tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184305272927339102024-03-13T04:23:51.645+04:00Clouds.So I have this fetish for clouds and thunder.Anuradha Keshavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06426864622737907880noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218430527292733910.post-13301041890119989212018-10-24T15:37:00.000+04:002018-10-24T15:37:00.245+04:00Mothers & Love<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
"Mamma look!" Damodar squealed excitedly as he walked into the kitchen holding one month old Deva in his arms with my mother close behind him ensuring he is holding Deva well.<br />
<br />
It was such a proud big brother moment for him as he walked in with the brightest smile ever, his eyes just sparkling with joy at holding a small baby. It then hit me.....my little boys are not so little anymore! Damodar suddenly looked like such a mature older boy - when did that happen??<br />
<br />
I have always joked to everyone that I must be the only mother counting down days till Damodar and Sridhar start college. Suddenly I'm not so sure I'm looking forward for that day. I suddenly feel a loss and a twinge of sadness that in a few years they will not be dependent on me anymore. When just a year ago I was complaining with such exasperation, "Oh when will they be able to take a bath and eat on their own??!! "<br />
Now they do and I feel a little lost.<br />
<br />
Being born as a woman definitely has us as the disadvantaged sex. We see that even more these days with the #metoo movement, unfair wages etc. In spite of being disadvantaged, women always manage to be strong, focused and be successful. While I do feel the this disadvantages sometimes, when I look at my kids, I truly truly feel so blessed! Who else in this material world can experience the closest thing to spiritual love other than a mother?? And I feel so special that I can actually get a glimpse of what true unconditional spiritual love can be like. It feels so empowering!<br />
<br /></div>
Anuradha Keshavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06426864622737907880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218430527292733910.post-83019026191813259552018-08-03T01:02:00.004+04:002018-08-03T01:02:48.693+04:00Logic vs Faith<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">Born in this body to follow logic</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">Logic, rationale and science</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">Oh how can you grasp the wonder?</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">The wonder, dear mind- dear intelligence </span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">The sheer magnanimity of pure faith </span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">Pure faith that blossoms and reveals </span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">The very existence</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">The dazzling sun of the self and the supreme </span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">.... and ultimately the eternal connection </span></div>
<br />
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">Of pure love </span><span style="font-family: ".AppleColorEmojiUI"; font-size: 17pt;">❤️</span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;"> </span></div>
</div>
Anuradha Keshavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06426864622737907880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218430527292733910.post-87997318563563593752016-09-07T15:47:00.001+04:002016-09-07T15:47:29.414+04:00Vrindavan...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have just hit a new level of realization of the phrase 'I lost my heart in Vrindavan'.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My eyes don't see it. All I see is a small Indian village with narrow gulleys, temples, crowded lanes, trash and honking rikshaws. I unfortunately don't have the knowledge or the spiritual vision.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
BUT , I do sense it - Radharani's in the air.Vrindavan is truly not seen , just experienced. The sweetness floats in while I'm chanting my morning japa. My mind revists those beautiful and sweet darshans. Giriraj in his full glory, the gently splashing waters of radhakund as devotees dive in, splendour of Krishna Balaram, the gentle Yamuna, handsome Radharaman....</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I feel like I have been given a drop of nectar and my heart longs to dive into it. </div>
<div>
If I could just walk along the gulleys, </div>
<div>
If I could just sit on some steps chanting </div>
<div>
If I could just listen to old souls singing the names</div>
<div>
If I could just see what true devotees see</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I got a drop...I long to dive into the dust of Raman Reti.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Whenever she allows me next....<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.4px;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i>"Whose heart would not be enchanted by Vrndavana where Sri Radhika-Madanamohana enjoy many pastimes, where there are many trees and flowering vines, where the ground is paved with jewels, and where the birds, deer and other animals are all maddened with transcendental bliss? "<br />- Verse 19, Sri Vrindavan Mahimamrta</i></b></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Anuradha Keshavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06426864622737907880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218430527292733910.post-82350129438896220712015-08-05T22:20:00.000+04:002015-08-05T22:20:17.070+04:00Transcend<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Waves of questions flood in<br />Why so young? Why so sudden? Why?<br />
Intelligence says Karma, Goloka, Eternal service<br />
but the heart cannot hear<br />
the heart only dwells on the absence<br />
<br />O madhava! When your name floats on music<br />
Panacea it is for the brooding heart<br />
A short interval of bliss and contentment<br />
Yet the heart returns to the absence<br />
<br />Time? Suddha nama? Vaishnava seva?<br />
Everything feels muddled<br />
Trudge on through with hope and prayers that<br />
Someday the mind, heart and intelligence transcend<br />
Transcend this muddle to<br />
eternally unite with the fortunate souls in your seva.....<br />
<br />
<br />
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Anuradha Keshavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06426864622737907880noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218430527292733910.post-81068637176273352222015-07-09T06:45:00.000+04:002015-07-09T06:45:32.641+04:00Rug pulled out!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
"Anuradha, can you please come home to bathe and dress Giri?"<br />
Who will speak these words to me?<br />
<br />
