A True Devotee

A king once announced that he wanted to reward the person most devoted to God, in his kingdom. So, he told his minister to make announcements and hold a session to find out such a devotee.

A large number of applicants were gathered in the palace premises. It was decided that the selection would be done by the process of elimination. In the first round the contestants were made to recite verses from the scriptures. A large number failed to pass that test. Only a few cleared it. The second round was about the form and ritual of prayer and how to do it. Each one exhibited his daily routine of prayer and how he executed it. Only three participants impressed the king and all the rest were disqualified. The king’s minister had been supervising the entire event.

He said to the king, “My lord, I don’t think there is even one real devotee amongst them. They are all frauds!” The king asked in surprise, “Do you really think so? Well! How shall we find a genuine devotee?”

The minister suddenly picked up his stick and started raining blows on the three contestants. The bewildered trio screamed and abused in anger. Each time the stick cracked sharply on either of the three; there was a shout of pain followed by abusive and angry gestures.

A moment later, the minister turned to the king’s personal attendant who happened to be standing close by and hit him mercilessly with his stick. The poor man shouted, “Oh Krishna, save me, my Lord!”

The king was furious. He shouted, “Stop it, what are you doing? You crazy man! Why are you beating up these innocent people?” The minister folded his hands in respect and said, “Forgive me, my Lord! This exercise was necessary to find out who the true devotee of the Lord is. It is only in adversity that the true nature of a person comes to the fore. Did you hear the foul language that escaped the lips of these three miserable wretches? Only your attendant gasped in pain with the name of the Lord on his lips.

That is because the name of the Lord is his constant companion. He is the one who deserves the award. Right from the beginning I never believed that any true devotee of God would submit himself to a contest such as this, for it would demean his personal relationship with God. Prayer is something personal; one cannot compete with others for it.”

Two enemies become friends through the featureless shadows

Three Questions Three Answers

A young man who went overseas to study for quite a long time.

When he returned, he asked his parents to find him a religious scholar or any expert who could answer his 3 Questions.

Finally, his parents were able to find a scholar.

Young man: Who are you? Can you answer my questions?

Scholar: I am one of God willing, I will be able to answer your

questions.

Young man: Are you sure? A lot of Professors and experts were not able to answer my questions.

Scholar: I will try my best, with the help of God.

Young Man: I have 3 questions:

1. Does God exist? If so, show me His shape.

2. What is fate?

3. If Devil was created from the fire, why at the end he will be thrown to hell that is also created from fire. It certainly will not hurt him at all, since Devil and the hell were created from fire. Did God not think of it this fact?

Suddenly, the Scholar slapped the young man's face very hard. Young

Man(feeling pain): Why do you get angry at me?

Scholar: I am not angry. The slap is my answer to your three questions.

Young Man: I really don't understand.

Scholar: How do you feel after I slapped you?

Young Man: Of course, I felt the pain.

Scholar: So do you believe that pain exists?

Young Man: Yes.

Scholar: Show me the shape of the pain!

Young Man: I cannot.

Scholar: That is my first answer. All of us feel God's existence

without being able to see His shape... Last night, did you dream

that you will be slapped by me?

Young Man: No.

Scholar: Did you ever think that you will get a slap from me, today?

Young Man: No.

Scholar: That is fate my second answer.. My hand that I used to slap you, what is it created from?

Young Man: It is created from flesh.

Scholar: How about your face, what is it created from?

Young Man: Flesh.

Scholar: How do you feel after I slapped you?

Young Man: In pain.

Scholar: That's it... this is my third answer, Even though Devil and also the hell were created from the fire, if God wants,God willing , the hell will become a very painful place for devil.

God said: "If you are ashamed of me, I will be ashamed of you."

Wat u have to say to this??? r u also Ashamed of God... do u also feel that why me only alwayz....

Just remember our father know what is the best for us and whatever he does try to find something positive in it and see how life changes........

Fear

(Compiled from the teachings of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada)

The quality of fear exists for every living entity in the material world. The four principal activities of material existence are eating, sleeping, fearing and mating. The fear element exists also in the demigods. On every planet, even in the higher planetary systems, including the moon and the sun, as well as on this earth, the same principles of animal life exist. (Purport, SB 3.17.1) We are afraid because we are thinking, “I am this body.” Bhayam dvitiyabhinivesitah syat. The question of fear comes... Just like this body. If there is some danger, why we are fearful? Because I am thinking, “I am this body.” Dvitiyabhinivesitah. I am soul, every one of us is a spirit soul. Krishna is the spirit soul. So even after the destruction of body, I do not die. Na hanyate hanyamane sarire (Bg. 2.20). But this realization we are lacking. Therefore, when there is some danger about my body, I become fearful. (Lecture, Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.12.4, Bombay, April 15, 1976)

