Importance of Radha Kunda for Gaudiya Vaishnavas

Importance of Radha Kunda for Gaudiya Vaishnavas

Anyone who wants to progress seriously in his Krsna consciousness, it become quintessential for him to take shelter of Radha Kunda. The spiritual world is three fourth of the creation of the supreme personality of godhead, but still there is a hierarchy in the spiritual world too. It is same in tattva but in Rasa there is a hierarchy and in it Radha Kunda holds the top most position leaving behind Govardhana Hill which krsna lifted with his lotus hand, the exalted twelve forests of vrindavaan, mathura puri and vaikuntha respectively. The super excellent Radha Kunda stands supreme for it is over flooded with ambrosial nectarine prema of the lord.

Radha Kunda situated at the foot hills of Govardhana is a place where the advance devotees prefer to reside as this place is the site of many memories of the eternal loving affairs between radha rani and Krsna, the rati vilasas.

Radha Kunda is so exalted because it belongs to srimati Radha Rani who is the most beloved gopi of Sri Krsna. It so happened, after the killing of demon Aristasur, which came in the form a bull, the gopis started to tease Krsna that since he had killed a bull, he has inculcate lot of sins. And now, he need to get purified by bathing in all holy rivers. Krsna evoke the deities of all holy river and with them syama kunda was made. Krsna took the bath there and counter tease gopis that since they have sided with a demon, now all sins have accumulated in their accounts. The gopis also tried to make their kunda by digging with their bangles and started to fill it with yamuna water. It was on persuasion of deities of all holy river that Radha rani allowed them to fill her Kunda. And since than Radha kunda is represented as the liquefied love of Radha Rani for Krsna. Radha Kunda is so pure that it is very rarely attained by even the great personalities like Narada and Sanaka, what to speak of ordinary devotees who are engaged in Vaidhi bhakti.

Even it is stated in Caitanya Caritamrita, madhya lila, when Caitanya Mahaprabhu visited the holy dham of Vrindavaan he searched for Radha kunda. But he couldn't find. Finally he found paddy fields which he could recognise as exact spot of Radha Kunda and took bath in the water there. Later that pond was excavated by the devotees of Caitanya Mahaprabu, headed first by six Goswamis of Vrindavaan such as Rupa Goswami and Raghunath Das Goswami. So when the Caitany Mahaprabhu himself stressed upon the importance of Radha Kunda, who came to freely distrubute freely the love of Godhead than how can any Gaudiya Vaishnav ignore his instructions. Hence the spiritual importance and divine nature of Radha Kunda can't be realised by any other Vaishnava sampradayas who are not the followers of Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

Because it was so much stressed upon by Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Rupa Goswami recommended that if one can't permanently stay on the banks of Radha Kunda, he must take bath in it as many times as possible as Radha Kund is so potent that it can bestow pure love of Krsna in wake of gopis with just one bath. Hence those Gaudiya Vaishnavas who are eager to return home to transcendental realm of Krsna, Goloka Vrindavaan by attaining their spiritual bodies {siddha- dhea} in wake of the lady friends {sakhis} and confidential serving maids {manjaris} of srimati Radha Rani should take shelter of Radha Kunda. Hence, the conclusion for all Gaudiya Vaishnavas is that one should give up all material conceptions and bath regularly at Radha Kunda under the guidance of Radha Rani and her assistant gopis.

Srila Prabhupada attitude towards bathing and residing at Radha Kunda.

According to to Srila Prabhupada, one should give up all material conceptions and bath regularly in Radha Kunda under the shelter Sri Radha and her assistant gopis, as mentioned in the purport of text 11 of Upadeshamrita. Prabhupada not only highlighted the potency of radha kunda but also the exclusivity of it's availability, which is not easily attained by great personalities like Narda and Sanata.

But when Prabhupäda was present, he heard that some devotees were behaving frivolously in Radha Kunda. He became angry and forbade them to bathe there. Since Radha Kunda is so exalted for gaudiya vaisnavas that even Caitanya Mahaprabhu stressed upon it. If such an exalted place is taken cheaply than this is an offens. And instead of spiritually uplifting, it can lead to a fall down of devotee.

