HARE KRISHNA PRAYERS
Mantra prayer to A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
nama om vishnu-padaya
krishna-preshthaya bhu-tale
srimate bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine
namas te saraswate deve gaura-vani-pracarine
nirvishesha-shunyavadi-pashchatya-desha-tarine
I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who is very dear to Lord Krishna, having taken shelter at His lotus feet. Our respectful obeisances are unto you, O spiritual master, servant of Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Goswami. You are kindly preaching the message of Lord Chaitanyadeva and delivering the Western countries, which are filled with impersonalism and voidism.
MANGALA AARATY (Morning)
LYRICS
(1)
saḿsāra-dāvānala-līḍha-loka-
trāṇāya kāruṇya-ghanāghanatvam
prāptasya kalyāṇa-guṇārṇavasya
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam
(2)
mahāprabhoḥ
kīrtana-nṛtya-gīta-
vāditra-mādyan-manaso rasena
romāñca -kampāśru-tarańga-bhājo
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam
(3)
śrī-vigrahārādhana-nitya-nānā-
śṛńgāra-tan-mandira-mārjanādau
yuktasya bhaktāḿś ca niyuñjato 'pi
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam
(4)
catur-vidha-śrī-bhagavat-prasāda-
svādv-anna-tṛptān hari-bhakta-sańghān
kṛtvaiva tṛptiḿ bhajataḥ sadaiva
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam
(5)
śrī-rādhikā-mādhavayor
apāra-
mādhurya-līlā guṇa-rūpa-nāmnām
prati-kṣaṇāsvādana-lolupasya
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam
(6)
nikuñja-yūno
rati-keli-siddhyai
yā yālibhir yuktir apekṣaṇīyā
tatrāti-dākṣyād ati-vallabhasya
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam
(7)
sākṣād-dharitvena
samasta-śāstrair
uktas tathā bhāvyata eva sadbhiḥ
kintu prabhor yaḥ priya eva tasya
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam
(8)
yasya
prasādād bhagavat-prasādo
yasyāprasādān na gatiḥ kuto 'pi
dhyāyan stuvaḿs tasya yaśas tri-sandhyaḿ
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam
(9)
śrīmad-guror aṣṭakam etad uccair
brāhme muhūrte paṭhati prayatnāt
yas tena vṛndāvana-nātha sākṣāt
sevaiva labhyā januṣo’nta eva
WORD FOR WORD TRANSLATION: Samsara Davanala Lidha Loka
TRANSLATION
1) The spiritual master is receiving benediction from the ocean of mercy. Just as a cloud pours water on a forest fire to extinguish it, so the spiritual master delivers the materially afflicted world by extinguishing the blazing fire of material existence. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master, who is an ocean of auspicious qualities.
2) Chanting the holy name, dancing in ecstasy, singing, and playing musical instruments, the spiritual master is always gladdened by the sankirtana movement of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Because he is relishing the mellows of pure devotion within his mind, sometimes his hair stands on end, he feels quivering in his body, and tears flow from his eyes like waves. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.
3) The spiritual master is always engaged in the temple worship of Sri Sri Radha and Krsna. He also engages his disciples in such worship. They dress the Deities in beautiful clothes and ornaments, clean Their temple, and perform other similar worship of the Lord. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.
4) The spiritual master is always offering Krsna four kinds of delicious food [analyzed as that which is licked, chewed, drunk, and sucked]. When the spiritual master sees that the devotees are satisfied by eating bhagavat-prasada, he is satisfied. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.
5) The spiritual master is always eager to hear and chant about the unlimited conjugal pastimes of Radhika and Madhava, and Their qualities, names, and forms. The spiritual master aspires to relish these at every moment. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.
6) The spiritual master is very dear, because he is expert in assisting the gopis, who at different times make different tasteful arrangements for the perfection of Radha and Krsna's conjugal loving affairs within the groves of Vrndavana. I offer my most humble obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.
7) The spiritual master is to be honored as much as the Supreme Lord, because he is the most confidential servitor of the Lord. This is acknowledged in all revealed scriptures and followed by all authorities. Therefore I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master, who is a bona fide representative of Sri Hari [Krsna].
8) By the mercy of the spiritual master one receives the benediction of Krsna. Without the grace of the spiritual master, one cannot make any advancement. Therefore, I should always remember and praise the spiritual master. At least three times a day I should offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of my spiritual master.
9) One who, with great care and alteration, loudly recites this beautiful prayer to the spiritual master during the Brahma-muhurta obtains direct service to Krsna, the Lord of Vrndavana, at the time of his death.
AARATI (Common)
SANDHYA AARATI
LYRICS:
(1)
(kiba) jaya jaya gorācāńder āratiko śobhā
jāhnavī-taṭa-vane jaga-mana-lobhā
jaga-jana-mana-lobhā
(Refrain 1)
(gaurāńger ārotik śobhā jaga-janer-mana-lobhā)
(2)
dakhiṇe nitāicāńd, bāme gadādhara
nikaṭe advaita, śrīnivāsa chatra-dhara
(3)
bosiyāche gorācāńd ratna-siḿhāsane
ārati koren brahmā-ādi deva-gaṇe
(4)
narahari-ādi kori' cāmara dhulāya
sañjaya-mukunda-bāsu-ghoṣ-ādi gāya
(5)
śańkha bāje ghaṇṭā bāje bāje karatāla
madhura mṛdańga bāje parama rasāla
(Refrain 2)
(śankha bāje ghaṇṭā bāje madhur madhur madhur bāje)
(6)
bahu-koṭi candra jini' vadana ujjvala
gala-deśe bana-mālā kore jhalamala
(7)
śiva-śuka-nārada preme gada-gada
bhakativinoda dekhe gorāra sampada
WORD FOR WORD TRANSLATION: Jaya Jaya Goracander Arotika Sobha
TRANSLATION
1) All glories, all glories to the beautiful arati ceremony of Lord Caitanya. This Gaura-arati is taking place in a grove on the banks of the Jahnavi (Ganges) and is attracting the minds of all living entities in the universe.
