Why should the rascals of Kali-yuga, bound up tight by material illusion, have the privilege to see all this treasures of the spiritual realm? Maya has thus hidden the Dham, taking advantage of the erosive nature of the Ganga. Thus the eyes of the materialist can see only the shadow of the real Mayapur. By the mercy of Sri Nityananda, holder of all spiritual powers, may that Mayapur be revealed to my eyes, imbued with proper reverence. O Nityananda, please bless this hopeless fool with a vision of the household pastimes of the Lord which took place in this land. O Mayapur, centre of the eight-petalled lotus, golden, glowing, yellow, effulgent and pure, please shine before my eyes.
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Masochism can never lead to spiritual perfection. The body is actually a most precious property of the self; it enables the self to engage in various devotional activities that can bring about a change in consciousness. A person's external activities affect his consciousness, and his consciousness affects his external activities. Knowing this, a bhakti yogi consciously chooses to engage in particular external activities in order to bring about the desired spiritual happiness and wisdom.
Science of Identity Foundation - Siddhaswarupananda
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Here and there are groves, the lake of Prthu, and many pastures for the cows. How beautiful they are to see! There are many water canals, grain fields, and wide roads lined with kadamba, bakul and other kinds of trees. To the west of this, on the bank of the Ganga, stands Ganga Nagar, where in Ganga Das' house, the Lord and His brahmin friends carried out their studies. There also, one can see Bharadvaja Tila, where the great muni Bharadvaj, by worshiping Gauranga, attained prema, and then wrote sutras in order to bestow this devotional service upon materialistic men.
North of Prthu Kunda is the village of the Chand Kazi(Mathura in Krishna-lila), and there also is Sasthi Tirth and the exquisite Madhuvan, an extensive area scattered with many residences. O eyes please become purified by seeing this scene. Further north is attractive Saradanga, where the sabara race, out of fear of the demon Bahurakta, reside secretly with Lord Jagannath. May I always keep sight of this place.
North west of Mathura, I shall see the splendor of Srimanta Dvipa, whose border is the bank of the Ganga. There Parvati, in great distress, took the dust of the lotus feet of Gauranga upon her head. In the distance, I shall see Vilvapaksa forest, where the four Kumara brothers are in meditation on Gauranga. Further in the distance, I shall see the land where Nityananda Prabhu had His pastimes, known as Sankarsana Ksetra.
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Some of the recent spiritual masters in Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition:
Bhaktivedanta Swami
Bhaktivinode Thakur
Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati
Jagad Guru Siddhaswarupananda Paramahamsa