"dehino smin yatha dehe...." Yes a sober person is not bewildered. Nobody is bewildered about Vishaka mataji. We all know she has gone back to Goloka but the heart weeps and grieves for the huge irreplaceable void that has been created.<br />
<br />
For those who have not met her or have had the opportunity to associate with her, you all have lost the chance to witness pure love for Krishna. A living, walking example of how our consciousness has to be while serving our deities. <br /><br />Her birth began gloriously with Srila Prabhupad himself giving her the name Vishaka. After witnessing countless sannyasis and devotees (godbrothers of Prabhupad and senior Prabhupad disciples) visiting their home and staying there, her love of service to devotees was naturally developed by seeing her parents (Mr.& Mrs Singhania) serve them.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XzgQzVgNr9g/VZ3fenUgVnI/AAAAAAAAC34/Q4SOsUqYS-I/s1600/vishaka2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XzgQzVgNr9g/VZ3fenUgVnI/AAAAAAAAC34/Q4SOsUqYS-I/s320/vishaka2.jpg" width="320" /></a>When they were living in Vrindavan, at the age of 8, a vrajavasi brahmachari used to visit them. He had a small Giriraj whom he used to worship. Seems to me that the minute Giri saw Vishaka, he decided to be with her for the rest of her life to accept her irreplaceable pure love. She started getting dreams of Giriraj, where giriraj would tell her little things that 'Tell the brahmachari to get me new clothes, my clothes are torn" And when she would go and tell him and they would see that actually his dress was torn. "Tell the brahmachari to feed me nice sweets, I'm not getting enough". So the brahmachari gave Giri to Vishaka at the age of 8 and he has been inseparable from her ever since. She told me that she took Giri even on her honeymoon and engaged the hotel staff where they were staying to give bhoga for him. Boiling milk and cutting up fruits!<br />
<br />
"Anuradha, this Giri is so troublesome sometimes! When a piece of jewellery just does not stick on and he doesnt want it, I give one tapki(small slap) to him that stop being naughty "<br />
<br />
"Anuradha, just taste this and see if it is good.", "Mataji, have you offered it already?", "No <br />
Anuradha, I cannot offer anything to my Giri without checking if it is perfect"<br />
<br />
"Giri wants to have your dahi wada today. Is it possible to make and bring for offering?" <br /><br />"We will try to move to a bigger house. I want it to be perfect for Radhanath Maharaj if he comes again next time"<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zjXEDaPAY_8/VZ3fOnLyegI/AAAAAAAAC3w/5090GRD2rqU/s1600/vishaka.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zjXEDaPAY_8/VZ3fOnLyegI/AAAAAAAAC3w/5090GRD2rqU/s320/vishaka.jpg" width="227" /></a>" Giri is looking so tired today after all his travelling. I want to give him a spa treatment - massage him with nice oils and dip in nice hot water"<br />
<br />
"Giri is looking like a bhoot (ghost) today after all the chandan. It looks like a mess. Anuradha, next year please help me apply chandan smoothly how they apply in the temples"<br />
<br />
Who calls the Lord a ghost? Who gives a spanking to the Lord like he is a little child? Who thinks of moving to a bigger house so she can have bigger programs and accomodate more devotees instead of thinking of her own comforts? We cannot imitate this kind of a bhav. I'm only really grateful to Krishna that I have got the opportunity to serve and associate with such a glorious and pure devotee like her. <br /><br />Giri, you have some BIG explanation to do to all of us for taking her away.<br />
<br />
After all my resentment and anger at you for being so selfish to take her back to exclusively serve you, you are our only shelter. I can only come back to you with tears in my eyes and pray to give us all the strength to somehow get through this difficult difficult time.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Anuradha Keshavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06426864622737907880noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218430527292733910.post-44680784363335934082015-06-21T00:22:00.001+04:002015-06-21T00:22:53.407+04:00Mangala Arati<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It is 4 a.m and -7C
outside. "Should I wear a jacket? Welllllll its muci, I have to go on
the altar, it is just a short distance..... I can brave the cold". Knock
on Madhavi's door, make sure she is awake and run out the back door all
the way to the temple. Barely entering, I hear the conchshell blow. I
run inside....out of breath offer obeisances and ......Swish! The
curtains open......<br /><br />With the darkness outside, the only source of
light being Krishna's effulgence from the altar I stand before them
mesmerized....the slow karatals start.....<br />And slowly "samsara dava....nalalidha loka......" Radharani with her simple veil..her simple nosering...simply divine.....<br />Jagannath
ever smiling.....nothing alters his smile.......you are so merciful,
you let me hug you everyday on the altar when I dressed you! Where are
you?<br />
And oh my nitaicandra and gauracandra.....so merciful your gaze......<br /><br />Will I ever experience this mangala arati again? When will I get to hug you Jagannath?<br />
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Anuradha Keshavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06426864622737907880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218430527292733910.post-48680793525458288132015-05-16T22:47:00.000+04:002015-05-16T22:47:00.443+04:00Attention<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Nourishment is what the soul seeks<br />
A moment of attention to grasp the music <br />
A moment of concentration to sink into the holy name<br />
A moment that unknowingly becomes minutes<br />
Minutes if not hours of being engulfed<br />
Love? Peace? Contentment?<br />
Pale in comparison to - bliss<br />
Bliss of Hari-nama <br />
<br />
So dear mind! Why?<br />
Why the mindless clapping with a vacant expression?<br />
Why the trek through mountains of thought?<br />
Allow that music to float across your ears<br />
Once the boat of music enters the shores of your ears<br />
The passenger - the holy name enters the mind<br />
Enters the intelligence<br />
Enters my whole being<br />
<br />
All it takes is a moment of attention<br />
Dear dear Gaura, bless my mind<br />
Steady attention is all I ask.... <br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YanXzl19aio/VVeP5q1seqI/AAAAAAAAC2Y/0SLWD6KsKRI/s1600/Starnes-Prayer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YanXzl19aio/VVeP5q1seqI/AAAAAAAAC2Y/0SLWD6KsKRI/s320/Starnes-Prayer.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="color: #674ea7;"><i><span style="color: #990000;">"So this concentration of mind is <span class="highlight_terms">very difficult in this age</span>
because mind is so agitated. Therefore force them to hear Hare Kṛṣṇa.
