Guru-parampara:
The List of 32, Part 11

BY: ROCANA DASA

May 07, CANADA (SUN) — Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati's Bhagavat-parampara (siksa-parampara)

Any discussion of bringing the guru-parampara list forward from Lord Chaitanya has to include mention of a debate that has been quietly raging on for decades about Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur's personal connection to the parampara and his preaching on bhagavat-parampara. Voices on all sides have been spinning this debate in their own convenient direction, whether it be devotees in the Lalita Prasad line, the Vrindavan Anti-party (Jiva Institute), or the Rtvik-vadis who are now trying to argue that bhagavat-parampara authorizes the practice of bhagavati-diksa. In fact, quite a number of Rtviks today are starting to focus in this direction, hoping that bhagavati-diksa will fill the gap left by technical defeats that have decimated their Final Order siddhanta.

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Parishads: Sri Gadadhara Pandit Goswami

BY: SUN STAFF

May 07, CANADA (SUN) — The Appearance day of Sri Gadadhara Pandit Goswami is observed on May 7th.

The incarnation of love who previously was the queen of Vrindavan, Radha, is now the beloved of Gaura named Srila Gadadhara Pandit. Svarupa Damodar himself indicated that he was Vraja’s goddess of fortune, the Lakshmi who was previously the beloved of Shyamasundara in Vrindavan. She today has become the goddess of fortune of love for Gaura and is known as Srila Gadadhara Pandit. Lalita, who is also known as Anuradha, is Radha’s closest friend and confidante. She has also entered into Gadadhara, as was shown in the play Chaitanya-candrodaya. (Gaura-ganoddesha-dipika 147-150)

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Sri Chaitanya Bhagavat, Part 64

BY: SUN STAFF

May 05 CANADA (SUN) — By Sri Vrindaban Das Thakur – Madhya lila, Chapter Thirteen, Part Five.

One should see the magnanimous position of a pure devotee and thus be inspired to develop spiritual attachment for Krishna. the position of Lord Krishna's servant is never to be viewed deprecatingly; Lord Krishna, the Supreme Godhead never accepts as His servant a person of little spiritual calibre. After having performed his prescribed duties for many millions of lifetimes, leading a pious life of non violence and humility, and praying constantly and sincerely to the Supreme Lord a person is awarded the opportunity at his time of death. Ganga water to him and the chanting of Lord Narayana's Holy name. This will certainly afford him liberation from all material bondage, only then can he be blessed to become a servant of Lord Krishna.

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Guru-parampara:
The List of 32, Part 10

BY: ROCANA DASA

May 05, CANADA (SUN) — Bringing the List Forward from Lord Caitanya

With the passing of time, more and more disciples and followers of Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada are attempting to understanding the nature, importance and essential meaning of the list of Sampradaya Acaryas presented in Bhagavad-gita As It Is. Many important indicators are found in Srila Bhaktisiddhanta's list of names following Lord Caitanya - a list that was undoubtedly composed with the greatest possible diligence and Krsna consciousness.

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May 05, CANADA (SUN) — The Sun's weekly cartoon series.

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Sri Chaitanya Bhagavat, Part 63

BY: SUN STAFF

Bhaktivedanta Book Trust

May 03 CANADA (SUN) — By Sri Vrindaban Das Thakur – Madhya lila, Chapter Thirteen, Part Four.

When the atheist saw that citizens of Nabadwip had all become mad with ecstasy they were bathing inside with hate and envy. They got together and began conspiring. They said, "if the Kazi was to come right now then I would like to see where that Nimai Pandit will run to. What will happen to all their fanfare dancing and singing. Where will they hide their banana trees, mango leaves and rest of the decorations. As soon as Kazi hears their great commotion and sees their lit torches he will immediately come and they will have to Jump into the Ganges to escape his wrath."

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Guru-parampara:
The List of 32, Part 9

BY: ROCANA DASA

May 03, CANADA (SUN) — Terms of Glorification

When comparing one list to the next, one of the most interesting points of comparison are the terms of glorification used to describe various individuals. The interspersing of glorifications amidst the listed names is found in the earliest example of the list, in Gaura-ganoddesa-dipika by Sri Kavi Karnapura, and to a lesser degree in Baladeva Vidyabhusana's Prameya-ratnavali and A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami's purport to Caitanya-caritamrta Adi 6.40.