Hence Srila Prabhupada forbade devotees to take bath in Radha kunda. Sirla Prabhupäda gave permission according to time, place and circumstance and withdrew it likewise. The injunction, however, to bathe in Radha Kunda is set down in scripture in a permanent form, including Prabhupäda's purport. We can understand Prabhupäda's anger had to do with the neophyte attitude of enjoying spirit, offensive to Srimati Radha rani and not to the spiritual principle of bathing in Radha Kunda. The conclusion is that we should adopt the serious, mature, reverential mood desired by the äcäryas and take bath there for our eternal, spiritual benefit.

In room conversation on August 16, 1976, Prabhupada again stressed upon the point that how one should behave at Radha Kunda;

1. One should have thoroughly controlled all his vegas according to upadeshamrita text 1, vaco vegam, mansa krodha vegam.... and when he becomes dhira, Like in Bhagvad gita 2.13 dhiras tatra na muhyati..., a sober person remain unchanged, that's one'e qualification to live at Radha Kunda. Not like that he live there with three dozens of seva dasis. Prabhupada explained it with an example that how his Guru Maharaj wanted to print Govinda-lilamrita and he seek permission from Bhaktivinoda Thakur, who said that if he was so eager to publish than he should publish only one copy of it. He strictly forbid him to print for distribution. So first one have understand Krsna properly and than Krsna Lilas not jump in rasa lila immediately. Similarly Prabhupada stressed upon that first one should be Dhira rather than jumping like monkeys in Radha Kunda.

2. Another thing pointed out By srila Prabhupada is that one should inculcate the right behaviour by following the footsteps of the acharyas who have resided at Radha Kunda and learn how to deal with Radha Kunda. Like Raghunätha däsa Gosvämé showed how to live in Radha Kunda. Saìkhyä-pürvaka-näma-gäna-natibhiù kälävasäné-kåtau. He was circumambulating Radha Kunda, falling down. Not only he counted holy names, but offered obeisances so many hundred times. So much vairägya he showed. He can take bath in the Radha Kunda. One have to follow like Raghunätha däsa Gosvämé than he can bathe in Radha Kunda.

3. One should not act independently when he have a guru. Therefore one need to take permission from his Guru to bathe in Radha Kunda. As we sing everyday Guru-mukha-padma-väkya cittete kariyä aikya ära nä kariha mane äçä , hence it becomes mandatory to taken order from Guru Mahäräja.

Hence the conclusion is that Prabhupada wanted everyone to stay at Radha Kunda and bathe there daily because it constituted the highest perfection of devotional service but at same time he didn't want Radha Kund to be taken cheaply. Instead of bathing there he stressed more on to inculcate the service attitude towards Radha Kunda and by service one will eventually realise the divinity and glories of Radha Kunda.

 

Whom to make boss of your company?

 

Chant, Chant and Chant!

 

Lalita is very much intrested in worshipping deities and not so much intrested in chanting. So here are few points that I prepared to pursue her to regulate her sadhana.

1. From durashrey to Eternal shelter and finally Higher Taste - For life times after life times we were under the leadership of false shelter wealth, power, body, athiestic influence na mam duskrtino mudha... {BG7.15} and because of this our soul has become forgetful of Krsna. We try experiencing happiness in all these material things but have failed to do so. But still after recieving this universal defeat, it doesn't dampen our intermediate hope that we will win and will one day have our happily ever after. We underutilize our intelligence and misuse our energies for the lost cause. To break this pattren we need to focus our energy on spiritual advancement to find our eternal shelter. And to do so, there is the process of Krsna Consciousness which can make us permenently happy. Hence we need to use our intelligence to get the higher taste and give up the lower taste. The only way possible to break out of old habits of multiple lifetimes is by following the process of Krsna Consciousness which is sincere chanting of the holy names.

