suddhabhakti

  In dreams, we sometimes see things that we have never experienced in the present body. Sometimes in dreams, we think that we are flying in the sky, although we have no experience of flying. This means that once in a previous life, either as a demigod or astronaut, we flew in the sky. The impression is there in the stockpile of the mind, and it suddenly expresses itself. It is like fermentation taking place in the depths of water, which sometimes manifests itself in bubbles on the water’s surface. Sometimes we dream of coming to a place we have never known or experienced in this lifetime, but this is proof that in a past life we experienced this. The impression is kept within the mind and sometimes becomes manifest either in a dream or in thought. The conclusion is that the mind is the storehouse of various thoughts and experiences undergone during our past lives. Thus there is a chain of continuation from one life to another, from previous lives to this life, and from this life t...

atha vṛndāvaneśvaryāḥ kīrtyante pravarā guṇāḥ madhureyaṁ nava-vayāś calāpāṅgojjvala-smitā cāru-saubhāgya-rekhāḍhyā gandhonmādita-mādhavā saṅgīta-prasarābhijñā ramya-vāṅ narma-paṇḍitā vinītā karuṇā-pūrṇā vidagdhā pāṭavānvitā lajjā-śīlā su-maryādā dhairya-gāmbhīrya-śālinī su-vilāsā mahābhāva- paramotkarṣa-tarṣiṇī gokula-prema-vasatir jagac-chreṇī-lasad-yaśāḥ gurv-arpita-guru-snehā sakhī-praṇayitā-vaśā kṛṣṇa-priyāvalī-mukhyā santatāśrava-keśavā bahunā kiṁ guṇās tasyāḥ saṅkhyātītā harer iva Translation “ ‘Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī’s twenty-five chief transcendental qualities are: (1) She is very sweet. (2) She is always freshly youthful. (3) Her eyes are restless. (4) She smiles brightly. (5) She has beautiful, auspicious lines. (6) She makes Kṛṣṇa happy with Her bodily aroma. (7) She is very expert in singing. (8) Her speech is charming. (9) She is very expert in joking and speaking pleasantly. (10) She is very humble and meek. (11) She is always full of mercy. (12) She is cunning. (13) She is ex...

  “In Bhagavad-gita (4.10) the Lord says: vita-raga-bhaya-krodha man-maya mam upasritah bahavo jnana-tapasa puta mad-bhavam agatah “Being freed from attachment, fear and anger, being fully absorbed in Me and taking refuge in Me, many, many persons in the past became purified by knowledge of Me–and thus they all attained transcendental love for Me.”” There are two ways of constantly thinking of Krishna–as a devotee and as an enemy. A devotee, of course, by his knowledge and tapasya, becomes free from fear and anger and becomes a pure devotee. Similarly, an enemy, although thinking of Krishna inimically, thinks of Him constantly and also becomes purified. This is confirmed elsewhere in Bhagavad-gita (9.30), where the Lord says: api cet su-duracaro bhajate mam ananya-bhak sadhur eva sa mantavyah samyag vyavasito hi sah “Even if one commits the most abominable actions, if he engages in devotional service he is to be considered saintly because he is properly situated.” A devotee undoubt...

  Nandi - Shiva's Bull Carrier Adapted from Chapter 36 of the Brahmavaivarta Purāna, Krsna-janma-khanda The mysterious origin of Shiva's bull carrier, Nandi, is related in the Brahmavaivarta Purāna. Chapter five of the brahma-khanda describes how Srimati Radharani once emerged from the left side of Krishna's body, followed by millions of gopis and cowherd boys. Several young cows, including bulls, high breed surabhi cows, and kamadhenu cows, also emerged from Krishna's body. Krishna then gave away a beautiful bull that was as strong as ten million lions to Lord Shiva to serve him as his carrier. Coming from the body of the Lord, Nandi is thus an expansion of Krishna. This is also described in the following story from the Krsna-janma-khanda of Brahmavaivarta Purāņa (chapter 36, texts 42 to 57): Desiring the welfare of the universe, Lord Shiva once went to fight the demon Tripurasura. Shiva's mind was full of pride. He considered that as he was the destroyer of all th...

Sumedha and the Minister’s Advice Once, in a certain place, a very wealthy master had a servant named Sumedha. Deeply pleased with Sumedha’s utmost loyalty and honesty, the master granted him his freedom. Furthermore, wishing him a prosperous life as a wealthy merchant abroad, the master blessed him and gifted him a ship completely laden with valuable merchandise. Sumedha initiated his journey. However, midway through the voyage, the ship was caught in a massive whirlpool and was destroyed. Everyone on board drowned in the sea. Clinging heroically to a log of wood, Sumedha managed to survive and washed ashore on a deserted island. Utterly devastated by the loss of all his wealth, he sat there weeping. An Unexpected Elevation to Royalty Suddenly, accompanied by festive music and jubilant cheers, a vast crowd of people approached the shore. A royal elephant stepped forward and placed a garland around Sumedha’s neck. "Welcome to our King!" they shouted in acclamation. They escor...

  Gajendra’s Surrender to the Lord Among the celebrated pastimes described in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam , the deliverance of Gajendra vividly demonstrates the Lord’s unfailing protection of one who takes complete shelter of Him. In a previous birth, Gajendra, the king of elephants, was a pious ruler named King Indradyumna of the Pāṇḍya dynasty in South India. While residing in a secluded place, he was deeply engaged in the worship and service of the Supreme Lord. At that time, the great sage Agastya arrived there with his disciples. Absorbed in devotional service, King Indradyumna did not rise to receive the sage. Considering this behavior improper, Agastya Muni cursed him to take birth as an elephant. Reference: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 8.4.7–13 At the same time, there was a Gandharva named Hūhū. Once, while sporting in the water, he mischievously caught hold of the leg of the sage Devala, who was bathing there. Angered by this disrespectful act, Devala Muni cursed Hūhū to become a crocodi...

  Kāñcī Abhijāna: The Divine Triumph of Lord Jagannātha’s Servant The pastimes of the Supreme Lord and His unalloyed devotees are saturated with transcendental sweetness and deep spiritual lessons. Among the historical accounts of the solar dynasty of Orissa, the pastime of Kāñcī Abhijāna —the holy expedition to Kāñcī—stands out as a brilliant testament to how Śrī Jagannātha Deva personally protects the honor of His pure servants. In Gaudiya Vaiṣṇava philosophy, the relationship between the Lord and His devotee is never impersonal; it is full of reciprocal love, emotion, and dramatic pastimes. The Devout King and the Custom of Cherā Pahāñrā Once, a great king named Śrī Puruṣottama Deva ruled over the sacred state of Orissa. He belonged to the illustrious Ganga dynasty and was a topmost devotee of Lord Jagannātha. King Puruṣottama Deva did not consider himself the true proprietor of the kingdom; rather, he viewed Lord Jagannātha as the actual King and Supreme Ruler of the land, whil...