The Melbourne Hare Krishna Temple.The latest Hare Krishna news and events.HomeWhat is this?The Home page, the diary, the calendar, the jumping off point for everything. FoodFeeling hungry?Where and when to eat. Restaurant and Temple feeding times. TeachingsWhat are they doing? Why do they do that?Philosophy and practice. What we practice and why we do it. Find UsWhere are you anyway?Names, telephone numbers, email addresses, addresses and how to get there. EventsNeed to know what’s on?The latest festival programs and upcoming events. SearchLooking for something?Search this site to find what you want.
ISKCON Melbourne
Founder: Acharya A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Founder: Acharya A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Site structure
Members
About us
Upcoming events
Last built: 7:43AM GMT 
Oct 12, 2008 (Sun).
Oct 13, 2008 (Mon).
Oct 14, 2008 (Tue).
Oct 15, 2008 (Wed).
Oct 16, 2008 (Thu).
Oct 17, 2008 (Fri).
Oct 19, 2008 (Sun).
Oct 20, 2008 (Mon).
Oct 21, 2008 (Tue).
Oct 22, 2008 (Wed).
Oct 23, 2008 (Thu).
Oct 24, 2008 (Fri).
Oct 25, 2008 (Sat).
Oct 26, 2008 (Sun).
About Us
This site is currently a work in progress. It is managed by Aniruddha Dasa the Temple President of the Melbourne Hare Krishna Community.
Our physical address is:
ISKCON Melbourne
197 Danks St
Albert Park VIC 3206
Australia
Ph. +613 (03) 9699 5122
Fax +613 (03) 9690 4093
email iskconmelb@in.com.au
Our aim is to develop a news site for our members with editors of different sections, much like any newspaper. If you want to contribute or have any suggestions we'd love to hear from you.
You can contact me here:
Aniruddha Dasa
Privacy Policy
Recently Updated Sites
| Kurma | |
 | 13/10/08 07:42pm |
| FOLK News | |
| 13/10/08 03:25pm |
| Bhakti-sastri | |
 | 12/10/08 02:29pm |
| International Soc... | |
| 12/10/08 01:29pm |
| Bhakti-vaibhava | |
| 11/10/08 09:17pm | |
News Departments
Vrndavana
From Bhurijana Prabhu ;newWindow.focus()) Got a problem? If you're having a problem, even if it's a big one, you're not alone. Dhruva Maharaja, the great devotee mentioned in Bhagavatam Canto Four, is also within the group of "problem-havers". When Dhruva left home (Bhag. 4.8.24), Srila Prabhupada in his purport spoke of a common solution to all problems. We all may not immediately be able to fully follow Prabhupada's instructions, even if due to important spiritual responsibilities, but let us deeply cherish his wise advice as ideal. "Both the mother and the son were lamenting Dhruva Maharaja's having been insulted by his stepmother and his father's not having taken any step on this issue. But mere lamentation is useless-one should find out the means to mitigate one's lamentation. Thus both mother and son decided to take shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord because that is the only solution to all material problems. It is indicated in this connection that Dhruva Maharaja left his father's capital city to go to a secluded place to search out the Supreme Personality of Godhead. It is the instruction of Prahlada Maharaja also that if one is seeking peace of mind he should free himself from all contamination of family life and take shelter of the Supreme Godhead by going to the forest. To the Gaudiya Vaisnava this forest is the forest of Vrnda, or Vrndavana. If one takes shelter of Vrndavana under Vrndavanesvari, Srimati Radharani, certainly all the problems of his life are solved very easily."Hare Krsna. ;newWindow.focus())
Two calves by Govardhana
Srila Jiva Gosvami describes kumara Krsna's playing with Balarama and Their friends in the Vrindavana forest just after they have begun to care for the young calves. Sri Jiva describes: "After arranging that the calves eat the green grass that surrounded them, the boys played until lunchtime. At that time Krsna and Balarama played Their flutes. They and Their friends hurled fruit and other projectiles at each other, kicked each other with jangling-anklet-adorned feet, and enjoyed mock-fighting pastimes in imitation of bulls fighting amongst themselves. They enjoyed water-pastimes, and, decorating themselves with forest-ornaments, They wandered about. The two brothers became filled with wonder upon seeing the varieties birds and animals within the forest. They playfully began imitating the sounds of the animals, but when They imitated the roar of some dangerous forest-beast, Their friends became - for a moment - frightened. They then enjoyed pastimes of wrestling. Grabbing each others' heels, they made a great commotion. Krsna and Balarama continued to watch as the calves ate grass and drank water. Krsna approached one calf, massaged the calf's face and limbs, hugged the calf, and said in the calf's ear, "Do you want to go to your mother? I will take you to her." Hare Krsna. One river, 2 banks, 6 boats, 2 birds, and a spot on the
