A l l G l o r i e s t o S r i G u r u a n d G a u r a n g a !

Founder Acharaya His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Promode Puri Goswami Thakur

BHAGAVATA
The e-magazine of Sri Gopinath Gaudiya Math Issue No.4 February 2017

DHARMA
President & Acharaya His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Bibudha Bodhayan Goswami Maharaja

In this issue:
Vasanta Pancami: The arrival of spring in Vrindävan 2
Sri Nityänandäñöakam 3
Srila Jayadeva Goswami and the robbers 5
Srila Vishvanatha Chakravarti Thakura faces opposition 6
Mahaprabhu’s prema for Narottama Das Thakur 7
Appearance of Srila Prabhupada 8
Vaiñnavänäm yathä Çambu 10
Vaiñnava Festivals 13
Travel & Satsang with Srila Bhakti Bibudha Bodhayan Goswami Maharja 14

The world currently is a turbulent place due to material desires and sectarian mentality of
religious groups. The philosophy of Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is not to discriminate on
the basis of caste and creed or based on religious designations. Rather, love one another, as we all
come from the same source, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. We are all related to each other
as brothers and sisters. Therefore, we are supposed to share loving exchanges with each other
instead of involving ourselves in war. According to the instruction of Sri Krishna Chaitanya
Mahaprabhu, by chanting the Hare Krishna Mahamantra we can establish the mood of loving
each other and make the entire society peaceful and blissful.
In the Service of Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's Mission,
His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Bibudha Bodhayan Goswami Maharaja
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VASANTA PANCAMI: THE ARRIVAL OF be splashed with rich aromas. Overwhelmed

SPRING IN VRINDAVAN with joy, the birds sang happily.
By Srila Kavi Karnapura It seemed that wives of the four directions
smiled favourably at the arrival of spring. The
With the arrival of spring, the different types moonlight appeared like sandalwood paste
of Vraja-gopés enjoyed many delightful pleasantly anointing the night. The rambling
pastimes. The unmarried gopés started the Malayan breezes carried the sweet flavor of
gaieties by sneaking off to the forest to pick fragrant flowers. The bumble bees returning
flowers. Then the married gopés, who had to their hives looked like a flock of birds in
previously worshipped Kätyäyani, were the sky. The budding mango trees looked as
granted permission by their mothers-in-law if they were filled with tiny bumps of joy from
to worship ‘kunja-devata’1. Secretly, they also the touch of Mädhavi creepers. What more
worshipped Vrinda-devi. In this way, the can be said about the arrival of spring? The
intelligent gopés could enter the forest of forest appeared like Kandarpa who had just
Vrindavana and attain the intimate changed his body.
association of Kåñëa.
On Vasanta Pancami, the first day of spring,
The tender petals of the Kunda flowers of Shyämasundara, whose joyfully sweet and
spring broke the fierce tusk of the elephants sportive nature spread in all directions, filled
of winter. The spring season arrived in the the horizons with the reflection of His
form of a playful lion cub showing his teeth beautiful blue complexion. The Vrajaväsis
as the stamens of the flowers. The southern mistook the nectar shower of Kåñëa’s sweet
breezes forced the chills of winter to depart. beauty to be an unexpected monsoon rain.
It appeared as if time personified had now Their eyes, ears, and minds tingled with joy
opened his nostrils and begun breathing. upon hearing that spring had arrived and that
The juncture of winter and spring seemed like Kåñëa hankered to celebrate it. The hearts of
the period between boyhood and adolescence. the moon-faced Vraja-gopés throbbed with
The tender creepers exploded with new buds. anxiety to meet their beloved. Overwhelmed
by the intoxication of spring, Radhika,
The cuckoos sang their sweet melodies  kuu
Candravali, Syama-devi, and all their
huu, kuu huu  although they did not sing the
respective girlfriends abandoned their
fifth note which lovers murmur at union.
shyness and ran to the forest with a strong
Though the southern breezes had begun, they
desire to take part in the celebrations.
were weak due to their lingering attachment
to the Malaya hills. It seemed as if buds, birds, With great love and affection, Vrinda-devi
and breezes simultaneously awaited the and her vanadevis appropriately decorated
departure of winter season. Radhika and the gopés for the joyous festival
of spring. They dressed the gopés, their
The forest welcomed the spring season with
revered objects of love, in bright coloured
the sweet fragrance of fresh flowers. With the
blouses, sarees with gold jari, and veils made
disappearance of winter, the forest beamed
from the finest soft cloth. They adorned them
with delight like a man feeling fresh and clean
with fresh flowers and sixteen types of
after morning bath. The creepers appeared to

