ANANDA SAMVADA
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Issue # 4.
KRISHNA BALARAM TEMPLE (BHUBANESWAR)
CONSTRUCTION FUND NEWSLETTER
ISKCON FOUNDER - ACARYA. SRILA A. C. BHAKTIVEDANTA SWAM PRABHUPADA
The Lecture
SRI BHUBANESWAR DHAM
His Divine Grace Srila Gour Govinda Maharaja
This lecture was given by His Divine Grace Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Swami in Bhubaneswar on the 25th of April 1991; he speaks from Sri Chaitanyua Caritamrta Adi Lila 7; 157. In his discourse our beloved Gurudeva describes the glories of Sri Bhubaneswar dham, reading directly from Sri Chaitanya Bhagabat. We haven't included the Bengali verses quoted by His Divine Grace.
We should not disrespect the demi-gods.Though the demi-gods are not the Supreme Lord, they are the servants of Krishna. So Mahaprabhu has taught this thing, and especially Lord Siva,"vaisnavanam yatha sambhu," Siva is a great Vaisnava. Therefore, Sriman Mahaprabhu visited, paid respect. And Sivaji is known as "ksetra-pala", who guards the ksetra.
In Vraja Mandala you'll find nine ksetrapala Mahadev murtis are there. In Vrndaban you'll find Gopesvara Mahadev, in Kamyavan you'll find Kamesvara Mahadev, in Govardham you'll find Chakresvara Mahadev, in Nandagram you'll find Nandisvara Mahadev, and in Mathura you'll find Bhutesvara , Gokarnesvara, Chaklesvara, Brdhyesvara and Rangesvara. Besides that, in Mathura many, many Siva Temples are there.
In Adi Varaha Purana it is mentioned that Lord Visnu said to Sivaji, Lord Visnu has ordered Sivaji, in Mathura you'll become ksetrapala, who guards ksetra, My ksetra. If someone will pay you respect, have your darshan, he'll get the result of visiting My ksetra. Those who do circumambulation of, parikrama, Vrndaban parikrama, they in the begining and at the end, visit Bhutesvara Siva in Mathura. Because 'vaisnavanam yatha sambhu,' Siva is a great Vaisnava, do you understand?
MAHAPRABHU AT BHUBANESWAR
This is also Siva's dham. Here this Bhubaneswar ksetra is also Siva's dham. It is mentioned there, in Caitanya Bhagabat, Sri Vrndaban das Thakur has mentioned about Bhubaneswar. When Sriman Mahaprabhu came here, while he was going to Jagannath Puri Dham He passed through this Bhubaneswar. So Sriman Mahaprabhu came here, visited that Temple, and that Bhubaneswar Lingaraj is a very dear servitor, servant of Anantadev, therefore Mahaprabhu came here.
In Caitanya Bhagabat, it is mentioned, 'Sriman Mahaprabhu with his devotees came here, chanted and danced before Lord Siva here in Bhubaneswar Temple.' So following in the footsteps of Sriman Mahaprabhu all Vaisnavas came here and visited Bhubaneswar Siva, and chanted and danced there.
In Skanda Purana, there it is mentioned about this ksetra, Bhubaneswar ksetra. "Once in Kasi, there was a king who was a great devotee of Lord Siva. But his desires were not fulfilled. That king underwent very severe penances to conquer Krishna. He was in tapasya trying to satisfy Lord Siva, and he had that desire he would conquer Krishna. But one cannot understand the behaviour of a Vaisnava. Even the demigods can't understand, what to speak of the human beings. So Sivaji became satisfied, pleased with his tapasya." At that time Sivaji told him, "alright, you go and fight against krishna, I'm following you, I'll support you, I'll help you."
