A trip to Srirangam-chant your rounds!

It was a fine and a hot day in Chennai.I was leaving for Srirangam Dham,added to the excitement was the book called "Salted Bread"a true and painful story which will encourage everyone of us to take devotional service more seriously!I was excited to read it.I gave the book a shot,a mind blowing book and i couldn't keep it down for 6 hours,the whole journey,little did i realize,i was on the train and in the next 20 minutes i would be in Srirangam.I had a terrible feeling as i had chanted only 2 rounds that day.But i continued reading.Immediately the lady next to me said "its Srirangam,get down".I jumped out of the train with all baggages in my hand.Little did i realize,it was not Srirangam,a place 40 kms away from Srirangam!It was pitch dark.There were only 2 people who got down at the station.I got a call,little did i realize it was not Srirangam!
I took my luggage,tried to remain calm,at that time,i could remember the Lord.I thought the Lord was punishing me for not chanting my rounds.I chanted the Nrsimha Prayers and started chanting.The Lord was helping and guiding me.There was one last bus to Srirangam Dham.By Krishna's mercy,i boarded it.And reached Srirangam in one hour and a half.In that journey,filled with fear,at night,i chanted 18 rounds of the Maha Mantra,and then i reached Srirangam.I thanked the Lord profusely.Without chanting,i would have nearly died of fear.
In the whole journey,i was chanting,begging for the Lords mercy.I realized only one thing that only the Lords Holy names can save us from this Samsara.I remembered a lecture of H.G.Govind prabhu,where he was sharing his experience in a place where there were only scorpions and snakes and how he chanted with fear,and hence could chant wonderfully.He used to concentrate on the Lotus Feet of Krishna and his rounds were wonderful.When i get reminded of this- i sometimes think,Krishna is being too merciful,hence,we tend to take chanting lightly.But when we are placed in a difficult situation we tend to remember Him without fail,because he is our only refuge as well as His Holy names.We have to believe that every moment in this Samsara,is we are placed in prison and only chanting can help and deliver us and is our only refuge.
This incident has helped me a lot in taking refuge only in the Holy names,whereas everything material is just temporary.I pray to the Lord,that he always makes me realize,that only the Holy Names are the only refuge,and can help a person get delivered from this Samsara of repeated birth and death and i take to chanting of His Holy names always,seriously.

Nrsimha Dev ki Jaya!
Hare Krishna Mahamantra ki Jaya!
Japa ki Jaya!
Gaura Premanande!

What is the definition of causeless mercy?

Today at this moment am in full transcendental bliss.Its Ekadasi today,i feel like jumping high in the air.Today i got a definition of causeless mercy.And i want to share it with all of you :)
Let me start,today my Guru Maharaj is leaving for Sri Dham Mayapur to give a large conference on Varnasrama Dharma.So this morning i wanted to give him a send off at the airport.So i had gone to my God sisters place for the Srimad Bhagavatam class.After that,i had a time of 15 minutes to pick up my another God sister to go to the airport.I don t really know what happened,when i went to my god sisters place,her keys weren't to be seen.We were searching and searching but still we couldn't find it.At the end,we found it after a long long time.And we were rushing on the bike,praying that Guru Maharaj should have not left our god sisters place.On the way we just stopped for a minute to have darshan of HH.Bhakti Vikas Swami Maharaj. Then again we sped on our vehicle to realize that Guru Maharaj had already left :( and we had very little time to reach the airport.Again at the rate of 60kms per hour we i drove but not like the first day,it was too late.
We reached the airport,and immediately rushed,not knowing any details of the flight nor anything.We were not able to see any devotees too.Something struck me.We got a ticket and rushed inside,just had an intense desire to see Guru Maharaj and give him a send off.Just then i just walked near and saw my Guru Maharaj!!!!Omg it was so amazing.Then my God brother told Guru Maharaj that we had come to see him and he waved His hand and said Hare Krishna!We were so happy!!And we were waiting to see him off.And we were smiling and chanting and filled with so much of joy.
Just then another god brother of mine got a wheel chair for my Guru Maharaj.We still had the desire to have a close darshan of Guru Maharaj :) Then i don t really know what happened.I think Krishna made the airport worker to bring Guru Maharaj near us.I was thrilled.As soon as Guru Maharaj came before us.I and my god sister paid obeisances.He asked"What happened?How come you are here?" I replied,Guru Maharaj it was late so i had to just rush in.He smiled and said yes,time he said.I was overjoyed.He asked us to take care and again we paid our obeisances and he said Hare Krishna with a huge smiling face,which always mesmerizes me,its so amazing.
I really dint know what was this called.I defined it as causeless causeless mercy.I just had an intense desire and the Lord fulfilled it!!!I was thinking that Guru and Gauranga are so merciful to us.Just an intense desire can be fulfilled.It was just amazing.I cant describe it in words,honestly.I felt like leaping in the airport and dint really know what to do.Krishna is so kind.So this is a definition of real causeless mercy.I don t really know how i can thank the airport helper.Is this Krishna's Lila to fulfill our desire?Why was the keys not to be found?!!!Certain things our mundane senses cannot perceive.And its so true.Am now still filled with transcendental ecstacy.Thank You Guru Maharaj for allowing this most fallen soul,to serve you for these days.You have been too kind.I think its my utmost fortune to do such menial services and still You are so pleased.Thank You so much for seeing this most fallen soul,and asking about my welfare :) I have no words to express.Do you guys know what is this called?

