Vaisnava Calendar - NOVEMBER 2015

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Śrī Dāmodarāṣṭaka

Śrī Dāmodarāṣṭaka (found in the Padma Purāṇa of Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana Vyāsa, spoken by Satyavrata Muni in a conversation with Nārada Muni and Śaunaka Ṛṣi)

 "In the month of Kārtika one should worship Lord Dāmodara and daily recite the prayer known as Dāmodarāṣṭaka, which has been spoken by the sage Satyavrata and which attracts Lord Dāmodara." (Śrī Hari-bhakti-vilāsa 2.16.198)

Text One

 namāmīśvaraṁ sac-cid-ānanda-rūpaṁ lasat-kuṇḍalaṁ gokule bhrājamanam 

yaśodā-bhiyolūkhalād dhāvamānaṁ parāmṛṣṭam atyantato drutya gopyā

Text Two

 rudantaṁ muhur netra-yugmaṁ mṛjantam karāmbhoja-yugmena sātaṅka-netram 

muhuḥ śvāsa-kampa-trirekhāṅka-kaṇṭhasthita-graivaṁ dāmodaraṁ bhakti-baddham

Text Three

 itīdṛk sva-līlābhir ānanda-kuṇḍe sva-ghoṣaṁ nimajjantam ākhyāpayantam

tadīyeṣita-jñeṣu bhaktair jitatvaṁ punaḥ prematas taṁ śatāvṛtti vande

 Text Four

varaṁ deva mokṣaṁ na mokṣāvadhiṁ vā na canyaṁ vṛṇe 'haṁ vareṣād apīha 

idaṁ te vapur nātha gopāla-bālaṁ sadā me manasy āvirāstāṁ kim anyaiḥ

Text Five

idaṁ te mukhāmbhojam atyanta-nīlair vṛtaṁ kuntalaiḥ snigdha-raktaiś ca gopyā 

muhuś cumbitaṁ bimba-raktādharaṁ me manasy āvirāstām alaṁ lakṣa-lābhaiḥ

Text Six

namo deva dāmodarānanta viṣṇo prasīda prabho duḥkha-jālābdhi-magnam 

kṛpā-dṛṣṭi-vṛṣṭyāti-dīnaṁ batānu gṛhāṇeṣa mām ajñam edhy akṣi-dṛśyaḥ

Text Seven

kuverātmajau baddha-mūrtyaiva yadvat tvayā mocitau bhakti-bhājau kṛtau ca 

tathā prema-bhaktiṁ svakāṁ me prayaccha na mokṣe graho me 'sti dāmodareha

Text Eight

namas te 'stu dāmne sphurad-dīpti-dhāmne tvadīyodarāyātha viśvasya dhāmne 

namo rādhikāyai tvadīya-priyāyai namo 'nanta-līlāya devāya tubhyam

1. To the Supreme Lord, whose form is the embodiment of eternal existence, knowledge, and bliss, whose shark-shaped earrings are swinging to and fro, who is beautifully shining in the divine realm of Gokula, who [due to the offense of breaking the pot of yogurt that His mother was churning into butter and then stealing the butter that was kept hanging from a swing] is quickly running from the wooden grinding mortar in fear of mother Yaśodā, but who has been caught from behind by her who ran after Him with greater speed-to that Supreme Lord, Śrī Dāmodara, I offer my humble obeisances.

2. [Seeing the whipping stick in His mother's hand,] He is crying and rubbing His eyes again and again with His two lotus hands. His eyes are filled with fear, and the necklace of pearls around His neck, which is marked with three lines like a conchshell, is shaking because of His quick breathing due to crying. To this Supreme Lord, Śrī Dāmodara, whose belly is bound not with ropes but with His mother's pure love, I offer my humble obeisances.

3. By such childhood pastimes as this He is drowning the inhabitants of Gokula in pools of ecstasy, and is revealing to those devotees who are absorbed in knowledge of His supreme majesty and opulence that He is only conquered by devotees whose pure love is imbued with intimacy and is free from all conceptions of awe and reverence. With great love I again offer my obeisances to Lord Dāmodara hundreds and hundreds of times.

4. Lord, although You are able to give all kinds of benedictions, I do not pray to You for the boon of impersonal liberation, nor the highest liberation of eternal life in Vaikuṇṭha, nor any other boon [which may be obtained by executing the nine processes of bhakti ]. O Lord, I simply wish that this form of Yours as Bāla Gopāla in Vṛndāvana may ever be manifest in my heart, for what is the use to me of any other boon besides this?

5. Lord, Your lotus face, which is encircled by locks of soft black hair tinged with red, is kissed again and again by mother Yaśodā, and Your lips are reddish like the bimba fruit. May this beautiful vision of Your lotus face be ever manifest in my heart. Thousands and thousands of other benedictions are of no use to me.