So that king then started for battle and Lord Siva with all his followers followed him, that raja, king. Then Krishna, Vasudev, Devaki-nandana, Son of Devaki, could understand all these things, so He released His Sudarsana cakra. That Sudarsana cut off the head of the king, first. After that, also that Sudarsana cakra cut off the heads of all the Siva bhaktas in Kasi. This Varanasi became a crematorium ground, all dead. So Lord Siva became very angry and released his pasupatastra. But what he'll do, pasupatastra in front of Sudarsana? Couldn't do anything. So at last Siva also became very much terrified, frightened, and tried to run away, but where will he go?
Then Siva could understand except for Krishna nobody can save me now. So he surrendered unto the lotus feet of Krishna, Govinda. He offered many prayers. Lord Siva offered prayers to Krishna, Govinda. Siva says, "O Lord of my heart, I have one prayer. I am always very puffed up. I have great false ego, but now I understand I can not leave you, I can not stay anywhere else, please tell me where I shall stay.", according to Skanda Purana. Sri Vrndabandas Thakur has written that thing in Sri Caitanya Bhagabat.
EKAMRA KANAN
So Lord Vasudeva says, "My ksetra is there, Purosottama Ksetra, so in the north of that ksetra there is Ekamra Kanana. That place, Ekamra Kanan is a very very auspicious place, which can give bhukti and mukti, a very nice beautiful place. So you'll stay there and you'll be noted as "Bhubaneswar." "So I give you that Ekamra Kanana, you go and stay there and you become guard of that ksetra, 'ksetra pala'".
So this is Bhubaneswar. It is known as 'Hemacala' and 'Svarnadi Ksetra' also. In this ksetra crores, crores, koti lingum, crores.of Sivcajis are here. Asta Tirtha, the famous eight tirthas are also here. It is superior to Varanasi, this Bhubaneswar, and this is more dear to Lord Siva than Varanasi, this Bhubaneswar.
In Svarnadi Mahadev Grantha, we'll find once Vyasadev came here. This is Vaisnava ksetra, Ekamraka Kanana, and Vyasadev has described its glories, it is mentioned in Svarnadi Mahadev Grantha.
PARVATI AT BHUBANESWAR
There it is mentioned once that Devi Bhagabati, this means Goddess Parvati, was hearing the glories of this Ekamra Kanana from the lips of Lord Siva, Sambhu. So Bhagabati devi came here to see this ksetra. She saw Maha-linga, do you understand "linga?" Siva is worshipped in Linga form. And that Linga has the complexion of half white, half black, sitasita-varna, Maha-Linga,and Devi also offered puja to that Linga. Once Devi saw that from a lake hundreds of cows were coming out, and they were pouring milk from their udders onto that Maha-Linga, circumambulating that Maha-Linga and then going away. Devi saw this thing.
Another day also she saw the same thing. Then Devi assumed the form of a gopalini, a cowherd girl, and followed those cows. At that time there were two demon brothers named Kriti and Vasa. They were very much enchanted by the beauty of Parvati devi, so they approached her and expressed their desire that they wanted to have her as their wife. So Bhagabati devi disappeared from that place and went to Lord Siva and narrated everything before her Lord. Lord Siva then assumed the form of a gopa, a cowherd boy, and went there. Then Lord Siva could understand the history of those two demons.
Lord Siva revealed that those two demons Kriti and Vasa were the sons of Drumila Raksasa. So that Drumila worshipped many demigods, they were very much pleased and gave him one boon that his two sons couldn't be killed by any weapon. Then Sivaji said, "Now they will be killed by you, O Devi. You kill them. They won't be killed by any weapons, so I can't kill them."
So getting the instruction from Sivaji, Devi, who was in the form of a cowherd girl, gopalini, came in front of those two demons and said, "Alright, I'll fulfil your desires, but I have one condition, if one of you carry me on your shoulder or head I'll be his wife."
Bhagabati Devi manifested her potency and placed one of her feet on the shoulder of one demon, and the other on the shoulder of the other demon, and crushed them, they were killed. At that time Bhagabati assumed the form of Visvambari, Visvambari rupa. Visva means universe, she expanded as Visvambari and crushed them. So from this day, this Sambhu, "vaisnava pravara sambhu", and Devi Bhagabati stayed here in this ksetra of Ekamraka Kanana.
