June 5, 2011

1. Review of Goswami Sri Anirudhmaharaj Pravachhan, Navratna Stotra, Shikshapatra, Dwarkadish Swaroop, Who Wants to be a Tavasmi Millionaire June 5, 2011

2. Agenda Tavasmi CD – 5 shloks Manglacharan // Recite Yamunastak Goswami Sri Anirudhmaharaj Pravachhan Navratna Stotra Overview & Meaning Shikshapatra Dwarkadish Swaroop Which verse follows: “Bhuvam bhuvanapaavaneem adhigatamanekasvanai Priyabhirivasevitaam Shuka-Mayur-Hansadibhee Tarangabhujakankana prakatamuktikavaluka Nitambatatasundareem namata Krishnaturya-priyaam”? A. Kalindagirimastake patadamanda poorojvalaa B. Anant-gun-bhushite Shiv-viranchi-devstute C. Stutim tav karoti kah Kamalaja-sapatni priye

3. Pravachhan 1 - Navnitkumarji • Jevo Ann Avo Audkar • Eating what you serve Takorji. • In Islam, everyone fasts during Ramadan but not a lot of people do Agyaras even though you can eat as much you want.

4. Goswami Sri Anirudhmaharaj (Kamvan - Surat) Vraj Yatra • Done every year. At least one Goswami Balak leads it. • Also known as Leeli Parikrama • From Mathura to Gokul and back to Mathura. Starts from Vishram Ghat. It’s 84 Kosh and 30 days. • Done in a clockwise manner. As are all parikrama. Also wedding pehras are also clockwise. • Should be done once in your life. • They live in tents. • Wake up 5 AM and they start walking at 6 AM. • Walk 5-6 miles daily.

5. Rules • There’s no shaving or cutting nails. • Everyone should walk barefoot. • There are cooks but you basically eat what you can get over there.

7. Within Vraj • There are 22 Baitaks of Mahaprabhuji • Various Nidhi Swaroops there • Twelve Vuns or forests of Vraj :1. Madhuvan, 2. Talavan, 3. Kumudvan, 4. Bahulavan, 5. Kamvan, 6. Khedarvan, 7. Brindavan, 8. Bhadravan, 9. Bhandrivan, 10. Belavan, 11. Lohvan, 12. Mahavan.

8. Places they visit • Madhuvan: where Krishna killed Madhu Rakshash • Bahulavan: Where Mahaprabhuji gave life to a Marble Cow and had it eat grass. • Chandra Sarovar: Where Dhrad In Charnan was written • Jatipura: Giriraj Parikrama is done here • Barsana: Where Radha was from

9. Navratna Stotram : The Hymn of Nine Jewels Just as one wears nine different kinds of gems to protect one's self from the adverse affects of the nine different planets, the nine verses of the Navratna Stotram are given by Shri Vallabh to alleviate the aggravations of the mind. One such granth of the Shodash Granth – the scriptures written by Vallabhacharya to explain the philosophy and principles of Pushti Marg One of Vallabhacharya’s 84 devotees, Govind Dubey, wrote him a letter how he was having trouble concentrating and achieving manasi seva. What is Manasi Seva? Mahaprabhuji composed the Stotra and sent it to him (Govind Dubey) with the holy command that recitation of the scripture would lead to the erasure of his mental conflict. Can you name any of the other ShodashGranth works we have discussed in Tavasmi?

10. Navratna Stotram : The Hymn of Nine Jewels In just nine verses Shri Vallabh has given directions for changing a devotee's thoughts. Therefore, although small, this collection of nine verses is known as a granth (book, volume). By wearing jewelry, a person increases physical beauty only; by understanding and putting into action the message given in the Navratna Stotram a person beautifies his/her whole being. By donning these nine gems of the Navratna Stotram one can achieve completeness, immortality and become deserving of Divine Grace. When the Navratna Strotram is recited nine times every day, worries and mental aggravations are soon relieved. This Navratna Stotram also teaches the principles and practices of Vaishnavism to devotees

11. Navratna Stotra :: Verse 1 Chinta kapi na karya, niveditamabhihi kadapitiBhagavanapi pushtistho, na karishyati loukikincha gatim ||1|| One who has dedicated one’s self to God should not have any anxiety about anything at any time. God, the embodiment of Pushti (grace), will not condemn one to this-worldly existence. Just as a child sitting in his mother's lap is free from anxieties, a devotee who has dedicated himself to God should become free from anxieties of all kinds, anxieties of this world as well as of not this world. Anxieties of this world arise out of worldly attachment and engrossment due to lack of faith in the mightiness of the Almighty God.

