Author: Bhaktabandhav

  • The Raganuga Tendency and Vaidhi Tendency

    ByBhaktabandhav

    “As long as the intelligence is under the control of maya, human nature must be regulated by rules and prohibitions. Thus, in this condition the vaidhi nature will certainly be in effect. When the intelligence is liberated from the bondage of maya, however, human nature no longer needs to be governed by rules and prohibitions; rather, it is prompted by spontaneous love. In this condition, the vaidhi tendency no longer remains, and the raganuga tendency becomes manifest. This raganuga tendency is the unadulterated nature of the jiva. It is the perfected state of the self, transcendental, and free from bondage to dull matter.”

  • Mischief and Mirth – Govinda-lilamrta

    ByBhaktabandhav

    Kavirāja Gosvāmī collected and saved this vraja-līlā for the sādhakas. If one takes shelter of līlā-śakti that is called pāramārthika dīkṣā. There are two types of dīkṣā. One is when conditioned souls go to kula gurus or other authorities and take mantra dīkṣā, thinking, “How can I become pure and happy in my life?” With this desire they accept a Guru according to the etiquette of society…

  • A Big Bluff

    ByBhaktabandhav

    For example, a guru may have thousands upon thousands of disciples, he may perform very sweet kirtana, he may be loving to all, and he may be very humble. But then, after some time he decides, “I should marry a lady. All my disciples are householders, so if I am not a householder, how will I understand their problems? To understand their problems and to know their position, I will have to marry. Otherwise, how can I help them?” This is a big bluff. In this case he is marrying his own daughter; accepting her as his disciple and then marrying her. This is an offense…

  • Krsna dances with the Gopis – 15 June 1996

    ByBhaktabandhav

    Krsna could not answer any of the questions the gopis put forward. Earlier, Krsna had make the yajna-patnis return home. He told them, “You should return to your homes and serve your husbands.” But, He could not make the gopis return home. Thus, the rasa-lila started. One Krsna danced between each of the sixteen thousand gopis. So, He assumed sixteen thousand forms. Krsna sang in the fifth note. He sang, “Sa-re-ga-ma-pa.” But the gopis sang in the seventh note. They sang so beautifully that Krsna said, “Sadhu! Sadhu!” Krsna could not contest with the gopis…

  • Krsna is the Controller – 12 July 1996, Vancouver

    ByBhaktabandhav

    I am of the mood that “I will be on one side and the entire world will be on one side.” Svamiji also had this mood like me. Svamiji would have remained in this world for some more days. But they started controlling Svamiji. The soul can never control anyone. Krsna is the controller. You should always have faith in Krsna and in harinama…

  • Blush of the Lotus – Govinda-lilamrta

    ByBhaktabandhav

    One sakhī said to Śrīmatī as they walked through the forest gardens in the morning, “Look Rādhe, just see this bumblebee on the blossoming lotus. He came to drink nectar from the lotus flower but once he started he could not stop drinking till night fell. The lotus closed with him still inside and the bumblebee slept. Now the lotus blossomed and the bee is looking around wondering, ‘Where am I?’ He rolls about on his soft bed and notices that his body now has a wonderful fragrance. He thinks, “I work hard making holes in wood, but there is no rasa in that work…”

  • Chastity

    ByBhaktabandhav

    “Chastity means our adherence to the truth. The truth that we have come to realize, that truth is in Krsna consciousness. Krsna consciousness is not a limited thing that one can capture in his hand and swallow. It is of infinite character. There is gradation and there is room for progress in Krsna consciousness. We will say that one is chaste due to his own sincere progress, not due to adherence to the figure, the formal conception.”

  • The Agony of Departure – Govinda Lilamrta

    ByBhaktabandhav

    He comes to torment and chastise Them. He is the cause of Their parting and the intense burning They feel in Their hearts. The sun’s illumination is not merely an inert source of light or heat. The sun’s brilliance and fierce heat is a form of Radha-Krishna’s love for each other. He is born from the burning agony of separation the Divine Couple feel, knowing They must part in the day. When night approaches, Radha-Krishna’s hearts cool with the knowledge They will soon be together without inhibition. This mood in Their hearts manifests outwardly as the moon….

  • Whose Side Are You On?

    ByBhaktabandhav

    The question is, whose side are you on? Are you on the devotees’ side, or the demons’ side? If you are on the bhaktas’ side, you may have to lie or cheat the demons, but this is pleasing to Krsna. But if you are on the demons’ side, even if you always tell the truth, because you are envious and inimical to the devotees, this is not dharma. Krsna is not pleased…