February 2023

FEBRUARY 2023

February 1st, 2023: Sri Rangam!

Last week I took a small group of devotees to Sri Rangam in South India to escape the bitter cold of Vrindavan and experience the lifestyle and culture of the Sri Vaisnava Sampradaya. We had darsan of the beautiful deity of Ranganath and met many wonderful Śrī Vaisnavas who warmly welcomed us to their transcendental abode.

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February 2nd, 2023: Radha Rasika Raya

Beautiful Radha Rasika Raya in Srila Gurudeva’s apartment in Vrindavan

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February 2nd, 2023: Stimulation for Ecstatic Love pt 11

Dear devotees: Tomorrow’s lecture ( Friday, February 3 ) is part 11 in our series on “Stimulation For Ecstatic Love.” We will continue our discussion on how flowers play an important role in Radha and Krsna’s loving pastimes. It’s all on my YouTube channel premiering at 3:30 pm India time.

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February 3rd, 2023: Lord Nityananda Appearance Day Lecture!

Join us in celebrating the auspicious occasion of Lord Nityananda’s appearance day! As we mark this special day, let us reflect on the life and teachings of this special incarnation of the Lord. His unwavering devotion and compassion continue to inspire countless devotees around the world. Come connect with like-minded individuals and deepen your connection with the Lord Nityananda. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to experience the joy and blessings of Nityananda Jayanti. #LordNityananda #AppearanceDay #SpiritualCelebration #Bhakti”

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February 4th, 2023: Cows of Vrindavan

Yesterday I look a group of devotees and guests to Biharvan, one of Vrindavan’s most unique forests. Biharvan remains untouched by urban development and looks much like Vrindavan did hundreds of years ago. Within the forest is a gosala with 1,000 of the sweetest and most friendly cows I have ever seen. We spent a wonderful afternoon amongst them discussing Krsna’s pastimes and chanting and dancing in great happiness. Next time you come to Vrindavan be sure to visit Biharvan!

 

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February 5th, 2023: Daily Darshan of the King of Rasa

Daily Darshan of the King of Rasa

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February 6th, 2023: Daily Darshan of the Lord

Daily Darshan of the Lord

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February 7th, 2023: A Parade Through the Streets of Vrindavan Dhama

Come with us on a virtual journey through the sacred streets of Vrindavan where we participated in a blissful parade honoring one of Vrindavan’s most loved deities, Sri Sri Radha Raman!

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February 7th, 2023: Stimulation for Ecstatic Love pt 12

Dear Devotees: In this coming Friday’s lecture ( February 10th ) we discuss the role that roses play in the sweet loving pastimes of Radha and Krsna in Vrindavan. We share a wonderful pastime from Srila Rupa Goswami’s Vidagda-Madhava.

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February 8th, 2023: The City Of Victory

I just arrived in Jaipur, “The City Of Victory,” with a small group of devotees. We will spend 4 days here visiting the numerous holy places that abound here. First and foremost we will go to take darshan of Srila Rupa Goswami’s Radha Govindaji deities early tomorrow morning. I am so excited I may not be able to sleep tonight!

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February 8th, 2023: Glories of Gajendra 

In a lake so still, beneath the blue sky,
Gajendra, the elephant, lived a life so high.
With strength and grace, he roamed the shore,
Until one day, a struggle he could not ignore.
A crocodile, with jaws so wide,
Grabbed Gajendra’s foot, with an iron tide.
The elephant fought, with all his might,
But the grip was strong, and he could not take flight.
In that moment of need, Gajendra called out,
To the Lord of all beings, without a doubt.
With a heart full of faith, and a voice full of grace,
He cried for help, in this dire place.
The Lord of Lords, heard his desperate plea,
And descended to earth, in a form to see.
With a glance so fierce, and a hand so strong,
He saved Gajendra, and righted the wrong.
The crocodile, released its grip so tight,
And with a bow, begged for mercy in the light.
And Gajendra, with a heart so full,
Surrendered himself, to the Lord’s rule.
Thus the story is told, of Gajendra’s plight,
And the Lord’s mercy, shining so bright.
A tale of devotion, and love so true,
For all to remember, the Lord will come to you.
[ Author Anonymous ]

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February 9th, 2023: City of Victory!!

Yesterday we had darshan of Radha Govinda early in the morning. Here in Jaipur thousands of people come to see the Lord before beginning their day. Later in the morning, we visited the nearby fruit, vegetable, and flower market where an abundance of the Lord’s bhoga and flower garlands come from. It’s so inspiring to see that much of the attention here in Jaipur is focused on Govindaji and His eternal consort, Srimati Radharani..