camera lens that just may be the setting sun. But because the river is
the holy Yamuna in Sri Vrindavana Dham, it nevertheless is a sweet
scene. Within that scene place Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who wanders along the banks of the lotus-filled Yamuna River with His most intimate associates. His focus is His own pleasure, and due to the special quality of the Vrajabasi's loving service to Him, He is forced by that love to award them pleasure even more exalted than His own. ;newWindow.focus())
Olden Days Yamuna They have no other business. The inhabitants of Vrndavana have no other business than to satisfy Krsna, and Krsna has no other business. Yasoda-nandana brajajana-ranjana. He's acting as the little son of Yasoda, and His only business is how to please the inhabitants of Vrndavana. Yasoda-nandana brajajana-ranjana. And yamuna-tira-vana-cari. And He's wandering in the forest of Vrndavana on the bank of the Yamuna. This is the actual picture of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. But Brahma, Indra, big, big demigods, they are also bewildered. They are sometimes mistaken, that "How this cowherd boy can become the Supreme Personality of Godhead?" Just like some of us think like that. But those who are thinking like that, for them also, there is manifestation of Krsna's supremacy. Brajajana-ballabha giri-vara-dhari. Although he's engaged in pleasing the inhabitants of Vraja, but when there is need, He can lift up the Govardhana Hill -- at the age of seven years. Or He can kill the Putana at the age of three months. And so many demons used to visit daily. Krsna used to go with the calves and cows, with His friends in the forest, and every day Kamsa used to send one kind of demon to kill them - Aghasura, Bakasura, Dhenukasura,so many. So although Krsna is playing just like a cowherd boy, His supremacy as the Supreme Personality of Godhead is never absent. That is God." (lecture on Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Gorakhpur, February 17, 1971) From Bhurijana Prabhu. Hare Krsna. ;newWindow.focus())
Affectionate Calf
All that Krsna does is attractive, especially to the residents of Vrindavana. He's so attractive that almost all souls are attracted to him. But why not all? Srila Prabhupada writes in his purport to Srimad Bhagavatam 7.5.14: "Just contrary to the affairs of Vrndavana is the material world, where no one is attracted by Krsna and everyone is attracted by maya. This is the difference between the spiritual and material worlds." Due to being embedded within a false-ego, maya attracts me from the all-attractive and fills my heart with unnatural, unfulfillable desires for self-centred happiness. How selfish. How sad. On the other hand, Srila Prabhupada in the same purport describes a soul's natural attraction to Krsna and the full attraction to Krsna possessed by the residents of Vrindavana: "For iron to be attracted by a magnet is natural. Similarly, for all living entities to be attracted toward Krsna is natural, and therefore the Lord's real name is Krsna, meaning He who attracts everyone and everything. The typical examples of such attraction are found in Vrndavana, where everything and everyone is attracted by Krsna.The elderly persons like Nanda Maharaja and Yasodadevi, the friends like Sridama, Sudama and the other cowherd boys, the gopis like Srimati Radharani and Her associates, and even the birds, beasts, cows and calves are attracted. The flowers and fruits in the gardens are attracted, the waves of the Yamuna are attracted, and the land, sky, trees, plants, animals and all other living beings are attracted by Krsna. This is the natural situation of everything in Vrndavana." Isn't Vrindavana attractive? From Bhurijana Prabhu. Hare Krsna. ;newWindow.focus())
Cow Near Varshana