(Refrain 1): The splendor of Lord Gauranga’s (Caitanya) arati attracts the minds of all living entities of the universe!
2) On Lord Caitanya's right side is Lord Nityananda and on His left is Sri Gadadhara. Nearby stands Sri Advaita, and Srivasa Thakura is holding an umbrella over Lord Caitanya's head.
3) Lord Caitanya has sat down on a jeweled throne, and the demigods, headed by Lord Brahma, perform the arati ceremony
4) Narahari Sarakara and other associates of Lord Caitanya fan Him with camaras, and devotees headed by Sanjaya Pandita, Mukunda Datta, and Vasu Ghosa sing sweet kirtana.
5) Conchshells, bells, and karatalas resound, and the mrdangas play very sweetly. This kirtana music is supremely sweet and relish able to hear.
(Refrain 2): Conchsells resound! bell resound! Sweetness, sweetness, and sweetness resounds!
6) The brilliance of Lord Caitanya's face conquers millions upon millions of moons, and the garland of forest flowers around His neck shines.
7) Lord Siva, Sukadeva Gosvami, and Narada Muni are all there, and their voices are choked with the ecstasy of transcendental love. Thus Thakura Bhaktivinoda envisions the glory of Lord Sri Caitanya.
Remarks/ Extra Information:
There are other alankaras that are sung in the Gaura Arati, albeit less frequently. They are
(Between Verses 2 and 3)
(gaurāńger āroti kore)
(brahmā ādi-deva gaṇe gaurāńger āroti kore)
(gaur kṛpa pābo bole gaurāńger āroti kore)
(gaur kṛpa pābo bole gaurāńger āroti kore)
(nitāi gaura hari bol)
“The arati of Lord Gauranga is performed by Lord Brahma and the demigods. I will attain the mercy of Lord Caitanya by doing the arati of Lord Caitanya.”
(Sung with Refrain 2)
(gourāńger āroti kāle madhur madhur madhur bāje)
(gourāńger āroti kāle madhur madhur madhur bāje)
(madhura mṛdańga bāje madhur madhur madhur bāje)
“Sweetness, sweetness, and sweetness resounds during the time of Gauranga’s arati! Sweetness, sweetness, and sweetness resounds as the sweet mridanga resounds!”
(Between Verses 6 and 7):
(mālā) (jhalmol jhalmol jhalmol kore)
(gour gole bono phuler mālā jhalmol jhalmol jhalmol kore)
(gour gole bono phuler mālā jhalmol jhalmol jhalmol kore)
(nitāi goura hari bol)
“The garland, shines, shines, and shines! The garland of forest-flowers around Lord Caitanya’s neck shines, shines, and shines!”
(At the end of the arati)
(bhaja gour preme gada gadare śiva-śuka-nārada preme gada-gada)
(bhaja gour preme gada gadare śiva-śuka-nārada preme gada-gada)
(ṭhākur) bhakativinoda dekhe gorāra sampada
“Worship Lord Caitanya, with throats choked in love! Lord Siva’s, Sukadeva Goswami’s, and Narada Muni’s throats are choked with love! Bhaktivinoda Thakura sees Lord Caitanya’s glories!”
(ei bār āmāy doya koro)
(ṭhākura śrī bhaktivinod ei bar āmāy doyā koro)
(ṭhākura śrī sarasvatī ei bar āmāy doyā koro)
(patit-pāvan śrī gurudev ei bar āmāy doyā koro)
(sapārṣada gaur hari ei bar āmāy doyā koro)
(nitāi goura hari bol)
“Please be merciful upon me, this time. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, please be merciful upon me. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, please be merciful upon me. Oh redeemer of fallen souls, Oh spiritual master, please be merciful upon me. Oh associates of Sri Gauranga, please be merciful upon me! Speak the names of Nitai Gaurahari!”
Prema-Dhvani or Pranam Prayers
(Someone says these prayers after the arati, while everyone joins in with the "Jaya" at the end of each line. This is a very basic rendition, while additional lines and obeisances to other personalities and holy places can be said as well.)
1. Jaya-nitya-lila-pravishta om Vishnu-pada paramahamsa parivrajakacharya ashtottara-shata Shri Srimad His Divine Grace Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaja Prabhupada ki jaya.
2. Jaya om Vishnu-pada paramahamsa parivrajakacharya ashtottara-shata Shri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja Prabhupada ki jaya.
3. Ananta-kotivaishnava-vrinda ki jaya.
4. Namacharya Haridasa Thakura ki jaya
5. Iskcon founder acharya Srila Prabhupada ki jaya.
6. Premse kaho Shri-Krishna-Caitanya, Prabhu Nityananda, jaya Advaita, Gadadhara, Shrivasadi-gaura-bhakta-vrinda ki jaya.
