Click here if you are interested in an independent and/or assisted living in and around Washington DC area - Vedic Style Community

Vegetarian Food Festival in Ashburn, VA. Mon Nov 16. 7p - 9:30p. Sumptuous Dinner and learn to make authentic Indian Bread - Naan. Click here for details

Tue Nov 3 - Katyayani vrata begins

According to Vedic civilization, unmarried girls from ten to fourteen years of age are supposed to worship either Lord Siva or the goddess Durga in order to get a nice husband. But the unmarried girls of Vrndavana were already attracted by the beauty of Krsna. They were, however, engaged in the worship of the goddess Durga in the beginning of the hemanta season (just prior to the winter season). The first month of hemanta...read more...

Mon Nov 2 - Sri Nimbaditya - Disappearance

Garga Samhita, Canto 10, chapter 61, verses 23, 24, 25, 26
vamanas vidih sesah sanako visnu vakyatah
dharmartha hetave caite bhavisyanti dvijah kalau
Vamana, Brahma, Ananta Sesha and Sanaka Kumara will appear as brahmanas by the order of Visnu, for the preservation of eternal righteousness in kali yuga...read more...

The True Spirit of Separation
by Sri Srimad Bhakti Pramode Puri Gosvami (Sun Nov 1 - His Disappearance day)
After Gaurahari, Who descended to purify this age of Kali, made Himself invisible to the eyes of the world, the preaching of His religion of love carried on more or less uninterruptedly up until the time of Sri Baladeva Vidyabhushana. In the time that followed, though there were still many advanced devotees present on the planet, a period of darkness descended on Mahaprabhu’s school of devotion. Many heterodox sects came into existence that vocally claimed to be following Mahaprabhu, but in fact were simply using ...read more...

Sun Nov 1 - Srila Kashishvara Pandit - Disappearance
Excerpted from "Sri Chaitanya: His Life & Associates" by Srila Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Maharaj

pura vrindavane cetau sthitau bhringara-bhangurau
shri-kashishvara-govindau tau jatau prabhu-sevakau

Srila Kashishvara Pandit (also Brahmachari or Goswami) was Krishna’s servant Bhringara and Govinda was Bhangura. They became Mahaprabhu’s servants in Gaura-lila. Some Kashishvara was the sakhi Sasirekha...read more...

Sun Nov 1 - Srila Bhugarbha Goswami - Disappearance
Excerpted from "Sri Chaitanya: His Life & Associates" by Srila Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Maharaj

lokanathakhya-gosvami shri-lila-maïjari pura

Lokanatha Goswami was known as Lila Manjari in Krishna lila.
(Gaura-ganoddesha-dipika 187)
Lokanatha is considered to be Mahaprabhu’s direct disciple and associate. Prior to coming to Nabadwip, he lived in the village of Talakharii in Jessore district in what is now Bangla Desh. Prior to that, he lived in Kacna Paria. His father’s name was Padmanabha Chakravarti and his mother Sita Devi. The...read more...

Sun Oct 25 - Sri Dhananjaya Pandita -- Disappearance
Caitanya-Bhagavata says that Dhananjaya Pandita had all the symptoms of a great personality. At every moment he was dear to Nityananda Prabhu's heart. In this way, Vrndavana dasa Thakura describes the glories of Dhananjaya Pandita. Dhananjaya Pandita's birthplace was in Sitalagrama. This village is in the Bardhaman district in Katwa and is situated near the Mangalakota police station and the post office of Kaicara. Sri Bhaktivedanta....read more...

Sun Oct 25 - Sri Gadadhara Dasa Gosvami -- Disappearance

Excerpts on Sri Gadadhara Pandita
Los Angeles, CA : May 30, 2000
Tridandisvami Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Narayana Maharaja
[The following are two excerpts about Srila Gadadhara Pandita Prabhu. We are submitting these excerpts because on June 25, 2006 we will all observe Sri Gadadhara Pandita Prabhu's divine appearance day. The first is an excerpt from a lecture given in Los Angeles, on May 30, 2000. In this lecture, Srila Narayana Maharaja glorifies our Srila Prabhupada Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaja in his relationship with Sri Gadadhara Pandita Prabhu.]

Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaja came to this world with the mission of Iskcon – Vaisnavism. What was that? It is the same mission as Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. And who is Mahaprabhu? He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krsna Himself. But He is also more than that; He is not only Krsna. He is the combination of both Srimati Radhika and Krsna. Sri Krsna has combined with Srimati Radhika, His power....read more...