1This worship was the result of the clever plan of elderly gopés who were concerned for their daughters-
Madhumangala who had been approached by the in-laws lack of affection towards their husbands
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ornaments. As they were being dressed, the ÇRÉ-NITYÄNANDÄÑÖAKAM

gopés bashfully remembered the boon that
By Çréla Våndävana däsa Öhäkura
Kåñëa had given them when He stole their
clothes on the last day of their Kätyäyani- sarac-candra-bhräntià sphurad-amala-
vrata. käntià gaja-gatià
hari-premonmattaà dhåta-parama-sattvaà
Vrinda-devi felt very joyful as she personally
smita-mukham
decorated Radhika with flower ornaments.
sadäghürëan-netraà kara-kalita-vetraà kali-
She set white lilies in Radhika’s hair and
bhidaà
placed a bakula garland across Her hairline
bhaje nityänandaà bhajana-taru-kandaà
that seemed to kiss Sri Radha’s forehead. Then
niravadhi (1)
Vrnda-devi adorned parting of Sri Radha’s
hair with deftly placed red asoka flowers,
I worship Lord Nityänanda, the limitless root
hung mango buds over Her ears, and
of the tree of devotional service. As He walks
beautified Her bosom with a vasanti garland.
with the grace of a majestic elephant, His
As a final touch, the vanadevis smeared the pure, splendid beauty shines like the full
bodies of all the gopés with sandalwood pulp autumn moon. Though He Himself is the
and offered them splendid flower garlands. Absolute Truth, He is maddened with pure
Thus the gorgeous gopés further beautified love for Lord Hari. He smiles as He rolls His
the spring forest of Vrindävana. eyes in apparent intoxication, He carries a
stick in His hand  in the mood of a cowherd
boy  and He breaks the power of the Age of
Kali.
rasänäm ägäraà svajana-gaëa-sarvasvam
atulaà
tadéyaika-präëa-pramita-vasudhä-jähnava-
patim
sadä-premonmädaà param aviditaà manda-
manasäm
bhaje nityänandaà bhajana-taru-kandaà
niravadhi (2)

I worship Lord Nityänanda, the limitless root

of the tree of devotional service. He is the
abode of the mellows of devotional service,
and no one can be compared to Him. He is the
be-all and end-all for His devotees, and the
husband of Vasudhä and Jähnava, to whom
He is more dear than life itself. Because He is
Adapted from Ananda Vrindavan Campu by Srila Kavi
Karnapura, translated by Sri Bhanu Swami and Sri
always maddened with pure love for Kåñëa,
Subhag Swami the foolish non-devotees cannot understand
that He is the Supreme Personality of
Godhead Himself.
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çacé-sünu-preñöhaà nikhila-jagad-iñöaà I worship Lord Nityänanda, the limitless root

sukha-mayaà of the tree of devotional service. He said to
kalau majjaj-jivoddharaëa-karaëoddäma- Lord Caitanya, “O brother, the people are all
karuëam becoming infected by the sins of Kali-yuga.
harer äkhyänäd vä bhava-jaladhi-garvonnati- How will they atone for these sins? Please give
haraà them some means to easily approach You.”
bhaje nityänandaà bhajana-taru-kandaà
yatheñöhaà re bhrätaù kuru hari-hari-
niravadhi (3)
dhvänam aniçaà
tato vaù saàsärämbudhi-taraëa-däyo mayi
I worship Lord Nityänanda, the limitless root
laget
of the tree of devotional service. He is very
idaà bähu-sphoöair aöati raöayan yaù
dear to the son of Çacé-devé and is worshiped
pratigåham
by the entire universe. Out of His great mercy
bhaje nityänandaà bhajana-taru-kandaà
He chants the holy name of Lord Hari, thus
niravadhi (5)
rescuing the souls drowning in the age of Kali
and crushing the pride of the ocean of
I worship Lord Nityänanda, the limitless root
repeated birth and death.
of the tree of devotional service. He went to
each house in Bengal and, raising His arms,
said, “O brother, if you will, please constantly
chant the holy name of Lord Hari. If you do
this, you will become free from the ocean of
birth and death. Please give Me this gift of
your liberation.”
balät saàsärämbhonidhi-harana-
kumbhodbhavam aho
satäà çreyaù-sindhünnati-kumuda-bandhuà
samuditaà
khala-çreëé-sphürjit-timira-hara-sürya-
prabham ahaà
bhaje nityänandaà bhajana-taru-kandaà
niravadhi (6)

