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A Monthly E-Magazine from the Bhaktivedanta Vidyapitha with Illuminating Perspectives on the Srimad-Bhagavatam
CONTENTS JANMÄÑÖAMI
An Eventful Tour!..............2
Verse of the Month..........6 SPECIAL
The Seven Effects of
Hearing About Kåñëa........7
Bhägavata Praväha...........8
Pari-praçna.........................10
Quiz Corner.......................10
Analogy Arena..................11
An Eventful Tour!
www.vidyapitha.in September 2018 | Issue 15 | Page 2
AN
EVENTFUL
TOUR!
Lessons from Kåñëa’s
entrance into Mathurä
It was almost evening when Kåñëa, Balaräma and the Now, the eagerness of the residents of Mathurä is
cowherd boys went to tour the splendorous city of fulfilled, as they got to personally see Kåñëa’s
Mathurä. Kåñëa was born in Mathurä, but on that charming form. They were overwhelmed with
very day, his father Vasudeva took Him to Gokula. happiness. With their lotus like faces blooming with
Since then, Kåñëa lived in Vraja with mother Yaçodä, affection, they showered Kåñëa with the flowers of
Nanda Mahäraja, the cows, cowherd boys and girls. their loving glances and smiles. Many people offered
Now, Kåñëa came to Mathurä upon the invitation of Kåñëa various presentations. They appreciated the
wicked Kaàsa, His maternal uncle. Having taken great fortune of Vrajaväsés who would daily see Kåñëa
permission from Nanda Mahäräja, Kåñëa went to see to their heart’s content.
the city.
Great Arrogance Punished
Intense Eagerness Satisfied Kåñëa Delivers the Wicked Washerman
Kåñëa gives His darçana to the Mathurä-väsés
On the way, Kåñëa and Balaräma came upon a
More than Kåñëa wanting to see the city, the city washerman who was carrying colorful clothes for
longed to see Kåñëa. Madhurädhi-pater akhilaà
King Kaàsa. Kåñëa, who is complete in all respects,
madhuraà: Everything is sweet about Kåñëa, the politely requested him for some garments, promising
Emperor of Sweetness, the real Lord of Mathurä. The
him a great benefit in return. What a fortune! While
people of Mathurä often heard about Kåñëa’s sweet
millions of devotees eagerly wait for an opportunity to
and valorous deeds in Våndävana and had developed a
render some service to the Supreme Lord even
deep attraction for Him. To the extent one feels
indirectly, that same Lord voluntarily came to this
attraction towards an object, to that extent, one is
washerman asking for some cloth.
eager to see it.
When one's material body becomes mature, one can no longer enjoy as in youth; but
Lord Kåñëa's body never reaches so-called middle age, since it is always full of spiritual
youthful bliss. (SB 10.1423 P)
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Devotees do not ask anything from the Lord in exchange for their service. Thus the
Lord becomes a kind of debtor to the devotees, and He can only try to repay the
devotees’ service with His ever-enchanting smile. . (SB 3.8.27 P)
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In the spiritual world there is anxiety, there is crying, and there are other feelings similar
to those of the material world, but the reality of these feelings is in the transcendental
world, of which this world is only an imitation. (SB 10.8.25 P)
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In her past life Kubjä was Sürpaëakhä, the sister of Kåñëa then went to the sacrificial bow of Kaàsa
demoniac king Rävaëa. When Lord Räma was in and broke it causing terror in the heart of Kaàsa.
Païcavaté forest during His exile, she fell in love with He and Balaräma killed the wicked soldiers who
Him. However, Räma had vowed to accept only one wife tried to attack Them. Then the Lords concluded
and didn’t accept Çürpanakhä. So, Çürpanakhä tried to Their eventful tour and returned to Their
devour Sétä-devé. But Lakñmaëa quickly cut away her ears residence and rested for the day.
and nose. Her love refused, disappointed Sürpaëakhä
The Lord is the ultimate proprietor of everything,
went to Puñkara-tértha. Wishing to get Lord Räma as her
husband, she stayed underwater and meditated on Lord as this entire universe manifested from Him. One
who voluntarily offers things to the Lord with
Çiva for ten thousand years. When Çiva appeared before
her, she asked him to grant Çré Räma as her husband. Lord love, like ascetic Çabari and the aborigine lady
offered fruits to Lord Räma and Lord Kåñëa
Çiva said that her desire would be fulfilled at the end of
Dväpara-yuga, in Mathurä City. By Lord Çiva’s blessing respectively, receives all blessings from Him. But
if one arrogantly holds back things for one’s own
she now became Lord Kåñëa’s beloved.