Sun Oct 25 - Gopastami, Gosthastami
Gopasthami is the day that Lord Sri Krishna first starts taking the calves out to graze. Once they grow into cows, Sri Krishna starts tending the cows because they won't go to pasture with anyone except Sri Krishna. Gostha is the place where the Brijabasis live, so Gosthastami means that on this day in celebration of these occasions, the Brijabasis hold a big festival.

Sun Oct 25 - Sri Sri Srinivasa Acarya -- Disappearance
Appearance Day of Srinivasa Acarya and Disappearance Day of Srila Madhavendra Puri
Badger, CA, USA, Thursday, 15 May 2003
Tridandisvami Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Narayana Maharaja

Srinivasa Acarya was the disciple of Srila Gopal Bhatta Gosvami, and He was trained by his siksa- guru, Srila Jiva Gosvami. He introduced many melodies for kirtanas, and he was such an exalted devotee that our Srila Rupa Gosvami and the other Gosvamis depended upon him. They directed him: "You should go and preach in Bengal, and distribute all the literature written by us (Srila Rupa Gosvami, Srila Sanatana Gosvami, Srila Jiva Gosvami, and the other Gosvamis.") Along with his associates, Srila Narottama dasa Thakura and Srila Syamananda Prabhu, he took their order and books, bound for Bengal....read more...

Thurs Oct 22 - Sri Srimad Bhaktisrirupa Siddhanti Maharaja ~ Appearance
Reflecting on Unique Aspects of Srila Prabhupada's Preaching and Teaching
Excerpts from A Glorification of theTranscendental Life and Precepts of Srila Prabhupada
Written for the occasion of Srila Prabhupada's Appearance Day, 26th Febuary 1970 by Sri Srimad Bhakti Srirupa Siddhanti Goswami Maharaja

His Internal Bhajana
We notice two prominent aspects of Srila Prabhupada’s supramundane pastimes. The first is his internal (antaranga) bhajana, which is comprehended only by those of his disciples whose anarthas have been eradicated. This principle is indicated in the following pastime. The damsels of Vraja, who were afflicted with pangs of separation from Krishna, the embodiment of all nectarean rasa, met Him at Kurukshetra. There, by attracting Him and ...read more

Wed Oct 21 - Tridandisvami Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaja ~ Disappearance

Defending Srila Prabhupada's Integrity
[Just before Srila Narayana Maharaja gave his 2005 Holland class regarding Prabhupada on the subject of women, he ordered us to compile some of Prabhupada's quotes in order to eradicate any doubt.
The purpose of this compilation is to defend Srila Prabhupada's integrity and the integrity of the Vedic literatures (including Srimad-Bhagavatam and Bhagavad-gita). Moreover, it is to help the devotees who have this doubt, because they don't really want to have it. They love Prabhupada and they want to serve the mission of his guru-parampara. They find some of his statements pinching, and that makes them sad because they don't want anything to come in the way of their devotional mood towards him. The purpose of this compilation, then, is to assist the devotees in reading those quotes in a different way – in the truly positive way in which Prabhupada intended them to be understood.
A concern was raised: "It sometimes appears that Prabhupada and the scriptures criticize women, saying that they are lower than men or that they are always compared with sudras." The quotes below have been compiled to assure such readers that this is not so. He does not criticize any particular class of persons. Rather he criticizes all consciousness other than Krsna ...read more

Tue Oct 20 Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Vamana Gosvami Maharaja ~ Disappearance

The Deep Meaning of Akhanda Guru-tattva
A letter written by Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Vamana Gosvami Maharaja
Sri Goloka-ganja Gaudiya Matha
Goloka-ganja, (Dhubadi)
Assam
6th June 1972
Affectionate greetings.
Sri Guru, the Vaisnavas and Sri Bhagavan – these three are antaryami. In other words, they are the internal witnesses and know our heart. They see the Truth and speak the Truth. They extend their causeless compassion to the conditioned souls of this world in ways that are unnoticed by mortal intelligence and inconceivable to it. Truly nothing in this world can compare to ....read more

Tue Oct 20 - Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Trivrikrama Gosvami Maharaja ~ Disappearance