Even they have no mind to hear, you chant loudly Hare Kṛṣṇa. They will
hear. Their mind will be dragged. It is so nice thing. He hasn't got to
(chuckling) concentrate. I'll force him. You see? So as soon as he hears
"Kṛṣṇa," oh, he advances immediately one step." - </span></i></span><i><span class="link">Lecture on BG 3.18-30 -- Los Angeles, December 30, 1968</span></i><br />
<br /><br /></div>
Anuradha Keshavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06426864622737907880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218430527292733910.post-71342578367670114862013-06-04T00:09:00.000+04:002013-06-04T00:13:55.828+04:00Boxes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A single word etches an indelible opinion<br />
Impressions, opinions formed with barely a glance<br />
What chance is there when<br />
you are boxed and judged?<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l8-80LbW-Zo/Uaz3JZIXwkI/AAAAAAAACtI/DsAnjLCUxSY/s1600/judgement1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l8-80LbW-Zo/Uaz3JZIXwkI/AAAAAAAACtI/DsAnjLCUxSY/s200/judgement1.jpg" width="200" /></a>As children,the biggest mistakes written on air<br />
to be blown away by laughter<br />
As adults, the smallest misstep written on stone<br />
to be lodged deep in minds<br />
<br />
Innocence ? What's that?<br />
Ulterior motive is a must<br />
Charade it is since<br />
good character does not exist<br />
<br />
Dear dear gaura,<br />
Let me break free of the boxes created around me<br />
Let me love and serve indiscriminately <br />
Let me see myself for the soul I am<br />
Let me see others for the souls they are...</div>
Anuradha Keshavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06426864622737907880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218430527292733910.post-33315709905828674842011-04-30T18:04:00.003+04:002011-04-30T18:18:09.375+04:00Deafening silence<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GgU-yOw8Fy0/TbwZkJuMRhI/AAAAAAAACqM/fuB6dE8RvTY/s1600/Path2.jpg"><br /></a>I was just going through some old notes and came across an old piece that I wrote way back in 2007. Thought I'd share...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4Y7R4WVhgds/TbwZ9OaSzPI/AAAAAAAACqU/tysByMlStGg/s1600/Path2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4Y7R4WVhgds/TbwZ9OaSzPI/AAAAAAAACqU/tysByMlStGg/s320/Path2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601380576173149426" border="0" /></a><br />Deafening silence</span><br />Ah! The vast infinite road of life I traverse<br />a wistfulness overcomes me as I ponder<br />a wish for a straight uninterrupted road<br /><br />Wistfulness morphs not into reality<br />Reality whispers about a fork<br />Even as I exclaim my protest<br />The dreaded split enters my vision<br /><br />Clear and bright as the sunny sky<br />is my goal on one path<br />Yet the unknown tugs at my heart<br />"Have you not learnt the lesson yet?" mocks my mind<br />"Are you worthy enough" pricks my conscience<br /><br />One dainty step towards the unknown<br />a hoard of conflicting voices overwhelm<br />A faint echo I hear, an echo of my soul<br />lost amongst a myriad of thoughts<br />Wisps of the echo floats away<br />as I grasp to hear it<br /><br />Speak louder my dear soul,<br />Will this unknown path ever converge?<br />Will I see the dear familiars of my road?<br />Uncertainity holds me still but<br />Time does not pause, I ask you<br />"What should I do?"<br /><br />I ponder on as I listen to<br />the deafening silence.Anuradha Keshavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06426864622737907880noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218430527292733910.post-8748334084144474302011-01-26T21:40:00.005+04:002011-01-26T23:03:00.182+04:00Limbo<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HwOY6pBPAS8/TUBvjqP-PrI/AAAAAAAACh8/3VbeQZkELxM/s1600/rollercoaster.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HwOY6pBPAS8/TUBvjqP-PrI/AAAAAAAACh8/3VbeQZkELxM/s320/rollercoaster.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566571797857320626" border="0" /></a><br />Have you ever been on a roller-coaster? What do you remember most out of that experience?<br /><br />Maybe you remember the deep drop. Maybe you remember your stomach in your mouth. Maybe you remember your head spinning....<br /><br />What stands out most for me is the feeling of anxiety, uncertainty and anticipation as we climb up the slope. You just KNOW everything will be all right at the end of the ride but the anxiety and 'wait' for the ride to be over does not go away. Why all this roller coaster talk you ask? Well, just when I thought I had everything mapped out, I am yet again climbing this slope of the rollercoaster of life.<br /><br />When I was still single - and I know a lot of my unmarried devotee girlfriends can attest to this - all the pressure to get married gave me this exact same feeling. I did not know what my future would be, who my husband would be, where I would live - so many uncertainties! I felt I was in limbo just WAITING. Just waiting for Krishna to reveal his plans. Once I got married, everything seemed perfect. I thought I knew my future...<br /><br />...and then came damodar. :). Of course, just his name brings a smile to my face but he has put me back on this rollercoaster. I'm back in limbo - this time for such a LONG period! Now I am just WAITING again. Waiting for him to grow, waiting to see him crawl, waiting to see his first step, waiting to see him play karatals, waiting to see him play mridanga, waiting to see him serve devotees......waiting for a whole lot of things now!<br /><br />The only thing I pray for my dear Gopinath is that when this rollercoaster ride is over, please let me be under your shelter and not Maya's.Anuradha Keshavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06426864622737907880noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218430527292733910.post-54304211037604302612010-08-20T00:41:00.002+04:002010-08-20T01:21:49.417+04:00Increasing dimensionsBliss in Krishna consciousness comes in various forms and through various means. We are usually accustomed to experiencing bliss only in a particular way. You could be that kind of devotee who 'feels' it - that ecstasy, that pure joy, the feeling that your soul is completely drenched in satisfaction of being connected to Krishna only by book distribution, waking up early to chant rounds, an ecstatic dancing kirtan, a meditative absorbing kirtan, dressing deities, doing an arati, being involved in management during a huge festival etc etc - or a mixture of any of the above.<br /><br />Being an addict to this soul-satisfying ecstasy, joy, bliss - we often tend to get attached to only that particular service which gives us this bliss. And then, like opening our eyes to a new dimension, Krishna somehow throws us into something else. According to our level of maturity, we experience the bliss slowly or immediately. But when our stubborn mind releases its claws on old attachments - oh krishna, we realize the actual meaning of the term 'ever-increasing' bliss. It is a new dimension of joy in KC. "Bliss in KC is ever-increasing".