I worship Lord Nityänanda, the limitless root

of the tree of devotional service. He is the
Agastya Muni who forcibly swallows the
ocean of repeated death. He is a rising full
aye bhrätar néëäà kali-kaluñiëäà kià nu moon, friend of the night-blooming lotus,
bhavitä who expands the ocean of the saintly
tathä präyaçcittaà racaya yad-anäyäsata ime devotees’ good fortune. He is the blazing sun
vrajanti tväm itthaà saha bhagavatä who extinguishes the darkness of the
mantrayati yo community of demons.
bhaje nityänandaà bhajana-taru-kandaà
niravadhi (4)
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naöantaà gäyantaà harim anuvadantaà These eight verses glorifying Lord Nityänanda
pathi pathi are the abode of the mellows of devotional
vrajantaà paçyantaà svam api na dayantaà service, and they are the wealth of the pure
jana-gaëam devotees who are expert at relishing those
prakurvantaà santaà sa-karuëa-dåg-antaà mellows. All the fallen, conditioned souls can
prakalanäd get liberation just by remembering this
bhaje nityänandaà bhajana-taru-kandaà äñöakam. These verses are excellent,
niravadhi (7) transcendental, and unprecedented. May the
lotus feet of Lord Nityänanda appear eternally
I worship Lord Nityänanda, the limitless root in the hearts of those who read these verses
of the tree of devotional service. He traversed and remember the Lord.
every road, dancing, singing the names of
Adapted from Sri Nityänandäñöakam by Çréla
Lord Hari, and describing His glories. Våndävana däsa Öhäkura, translation by Sri Kusakratha
Without considering His own interests, He Das
was merciful to everyone He met, and cast
SRILA JAYADEVA GOSWAMI AND THE
upon them His merciful sidelong glance.
ROBBERS
su-bibhräëaà bhrätuù kara-sarasijaà
by HDG Srila Bhakti Promode Puri Goswami
komalataraà
Thakur
mitho vakträlokocchalita-paramänanda-
hådayam Once Srila Jayadeva Goswami wished to put
bhramantaà mädhuryair ahaha madayantaà on a festival for his beloved deities Sri Rädha
pura-janän Mädhava. However, he lacked sufficient funds
bhaje nityänandaà bhajana-taru-kandaà to do so. He decided to go outside his village
niravadhi (8) to collect some funds, using his poetic skills.
On his return, he was stopped by a group of
I worship Lord Nityänanda, the limitless root robbers who not only stole his money but cut
of the tree of devotional service. He fondly his hands and feet and threw him into a well
grasped His brother Lord Caitanya’s soft and to die. Despite being in severe pain, Jayadeva
beautiful lotus hand, and together They continually called out the names of the Lord
wandered here and there, delighting the as loudly as he could.
townspeople with Their sweet beauty. Their
Three days later, the king happened to pass
hearts filled with bliss when They gazed upon
that way on a hunting expedition and heard
each other’s lotus faces.
the sound of the holy names coming from the
rasänäà ädhäraà rasika-vara-sad-vaiñëava- well. The king approached the well out of
dhanaà curiosity and was horrified to see Jayadeva in
rasägäraà säraà patita-tati-täraà a serious condition. He rescued Jayadeva from
smaraëataù the well and brought back to his palace to
paraà nityänandäñöakam idam apürvaà personally treat him. Under the king and
pathati yaù queen's care, Jayadeva gradually returned to
tad-aìghri-dvandväbjaà sphuratu nitaräà health.
tasya hådaye (9)
Both the king and queen were enchanted by
Jayadeva's sweet singing of the Géta-Govinda
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as well as his saintly character. They “There is no greater irreligiousness than