12. Navratna Stotra :: Verse 2 Nivadana tu smartayam, sarvatha tadrashairganaihiSarveswarashcha sarvatama, nijachataha karishyati ||2|| One should keep comtemplating the divine intiation in the company of devoted souls. God is everyone’s Ishwar as well as in every one’s soul. He will therefore do everything according to his own wish. I have dedicated everything including my soul to God When “I” the persons and things associated with me all belong to God, then why should I have anxiety? Just as a boatman who sails a boat in a direction opposite of the current of the waters and wind becomes exhausted and distressed, similarly a devotee who goes in a direction opposite to the current of God’s wish, falls flat

13. Navratna Stotra :: Verse 3 Sarvesham prabhusambandho, na pratyakamiti sthitihiAtonya viniyogapi, chinta ka svasya sopichet ||3|| The situation may be such that every one (in the family) has established a relationship not with God but somewhere else. Even then, why worry? Even if your own relationship is established elsewhere, why worry? Just as sometimes a boat rolling on sea-waves gets caught in whirlpools in mid-sea, in the same way a Brahma Sambandhi soul himself might get drifted due to bad company and remain ensnared in the whirlpool for years.

14. Navratna Stotra :: Verse 4 Agyanaathava gyanaate, krutematema nivedanamYaihi Krshnasatkrutpranai, stesham ka paridevana ||4|| Those who have merged their souls into Krishna, whether they have performed the act of self-dedication to God consciously or unconsciously, why should they worry? Whether air is inhaled consciously or unconsciously, it cures incurable diseases. In the same way self-dedication, whether done consciously or unconsciously, cures diseases of the soul.

15. Navratna Stotra :: Verse 5 Tatha nivedana chinta, tyaagya shripurushottamaaViniyogapi sa tyagya, samartho hi harihi svataha ||5|| In the same way, do no worry about whether Purushottam himself appropriates what we dedicate to Him. Because, he is by himself quite capable. God is flawless, while Man and Matter are flawful. Does flawless God accept or not accept flawful materials offered by flawful Man ? God has the capability to make the flawful man and materials flawless. We should have confidence in our mind that Brahma Sambandha removes all flaw

16. Navratna Stotra :: Verse 6 Loke svasthayam tatha vede, haristu na karishyatiPushtimargasthito yasmate, sakshinao bhavatakhilaha ||6|| God does not allow comfort or ease in the performance of worldly and Vedic actions. After being initiated in the Path of Grace (Pushti Marg), the Lord does not expect any bond of worldly or Vedic properties. Divine duty having been attained, the worldly and Vedic confines automatically evaporate. So the worldly and Vedic obligations should be discharged with apathy. A happening that happens cannot be prevented from happening, but he keeps in his own hand the control of the extent to which he should allow it to have an impact on this mind and heart. It is better to improve one’s own reactions rather than other’s action.

17. Navratna Stotra :: Verse 7 Sevakrutirgururagnya, badhanam va harichhayaAttaha seva param chittam, vidhaya sthiyatam sukham ||7|| The Guru’s directive should prevail in performing seva (service to God). However, if some obstacle arises because of God’s wish, then you should remain happy by concentrating your mind in seva. . Everyone is God's servant from birth. If it is only for the devotee's happiness then he should disobey God's directive and obey the guru. But if it is for Shri Krishna's happiness, the he may disobey the guru and follow the Lord's command. The greatest concern is for the Lord's happiness and everywhere the mood is, My happiness is your happiness."

18. Navratna Stotra :: Verse 8 Chittodvagam vidhayapi, hariryadhyat karishyatiTathaiva tasya lileti, matva chintam dhrutam tyajete ||8|| Whatever God does even while creating disturbances in your mind, is also His lila (play) only. So thinking, you should expel anxieties with utmost swiftness. You have to play the way God makes you play. God is the director of play. You are only an instrument for playing the play.”