<br /><br />Today, I experienced a new dimension of pleasure and satisfaction in Krishna consciousness. I did not get my usual 'high' from being absorbed in Kirtan. Nor did I realize some brilliant philosophical angle by listening to a Maharaj or senior devotee. I was not remotely connected with doing anything for the deities. I did not dance ecstatically in a super crazy kirtan. I did not make garlands.<br /><br />I served the Vaishnavas.<br /><br />....my soul is super-drenched in satisfaction and bliss right now. :) Thank you everyone for accepting our invitation, coming home and giving us an opportunity to experience this bliss.Anuradha Keshavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06426864622737907880noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218430527292733910.post-5390980996177271802010-07-12T21:19:00.003+04:002010-07-12T21:29:14.330+04:00Samsara<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HwOY6pBPAS8/TDtQwwztCvI/AAAAAAAAChE/zG2T_QqX05o/s1600/tears4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 338px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HwOY6pBPAS8/TDtQwwztCvI/AAAAAAAAChE/zG2T_QqX05o/s400/tears4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493072969174158066" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Destined I am for tears<br />tears of misery and helplessness<br />Uncontrolled tears that have no reason<br />Except the fact I swim in the ocean of samsara<br /></div>Anuradha Keshavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06426864622737907880noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218430527292733910.post-32609949537542712172010-01-10T21:10:00.003+04:002010-01-11T06:24:25.828+04:00First and second loves.It's funny how everyone here in Damodardesh associate Kirtans with me.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">This was the scene in Atlanta:</span><br /><br />It is Saturday around 9a.m after the morning program. Time for Mrdanga class with Vedasara.<br /><br />"Where is Anuradha?"<br />"She is in the pujari making garlands..."<br /><br />It is the Sunday feast night and you can see and hear all the smiles and 'haribols' going back and forth. It is 'socializing' time......that is prasadam time.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HwOY6pBPAS8/S0oHuvwKY6I/AAAAAAAACfI/eURmTtrWGl0/s1600-h/pujari-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HwOY6pBPAS8/S0oHuvwKY6I/AAAAAAAACfI/eURmTtrWGl0/s400/pujari-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425157200795034530" border="0" /></a><br /><br />"Where is Anuradha"?<br />"Oh she is on the altar with Madhavi helping her do the evening service"<br /><br />(Yup, Madhavi always maganged to lure me to help her on the altar even though it was not my day to do evening seva :) ......and i'll always be grateful for that!)<br /><br />It is time for the Sunday night kirtans. And I would be scrubbing the altar or putting away necklaces, earrings as Uttam Prabhu drowned everyone in Mayapur mellows :) Oh I would also completely lose myself in UttamPrabhu's transcendental tunes......but I would be doing so in the pujari room as the holy names waft in through the doors.<br /><br />(Shhhh....but it also used to be my excuse.... "Can you help us wash these pots?", "Nope, sorry, have to do the evening arati!" :D )<br /><br />It was quite hard for me in Dubai initially. No temple. No Deities. What seva would I do? Now I realize my immaturity during my 'depressed' days. My only solace was turning to my second love - <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">Kirtans</span>.<br /><br />When I was talking to Mandali recently in Chowpatty, she expressed that one of her realizations when she wasn't able to do as much deity worship in India, was that it was an opportunity to internalize deity worship. Women can't be on the altar doing abhishek, but who can stop you offering a manasa abhishek to Krishna?! :)<br /><br />And I realized another aspect of deity worship! What I was doing as my 'second' love in Damodardesh was really just another aspect of my first love. So now, I regularly peform deity worship in Damodardesh. I regularly serve the deities - <span style="font-style: italic;">the deities of the holy name</span>. Kirtan is a beautiful way of internalizing worship. Getting absorbed in Kirtan, meditating on his form with the holy name just engulfing you.... Staying in Damodardesh has opened my eyes to another beautiful form of the Lord - his transcendental name....<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">"Nama-bhajana is not bound by any rule—the holy name is beyond all virtuous acts—He is spiritual—He is virility and luster in a person. All the Vedas have been manifested from this holy name. The holy name is bliss, the holy name is ananda. We can excellently be devoted to Him. The holy name is worship and is to be worshiped; Your feet are to be held in veneration. </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">"</span><br /><div style="text-align: right; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">-<span style="font-weight: bold;"> Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur, Hari Nama-cintamani</span><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">Kirtaniya sada hari... :)</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HwOY6pBPAS8/S0oIdkK94MI/AAAAAAAACfQ/oRBm7LQDMHQ/s1600-h/kirtan+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HwOY6pBPAS8/S0oIdkK94MI/AAAAAAAACfQ/oRBm7LQDMHQ/s400/kirtan+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425158005140086978" border="0" /></a>Anuradha Keshavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06426864622737907880noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218430527292733910.post-13421063152208757552009-12-15T08:16:00.002+04:002009-12-15T08:39:41.143+04:00Gopidots<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HwOY6pBPAS8/SycS0c5WvsI/AAAAAAAACe8/A8u6f3zSd1Q/s1600-h/radha.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415317769255567042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HwOY6pBPAS8/SycS0c5WvsI/AAAAAAAACe8/A8u6f3zSd1Q/s400/radha.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="color:#660000;">Gopidots.</span></strong><br />Scent of rosewater making me heady<br />bathing your glowing white body<br />The silence of the altar<br />Hum of the mahamantra<br />It is just you and me<br />as I play with your skirts<br />Which earrings would you like today ?<br /><br />The ache is back my dear Rani<br />Is some of that mercy saved for me?<br />One desire.<br />One day again....just to hold that brush<br />be absorbed in those patterns.......just to paint <em><span style="color:#660000;">gopidots</span></em> on your moonlike face.....<strong><span style="color:#330033;">When?