Fear is due to worrying about the future. A person in Krishna consciousness has no fear because by his activities he is sure to go back to the spiritual sky, back home, back to Godhead. Therefore his future is very bright. Others, however, do not know what their future holds; they have no knowledge of what the next life holds. So they are therefore in constant anxiety. If we want to get free from anxiety, then the best course is to understand Krishna and be situated always in Krishna consciousness. In that way we will be free from all fear. In the Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.2.37) it is stated, bhayam dvitiyabhinivesatah syat: fear is caused by our absorption in the illusory energy. But those who are free from the illusory energy, those who are confident that they are not the material body, that they are spiritual parts of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and who are therefore engaged in the transcendental service of the Supreme Godhead, have nothing to fear. Their future is very bright. This fear is a condition of persons who are not in Krishna consciousness. Abhayam, fearlessness, is possible only for one in Krishna consciousness. (Purport, Bg 10.4-5)

The material existence of our present status is full of fear. Out of the four problems of material existence, namely the food problem, the shelter problem, the fear problem and the mating problem, the fear problem gives us more trouble than the others. We are always fearful due to our ignorance of the next problem. The whole material existence is full of problems, and thus the fear problem is always prominent. This is due to our association with the illusory energy of the Lord, known as maya or external energy, yet all fear is vanished as soon as there is the sound of the Lord, represented by His holy name, as it was sounded by Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in the following sixteen words: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. We can take advantage of these sounds and be free from all threatening problems of material existence. (Purport, SB 1.11.3)

If the demigods are subject to fear, what of ordinary living entities? Material life is not very happy because we are always fearful of something. No one can say, “I am not afraid of anything.” Everyone is afraid of something. There is not a bird, beast, human being or living entity alive that is not afraid of something. This is because we are absorbed in the bodily conception, thinking, “I am this body.” Since everyone is thinking in this way, everyone fears bodily destruction. When there was an earthquake in Los Angeles, everyone ran out their houses screaming. Everyone was terrified, thinking, “Now death is coming!” This is material nature. There are many events in nature that cause fear. There are great cyclones and tornadoes. There is excessive heat and excessive rain. There is flood and famine and war. Yet people are thinking of being happy on this planet. (Verse 42, Teachings of Lord Kapila)

Bhih means fearfulness. One who has no fear. If he has got fear, then how he can go out of home in the jungle? That is not possible. That is another qualification for executing yoga. Not only for yoga. Any person who is trying to elevate himself in the spiritual line, he has to become fearless. Vigata-bhih. (Lecture, Bhagavad-gita 6.11-21, New York, September 7, 1966)

Hearing about and glorifying the Lord are identical with the transcendental nature of the Lord, and by so doing, one will be always in the association of the Lord. This brings freedom from all sorts of fear. (Purport, SB 2.1.5) And if you are living with Krishna, then what is your fear? Just like Arjuna, fighting with Krishna, he had no fear. Similarly, if you live with Krishna and go on with Krishna, then what is your fear? (Philosophical Discussions with John Dewey) Krishna is the killer of fear personified. Everyone is afraid of fear personified, but fear personified is afraid of Krishna. By crying out the word “Krishna,” the boys at once transcended the fearful situation. (The Stealing of the Boys and Calves by Brahma, Ch 13, Krishna) Fear personified cannot remain in the presence of Krishna. (Letter to: Balai, San Francisco 22 March, 1968) The name of Krishna is feared even by fear personified. (Purport, SB 1.1.14)

Symbolically, mother Devaki’s constant fear of Kamsa was purifying her. A pure devotee should always fear material association, and in this way all the asuras of material association will be killed, as the ñaò-garbhasuras were killed by Kamsa. It is said that from the mind, Marici appears. In other words, Marici is an incarnation of the mind. Marici has six sons: Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Mada and Matsarya (lust, anger, greed, illusion, madness and envy). The Supreme Personality of Godhead appears in pure devotional service. This is confirmed in the Vedas: bhaktir evainam darsayati. Only bhakti can bring one in contact with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The Supreme Personality of Godhead appeared from the womb of Devaki, and therefore Devaki symbolically represents bhakti, and Kamsa symbolically represents material fear. When a pure devotee always fears material association, his real position of bhakti is manifested, and he naturally becomes uninterested in material enjoyment. When the six sons of Marici are killed by such fear and one is freed from material contamination, within the womb of bhakti the Supreme Personality of Godhead appears. (Purport, SB 10.2.8)

Of course, in India we have got many sages. They are living in the jungle, aloof from human society, without any fear, without any caring the animal or for life or fooding. How? Because he is seeing always Krishna there, so he has no fear. He has no fear. He is enjoying life there.