7. Shri-Shri-Radha-Krishna Gopa-Gopinatha, Shyama Kund, Radha Kund, Girigovardhana ki jaya.
8. Vrindavana-dhama ki jaya.
9. Mathura-dhama ki jaya.
10. Navadvipa-dhama ki jaya.
11. Jagannatha-puri dhama ki jaya.
12. Ganga-mayi ki jaya
13. Yamuna-mayi ki jaya.
14. Tulasi-devi ki jaya.
15. Bhakti-devi ki jaya.
16. Sankirtana-yajna ki jaya.
17. Brihad-mridanga ki jaya.
18. Samaveta-bhakta-vrinda ki jaya.
19. Gaura-premananda Hari Hari bol,
20. All glories to the assembled devotees. (Hare Krishna) All glories to the assembled devotees. (Hare Krishna) All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga.
NARA SIMHA KIRTAN
(1)
namas te narasiḿhāya
prahlādāhlāda-dāyine
hiraṇyakaśipor vakṣaḥ-
śilā-ṭańka-nakhālaye
I offer my obeisances to Lord Narasimha, who gives joy to Prahlada Maharaja and whose nails are like chisels on the stone-like chest of the demon Hiranyakasipu.
(2)
ito nṛsiḿhaḥ parato nṛsiḿho
yato yato yāmi tato nṛsiḿhaḥ
bahir nṛsiḿho hṛdaye nṛsiḿho
nṛsiḿham ādiḿ śaraṇaḿ prapadye
Lord Nṛsiṃha is here and also there. Wherever I go Lord Nṛsiṃha is there. He is in the heart and is outside as well. I surrender to Lord Nṛsiṃha, the origin of all things and the supreme refuge.
(3 - fourth verse of Sri Dasavatara Stotram)
tava kara-kamala-vare nakham adbhuta-śṛńgaḿ
dalita-hiraṇyakaśipu-tanu-bhṛńgam
Just as one can easily crush a wasp between one's fingernails, so in the same way the body of the wasp-like demon Hiranyakasipu has been ripped apart by the wonderful pointed nails on Your beautiful lotus hands.
keśava dhṛta-narahari-rūpa jaya jagadīśa hare
jaya jagadīśa hare - jaya jagadīśa hare
O Kesava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of half-man, half-lion! All glories to You!
(4 - conclusion)
jaya nṛsiḿhaḥ deva
jaya prahlāda mahārāja
Sri
Nrisimha Maha-mantra
ugram viram maha-vishnum
jvalantam sarvato mukham
nrisimham bhishanam bhadram
mrityur mrityum namamy aham
Translation
"I bow down to Lord Narasimha who is ferocious
and heroic like Lord Vishnu.
He is burning from every side. He is terrific, auspicious and
the death of death personified."
Shri Narasimha Slokas and Stotrams
We have included certain simple yet powerful slokas of Shri Narasimha with their English translations for the benefit of Bhakthas. Certain links to audio files are also included to help Bhakthas recite these slokas with proper pronunciations. The powers of these slokas are profound and overwhelming and the regular recital of them would invariably relieve everyone of their sufferings and difficulties. Please also visit www.prapatti.com for all devotional slokas and stotrams of Shri Hari Vishnu.
The Nrisimha Gayatris
Om Nrisimhaye vidmahe
vajranakhaya dhimahi
tan no simhah prachodayat
Translation
"Om. Let us think well aware of Nrisimha, the
lightning-nailed.
May the Lion promote our thought and actions."
Vajra nakhaya vidmahe
tikshna damstraya dhimahi
tan no narasimhah prachodayat
Translation
"Let us meditate on He who is known as the possessor of nails
as hard as
thunderbolts and sharp teeth. Let us all be enthused by Lord
Narasimhadeva."
Sri Nrisimha Maha-mantra
ugram viram maha-vishnum
jvalantam sarvato mukham
nrisimham bhishanam bhadram
mrityur mrityum namamy aham
Translation
"I bow down to Lord Narasimha who is ferocious and heroic
like Lord Vishnu.
He is burning from every side. He is terrific, auspicious and
the death of death personified."
Significance of Sri Nrisimha Maha-mantra
It is stated in Shastra that this mantra is the essence of all kavacha mantras, or mantras meant for wearing in a kavacha (capsule). The mantra is often written on a small piece of bark, such as from the botch tree. Then it is sealed in the capsule with a tulasi (Holy Basil) leaf or even flower petals that have been offered to the deity of Lord Narasimha. After worshipping the deity of Lord Narasimha with sixteen upacharas or items of worship, the pujari or priest performs a ritual called prana-pratistha: he calls the Lord to reside in the kavacha. He then worships the kavacha. Then it has full protective power. Men can wear the kavacha around the neck or on the upper right arm, while women wear it around the neck or on the upper left arm. The Kavacha may be worn in all circumstances, at any time, or in any place.
Narasimha Prapatti
MATA NARASIMHA, PITA NARASIMHA
BRATHA NARASIMHA, SAKHA NARASIMHA
VIDYAA NARASIMHA, DRAVINAM NARASIMHA
SWAMI NARASIMHA, SAKALAM NARASIMHA
ITHO NARASIMHA, PARATHO NARASIMHA
YATHO YATHO YAHIHI, TATHO NARASIMHA
NARASIMHA DEVAATH PARO NA KASCHIT
TASMAAN NARASIMHA SHARANAM PRAPADYE
Translation
Mother is Narasimha; Father is Narasimha
Brother is Narasimha; Friend is Narasimha
Knowledge is Narasimha; Wealth is Narasimha
My Lord is Narasimha; Everything is Narasimha.