"The devotees are asking one question. They're wanting to know how it was that even though there is so much distance between, let's say, Govardhana and Radha-kunda and Vrndavana, Nanda-grama, Varsana, how it was that still Krsna and Radha could go and meet, and the cowherd boys could go and meet at these various places. They could go such great distances." Srila Prabhupada's reply: "That is distance for you, not for them. Just like a small ant. It goes from here to here. It is a great, three hundred miles, but for you, one step. Why do you study Krsna like you? Why do you think that Krsna was like you? Avajananti mam mudha manusim tanum asritam [Bg. 9.11]. Krsna can do anything, so (can) His associates." Simple but profound truth spoken concisely. Krsna, His associates, and the holy land of Vrindavana are extraordinary, transcendental, and are not limited by the limitations of this world. In Sri Vrindavana dhama, everything and everyone, including time, act solely for the pleasure of Krsna. Sri Prabodhananda Sarasvati therefore instructs us as he so sweetly glorifies the land of Vrindavana: "The lotus feet of Sri Caitanya are far away, and the formidable age of Kali has arrived. Therefore how can one obtain love for Sri Krsna without having intense attachment for the land of Vrndavana?" "When will I reside in Vrndavana like a helpless person while glorifying the transcendental pastimes of Sri Sri Radha and Krsna, while condemning material enjoyment because of achieving supreme bliss within the heart, and while loudly crying out, "O my dear Lord! O Syamasundara!" "Although nectar is available, I drink poison. Although I have beautiful eyes, I am practically blind. I always increase my material bondage, which is the cause of misery. O mother Vrndavana, my only hope in life is that you are most affectionate, therefore you will pull me out of worldly association and give me shelter on your lap." From Bhurijana Prabhu... Hare Krsna. ;newWindow.focus())
Mustard_and_Butterfly_1024x768
I cannot say, but one purport and one lecture of Srila Prabhupada's indicate two deep lessons we can learn from a butterfly. From a purport to the Bhagavad-gita: "One example often given is that of the caterpillar that thinks of becoming a butterfly and so is transformed into a butterfly in the same life. Similarly, if we constantly think of Krsna, it is certain that at the end of our lives we shall have the same bodily constitution as Krsna." (Purport to Bg 8.8) You see a butterfly, how it is nicely painted.You just see duplicate in both the wings. Just like an artist paint nicely, it is painted. So we think it is coming out of nothing. This is our foolishness. Here is, that it is coming out of the jnana-sakti. But His jnana is so wide that simply by His desire, simply by His will, it can be executed. These are the things to be studied. Because we cannot see something before our eyes, that does not mean there is no existence. There is existence, but we do not know how one is working, how one is working. (From a lecture by Srila Prabhupada, New York, December 16, 1966) From Bhurijana Prabhu Hare Krsna. All glories to Srila Sanatana Gosvami, whose samadhi mandir shelters all who visit him near Madan Mohan Mandir. ;newWindow.focus())
Srila Sanatana Goswami's samadhi
Srila Krsna dasa Kaviraja Gosvami notes that the mercy of Nityananda Prabhu had awarded him two special shelters: "All glory, all glory to the merciful Lord Nityananda, by whose mercy I have attained shelter at the lotus feet of Sri Rupa and Sri Sanatana!(CC Adi 5.201) He then described Sanatana and Rupa Gosvamis' specific gifts to him: By the mercy of Sanatana Gosvami I have learned the final conclusions of devotional service, and by the grace of Sri Rupa Gosvami I have tasted the highest nectar of devotional service. (CC Adi 5.203) Once, as Srila Prabhupada describes in his purport to the Bhagavatam. 4.7.7, Sanatana Gosvami awarded a poor brahmana devotee of Lord Siva with the greatest benediction. This little pastime hints at our own fortune: "Sometimes, of course, it so happens that Lord Siva becomes the best benedictor in spiritual life. It is said that once a poor brahmana worshiped Lord Siva for a benediction, and Lord Siva advised the devotee to go to see Sanatana Gosvami. The devotee went to Sanatana Gosvami and informed him that Lord Siva had advised him to seek out the best benediction from him (Sanatana). Sanatana had a touchstone with him, which he kept with the garbage. On the request of the poor brahmana, Sanatana Gosvami gave him the touchstone, and the brahmana was very happy to have it. He now could get as much gold as he desired simply by touching the touchstone to iron. But after he left Sanatana, he thought, "If a touchstone is the best benediction, why has Sanatana Gosvami kept it with the garbage?" He therefore returned and asked Sanatana Gosvami, "Sir, if this is the best benediction, why did you keep it with the garbage?" Sanatana Gosvami then informed him, "Actually,this is not the best benediction. But are you prepared to take the best benediction from me?" The brahmana said, "Yes, sir. Lord Siva has sent me to you for the best benediction." Then Sanatana Gosvami asked him to throw the touchstone in the water nearby and then come back. The poor brahmana did so, and when he returned, Sanatana Gosvami initiated him with the Hare Krsna mantra. Thus by the benediction of Lord Siva the brahmana got the association of the best devotee of Lord Krsna and was thus initiated in the maha-mantra, Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare." From Bhurijana Prabhu... Hare Krsna. ;newWindow.focus())