immediately sent servants to bring Padmavati untruth. I can bear any burden other than that
to the palace. The royal couple began to hear of a person who constantly lies.”
about Kåñëa regularly from Jayadeva. They
The goddess of the Earth was unable to
took initiation from Jayadeva and started to
support the weight of the sinful liars and so
make their lives successful through service to
she swallowed them up. As they blasphemed
the Lord and His devotees.
Jayadeva, a great devotee of the Lord, they
One day, the robbers who had attacked met their doom in the bowels of the Earth.
Jayadeva came to the king's palace disguised
The servants of the king who had
as devotee guests. Even though Jayadeva
accompanied the robbers were amazed to see
recognized the robbers, he still honoured
how they were punished for their offense to
them according to their external appearance
Jayadeva. They returned to the palace and
and arranged for the appropriate hospitality
told the king everything that they had
to be offered. The robbers, however, did not
witnessed. The king inquired from Jayadeva
understand Jayadeva's forgiving and generous
about the robbers and he told the entire story.
nature. Fearing capture and punishment, they
He said, “O king, a saintly person does not
thought it would be best to leave without
take revenge on those who have behaved
accepting the royal hospitality. Jayadeva
malevolently towards him. Instead he tries to
understood their fear and asked the king to
please them by polite behavior. Even so, the
give them a large sum of money and escort to
Lord's flawless will makes them suffer the
usher them out of the palace.
consequences of their sinful actions, as He did
After they had gone a certain distance, the in this case.”
robbers said to the escorting soldiers, "You
Adapted from Associates of Lord Caitanya by HDG
need not go any further. We would like to tell Srila Bhakti Promode Puri Goswami Thakur
you a secret message to convey to the king.
Prior to becoming Vaiñnavas, we were the SRILA VISVANATHA CAKRAVARTI
servants of a certain king who for a very good THAKURA FACES OPPOSITION
reason ordered us to murder this priest, By Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Goswami
Jayadeva. So we cut his hands and feet and left Maharaja
him to die. Fearing his secret would come out
now, the priest gave us a lot of money and At the time of Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti
asked us to leave quickly." Thakura, there were some panditäs in
Vrindavana who opposed him for propagating
Mother Earth could not tolerate hearing such the worship of the Lord in the mood of
a horrendous lie. So she opened and paramour (parakéya bhäva). In debate
swallowed the entire gang of robbers. however, Visvanatha defeated them by his
In Çrémad Bhägavatam (8:20:4), mother Earth deep scholarship and irrefutable logic. On
has said: account of this, the envious panditäs resolved
to kill him. Visvanatha had the habit of rising
na hy asatyät paro'dharma early in the morning and performing
iti hoväca bhür iyam / parikrama of Vrindavana. The panditäs
sarvaà soòhum alaà madhye formulated a plan to kill him at that time in
åte'lékaparaà naram // some dense, dark grove.
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While performing parikrama one day, Nityananda’s side, resting his hand on his
Visvanatha came to the place where the shoulder, while shedding tears of ecstatic
panditäs were hiding. They saw him love. Nityananda Prabhu loudly chanted
approaching, and suddenly he was no longer Jagannath’s name which brought Sri Caitanya
there. Instead, they saw a beautiful young Mahaprabhu back to external consciousness.
Vrajaväsi girl picking flowers along with two Then again, Lord Caitanya called out,
or three of her friends. The astonished “Narottama! Narottama!”, looking around as
panditäs inquired from the girl, "Dear child, if to find him. Everyone decided that it would
just a moment ago we saw a devotee be best to somehow or other take the Lord to
approaching here. Did you happen to see Nilacala, thinking that once He crossed the
him? Where did he go?” The girl replied, “I river Padmavati, He would again become
saw him, but I don't know where he went.” peaceful.
Seeing the astounding beauty of the girl, her When the Lord again called “Narottama!
sidelong glances, graceful feminine manner, Narottama!”, the people began to understand
and gentle smile, the panditäs were that perhaps a great person was about to
captivated. Instantly, all impurity in their appear. Lord Caitanya embraced Nityananda
minds was vanquished and their hearts were in ecstatic love and soaked His body with
softened. The panditäs then requested the girl tears. Nityananda prabhu pacified the Lord
to introduce herself. She politely replied, “I and asked, “My Lord, You have repeatedly
am a maidservant of Svämini Srimati Rädhika. been calling out Narottama during your
She is presently at Her mother-in-law's house kértana. I think he must be an exalted devotee
at Yävata. She sent me here to pick flowers.” and I wish to see him. I think gaining his
Saying this, the girl disappeared, and in her association would be of great benefit to me.”
place, they saw Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Lord Caitanya said, “There is a place called
Thakura. Horrified at their offense, the Gaderahaat on the bank of the Padmavati near
panditäs fell at his lotus feet and begged for here. It is so pleasant that if you visit it, you
forgiveness. Out of natural compassion, he will not want to leave. My dear Nityananda, I
forgave them. have a great desire to distribute love of God at
that place. The sankértana movement has
Adapted from the introduction to Bhakti-rasamrta-
sindhu-bindu By Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana inundated the entire Navadwip area, but now
Goswami Maharaja I live in Nilacala. I wish to preserve the
sankértana movement after I leave this world,
MAHAPRABHU’S PREMA FOR
so I will distribute love of God at
NAROTTAMA DAS THAKUR
Gaderahaat.” Nityananda Prabhu said, “O
By Sri Nityananda dasa Lord, You seem to be quite taken by this
place. I wonder who is that fortunate soul
This pastime demonstrates how Caitanya
there, upon whom You will bestow Your
Mahaprabhu and Nityananda Prabhu
mercy!” Lord Caitanya replied, “O
bestowed love of God on Narottama das
Nityananda, as long as You are present in this
Thakur even before his birth.
world, love of God will remain here.
One day as Lord Caitanya was dancing in Presently, people all over the country are
sankértana, He suddenly called out the name, intoxicated by love of God. Still, I wish to save
“Narottama! Narottama!” He stood by Lord that prema for future generations. If love of
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God were given to a suitable person, it would in due course of time.” Giving assent,
remain intact; otherwise it might be lost. Let Padmavati asked, “How will I recognize
us now go to Gaderahaat; there I will give love him?” The Lord replied, “When someone’s
of God to a person who will, in due course of mere touch makes you ecstatic, you will know
time, intoxicate everyone with it.” for certain that he is Narottama.” Happily,
Padmavati held within herself the love of God
“My dear Nityananda, You bound me with
given to her by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu,
Your love since I have been in Nilacala. I want
saving it for Narottama. As Padmavati bade
to deposit that love in the waters of the river
Them farewell, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and
Padmavati so that she can deliver it to one
Nityananda Prabhu, stood silently for some
Narottama, who will be the personification of
time.
the love of God. He will soon take birth
there.” Adapted from Prema Vilasa – Pastimes of Love, by Sri
Nityananda dasa, translation by Sri Bhumipati dasa
Nityananda said, “Where is this place
Gaderahaat? I would like to go there.” APPEARANCE OF SRILA PRABHUPADA