Narasimha is in this world, Narasimha is everywhere (Omnipresent)
Wherever I go, there is Narasimha
Narasimha is the Supreme Lord, there is none other than HIM
So, I humbly seek refuge in you, Shri Narasimha
Significance of Narasimha Prapatti
A simple sloka that acts as a ‘great protective shield’ at all times
Jaya Radha Madhava
Author: Bhaktivinoda Thakura
(1)
jaya rādhā-mādhava kuñja-bihārī
gopī-jana-vallabha giri-vara-dhārī
(2)
yaśodā-nandana braja-jana-rañjana
yāmuna-tīra-vana-cārī
TRANSLATION
1) Krsna is the lover of Radha. He displays many amorous pastimes in the groves of Vrndavana, He is the lover of the cowherd maidens of Vraja, and the holder of the great hill named Govardhana.
2) He is the beloved son of mother Yasoda, the delighter of the inhabitants of Vraja, and He wanders in the forests along the banks of the River Yamuna!
Sacred mantra prayers for any time.
Om Namo Bhagavate Vaasudevaayaa
"Om namo bhagavate vasudevaya is known as the dvadasaksara-mantra ("mantra of twelve syllables"). This mantra is a vishnu-mantra, for by practicing the chanting of this mantra one is elevated to the Vishnuloka (Vishnu is the four-handed form of Krishna. Vishnuloka is where He lives in the spiritual world). It means:
"O my Lord, the all-pervading Personality of Godhead, I offer my respectful obeisances unto You."
om
ajnana-timirandhasya
jnananjana-salakaya
cakshur unmilitam yena
tasmai sri-gurave namah
sri-caitanya-mano-’bhishtam
sthapitam yena bhu-tale
svayam rupah kada mahyam
dadati sva-padantikam
I was born in the darkest ignorance, and my spiritual master opened my eyes with the torch of knowledge. I offer my respectful obeisances unto him. When will Srila Rupa Gosvami Prabhupada, who has established within this material world the mission to fulfill the desire of Lord Chaitanya, give me shelter under his lotus feet?
vande 'ham sri-guroh sri-yuta-pada-kamalam sri-gurun vaisnavams ca
sri-rupam sagrajatam saha-gana-raghunathanvitam tam sa-jivam
sadvaitam savadhutam parijana-sahitam krsna-caitanya-devam
sri-radha-krsna-padan saha-gana-lalita-sri-visakhanvitams ca
"I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of my spiritual master and unto the feet of all Vaisnavas. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of Srila Rupa Gosvami along with his elder brother Sanatana Gosvami, as well as Raghunatha Dasa and Raghunatha Bhatta, Gopala Bhatta, and Srila Jiva Gosvami. I offer my respectful obeisances to Lord Krsna Caitanya and Lord Nityananda along with Advaita Acarya, Gadadhara, Srivasa, and other associates. I offer my respectful obeisances to Srimati Radharani and Sri Krsna along with Their associates, Sri Lalita and Visakha."
(Mangalacarana)
he krishna karuna-sindho
dina-bandho jagat-pate
gopesa gopika-kanta
radha-kanta namo ’stu te
O my dear Krishna, You are the friend of the distressed and the source of creation. You are the master of thegopis and the lover of Radharani. I offer my respectful obeisances unto You.
tapta-kancana-gaurangi
radhe vrindavanesvari
vrishabhanu-sute devi
pranamami hari-priye
I offer my respects to Radharani, whose bodily complexion is like molten gold and who is the Queen of Vrindavana. You are the daughter of King Vrishabhanu, and You are very dear to Lord Krishna.
vancha-kalpatarubhyas
ca
kripa-sindhubhya eva ca
patitanam pavanebhyo
vaishnavebhyo namo namah
I offer my respectful obeisances unto all the Vaishnava devotees of the Lord. They can fulfill the desires of everyone, just like desire trees, and they are full of compassion for the fallen souls.
sri-krishna-chaitanya
prabhu-nityananda
sri-advaita gadadhara
srivasadi-gaura-bhakta-vrinda
I offer my obeisances to Sri Krishna Chaitanya, Prabhu Nityananda, Sri Advaita, Gadadhara, Srivasa and all others in the line of devotion.
hare krishna
hare krishna
krishna krishna hare hare
hare rama hare rama
rama rama hare hare
mukam karoti vachalam
pangum langhayate girim
yat-kripa tam aham vande
sri-gurum dina-taranam
“I offer my respectful obeisances unto my spiritual master, the deliverer of the fallen souls. His mercy turns the dumb into eloquent speakers and enables the lame to cross mountains.”
nārāyaṇaṁ namaskṛtya
naraṁ caiva narottamam
devīṁ sarasvatīṁ vyāsaṁ
tato jayam udīrayet
[SB 1.2.4]
Translation = I offer my respectful obeisances unto the Personality of Godhead Nārāyaṇa, unto Nara-nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi, the supermost human being, unto mother Sarasvatī, the goddess of learning, and unto Śrīla Vyāsadeva, the author."
Hare Krishna Maha-mantra
hare krishna
hare krishna
krishna krishna hare hare
hare rama hare rama
rama rama hare hare
Mantra prayers to Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and His associates.
Should be spoken before chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra
sri-krishna-chaitanya
prabhu-nityananda
sri-advaita gadadhara
srivasadi-gaura-bhakta-vrinda
I offer my
obeisances to Sri Krishna Chaitanya, Prabhu Nityananda, Sri Advaita, Gadadhara,
Srivasa and all others in the line of devotion.