Airport Lila ki Jaya!
Airport helper ki Jaya!
Guru Maharaj ki Jaya!
Nitai Gaura Hari Hari Bol!

Gang of youngsters take to bliss!!

I felt the need to express my thoughts sooner on how the world is turning to or rather the younger generation.Everything is looking for something.What is that something that everyones looking for?Why is everyone struggling for that something which is so easily available?Why is nobody taking the advantage of it?Why isnt anyone taking it but looking for cheaper means?As i go through this journey of finding out what the youth really want?What are they really looking for?
It was Nityananda Trayodasi again :) and as i came on my vehicle i saw a group of youngsters.As we see youngsters together,the thoughts flashes back to our days when we used to so called enjoy with friends.A cup or coffee,or a visit to the theatre with friends.I only remembered this.How each one is searching for temporary happiness.But as i entered the temple,a few minutes later,the whole group of youngsters entered the temple.As they just entered the temple,their faces lit up!
I was amazed to see all of them,praying very fervently to Srila Prabhupada.All of them were deeply absorbed in praying to Srila Prabhupada.That time i realized,Srila Prabhupada wanted this.He dint want anyone to go for cheap stuff,but take the highest gift of Krishna Consciousness.He dint want anyone to rot in this material world but hanker for Krishna Prema.He dint want the youth to go to discos and other mundane stuff.He just gave an easy formula "CHANT HARE KRISHNA AND BE HAPPY" and everything will be alright.Is this so difficult to do?Srila Prabhupada turned Hippies to Happies.Is this task so difficult for Srila Prabhupada of turning the hearts of youngsters?I realized how true it is.This youngsters really inspired me.At times appearances can be deceptive,but i was wrong!!I concluded that these were the same youngsters who party and stuff,but they came to temple.Immediately,they paid obeisances to all the deities.When they went to the Lord Jagannath altar,they were amazed looking at him.Tell me who doesn't smile looking at Lord Jagannath's smile! Immediately all of them started chanting,each one closing their eyes and absorbed in the chanting.This is what Srila Prabhupada wanted.He wanted each one to chant the Holy Names of the Lord with humility and be happy always.
Now this made me think, if all the youth were like this.These youngsters got the bliss.They came to temple to taste the most blissful thing in the whole Universe.Is this what each youth is looking for?Why there is so much of depression and stress and why suicide levels are going high?Doesn't it remind how important Krishna Consciousness is.Is this what everyones looking for?They are after temporary happiness and afterwards are hurt and left depressed?I think its high time,each one of us took to this most blissful Krishna Consciouness.The highest and real happiness and the most blissful.It is the highest benefit ever a person can get.Even the demi-gods hanker for this.
I once remember a college girl who was so depressed and everything she did was upsetting.So she was thinking what life is this.Everything is so upsetting and so topsy turvy.She went to the temple,for the lecture and what she learnt was the symptoms of Kali Yuga!She heard the words "Manushya janam paya,Radha Krishna na bhajiya,janiya suniya bisha khainu--meaning O Lord Hari, I have spent my life uselessly. Having obtained a human birth and having not worshiped Rädhä and Krishna, I have knowingly drunk poison.She was amazed.After the lecture there was the most blissful kirtan.She had never heard about this nor seen something as amazing as this.She became a devotee the very next day.Today shes an amazing devotee,fully fledged in devotional service and preaching always with amazing book distribution always.So just by one entry into the temple,changed a depressed mind,imagine the world,and how necessary it is for each one to take up Krishna Consciousness?How we are searching for cheap stuff,and bogus Gurus,while this process is so sublime and so wonderful.
Everyone is just wanting this enthusiasm,this everything of Krishna Consciousness which will make them dive into an ocean of unlimited bliss.So taking the inspiration of the youngsters and i wish i could just pray to Srila Prabhupada like them and just pray that each one of us,take to Krishna Consciousness and be happy,blissfully chanting the Lords name.We will then realize,where has the depression and sadness gone?!!!!