Lord Caitanya and Nityananda, along with by HDG Srila Bhakti Promode Puri Goswami
Their associates then set out to Gaderahaat Thakur
while pretending to others that They were
going to Vrindavan. Soon They arrived at the
beautiful village of Kudodarapura, where
They spent the night discussing Kåñëa katha.
They rose early the next morning and
performed sankértana. They roared loudly
and their bodies shivered in ecstacy. They
danced so exuberantly that thousands of
people could not have held them. During this
kirtana, the Lord repeatedly called out
“Narottama! Narottama!”
Nityananda Prabhu said jokingly, “This
Narottama has stolen Your love of God.”
The two Lords and Their associates finally
stopped the kértana and entered Padmavati to
bathe. As soon as Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s
body touched the waters of the river, goddess
Padmavati became intoxicated with love of
Mahaprabhu could not tolerate hearing
God. Her waves came to a standstill and her
anything that contradicted the pure spirit of
water began to rise. Within a short time, the
devotion. For this reason, He always had
entire village was flooded. The people were
Svarupa Damodar read everything before He
both astonished and frightened to see so
Himself listened to it. For the very same
much water when it was not the rainy season.
reason, He arranged for Bhaktivinoda Thakur
The Lord told Padmavati, “Save this ecstatic
to take responsibility for the Jagannath
love for Narottama. You can award it to him
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temple in Puri for a period of five years (1871- He also wrote a book describing the relative
1875). It was during this time that Srila positions of a Vaiñnava and a brähmana. This
Prabhupada took birth. text made him the object of Mahaprabhu and
Bhaktivinoda Thakur’s undying affection.
Bhaktivinoda Thakur is the best of the
Nevertheless, Srila Prabhupada himself said
followers of Svarupa Damodar and Rupa
that his main mission in life was to preach the
Goswamis. He noted that my spiritual master,
books and message of Bhaktivinoda Thakur.
Srila Prabhupada, had taken birth in the land
He considered Bhaktivinoda to be the
of Purushottam, Jagannath Puri, where the
manifest representative of Srimati Rädhäräné.
Supreme Lord Himself had come to relish the
He had a saying, bäbä bädhä rädhä, which
taste of love in separation. Bhaktivinoda
means “thinking of him as a father is an
Thakur thus recognized his appearance to be
obstacle to attaining Rädhäräné.” Throughout
the blessings of, Bimala Devi, Jagannath
his lifetime, Srila Prabhupada very often
Deva’s personal energy who was acting to
named his deities Vinodänanda, Vinoda-
enrich the Lord’s pastimes. So he named the
präëa, etc., in remembrance of Bhaktivinoda
child Bimala Prasad. It is impossible for
Thakur. The Thakur also showed his
anyone to preach about the divine abode,
particular affection for Srila Prabhupada
name, form, activities and glories of the
when he wrote:
Supreme Lord without the direct blessings of
His internal potency, Yogamäya. This is sarasvaté kåñëa-priyä kåñëa-bhakti tära hiyä
corroborated in Caitanya Caritamrta  kåñëa- vinodera sei se vaibhava
çakti vinä nahe tära pravartana.
“Saraswati is dear to Kåñëa; his heart is filled
In his later life, Srila Prabhupada took on
with devotion for Kåñëa. He is the
other names (Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati and
manifestation of Bhaktivinoda’s opulence.”
Varshabhanavi-dayita Das) that were
reflections of his virtues and activities. Adapted from On Love and Separation by HDG Srila
Bhakti Promode Puri Goswami Thakur
As a small boy, Srila Prabhupada did not show
VAIÑNAVÄNÄM YATHÄ ÇAMBU
the typical childish enthusiasm for play and
sports. He considered such activities to be a By HDG Srila Bhakti Promode Puri Goswami
waste of time. Instead he had a natural taste Thakur
for worshiping the Lord and chanting His
names. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur later gave The Çrémad Bhägavatam tells the story of how
Prabhupada his blessings to go and live in Yajneçvara, Lord Viñëu, refused to grace King
Mayapur in a place called Baraja-pota. Srila Dakña’s royal sacrifice because Dakña
Prabhupada renamed that place Vraja-pattana disrespected the topmost Vaiñnava, Çiva, by
and later established Chaitanya Math there. not inviting him. Dakña’s daughter Saté, the
He lived there following a strict celibate life, devoted wife of Çiva, could not refuse Dakña’s
exemplifying the duty of a sädhaka by taking invitation because he was her father, so she
the vows of Chaturmasya and chanting one attended despite her husband’s not
billion Holy Names. During this time, he also approving.
wrote commentaries on Caitanya Caritamrita, At the sacrificial arena, her father began to
Çrémad Bhägavatam, Srila Rupa Goswami’s publicly malign Çiva. Saté was deeply pained
Upadeçämåta and Mahaprabhu’s Çikñäñöaka. and thought, “Feeling sentimental, I ignored
B h a g a v a t a D h a r m a – T h e e - m a g a z i n e
my husband’s warning and came to my
father’s house. Now I am tormented having to
hear blasphemy against an elevated Vaiñnava.
Shame on me a thousand times! I don’t know
what to do. I cannot continue to live in this
wretched body of mine, which was conceived
by my blasphemous father. I will abandon it
and purify my soul by bathing in the dust of
my godly husband’s feet.”
Saté then addressed her father Dakña, “My
Lord Çiva is dear to all living beings; he loves
everyone and has no enemies. Who else but
you could behave in such a despicable
manner to this divine personality?”
A saintly person’s nature is to overlook other’s
faults and appreciate their good qualities. But
an envious person sees even the good
qualities of others as faults. The madhyama-
adhikäré Vaiñnava properly discriminates
between good qualities and bad qualities. The
uttama-adhikäré recognises even the minutest
good qualities in others and praises them as if
they were great; whereas a fool decries even a
great personality who possesses all good
qualities.
The Caitanya Charitämåta describes
Vaiñnava in the following way:
uttama haïä vaiñëava habe nirabhimäna
jébe sammäna dibe jäni’ kåñëa adhiñöhäna
Caitanya Charitämåta, Antya 20.25
“Although a Vaiñnava is the most exalted
person, he is pride-less and respects everyone,
knowing that Kåñëa dwells within them.”
Saté continued, “Anyone who limits his
concept of the self to the body, mind, or
intellect is certainly deluded. It is not
surprising that such fools malign exalted
persons.” Elevated souls calmly tolerate all
blasphemies hurled against them; they are
undisturbed by praise or criticism, honor or
dishonor. However, their followers, who are
o f S r i G o p i n a t h G a u d i y a M a t h P a g e | 10
like particles of pollen clinging to their lotus
feet, never tolerate such blasphemy. They
want to destroy the offenders.
“The two syllables forming the name Çiva —
çi and va — are so auspicious that by their
mere utterance all inauspiciousness and evil
is removed. Çiva’s instructions are not to be
neglected, his pastimes are all glorious, and
he is the best friend of all living beings.
Therefore, only an envious fool could think of
criticizing him.”
Dakña responded, “You have described the
sublime characteristics of saints and warned
against finding faults in others, but what
a about me? I am a brähmana and a Prajäpati
(progenitor); everyone honors me. I am your
father and therefore should be highly
respected by you, my daughter. Do you not
think it is an offense to criticize me?”
Saté replied, “How can you, an enemy of Çiva,
speak of blasphemy? As a party to this
heinous offense I should kill you, and by not
doing so I am worsening my own offense.”
Then she recited the following verse:
karëau pidhäya nirayäd yad akalpa éçe
dharmävitary açåëibhir nåbhir asyamäne
chindyät prasahya ruçatéà asatéà prabhuç
cej
jihväm asün api tato visåjet sa dharmaù
Çrémad Bhägavatam 4.4.17
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the place of offense is solely directed at those

