Weekly Sanga

In today's class, Srila Dhanurdhara Swami continues with Brihad Bhagavatamrta Part 1 Chapter 5 Text 103-105.

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1 Chapter 5 Text 103-105

TRANSLATION

Krsna has now forgotten Vaikuntha, for He is bound by intense, unbreakable loving exchanges with these Yadus. He sees the Yadus, touches them, talks with them, sits with them. He eats and sleeps with them, follows then when they walk, takes part in their marriage ceremonies, and shares in their other activities of embodied life. These relations are more tangible then the yogis' union with Him in meditation. Thus, by His pastimes Krsna spreads among the Yadus infinite pleasure, ever fresh and indescribable, destroying any desire they might have for heaven or liberation, and increasing more and more their devotion to Him.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 11:07 AM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1 Chapter 5 Text 103-105

TRANSLATION

Krsna has now forgotten Vaikuntha, for He is bound by intense, unbreakable loving exchanges with these Yadus. He sees the Yadus, touches them, talks with them, sits with them. He eats and sleeps with them, follows then when they walk, takes part in their marriage ceremonies, and shares in their other activities of embodied life. These relations are more tangible then the yogis' union with Him in meditation. Thus, by His pastimes Krsna spreads among the Yadus infinite pleasure, ever fresh and indescribable, destroying any desire they might have for heaven or liberation, and increasing more and more their devotion to Him.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 12:57 PM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1 Chapter 5 Text 95

TRANSLATION

Surrounding Maharaja Ugrasena, the Yadavas glowed brilliantly, as with reverent eagerness they awaited the arrival of Sri Krsna.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 11:25 AM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1 Chapter 5 Text 89

TRANSLATION

Therefore, go see the divine Yadhavas, the Lord's most beloved associates, who live immersed in a vast, unequaled ocean of joy. My lord Narada, you know very well how great they are. What can I tell you about their glories?

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 12:14 PM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1 Chapter 5 Text 82

TRANSLATION

Sri Pariksit said: Mother Kunti, for whom the sigh of Krsna was life, seemed tormented with sorrow, remembering how Krsna had at times shown His mercy and at other times not. She then spoke, pitifully, with tears in her eyes.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 11:00 AM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1 Chapter 5 Text 68

TRANSLATION

Even carefully studying the purport of those instructions has not made me any happier. Rather, His words only make me remember how He deceived me.

In addition to today's verse, Srila Dhanurdhara Swami remembers Her Grace Rasajna devi dasi. You can read more about Rasajna here.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 12:05 PM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1 Chapter 5 Text 62-63

TRANSLATION

Swayed by dry speculation, concerned only with their own dharma, Bhisma and others on the field of war fiercely attacked Lord Sri Krsna, piercing His armor and flesh. Lord Krsna, the wielder of the Sudarsana cakra, tolerated for my sake those repeated attacks on His divine body, although I tried to stop Him.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 11:24 AM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1 Chapter 5 Text 53

TRANSLATION

It is our fault than many saintly persons met their demise, including venerable teachers like Drona and Bhisma, and sons like Abhimanyu.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 10:30 AM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1 Chapter 5 Text 45

TRANSLATION

Sri Pariksit said: For a moment, Dharmaraja Yudhisthira remained quiet, and then he sighed, as if embarrassed. At last he spoke, followed in turn by his brothers, wife, and mother.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 11:07 AM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1 Chapter 5 Text 43

TRANSLATION

Once in the court of the Kauravas, with me and other sages present, Krsna said of you, "A friend of the Pandavas is My friend, and their enemy is My enemy. The Pandavas are My very life airs.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 10:58 AM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1 Chapter 5 Text 36

TRANSLATION

Krsna bestowed upon Yudhisthira the highest prestige, greater than that of anyone else in the upper and lower worlds. And by favors like allowing Bhima to kill Jarasandha, Krsna granted Bhima unequaled fame.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 5:27 PM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1 Chapter 5 Text 35