2. Poison in the beginning and nectar in the end- It may appear that the endevour for serious chanting is a difficult task. It may seem tedious and non intresting initially but if we sustain through it, we may eventually reach the nectar of the holy name. It is also confirmed in Bhagvad Gita 18.37, that in beginning it may be just like poison but at the end it is just nectar. Since we are used to instant pleasures of material activities, spiritual activities look so tedious but again Bhagvad Gita 18.38 confirms that even though material process seems gratifying initially but soon and surely will have poisonous effects.

3. Desire of senses to desire of Soul- Material happiness is temporary and false. You see around that how people say that they don't have pleasure because objects they have for enjoyment are not good enough. Even if they have best of the objects they can't feel satisfied. Reason being, one, capacity to enjoy is limited and second, since material energy is temporary, hence it's charms are also temporary. Hence we are always in state of hankering. Also confirmed in Bhagvad Gita 5.22. Therefore it is clear we should seek for spiritual happiness. As soul is eternal, so the happiness it gets serving the lord will also be eternal, {Bhagvad Gita 6.28}. So the process to get that supreme happiness is to get connected with Krsna which is only possible by chanting the holy name. This connection that we establish with Krsna via chanting is not a physical touch but at the level of consciousness which is only possible when we are attentive during chanting. As we contact Krsna Via chanting, he gives us more and more taste for chanting and we become constantly happy.

4. Chanting is not just a material activity- Though tongue and ears are involved, but chanting is not just a verbal or aural activity. It awakens the Soul, who is living in dreamy state of pseudo reality, the play of this material world. Chanting involves the heart, the residing place of soul. When the heart piteously calls out for Krsna, the contact with Krsna is established and soul awakens to it's true identity of being Krsna's servent. Jivera swaroop haye krsnera nitya das. Further greater the contact with Krsna, greater happiness experienced by soul.

5. From disease to health- We have to understand that our present state in this material world is of diseased. In our this diseased state we keep hankering for material enjoyment. Even if we get things which we hanker for, it doesn't live up to our expectation of enjoyment and even if does than it's temporary. So it appers to be lost cause, a reuined project. Hence we need to find an alternative for it. And that alternative is spiritual happiness which is so exclusive that it is available only to us, the human species. Moreover it's alway increasing as we contact more and more with Krsna, more happy we feel. It is not dependent on external material things of this world. All we need to do is chant the Holy name of lord with our tongue and listen to it. When we feel this nectar of Holy name has reduced the burning of material distress we share it with others too and bring auspiciousness in their life too. But when a person have Jaundice, he finds sugar candy which is naturally sweet as bitter. Similarly in our this materially diseased state {avidya- ignorance} has perverted our ability to relish the transcedental nature of holy name. Despite this disease , if one with great care and attention chant the holy name, his disease will be destroyed and he will be relieved of all misconception {ceto darpan marjanam} and his tongue enables to taste sweetness of holy name.

6. With Conviction and Comittment- Like when we are diseased, we go to Doctor for the treatment and when we are convinced that this doctor has rightly diagnoised me and now if I take his treatment I will get back to health. Similarly now we know that we have material disease {avidya and ahankara- false ego} and we go to Guru for the treatment of it and we are convinced that following Guru's instruction of chanting prescibed number of sixteen rounds of holy name on my beads will Cure me. But only conviction alone can't bring cure, we need to have steadiness in following the treatment per say. By this comittment only we can have transformation of heart and with this practice of chanting the holy name we become perfect.

7. Result- Stage of Bhava- When by chanting of the holy name one is cured of his avidya and his mind and conciousness are cleaned up, he not only relieved from the fire of material existence but he reaches the pure stage and is immediately liberated. This is called bhav-maha-davagni-nirvapanam. There is preliminary awakening of dormant love of godhead, which is called Bhava. At such time one can understand who supreme personality of godhead is and what maya is. Although maya be present but it can't disturb the devotee once he attains bhava stage because devotee can see the real position of maya. As confirmed in Caitanya caritamrita madhya 22.31, Krsna surya sama, maya haya andhakar....., krsna is compared to sunshine and maya is compared to darkness. Whenever there sunshine, there can't be darkness.