</span></strong></div>Anuradha Keshavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06426864622737907880noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218430527292733910.post-79128278854546500952009-11-16T21:06:00.000+04:002009-11-16T21:07:05.531+04:00Forgive!<div class="post-body"> <span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">"We brahmanas are worshipable by others only due to our quality of forgiveness. It is through this quality of forgiveness that Lord Brahma has achieved the post of master of the entire universe. The Supreme Personality of Godhead Lord Hari, the remover of obstacles, becomes pleased with those who are forgiving. Forgiveness is illuminating like the sun, and cultivation of this quality is the brahmana’s duty.”<br /></span></span><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-size: 100%;">- Srimad Bhagavatam 9.15.39 - 41</span><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /><span style="font-family: times new roman;">You think you have forgiven and forgotten and then the bad taste in your mouth creeps in along with all the memories of unpleasantness and distress. </span></span><span style="font-family: times new roman;">Brahmana? Ha. </span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div> </div>Anuradha Keshavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06426864622737907880noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218430527292733910.post-91916991553347363282009-10-14T00:08:00.002+04:002009-10-14T00:21:10.525+04:00Thread of the holy name<div style="text-align: center;">Meshed in my short sightedness<br />Influenced by expectations<br />Lamentations of ignorance<br />a thread of sanity holding me<br />the thread of the holy names<br />Hope binds this thread to me<br />Hope that this thread will lead<br />to that world of Krishna prema...<br /><br /><p style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);" align="center"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica;">trinad api sunicena </span></p><p style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);" align="center"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica;">taror api sahishnuna </span></p><p style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);" align="center"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica;">amanina manadena </span></p><p style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);" align="center"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica;">kirtaniyah sada harihi<br /> <br /> </span></p><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0); font-style: italic;font-family:Arial, Helvetica;" >"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.</span><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0); font-style: italic;">"</span><br /><br /><br />Chant.Chant.Chant.<br /><br /></div>Anuradha Keshavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06426864622737907880noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218430527292733910.post-4220486462936533472009-09-20T15:56:00.002+04:002009-09-20T19:38:40.919+04:00Leisure Pleasure<strong>lei·sure: </strong><strong></strong> <strong>:</strong> freedom provided by the cessation of activities; <em>especially</em> <strong>:</strong> time free from work or duties<br /><br />I have been missing this little noun for eons now. Finally I've caught a hold of this elusive little thing today - today being a holiday for Eid. This is such an interesting definition of leisure. Are we ever free from activity? The very nature of the soul is to be active so where do you draw the line between activities that count as work and activities that count as pleasure? When we engage in activies of pleasure, it becomes leisure.<br /><br />In yesterday's program, Yadav prabhu made such beautiful points. He mentioned that one of the Radha raman pujaris from Vrindavan once said that, "Krishna gives himself to us in our old age, if we give him our youth".<br /><br />And then I realized how I'm slowly crossing this stage of 'youth'. After my wedding in December, my day is just going to get busier. I will have officially become an adult with so many responsibilities to juggle. How to juggle? How do I immerse myself in the Lord's name, pastimes, service with a household to take care of? How am I going to give my youth to Krishna, when I am struggling with paperwork, phonecalls etc from dawn to dusk?<br /><br />Well, here is where I get lucky :) Even though the world seems to get too big to handle, my day seems filled with meangingless phonecalls and paperwork - offering all this to Krishna makes it seem so much lighter at the end of the day. Leisure? Well, who needs it when you are blissful in your busy day anyway. Trick is to link my meaningless paperwork to Krishna.......well not so successful sometimes, but I'm getting there. It's going to get easier to do this when I have a half hour of kirtan together with family to look forward to. Or 15 minutes of Bhagavatam reading. And really, the light at the end of the tunnel - Mayapur.<br /><br />Thank you Nitai. For everything. :)Anuradha Keshavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06426864622737907880noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218430527292733910.post-75321527621013911462009-08-24T20:08:00.004+04:002009-08-24T20:45:34.069+04:00Tired.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HwOY6pBPAS8/SpLDjETg-dI/AAAAAAAACdo/Clw0lLLpvrY/s1600-h/Nitai-Pada-Kamala_desktop.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 319px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HwOY6pBPAS8/SpLDjETg-dI/AAAAAAAACdo/Clw0lLLpvrY/s400/Nitai-Pada-Kamala_desktop.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373572312624855506" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">A small number, four seems<br />Only four defects innate within<br />Miseries untold it causes<br />Incapability overwhelms me<br />binds me<br /><br />Cause of misery to one entity?<br />No. Helplessly I am led to<br />cause misery to millions<br />Only four defects they are.<br /><br />I am tired Nitai<br />tired of this bad bargain<br />tired of my conditionings<br />tired of my imperfect service.<br /><br />Unqualified, yet I beg<br />to make that day mine<br />when your form, glories and name<br />become inseparable from my breath...<br />inseparable from my mind...<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">inseparable from M</span><span style="font-style: italic;">E...</span><br /></div>Anuradha Keshavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06426864622737907880noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218430527292733910.post-23973184206035020872009-08-16T00:16:00.003+04:002011-02-10T05:03:55.725+04:00Two monsters<span style="font-weight: bold;">Two monsters</span><br /><br />I begged, borrowed and stole<br />that mercy caused by serving your lotus feet<br />Undeserving, I blissfully swam in that ocean<br />drinking in and savoring the taste of spiritual bliss<br /><br />Carelessness. Ungratefulness.