TRANSLATION

Krsna, the life of the Yadus, tried for a long time to leave for Dvaraka, but by enveloping Him with plaintive prayers she kept Him in her home.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 10:35 AM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1 Chapter 5 Text 34

TRANSLATION

She often lamented with poignant words that could shatter the heart of anyone who heard them. And she bore the burden of love for all of you, staying tied to you only because you are very dear to Lord Krishna.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 11:11 AM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1 Chapter 5 Text 30

TRANSLATION

Sri Pariksit said: While singing enthusiastically in this way, the sage instructed his own tongue, which was greedy to chant the glories of Lord Madhava, "Oh, you are too busy talking about the greatness of our master!" To stop that tongue, he then seized it with it his teeth.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 9:04 AM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1 Chapter 5 Text 29

TRANSLATION

We speak of Krsna's kindness, but even the punishments He metes out are worthy of praise. To this there have been many witnesses--including Kamsa, Kaliya, and Putana and, in the more distant past, Bali and others.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 10:45 AM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1 Chapter 5 Text 28

TRANSLATION

Now His identity as God has been shown, for He has appeared in all His splendor, adorned with His unique glories and the varied wonders of His charming sweetness.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 10:47 AM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1 Chapter 5 Text 25

TRANSLATION

O Krsna's brothers, how can the infinite wonders of His bodily beauty, His effulgence, and His charm be properly described? Features so attractive have never been seen in anyone else.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 10:40 AM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1 Chapter 5 Text 21

TRANSLATION

And by the power of His glory, demons fit for hell have become immortal after being slain by Him or by such companions as Arjuna.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 11:01 AM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1 Chapter 5 Text 15

TRANSLATION

Please just hear what I have to say: Before Krsna gave the gift of liberation only to a qualified few. And this has always been the rule.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 10:36 AM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1 Chapter 5 Text 14

TRANSLATION

We can only pray to satisfy Him through our disciplines of silence, peace, and devotion. But being naturally satisfied with you, He has even submitted Himself to your control.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 10:36 AM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1 Chapter 5 Text 9

TRANSLATION

All other incarnations of Godhead expand from mere portions of His plenary portions. Great gods like Brahma are considered His material opulences. And material nature is His maidservant. Standing always in view ready to serve Him, she enacts creation, protection, and destruction of the universe.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 10:45 AM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1 Chapter 5 Text 8

TRANSLATION

For Brahma, Rudra and other demigods He is difficult to realize even in advanced meditations. He can be known through words of the Vedas only when one understands their special purport. Sriman Nrsimha, Sri Vamana, and Sri Raghavendra are His plenary expansions.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 11:09 AM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1 Chapter 5 Text 6

TRANSLATION

Narada chanted at length the glories of the precious treasure of which Hanuman had spoken--Krsna's favor on the Pandavas. Narada accompanied his words by playing his vina.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 10:47 AM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1 Chapter 5 Text 1

TRANSLATION

Sri Pariksit said: Sri Narada, beside himself with joy, arrived dancing at the kingdom of the Kurus and raced to their capital city.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 10:23 AM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1 Chapter 4 Text 117

TRANSLATION

Just see, his superlative queen is none other at Srimati Draupadi, and his brothers are such men as the bessed Bhimasena and Arjuna.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 10:10 AM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1 Chapter 4 Text 115

TRANSLATION

The king achieved all this opulence by Krsna's mercy, and has offered it all to Krsna. It never had any power to please him.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 10:43 AM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1 Chapter 4 Text 112

TRANSLATION

The eldest of these brothers rules the state out of love for the Personality of Godhead. Thus his kingdom is rich in all sorts of assets rarely enjoyed by the demigods.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 10:46 AM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1 Chapter 4 Text 108

TRANSLATION

I must be ready to present myself before Him without delay, whenever He might call. But now you please go visit the Pandavas at their home and see the Supreme Absolute Truth in His appearance like a human being.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 10:24 AM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1 Chapter 4 Text 101-104