Prayers for Offering Food to Krishna
nama om vishnu-padaya
krishna-preshthaya bhu-tale
srimate bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine
namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracarine
nirvisesha-sunyavadi-paschatya-desa-tarine
I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who is very dear to Lord Krishna, having taken shelter at His lotus feet. Our respectful obeisances are unto you, O spiritual master, servant of Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Goswami. You are kindly preaching the message of Lord Chaitanyadeva and delivering the Western countries, which are filled with impersonalism and voidism.
namo maha-vadanyaya
krishna-prema-pradaya te
krishnaya krishna-chaitanya-
namne gaura-tvishe namah
O most munificent incarnation! You are Krishna Himself appearing as Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. You have assumed the golden color of Srimati Radharani, and You are widely distributing pure love of Krishna. We offer our respectful obeisances unto You.
namo brahmanya-devaya
go-brahmana-hitaya ca
jagad-dhitaya krishnaya
govindaya namo namah
My Lord, You are the well-wisher of the cows and the brahmanas, and You are the well-wisher of the entire human society and world.
You can also chant the Pancha Tattva and Hare Krsna mantras three times:
sri-krishna-chaitanya
prabhu-nityananda
sri-advaita gadadhara srivasadi-gaura-bhakta-vrinda
“I offer my obeisances to Sri Krishna Chaitanya, Prabhu Nityananda, Sri Advaita, Gadadhara, Srivasa and all others in the line of devotion”
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna
Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare
Prayer to say before eating a meal
Song Name: Maha
Prasade Govinde
maha-prasade govinde
nama-brahmani vaisnave
svalpa-punya-vatam rajan
visvaso naiva jayate
(Mahabharata)
(1)
bhai-re!
sarira abidya-jal, jodendriya tahe kal,
jibe phele bisaya-sagore
ta'ra madhye jihva ati, lobhamoy sudurmati
ta'ke jeta kathina somsare
(2)
krsna baro doyamoy, karibare jihva jay,
swa-prasad-anna dilo bhai
sei annamrta khao, radha-krsna-guna gao,
preme dako caitanya-nitai
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna
Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare
TRANSLATION
O king, for those who have amassed very few pious activities, their faith in
maha-prasada, in Sri Govinda, in the Holy Name and in the Vaisnava is never
born.
1) O brothers! This material
body is a network of ignorance, and the senses are one's deadly enemies, for
they throw the soul into the ocean of material sense enjoyment. Among the
senses, the tongue is the most voracious and verily wicked; it is very
difficult to conquer the tongue in this world.
2) O brothers! Lord Krsna is very merciful-just to control the tongue He
has given us the remnants of His own food! Now please eat these nectarean
grains while singing the glories of Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha and Krsna,
and in love call out "Caitanya! Nitai!"
(O Lord, this material body is a lump of ignorance, and the senses are a network of paths to death. Somehow, we have fallen into this ocean of material sense enjoyment, and of all the senses the tongue is most voracious and uncontrollable; it is very difficult to conquer the tongue in this world. But You, dear Krishna, are very kind to us and have given us such nice prasadam, just to control the tongue. Now we take thisprasadam to our full satisfaction and glorify Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha-Krishna, and in love call for the help of Lord Chaitanya and Lord Nityananda)
EKAM SASTRAM
Ekam shastram devaki-putra gitam eko devo devaki putra eva
Eko mantras tasya namani yani karmapy ekam tasya devasya seva
Twa-meva mata cha pita twa-meva
Twa-meva bandhushcha sakha twa-meva
Twa-meva vidya dravinam twa-meva
Twa-meva sarvam mama deva deva
krishnaya vasudevaya haraye paramatmane
pranata-klesa-nasaya govindaya namo namah
krishnaya vasudevaya devaki-nandanaya ca
nanda-gopa-kumarayagovindaya namo namah
vasudeva sutaṁ devaṁ kaṁsa cāṇūramardanam
devakī paramānandaṁ kṛṣṇaṁ vande jagadgurum
kartyayani maha-maye maha-yoginy adhisvari
nanda-gopa-sutam devi patim me kuru te namah
sri Krishna saranam mama dasoham krishna tavasmi(3)
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna,
Hare Hare Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama
vancha-kalpatarubhyas ca
kripa-sindhubhya eva ca
patitanam pavanebhyo
vaishnavebhyo namo namah
I offer my respectful obeisances unto all the Vaishnava devotees of the Lord. They can fulfill the desires of everyone, just like desire trees, and they are full of compassion for the fallen souls.
Nine bhakti practices
Practicing Bhakti purifies our consciousness, making us fit to revive our relationship with God. Krishna is all-pure. We are now contaminated by material consciousness and must again become all-pure before we can associate with Him.
The authorized spiritual practices laid out by Krishna are sure to bring success to the sincere practitioner. The Srimad-Bhagavatam lists these nine Bhakti practices:
- Hearing about Krishna.
- Chanting, or speaking about, Krishna's transcendental name, form, qualities, pastimes, paraphernalia, and so on.
- Remembering Krishna.
- Serving Krishna.
- Offering Krishna respectful worship in His Deity form.
- Offering prayers to Krishna.
- Becoming Krishna’s direct servant.
- Considering Krishna one's best friend.
- Surrendering everything to Krishna by serving Him with body, mind, and words.
To bear fruit, these practices must be performed under the guidance of a pure teacher, an advanced devotee of Krishna.