Science V/S God

Science ka big bang

LOVE LETTER OF THE GIRL FRIEND AKA WOULD BE WIFE!

LOVE LETTER OF THE GIRL FRIEND AKA WOULD BE WIFE!

Bravo! What a wonderful love letter you wrote me,
every love dove of my heart was set free.
But let me break it to you, things are going to change,
because after marriage, you are not going to be the same.
And than I will read this love letter of yours over and over again,
and remind myself, how, once this man loved me like insane.

When the honeymoon times get over,
and the real life sets to take cover,
when date nights would be more economical,
and cat dog fights would be more phenomenal.
Darling, I would be angry sometimes...
But than I would read this love letter of yours over and over again,
and remind myself, how, once this man loved me like insane.

When night will go dark and grayish,
and our kids would need diaper changes,
tossing the coin would not be in my gain,
because your gym and my yoga time would be same.
Darling, I would be very disappointed....
But than I would read this love letter of yours over and over again
and remind myself, how, once this man loved me like insane.

God forbids, if our son flunks in math,

though I told you, trigonometry was not at all my stats,

still you beat me up like a home made Einstein,

ripping away all little sunshine.

Darling, I would feel low....

But than i would read this love letter of yours over and over again,
and remind myself, how, once this man loved me like insane.

When I will grow old, fat and frail,
you will count my mistakes and their trails.
When twinkle in my eyes diminishes,
skin more pale instead of creamish,
when the woman next door will be a pro,
and I will have diet charts to get right in a row.
Darling, I would feel like crying on your shoulder....
But still honey, I would prefer to read this love letter of yours over and over again,
and remind myself, how, once this man loved me like insane

When beauty fades away,
and wrinkles sets in the way.
Time will take a toll and I would be ready to die in your arms,
and you still would be indifferent to my flickering charms.
But by that time I would have crammed that damn love letter of yours by my heart,
and there would be left nothing to disturb the apple cart.
But darling as a habit now,
I will still read this love letter of yours over and over again,
and remind myself, how, once this man loved me like insane.

A heartfelt appeal to all parents- by bharti Kikan

Hare Krsna

A heartfelt appeal to all parents

DEAR PARENTS

GIVE THEM SUNSHINE, GIVE THEM SOME RAIN

GIVE THEM ANOTHER CHANCE, SO THEY DON’T GROW INSANE

Again that time of the year has come, the dreaded month of March. The month hated equally by students, parents and teachers alike. The month is hated so much that even the colorful festival of Holi is unable to brighten the spirits. It is that time of the year when students are judged by their marks, grades and percentages. If God forbid, something unexpected happens on exam day which affects their performance, well no one is bothered. No matter how hard you have worked throughout the year, how sincerely you worked, you will be judged only by your final performance. Exams are necessary or not? Are they the only means to judge students capability? Etc, etc, Well, I will not dwell upon these points. Neither I neither am an authority over the above issues nor am I interested to express my views.

What I want to share is what we as parents, teachers, elders can do to reduce stress among students, children? Being in teaching profession, I am in touch with students from past 18 years, since I love kids, the association goes back deeper. My teaching time is the happiest time of my day-children not only keep the child in me alive but they also keep me updated. But from the past few years, I am saddened to see the increasing depression, sadness, anger- among children. Unrealistic demands of parents and teachers, unwillingly made a part of rat race to score marks have multiplied the problems. Half of the students are carrying the expectations of their parents, many are studying only because they don’t have any other options, some are doing ‘rote learning’, and many have become totally indifferent towards studies-which is not only a very serious situation but a very dangerous too.