Nandagram_sunset_1_1024x768
Srila Rupa Gosvami in Uddhava Sandesha sweetly describes Nandagram, the boyhood home of Krsna, to Uddhava, His dear friend and the best of theYadavas: "O best of advisers, Uddhava! You please go to Nandagram, the capitol of Nanda Maharaja, which is situated on a beautiful hill covered by wonderful creepers and the best of trees and surrounded by a wall made of priceless jewels....With banana trees shaken by agitating winds and full of fragrant ashoka flowers, that beautiful, wonderful transcendental abode of Nanda Maharaja will bring you unlimited bliss." "There, in Nandagram, you will see many calves that look like white crystals as they run around after freeing their tails from the hands of the cowherd boys. You will also see many calves frolicking after having smelled the tips of new grass." "Dear friend, in this world there are many holy places, places that are forms of My very self, places I have created to please devotees like yourself. Still, I vow to you again and again, and I do not lie to you, no other holy place pleases Me more than Vraja." After describing to Uddhava the pure and full love of the residents of Vrindaban, Srila Rupa Gosvami expresses the desire that caused his writing Uddhava Sandesha at the poem's end: "May this book make a great flood of bliss flow in the heart of Sri Krsna Caitanya, whose lotus feet are Sri Rupa Gosvami's shelter, and who, His heart overcome with bliss by thinking of Lord Krsna's pastimes in Vraja,with sincere ecstatic love again and again wildly danced in the famous circle of Vraja." ...and he concludes with a benediction: "May merciful Lord Sri Krsna, who enjoys childhood pastimes with Sridama and other boy friends, who enjoys rasa-dance pastimes with the young gopis, and who contemptuously kills many wicked demons, carry you all to the dry land on the other side of the ocean of repeated birth and death." From Bhurijana Prabhu... Hare Krsna. ;newWindow.focus())
Wheat near Sundrak
Krsna also compared the waving grains in the winter-fields of Vraja to dancing girls, dressed in multi-coloured clothes. Lord Brahma also composed prayers in Vraja to glorify Krsna and to seek His forgiveness. Brahma first described his Lord's beauty, as He stood before him dressed in a yellow dhoti that shimmered as brilliantly as gold. Brahma then glorified the unlimited and unknowable Lord, who nevertheless can be known through hearing about Him. Brahma then declares bhakti as the "best path of self-realization", comparing other paths, especially the speculative path, to the beating of empty husks of wheat in an attempt to gain grain. śreyah sṛtiḿ bhaktim udasya te vibho All glories to the wheat grown in the soil Vraja, for it gives pleasure to Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead! From Bhurijana Prabhu ;newWindow.focus())
Calf and 6 young firm hands
"The white hue of the pure-minded cows, who were sitting along the side of the road, which looked as white as powdered camphor, easily surpassed the glow of the the full moon and it created a satisfying sight for all.The beautiful white bodies of the cows could only be distiguished from the lustrous setting due to their thick horns, for they appeared blacker than a swarm of bumblebees. Sitting there peacefully, the cows felt boundless joy. "Desiring to milk the cows, the gopas met with Krsna, who tastefully performs all artistic feats and derives pleasure from all that He does. Moving His lotus eyes in all directions, Krsna milked the cows with great fun and affection. "Krsna's turban looked very attractive as it tilted slightly from rubbing against the bellies of the cows. Squatting down and holding the golden milk pail between His knees, Krsna looked enchanting in His glimmering yellow dhoti. While milking the cows, Krsna's back arched beautifully and His elbows jutted out to the sides as He squeezed and released the udders with His bud like fingers. First Krsna moistened His thumb and forefinger with milk foam, and then He deftly pulled showers of milk from one udder after another. The touch of Krsna's lotus hand felt dearer to the cows than the touch of their own calves. Out of affection for the Lord, the cows freely poured forth streams of milk.The forceful pouring of milk made a pleasant sound as it filled the deep milking pot as the milk spilled out on the ground before a new pot could be brought to replace it." From Bhurijana Prabhu... ;newWindow.focus())