6. Supreme Godhead, I offer my obeisances unto You. O Dāmodara! O Ananta! O Viṣṇu! O master! O my Lord, be pleased upon me. By showering Your glance of mercy upon me, deliver this poor ignorant fool who is immersed in an ocean of worldly sorrows, and become visible to my eyes.

7. Lord Dāmodara, just as the two sons of Kuvera-Manigrīva and Nalakūvara-were delivered from the curse of Nārada and made into great devotees by You in Your form as a baby tied with rope to a wooden grinding mortar, in the same way, please give to me Your own prema-bhakti. I only long for this and have no desire for any kind of liberation.

8. Lord Dāmodara, I first of all offer my obeisances to the brilliantly effulgent rope which binds Your belly. I then offer my obeisances to Your belly, which is the abode of the entire universe. I humbly bow down to Your most beloved Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, and I offer all obeisances to You, the Supreme Lord, who displays unlimited pastimes. 

Our Glorious Master - Representative of the twelve great authorities

The Absolute Truth, or the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is realized by hearing about Him in all submission and love from a bona fide authority who is a representative of the twelve great authorities mentioned in the Srimad Bhagavatam.

Srimad Bhagavatam 3.5.31

Damodara-vrata

The Damodara month is coming, and it will begin on the 18th of this October. So from that day, we'll observe Damodara-vrata for one month. From 18th to 17th November. The duty will be that in the evening you'll offer candle, a small candle, all of you, just before the Deity, not within the room, outside the room, and chant the Damodarastaka, namamisvaram. That is already printed in our song book. So this will be Damodara-vrata. That Damodara is explained here.

Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.8.31 -- Mayapura, October 11, 1974

64 ways to chant Hare Krishna as instructed by Srila Prabhupada

 Frequency 

·         All day and night

·         Always

·         As much as possible

·         At all times

·         At every moment

·         Constantly

·         Continually

·         Continuously on beads

·         Incessantly

·         More and more

·         Regularly

·         Repeatedly

·         Twenty-four hours daily

·         Whenever possible

·         With steadiness

·         Without fail sixteen rounds

 Mood 

·         Carefully

·        Devotedly

·         Faithfully

·         Feelingly

·         For pleasing Krishna

·         Gravely

·         Happily

·         In a humble state of mind

·         In any condition

·         Jubilantly

·         Peacefully

·         Purely

·         Sincerely

·         Transcendentally

With

·         A strong vow

·         Determination

·         Devotion

·         Ecstasy

·         Faith and devotion

·         Faith and reverence

·         Great delight

·         Great pleasure

·         Our heart and soul

·         Tears of love

Without

·         Blasphemy

·         Lamentation

·         Motive

  

 Method 

·         Congregationally

·         Directed by a pure devotee

·         Distinctly pronounced & heard

·         Easily

·         Exclusively

·         Inoffensively

·         Loudly or softly

·         Nicely

·         Perfectly

·         Practice seriously

·         Properly

·         Rhythmically

·         Silently

·         Sinlessly

·         Undeviatingly

·         Very attentively

·         While in or outside the womb

·         While sleeping

·         With great love and faith

·         With the tip of the tongue

·         Within the mind you can chant

Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare
Hare Ram Hare Ram Ram Ram Hare Hare 

Our Glorious Master - Can drive away all nescience

The spiritual master can drive away all nescience as the sun drives away darkness.

Bhagavad Gita 5.16, Purport

Our Glorious Master - Detached from the modes of material nature

A person who is detached from the modes of material nature remains just like the sun reflected on water. When the sun is reflected on water, the movement of the water or the coolness or unsteadiness of the water cannot affect the sun.

Srimad Bhagvatam 3.27.1

Our Glorious Master-Empowered by the Supreme Personality of Godhead

Unless one is empowered by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, one cannot spread the holy names of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra throughout the world. Persons who do so are empowered. Therefore they are sometimes called avesa-avataras or incarnations, for they are endowed with the power of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

Caitanya Caritamrita Antya 2.14

Sunday Sankirtan and Book Distribution at GT Mall , Jaipur(11/10/2015)

Our Sankirtan Party

Our Sankirtan party did long sankirtan to make people wait ,watch and 

listen us while we were chanting

The students associated with us were also distributing books to the visitors 

Two visitors at the mall carefully listening to one of our devotees while taking books 

Bhakta Robin from Germany was also with us and was actively distributing books 

Bhakti-Shastri Course

With a motive to draw devotees' attention towards a great wish of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada regarding conducting “Bhkati-Shastri” examinations among his disciples and followers and to encourage devotees around the world to study the enormous and great literature written by Srila Prabhupada, Hare Krishna Community, Jaipur is launching a “Bhakti-Shastri” course all around the world. So we invite devotees living in any part of the world to participate in this examination via e-mail.