<br />The two ugly monsters that dwell within<br />Devoured the little mercy that came my way<br />Not a glimpse of the spiritual bliss they reveal<br />Those horrible monsters shadow everything<br /><br />People say, "Its the thought and love that counts"<br />A friend said, "True love ensures its perfection that counts"<br />Perfection does not happen when endeavors<br />are tainted with those monsters of mine<br />Prabhupad gave us the panacea - Chant!<br /><br />Lamentably this vicious cycle entangles me<br />What to do if my endeavor to chant<br />is also shadowed by these ugly monsters?<br />Hence my plea to you Gopinath....<br /><br />Focus, concentration and sincerity.<br />Slowly but steadily the monsters will be slain<br />if your names are chanted with<br />Focus, concentration and sincerity,<br /><br />O gopinath,<br />Help me chant<br />Help me purify myself<br />Help me slay these monsters<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Help me my dear Gopinath....</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-style: italic;">"...another kind of distraction occurs when one is too eager to complete the fixed number of holy names even at the sacrifice of</span><span style="font-family: monospace; color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-style: italic;">quality. One must therefore always insure that he chants his</span><span style="font-family: monospace; color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-style: italic;">rounds sincerely. Also, one should better improve the quality of</span><span style="font-family: monospace; color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-style: italic;">his chanting rather than try to increase his daily number of</span><span style="font-family: monospace; color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-style: italic;">rounds for show. The name of the Lord should be always be</span><span style="font-family: monospace; color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-style: italic;">pronounced distinctly. Only by the grace of the Lord can this be</span><span style="font-family: monospace; color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-style: italic;">achieved. Thus one should pray to the Lord that he never falls</span><span style="font-family: monospace; color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-style: italic;">victim to the wiles of the illusion of distraction, and that he</span><span style="font-family: monospace; color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;">can continue to taste the full nectar of the holy name."</span> - </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur, Sri Harinama Cintamani</span><br /><pre><br /></pre>Anuradha Keshavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06426864622737907880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218430527292733910.post-13295624086289392002009-08-01T10:14:00.005+04:002009-08-01T11:59:19.035+04:00FOLK - Friends of Lord Krishna : DamodardeshWe just finished Nrsimha Arati and were sitting down to eat our prasad, plan our next kartal lesson, exchanging tunes, enjoying some Maha prasad and so on when Sri Vallabh prabhu with his commanding presence walked in.<br /><br />"Are we all ready to start our Janmastami meeting?" his voice resounded in Flat 607.<br /><br />We all quickly finished whatever was left of our sandwiches and meekly sat down on one side in a group of 10 eagerly anticipating what sevas we would get to do on one of the most auspicious days in our Vaishnava calendar.<br /><br />"So what can the youth get into? " And Sri vallabh prabhu started suggesting a few sevas. And in his usual humorous manner he encouraged us,<br />"All you youth should take up everything, get into it and takeover. Let us baldies and oldies take a seat back. What say everyone? Shouldn't we let the youth takeover?"<br /><br />And then came the damper on our enthusiasm and eagerness, "Prabhu, I don't think they are ready yet, they need to be held back a little. Their sins need to be purified first"<br /><br />Honestly, I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Thankfully Sri Vallabh prabhu immediately retorted with, "They are held by Krishna and by doing seva they will automatically get cleansed. We cannot wait for the waves to stop before going for a swim."<br /><br />I feel extremely sorry that we have potrayed such an image.<br />I feel sorry that I have such a big false ego which got a blow.<br /><br />There are so many sincere souls in the youth who deserve to be encouraged and nurtured in KC rather than be discouraged. I humbly request senior devotees to take the time to find out about so many of us who have the spark of KC and just need a little fanning<br /><br />I offer my obeisances to all of the youth from who I learn something new every week as I associate with them:<br /><br />Laxmi - her devotion to her deities ? She is a perfect example of a true pujari. Her eagerness to serve, to cook for the devotees, to preach to all the youth, her passion to learn kirtans and sing........<br /><br />Samiksha - who started chanting 16 rounds since she's been back from Mayapur. Who shed tears as she was leaving....how many of us can shed a tear for the holy dham in seperation?<br /><br />Natasha - who voluntarily transcribes Radhanath Swami's lectures online for iskcondesiretree.com. How much nectar does she absorb by doing this service?? Who is so eager for a kirtan program, to chant to advance in KC to serve, to preach...<br /><br />Namrata (chotrani) - who tirelessly arranges for prasadam EVERY week for the youth class... who is everready to serve in whatever way she can....<br /><br />Namrata (keshwani) - on whose mind Krishna constantly dances :) in the form of kirtans, quotes , you tube videos ...... someone whose enthusiasm rubs off on me when I see her.....<br /><br />Ashish - who has taken up to KC and chanting like lighting fire to dry wood. In the short few months, he's already handling the book table, accounts ...learning Mrdanga from Yadav prabhu (oh yeah we're getting our band ready :)) been to Mayapur.......<br /><br />Vicky prabhu - who tirelessly comes to class every Friday just to enthuse all of us in kirtan and share his wonderful knowledge.<br /><br />Sneha aka Bunty :) - who never misses associating with us, responsibly handles her seva and tirelessly calls up every one of us every week to attend programs<br /><br />Pavan - who is our little pujari :) His love for Radha Madhav - something I need to get an ounce of. I still remember how excited and ecstatic he was when I got him some Tulasi from the feet of Madhava from Mayapur....<br /><br />Simi - who has gone through a lot of harships materially and has constantly been attracted to Krishna and is another example of fire to dry wood...<br /><br />Roshni - who always keeps the class alive by asking questions :) Her excellent presentations and videos... Her sincerity to read Prahbupad's books and gain knowledge....<br /><br />Keshavi - who has definitely been a devotee in her past life :) She grasps playing instruments and singing kirtans so easily!