BINDU SAROVARA
After killing these two demons Krit and Vasa, Bhagabati devi became very tired and was also very thirsty. She wanted water, so Siva with his trident, trishula pierced a hill top and a great well was created that's known as "Sankar Vampi"(?) But Devi said, "I want water from a great tank, sarovara, pond, which will be eternally there."
So Sivaji ordered his bull carrier, Nandi, to install that sarovara. All tirthas came there, and all the holy rivers, like Kaveri, Gomati, Krishna, Yamuna, Sarasvati, Gandaki, Rishikulya, Mahanadi, all holy rivers came here. Again from the heavenly planets and from Patala came the Mandakini and Ksirodaka, all came here. When Lord Siva saw all those holy rivers had come, with his trident he pierced that hill top and asked all those holy rivers and all the tirthas to please pour water drop by drop here. (Drop means 'bindu'.) So they did it and Lord Brahma installed that sarovara. And that sarovara is known as 'Bindusarovara.' Have you seen it?
Mahaprabhu took bath in that Bindusarovara. Bhagavan Janardan and all demigods headed by Brahma all took bath there in that sarovara. So in this way Bindusarovara was installed.
Then Sambhu paid obeisances to Lord Janardana and The Lord placed Anantadev on the eastern side of Bindusarovara. You'll find on the eastern side Ananta Vasudev is there. Siva became Ksetrapala, and Anantadev became the controller of the Ksetra. Here Anantadev stays with His sister, Subhadradevi. He is known as Vasudev, Lord Vasudev, who has been fulfilling Lord Siva's desires. To fulfil Lord Siva's desires Ananta Vasudev stayed on the eastern side of Bindusarovara and has been staying there till now. Have you gone to that temple? So in the front wall of that temple you'll find there is Laxmidevi, and Sudarsana Cakra is also there.
Ananta Vasudev and Madan Mohan, They are the Lords of Lingaraj Siva. So at the time of Candran Yatra, Sivaji along with Ananta Vasudev and Madan Mohan ride a swing, dola, and go to Candana Yatra. They make Candana Yatra in Bindusarovara. At that time also Candana Yatra will begin from Puri Temple. In Puri there are three famous Sivas, they also come with Madan Mohan to do Candana Yatra. The Madan Mohan here in Bhubaneswar is a four handed form. In Ananta Vasudev Mandir Vaisnavi Bhagavati herself cooks bhoga to serve for Ananta Vasudev.
First Ananta Vasudev will be worshipped, bhoga arati will be there, then that bhoga will go to the Siva Temple and Siva always is in need of that prasad, of Ananta Vasudev, he becomes very pleased. This is the vaisnava process. The vaisnava will first worship Lord Visnu, then he'll offer that prasad to Siva. In this way a vaisnava worships Siva, but if one is not a vaisnava then he'll directly worship Siva. Therefore a vaisnava never accepts such prasad.
The vaisnava will worship first Lord Vasudev, Visnu, another thing, offer bhoga then that prasad will be offered to Lord Siva. This system is going on in Jagannath Temple. In Jagannath Temple in the campus you'll find Goddess Durga is there, Siva is there, all are there so Laxmiji is there. So Jagannath prasad goes there, no Siva prasad. That's the vaisnava process, so we accept it.
If someone takes bath in Bindusarovara then he'll get the result of taking bath in all tirthas, because all tirthas are there. If someone goes to Ananta Vasudev Temple, and gets darshan of Ananta Vasudev, then he gets result of darshan of the Supreme Lord.