“Upon hearing blasphemy of a protector of who are weak. Those who are strong and
religion like Lord Çiva, one should block his powerful must retaliate. Those incapable of
ears and go away if he is unable to punish the either of these courses of action should give
blasphemer. If he is not in a position to up their lives.”
enforce corporal punishment, then he should
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur
give up his own life.”
Prabhupada writes in his purport to the same
In his commentary to this çloka, Srila verse:
Visvanath Chakravarti writes:
“The brähmanas are the gurus of the entire
“During the Vedic times in India, it was the varnashram society. The Vaiñnava äcärya is
duty of a kñatriya (kñatriya-dharma) to punish the guru (spiritual preceptor) of those
blasphemers. The other classes of the society brähmanas. At the first sign of blasphemy
— brähmana, vaiçya and çüdra — were not against such an äcärya, one should
permitted to mete out physical punishments. immediately leave. If one cannot execute
Thus, vaiçyas (merchants) and çüdras corporal punishment on the blasphemer, he
(workers) must give up their lives in response should give up his body, feeling unbearable
to hearing blasphemy. It is not right for a distress and shame.”
brähmana to give up his life, so he should
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Prabhupada also says
cover his ears, chant the name of Lord
that one should not only avoid the association
Vishnu, and leave the company of the
of those who blasphemes a Vaiñnava, but also
blasphemer, feeling deeply saddened.”
the company of his associates.
Since Vaiñnavas are at least equal to the
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur writes in Kalyäëa-
brähmana, they are expected to follow the
kalpa-taru:
regulation for brähmanas. Srila Jiva Goswami
writes in Bhakti-sandarbha, in the context of vaiñëava caritra sarvadä pavitra
sädhu-nindä — the first of the ten jei ninde hiàsä kari
nämäparädhas — that it is harmful even to bhakativinoda nä sambhäñe täre
overhear blasphemy of a Vaiñnava. He quotes thäke sadä mauna dhari
the Bhägavatam:
“The Vaiñnava’s character is always pure. I
nindäà bhagavataù çåëvaàs
will never speak to envious people who
tat-parasya janasya vä
criticize a Vaiñnava; I will remain silent in
tato näpaiti yaù so’pi
their company.”
yäty adhaù sukåtäc cyutaù
Saté, the exalted wife of the greatest Vaiñnava
Çrémad Bhägavatam 10.74.40 Lord Çiva, continued to fearlessly berate her
father: “I cannot bear living in this awful body
“Upon hearing blasphemy against the
born from you. If one mistakenly drinks
Supreme Lord or His devotee, any person who
poison, doctors recommend vomiting.
does not leave that sacrilegious place would
Similarly, my poisoned body needs to be
be implicated in the offense and lose all sukåti
rejected and burned. You are so vile that I am
(spiritual merit).”
ashamed to be your daughter. My husband
Sri Jiva comments, “The instruction to leave addresses me as Däkñäyaëé, the daughter of
B h a g a v a t a D h a r m a – T h e e - m a g a z i n e o f S r i G o p i n a t h G a u d i y a M a t h P a g e | 12