The five most powerful bhakti practices
· To chant the Hare Krishna mantra.
· To hear and discuss Srimad-Bhagavatam.
· To offer services to the Deity at home or in the temple.
· To associate with the Lord’s devotees.
· To live in a holy place connected to Lord Krishna.
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu emphasized the primacy of these five principles while instructing Rupa Goswami, one of His chief disciples.
To advance in spiritual life, what things should I avoid? What basic qualities should I try to cultivate?
Srimad-Bhagavatam lists four qualities essential for spiritual growth (from First Canto, Chapter 17, Verse 24).
· mercy
· cleanliness
· self-discipline
· truthfulness
Anyone who cultivates these qualities and sincerely chants Krishna’s names can make rapid spiritual progress.
Here are four activities that slow down spiritual progress:
· eating meat, fish, or eggs (destroys mercy)
· sex outside scriptural regulations (destroys cleanliness)
· intoxication (destroys self-discipline)
· gambling (destroys truthfulness)
At first, these things may seem difficult to give up, but the spiritual satisfaction one gets from practicing Bhakti yoga makes it easy to live without them. Keeping company with fellow practitioners also helps one to gain strength and determination.
Qualities of a pure devotee of Krishna
Complexity:
As one cultivates Krishna consciousness, these qualities gradually develop. A pure devotee of Krishna is said to have innumerable good qualities. The following list from the scripture Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita contains many of the prominent ones.
A pure devotee is:
· merciful
· not defiant
· truthful
· equal to everyone
· faultless
· magnanimous
· clean
· aware that everything belongs to Krishna
· a performer of welfare work for everyone
· peaceful
· surrendered to Krishna
· desireless
· indifferent to material acquisitions
· fixed in Krishna consciousness
· completely in control of bad qualities
· moderate in eating
· not obsessed with material things
· respectful
· without false prestige
· grave
· compassionate
· a friend to all
· poetic
· expert
· silent (speaks only about spiritual topics)
What is "bhakti?" What does "bhakti-yoga" mean?
Bhakti
"Bhakti means 'devotional service.' " (The Nectar of Devotion [NOD], p xii)
Bhakti connotes devotion, or love, and love implies service. Service refers to that activity which is intended to please the beloved. Thus "devotional service" is an eloquent definition of Bhakti.
Love is the most fundamental drive of every living entity. We cannot be happy without satisfying this desire to love, and we will not be able to perfectly fulfill this desire without permitting its expansion to the most inclusive extent.
"In the primary stage a child loves his parents, then his brothers and sisters, and as he daily grows up he begins to love his family, society, community, country, nation, or even the whole human society. But the loving propensity remains imperfectly fulfilled until we know who is the supreme beloved." (NOD, p. xv)
Love can become all-embracing only when we understand that Krishna is the supreme beloved, the root of all creation. By embracing Him we successfully embrace everyone, just as pouring water on the root of a tree successfully nourishes every leaf and branch.
The Nectar of Devotion teaches us the science of loving every one of the living entities perfectly by the easy method of loving Krishna.
Bhakti-yoga
The word yoga means "to connect." Though yogas are commonly used for health and fitness, the Vedic texts explain that yoga is meant to connect with God.
Bhakti means
"devotion," or "devotional service," or "pure
love." So Bhakti-yoga means to practice connecting with God, and
reestablishing our relationship with Him, through acts of love and service, or
devotional service
Mantras for applying sacred tilaka.
om kesavaya namah – forehead
om narayanaya namah – navel
om madhavaya namah – chest
om govindaya namah – hollow
of the neck
om visnave namah –
right abdomen
om madhusudanaya namah – right arm
om trivikramaya namah – right
shoulder
om vamanaya namah – left
abdomen
om sridharaya namah – left
arm
om hrsikesaya namah – left
shoulder
om padmanabhaya namah – upper back
om damodaraya namah – lower
back
What is the Hare Krishna Movement?
Five hundred years ago Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the most recent incarnation of Krishna, taught by His own example that one can live the essence of Bhagavad-gita by chanting Krishna’s holy names: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.
Sri Krishna and Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu both taught Bhakti yoga, the spiritual practice of connecting with God through devotional service to Him. Based on Their teachings, in 1966 A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, referred to as Srila Prabhupada, founded the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in New York City.
Srila Prabhupada and his disciples popularized the chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra in the 1960s and 1970s, and it spread to countries around the globe. Though the International Society for Krishna Consciousness is the legal name for the movement Prabhupada started, most people know it as the Hare Krishna movement.
Shikshashtaka: The Eight Prayers by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
cheto-darpana-marjanam
bhava-maha-davagni-nirvapanam
sreyah-kairava-chandrika-vitaranam vidya-vadhu-jivanam
anandambudhi-vardhanam prati-padam purnamritasvadanam
sarvatma-snapanam param vijayate sri-krishna-sankirtanam
(1) Glory to the sri-krishna-sankirtana, which cleanses the heart of all the dust accumulated for years and extinguishes the fire of conditional life, of repeated birth and death. This sankirtana movement is the prime benediction for humanity at large because it spreads the rays of the benediction moon. It is the life of all transcendental knowledge. It increases the ocean of transcendental bliss, and it enables us to fully taste the nectar for which we are always anxious.