Why Do We Not Like to Love Krsna?
by Srila Bhaktivedanta Trivikrama Maharaja
[Mathura, India: October 1996]
We want to do what pleases us most. The liking for that activity is called ruci. Why do we not like to love Krsna? Why do we not like to serve Him? This is the point of our discussion today. We like that which gives us pleasure through our senses; but Krsna is such that He cannot be known by our senses. He is transcendental, and therefore He transcends our senses. Our senses cannot know Him nor can they reach Him. Through our senses, we cannot taste if He is sweet or not. ...read more

Mon Oct 19 - Sri Vasudeva Ghosh -- Disappearance Vasudeva Ghosh, an intimate associate of Lord Caitanya, was known for his kirtana. Sri Caitanya-caritamrta says that when Vasudeva Ghosh led kirtana, even wood and stone would melt upon hearing it. He composed many songs about Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Vasudeva Ghosh and his brothers Govinda and Madhava are eternal associates of Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityananda Prabhu. CC - Adi Lila 10.115 govinda, madhava, vasudeva----tina bhai yan-sabara kirtane nace caitanya-nitai SYNONYMS govinda--of the name Govinda; madhava-...read more...

Mon Oct 19 - Yama DvitiyaYama Dwitiya is observed on the first day of the waxing phase of moon (Shukla Paksha) in Kartik month and is one of the last celebrations during Diwali. Yama Dwitiya 2009 date is October 19. Yam Dvitiya is associated with Lord Yama, the Hindu god of Death, visiting his sister Yami and is a symbol of love between brothers and sisters. Yama Dwitiya is also known as Bhai Dhooj or Bhau Bij or Bhai Beej and Bhai Teeka.

Sun Oct 18 - Sri Rasikananda Deva Goswami - Appearance
by Srila Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Maharaja

In the Christian year 1590 (Sakabda 1512), on the first day of the bright fortnight of the month of Kartik, during the night of the festival Dipamalika, when the houses are decorated with rows of lamps, Sri Rasikananda Deva made his appearance in this world. His father was Sri Acyuta Deva, the king of Rohini. After passing many years without having a male issue, Sri Acyuta Deva, by the...read more...

Sun Oct 18 - Govardhana Puja, Go Puja, Go Krda
The Esoteric Meaning of Annakuta by Sri Srimad Bhakti Prajnana Kesava Gosvami Maharaja

In the year 1949 Sri Srimad Bhakti Prajnana Kesava Gosvami Maharaja, along with his god-brothers and disciples observed Kartika-vrata in Ayodhya. On 22 October 1949, on the occasion of Annakuta-mahotsava, he delivered the following short discourse.

There is a mantra in the sruti that proclaims:
annam vai brahma
Food grain (anna) is identical to the supreme transcendental entity (brahma-vastu).
One must realize the meaning of sruti through vidvad-rudhi-vrtti*, a profoundly learned understanding of its...read more...

Sat Oct 17 - Diwali Festival

10th October. 1968, (Letter from Srila Prabhupada to Hamsadutta dasa written from Seattle., Letters book Vol 1. p.549.)
Diwali ceremony can be observed in the temple by illuminating 100's of candles, indifferent parts of the temple, and offering a special Prasad to the Deity. This ceremony was observed by the inhabitants of Ayodhya, the Kingdom of Lord Ramachandra, while Lord Ramachandra was out of His...read more...

Wed Oct 14 - Sri Narahari Sarakara Thakura - Disappearance
“Sri Narahari Thakura was one of the associates of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He was always with Him, and He wrote an astakam, eight slokas, about Him. In the first sloka he wrote, ‘Sacinandana Gaurahari was the leader of the cheaters of cheaters. He was a very big cheater-the leader of cheaters. He is Krishna Himself, so why did he take sannyasa and saffron cloth and the golden color of Srimati Radhika? Why is His hair always standing on end in asta-sattvika vikara? It is because Radha's mood is there. He is hiding Himself, and therefore He is the greatest cheater in this world.’” (Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami Maharaja)

About four miles west of Katwa, within the Barddhaman district is Sri Khanda, the birthplace of Sri Narahari Sarakara Thakura. Sri Mukunda Dasa, Sri Madhava Dasa and Sri Narahari Dasa were brothers. Sri Mukunda's son was Sri Raghunandana Thakura. ...read more