When Vrishasura appeared in Vrindavana as a bull, all of the gopis became greatly affected with fear. Being perturbed in that way, they began to embrace the tamala trees. This is an instance of fear caused by a ferocious animal and of the search for shelter while remembering Krishna in ecstatic love. Upon hearing the jackals crying in the forest of Vrindavana, mother Yasoda sometimes became very careful about keeping Krishna under her vigilance, fearing that Krishna might be attacked by them. This is an instance of ecstatic love for Krishna in fear caused by a tumultuous sound. This kind of fear is a little different from being actually afraid. When one is afraid of something, he can still think of past and future. But when there is this kind of ecstatic apprehension, there is no scope for such thinking. (Ch 29, The Nectar of Devotion)

Because of the presence of the Lord in the form of the transcendental vibration, the Vaikuëöha atmosphere is evoked. This atmosphere is without fear and anxiety. One living entity does not fear another. By hearing the holy names and glories of the Lord, a person executes pious activities. (Purport, SB 4.30.35)

A person may be fearful of a tiger in a dream, but another man who is awake by his side sees no tiger there. The tiger is a myth for both of them, namely the person dreaming and the person awake, because actually there is no tiger; but the man forgetful of his awakened life is fearful, whereas the man who has not forgotten his position is not at all fearful. Thus the members of the Yadu dynasty were fully awake in their service to the Lord, and therefore there was no tiger for them to be afraid of at any time. Even if there were a real tiger, the Lord was there to protect them. (Purport, SB 1.14.38) If in our sleep we dream that a tiger is coming to eat us and we chant Hare Krishna in our sleep, the Lord hears that also. (Awakening Love of God, Ch 16, Second Chance)

E-specially for Parents …

Please take your own time to read and think about it.

One young academically excellent person went to apply for a managerial position in a big company.

He passed the first interview; the director did the last interview, made the last decision.

The director discovered from the CV that the youth's academic achievements were excellent all the way, from the secondary school until the postgraduate research, never had a year when he did not score.

The director asked, "Did you obtain any scholarships in school?" the youth answered "none".

The director asked, "Was it your father who paid for your school fees?" The youth answered, "My father passed away when I was one year old, it was my mother who paid for my school fees.

The director asked, "Where did your mother work?" The youth answered, "My mother worked as clothes cleaner. The director requested the youth to show his hands. The youth showed a pair of hands that were smooth and perfect.

The director asked, "Have you ever helped your mother wash the clothes before?" The youth answered, "Never, my mother always wanted me to study and read more books. Furthermore, my mother can wash clothes faster than me."

The director said, "I have a request. When you go back today, go and clean your mother's hands, and then see me tomorrow morning."

The youth felt that his chance of landing the job was high. When he went back, he happily requested his mother to let him clean her hands. His mother felt strange, happy but with mixed feelings, she showed her hands to the kid.

The youth cleaned his mother's hands slowly. His tear fell as he did that. It was the first time he noticed that his mother's hands were so wrinkled, and there were so many bruises in her hands. Some bruises were so painful that his mother shivered when they were cleaned with water.

This was the first time the youth realized that it was this pair of hands that washed the clothes everyday to enable him to pay the school fee. The bruises in the mother's hands were the price that the mother had to pay for his graduation, academic excellence and his future.

After finishing the cleaning of his mother hands, the youth quietly washed all the remaining clothes for his mother.

That night, mother and son talked for a very long time.

Next morning, the youth went to the director's office.

The Director noticed the tears in the youth's eyes, asked: "Can you tell me what have you done and learned yesterday in your house?"

The youth answered, "I cleaned my mother's hand, and also finished cleaning all the remaining clothes."

The Director asked, "Please tell me your feelings."

The youth said, Number 1, I know now what is appreciation. Without my mother, there would not the successful me today. Number 2, by working together and helping my mother, only I now realize how difficult and tough it is to get something done. Number 3, I have come to appreciate the importance and value of family relationship.

The director said, "This is what I am looking for to be my manager. I want to recruit a person who can appreciate the help of others, a person who knows the sufferings of others to get things done, and a person who would not put money as his only goal in life. You are hired."

Later on, this young person worked very hard, and received the respect of his subordinates. Every employee worked diligently and as a team. The company's performance improved tremendously.

A child, who has been protected and habitually given whatever he wanted, would develop "entitlement mentality" and would always put himself first. He would be ignorant of his parent's efforts. When he starts work, he assumes that every person must listen to him, and when he becomes a manager, he would never know the sufferings of his employees and would always blame others. For this kind of people, who may be good academically, may be successful for a while, but eventually would not feel sense of achievement. He will grumble and be full of hatred and fight for more. If we are this kind of protective parents, are we really showing love or are we destroying the kid instead?

You can let your kid live in a big house, eat a good meal, learn piano, watch a big screen TV. But when you are cutting grass, please let them experience it. After a meal, let them wash their plates and bowls together with their brothers and sisters. It is not because you do not have money to hire a maid, but it is because you want to love them in a right way. You want them to understand, no matter how rich their parents are, one day their hair will grow gray, same as the mother of that young person. The most important thing is your kid learns how to appreciate the effort and experience the difficulty and learns the ability to work with others to get things done.