selfish interests, the things anyway will leave him
Thus Kåñëa also awarded Trivakrä a conjugal relationship and ultimately reach the Lord and His devotees.
with Himself. The now beautiful and charming Trivakrä Yet His reciprocation, whether with the noble
asked Kåñëa to come to her house grabbing his upper ones or the wicked ones, ultimately causes them
cloth. Kåñëa promised her a visit after He had finished great fortune.
certain duties and continued His tour.
anayärädhito nünaà
bhagavän harir éçvaraù
yan no vihäya govindaù
préto yäm anayad rahaù
Certainly this particular gopé has
perfectly worshiped the all-powerful
Personality of Godhead, Govinda,
since He was so pleased with Her that
He abandoned the rest of us and
brought Her to a secluded place.
(SB 10.30.28)
Hearing about the glories and pastimes of Kåñëa, especially His childhood pastimes, has many
beneficial effects, as mentioned by Parékñit Mahäräja. (10.7.1-20).
1. Karëa-ramyäëi: Very pleasing to the ears 5. Sattvam ca çuddhyati: Heart becomes purified
“There is no satiation or tiring in hearing the transcendental “Simply by receiving the glories of the Lord through
pastimes of the Personality of Godhead, who is glorified by purified transcendental ears, the devotees of the
hymns and prayers. Those who have developed a taste for Lord are immediately freed from strong material
transcendental relationships with Him relish hearing of His desires and engagement in fruitive
pastimes at every moment.” (1.1.19) activities.” (9.24.62)
2. Mano-jïäni: Very attractive to the mind 6. Bhaktiù harau: Devotional attachment and
service to the Lord
“Those words describing the glories of the all-famous
Personality of Godhead are attractive, relishable and ever “The manifestation of unadulterated devotional
fresh. Indeed, such words are a perpetual festival for the service is exhibited when one’s mind is at once
mind, and they dry up the ocean of misery.” (12.12.50) attracted to hearing the transcendental name and
qualities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead,
3. Apaiti aratiù: Vanishes unattractiveness who is residing in everyone's heart. Just as the water
“Paramahaàsas, devotees who have accepted the essence of of the Ganges flows naturally down towards the
life, are attached to Kåñëa in the core of their hearts, and He ocean, such devotional ecstasy, uninterrupted by any
is the aim of their lives. It is their nature to talk only of Kåñëa material condition, flows towards the Supreme
at every moment, as if such topics were newer and newer. Lord.” (3.29.11-12)
They are attached to such topics, just as materialists are
7. Tat-puruñe ca sakhyam: Friendship with
attached to topics of women and sex.” (10.13.2) devotees or association of devotees
4. Apaiti vitåñëä: Vanquishes disinterest (caused by dirty Påthu Mahäräja prays, “My dear Lord, I therefore
things in mind) do not wish to have the benediction of merging into
“For one who is anxious to engage constantly in hearing such Your existence, a benediction in which there is no
topics, kåñëa-kathä gradually increases his indifference existence of the nectarean beverage of Your lotus
towards all other things. Such constant remembrance of the feet. I want the benediction of at least one million
lotus feet of Lord Kåñëa by the devotee who has achieved ears, for thus I may be able to hear about the glories
transcendental bliss vanquishes all his miseries without of Your lotus feet from the mouths of Your pure
delay.” (3.5.13) devotees.” (4.20.24)
When Kåñëa comes to establish real perfection in the social order, He personally gives
protection to the cows and brähmaëas. Without protection of the brähmaëas and the cows,
there can be no human civilization and no question of happy, peaceful life. (SB 10.4.41 P)
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LORD BRAHMÄ’S
CREATION
[Çrémad-Bhägavatam,
Canto 3 Chapters 12-14]
by Vijay Krishna Kumar Das
BHĀGAVATA
PRAVĀHA
The Flow of Çrémad-Bhägavatam
After describing about ‘time,’ Maitreya describes about the hindrances Lord Brahmä had to face during his
creation (3.12). Brahmä creates the four Kumäras, Lord Çiva and then the ten sages, in order to populate the
universe. When they render ineffective in helping him, he creates Sväyambhuva Manu and Çatarüpä, who
effectively carry out the service of populating the universe. Maitreya further describes about the events leading
to the appearance of Lord Varäha (3.13-14).
