Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavas take shelter of the mode of worship called rāgānugā-bhakti (devotion in the wake of divine passions). Devotion in the wake of Vraja’s rāgātmikā devotion is called rāgānugā bhakti – virājantīm abhivyaktaṁ vrajavāsī janādiṣu rāgātmikām anusṛtā yā sā rāgānugocyate (B.R.S. – 1.2.271) In order to understand rāgātmikā or rāgānugā bhakti we must first understand … Continue reading rāgānugā-bhakti and the power of hearing

Śrī Śrī Prema-Bhakti-Candrikā, verse 4 guru mukha padma vākya, hṛdi kori mahā śakya āra nā koriho mane āśā śrī guru caraṇe rati, ei se uttama gati, ye prasāde pūre sarva āśā (4) "The words that emanate from Guru's lotus mouth give the heart sufficient strength to attain Kṛṣṇa. Do not covet anything else. Attachment to … Continue reading Śrī Guru-tattva, part 2

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu taught Sanatan Goswami— mane nija siddha deha kariyā bhāvana "Use the mind for contemplating your siddha deha." (CC 2.22.157) The Lord similarly instructed Ramananda Raya- siddha dehe cinti kore tāhāi sevana "Visualize your siddha deha and mentally serve in that form." (CC 2.8.229)   Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu evā sādhaka-rūpeṇa siddha-rūpeṇa cātra hi | tad-bhāva-lipsunā kāryā … Continue reading The essence of it all

sri caitanya mano'bhīṣṭam (Mahaprabhu´s innermost heart's desire) => unnatojjvala-rasāṁ sva-bhakti-śriyam (the highest aspect of madhura prema rasa) => tat-tad-bhava-icchatmika ( the desire or longing for relishing the sweetness of the sweet sentiments or bhavas of the Vraja gopis) => radha snehadika (a love with more inclination towards Radhika) => mañjarī-bhāva caitanya mano'bhīṣṭaṁ sthāpitaṁ yena bhūtale … Continue reading mañjarī bhāva – The innermost desire of Sriman Mahaprabhu’s heart

The abode of pure devotion - the lotus feet of Śrī Guru śrī guru caraṇa padma, kevala bhakati sadma bandoṅ mui sābadhāna sane yāhāra prasāde bhāi, ei bhava tariyā jāy kṛṣṇa prāpti hoy yāhā hoite "Carefully I praise the lotus feet of my Śrī Guru, that are the only abodes of pure devotion. O brother (mind), … Continue reading Śrī Guru-tattva, part 1

Nowadays, many people consider the process of DIKSHA-initiation as an empty ritual which actually doesn't do anything as far as enlightening you in any way. They even go as far as to claim that DIKSHA is not required and therefore not really necessary. As evidence they produce Srila Jiva Goswamipada´s words in his Bhakti Sandarbha. In … Continue reading Diksha – an outdated and unnecessary ritual from ancient times?

Śrī-Śrī Prema Pūrābhidha stotram – “Praises like a stream of love” (Śrīla Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī) VERSE 2: SMARA GṚHAM AVIŚANTI VĀMYATO DHĀMA GANTUṀ SARAṆIM ANUSARANTĪ TENA SAṀRUDDHYA TŪRṆAM BALA SABALITA KAKKVĀ LAMBHITĀNTAḤ SMITĀKṢĪ KṢAṆAM API MAMA RĀDHE NETRAM ĀNANDAYA TVAM O Rādhe! Being unsubmissive, You once refuse to enter into Cupid's abode and You turn … Continue reading Śrī-Śrī Prema Pūrābhidha stotram (Śrīla Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī), verse 2