namnam akari bahudha
nija-sarva-shaktis
tatrarpita niyamitah smarane na kalah
etadrisi tava kripa bhagavan mamapi
durdaivam idrisam ihajani nanuragah
(2) O my Lord, Your holy name alone can render all benediction to living beings, and thus You have hundreds and millions of names, like Krishna and Govinda. In these transcendental names You have invested all Your transcendental energies. There are not even hard and fast rules for chanting these names. O my Lord, out of kindness You enable us to easily approach You by Your holy names, but I am so unfortunate that I have no attraction for them.
trinad api sunichena
taror api sahishnuna
amanina manadena
kirtaniyah sada harih
(3) One should chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking oneself lower than the straw in the street; one should be more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige, and should be ready to offer all respect to others. In such a state of mind one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly.
na dhanam na janam na sundarim
kavitam va jagad-isha kamaye
mama janmani janmanisvare
bhavatad bhaktir ahaituki tvayi
(4) O almighty Lord, I have no desire to accumulate wealth, nor do I desire beautiful women, nor do I want any number of followers. I only want Your causeless devotional service, birth after birth.
ayi nanda-tanuja kinkaram
patitam mam vishame bhavambudhau
kripaya tava pada-pankaja-
sthita-dhuli-sadrisham vicintaya
(5)O son of Maharaja Nanda [Krishna], I am Your eternal servitor, yet somehow or other I have fallen into the ocean of birth and death. Please pick me up from this ocean of death and place me as one of the atoms at Your lotus feet.
nayanam galad-ashru-dharaya
vadanam gadgada-ruddhaya gira
pulakair nicitam vapuh kada
tava-nama-grahane bhavishyati
(6) O my Lord, when will my eyes be decorated with tears of love flowing constantly when I chant Your holy name? When will my voice choke up, and when will the hairs of my body stand on end at the recitation of Your name?
yugayitam nimeshena
chakshusha pravrishayitam
sunyayitam jagat sarvam
govinda-virahena me
(7) O Govinda! Feeling Your separation, I am considering a moment to be like twelve years or more. Tears are flowing from my eyes like torrents of rain, and I am feeling all vacant in the world in Your absence.
aslishya va pada-ratam pinashtu mam
adarshanan marma-hatam karotu va
yatha tatha va vidadhatu lampato
mat-prana-nathas tu sa eva napara
(8) I know no one but Krishna as my Lord, and He shall remain so even if He handles me roughly by His embrace or makes me brokenhearted by not being present before me. He is completely free to do anything and everything, for He is always my worshipful Lord, unconditionally.
CHATUR SLOKEE BHAGAVAT GITA
ahaṁ sarvasya prabhavo
mattaḥ sarvaṁ pravartate
iti matvā bhajante māṁ
budhā bhāva-samanvitāḥ (10.8)
Translation:
I am the source of all spiritual and material worlds. Everything emanates from Me. The wise who perfectly know this engage in My devotional service and worship Me with all their hearts.
mac-cittā mad-gata-prāṇā
bodhayantaḥ parasparam
kathayantaś ca māṁ nityaṁ
tuṣyanti ca ramanti
ca (10.9)
Translation:
The thoughts of My pure devotees dwell in Me, their lives are fully devoted to My service, and they derive great satisfaction and bliss from always enlightening one another and conversing about Me.
teṣāṁ satata-yuktānāṁ
bhajatāṁ prīti-pūrvakam
dadāmi buddhi-yogaṁ taṁ
yena mām upayānti te (10.10)
Translation:
To those who are constantly devoted to serving Me with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to Me.
teṣām evānukampārtham
aham ajñāna-jaṁ tamaḥ
nāśayāmy ātma-bhāva-stho
jñāna-dīpena bhāsvatā (10.11)
Translation:
To show them special mercy, I, dwelling in their hearts, destroy with the shining lamp of knowledge the darkness born of ignorance.
Arjuna’S Realization
arjuna uvāca
paraṁ brahma paraṁ dhāma
pavitraṁ paramaṁ bhavān
puruṣaṁ śāśvataṁ divyam
ādi-devam ajaṁ vibhum
āhus tvām ṛṣayaḥ sarve
devarṣir nāradas tathā
asito devalo vyāsaḥ
svayaṁ caiva bravīṣi me (10.12-13)
Translation:
Arjuna said: You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the ultimate abode, the purest, the Absolute Truth. You are the eternal, transcendental, original person, the unborn, the greatest. All the great sages such as Nārada, Asita, Devala and Vyāsa confirm this truth about You, and now You Yourself are declaring it to me.
CHATUR SLOKI BHAGAVATAM (SB 2.9.33-36)
TEXT 33
TRANSLATION
Brahmā, it is I, the Personality of Godhead, who was existing before the creation, when there was nothing but Myself. Nor was there the material nature, the cause of this creation. That which you see now is also I, the Personality of Godhead, and after annihilation what remains will also be I, the Personality of Godhead.
TEXT 34
O Brahmā, whatever appears to be of any value, if it is without relation to Me, has no reality. Know it as My illusory energy, that reflection which appears to be in darkness.
TEXT 35
TRANSLATION
O Brahmā, please know that the universal elements enter into the cosmos and at the same time do not enter into the cosmos; similarly, I Myself also exist within everything created, and at the same time I am outside of everything.
TEXT 36
A person who is searching after the Supreme Absolute Truth, the Personality of Godhead, most certainly search for it up to this, in all circumstances, in all space and time, and both directly and indirectly.
The Ten Offenses to the Holy Name
Song Name: The Ten Offenses to the Holy
Name
Official Name: The Ten Offenses to the Holy Name
Author: Vyasadeva
Book Name: Padma Purana (Section: Brahma Khanda 25.15–18)
1) To blaspheme the devotees who have dedicated their lives for propagating
the holy name of the Lord.