Respecting the sacred mountain

I captured this beautiful setting just to get a lighter moment from the viewer. This was on our trip to Tirupati. Tirupati is the place where Lord in the form Sri Vishnu or Sri Venkateshavara or Srinivasa Govinda resides. The mountain range on which Tirupati is situated is considered to be signifying the seven heads of Ananda Shesha. That is why devotees don't walk with slippers on the mountain. This devotee would not have any choice because he could not throw his expensive slippers. Nonetheless he came out with the good idea of carrying them. ;). The farther background in this image is very interesting. Shot in January of 2008.

Sri Sri Radha Madhava

Dear Devotees,

During my recent trip to Sri Mayapur Dham, I had captured some beautiful photos of Sri Sri Radha Madhava, which I am uploading and will be uploading in the link:

http://picasaweb.google.com/aishinice/SriSriRadhaMadhava#

So, please keep checking it for having darshan of Their Lordships. Haribol

Vrindavana Travelogue

Dear devotees,

Hare Krishna,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

By the mercy of Srila Prabhupada and Srimati Radharani, I had an opportunity to visit Sri Dham Vrindavana during the September of this year. Although my visit was very brief, I somehow managed to get into the deeper forests of Vraja for darshana. This time, I spent most of my time only in Vrindavana, chanting and having Darshan of the Deities there. I remember once, a devotee saying to me that one should always pray to the Deities of Sri Dham Vrindavana since They are all the Deities who have been worshipped by Gosvamis and pure devotees. They have enacted many pastimes with Their devotees. They are so merciful and powerful. Therefore we should always pray to Them to give us krishna-bhakti and as well as devotion to serve the mission of Srila Prabhupada, our beloved spiritual master.

Although I have take many pictures on my last visits to the holy land, I have not shared many pictures with devotees. But this time I thought I would share my images with the devotees since they also could be benefitted by having Darshan of the land of Vrindavana.

Always before entering the Vraja Dham we should always try to remember the importance of Vraja. Then our respect to this holy land and our stay here will be more spiritually fruitful. Srila Prabhupada says as follows about this transcendental land:

In Brahma-samhita the transcendental land of Vrndavana is described as being always spiritual. That spiritual land is populated by goddesses of fortune, who are known as gopis. These are all beloved of Krsna, and Krsna is the only lover of all those gopis. The trees of that land are kalpa-vrksa, wish fulfilling trees, and one can have anything he wants from them. The land is made of touchstone and the water of nectar. In that land all speech is song, and all walking is dancing, and one's constant companion is the flute. Everything is self-luminous, just like the sun in this material world. The human form of life is meant for understanding this transcendental land of Vrndavana, and one who is fortunate should cultivate knowledge of Vrndavana and its residents.(TLC 31: The Supreme Perfection)

Srila Rupa Gosvami further advises, tisthan vraje: one should live in Vrndavana or any part of Vrajabhumi. Vrajabhumi, or the land of Vrndavana, is supposed to be eighty-four krosas in area. One krosa equals two square miles. When one makes Vrndavana his residence, he should take shelter of an advanced devotee there. In this way one should always think of Krsna and His pastimes.(NoI: verse 8)

My dear Uddhava, Vrndavana is the land of rivers, forests and cows. Here the vibration of the flute was heard, and Krsna, along with His elder brother, Sri Balarama, enjoyed the atmosphere in our company. Thus the environment of Vrndavana constantly reminds us of Krsna and Balarama. On the land of Vrndavana are the impressions of His footprints, the residence of the goddess of fortune, and because of such signs we cannot forget Krsna. (KB 47: Delivery of the Message of Krsna to the Gopis)

When He comes into this universe, He, He is seen in that tract of land which is called Vrndavana. Therefore that tract of land is so sacred. Lord Caitanya describes by His mission, aradhyo bhagavan vrajesa-tanayas tad dhama vrndavanam. Aradhya, the Supreme Lord, Krsna, is worshipable Deity, and His dhama, and His headquarters -- and His dhama means headquarters-Vrndavana. Therefore Vrndavana is so important. (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila 20.385-394 -- New York, January 1, 1967)

This time, my shooting of Vrindavana was only the shooting of Deity images. As I would have Darshan of Sri Sri Radha Shyamsundar and Sri Sri Radha Ramana, my hand would immediately go to fetch my camera. Amazingly beautiful Deities. So beautiful I am out of words to describe Their beauty. The only thing I could do is to pray to Them and nothing else.

After visiting the temples, my agenda would be to have Darshan of Sri Sri Banke Bihariji and have prasadam in the Banke Bihari market since that is my favourite place for having Lassi and other types. Perhaps this is the best place in whole of Vrindavana where you could get the best lassi, hot alu-tikki, golgappe, chole, etc..

I have uploaded the photos in the link: http://picasaweb.google.com/aishinice/RealisticReflectionTheVrindavanaPart03#

October 2010

Vrindavana Travelogue - Day 01

Dear Devotees,

Please accept my obeisances!!! All Glories to Srila Prabhupada. This is my first travelogue.