One has to pass an exam on the following books in order to get Bhakti-Shastri degree as per the instructions given by Srila Prabhupada.

1. Beyond Birth and Death
2. Perfection of Yoga
3. Easy Journey to Other Planets
4. Nectar of Instruction Upadeśāmṛta
5. Rāja-Vidyā: The King of Knowledge
6. Śrī Īśopaniṣad
7. Science of Self Realization
8. The Nectar of Devotion
9. Bhagavad-gītā As It Is
10. Booklet on Deity Worship

  

Srila Prabhupada on Bhakti-Shastri Examination

1.Unless one passes bhakti-sastri, he cannot be second initiated

Acyutananda: [break] ...comprises the examination for bhaktivedanta and bhakti-sastri?

Prabhupada: Hm?

Acyutananda: There was talk that they would be given examinations.

Prabhupada: Yes. Yes.

Acyutananda: What is the syllabus for...?

Prabhupada: Whatever books we have got, it should be studied. Bhakti-sastri means Nectar of Devotion, Bhagavad-gita, Nectar of Instruction, Beyond Death -- in this way we select some ten books. That is bhakti-sastri.

Acyutananda: So when will that...

Prabhupada: Then we come to Bhagavata, then we come to Caitanya-caritamrta, in this way. So from next year, unless one passes bhakti-sastri, he cannot be second initiated. First initiation is open for everyone. "Come on. Chant Hare Krsna." That will purify him. Then let him understand

Morning Walk -- January 6, 1976, Nellore

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In the near future we shall introduce the Bhakti-sastri examination for second initiation and this shall be one of the required books of study.

Letter to: Radhavallabha  --  Nellore 5 January, 1976

His Divine Grace therefore wishes to institute examinations to be given to all prospective candidates for sannyasa and brahmana initiation. In addition he wishes that all present sannyasis and brahmanas also pass the examination. Awarding of these titles will be based upon the following books:

Bhakti-sastri -Bhagavad-gita, Nectar of Devotion, Nectar of Instruction, Isopanisad, Easy Journey To Other Planets, and all other small paperbacks, as well as Arcana-paddhati (a book to be compiled by NitaiPrabhu based on Hari-bhakti-vilasa on Deity worship)

Bhakti-vaibhava - All of the above plus the first six cantos of Srimad-Bhagavatam

Bhaktivedanta - All of the above plus cantos 7 through 12 of Srimad-Bhagavatam

Bhakti-sarvabhauma - All the above plus the entire Caitanya-caritamrta

Anyone wishing to be initiated as a brahmana will have to pass the Bhaktisastri exam and anyone wishing to take sannyasa will have to pass the Bhaktivaibhava examination as well. This will prevent our Society from degrading to the level of so many other institutions where, in order to maintain the Temple, they accept all third class men as brahmanas. Any sannyasis or brahmanas already initiated who fail to pass the exams will be considered low class or less qualified. Anyone wishing to be 2nd initiated will sit for examination once a year at Mayapur. Answers will be in essay form and authoritative quotations will be given a bigger score. During the exams books may not be consulted.

Letter to: All Governing Body Commissioners  --  Nellore, South India 6 January, 1976

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But if you become preacher member, in that case you will have to pay once Rs 10/- only for the degree of "Bhakti-sastri'' which will be awarded to you by registered certificate of degree for your becoming preaching member of the League and doing the necessary preaching work on behalf of the League. The preaching work is conducted as follows:
(1) As soon as you get the certificate of degree of "Bhakti-sastri'' at once you become a bona fide preacher of this institution and for this you will have to read "Bhagavad-gita'' regularly.
(2) As you go on reading "Bhagavad-gita'' question will arise in your mind for so many teachings in that Book & you are at liberty to ask us for answers of those questions which will be replied to you very clearly for your understanding.
(3) Some of the general questions are already answered in different pamphlets & one of them is sent herewith for example and your understanding.
(4) These questions & answers you will have to preach to others, so that both yourself& your audience will be benefited by that process.
(5) If you cannot go to others outside your hearth & home, you can do the preaching work amongst your family members only and in this meeting your other friends, neighbors & relatives also can join.

(6) Hold this meeting regularly for one hour in your home or any other suitable place near about your home, and chant the hymns or slokas of "Bhagavad-gita'' with reverence & devotion. If possible the reading of Bhagavad-gita may be preceded & followed by a congregation chanting of the holy name of God as mentioned below -- Hare Krishna . . . Hare Hare.

(7) Now relevant questions that may be arising out in the meeting may either be answered relevantly &just according to the authority of "Bhagavad-gita''. But if it is found difficult the question may at once be referred to us and it will be very nicely & clearly answered by us for clear understanding of all concerned.
(8) Some of the audience also may be interested in becoming a preaching worker of this League & we shall be glad to substain him in the same way as we shall be dealing with you. We are interested more in preaching members than in the sleeping members.

