Things haven’t changed so very much since the time Krsna played in Vrndavana as a cowherd boy. On the outskirts, in Ramana Reti, peacocks still dance beneath the trees. If you’re not careful, monkeys will steal fruit from your room.
There is a forest called Talavana full of palm trees, and all the trees are filled with sweet, ripe fruit. Some of the fruit is already falling, and some is still in the trees. It is a very nice place, but because of a great demon named Dhenukasura, it is very difficult to go there.
Brahma presented himself to Krishna as the most presumptuous living creature. He had stolen the boys and calves to test Krishna’s power, but now he admitted it was foolish to have attempted to display his energy before the energy of the Supreme Person.
Young Nalakuvara and Manigriva became addicted to intoxication and sex. One day they went searching for their favorite pleasures in a splendid garden on the bank of the Ganges. There they got themselves drunk on a liquor called Varuni, and singing noisily, they wandered through fragrant flowers with beautiful young girls.
Srila Prabhupada’s First Talks in America (New York, October 1966) How to reach the spiritual realm. His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada speaks on Bhagavad-gita, India’s time-honored source book of spiritual science. avyakto ‘ksara ity uktas tam ahuh paramam gatim yam prapya na nivartante tad dhama paramam mama “My supreme abode is unmanifested and […]
The Transcendental Pastimes of Lord Krsna Had little Krsna really put dirt in His mouth? Mother Yasoda decided she’d find out for herself. by Drutakarma dasa Mother Yasoda loved Krsna intensely—so much so that she would feed and dress Him and send Him out to play with His friends just as though He were an […]
A talk given by Acyutananda Svami in Los Angeles, March 1978. Translation of a Sanskrit Verse (Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.26.3) “The Supreme Personality of Godhead is the Supreme Soul, and He has no beginning. He is transcendental to the material modes of nature and beyond the existence of this material world. He is perceivable everywhere because He […]
Through his mystic power Aghasura took the form of an eight-mile-long python. At first, the boys thought the demon was just a statue. But then one boy said, “Just see—isn’t this more like a big serpent lying down in the road and widening his mouth to eat all of us?”
The highest form of philanthropic or altruistic service that a man can render to his fellow brethren—is the propagation of transcendental service of the Personality of Godhead by awakening the spiritual sense of all sleeping men caught hold of by the grip of the “Maya” Potency. The easiest method for reviving such spiritual sense in the heart of all fallen souls, was taught by Lord Chaitanya who took compassion with the fallen souls of the present age, as congregational chanting of the Holy Name of Godhead.
The Transcendental Pastimes of Lord Krsna To His mother and father, Lord Krsna was an endearing child. To the demons, He was death personified. Playing like an ordinary child. Lord Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, was a constant source of pleasure to His parents. His mother Yasoda would say, “My dear Krsna, please bring […]
Each of us seeks pleasure. But we do not know how to seek pleasure perfectly. We are frustrated at every step in satisfying our desire for pleasure, because we have no information regarding the real level on which to have real pleasure.
The king had many wives, but, strangely, he couldn’t have a son. What happened when he finally got one was even more strange.
In the darkness of night, as a thunderstorm brought heavy rains to Mathura, Krishna appeared before Vasudeva and Devaki within the jail of Kamsa. He had four arms, and held a conchshell, club, disc, and lotus flower.
Diti felt pressed by Cupid, and she caught hold of Kasyapa’s clothing, just like a shameless prostitute. Unable to dissuade his wife, Kasyapa resigned himself to his fate and lay with Diti in a secluded place.
The demoniac servants of Hiranyakasipu, who had fearful faces, sharp teeth, and reddish beards, then started to strike Prahlada’s tender body with their tridents. They shouted, “Chop him up! Pierce him!”
Krishna, tending the cows and accompanied by Sri Balarama and the cowherd boys, began to vibrate His transcendental flute. When the cowherd girls of Vrindavan heard the sweet vibration, they began to talk about how nicely Krishna was playing His flute.
Convinced that Navadvipa was not the actual birthplace of Lord Caitanya, Srila Bhaktivinoda became curious to locate the authentic spot. He set out to discover the yoga-pitha (birthplace).
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura (1838-1914) was a pioneer in the distribution of Krishna consciousness in English. He dedicated much of his life to this effort. His mission has been continued and greatly expanded by his son’s disciple, Srila Prabhupada.
Since the beginning of time, avatars have descended from the spiritual world to impart transcendental knowledge. But none have ever distributed knowledge or love of God as freely as the golden avatar—Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. (Taken from “Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu: His Life and Precepts,” a short work by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura first published in 1896.) In […]
He enjoyed half-killing animals and watching them writhe in pain. But before long he wouldn’t harm and ant… All because of meeting a great sadhu.