Raman Reti bandhur Hare Krsna. The monkeys of Raman Reti can undoubtedly be cute. But are they wise? Mostly they use their amazing climbing skills to wander from tree to roof to balcony for the purpose of foraging for soft leaves, berries, or other eatables. When they're not eating they fight, mate, or sleep. But, however, I've noted that they can also be clever and quite brave. Many strongly built males will always fiercely fight to protect from attack the young within their family. That can be said to be a type of wisdom, for it is required for the family's survival, but are monkeys truly wise? Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura told a story about a wise old monkey and those of his followers who listened to him. And, of course, the lesson to be learned by noting the fate of those who didn't. A Wise Old Monkey A king used to maintain a group of monkeys for providing entertainment for his sons. The monkeys were very nicely fed with sumptuous delicacies everyday. The leader of the monkeys was well-versed in the scriptures of such wise personalities as Sukracarya, Brhaspati and Canakya, and he used to teach the other monkeys these scriptures.There was also a pack of sheep in the king's palace and the little princes used to ride them for fun. One of those sheep was very fond of eating anything from the palace kitchen. The cooks in the kitchen had to beat the sheep quite often to prevent it from causing mischief. The monkey leader thought that this kind of behaviour every now and then may result in something disastrous for the monkeys in the long run. "The sheep are extremely gluttonous and the cooks, on the other hand, are very adept in beating the sheep with whatever they find at hand. In case the cooks at any time start hitting the sheep with a burning stick from the fire, then the furry body of the sheep would surely start burning.When such a burning sheep starts running around in frenzy and by chance enters into the nearby horse stable, then the hay inside will catch on fire and the entire stable along with its horses will be ablaze in no time. One ancient expert Salihotra, who is well versed in animal husbandry prescribes that burns on horse flesh can be healed by animal skin obtained from monkeys. Accordingly, the king will have the monkeys killed." Apprehending thus, the wise old monkey leader called on all the monkeys confidentially and told them, "In a place like this where the sheep and the cooks are in constant confrontation, we, the monkeys, are sure to meet with our destruction. So, let us take refuge in a forest somewhere before we are destroyed en masse." But the arrogant young monkeys did not have anyrespect for the wise old monkey's advice. They simply ridiculed the old monkey, saying, "You must be under some sort of delusion due to your advancing age, and so you are talking like a lunatic. We are not interested in leaving the palace for forest life only to live on distasteful fruits; here we are being fed with nectarean varieties of foodstuffs by the princes themselves." Upon hearing the puffed-up monkeys retorting like this, the old monkey told them with tearful eyes, "O fools, you do not know the results of such pleasure. Don't you know this will be ultimately destructive for you! So let me leave for the forest alone - I don't want to see your deaths." Saying thus, the monkey-leader started for the forest, leaving behind all the other monkeys.Following this, one day that greedy sheep entered into the kitchen.The cook struck the beast with burning firewood. Immediately the sheep started crying and ran straight into the nearby horse stable. As the sheep, with the fire all over its body, started rolling desperately over the hay-stack kept in the stable, the entire pavilion caught fire and many of the horses were burnt to death while the others just ran amok, resulting in a great consternation all over. The king immediately summoned his veterinary surgeon for the treatment of the horses. The surgeon quoted