19. Navratna Stotra :: Verse 9 Tasmaate sarvatemana nityam, Shri Krshnaha Sharanam maamaaVadaadbhirevam satatam, sthayamityava mae matihi ||9|| So one should always go on chanting loudly the mantra “KrishnaSharnam Mama” with the bhav (attitude). “Shri Krishna is my refuge” (Shree Krushna Sharanam Mama) is a supreme mantra. In this age of struggle, Krishna’s refuge is our only support

20. Hariraiji Gusainji’s second son Govindraiji had four sons. Govindji’s first son’s name is Kalyanraiji. He was married to Jamunavahuji. In the V.S.1590, Hariraji was born. From His childhood He had a habit of reciting Sarvottam stotra and that’s why Mahaprabhuji and Gusainji would give live darshan to Him. He Had a lot of affection towards Vaishnavs and everyday He would sit with Vaishnavs and do satsang. He is referred to as Hariraiji Mahaprabhu. This is because they consider him a second swaroop of Vallabhacharya. Shri Harirai had four sons: Govindaji, Vitthalraiji, Chotaji and Goraji. Unfortunately all of his sons passed away before him. This is why Shri Giridharji was adopted from the house of the Tilakayat.

21. Vallabhacharya Mahalakshmi Vitthalnathji (Gusaiji) Padmavatiji Govindraiji (Gusaiji’s second son) Raniji Kalyanraiji (first son) Jamunavahuji Hariraiji Sundervantavahuji

22. Shikshapatra Hariraiji had a younger brother Gopeshwarji. Gopeshwarji's wife was going to die, which would result in her husband drifting into a state of depression. Hariraiji knew of this beforehand, so he wrote on consoling letter to his younger brother daily. His aim was prepare his younger brother for the tragedy that was awaiting him and enable him to come out of worldly grief. Gopeshwarji didn't bother to read the letter but instead stored them in his cupboard. Then one day after his wife had passed away suddenly with Gopeshwarji feeling depressed and lonely. Gopeshwarji got hold of the bunch of letters and read them. The letters were so soothing and consoling that he regained his mental health and felt better. The 41 letters were later published in a book called "Shikshapatra". It is read in daily satsang.

23. Patra #1 My Dear Brother, The bhakta whose heart constantly yearns and burns for the sight of Shri Krishna, who undertakes his religious and worldly obligations free from any expectation, whose speech is controlled, talking only when necessary, such a bhakta will gradually attain total lila consciousness. Worship Krishna with total attention; direct all bodily movements towards His pleasure. Protect your spiritual means while love for your wife and others should be beneficial for His seva. Discard what is contrary and not connected to Hari. Do not be attached to wealth, yet protect your seva assets. In the duties of marriage and so forth, one should take a wife with the thought of benefiting His service. Marry with seva consciousness. Have the association of bhaktas to celebrate the beloved of life, Shri Bhagavan. Experience Shri Krishna’s separation when you when you are not directly making His seva. Cherish the feeling when you behold your deity, that He is Krishna! Only then are you able to have His sight. Touch your deity with bhava and embellish all your actions with Krishna’s love. Krishna is experienced through a multitude of bhavas and in no other way. Shri Krishna will not enter the impure heart. According to one’s spiritual wealth, one experiences Hari’s completely pure form. He grants them all divine experiences and enters their hearts. Krishna is pleased with humility and enters the transcendental body of the bhakta and grants them the experience of Krishna bhava. In this way, apply your mind and heart to the contemplation of the eternal fruitful condition, while maintaining constant and complete respect for Shri Krishna’s worship. His amazing worship contains both evident and hidden attributes that are sometimes called union and separation. These two divine conditions have been revealed by the Gopis in the Bhagavata. The type of devotion I have been speaking about is grounded in divine separation. It is the definitive reward. Contemplate in the heart Shri Krishna’s face; it is the desire for the fruit and the reward itself. The devotional reward blossoms when the hearth contemplates Shri Krishna’s face. Know that eternally blissful Krishna is the reward and He manifests according to the bhakta’s bhava. Realisation of the all truthful, conscious, and blissful one can never be arrived through mere knowledge or intelligence. Shri Krishna is the reward of union as well as the fruit of separation. His face has appeared as Shri Mahaprabuji ( Shri Vallabhacharya) who is replete with grace. Under his shelter all undertakings involving mind, speech and body, should be done. The accomplished bhakta feels a part of Him, and separates from anything else. Other people view Him differently. Have great respect for the bhakta like a love lorn man ha for his lover’s messenger. Bhakti becomes firm when wealth and home is all established for Shri Krishna. This pleases him. When you satisfy an accomplished devotee, Shri Krishna is also pleased. The bhakta’s devotion is founded on Shree Mahaprabuji’s lotus feet. Such a soul is one pointed in practice, devoid of hankering, petty desires and greed. The bhakta is renounced yet has compassion for all beings, has no jealousy and gives Shri Krishna’s seva and the glories the highest respect. To have the association of such an accomplished soul is wonderful. Krishna showers mercy upon those souls who have constant pure devotion. This is all accomplished through the grace of Shri Mahaprabuji Vallabhacharyaji