<br /><br />and of course the backbone of our class - H.G Vasudev Gopal Das :) who at the age of 12 was the only boy in children's class who did not raise his hand up when Sri Vallabh prabhu asked everyone, "who wants to be liberated and go back to Krishna?"<br />why?<br />"Because..." He answered, "If all the devotees go back to Krishna then who will stay back and tell about Krishna to others?"<br />My full dandavats to you VGD for contantly working to preach to spread Prabhupad's movement among us disillusioned youth in Dubai.<br /><br />And my gratitude goes out to Sri Vallabh prabhu, Nand Prabhu and ESPECIALLY Shuba mataji for creating this opportunity for all of youth to come together every week and inspire each other to progress in KC.<br /><br />Dandavats!<br /><br />P.S: I've written this in one shot and apologize to all the youth whom I have left out! If I have left you out then please come and do seva for youth class and Janmastami so your name will be up there right next to VGD ;)Anuradha Keshavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06426864622737907880noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218430527292733910.post-49992281052160011282009-06-26T23:36:00.005+04:002009-06-28T23:07:53.322+04:00Bedtime insecuritiesThere are a few things about Krishna that just hold me in complete fascination that I just start gushing about my fascinations and discoveries about Krishna's personality and pastimes to everyone! If you've met me and known me for a decent period of time, then you've probably heard this from me already.<br /><br />When Madhavi first told me this on the altar, I just exclaimed ! "How adorable!" So what every Radha Krishna pujari would know and most other devotees would not know is that, the Lord of the Universe, the controller of everything moving and non-moving, THE Supreme <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HwOY6pBPAS8/Ske-5N09oyI/AAAAAAAACcM/FSGC6wooMd8/s1600-h/krishna-flute.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 100px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HwOY6pBPAS8/Ske-5N09oyI/AAAAAAAACcM/FSGC6wooMd8/s400/krishna-flute.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352456572326748962" border="0" /></a>personality of Godhead.....<span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">.sleeps with his flute under his pillow! :)</span><br /><br />i.e The pujari who puts the deities to sleep at night usually takes Krishna's flute and keeps it under his pillow physically. I've heard a couple of reasons for this but the official ones from Jananivas prabhu are:<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">1) The flute is sooo dear to Kanha that he does not want to be separated from it since it is with the flute that he controls the gopis</span> <span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><br /><br />2) The gopis know that with this flute Kanha controls them so they are always looking to steal his flute. He keeps it under his pillow for protection<br /></span><br />Endearing!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">nadyas tadā tad upadhārya mukunda-gītam</span> <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"> āvarta-lakṣita-manobhava-bhagna-vegāḥ</span> <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"> ālińgana-sthagitam ūrmi-bhujair murārer</span> <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">gṛhṇanti pāda-yugalaḿ kamalopahārāḥ</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">"When the rivers hear the flute-song of Krishna, their minds begin to desire Him, and thus the flow of their currents is broken and their waters are agitated, moving around in whirlpools. Then with the arms of their waves the rivers embrace Murari's lotus feet and, holding on to them, present offerings of lotus flowers.</span>"<br />- Srimad Bhagavatam 10.21.15<br /><br /></div><span style=";font-family:Times;font-size:100%;" ><span style=";font-family:Times;font-size:17;" ></span></span>Anuradha Keshavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06426864622737907880noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218430527292733910.post-17256331798093415112009-06-07T16:16:00.003+04:002009-06-07T16:26:23.815+04:00Disappointment<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HwOY6pBPAS8/SiuxeoOsSgI/AAAAAAAACV8/r2eWhXpS1Pc/s1600-h/radhastami_gal15.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 271px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HwOY6pBPAS8/SiuxeoOsSgI/AAAAAAAACV8/r2eWhXpS1Pc/s400/radhastami_gal15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344560522558458370" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;">Perfection is what I sought<br />Perfection is what I thought I found<br /><br />Perfection does not enter this world<br />Perfection yet is sought for in souls<br /><br />Perfection's quest welcomes disappointment<br />Perfection only lies with you - <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 51, 255);">Gopinath</span>!<br /></div>Anuradha Keshavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06426864622737907880noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218430527292733910.post-42176795907144289442009-05-26T17:23:00.003+04:002009-05-26T18:38:48.958+04:00Smile please?<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:lucida grande;" >"When a devotee with all his heart and soul serves Krsna, dresses him in nice garments and gives him a flower, Krsna smiles. If you can get Krishna to smile upon you just once, your life's goal is fulfilled."</span> </span>- <span style="font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;" >Srila Prabhupad, Lecture SB 3.25.12, 12th November, 1974</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HwOY6pBPAS8/Shv32NaIqOI/AAAAAAAACVQ/3L3tq3xhYrg/s1600-h/Photo0037.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HwOY6pBPAS8/Shv32NaIqOI/AAAAAAAACVQ/3L3tq3xhYrg/s400/Photo0037.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340134293862131938" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Vishaka mataji's girirajji</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: times new roman;">As my eyes took in the slow dawn of day</span><br /><span style="font-family: times new roman;">my fingers felt the soft wood</span><br /><span style="font-family: times new roman;">bead by bead - transcendental wood of tulsidevi</span><br /><span style="font-family: times new roman;">My mind the wonderful traveller</span><br /><span style="font-family: times new roman;"> a thousand places did it visit</span><br /><span style="font-family: times new roman;"><br />A thread of desire was visited and explored<br /></span><span style="font-family: times new roman;">Memories entangled with that thread </span><br /><span style="font-family: times new roman;">of gopi dots, peacock feathers, ghee lamps</span><br /><span style="font-family: times new roman;">of chandan, mukut pieces, chadars</span><br /><span style="font-family: times new roman;">caused that familiar longing</span><br /><span style="font-family: times new roman;">longing to serve your beautiful deity form...