So Lord Siva by the order of Janardana, by the mercy of Janardana has become ksetrapala. Siva simultaneously is 'Bhakti pradatah,' he is a great vaisnava so he can give you bhakti if he is pleased and also give you the adhikar to serve the dham of The Lord. Dham seva adhikar and bhakti pradatah, Lord Siva can give you. Therefore the vaisnavas go to the temple of Sivaji, because Sriman Mahaprabhu has also gone there, and we follow in the footsteps of Mahaprabhu. The vaisnavas, gaura priya, dear devotees of Gauranga also visit the Siva temples and pay respects to Siva, and pray for the mercy of Lord Siva that let us get Krishna bhakti. Therefore Mahaprabhu visited. "Lord Siva is a vaisnava, 'vaisnava sevana, Krishna pujana', if a vaisnava is served, then Krishna is worshipped. That is Mahaprabhu's instruction. So Mahaprabhu did that in order to teach us.
QUESTIONS
Parabrahma das - There's a lot of information in the Caitanya Bhagabat.
Sri Gurudev - Yes, so much information is there in Caitanya Bhagabat about Bhubaneswar, one chapter is there. So I recited these things from there. Much more is there, I just gave a summary.
Parabrahma das - I also heard that the Srimad Bhagavatam was first spoken at Bhubaneswar.
Sri Gurudev - Yes, in that Ekamra Kanana. Sivaji was speaking to Parvati devi. That we have mentioned in the booklet, brochure that was published at the time of the inauguration, glorifying this ksetra, Ekamra Kanana, this Bhubaneswar.
Sivaji says:-
" aham vedmi suko vetti vyaso vetti na vetti va bhaktya bhagavatam grahyam na buddhya na ca tikaya."
" I know Bhagavata, Sukadev knows , I don't know if Vyasadev knows or not. Bhagavat can only be understood by bhakti."
Lord Siva was speaking Bhagavat before Goddess Parvati, here in this Ekamra Kanana. At that time, a parrot was listening, 'suka' means parrot. So at first Parvati devi was listening and was saying, "Hmm, hmm, hmm,(means yes, yes). Then Parvati fell asleep. That suka, parrot, was listening, and the parrot was saying Hmm, hmm, hmm. So Sivaji couldn't understand at first, then at last Sivaji noticed that Parvati had fallen asleep. So he thought who was saying, 'Hmm, hmm, hmm.' He saw a parrot is there, and Sivaji ran and the parrot flew away. That suka then entered into the womb of Vyasadev's wife. That became Sukadev Goswami. Therefore Sukadev knows the Bhagavatam.
This is such a famous place, this Bhubaneswar dham, ksetra. This is Vaisnava ksetra.
SLOKAS
" The Sadhu " - part 3
In this section we are continuing with slokas on the glories of the devotees of The Lord, most quoted by Srila Gurudev in his discourses.
| From Padma Purana |
Naham tisthami vaikuntha
yoginam hrdayesu va tat tat tisthami narada yatra gayanti mad-bhaktah |
"I am not in Vaikuntha nor in the hearts of the yogis. I remain in that place, O Narada, where my pure devotees sing My glories."
| In S.B. 6.17.28 we find |
Narayana - parah sarve na kutascana bibhyati
Svargapavarga narakesu api tulyartha - darsinha |
"Devotees solely engaged in the devotional service of The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Narayana, never fear any condition of life. For them the heavenly planets, liberation and the hellish planets are all the same, for such devotees are interested only in the service of The Lord."
slokas sent by Parabrahma das
NEWS
CONSTRUCTION
Since the opening of the temple last year, work has been going on steadily. In the temple grounds have been built a small goshalla, (for three cows, two bulls, and a calf,) separate quarters for brahmacaris and vanaprasthas, and presently under construction are a prasadam hall, and a new kitchen with store room. All of these buildings are either situated in or nearby the flower gardens. In front of the steps leading up to the temple room a pool and a fountain are being constructed. A very nice book shop and information room have been built just inside the the gate of the property.
In the Guest House, the rooms are being fitted with marble, and the old sanitary system is being replaced.
Over the past year donations have been coming in for the project, but we are informed that the estimated required amount to finish the project is still 44 lakh rupees, (approximately 92,000 pounds, 150,000 U.S.dollars.)