Letter to: Brother  --  Unknown Place September 1955

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We wish to hold examinations and award titles such as Bhakti-sastri, Bhakti-vaibhava, and Bhaktivedanta. The whole program will continue for seven years, and the students who will be fully engaged in this study of a seven year course will be classified in the 4-D section of the draft board.

Letter to: Aniruddha  --  Los Angeles 4 February, 1969

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Bhakti-sastri is actually recognition, accepting a person that he knows the principles of devotional service.

Letter to: Rupanuga  --  Los Angeles 24 July, 1969

Regarding the examinations, the idea is that anyone, after studying the books, who wants to gain the title of Bhakti-sastri, can take the exam. This is academic. Just like a brahmana with sastric knowledge and a brahmana without. It is optional -- one who wants may take. The real purpose is that our men should not be neglectful of the philosophy. The examinations will begin on GauraPurnima, 1977, not this year, so there is no reason why any of the devotees should give up their normal engagement.

So far your idea for teaching classes, this should be discussed at the GBC meeting. If it does not hamper our normal procedure then it is welcome.

I hope this meets you well.

Letter to: Satsvarupa  --Mayapur 3 February, 1976

2.Fees

Answer papers with some contribution to my book fund may be submitted to me. I shall personally examine the papers, and those who will pass will be sent a certificate of Bhaktisastri in due course. The minimum passing mark is 300 out of 1,000.

Letter to: Bhakti SastriExamination  --  Los Angeles 4 September, 1969
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Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of September 4th, 1969 and the enclosed check for the Bhakti-sastri examination. As I have already mentioned in my letter of September 7th, I have also duly received the contribution of 150 dollars from Laksmimoni and yourself.

Letter to: Jagadisa  --  Hamburg 9 September, 1969

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you very much for your letter of September 4th, 1969, sent along with the Bhakti-sastri examinations and a maintenance check of 15 dollars.

Letter to: Bhurijana  --  Hamburg 9 September, 1969

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Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you for your letter dated September 11th and the contribution check for the Bhakti-sastri examination.

Letter to: Prahladananda  --Tittenhurst 5 October, 1969 

How to participate:

Those devotees who wish to take this test online should first of all enroll themselves by sending an enrollment request to the email address hkc.jpr@gmail.com and they will be informed about the upcoming exams and they will be sent the question paper on the day and time scheduled by the examinee devotee. Already the first test on the book "Beyond Birth and Death" has taken place but it is possible for newcomers to take another test on this book on 17th October 2015 along with "Perfection of Yoga".

The Lord wants to satisfy His devotee

The sadhu... I have explained several times. Sadhu means devotee. Sadhu does not mean the worldly honesty or dishonesty, morality or immorality. It has nothing to do with material activities. It is simply spiritual, sadhu. But sometimes we derive, "sadhu," a person's material goodness, morality. but actually "sadhu" means in the transcendental platform. Those who are engaged in devotional service. Sa gunan samatityaitan [Bg. 14.26]. Sadhu is transcendental to the material qualities. So paritranaya sadhunam. The paritranaya means to deliver.

Now if a sadhu is already delivered, he is on the transcendental platform, then where is the necessity of delivering him? This is the question. Therefore this word is used, vidambanam. It is bewildering. It is contradictory. It appears to be contradictory. If a sadhu is already delivered... Transcendental position means he's no longer under the control of the three material modes of nature, goodness, passion and ignorance. Because it is clearly stated in the Bhagavad-gita: sa gunan samatityaitan [Bg. 14.26]. He transcends the material qualities. A sadhu, devotee, Then where is the question of deliverance? The deliverance... He does not require deliverance, a sadhu, but because he is very much anxious to see the Supreme Lord eye to eye, that is his inner desire, therefore Krsna comes. Not for deliverance. He's already delivered. He's already delivered from the material clutches. But to satisfy him, Krsna is always...

Just like a devotee wants to satisfy the Lord in all respects, similarly more than the devotee, the Lord wants to satisfy the devotee. This is the exchange of loving affairs. Just like in your, in our ordinary dealings also, if you love somebody, you want to satisfy him or her. Similarly, she or he also wants to reciprocate. So if that reciprocation of loving affairs is there in this material world, how much it is greatly elevated in the spiritual world? So there is a verse that: "Sadhu is My heart, and I am also the sadhu's heart." The sadhu is always thinking of Krsna and Krsna is always thinking of His devotee, sadhu.

So the appearance and disappearance of Lord within this material world, that is called cikirsitam. 

 Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.8.29 -- Los Angeles, April 21, 1973