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Varuthini Ekadasi

BY: SUN STAFF

May 03, CANADA (SUN) — Varuthini Ekadasi, observed on May 4th (L.A. and Mayapur), as described in the Bhavishya-uttara Purana.

Sri Yudhisthira Maharaj said, "Oh Vasudeva, I offer my most humble obeisances unto You. Please now describe to me the Ekadasi of the dark fortnight (krsna paksha) of the month of Vaisakha (April-May), including its specific merits and influence."

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Parishads: Sri Vrindavana Dasa Thakura

BY: SUN STAFF

May 03, CANADA (SUN) — The Disappearance day of Sri Vrindavana Dasa Thakura is observed on May 3rd.

Vedavyasa became Vrindavan Das Thakur. Krishna's friend Kusumapida also entered into him for special purposes. (Gaura-ganoddesha-dipika 109)

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Sri Chaitanya Bhagavat, Part 62

BY: SUN STAFF

May 01 CANADA (SUN) — By Sri Vrindaban Das Thakur – Madhya lila, Chapter Thirteen, Part Three.

As the procession passed the uncountable houses all nicely decorated, the market places, the large squares one could understand that Nabadwip was a very well populated and an opulent town. It was impossible to count the people that lived there. It seemed that because the Supreme Lord was to advent here that He had arranged for many people to live here and participate in His sankirtan movement. Just the number of ladies who were chanting were so numerous that counting them would be futile.

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Guru-parampara:
The List of 32, Part 8

BY: ROCANA DASA

May 01, CANADA (SUN) — Sri Guru-parampara in Srila Prabhupada's ISKCON Songbook

There is one more iteration of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta's Sri Guru-parampara to be considered – the version found in Srila Prabhupada's ISKCON songbook. Here we find what appears to be a more refined version of the Bengali than the version provided by Atulakrsna Dattaji.

The earliest copy of Sri Guru-parampara we have in our personal archives is from one of the early versions of the ISKCON temple songbooks. These were typically made up of mimeographed sheets, punched and secured in a binder with cardboard covers. Entitled Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas, the songbooks have an Introduction by Acyutananda Svami, dated August 20, 1972. Two years later, in 1974, the first printed version of the Songbook was published, with a printing of 10,500 copies.

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Guru-parampara:
The List of 32, Part 7

BY: ROCANA DASA

Apr 29, CANADA (SUN) —

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati's Guru-parampara List

In an article entitled Sri Gaudiya Kantahara ("The Necklace of the Gaudiya Bhaktas") by Atulakrsna Dattaji [9], a disciple of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur's, we find a copy of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta's Sri Guru-parampara. Included are both the Sanskrit verse and Srila Bhaktisiddhanta's translation of it into a Bengali poem. According to Atulakrsna Dattaji, the Sanskrit version he presents was composed by Bhaktisiddhanta Thakur, except for a section at the end (blue text in parenthesis), which was later added by his disciples.

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Sri Chaitanya Bhagavat, Part 61

BY: SUN STAFF

Apr 29, CANADA (SUN) — By Sri Vrindaban Das Thakur – Madhya lila, Chapter Thirteen, Part Two.

One day the Muslim magistrate, the Kazi was passing that way. He heard the tumult of singing, of the Lord's name accompanied by drums, cymbals and conchshell. He tried to remember the instruction in his own scripture about practice of other religions. The Kazi cried out, "catch all of them, let us see what your teacher Nimai Pandit does to stop me." All the devotees fled in fear of Muslim fanatics. The Kazi's men went about breaking the drums and beating up the devotees, spreading terror. He said, "it seems that there is sudden out burst of Hindu religious activities nowadays in Nadia, I will punish the culprits severely. Since it is already late and getting dark I am letting you off but if I see this again I will convert all of you to Islam." The evil Kazi would send his men everyday patrolling the town looking for any kirtan. The devotees became despondent and they went into hiding fearing violent retaliation from the Kazi and his men.

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Parishads: Sri Abhirama Thakur (Sri Rama dasa)

BY: SUN STAFF

Apr 29, CANADA (SUN) — The Disappearance Day of Srila Abhirama Thakura (Sri Rama dasa) is observed on April 30th.