TEMPLE COUNCIL
In December a temple council was set up. It's chairman is his Divine Grace Srila Gour Govinda Swami, vice chairman is Patit Pavan das, the secretary is Atmaram das. Other members are Caitanya Candra das, Gokulananda das, Svayambhu das, Duruva Maharaj das, Adwaita das, Gour Narayan das, Vjjvala Nilamani das, and Prataparuda das.
SRILA PRABHUPADA'S CENTENARY CELEBRATION
To mark the 100th anniversary of Srila Prabhupada's appearance, in the year 1996, the temple will distribute 100,000 Bhagavad Gitas.
Full sets of "Prabhupada Lilamrta" will be placed free of charge in 100 libraries throughout Orissa.
It is also an idea to establish 100 new nama hatta sanguns by this date.
ROOM IN MAYAPUR
In the Mayapur complex, room 53 of the conch building guest house has been reserved for the use of His Divine Grace. (A room is required for his stay during the annual GBC meetings.) However, the sum of 25,000 rupees is still needed to settle the bill.
SRILA GURUDEV'S FOREIGN ITINERY FOR 1992
The following dates give an idea of our beloved Gurudev's foreign tours this year.
May 17-June 29 United States.
July 14(approx) - August 20(approx) Germany, France, England.
September/October Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia.
After Europe, His Divine Grace may visit West Africa
TAPE MINISTRY
For tapes of His Divine Grace Srila Gour Govinda Maharaj's lectures, from Bhubaneswar and around the world, please contact,
Sriman Raghunnath Bhatta das
ISKON
1420, 228th Avenue,
S.E.,lssaquah,
Seattle
Washington 98027
U.S.A.
SPECIAL REQUEST
It is the special request of Sriman Nimai Pandit das, that if any of you have interesting stories to relate about Srila Gurudev, you please write to him at Bhubaneswar Temple.
NAM TATTVA
This article has been submitted by Sriman Parabrahma Prabhu. It is taken from a class given by Srila Gurudev at Bhubaneswar on 9th May 1991, on Sri Caitanya Caritamrta, Adi lila texts 167-172.
| In the Kali Santarana Upanishad it is said, |
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Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare iti sodasakam namnan kali-kalmasa nasanam natah parataropayah sarva vedusu drsyate |
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This sixteen name mantra with thirty two syllables is available in all the Vedas and is the prescribed mahamantra for all living entities in kali yuga.lt is kali yuga mahamantra or Taraka Brahma Nama1 for kali yuga. It is prescribed in shastra. Similarly, there are prescribed Taraka Brahma Mantras for Satya, Tretyam, and Dvarpara yugas. When you say this......
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
.........is Taraka Brahma in Kali Yuga. they will ask what is the Taraka Brahma in other yugas? Do you know? This question will automatically be raised and you should know the answer, do you? You should understand it, know it. Write down!
| This is Taraka Brahma nama in Satya yuga |
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Narayana para veda
Narayana paraksara Narayana para mukti Narayana para gatih |
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And what is the purport behind it? That means 'Narayana is the abode of all vijnana, language, mukti liberation and ultimate goal. This is 'Aisvarya gata nama,' not madhurya. All opulence. And it only gives Dasya bhava. No other bhava, or mellow.
| But in Treta yuga. Write! Taraka Brahma Nama..... |
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Rama Narayanananta Mukunda
Madhusudana Krsna Kesava Kamsare Hare Vaikuntha Vamana |
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And what is the purport of it? I will say.... This mantra in Treta yuga gives complete Dasya and some glimpse of sakhya bhava. It is also Aisvarya gata - all names of Narayana and contains wonderful 'Vikrama' or potencies.
| And Dvarpara yuga… Write! |
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Hare Murari Madhu Kaitavare
Gopala Govinda Mukunda Saure Yajnesa Narayana Krsna Visnu Nirasraya mam Jagadisa raksa |
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And the purport of it? So you will find in these names, shanta, dasya, sakhya, and vatsalya... four mellows and....'nirasraya mam Jagadisa raksa'.....taking full shelter of The Lord of the universe.
| But Kali yuga mantra...... |
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Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare |
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So potential, so powerful. There is only madhurya - no aisvarya at all. Completely madhurya! madhurya nama. Therefore all mellows are here.