Dear Parents. I sincerely appeal you to stop pressurizing your child or forcing them to do a particular thing or opt a particular subject.  Please don’t confuse ‘pressurizing’ with ‘encouraging’. How and when as parents we have become so indifferent that we have stopped understanding them, observing them, listening to their inner voice and unspoken words? Why have we become so ruthless that we can’t see what they want or like? STOP JUDGING THEM, LABELLING THEM, COMPARING THEM. The mere thought that no matter what my parents will always support me, hold me- is more than enough to boost their confidence.

Why as parents we are not letting them decide about their future, making them responsible for their decisions and letting them charter their own path? We are ever   ready to help them whether it‘s offering food, ideas or advice. Let them feel hunger so that they enjoy food, let them feel confused so that they know how to take decisions, let them take decisions so that they feel responsible. Let them feel happy on their achievements.  If you feel that we as parents are capable of taking decisions and shouldering our responsibilities efficiently then it’s only because our parents were lot better than us. Ours is a confused generation. We as children were not given ready made ideas. We worked that’s why we have stories to tell, we have anecdotes to share. Our parents made sure that we struggled, we made our own roads. We were not spoon fed. Our parents didn’t buy us PRESENTS to make for their PRESENCE.

Being a parent, I often find myself at crossroads but then it’s up to me how to tackle a situation? Either I can shout at my child or wait for the right moment to teach him/her between right or wrong. If I shout at him/her, I am teaching them to deal every situation by shouting but by being patient I am teaching them to understand things calmly and then act.

Education doesn’t simply means getting good marks, securing good job, earning a handsome salary or moving around in a big car. Education is the all round development of a child. While looking at your child’s report card, don’t ignore the columns below the marks. They tell you a lot about your child personality and development.  Sadly we ignore that column after reading marks of mandatory subjects. With increasing nuclear families, single parent’s children are growing among gadgets, Ipads, video games and if they have any query or doubt, Google uncle is always there. As parents and teachers, it is our duty that we should keep an eye on how our child is evolving as a human being. How he/she deals with family members, teachers, friends, classmates, especially grandparents and their helpers like maids, servants, drivers, waiters. It tells a lot not only about your child but also about your upbringing.  Is our child really happy with what he/she is doing?

We have heard of so many suicide cases where the victim was believed to be very happy, had the best of everything but investigations told that they were not happy with themselves and were fighting depression. Maybe they were trying to please others and afraid of telling their loved ones what they were going through.

Many of them were brilliant students, from IT sector, research scholars who were earning good, well settled still they failed test of Life. We can blame Destiny, circumstances but the main thing is they were unhappy and unable to deal with pressure. I would like to make a point here that our parents and grandparents especially women in olden days were not much educated, in fact some were illiterates still they sailed smoothly and handled everything very efficiently. They managed households, big joint families in a limited budget. Suicide was never an option.

Like a flower, every child has his/her own blooming time, own personality. Give them time. What they need is continuous nurturing, love, and care and most important you’re TIME. As my father says “Children are your biggest assets, so think cautiously. They are mutual funds, they will slowly give you returns but there is lot of risks involved. Don’t buy your presence with presents.”

Let them cry, let them fall, let them have heartbreaks and get hurt, don’t run to hold them. Let them get up on their own but make them know that you are always there for them. Let them understand that all this is a part of growing up; we faced them, our parents and grandparents too. Everything will fall in its place and in the end ALL WILL BE WELL. Scoring less marks or getting failed doesn’t mean the end of road or life. Remember, Life is the most precious gift from GOD and marks are one miniscule part of it. Exams, results, grades etc are part and parcel of LIFE. They are not LIFE. No One is going to remember your marks after few years.

There is difference between EDUCATION and INTELLECT. Don’t confuse the two things. Education gives you exposure, opens your mind, and lets you explore new avenues and arenas. Education never binds you in rote learning, marks, percentage etc.

Do you pressurize your child too much for good scores? Is your child carrying the burden of your expectations? Do you really talk to your child? Do you really listen to them? Kindly share your views about these questions?

Thanks

Regards

Bharti Kikan