Sun - Oct 11 - Appearance of Sri Radha Kunda, taking bath in Radha Kunda (Snana-dhan) and giving in charity. Bahulastami
Sri Radha Kunda clean up seva
From Srila Prabhupada's "Krsna Book," Chapter 35, "Kamsa Sends Akrura For Krsna" "One demon named Aristasura entered the village like a great bull with a gigantic body and horns, digging up the earth with his hoofs. When the demon entered Vrndavan, it appeared that the whole land trembled, as if there were an earthquake. He roared fiercely and after digging up the earth on the riverside, he entered the village proper. The fearful roaring of the bull was so piercing that some of the pregnant cows and women had miscarriages. Its body was so big, stout and strong that a cloud hovered over its body just as clouds hover over mountains. Aristasura entered Vrndavan with such a fearful appearance that just on seeing this great demon, all the men and women were afflicted with great fear, and the cows and other animals fled the village. ...read more Wed Oct 14 - Rama Ekadasi Yudhisthira Maharaj said, "O Janardana, O protector of all beings, what is the name of the Ekadasi that comes during the dark fortnight (Krishna paksha) of the month of Karttika (October - November)? Please impart this sacred knowledge to me. The Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna then spoke as follows, "O lion among kings, please listen as I narrate to you. The Ekadasi that occurs during the dark part of the month of Karttika...read more... Mon Oct 12 - Appearance day of Sri Srimad Bhakti Raksaka Sridhara Gosvami Maharaja

Sri Rupa Manjari Pada
by Srila Narottama Thakur
Commentary by Srila Bhakti Rakshaka Sridhara Maharaja:

Sri-rupa-manjari-pada, sei mora sampada,
sei mor bhajana-pujana
sei mora prana-dhana, sei mora abharana,
sei mor jivanera jivana
sei mora rasa-nidhi, sei mor vancha-siddhi,
sei mor vedera dharama
sei brata, sei tapa, sei mora mantra-japa,
sei mor dharama-karama

anukula habe viddhi, se-pade hoibe siddhi,
nirakhibo e dui nayane
se rupa-madhuri-rasi, prana-kuvalaya-sasi,
praphullita habe nisi-dine

tuya adarsana-ahi, garale jaralo dehi,
ciro-dina tapita jivana
ha ha rupa koro doya, deho more pada-chaya,
narottama loilo sarana

Sri-rupa-manjari-pada, sei mora sampada, sei mor bhajana-pujana- my everything is Sri Rupa Goswami’s holy feet. We are to discuss so many classifications and positions of rasa: santa, dasya, sakhya, vatsalya, madhura. And in madhura-rasa Radharani’s camp is special. Then again there are so many gradations of sakhis. Then there is the class of the manjaris, the...read more...

Sun - Oct 11 - Appearance of Sri Radha Kunda, taking bath in Radha Kunda (Snana-dhan) and giving in charity. Bahulastami
Pastimes In This Month Of Kartika
Monday, 28 October 2002
Tridandisvami Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Narayana Maharaja
(Part 2 of the lecture entitled, "A Phoned Glorification of Kartika Month")

.... In this month Krsna killed Aristasura, and as a result of that killing Radha Kunda and Syama Kunda were manifest. That pastime took place today, (Oct 28) and this holy day is called Bahulastami....read more...

Sat Oct 10 - Srila Gurudeva receives Srimati Radharanis direct mercy!
KARTIKA NECTAR UPDATE!! This Morning the pujari from Seva Kunj came to Srila Narayana Maharajas Temple with a plate of Maha Prasad. He told Srila Gurudeva that every night they leave a plate of prasad out for Radha Krsna and the sakhis when they get Hungry from dancing and love sports in Seva Kunja. Last night Srimati Radharani came to the head pujari in a dream and said please take the remnants of the Maha Prasad and Garland to my sakhi who is known as Narayana Maharaja. So the pujari did as ordered. Srila Gurudeva took a bite and then the sannyasis distributed the mercy to one and all.

SRIMATI RADHARANI KI JAYA!!!!! SRILA GURUDEVA KI JAYA!!!
Your Servant
B.V. Bhagavat Maharaja

Thurs Oct 8 - Disappearance Day of Srila Narottama dasa Thakura
Sri Kesavaji Gaudiya Matha, Mathura, November 2, 1996

Today is the disappearance day of Srila Narottama Thakura dasa, so it is a very sacred day. Srila Narottama dasa Thakura took birth in West Bengal as the son of a very great king, and he was a beautiful prince. The king was one of two brothers, but there was only one son in the family. Still, from the beginning of his life he was very pure and devoted, and he remained a life-long brahmacari, never marrying. At the age of sixteen he left home and went to Vrndavana with Sri Syamananda Prabhu and Srinivasa Acarya...read more...