In names of other yuga mantras you will find they give mukti....but here only prema...and mukti stands at her doorstep like a maidservant.
| So, those who are really intelligent persons, who desire to accept the essence only, they chant this..... |
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Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare |
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And it can be chanted at any time, in any place, no restriction at all......'tatrapita niyamita smarane na kala'.....in any time or circumstance...no restrictions, so powerful. This is maha mantra, which Mahaprabhu chanted. Taraka Brahma Nama in Kali yuga, best of all mantras.
FOOD FOR LIFE
An Interview with Cid Anand das Adhikary
Newsletter:How did Food for life start?
Cid Anand das: One time when Srila Prabhupad was standing on his balcony in Mayapur, he saw two young girls looking for food in the garbage. Srila Pabhupad was feeling moved seeing this and declared that within ten miles of our temples no one should go hungry. Since then about 150 million plates of prasadam have been distributed.
It is the idea that by 1996, the one hundredth anniversary of Srila Prabhupad's appearance, many more of our centres will be participating in the Food for Life pro gramme. One way this will go on, especially here in India, is by encouraging the peo ple to contribute to the programme, by sponsoring the prasad distribution on a particu lar day. If prasad is distributed to the devotees and people in general in the name of a deceased relative, that person will be benefited. So we are encouraging people to do this.
NL: How did the project start here in Bhubaneswar?
C.A.d: Previous to this service, I was engaged in visiting people locally, to present to them the benefits of Life Membership. There were some practical difficulties for me with this service, so after some contemplation, I approached Gurudev and asked if I could do this Food for Life, he told me that we could do it, and if it will also help the temple then that would be very nice.
So we started. Knowing the position of Finances at the temple, I didn't want to ask for anything, so I just started with my own money to pay for prasadam distribution reg-ularly every week. The idea is to show that very steadily, regularly, each week, we can provide this service. This is the important thing. We have been doing this every week since November, every week. So now people are coming to know we do this.
This is also very good preaching. If the devotees coming from abroad can also be engaged in this kind of preaching activity, then that will be very good for everybody, if we are all absorbed in the fire of preaching. We also had the idea of prasad distribution at the university.
NL: We are holding programmes there?
C.A.d: Yes, Havirdhan das is involved with that. It would be very good to somehow combine the two progranmmes, that prasad should be distributed there.
I could see in my spiritual life, when we were distributing prasad and preaching, you could see the people change when they took prasad. At first they would come feeling shy, uneasy, but then after taking prasad they would change completely, they would stay for hours after the programme. It is a very good tool for preaching. Also for public relations, it is very good. There are several cases of influential people at first being inimical to the devotees, but after seeing and hearing about this programme, they became very favourable. They don't understand the spiritual reasons behind it, but if in any way they can appreciate, that is good. Also it is seen that the temple is giving, not just taking. The temple will be known for doing good to others, and as an asset to Bhubaneswar. So now we are very limited, we don't even have a vehicle. That is very important. The vehicle would be painted with the Hare Krishna Food for Life emblem, and so people can see that we are spending money on this project. They will be more likely to donate to it. That is our problem, we are trying to get bigger.
NL:Who is in the team at present?
C.A.d: At present Gokuldas,Acyutananda, and also there was Krsna Gati, but now he is doing Life Membership. He is a local devotee, so if someone will give a donation, he will go with one of the others, so there will be no problem with visa requirements.
NL: When do you go out?
C.A.d: Every Wednesday we go out. Usually we go to the front of the Railway station, there are many poor people there.