TRANSLATION

Even so, I simply feel more attracted to the Supreme Lord in His eternal identity as Sri Raghunatha, the sin of Dasaratha and joy of Mother Kausalya. His heart always tender with natural, unaffected compassion, He is spontaneously attracted to loving exchanges with His devotees, exchagnes free from any tinge of duplicity. He demonstrates how to follow properly the religious duties of a civilized people, and He upholds the strict vow of only having one wife. In the shyness of intimate humility, His face always hooks downward, His eyes fixed on the ground. His exalted character is pleasing to all. He stands with bow in hand, the king of kings, the hero of the city Ayodhya, served by Sita and Laksmana, and with Bharata as His older brother. He rules the race of monkeys as the dear friend of Sugriva and gives shelter to Vibhisana. By my hearing of the pastimes of Krsna, the unlimited loving attraction I feel toward my own master has increased.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 11:11 AM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1 Chapter 4 Text 93

TRANSLATION

Sri Pariksit said: Hanuman, the ocean of sobriety, then sighed for a moment, and after a brief time in though he bowed down to Narada and spoke..

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 11:27 AM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1 Chapter 4 Text 88

TRANSLATION

Without the unconditional mercy of the Lord's most beloved friends, a devotee's loving service can never succeed or bear fruit.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 11:12 AM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1 Chapter 4 Text 85

TRANSLATION

O master of all masters, You are conquered by Your great affection for Your devotees! This is how You attract their hearts.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 11:13 AM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1 Chapter 4 Text 82

TRANSLATION

O Pandavas, pure love has subdued you! Ignoring discrimination and etiquette, you engage my Lord as your messenger and charioteer.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 10:22 AM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1 Chapter 4 Text 81

TRANSLATION

Sri Hanuman said: All the calamities that befell the Pandavas were most auspicious and desirable because those calamities made the Personality of Godhead anxious to join the Pandavas quickly.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 11:02 AM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1 Chapter 4 Text 76

TRANSLATION

He acted as their servant, advisor, messenger,charioteer, and court attendant. He kept watch for them at night, followed them on processions, and even offered them praise and obeisances.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 10:36 AM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1 Chapter 4 Text 73-74

TRANSLATION

But now He has descended to Mathura-puri, where He displays the summit of His opulences and powers. All the mercy He has shown me cannot equal even a speck of the mercy He has shown the saintly Pandavas, any more than a molecule of earth can equal Mount Sumeru.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 11:56 AM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1 Chapter 4 Text 67

TRANSLATION

Indeed, your devotion for the Lord is absolutely pure, for you consider nothing more valuable than the pleasure of serving Him. You delighted all His devotees by speaking to that best of generous Lords these words:

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 10:32 AM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1 Chapter 4 Text 62

TRANSLATION

Sri Pariksit said: In the blink of an eye Hanuman became sober and bowed down to show respect to the sage among the demigods. Hanuman greeted him with reverence and brought him to the temple of Lord Ramacandra, the hero of the Raghus, so that Narada could offer obeisances.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 11:33 AM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1 Chapter 4 Text 61

TRANSLATION

Sri Narada said: O blessed one, truly you are the dearest devotee of the Supreme Lord! Today just by seeing you I too have become dear to the Lord.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 10:06 AM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1 Chapter 4 Text 57

TRANSLATION

He glorified the Lord with various prayers, in prose and verse, most excellent compositions of his own. He also recited prayers composed by others. And he repeatedly offered prostrate obeisances.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 11:37 AM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1 Chapter 4 Text 54

TRANSLATION

Sri Pariksit said: O dear mother, the sage Narada then jumped up from his seat and flew through the sky to Kimpurusa-vars all the while repeating, "How wonderful! How wonderful!"