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February 11th, 2023: Visit to Jaipur!

Today we witnessed the majestic beauty of one of India’s most popular destinations: Jaipur. Once a unique fortress, it’s saffron-pink walls, massive wooden gates and impressive guard towers speak loudly of a stately kingdom in days gone by. It’s long standing deep spiritual customs remain perfectly intact with it’s many temples and deities who are loved by one and all. As we traversed the city on pilgrimage the people of Jaipur received us warmly, intrigued and impressed that we, as westerners, have embraced many of the spiritual traditions they hold so dear!

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February 15th, 2023: Followers of Rupa Goswami!

Last week we visited the city of Jaipur which is rich in Gaudiya Vaisnava history. Srila Rupa Goswami’s deities, Śrī Sri Radha Govinda, are the center of life for many people in Jaipur who flock to Their temple by the thousands each morning and evening.

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February 16th, 2023: Chaitanya Mahaprabhu!

Daily Darshan of the Lord. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu ki jaya!

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February 16th, 2023: Stimulation for Ecstatic Love pt 13 is coming!

Dear Devotees! Tomorrow’s lecture [ Friday, February 17 ] on my YouTube channel at 3:30 pm India time will be part 13 of our series on “Stimulation For Ecstatic Love.” It’s a special lecture focusing on how Lotus Flowers feature in Radha and Krsna’s Vrindavan pastimes!

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February 17th, 2023: Daily Darshan!

Daily Darshan of the Lord.

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February 17th, 2023: Stimulation for Ecstatic Love pt 13

Dear Devotees! Here is Part 13 in our series on “Stimulation For Ecstatic Love.” It’s a special lecture focusing on how lotus flowers feature in Radha and Krsna’s Vrindavan pastimes. You’ll hear about a special “island of lotus flowers” in the middle of the Yamuna River!

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February 18th, 2023: Happy Sivaratri!

“O gatekeeper of Vrindavan! O Soma, all glories to you! O you whose forehead is decorated with the moon, and who are worshipped by Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanatana, Narada and other great sages! O Gopisvara! Desiring that you bestow upon me pure love for the lotus feet of Sri Sri Radha and Krsna, who perform joyous pastimes in Vrindavan, I offer my respects unto you again and again!
( Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura, Sankalpa-kalpadruma 103 )

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 February 18th, 2023: Happy Sivaratri!

Dear devotees: Today is Sivaratri. It is being celebrated all over Vrindavan as Lord Siva is one of 5 personalities who grants residence in Vraja. Here is a lecture explaining the importance of this day in our Krsna-conscious culture.

Importance of Sivaratri in Krishna Consciousness Lecture by HH IDSM

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February 18th 2023: Gopinath!

Dear devotees! This beautiful video by Ananta Vrindavan das captures the beauty and history of one of the three principle deities of Vrindavan; Sri Sri Radha Gopinath. Gopinath was carved 5,000 years ago by the great grandson of Krsna, Vajranabha. Through the millennium of time Gopinath was lost only to be found 500 years ago by Madhu Pandit Goswami, one of the associates of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. For hundreds of years He had been worshipped in present day Jaipur, where His devotees congregate each day to sing His glories.

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February 21, 2023: Stimulation for Ecstatic Love pt 14

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February 24th, 2023: Stimulation for Ecstatic Love Pt 14!

Dear devotees: Don’t miss today’s lecture from our mini-series on “Stimulation For Ecstatic Love – Part 14.” We describe in glowing detail the glories of the white night-blooming lotus flower in Radha and Krsna’s pastimes. It premiers at 3:30 pm India time on my YouTube channel.

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February 25th, 2023: Daily Darshan!

Daily Darshan of the Lord.

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February 27th, 2023: The Calm before the Storm

All 80 devotees have arrived in Rishikesh and are busy preparing for our Rishikesh Kirtan Festival on the banks of the Ganges river. Our ashrama is buzzing with activity and word of our daily programs from March 1 – 20 is spreading quickly. We feel truly blessed to be serving the samkirtan movement of Lord Caitanya in such a sacred place!

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February 28th, 2023: Ready, Set, Go

Yesterday we started doing harinam in the streets of Rishikesh, inviting everyone to our Kirtan Festival which starts tomorrow. The reception was overwhelming! A good indication that for the next 3 weeks we’ll be drowning in an ocean of bliss, sharing our good fortune with others.

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