A Drunkard Visits Radha Madana Mohana!

As i entered Sri Sri Radha Madana Mohana ji, the blissful Lordships were so attractive.They looked so amazing in their lemon yellow and green outfits.It was Nityananda Trayodasi and the whole temple was in a festive mood.Indeed it was a festival.As i sat down to chant my rounds,there entered a drunkard.He was on a high [:P] and he dint have consciousness of what he was doing.And i started looking at him,got distracted from my chanting,but it gave me an amazing realization.
So i started looking at him.And he first went near Srila Prabhupada and just folded his hands.Then he came close to the altar of Sri Sri Gaura Nitai.He saw the raised hands of Sri Sri Gaura Nitai and he immediately he raised His hands and smiled looking at Their Lordships.I wondered does he ever know whether it is Nityananda Trayodasi.What immense fortune he had that he came to the temple on this most auspicious day.I remembered the pastimes of Lord Nityananda when i saw the drunkard.The pastime where Lord Nityananda was drunken and intoxicated with Krishna Prema so much that he did not care for anything.He was in so much ecstacy.But this drunkard,was just on a high.He was just walking around the Lordships and looking at them with raised hands.
Just then a curious little boy came and started looking at the deity of Sri Sri Gaura Nitai and paid his obeisances.He is about 5 years old.Next while going to see Sri Sri Radha Madana Mohana he looked at the drunkard,gazing at him for a few seconds.Then he signaled to the drunkard and showed him how to pay obeisances.The drunkard just stared at the boy.The boy dint lose hope,he walked along with the drunkard and showed him again.I was amazed at the boys seriousness.He dint know he was a drunkard but still wanted to show him,how to pay obeisances.That is mercy the little boy was giving the drunkard.I immediately remembered the pastime of Jagai and Madhai and how Lord Nityananda showers mercy upon them.And later the drunkard paid obeisances and the boy is smiling.Immediately i realized how pleased Lord Nityananda must be!!
So i realized,how the drunkard got unlimited mercy of Lord Nityananda and also special mercy of paying dandavats. I read that by paying one obeisance to Lord Hari,it is equal to performing one Ashwamedha sacrifice. So the drunkard got all the mercy of everything and His face was beaming with a smile and His hands still raised high in the air.This just reminded me of the unlimited mercy of Lord Nityananda and also the drunken state of Lord Nityananda in Krishna Prema.That day i begged for special mercy to Lord Nityananda that the drunkard may be intoxicated in Krishna Prema always and always raise his hands high in the air,jumping and dancing and smiling for Lord Hari.
And also my chanting became even more very blissful thinking of Lord Nityananda's pastimes and how merciful and kind he is.Akrodha Paramananda Nityananda Raya.Nitai never gets angry and hes always smiling and blissful.I just guess thats why due to Nityananda's mercy the beggar also smiled looking at the smiling beautiful face of Lord Nityananda.Who can understand His Lila?!!!
I just pray unto the Lotus Feet of Lord Nityananda that through His causeless mercy,may he intoxicate all of us with Harinaam and make us blissful by His mercy.Hey Nitai everything is possible by You.Dont smile now Nitai,i can see it,but so foolish i am not able to understand Your Lila!!

Nityananda Rama ki Jaya!
Radha Madan Mohana ji ki Jaya!
Smiling Lila ki Jaya!
Nitai Gaura Premanande!!

A Game of Cricket with Realizations :)

