Showing results by author "Krishna Das" in All Categories

"Just as the arrows released by Raghava travel at the speed of the wind, so I will travel swiftly to Lanka, the city protected by Ravana. If I do not find the daughter of King Janaka in Lanka, with the same force I shall go to the realm of the demigods." (Hanuman addressing the Vanaras, Valmiki Ramayana, Sundara Kand, 1.39-40) “Hanuman Crossing the Ocean” is a collection of ten essays discussing the verses in the Ramayana which describe Hanuman’s journey to Lanka to look for Sita Devi.

“I am faithfully engaged in the service of Rama, who is as immovable as a great mountain, as great a lord as Mahendra [Indra], and who, like a great ocean, is incapable of being agitated.” (Sita Devi speaking to Ravana, Valmiki Ramayana, Aranya Kand, 47.33) Devoted to Rama is a collection of twenty essays discussing the verses from the Ramayana that cover Sita's initial interaction with Ravana when he approached her in the Dandaka forest in the guise of an ascetic.

“Rama bewailing thus, like one who had no protector, being stricken with grief and overwhelmed by great illusion appeared impoverished and lifeless. Thereafter, Lakshmana, the son of Sumitra, lovingly pressing His lotus feet, instantly reassured Him thus: Like the demigods obtaining ambrosia, King Dasharatha, after performing great austerities and great deeds, obtained You as a son. Being attached to Your qualities, the king, as we have heard from Bharata, attained the divine nature due to separation from You. O Kakutstha, if You are unable to tolerate this distress, then how will the ...

"(Hanuman did not see Sita) who was firmly situated on the eternal path of devotion to her husband, had her gaze always fixed on Rama, was always possessed by love for Rama, had entered the glorious mind of her husband, and was always the most exceptional of women." (Valmiki Ramayana, Sundara Kand, 5.24) "Hanuman Searches for Sita" is a collection of twenty-six essays discussing the verses in the Ramayana which describe Hanuman?s initial search for Sita Devi after he entered the city of Lanka.

In dream one moment you’re dwelling upon, And then the next moment it is gone. The universal manifestation in son’s mouth to see, Then in an instant Yashoda from vision set free. To loving her beautiful son she returned, In process a deep respect for God was earned. But devotion in maternal affection not to stop, Concern for darling of Vrindavana she couldn’t drop. Thus know there is higher state than reverence, Love in bhakti-rasa God’s preference. “Yashoda’s son” is a collection of twenty-one essays discussing the pastime where Lord Krishna shows the universal form to mother...

“All glories to Kunja-vihari, who playfully announces Madanotsava (Cupid’s festival) with the melodies from His colorfully decorated flute, and whose pastimes are praised by a multitude of male and female parrots.” (Shrila Rupa Gosvami, Shri Kunja-vihary-ashtakam, 4) “Praised by Parrots” is a collection of twenty-two essays discussing the Kunja-vihary-ashtakam of Shrila Rupa Gosvami.

“If you sway from the mission, Lakshmana’s exceedingly violent, vehement, ghastly and sharp arrows, travelling very fast and being difficult to even look at, will make you their target for destruction.” (Hanuman speaking to Angada, Valmiki Ramayana, Kishkindha Kand, 54.19) Hanuman Sowing Dissension is a collection of eleven essays discussing the verses in the Ramayana where Hanuman uses the divide and conquer method of diplomacy to try to get Angada to continue on in the search for Sita instead of give up.

“Worshiping the Deity” is a collection of twenty-four essays discussing the ancient art of deity worship, its purpose, its merits, its effectiveness, and how it is a most powerful tool used by the transcendentalist practicing bhakti-yoga, the highest occupation for man.

