beauty of Gokul and teach us how to achieve this lofty goal of becoming a milkmaiden in eternal Vraja. We must find a suitable pure guru in this mood of manjari bhav and hear Hari-katha from this source. Radhanath Das
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Worshiping Govardhan Hill in madhurya-rasa. Raganuga Bhakti.
Both Srimad Bhagvatam and Sri Rupa Goswami glorify Mount Govardhan in a most exalted manner as the greatest devotee. The two verses below are cited in praise yet both could be seen in dasya-rasa or sakhya rasa. Raghunath Das Goswami has offered such pure madhurya prayers for the raganuga devotees, we must recite and memorise such rasik verses for our worship of Govardhan Hill. All are listed below. namaste girirajaya sri govardhana namine ashesa klesa nashaya param ananda dayine “Let us offer our obeisances to the King of Mountains. His name is Govardhan and he destroys all one’s miseries replacing them with the supreme bliss” (Preyo-bhakti-rasarnava) hantāyam adrir abalā hari-dāsa-varyo yad rāma-kṛṣṇa-caraṇa-sparaśa-pramodaḥ mānaṁ tanoti saha-go-gaṇayos tayor yat pānīya-sūyavasa-kandara-kandamūlaiḥ Of all the servants, this Govardhana Hill is the best! O my friends! This hill, blissful with the touch of the feet of Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, along with their calves, cows and cowherd friends, gives respect with all kinds of necessities—water for drinking, honey, very soft grass, caves, bulbs and roots. (SB 10.21.18) • Raghunath Das Goswami’s verses on Sri Sri Govardhan highlight the madhurya-rasa mood perfect for the raganuga sadhana one should cultivate towards Govardhan Hill, as opposed to a fraternal […]