He who was previously known as Sridama is today Abhirama Thakur. He picked up a piece of wood that it took 32 men to lift. (Gaura-ganoddesha-dipika 126)

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Guru-parampara:
The List of 32, Part 6

BY: ROCANA DASA

Apr 27, CANADA (SUN) —

Srila Baladeva Vidyabhusana's List of the Sampradaya Acaryas

In his purport to Caitanya-caritamrta Adi 6.40, Srila Prabhupada mentioned another source with respect to the members of the disciplic succession, that is, the Prameya-ratnavali by Sri Baladeva Vidyabhusana, which states:

"4c. Among them our own succession of teachers is thus: We praise in succession Sri Krsna, Brahma, Devarsi (Narada), Badarayana (Vyasa), Madhva, Padmanabha, Nrhari, Madhava, Aksobhya, Jayatirtha, Jnanasindhu, Dayanidhi, Vidyanidhi, Rajendra, Jayadharman, and also Purusottama, Brahmanya, and Vyasatirtha. Then we worship with devotion Laksmipati, Madhavendra, his disciples -- Isvara (Puri), Advaita, and Nityananda, world teachers all -- and the deity (himself), the disciple of Isvara, Sri Caitanya, by whom, through the gift of love for Krsna, the world has been saved."

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Apr 27, CANADA (SUN) — The Sun's weekly cartoon series.

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May 07, CANADA (SUN) — A serial presentation of 'The Epic Journey of Rama'.

Book Book IV - Canto LXIV. The Sea

"Shouts of triumphant joy outrang
As to their feet the Vánars sprang:
And, on the mighty task intent,
Swift to the sea their steps they bent.
They stood and gazed upon the deep,
Whose billows with a roar and leap
On the sea banks ware wildly hurled,—
The mirror of the mighty world.

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Prabhupada Padma-vakya

BY: SUN STAFF

May 07,
CANADA (SUN)

Audio files with transcripts recorded on this day.

May 7, 1973, Los Angeles
Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.8.45
"Therefore those who are depending on personal studies, speculation, personal knowledge to understand God, for them, Krsna is durlabha, very difficult to find out."

May 7, 1975, Melbourne
Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.1.1
"In our school days, if a boy is making trouble, the teacher will ask him, "Stand up on the bench." So the stand-up punishment... The trees, the plants, they are stand-up punishment. (laughter) "Stand up here for five thousand years." You see?"

Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. HDG A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada.

108 Divya-deshams:
Thiruparthanpalli

BY: SUN STAFF

May 05, CANADA (SUN) — A tour of the 108 Divya-desams, the divine abodes of Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi.

The Taamaraiyaal Kelvan Perumal Temple or Thiruppaarththanpalli is located close to Thirunangur, a small village 8 km east of Sirkali, en route to Thiruvenkadu. This Divya Desham is dedicated to the worship of Lord Vishnu as Taamariyaal Kelvan with His consort Shegamalavalli (Lakshmi).

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The Ramayana of Valmiki, Part 346

BY: SUN STAFF

May 05, CANADA (SUN) — A serial presentation of 'The Epic Journey of Rama'.

Book Book IV - Canto LXIII. - Sampáti's Story

"With this and many a speech beside
My failing heart he fortified,
With glorious hope my breast inspired,
And to his holy home retired.
I scaled the mountain height, to view
The region round, and looked for you.

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108 Divya-deshams:
Thirunagai

BY: SUN STAFF

May 03, CANADA (SUN) — A tour of the 108 Divya-desams, the divine abodes of Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi.

The Soundararajaperumal Temple is located in Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu. This Divya Desham is dedicated to the worship of Lord Vishnu as Soundararaja Perumal with His consort Soundaravalli (Lakshmi). Soundararaja Perumal appeared at this place for Sage Markandeya, Dhruva, Saleesan, and the goddess Bhudevi.

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The Ramayana of Valmiki, Part 345

BY: SUN STAFF

May 03, CANADA (SUN) — A serial presentation of 'The Epic Journey of Rama'.

Book Book IV - Canto LXII. - Sampáti's Story

"As to the saint I thus complained
My bitter tears fell unrestrained.
He pondered for a while, then broke
The silence, and thus calmly spoke:
"Forth from thy sides again shall spring,
O royal bird, each withered wing,
And all thine ancient power and might
Return to thee with strength of sight.