Salihotra's prescription that monkey's tallow was essential for the quick healing of the burns suffered by the horses. So the king ordered that treatment should immediately be undertaken to save the horses, and accordingly he also issued his instructions to kill the monkeys to collect their tallow. The monkey leader got the news and was very much depressed. This moral story as narrated by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, transpires that anyone who faithfully follows the instructions of his real spiritual master and engages himself in the devotional service to theSupreme Lord unflinchingly, will certainly attain ultimate welfare. Those who contemplate that the ageing advisor (spiritual master) might be under delusion and may not know more than a common person knows, and instead of following him follow evil companions, will certainly meet with a disastrous end. From Bhurijana Prabhu. I meant to post this some time ago but it slipped me by... ;newWindow.focus())
Mustard Near Akrura Ghat
Seeing Krsna everywhere is certainly easier in Vraja dhama. It is said that the flowers from the mustard plant are close in colour to the golden complexion of Srimati Radharani. And that the Yamuna River is dark, as is the complexion of Sri Krsna. Thus simple mustard plants flowering near the bank of the Yamuna remind us of Sri Sri Radha Krsna. To remember Krsna always with a favourable mood is eminently satisfying, purifying, and moves us towards perfecting our relationship with Krsna. This particular photograph was taken close to Akrura ghat, where Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu resided during his stay in Vrindavana. Akrura, while carrying Krsna and Balarama to Mathura in his chariot, bathed in the Yamuna.While bathing, he saw Krsna and Balarama, who were still in his chariot, in the Yamuna River as Visnu and Ananta Sesa. When Akrura returned from his bath and again saw Krsna and Balarama upon the chariot, he gazed at the two brothers in amazement. Seeing the expression on Akrura's face caused Krsna to ask, "Have you seen something wonderful on the earth, in the sky or in the water? From your appearance, We think you have." Akrura, understanding Krsna's supreme position, replied, "And now that I am seeing You, O Supreme Absolute Truth, in whom reside all amazing things on the earth, in the sky and in the water, what amazing things could I see in this world?" To see and remember Krsna is indeed the most amazing thing. Indeed, Sri Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami states "There is no consummation for the eyes other than the sight of Krsna. Whoever sees Him is most fortunate indeed."(CC Adi 4.154) From Bhurijana Prabhu who arrives in Melbourne tomorrow for the retreat on the weekend. He'll be here for the two weekends after. He returns to Perth on 15th May. Hare Krsna. ;newWindow.focus())
The Sadhu Enters
These are some shots I received from Bhaktisiddhanta Swami earlier this
week. Dear Aniruddha Prabhu Pamho AgtSP ;newWindow.focus())
Krsna-balarama
;newWindow.focus())
Radha-syamasundara
;newWindow.focus())
Radharani
;newWindow.focus())
Radha-ramana
Hare Krsna. Four fortunate souls associating with the Yamuna River. Had we pure
spiritual vision, what would we see? Srila Bhaktivinoda
Thakura describes the bank of the River Yamuna in an intimate
lila-kirtana. ;newWindow.focus())
Peaceful Four ami jamuna-puline, kadamba-kanane, ki herinu sakhi! aj!Oh sakhi! My dear girlfriend! What have I seen today? In a kadamba grove on the banks of the Yamuna, a beautiful blackish boy holding a long flute named Vamsi is seated upon a throne of jewels, performing His pastimes as the King of all transcendental mellows! krsna-keli sudha-prasravana astha-dalopari,Situated upon the eight petals of the jewelled altar is Sri Radha and Sri Hari surrounded by Their attendants the eight chief gopis. There Krsna performs His amorous pastimes which are just like a waterfall of nectar. sugita nartane, saba sakhi-gane, tusche jugala-dhaneBy singing sweet songs and by dancing nicely, all the gopis satisfy the treasured Divine Couple. Thus I am beholding Krsna's pastimes with His beautiful female consorts expanding throughout the splendrous forest. ghare na jaibo, bane pravesibo, o lila-raser tare tyaji'For the sake of the mellows of such pastimes, I will not go to my home, but I will instead enter into the forest. Renouncing all shyness due to fear of family members, just worship the Lord of Vraja. This is the humble submission of Bhaktivinoda. From Bhurijana Prabhu.
