Isn´t it absolutely wonderful how merciful Krishna is towards us insignificant souls? My Gurudeva once said that attaining the siddha deha is the most wonderful gift awarded to us by Sri Krishna. “…but according to the feelings the soul develops, it will attain a purely transcendental body” (from Svetasvatara Upanisad) How utterly beautiful. It is our … Continue reading Developing loving feelings to attain our goal

In his transcendental vision, Śrī Raghunātha relishes the blissful eagerness on Rādhikā´s lotus-like face. When the practising devotees follow in the footsteps of the ācāryas they can also relish the sweetness of Svāminī's face in their meditations. In deep meditation the vicinity of the beloved deity is vividly experienced. The devotee will no longer think: … Continue reading At heart, the Gaudiya Vaisnavas always cry for Radharani

Śrīla Ṭhākura Mahāśaya says, śrī-rūpādi mañjarī-gaṇera anugā haiyā, prema-sebā niba cāiyā. “Having longed for it, I shall receive the loving service of Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Mādhava from the mañjarīs led by Śrī Rūpa Mañjarī.” There is a specific reason he has used the words prema-sevā here instead of just sevā. Prema, love, is the best thing … Continue reading Prem seva – loving devotional service

Rādhā and Śyāma felt boundless bliss when They saw Each other in the kitchen. In this way even the kitchen had become a Rasavatī, a delicious place. "When will You thus fully immerse me in an ocean of bliss?" The devotee thinks: "I want to become happy by making You happy!" Everyone in the world … Continue reading Rādhā and Śyāma meet during a wonderful meal

In his svarūpāveśa Śrī Raghunātha has a vision of his devotional service and when the vision vanishes he prays: "Ayi Kuśale! O all-auspicious Svāmini! When will You enter the kitchen after washing Your feet and offering Your obeisances to Vrajeśvarī Yaśodā and other superiors?" The maidservant changes Śrīmatī's clothes and ornaments and dresses Her in … Continue reading Radhika cooks and Krishna spies on Her

All the śāstras and mahā-jana vāṇīs loudly proclaim (with the loud sounds of the Dundubhī-drum of glory) the glories of serving the bhaktas. In Śrīmad Bhāgavata, Śrī Vidura Mahāśaya tells Śrī Maitreya Muni — yat sevayā bhagavataḥ kūṭasthasya madhudviṣaḥ ratir āso bhavet tīvraḥ pādayor vyasanārdanaḥ (3.7.19) "O Muni! By serving all these devotees of the … Continue reading THE GLORIES OF SERVING THE BHAKTAS

VERSE 80: RĀDHA DĀSYAM APĀSYA YAḤ PRAYATATE GOVINDA SAṄGĀŚAYE SO'YAṀ PŪRṆA SUDHĀ RUCEḤ PARICAYAṀ RĀKĀṀ VINĀ KĀṄKṢATI KIṀ CA ŚYĀMARATI PRAVĀHA LAHARĪ BĪJAṀ NA YE TĀṀ VIDUS TE PRĀPYĀPI MAHĀMṚTAMBUDHIM AHO BINDUṀ PARAṀ PRĀPNUYUḤ rādhā dāsyam - Rādhā's service; apāsya - giving up; yaḥ - who; prayatate - endeavours; govinda saṅga - Govinda's company; āśaye … Continue reading RĀDHA DĀSYAM – our goal

The more the devotee experiences, the more the devotee's devotional hope increases. When devotion appears in the heart the devotee feels himself unqualified, but he is also bound by strong hopes for attaining the beloved: kva jano'yam atīva pāmaraḥ kva durāpaṁ rati bhāgbhir apy adaḥ iyam ullalayaty ajarjarā gurur uttarṣa dhurā tathāpi mām (Utkalikā Vallari … Continue reading Hope

Śrī Raghunātha dāsa perceives Śrī Rādhā's pastime of going to Nandīśvara to cook for Kṛṣṇa in the early morning. He is himself not the controller of these visions - they come to him spontaneously. When the pastimes manifest themselves spontaneously he relishes them and when they vanish he prays. He is not able to decide … Continue reading Radhika is on Her way to cook for Her Beloved