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 11:08 AM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1 Chapter 4 Text 51

TRANSLATION

My dear spiritual master, Hanuman's greatness is well known from scriptual statements like "The chief of the monkeys became perfect by acting as the Lord's servant." His servitude is proof of the Lord's mercy.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 11:44 PM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1 Chapter 4 Text 50

TRANSLATION

He keeps himself alive by constantly hearing the glories of Lord Rama. Staying be the side of the Lord's Deity, He is present even today with the same splendor as always.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 11:34 AM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1 Chapter 4 Text 31

TRANSLATION

So how can any pure devotion appear in me that would signify the Lord's mercy? I see proof of my lack of devotion when I ponder the wickedness of Banasura.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 11:05 PM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1 Chapter 4 Text 23

TRANSLATION

The Lord truly gives His mercy, saintly authorities believe, when He grants the right to render various kinds of service, a blessing He gives to such devotees as Hanuman. Nothing else counts as His mercy.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 11:27 AM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1 Chapter 4 Text 14

TRANSLATION

From now on I intend to stay here permanently with you. By your power I shall certainly be able to overcome the curses I received from Daksa and others.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 9:56 PM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1 Chapter 4 Text 10

TRANSLATION

Responding to your Lord's love, you agreed to assume your father's throne. And as you told Lord Nrsimha in your prayers, by doing this you wished to help deliver all people. You are still on that royal seat, fixed in meditation on Lord Nrsimha.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 10:36 AM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1 Chapter 4 Text 6

TRANSLATION

While immersed in meditation on Krsna, you seemed to forget your own existance. Like a madman you danced and sang and called out loudly, your body trembling. In this way you spread devotional service unto Lord Visnu, delivering all the worlds from the cycle of material life and filling them with joy.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 11:06 PM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1 Chapter 4 Text 1

TRANSLATION

Sri Pariksit said: After the sage Narada heard Lord Siva'swords, which impressed him as most amazing, he was eager to see Prahlada in person. He at once, therefore, traveled to Sri Sutala by the path of the heart and entered running into the city of the demons.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 11:08 AM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1: Finding the Essence of the Supreme Lord's Mercy
Prapancatita: Beyond the Material World Text 75

TRANSLATION
There is a greater recipient of Krsna's mercy than your father, me, and other servants like Garuda, and even the goddess of fortune. His name is Prahlada. He is famous throughout the world as the dearmost devotee of Krsna.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 11:07 PM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1: Finding the Essence of the Supreme Lord's Mercy
Prapancatita: Beyond the Material World Text 1-4

TRANSLATION
Sri Pariksit said: Arriving in Sivaloka, from a distance the sage Narada saw Lord Siva, Sri Hara, who had just finished his worship of Lord Sankarsana, Sri Hari. Entranced in ecstatic love, Lord Siva was dancing and loudly singing the glories of the Lord, while his associates played instrumental music and shouted "Jaya! Jaya!" With great affection he praised his assistants like Nandisvara, as well as the goddess Uma, who was expertly clapping her hands. The sight of all this delighted Narada. Vibrating his vena and nodding his head to show respect, he called out several times, "You are the greatest recipient of Krsna's mercy!" and in a sweet voice he recounted to Lord Siva everything just told to him by their father, Lord Brahma.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 11:24 PM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1: Finding the Essence of the Supreme Lord's Mercy
Divya:In Heaven Text 14

TRANSLATION
Are you unfamiliar with what ruling heaven means? Don't you know how many times we have had to flee heaven in fear of the Daityas?

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 11:28 PM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1: Finding the Essence of the Supreme Lord's Mercy
Divya:In Heaven Text 7

TRANSLATION
Indra shone forth in his own opulence as he sat on his throne next to the Lord, shedding from his thousand eyes a downpour of tears.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 11:16 PM | Permalink

In today's class, Srila Dhanurdhara Maharaja concludes the first chapter of Part 1 of the Brihad Bhagavatamrta, Bhauma: On the Earth, and gives us a preview of the second chapter, Divya: In Heaven.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 11:28 PM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1: Finding the Essence of the Supreme Lord's Mercy
Bhauma: On the Earth Texts 50-51