Gaura Purnima is celebrated on the third, that's today, in India,
Perth also. ;newWindow.focus())
Imli-tala
Hare Krsna. All glories to Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu on His appearance day! During Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's stay in Sri Vrindavana dhama, the Lord would chant japa near the Yamuna River beneath the spreading branches of the tamarind tree known as Tentuli-tala, or Amli-tala. Krsna Himself is known to have sat beneath this old tree and lamented in separation from Srimati Radharani. The tree departed from this world within the past 15 or 20 years, and the Gaudiya Math temple spires in the photograph's background mark the place where the tree previously grew. Sri Caitanya-Caritamrta describes Mahaprabhu's pastimes at Imli Tala as follows: The next morning Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu returned to Vrndavana and took His bath at Cira-ghata. He then went to Tentuli-tala, where He took The tamarind tree named Tentuli-tala was very old, having been there since the time of Lord Krsna's pastimes. Beneath the tree was a very shiny platform. From Bhurijana Prabhu ;newWindow.focus())
At the Yamuna nearing Sunset
The Yamuna River bank calms the mind and offers peace and shelter to all, including those souls in the attached photo who are sitting peacefully at the bank of the Yamuna as the sun begins to set. Even when Krsna and Balarama for the first time entered the Vrindavana forest from Gokula, They felt great happiness upon seeing Vrindavana itself, Giriraja Govardhana, and the peaceful bank of the Yamuna River. Srila Prabhupada describes Their festive entrance into Vrindavana in his Krsna Book: "Everyone then loaded all their household furniture and utensils onto the carts and prepared to go to Vrndavana. All the children, women and old men of the village were arranged on seats, and the cowherd men equipped themselves with bows and arrows to follow the carts. All the cows and bulls were placed in the front along with their calves, and the men, with their bows and arrows, surrounded the herds and carts and began to blow on their horns and bugles. In this way, with tumultuous sound, they started for Vrndavana. "And who can describe the damsels of Vraja? They were all seated on the carts and were very beautifully dressed with ornaments and costly saris. They chanted the pastimes of child Krsna as usual. Mother Yasoda and mother Rohini were seated on a separate cart, and Krsna and Balarama were seated on their laps. While mother Rohini and Yasoda were riding on the cart, they talked to Krsna and Balarama, and feeling the pleasure of such talks, they looked very, very beautiful. "In this way, after reaching Vrndavana, where everyone lives eternally, very peacefully and happily, they encircled Vrndavana, drew all the carts together in a half circle, and in this way constructed a temporary residence. "When Krsna and Balarama saw the beautiful appearance of Vrndavana, Govardhana Hill and the banks of the river Yamuna, They felt very happy. As They grew up They began talking with Their parents and others in childish language, and thus They gave great pleasure to all the inhabitants of Vrndavana." (KB 11: Killing the Demons Vatsasura and Bakasura) The latest Care for Cows newsletter can be downloaded in .PDF format here... Care for Cows in Vrindavan (India) maintains abandoned cows, bulls, retired oxen, and orphaned calves. We are international volunteers who offer our talents and resources to tend to the neglected cows living in Krishna's holy land. We provide stray cows hay, flour, fresh grass, medical attention and a place where they can recuperate from injuries. At present we host a herd of one hundred sixteen. |
;newWindow.focus())
;newWindow.focus())
;newWindow.focus())
;newWindow.focus())