This trip of Sri Vrindavana-dham was one of the most memorable trips I had. Totally engaged in the services at the temple and the college, I was little feeling myself to go out somewhere for a little break of course for spiritual rejuvenation. But it was really hard for me to believe that this place is going to be Sri Dham Vrindavana. After attending the glorious celebrations of Sri Vamana Dvadashi at ISKCON, Bangalore, I was ready for Vrindavana on the next day itself. Who knew that I would go to the transcendental land of Krishna that too with such a short notice (I actually got to know a day before)?

20-09-2010: I reached Delhi on Monday afternoon. And rushed to ISBT Kashmiri Gate to catch a bus to Vrindavana. Unfortunately we got to know that there are no buses available from ISBT Kashmiri Gate. So, we immediately hurried to ISBT Kale Khan. There we got into the bus to Agra. Pl do remember this that the buses to Agra are available from ISBT Kale Khan only. We need to get down on the way at Chatikara Bypass. And from there take an auto to Govardhana Chauraha. Moon was up in the sky shining brightly among the stars and the scintillating drops of rain when we reached Vrindavana. It was almost 8 pm and Srimati Radharani's Chathi festival celebrations were already concluded. Nonetheless we sat for the feast which obviously had many delicacies such as kachauri, matar panir sabji, rice and varieties of sweets. We honored prasadam to our soul's satisfaction and retired for the day to get ready for next day's program. It was still raining.

Spiritual Rays

Sri Shyamsundar

Sri Shyamsundar - My first best shot of Sri Shyamsundar in the year 2007. Shot during my trip in March 2007.

Life without Krishna

Life without Krishna is like empty room

Life without Krishna is like empty tummy for days

Life without Krishna is like lost in the jungle middle of nowhere

Life without Krishna is like no job and no money

Life without Krishna is like car without engine

Life without Krishna is like sleeping in darkness without any hope to get out from it

Life without Krishna is like lost soul looking and searching for our own address

Life without Krishna is like no life just living and living

LIFE WITH KRISHNA IS LIKE;

Driving Ahead

Suppose I am driving a very nice car, but I am simply absorbed in the machine only. I have forgotten my destination, where I have to go, and I am busy studying the car. What is the use? You may be driving a good car, but you must know how to reach your destination. That is your main business. Knowing how the car works is secondary. Your main business is knowing how to utilize the car so you can reach your destination. That is intelligence.

So, we have fallen into this material condition, and we are occupying various forms. As long as we are in the bodily concept—thinking "I am this 'car'"—that is ignorance. What is wanted is to think, "I am not this body. I am spirit soul, and I have to utilize this body to go to my destination—the spiritual world—where I can meet the supreme spirit, God, and live in His association." Human life is meant for understanding what the Supreme Lord is, where He lives, what He does, and what our relationship with Him is. To seek to understand these things is called inquiry into the Absolute Truth. That is actual education.

ISKCON Vs. ISKCON Bangalore

ISKCON vs. ISKCON Bangalore

BY: GADADHAR DASA

Sep 07, 2010 — DALLAS, TEXAS, USA (SUN) — Rama Das Brahmacari, in his article, "The Answer to India's Problems?" raises a series of questions:

Question 1: So how is he different from the ISKCON that he is fighting against??

Answer: The simple answer is, judge by the results as listed below for ISKCON vs. ISKCON Bangalore.

ISKCON has the following Record of Destruction:

(1) More than 90% of Srila Prabhupada's disciples were driven away or left discouraged.
(2) Thousands of disciples of self-proclaimed and rubber-stamped gurus came and have gone away.
(3) BTG distribution has gone down from ONE MILLION a MONTH in 1975 to almost nothing now.
(4) Distribution of Books, Prasadam, and Hari Nama have come to a near halt.
(5) Temples in North America, Western Europe, Australia, Latin America, and Africa have become empty or have disappeared.
(6) Child Protection Office had a list of more than 200 abusers/molesters and more than 1,000 abused/molested children, but not much has been done to abusers.
(7) More than half a dozen murders.

ISKCON Bangalore has following Record of Construction:

(1) Largest Distributor of Srila Prabhupada's Books in the world.
(2) Largest Distributor of Prasadam in the world - to more than 1.2 Million school children daily.
(3) Established more than 15 temples in a decade.

Question 2: A full belly and a Government education is the answer to India's problems?

Answer: No, it is not. Distribution of Harinama, Prasadam, and Books to change consciousness of masses is the solution. So judge ISKCON Bangalore by the above listed record.

Question 3: What about making a public statement that glorifies Srila Prabhupada and Vedic education?

Answer: Distribution of Prasadam and Books by ISKCON Bangalore is making Srila Prabhupada most famous and respected in India.