Dakña. When I think of that and how it binds done to Dantavakra.

me to you, I feel disgusted and so deeply
Then Vérabhadra sat on Dakña’s chest and
pained at heart that I want to kill myself.”
severed his head. Vérabhadra threw the
Finishing her heartfelt condemnation of bloody head into the sacrificial fire as an
Dakña, Saté went into a deep meditation. By oblation and set the whole arena on fire. Then
dint of her mystic power, she then left her he called for Siva’s soldiers and left for
body. Everyone was shocked, and began to Kailäsa. Any sacrificial ceremony in which
wail. Dakña however, remained silent. Saté’s there is blasphemy of a pure Vaiñëava will
bodyguards, the Pramathas and Guhyakas, face the same destruction.
rose up in anger to kill Dakña. Seeing this, the
The sacrificial priest and the attending Gods,
great sage Bhrigu chanted a potent mantra
all severely wounded, reverently approached
from the Yajur Veda and offered oblations
Brahmä and narrated the gory episode to him.
into the sacrificial fire. Thousands of strong
Brahmä and Sri Näräyaëa had stayed away
heavenly warriors known as Ribhus, armed
from Dakña’s sacrifice, knowing beforehand
with celestial weapons, arose out of the fire
the terrible outcome. Brahmä patiently heard
and began to rain blows on Saté’s bodyguards.
their pleas and advised: “Those who vilify a
Outnumbered by these superior warriors,
powerful personality and then desire to live in
Saté’s guards fled in all directions.
peace will find their lives extremely
Narada Muni, who had seen the entire inauspicious. You have offended Çiva, who is
incident by dint of his mystic vision then went a recipient God of the sacrificial oblations.
to Lord Çiva and told him everything. The You must be sincerely remorseful and throw
now infuriated Lord Çiva tore a lock of matted yourselves at his feet. He is called Äçutoña,
hair from his head and dashed it to the very easy to satisfy  so try to please him.
ground. From that lock of hair emerged a When he is angry he is capable of destroying
monstrous warrior named Vérabhadra, who the entire universe. He has been deeply hurt
was an expansion of Lord Çiva. He bowed in and enraged by the death of his beloved
deep reverence to his master and prayed for consort. I see no recourse other than sincerely
instructions. Çiva said, “You are the begging forgiveness at his lotus feet.”
embodiment of my anger. Now lead my
Brahma then led Indra and the other Gods to
associates in their mission to destroy Dakña
Lord Çiva’s abode, Kailäsa. They found him
and his sacrifice!”
sitting under a tree and meditating on the
Vérabhadra immediately raced to the sacrifice Supreme. They offered their respectful
and arrested Dakña. He tore Bhrgu Muni’s obeisance to Siva and he reciprocated.
mustache off his face, because he had twirled Brahma prayed and begged him to excuse
it while derisively laughing at Lord Siva. Dakña and to find a way for him to complete
Vérabhadra slammed Bhagadeva to the the yajnä. He further pleaded with him to
ground and ripped his eyes out, because forgive the other gods who were a party to the
Bhagadeva had encouraged Dakña by winking heinous crime and were now suffering the
at him while he was insulting Lord Siva. And results of their actions, and to heal the
because Püñä had smiled bearing his teeth maimed and wounded guests.
while Siva was being abused, Vérabhadra
Siva was appeased by Brahma and the Gods.
knocked his teeth out, just as Balaräma had
By his mystic power, he placed a goat’s head
B h a g a v a t a D h a r m a – T h e e - m a g a z i n e o f S r i G o p i n a t h G a u d i y a M a t h P a g e | 13