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: times new roman;">How can I ever anticipate that sweet mercy of yours?</span><br /><span style="font-family: times new roman;">"Anuradha? Can you come paint and dress up my girirajji?"</span><br /><span style="font-family: times new roman;">Amazement and wonder continues to be my friend</span><br /><span style="font-family: times new roman;">as your mercy continues to flow...</span><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Smile please? </span><br /><br /></div><br /><br /></div>Anuradha Keshavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06426864622737907880noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218430527292733910.post-61820569930266256162009-05-16T22:46:00.002+04:002009-05-16T23:26:41.792+04:00Thunder !<span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" ><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">The sweetest sounds to mortals given Are heard in Mother, Home, and Heaven. ~William Goldsmith Brown</span></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span>Definitely in heaven!<br /><br />Of all the descriptions given in the scriptures about Krishna, the one I have most trouble visualizing or conceptualizing in my mind are the sounds of the spiritual world. The one thing I yearn most to hear... Krishna's flute, the cakora birds, the koyal, the peacocks, and of course the 'deep resounding thunderlike' voice of Krishna.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">"Krishna's deep voice resounds like a rumbling cloud and his tinkling ornaments allure the ears...."</span> - <span style="font-style: italic;">Chapter 6, Gayatri Mahima Madhuri</span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span>This quote about his voice was a little hard to find. I used to wonder and wonder if there are any descriptions about Krishna's voice and then I chanced upon this when I was reading the Gayatri book. But there are countless about his ever enchanting, mesmerizing flute playing :)<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);">"..Krishna's flute vibrates eight different tunes. Demigods like Lord Brahma and Lord Siva break their meditation and forget everything when the first tune pierces their ears. Lord Siva stops playing his din-din drum. Lord Brahma sits astonished on his lotus flower, and Lord Ananta Sesa begins swaying hypnotically. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);">The second tune makes the Yamuna flow backwards.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);">The moon stops moving upon hearing the third tune.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);">Cows run up to Krishna, and stand motionless with upraised ears to drink the nectar of the fourth tune.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);">The fifth note brings the gopis madly running-eager for Krishna's love.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);">The sixth tune creates autumn, replete with juicy fruits and rich foliage</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);">Stones melt when caressed by this note</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);">The seventh note instantly ushes in all six seasons manifesting their full splendor with gentle, sensous southern breezes carrying the perfumed aromas of fresh forest flowers.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);">The eighth note of Syama's seductive flute takes the name of Radha....</span>"<br /><br />Well I don't know whether it is going to take me lifetimes or just this lifetime to hear what I yearn to hear but one thing is for sure.... all my yearnings for sounds of the spiritual world is COMPLETELY satisfied by .....<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 102, 204);">Ching Ching Chinggg....</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 102, 204);">Ching Ching Chinggg....</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153); font-style: italic;"><br />Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare...</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153); font-style: italic;">Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare...</span><br /><br />Yess.....those soul stirring kirtans that just teases those senses of ours with visions of the spiritual world and incomparable bliss...<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/e5SdOjq5akA&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/e5SdOjq5akA&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Anuradha Keshavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06426864622737907880noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218430527292733910.post-13503364175536670742009-05-10T16:35:00.000+04:002009-05-10T16:37:24.445+04:00Atma NivedanaA devotee once told me,<br />" We offer so many services to Krishna......we offer him garlands, we make prasad and offer it, we offer our kirtans, our bhajans yet in the process of offering him all these services, we forget to offer him ourselves! "<br />Krishna accepts anything offered with love but all he is really looking for is YOU. And that is the hardest thing to offer. The false ego of me, mine never lets us actually do this. Every activity we do, each and every step and action we take in our lives, from bathing, eating, studying.....everything is geared towards one goal......satisfy the self.<br /><br />We can classify every action as geared towards<br />1) Sense pleasure<br />2) Intelligence & Mind pleasure<br />3) False ego pleasure<br /><br />Think about it....every small thing we do can be classified under these things. Even devotional service. When I make garlands, it satisfies my senses to see the beautiful flowers, satisfies my intelligence to arrange it in a pattern, and finally satisfies my ego when somebody says, 'oh what a beautiful garland you've made!'. Even though, I'm making it for Krishna, this tinge of ego pleasure never goes away. I would say that ego pleasure is the hardest to overcome. Whatever service we do, the sense of the self doing it hardly goes away....<br />(I am of course talking about common neophyte devotees like me and not elevated souls where can see actual 'selfless service')<br /><br />Now you can argue that if even devotional service is performed to satisfy the material senses and ego then why do it? Well.....the only answer I have for this is to ask you to actually spend a day doing service. Yes, my ego is being satisfied, my intelligence is being satisfied when I listen to a good lecture or read sound philosophy, my senses are being satisfied when I listen to beautiful, heartmoving kirtans and bhajans.......yet, at the end of the day, when I go home....when I get a moment to ponder on my pleasure and enjoyment, I realize, this pleasure is something much much deeper.......it is the pleasure of the satisfaction of the soul....:)Anuradha Keshavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06426864622737907880noreply@blogger.com0