Comment: "To me, this Madhu Pandit is building his own empire and his own ISKCON, and he is using Srila Prabhupada's and ISKCON's name to do it.

Reply: Corrupt ISKCON leaders have brought tremendous disrepute to the name and fame of Srila Prabhupada and ISKCON on all continents. I am here in Dallas, Texas, USA and people are not taking Srila Prabhupada's books even when I give them free? ISKCON Bangalore is rebuilding the reputation of Srila Prabhupada and ISKCON.

Question 4: Why do we always have to corrupt everything and ruin Srila Prabhupada's mission????

Answer: When you read Akshaya Patra related material keep in mind that we are dealing with "Government and politics".

Let us not put ISKCON and ISKCON Bangalore in the same category.

Wishing All of You Well,
yhs- Gadahdar dasa

September 2010

Steps to Vaikuntha

These steps lead to the abode of Sri Pavana Narasimha. Photographed in in Jan of the yr 2007

Prahlada Padi

Prahlada Padi - School of Prahlada Maharaja. This is the cave in which Prahlada Maharaja, one of the mahajanas studied. It was indeed a very spiritual place. You can feel it when you go there. Inside the cave, is a Deity of 3-eyed Narasimha-dev. Two things interested me for shooting this photo. 1. The spiritual potency of this spot which mesmerized me. 2. The play of light and shadow on the stair case which made them look very beautiful.. This trip was the most memorable trip I had.

The Fortunate Stones

Atlast the photo of Sri Sri Radha Krishna-chandra's palace. I would say that these are the most fortunate stones in the world because they are serving Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Krishna-chandra. All the molecules shall be surely liberated. Touching these transcendental stones brings auspiciousness since they are always by the side of the Lord. Blessed stones. Shot in the yr 2007. 2007 was a break in my photography. By this time photography was still a hobby for me and I could not shoot many great photos during this yr; but only 4. And this remains the best among those 4.

Spirit from Stone

The Story of the Krishna-Balarama Deities of Vrndavana

About two A.M. I was awakened by a terrific uproar. All the peacocks in Vrndavana seemed to be trumpeting their piercing cries, producing waves of sound that swept across miles of holy land to the other side of town, echoing back and forth. I rose, dressed, and went outside to see what was going on. Lo and behold, the truck with Krishna and Balarama had pulled in! I was in Mayapur, in what is now West Bengal, when I received a letter from His Holiness Gurudasa Swami asking me to go to Jaipur to see how the carving of the twelve Deities for the Krishna-Balarama Temple was coming along. When I arrived in Jaipur, the sculptor let me stay at his home along with the twenty-five members of his household–three generations–all of whom helped with the carving. My first look at the Deities was inspiring. The two that were almost finished were good, and I suggested only a few small changes–a slight enlargement of the eyes and a change in the cheek structure. I was going by my personal experience. Indian sculptors have their own tradition, but much of it has been spoiled by years of catering to modern tastes. I was trying to stick to the old tradition, where the image is considered beautiful only when it reflects the meditative mood of the sculptor and evokes that same mood in the onlooker. There are also strict rules about proportion, but they are secondary. A small deviation in the rules can remain as long as the Deity has the proper mood. After instructing the sculptor on the few changes I wanted made, I saw two rough chunks of marble–one white and the other black–that were to become the Deities of Balarama and Krishna. I was spellbound. The two brothers were being carved in Their characteristic shapes, and just for fun the sculptors had put Them together the way They would appear on the altar, with Balarama’s elbow raised up to lean on Krishna’s shoulder and Krishna’s arms positioned to hold His flute. Enchanted, I felt I could see right through the white and black marble to the finished Deities inside. A few months later, after a short visit to our clay modeling workshop in Bengal, I returned to Jaipur. This time I watched the sculptors finish all the Deities except the one of Srila Prabhupada. The first attempt wasn’t turning out too well, so I asked them to start over again. Then I took a train up to Vrndavana to be there when Krishna, Balarama, and the other completed Deities arrived. They were being driven up on a Golden Jaipur Co. truck named “Krishna,” which I thought very auspicious. About two A.M. on the night the Deities were scheduled to arrive, I was awakened by a terrific uproar. All the peacocks in Vrndavana seemed to be trumpeting their piercing cries, producing waves of sound that started far off and then swept across miles of holy land to the other side of town, echoing back and forth. I rose, dressed, and went outside to see what was going on. Lo and behold, the truck with Krishna and Balarama had pulled in! The workmen who unloaded the truck the next morning were very nice. All day long, every day, they’d chant Hare Krishna as they worked, and when some extra service turned up, they’d do it for nothing. And although their supervisor was a Muslim, he was very concerned about the Deities. “Be careful, be careful! Don’t break Krishna!” he would shout, perspiring heavily. The crew of Muslims and Hindus labored side by side, loudly chanting as they carried Krishna, and whenever they put a box down, they would cry out in unison, “All glory to Krishna and Balarlima!” Next I spent about a month painting the Deities. The residents of Vrndavana soon learned about the new Krishna and Balaramma, and they would come to the window of the room I was working in to catch a glimpse of Them. But the Deities were always turned away from the window when I was painting, so the eager Vrndavanites would bang on the window grating with their sticks, saying, “I want to see Krishna and Balarama!” But they had to wait. When the painting was finished, I returned to Bengal for another short visit and then went back to Jaipur a third and final time to supervise the carving of the last Deity–Srila Prabhupada. The work should have taken four days, but it stretched out to a full month. Not only was the sculptor very temperamental, but on top of that he spoke only Hindi, which I can’t speak. Although communication was difficult, however, by Krishna’s mercy the work turned out nicely. Later on, in VrndAvana, I was painting the final touches on the Deity of,Srila Prabhupada’s spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, when Srila Prabhupada walked into the room to inspect the work. “Thank you very much,” he said to me. “But one thing,” he added in his gentle yet uncompromising way, “the lips should be a little more pink.” I gladly changed the color. After so many months of giving orders to sculptors, it was refreshing to take orders from a pure devotee of the Lord.