on Dakña and brought him back to life. The time, Saté was reincarnated as Pärvaté, the
others who had been wounded were also daughter of Menakä and Himalaya, and
healed. Çiva accompanied them to Dakña’s married Çiva again.
sacrificial arena, where Dakña fell at his feet
By hearing this sacred tale of Çiva, who is the
and begged for mercy. The yajnä resumed and
crest jewel among Vaiñnavas, we advance on
this time Narayan came to receive oblations;
the path of devotion.
Çiva and Brahma were worshiped and
received the remnants of the sacrificial Adapted from The Heart of Krishna by HDG Srila
offerings— Dakña’s yajnä was completed. In Bhakti Promode Puri Goswami Thakur

VAIÑNAVA FESTIVALS: FEBRUARY 2017

Date Festival
1 February Vasanta pancami,
Appearance Day of Srimati Visnupriya Devi, Sri Pundarika Vidhyanidhi, Sri
Raghunandana Thakur, and Srila Raghunatha Das Goswami
Disppearance Day of Srila Visvanatha Chakravarti Thakur, Tridandi Swami
Srimad Bhakti Viveka Bharati Maharaj and Tridandi Swami Srimad Bhakti
Svarup Parvat Maharaj
Sri Sarasvati puja
3 February Appearance Day of Sri Advaita Acharya
5 February Disappearance Day of Srila Sri Madhava Acharya
6 February Disappearance Day of Srila Sri Ramanuja Acharya
7 February Bhaimi Ekadasi
8 February Appearance Day of Sri Varahadev
9 February Appearance Day of Sri Nityananda Prabhu (Notyananda trayodasi)
11 February Sri Krishna Madhura Utsava,
Appearance Day of Srila Narottam Das Thakur
16 February Appearance Day of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur Prabhupad,
Disappearance Day of Srila Purushottam Thakur
17 February Appearance of Tridandi Swami Srimad Bhakti Saranga Goswami Maharaj
22 February Vijaya Ekadasi
25 February Sri Siva ratri
27 February Disappearance Day of Srila Jagannath Das Babaji Maharaj, Srila
Rasikananda Dev Goswami, and Tridandi Swami Srimad Bhakti Dayita
Madhav Maharaj
28 February Appearance Day of Srila Bhakti Kusum Ashram Maharaj
B h a g a v a t a D h a r m a – T h e e - m a g a z i n e o f S r i G o p i n a t h G a u d i y a M a t h P a g e | 14

UPCOMING TRAVEL & SATSANG WITH SRILA BODHAYAN GOSWAMI MAHARAJ

Date Satsang Location Contact

3 – 10 February San Francisco, USA Ram Das Prabhu,
raoul@insighteditions.com, +1 415-307-6067
11 February Singapore Sankarshan Das Prabhu +65 9273 1954
12 - 14 February Malaysia Krishnamoorthy Das Prabhu +60 14 330 9108
15- 16 February Singapore Sankarshan Das Prabhu +65 9273 1954
17 - 18 February HasimNagar, Hari-Bhakta Das Prabhu
Kolkota, India
19 February Behala, Behala Sri Gopinath Gaudiya Math
Kolkota, India
20 - 22 February Nayachak, Joyargori,
Howrah,
Kolkota, India
23 February Khalna, Howrah,
Kolkota, India
24 - 25 February Amta, Howrah,
Kolkota, India
26 - 28 February Hotor,
Kolkota, India
28 February – Garia,
1 March Kolkota, India
1 - 2 March Dumdum, Vandana Devi & Sanak Prabhu
Kolkota, India +91-33-25135201, +91-9051141837

3 March Ghughuragachi
4 – 18 March Mayapur Navadwip Dham Parikrama,
Sri Gopinath Gaudiya Math

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