Srila Hari Das Thakur said...
From CC Antya 3.49-63
One day Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu met Haridasa Thakura as usual, and in the course of discussion He inquired as follows. "My dear Thakura Haridasa, in this Age of Kali most people are bereft of Vedic culture, and therefore they are called yavanas. They are concerned only with killing cows and brahminical culture. In this way they all engage in sinful acts. How will these yavanas be delivered? To My great unhappiness, I do not see any way." Haridasa Thakura replied, "My dear Lord, do not be in anxiety. Do not be unhappy to see the condition of the yavanas in material existence. Because the yavanas are accustomed to saying ...what?

The following "Vaisnava Ke" (What kind of Vaisnava are you), was written by His Divine Grace, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur Prabhupada:

1) O wicked mind! What kind of Vaisnava do you think you are? Your pretentious show of chanting Lord Hari's Holy Name in a solitary place is only for the sake of attaining the false prestige of a worldly reputation: It is nothing but pure hypocrisy. ...what are other 18?

Sat Oct 3 - Fourth month of Caturmasya begins - Beginning of Urja-vrata
Niyama Seva: (following certain rules and regulations for Kartika vrata). Fasting from urad dahl, sesame seeds, mustard seeds and mustard oil for one month. Damodara Masa starts

A Disappearance Day Lecture
by Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Maharaja

Srila Narayana Maharaja offering arati to his Gurudeva
[An excerpt]
October 10, 2003;
Mathura, India

Which is greater - puja (worship) or stuti (making our offerings full of love). Simply ringing bells and performing arati is not sufficient. These activities should be full of emotions, bhava, and our hearts should be attached to the object of worship. During this month, if we pray to Sri Krsna, Srimati Radharani will be pleased, and if we pray to Srimati Radharani Krsna will be pleased. This is the way to make our offerings in this month.

This month of Kartika comes after the rainy season. It is a very beautiful season and it has been described in the Srimad-Bhagavatam. Yamuna and .....read more....

Sat Oct 3 - Sri Murari Gupta -- Disappearance
Parishads: Sri Murari Gupta
by Srila Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Maharaja

murari-gupto hanuman
angadah shri-purandarah
yah shri-sugriva-namasid
govindananda eva sah

Murari Gupta was Hanuman in Ramachandra’s lila; Purandara was Angada and Govindananda Sugriva. (Gaura-ganoddesha-dipika 91)
The word gupta means “hidden”, so the name Murari Gupta indicates that Murari (Sri Chaitanya Deva) had secretly taken up permanent residence in his heart. (Chaitanya Bhagavat 2.10.31)

Murari Gupta took birth in a family of Ayurvedic physicians in the district of Sylhet.

Murari Gupta is a physician for the material disease. He was amongst the many associates of Mahaprabhu who appeared in Sylhet. (Chaitanya Bhagavat 1.2.35)

The names of his parents are unknown. He was somewhat older than Mahaprabhu. When his family moved from Sylhet to take up residence in Nabadwip, they lived in the same neighborhood as Sri Chaitanya, so Murari was Nimai’s companion in many of his childhood pastimes. It is also written in the Chaitanya Charitamrita that Murari observed Mahaprabhu’s childhood pastimes. His name is included in the Chaitanya Bhagavat’s list of associates who appeared prior to Mahaprabhu’s incarnation....read more...

Click here for the remainder of the home pages

Tamil language (translations by Sripad Bhagavati Kanta Prabhuji)
1. Butter Thief (new from the press. printed July 6, 2009)
2. Essence of Bhagavd Gita
3. Siva Tattva
4. Secret Truths of Undiscovered Self
5. Updesamrata (in translation and typing)
Marathi language
6. Harinama Mahamantra
7. Durvasa Muni and his ashram
Malyalam language (translations by Sripad Sukesh Prabhuji)
8. Essence of Bhagavd Gita
9. Harinama Mahamantra (translated, typed, ready for print...looking for a $300 donation to print)
Telgu language (translations by Sripad Prof. CBV Subbarayudu Prabhuji)
10. Essence of Bhagavad Gita (translated, being typeset currently. Looking for a $300 donation to print).

For donations please email: igvt.hbg@gmail.com