TRANSLATION
Saintly devotees of Lord Visnu come from various countries to reside permanently in the kingdom. They come out of eagerness to see the lotus-eyed Deity of the Lord, to relish the food and other special remnants from the Lord, and to obtain the association of spiritually advanced persons.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 11:37 PM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1: Finding the Essence of the Supreme Lord's Mercy
Bhauma: On the Earth Texts 44

TRANSLATION
Who am I but a most wretched person? How much charity am I able to give? What opulence do I have? And how have I ever reciprocated with the Lord in devotional service?

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 11:52 PM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1: Finding the Essence of the Supreme Lord's Mercy
Bhauma: On the Earth Texts 35

TRANSLATION
Next he respectfully fed everyone else, including the most fallen outcastes. In suitable ways, he satisfied even the dogs, jakals, birds and insects.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 11:02 PM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1: Finding the Essence of the Supreme Lord's Mercy
Bhauma: On the Earth Texts 24-25

TRANSLATION
Once a group of exalted sages were at Prayaga, the best of pilgrimage sites, during the month of Magha. The sages had taken their bath and were happily seated before the Deity of Sri Madhava. Feeling satisfied, as if all their goals in life had been fulfilled, they were praising one another, saying, "You are the recipient of Lord Krsna's mercy."

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 11:33 PM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1: Finding the Essence of the Supreme Lord's Mercy
Bhauma: On the Earth Text 11

TRANSLATION
This book collects the essence of the scriptures teaching devotional service rendered to the Supreme Lord. These essential teachings I have personally realized under the shelter of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. I received them from His dear devotee Sri Rupa.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 11:00 PM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1: Finding the Essence of the Supreme Lord's Mercy
Bhauma: On the Earth Text 8

TRANSLATION
All glories, all glories to Sri Krsna-prema-bhakti! Knowing that the feet of Prema-bhakti secretly compromise all the truths of the Vedas, Liberation herself has come to worship her. Indeed, Liberation, abandoned by the Vaisnavas, has now given up her dependence on mantras, penance, sacrifice, and renunciation and is eager to have the shelter of Prema-bhakti.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 11:49 PM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1: Finding the Essence of the Supreme Lord's Mercy
Bhauma: On the Earth Text 5

TRANSLATION
All glories, all glories to this place where we are living Lord Murari's Vrndavana forest! He prefers residing here to residing in Vaikuntha or in the hearts of elevated saints. In Vrndavana, while always tending His cows, He gives pleasure to the gopis, whose love for Him in the mood of the rasa dance He increases by sweetly playing His flute.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 11:46 PM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1: Finding the Essence of the Supreme Lord's Mercy
Bhauma: On the Earth Text 4

TRANSLATION
All glories to goddess Mathura-devi, the best of holy cities! She enchants the mind, she is most dear to the enemy of Kamsa, and she is adorned with the Lord's birthplace. The city of Mathura is acclaimed throughout the world for dispelling misery and bestowing liberation and devotion, not to mention the various pastimes the Lord has played there.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 11:02 PM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1: Finding the Essence of the Supreme Lord's Mercy
Bhauma: On the Earth Text 2

TRANSLATION
All glories above all to the gopis, headed by Sri Radhika, who are famous as the Lord's dearmost devotees. No one can even begin to properly describe the charm of their supreme affection for Sri Hari.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 10:48 PM | Permalink

Brihad Bhagavatamrta
Part 1: Finding the Essence of the Supreme Lord's Mercy
Bhauma: On the Earth Text 1

TRANSLATION
All glories to that inconceivable Lord who descended to bestow the gift of perfect love for His own lotus feet. He is an ocean filled with many kinds of sweetness, and He always bears the fragrance of fresh youth. In His form as Sri Caitanya He has realized the last extreme of transcendental experience, the love residing eternally in the gopis.

Posted by Rathi Krishna dasa at 10:46 PM | Permalink