Ahem!I begin again with another one!Hmm its been very long since i went to our terrace of our flats.Probably months ago,during the last rain to get drenched[:D] with my friends.So today is Ekadasi and i couldn't chant my rounds so well so i decided "Why not the terrace?"!And so with full enthusiasm i went to the terrace and started my Japa walk[:)] and from the terrace there was a beautiful view of the Hanuman ji Mandir.The temple dint open as yet.But something else attracted me.Two little boys playing cricket!They were playing in the temple compound itself.It gave me a very wonderful realization.The batsmen was pretty strong and the bowler was trying all his means to make him out.But how hard he tried he couldn't out the batsmen.So the batsmen was so strong,just like how a pure devotee of Krishna is strongly dependant on Krishna.The bowler was Maya[:P] and he was attacking each time,in different angles and he was trying his best to move the attention of the batsmen and make him out.But how hard he tried,he just could not.He dint even have a bat and it was just a log of wood.But his enthusiasm and determination was amazing.So it made me realize,how can we become a pure devotee?By chanting the 16 rounds of Hare Krishna Maha Mantra and following the regulative principles and also the instructions of Guru Maharaj.And by constantly and nicely following these instructions and surrendering to Krishna we win.So similar was the case with the batsmen.Whatever he did,he was fixed and focussed.But the bowler was trying every single moment to make him out,but he could not.Finally the batsmen ended with Victory.Gave me the intense feeling of joy,"Where there is Krishna,there is Victory" and yes as we surrender to Krishna,he showers all His mercy on us.Thats how Krishna is,he is just asking us to surrender.So i realized,Oh we have to get fixed like the batsmen.I took this on the positive aspect and even though Maya always attacks us,we should just depend on Krishna.And my chanting became ever blissful and the thought of not chanting well just went away and the chanting was amazing and ever blissful :) And i could chant many many rounds.Thanks to Hanuman ji and the boys for this realization.
Then the temple opened.The pujari opened the temple,but the worship was just a formality.Srila Prabhupada many times also stressed on deity worship and how our moods should be while worshiping the deity,in the mood of a servant,or a Das.The pujari opened the temple,lit an incense and just went away.He started counting the money he received."WHERE IS THE LOVE FOR THE DEITY'' He lit an incense and started doing some cleaning with some old cloth lying on the floor.They say Cleanliness is next to Godliness.Krishna should be given the best paraphernalia.But Hanuman ji is quite happy on the pujari's service[am just guessing] and this standing on the terrace,just made me realize how important our mood should be while serving the deity and in which mood we should chant and how importantly trinad api sunicena is necessary for us to chant the Holy Names of the Lord and without it how impossible it is for us to chant.How to offer respect to the deity and by offering our respects in the mood of a servant.How Srila Prabhupada predicted the world would be and how he asked each one of us to purify ourselves by chanting the Holy Name of the Lord and later worshiping the deity in the mood of the servant.I just pray to Srila Prabhupada and all the other Acaryas that i chant the Holy Names in the mood of humility and also serve my deity in awe and reverence.
Hanuman ji ki Jaya!
Japa walk realization ki Jaya!
Srila Prabhupada ki Jaya!
Gaura Premanande Hari Hari Bol!

Another dream :)