A glorious mark for a beginning

The Law of Garbage Truck

One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport.

We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us.

My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches!

The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us.

My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly.

So, I asked, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!'

This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, 'The Law of the Garbage Truck.'

He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets.

The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day.

Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so ... Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don't.

As It Is

I look at this photo, it just reminds me of only one thing - Srila Prabhupada is like this window which is between the spritual world and the material world. Just like the light which is falling on the floor, is the mercy of Krishna. It becomes more when it passes through the window of Srila Prabhupada. Isn't it amazing?

Shot at Srila Prabhupada's samadhi, Vrindavana during June 2006

My First Basic Interior

3D Maya Interior - This is my first interior art with basic lighting and texturing.

Change yourself rather than trying to change the world

Once upon a time, there was a king who ruled a prosperous country. One day, he went for a trip to some distant areas of his country. When he came back to his palace, he complained that his feet were very painful, because it was the first time that he went for such a long trip, and the road that he went through was very rough and stony. He then ordered his people to cover every road of the entire country with leather carpet.

Definitely, this would need thousands of cows’ skin, and would cost a huge amount of money. Then one of his wise servants dared himself to tell the king, “Why do you have to spend that unnecessary amount of money? Why don’t you just cut a little piece of leather to cover your feet?”

The king was surprised, but he later agreed to his suggestion, to make a “shoe” for himself.

There is actually a valuable lesson of life in this story: to make this world a happy place to live, you better change yourself - your heart; and not the world.

Yam Shyamasundaram

The Deity of Sri Shyamsundar at Krishna Balarama Mandir, Vrindavana. Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Shyamsundar were installed by His Divine Grace A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Srila Prabhupada had desired that Krishna Balarama Mandir and Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir should be a shelter for ISKCON devotees from world wide. This beautiful Deity of Sri Shyamsundar is one among the most attractive Deities on this planet. Their Lordships are worshipped with opulent flowers and on all festival days They adorn 3-4 new outfits. Very charming They are. This is the first photograph I shot of Sri Shyamsundar. After this whenever I have gone to Vrindavana, they don't allow me to shoot. :( I miss Them so much especially shooting Their photos. Hope in future They give me a chance to shoot photos of Their beautiful forms.

The Final Work

Sunset in the Spiritual World

This beautiful photo is shot in Vrindavana when I was walking and going to Vrindavana-chandra's temple in Chatikara from Krishna Balarama Mandir. This beautiful sunset only reminded me of one thing that deovtees in the spiritual world never mind for all these external changes. Their attention is just to serve Their darling - Krishna no matter whether it is a day or night. This sunset just initiates the mood of festivity in Vrindavana every evening... You can start hearing the ringing of bells, devotees moving around, shops dazzling, the echoes of mridangas and the beautiful soul stirring experience. It is just wonderful being Vrindavana and experience mystical evenings there. Shot during June 2006.

My first photoshop painting. It is for a small project and the painting is not complete. I feel I need to work more on it. By the way feedbacks are welcomed.

Don’t Let Success Go to Your Head

There’s an alarming trend: People who have had some degree of good fortune and success tend to lose their humility and become at least slightly arrogant. This is very unfortunate for many reasons. First, and most obviously, no one really wants to be around someone who is arrogant or self-absorbed. It’s boring, and it’s annoying! Arrogance implies a lack of gratitude. The assumption is, “I did this all by myself; it’s all about me.”

Factors such as our good karma, Lord’s blessings and so on are forgotten or disregarded.

In addition, when you allow success to go to your head, your stress levels skyrocket and your quality of life gradually disappears. People will stop liking you, and eventually, you’ll stop liking yourself.

Friendships slip away; obsessive busyness and a lack of time take over. Someone who was happy and relatively easy to please is now impossible to satisfy.