Brahmä First Creates Ignorance They attempted to devour the universe which scared
Brahmä. Then Brahmä told Rudra to stop creating
A living entity cannot live in material conditions of life unless such progeny and perform austerity. Rudra agreed
he forgets his real identity, so Brahmä created ignorance as a and went to the forest.
matter of necessity. The ignorance created by him has five
features. (1) ignorance of svarüpa (tamah), (2) forgetfulness of
one’s real identity (moham), (3) possessiveness (mahä-moham), The Väk Episode
(4) anger upon frustration (tämisram) and (5) sense of death Brahmä then gave birth to ten sons from different
(andha-tämisram). Seeing this sinful creation, Brahmä became parts of his own body. Närada took birth from his
displeased. He purified his mind by meditating upon the Lord. deliberation, Vasiñöha from breathing, Dakña from
thumb, Bhågu from touch, Marici from mind and so
Brahmä Creates Kumäras and Rudra on. Religion and irreligion took birth from his right
breasts and back respectively. Similarly factors
Then he created the four Kumäras who were free from fruitive instigating adharma – lust, desire, anger, greed,
actions as their semen flowed upward. Brahmä asked them to power of speaking (väk), etc. also took birth from
create progeny, but they refused as they were devoted to Brahmä’s body. Brahmä got attracted to his
Väsudeva and aimed only at liberation. This made Brahmä daughter väk, though she was not. Seeing Brahmä
angry, but he tried to control it. Yet his anger came out deluded his sons headed by Marici, respectfully tried
through his eyebrows as a child with blue and red complexion. to dissuade him. As their efforts failed, they prayed
Brahmä named him Rudra and designated eleven places for his to the Supreme Lord, to protect dharma. Hearing
residence – heart, senses, air of life, sky, air, water, fire, earth, this, Brahmä felt ashamed and gave up his body
sun, moon and austerity. Brahmä also offered him eleven wives (mentality), which transformed into fog. However,
called Rudräëés and asked him to create progeny on a large his power of creation did not diminish due to his
scale. Rudra then created progeny similar to himself in distraction because of väk, and Brahmä continued
strength, form and furious nature. his service of creation.
After meditating for millions of years, Lord Brahmä could understand the
transcendental form of the Lord as Çré Kåñëa, in the dress of a cowherd boy, and
thus he recorded his experience in the Brahma-saàhitä. (SB 3.8.26 P)
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Prahläda Mahäräja was influenced by Kåñëa, the supreme planet, and thus he
could not think of the material world and live without Kåñëa consciousness. That is
the sign of a mahä-bhägavata. (SB 7.4.37 P)
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By continuously drinking the nectar of the beauty and sweetness of Çré Kåñëa, the
residents of Våndävana felt no hunger, thirst or fatigue, and Kåñëa, by seeing their
beautiful forms, also forgot about eating, drinking and sleeping. (SB 10.25.23 P)
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ANALOGY ARENA
When one is face to face When a bumblebee enters the When a potter's wheel is spinning,
with the sun, there is no opening of a lotus flower and who has set it in motion? It is the
longer darkness for one's drinks its honey, it is fully potter, of course, although sometimes
eyes. Similarly, when one is protected by the petals of the we can see only the motion of the
face to face with a sädhu, a lotus. The bee is undisturbed wheel and cannot see the potter
devotee, who is fully by sunshine and other external himself. Therefore the Lord, who is
determined and surrendered influences. Similarly, one who behind the motion of the cosmos, is
to the Supreme Personality always seeks shelter at the called avyakta-bandhu. Everything is
of Godhead, one will no lotus feet of the Personality of within the limits of time, but time
longer be subject to material Godhead is protected from all moves under the direction of the Lord.
bondage.(SB10.10.41 P) dangers. (SB 5.1.19 P) (SB 10.3.26 P)
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Bhaktivedanta Vidyapitha
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Sloka Recitations Govardhan_Eco_Village%2FBhaktivedanta_Vidyapitha_Slokas_Recitation
By His personal features and transcendental attributes, the Lord attracts all
psychological activities of a pure devotee. Such is the attractive power of Lord
Kåñëa. (SB 1.7.10 P)