It is one of the rarest dreams again and a dream to be cherished for a lifetime.Well this morning my friend was describing about HH.Radhanath Swami Maharaj and his disciples and how grateful they were and how devoted they were to their Guru Maharaj.How they served him with love and awe always!So keeping all this in mind i read the Caitanya Bhagavata, the devotee who very very mercifully gave as he always does :) and hence i slept and then the dream comes as i sleep :)
It was a great day in Orissa,bright and sunny, and i have no idea how i landed from Secunderabad to Orissa :) and yes it must be the Lords mercy.As Srila Prabhupada says life is just like a long dream and these dreams when we sleep,we imagine flying,being with someone etc.Well am not taking anyone on an imagination tour!! Well yes it was a wonderful day in Jagannath Puri Dham.I and my friend were there.There were a few other people too.It was a wonderful place given to stay.As usual i began to stroll leaving my friend behind who decided to sleep.Krsna's mercy :D and then i was walking through the lanes of Jagannath Puri totally mesmerized by the tranquility of the atmosphere.Then i came to a wonderful lane,where houses looked really ancient and they were so beautiful.It reminded me of our house in Srirangam :) Then as i walked past the streets alone and then there was some discussion around and i realized that there were Iskcon devotees around and i thought what mercy!!As i moved further i realized the preacher was none other than HH.Radhanath Swami Maharaj. I was so thrilled and i always longed to see him.His purity attracted everyone and made the stone hearted people cry!He always preached the best and sang wonderfully.Maharaj saw me and he gave a huge smile and it captured in my heart and invited me in.I was wearing a blue salwar :P Then Maharaj immediately concluded the lecture and called me.I went and paid obeisances and sat beside him,just a few feet away from him.He asked me how are you and how is your sadhana and other things and i replied back with great enthusiasm :)
As i sat beside him i felt his purity,the force which can inundate everyone with the love of God,the purity due to his association with Srila Prabhupada one of the greatest Acaryas.There was a divine spark in his face.He started telling me about the pastime of how Lord Krsna loved the cows.Each moment seemed so wonderful to me.Every second was exciting.I never spoke a word about Varnasrama and Maharaj started describing something really wonderful.He said a sentence''Very soon the whole world will be flooded with Harinaama and Pure Love of God'' and he said we need all devotees to make it come true.I looked around.It was a beautiful house.Everything seemed similar like i knew the house for years :) There was a mataji who was Maharaj's disciple and she gave me many services which i did with full enthusiasm.It was 5 in the evening and i was wondering to visit the other places too.Maharaj then got up.When he did the mat was filled with the dust of his Lotus Feet which was golden in color.Wow it looked like someone has powdered gold.He then went inside.Then Maharaj returned and asked mataji for a glass of water.Mataji asked me to get some water and took use of the opportunity.I immediately and carefully filled a huge glass of water and handed it over to Maharaj which he took carefully and humbly replied thank you.I dint know what to say but just smiled and bowed!
It was getting a bit late.Then there was a prabhuji who had come there. He looked like the prabhuji whom i saw in Namashraya farm [;)] Then mataji asked me to wipe the floor.As i looked around there was so much of dust of the Lotus Feet of Maharaj.I immediately took a piece of paper and carefully collected the dust and smeared some over my head so that i can get some Prema Bhakti.Then after doing so i still dint want to wipe the floor.Mataji reminded me that Maharaj would come back for kirtana and lecture so i immediately took a cloth and started wiping the floor with a bit of sadness.Then Maharaj came and reminded me of the Gundica temple cleaning :) and how cleaning the place of worship is cleaning our hearts!Then arrived a few disciples of Maharaj and there was a beautiful lecture on how the Lotus Feet of the Lord is :) It was so blissful.Maharaj just touched the hearts of everyone.As i looked on the opposite side of the road,i realized and saw a temple of 2 Govardhan Silas.One was black and he looked very very pretty.I realized i forgot to get my camera and was upset over it.I was upset and i wanted to take a picture of Maharaj so close.Then after the lecture many disciples left and there were only 2 others remaining.I was tempted to ask Maharaj how long he would stay here and i really did[real guts :D]Maharaj beamed with a huge smile and he replied that he would be here for about 5 more days and i was overjoyed. And i was even more happy because i could bring the camera and take pictures :) and i still looked at Giriraja and he was so adorable :) I asked permission from Maharaj whether i could leave and took his blessings and he smiled again.He asked me ''DO YOU WANT GIRIRAJA?'',the black Giriraja? and i was so surprised.I dint know what to say.I couldn't believe my eyes and he said he would give it to me when i come tomorrow with a camera :) and asked me to go back to the ashrama soon and then devotees shouted Haribol!!What fortune they said! Yes i was really very fortunate and it was the most fortunate dream.
Then i hear a voice,get up Preethi,its late,go to the temple for your classes.I realized hey i wasn't in Orissa :D but yes it was one of the most treasured dream of getting Giriraja by HH.Radhanath Maharaj's hands.[wow :)] and i just wish it happens.When i got up i was just filled with so much of happiness which i cant express and immediately i start to smile and remember Giriraja and can just say ''GOVARDANO ME DISATAM ABHISTAM'' which means May that Govardhana fulfill Your desire :) and yes i just pray that he fulfills it. :)

Jagannath Puri Dham ki Jaya!
Giriraj Maharaj ki Jaya!
HH.Radhanath Swami Maharaj ki Jaya!
Transcendental dreaming ki Jaya :D
Nitai Gaura Premanande....Hari Hari Bol!!!!

Fickle mind!!

Sri Sri Gaura Nitai ki Jaya!

A poem about a fickle minded person and how he can attain perfection of life!!!!

O fickle mind,just see the beautiful Lotus Feet of Gaura Nitai,
For thet are the most merciful incarnation ever!!

O Fickle mind,just see the Lotus Feet of Gaura Nitai!
These Lotus Feet are sweeter than the sweetest honey!

O fickle mind,just look at the Lotus shaped eyes!
These capture even millions and millions of Cupids!

O Fickle mind,just call the name of Gaura Nitai once,
And you will be automatically delivered from this material world!

O Fickle mind just chant the name of Gaura Nitai,
Krishna Prema will automatically follow You!

O Fickle mind just think of Gaura Nitai,
All Your problems will come to an end!

O Fickle mind,just meditate on Gaura Nitai,
You will achieve Sri Radha Krishna in Vrindan Dham!

O Fickle mind,please chant the glories of Sri Gaura Nitai,
You will attain perfection of Life!!
What else do you need???


Nitai and Gauranga are pleased with even little menial service done to them,
Please take the benefit today and be delivered from repeated cycle birth and death!!

Gauranga bolite habe pulaka Sarira

Lord Gauranga,you fell into ecstacy while uttering the name of Krishna!You laughed,you cried,You rolled on the ground.O Lord,i am so stone hearted when will that day come when my body will shiver and hair will stand on its end by uttering the name of Gauranga?

Submitting this menial offering at the Lotus Feet of Sri Sri Gaura Nitai!!