Caught Butter Handed is a collection of sixteen essays describing the pastime where Lord Krishna is tied to a mortar by mother Yashoda for having broken a pot of butter in anger. If to a deserted island you should go, Not many possessions there you know. So take only those things you really need, Automatically choose favorite items indeed. Appreciation augmented by full reliance, Nothing else around, on object full dependence. For the yogi keep always one person in mind, Who in her courtyard feeding monkeys mother did find. Think of Yashoda telling Krishna that break pots He can’t, ...

Discussing the pastime of the meeting between Shri Krishna and the fruit vendor in Vrindavana. “While Krishna was going to the fruit vendor very hastily, most of the grains He was holding fell. Nonetheless, the fruit vendor filled Krishna’s hands with fruits, and her fruit basket was immediately filled with jewels and gold.” (Shrimad Bhagavatam, 10.11.11)

Discussing couplets 1 - 17 from the Dohavali of Goswami Tulsidas “Subsisting on fruits and milk, chant Shri Rama’s holy name for six months. Tulsidas says that by following this formula all auspiciousness and every perfection will arrive in the palm of your hand.” (Dohavali, 5)

The Cookie Competitor, Bitter Lemonade, Travelling Tirtha, and More is a collection of 10 short stories discussing various topics of bhakti-yoga philosophy

God Seeing You As An Equal is a collection of ten conversations discussing various topics of bhakti-yoga, such as vows of silence, quoting authority when teaching, and understanding the use of the term "demon."

Sugriva, the chief of the forest dwellers in Kishkindha, was resting in his safe haven on the top of Mount Rishyamukha, a place where his estranged brother Vali could not attack him. Though he was safeguarded from the powerful influence of his brother, Sugriva was by no means in a peaceful condition. At every second of the day there was trepidation, as someone could be coming to attack him. Therefore it wasn’t surprising that when he saw two handsome and well-built young men carrying weapons approaching his forest, he became a bit apprehensive. These two princes seen from a distance ...

“There was a king named Dasharatha, the protector of dharma, as unshakeable as a mountain, true to his promises, well known throughout the world, and whose son is Raghava. Raghava, who is known by the name of Rama, is a righteous soul, famous throughout the three worlds. He has long arms and wide eyes. He is my husband and worshipable deity.” (Sita Devi speaking to Ravana, Valmiki Ramayana, Aranya Kand, 56.2-3) Forever Rama's is a collection of nineteen essays discussing the verses from the Ramayana where Sita Devi rebukes Ravana's advances and warns him of how her husband Rama will ...

What God Must Be is a collection of ten conversations discussing various topics of bhakti-yoga, such as what to look for when searching for the Supreme Lord, how consciousness determines the nature of actions, and false ego.

Conflicting Prayers, the Nagapatnis, Seeing Particles, and More is a collection of 10 short stories discussing various topics of bhakti-yoga philosophy

Senior To All By Birth is a collection of ten conversations discussing various topics of bhakti-yoga, such as instructing children, principles to follow in daily life, calculating the age of God, news updates and dying words.

The thought always that God we need to see, Only then in His existence we’ll believe. The Vedas a different assertion make, That knowledge of Divine from hearing take. The ears also constitute a sense, So with sole reliance on vision dispense. Ancient wisdom spread through aural reception, To words of Vedas and teachers give attention. In this endeavor no loss or regret, For clear conception of God you’ll get. “Hear to Believe” is a collection of seventeen essays discussing the process of devotional service known as shravanam, or hearing, and how it enables one to realize God and ...

“O ranger of the night, I have come, at the command of the king, to kill those who perpetrate horribly sinful acts and also those who wish harm to the people of the world.” (Lord Rama speaking to Khara, Valmiki Ramayana, Aranya Kand, 29.10) Daily articles from March 2010 Holi 2010 Sadharma Charini A Regulated Mind Ajatashatru Allayer of Fears The Ultimate Renunciate The Sinner's Fruit Slayer of Demons Human Effort Playtime A Full Time Occupation Breaking Free God is Great Fire and Wind Hrishikesha Vaikuntha at Home Heatseeker Fairness The Creator Truth by Negation Hope Seeing God ...