2) To consider the names of demigods like Lord Shiva or Lord Brahma to be
equal to or independent of the name of the Lord Vishnu.
3) To disobey the orders of the spiritual master.
4) To blaspheme the vedic scriptures or scriptures in pursuance to the
vedic version.
5) To consider the glories of chanting Hare Krishna to be an imagination.
6) To give some interpretations to the holy name of the Lord.
7) To commit sinful activities on the strength of the holy name.
8) To consider the chanting of Hare Krishna as one of the auspicious
ritualistic activities which are offered in the Vedas as frutive activities
(Karma kanda).
9) To instruct a faithless person about the glories of the holy name
10) To not have complete faith in the chanting of the holy name and to
maintain material attachments, even after understanding so many instructions on
this matter. It is also an offense to be inattentive while chanting.
Every devotee who claims to be Vaishnava must guard against these offenses in
order to quickly achieve the desired success KRISHNA PREMA!!!
GEETA MAHATMYAM
Krsna Dvaipayana Vyasa has written this song “Gita Sastram Idam Punyam”. The official name of this song is Gita Mahatmya. This song is taken from the book Padma Purana. In this song, the benefits of reading Bhagavad Gita are elaborated.
(1)
gita-sastram idam punyam yah pathet prayatah puman
visnoh padam avapnoti bhaya-sokadi-varjitah
(2)
gitadhyayana-silasya pranayama-parasya ca
naiva santi hi papani purva-janma-krtani
(3)
maline mocanam pumsam jala-snanam dine dine
sakrd-gitambhasi snanam samsara-mala-nasanam
(4)
gita sugita kartavya kim anyaih sastra-vistaraih
ya svayam padmanabhasya mukha-padmad vinihsrta
(5)
bharatamrta-sarvasvam visnor vaktrad vinihsrtam
gita-gangodakam pitva punar-janma na vidyate
(6)
sarvopanisado gavo dogdha gopala-nandanah
partho vatsah sudhir bhokta dugdham gitamrtam mahat
(7)
ekam sastram devaki-putra-gitam
eko devo devaki-putra eva
eko mantras tasya namani yani
karmapy ekam tasya devasya seva
(1) If one properly follows the instructions of Bhagavad-gita, one can be freed from all the miseries and anxieties of life. One will be freed from all fears in this life, and one's next life will be spiritual.
(2) If one reads Bhagavad-gita very sincerely and with all seriousness, then by the grace of the Lord the reactions of his past misdeeds will not act upon him.
(3) One may cleanse himself daily by taking a bath in water, but if one takes a bath even once in the sacred Ganges water of Bhagavad-gita, for him the dirt of material life is altogether vanquished.
(4) Because Bhagavad-gita is spoken by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one need not read any other Vedic literature. One need only attentively and regularly hear and read Bhagavad-gita. In the present age, people are so absorbed in mundane activities that it is not possible for them to read all the Vedic literatures. But this is not necessary. This one book, Bhagavad-gita, will suffice, because it is the essence of all Vedic literatures and especially because it is spoken by the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
(5) One who drinks the water of the Ganges attains salvation, so what to speak of one who drinks the nectar of Bhagavad-gita? Bhagavad-gita is the essential nectar of the Mahabharata, and it is spoken by Lord Krsna Himself, the original Visnu.
(6) This Gitopanisad, Bhagavad-gita, the essence of all the Upanisads, is just like a cow, and Lord Krsna, who is famous as a cowherd boy, is milking this cow. Arjuna is just like a calf, and learned scholars and pure devotees are to drink the nectarean milk of Bhagavad-gita.
(7) Let there be one scripture only, one common scripture for the whole world — Bhagavad-gita. Let there be one God for the whole world — Sri Krsna. Let there be only one hymn, one mantra, one prayer — the chanting of His name: Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. Let there be one work only — the service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Putting On Tilak
Tilaka refers to the markings which Vaisnava devotees apply to their bodies, to remind themselves and others that we are all eternal servants of Lord Krsna. The U-shaped mark represents the heel of Lord Visnu, and the oval part represents the Tulasi leaf. Tilaka is applied to twelve parts of the body, and the twelve names of the Lord are recited with each application. To apply tilaka, start with a little Ganges or Yamuna water (if you don't have any, get some water, and stirring it with your right middle finger, chant:
ganga
cha yamune chaiva
godavari saravati
narmade sindho kaveri
jale 'smin sannidhim kuru
"O Ganges, O Yamuna, O Godavari, O Saravati, O Narmada, O Sindhu, O Kaveri, please become present in this water."
Put the water in your left hand, and rub the hard tilak into the water, creating a wet paste out of the clay. Begin by putting your ring finger of the right hand into the clay, and starting between the eyebrows, bring the finger straight up to the hairline, making two straight lines. It should look like a long, narrow U-shape. Then use some more tilak to make the Tulasi leaf on your nose, it should extend about 3/4 of the way down your nose. As you apply the tilak to your body, chant the following mantras:
Take the remaining tilak, and wipe it on the back of the head, in the area of the sikha, and chant om vasudevaya namaha.
Lord Shiva says to Parvati that in the middle of the tilak marking there is a space, and in that space reside Lakshmi and Narayana. Therefore the body that is decorated with tilaka should be considered a temple of Lord Vishnu.
Compiled by Muralinath Krishna Das specially for Gita Class and Internal Circulation only. For more information,
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