Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Sri Sri Navadvip Bhava Taranga - by Bhaktivinode Thakur part 10

"Listen now, newcomer to Navadvipa, now I am singing the glories of Gauranga. Previously, while dying on the battlefield of Kuruksetra, I was able to see Sri Krishna. The Lord told me: "Previously, you had a darsan of Navadvipa, and for that pious activity, you have gained Gauranga's mercy. So you have become eternal inhabitant of Navadvipa. Therefore, give up all other desires and aspirations, live in Navadvipa and worship Gaurahari. You have no longer to fear the bondage of material objects, for it is certain that you will attain Gauranga's feet--By the mercy of the Lord, the liberated souls can see at all times Krishna & Gaura's pastimes in this Dham. Lamentation, fear, death, all causes of disturbance, all material desires, all the afflictions of the conditioned soul, cannot exist here. The pure devotees, by the portion of servitude to Krishna, have all sunk into the ocean of happiness. They do not know the pains of this world, they do not experience the difficulty of any wants, because they are situated in their pure bodies with pure desires.

"The Supreme Lord, who has unlimited devotee followers (eternally liberated or coming from the material world) performs His pastimes with each according to his respective emotional constitution, in these woods. This place is unlimited with no aspect of dull matter, for here the spiritual energy is under control. The Lord's followers, place, time, the senses, the body, all are situated beyond the illusory energy, in a state of pure goodness.
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What is your essence? Is it matter—a mere collection of material atoms and molecules? Or is it something else?

Science of Identity Foundation - Siddhaswarupananda


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"As long as you don’t give up the body in material existence, and as long as your intelligence sticks to material designations, the actual Dham will not be visible in its complete form. That is by the Lord's desire. However, by the Lord's mercy you will receive a spiritual body, for at this place progress is unobstructed. The illusion of material energy will retreat, and you will receive unlimited bliss in this eternal spiritual realm.

"But as long as you have this material body, hold on to the principles of bhakti carefully. Service to the devotees, chanting the name of Krishna, and worship of Radha and Krishna should be per-formed diligently at all times. With the help of the devotees you will attain residence in the eternal Dham, and there pure service to Radha and Krishna will manifest."

Hearing the instructions of Bhismadeva, I will pay my obeisances at his feet. Giving his blessings he will disappear, and I, weeping, will proceed to Modadrumadvipa forest. This forest is non-different from Sri Bhandiravan of Vraja, where the birds and beasts are all spiritual entities. In the branches of the trees live cuckoos who sing the glories of Gauranga & Sita & Rama continuously. The countless banyan trees spread their branches out to block the sun. When will this place where Krishna and Balarama displayed their pastimes, be visible to my eyes? When will I wander about, observing the splendor of the forest, and suddenly spy the cottage of Rama, and then sight Rama, the color of new green grass, wearing the clothes of a brahmacari, accompanied by Lakshman and Sita. Seeing Ramacandra's form, I will fall unconscious in the forest, my body shaking with love, speechless as I drink the beauty of the form with my two eyes. Being merciful, Lakshman will come forward slowly with fruit in His hands, placing His feet upon my head.
"My son, here, eat this fruit. Living in the forest, this is all we have to offer to our guests."

Just as He says this, the vision will dissolve and weeping and weeping, I will begin to eat the fruit. In my heart, I am thinking of that inconceivable form."Will I ever see that green form of Rama again?" O land of transcendental gems, Bhandiravan, my heart weeps without end to leave you!