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108 Divya-deshams:
Thiruvithuvakodu

BY: SUN STAFF

May 01, CANADA (SUN) — A tour of the 108 Divya-desams, the divine abodes of Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi.

Thirumittakode Anchumoorthi Temple, or Thiruvithuvakodu (Thiruvithuvakoodu), is a Divya Desham temple that is equally associated with Lord Vishnu and Shiva. The temple is situated on the banks of the Bharathappuzha River at Thirumittacode, in the Palakkad District of Kerala. There are five deities here – one of Shiva and four of Vishnu - known here as Thirumattikodu, anchu (five) Moorthy Temple. The temple is primarily dedicated to the worship of Lord Vishnu as Uyyavandha Perumal with His consort Vithuvakootuvalli (Lakshmi).

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The Ramayana of Valmiki, Part 344

BY: SUN STAFF

May 01, CANADA (SUN) — A serial presentation of 'The Epic Journey of Rama'.

Book Book IV - Canto LXI. - Sampáti's Story

"Ah me! o'erwhelmed with shame and weak
With wounds," I cried, "I scarce can speak.
My hapless brother once and I
Our strength of flight resolved to try.
And by our foolish pride impelled
Our way through realms of ether held.

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108 Divya-deshams:
Thirumanikoodam

BY: SUN STAFF

Apr 29, CANADA (SUN) — A tour of the 108 Divya-desams, the divine abodes of Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi.

Thirumanikoodam, or Varadaraja Perumal Temple, is located in Thirunangur, a village on the outskirts of Sirkaḻi in Tamil Nadu. This Divya Desham is dedicated to the worship of Lord Vishnu as Varadharaja Perumal with his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi.

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The Ramayana of Valmiki, Part 343

BY: SUN STAFF

Apr 29, CANADA (SUN) — A serial presentation of 'The Epic Journey of Rama'.

Book Book IV - Canto LX. - Sampáti's Story

"Then from the flood Sampáti paid
Due offerings to his brother's shade.
He bathed him when the rites were done,
And spake again to Báli's son:
"Now listen, Prince, while I relate
How first I learned the lady's fate.
Burnt by the sun's resistless might
I fell and lay on Vindhya's height.

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108 Divya-deshams:
Thiruthanka

BY: SUN STAFF

Apr 27, CANADA (SUN) — A tour of the 108 Divya-desams, the divine abodes of Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi.

The Deepaprakasa Perumal Temple, also known as Tiruththanka or Tooppul, is located in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. This Divya Desham is dedicated to the worship of Lord Visnu as Deepaprakasar with His consort Maragathavalli (Laksmi).

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The Ramayana of Valmiki, Part 342

BY: SUN STAFF

Apr 27, CANADA (SUN) — A serial presentation of 'The Epic Journey of Rama'.

Book Book IV - Canto LIX. - Sampáti's Story

"They heard his counsel to the close,
Then swiftly to their feet they rose;
And Jámbaván with joyous breast
The vulture king again addressed:
"Where, where is Sítá? who has seen,
Who borne away the Maithil queen?

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Sri Chaitanya Bhagavat, Part 60

BY: SUN STAFF

Apr 27, CANADA (SUN) — By Sri Vrindaban Das Thakur – Madhya lila, Chapter Thirteen, Part One.

All glory to Lord Chaitanya who is an ocean of all transcendental excellences. All glory to Him who is also known as Visvambhar, who is the law giver of the entire material creation. You are very dear to Lord Nityananda and the crest jewel of the brahminical race. All glory to Your dearmost devotees.

Lord Visvambhar continued His transcendental activities in Nabadwip but not all could see them. As Lord Visvambhar the Supreme hero descended from Vaikuntha, went about revealing His pastimes, the sublime joy of the devotees also increased. His dearmost associate and brother Lord Nityananda accompanied Him everywhere and relished the transcendental mellows with Him and His devotees.

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Dealing with Cats & Dogs

BY: SUN STAFF

Apr 27, CANADA (SUN) —

Srila Prabhupada's lecture on Bhagavad-gita 16.1, New Vrindaban, on June 26, 1976:

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