There are many celebrities, athletes, and business people who have done really well – their talent, timing, hard work, luck, and all the rest of it kicked in at just the right time. Yet, rather than being grateful and keeping a sense of perspective, they act as if they are somehow better or more important than others simply because they’re good at something and have enjoyed some success.

Don’t let success go to your head!

Haribol

Even the birds in Mayapur chirp the holy names of the Lord. Shot is Mayapur, this photo is from the Pushpa Samadhi of Srila Prabhupada. Shot in 2006.

The Most Attractive

The Utsava Vigraha (Processional Deity) of Sri Krishna-chandra beautifully dressed for the Jhulan Utsava.

Harmony with Nature

A beautiful railing in Pushpa Samadhi of Srila Prabhupada. The depth in the background behind is what which fascinated me. That is holy Ganges. There was a perfect harmony in air being at that spot at that time.

When people come to you to present their problems …

An executive at a large publishing company was sick and tired of boring and unproductive meetings marked by excessive hand-wringing. He enforced a rule that everyone who wished to present a problem to him first had to submit a memo answering these four questions:

1. What's the problem?

2. What's the cause of the problem?

3. What are all possible solutions to the problem?

4. Which solution do you suggest?

He now rarely has to deal with problems anymore and he doesn't worry about them. He's found that his associates have used the system to find workable solutions without tying up hours in useless meetings. He estimates that he has eliminated three-fourths of his meeting time and has improved his productivity, health and happiness. Is he just passing the buck? Of course not! He's paying those folks to do their jobs, and he's giving them great training at decision-making.

A nice small house in the campus of Radha Madhava Mandir, Mayapur. This site fascinated me a bit. Imagine staying in such a house...

Timingila Fish

Scientists Find Skeleton of Timingila Fish

BY: PATITA PAVANA DAS ADHIKARY

Jul 07, 2010 — BLAGOEVGRAD, BULGARIA (SUN) — from 'The Astrological Newsletter' by Mithuna Twiins Astrological Services.

According to an Associated Press news release dated 30 June, 2010, scientists in Peru recently unearthed the skull of a gigantic whale-eating fish, probably a timingila. Ignorant of its place in scientific Sanskrit historical literature, the mental speculators named the "newly-discovered" species leviathan melvillei after Herman Melville, author of Moby Dick.

Shrila Prabhupada was never much impressed with the slow, tedious and imperfect process relied upon by empirical science, which he called the ascending process. Our process, he emphasized, is the descending process; that is, acceptance of shastra as it comes down through the great chain of disciplc succession. Often, shastras reveal facts that lie beyond the purview of our conditioned reason and imperfect analysis. Such shastric wisdom becomes the realized domain of the faithful devotee; this is knowledge that is not meant for the faithless materialists.

The structure of the Universe, as discussed in the previous article, is one such example. Further eye-openers are flying mountains, gigantic eagles that fly from planet to planet andtimingila fish that can eat whales. Acceptance of these scriptural truths rests upon the disciple's faith. The timingila fish is described throughout the shastras. The historical epicMahabharata compares the great generals of Kurukshetra--like Karna, Bhishma, Drona, Arjuna and others--to these giant aquatics.

Shrila Prabhupada was particularly unimpressed by paleontologists who excavate fossils for fanciful clues to life's origins. He once compared such "scientists" to "dogs digging for bones". From a conversation recorded in Bombay on 9 Jan 1975, Shrila Prabhupada describedtimingila whale-eaters:

"There are nine lakh species of fish in the water. Who knows it? The shastra says. One who has seen. Who has seen how many varieties of fishes are there? But there are many, many varieties. From the shastra we get information of the whale fish, timi. And there is another fish which is called timingila. Timingila means he is so big that he swallows up this timi, whale fish, like a small... (makes gulping sound) Finished. (laughter) They are called timingila. So you have not seen. We have not seen. But theshastra says.

"Therefore we have seen because we are shastra chakshusa. You should see through the shastra. Otherwise what can you see with your tiny eyes? You cannot see, say, three yards more than that. Imperfect. Each one of your senses is imperfect. You cannot see. You are seeing the Sun, but what are you seeing? You are seeing it to be just like a disc. But it is fourteen thousand times bigger than this planet. So your naked sense perception has no value. Don't try to gather knowledge through these naked senses. Try to gather knowledge about how creation is made. And that is stated here by the authorities, such as Kapiladeva. And if you take it, then your knowledge is perfect."

The timingila fish are also described in the Shrimad Bhagavatam (8.7.18):

"The fish, sharks, tortoises and snakes were most agitated and perturbed. The entire ocean became turbulent, and even the large aquatic animals like whales, water elephants, crocodiles and timingila fish [large whales that can swallow small whales] came to the surface. While the ocean was being churned in this way, it first produced a fiercely dangerous poison called haalahala."

It should be noted that Shrila Prabhupada disputed the "scientific assumption" that thetimingila or other such creatures are "extinct."