24. Swaroop: Dwarkadishji Brahmaji (The God of Creation) was the first person to have the Swaroop of Shri Dwarikadhishji. Kardam Rushi was the next person to receive this Swaroop and DevSharma. The Dwarikadhishji Swaroop reappeared at Siddhapur (Gujarat) in the times of King Ambrish. He established this Swaroop as his prime God in his kingdom. The Swaroop was worshipped with royal dignity here. Lord Dwarkadhishji was successively worshipped by famous personality like Vasishtha Mooni, King Dasharath (father of Lord Rama), Bharadwaja Mooni, Kashyap Mooni, Maharshi Vyas, King Yudhishtir, and King Parikshit and by a Brahmin named Shaur Sharma. One night Lord appeared in the dreams of Saur Sharma. Lord told him His desire to migrate to Mount Arbuda (Mount Abu). A temple of Lord Dwarikashishji was established here and Rushi-Moonis worshipped Him dearly.

25. Swaroop: Dwarkadishji Shri Narayandasaji had dreams about Lord Dwarikanathaji. He was a tailor in the town of Kanoj (famous for perfumes). During one of the dreams, Lord instructed him to retrieve the image, which was lying in an old broken shrine at Mount Abu, and to establish His temple at Kanoj. He made the temple for the Lord in Kanoj. When Shri Vallabhacharyaji Mahaprabhuji visited Kanoj, he told his disciple Shri Damodardas Sambharwala to bring the deity of Shri Dwarikadhishji from Narayandasji to him. Shri Mahaprabhuji gave the swaroop to Shri Damodardasji. After his death the swaroop was brought back to Shri Mahaprabhuji. His son Shri Vitthalnathaji (Shri Gusainji) inherited Lord Dwarikadhishji’s swaroop from his father. Lord Dwarikadhishji was then given to his third son as a prime deity. From that time onwards Lord Dwarikanathaji’s swaroop has been worshipped by his offsprings in the Third seat (Trutiya Peetha). The present location of Lord Dwarikanataji is ___________________, near Shri Nathaji in Rajasthan. Which son of Gusainji performed seva of Dwarkadishji? Which other swaroop did this son also perform seva for?

26. Swaroop: Dwarkadishji The swaroop (deity) is made out of black stone with square stele (Pithika). Lord has four arms with ayudhas, weapons. Lower right arm has a lotus. Upper right arm has a Mace (Gada). Upper left arm contains Disc (Chakra) and lower left arm has conch (Shankh). The two four armed images on each upper corner of the stele are other forms of Shri Dwarikadhishji, while the two figures on either side of his feet are Krishna’s four sakhis, consorts.

27. Swaroop: Dwarkadishji SWAROOP (LEELA) BHAVANA: The image represents Krishna playing ankh-michoni, hide-and-seek, with Radha and other gopis. Once Shri Radhaji was playing in the park on Yamuna River, with her friends. Lord Krishna appeared here. He appeared from behind Shri Radhaji, indicating to the other gopis with significant gesture of His eyebrows not to let her know. He then closed her eyes with his palms, intending to ask her who it was. He wanted to remain anonymous and wanted to see if Radhaji could recognize Him. Thinking that his voice would betray him, he produced another pair of hands with the help of His divine powers and holding his flute with these extra hands. Thinking that Radhaji has always thought of Him with two arms, she would not recognize Him, asked Radha who he was. Radha immediately recognized the divine melody and identified Him as Chaturbhuja (Four armed).

28. Next Meeting June 19th at 10:30 am at Avni Shah’s house in Burtonsville, MD