– Where there is a Vaishnava, there is Vrindavana. – We need to cleanse our hearts. – Tilaka and kanthimala alone are not enough. We need to follow four principles. – Every day, you must attend mangala-arati. – The heart is cleansed by chanting the holy names. – Verse: ‘Ceto-darpaṇa-mārjanam bhāva-mahā-dāvāgni-nirvāpanam…’ (Sri Shikshashstaka 1). – Seva without listening to hari-katha is dangerous, as those who perform seva but do not...
Shikshashtaka 1
02 Jul 2025 midday – The Significance of Ratha-yatra (English) | Sao Paulo, Brazil
– Bhakti is service. – The Lord is Bhava-grahi Janardana. – Always show respect to senior devotees, especially those from other countries. – The story of Shivananda Sena and his dog. – Nityananda Prabhu heavily chastised Shivananda Sena. – We should show respect even to the dog of a devotee. – Ratha-yatra means showing respect to devotees. – The glories of the Brazilian devotees. – Love is ananya-mamata. If you are not single-minded, you...
04 Aug 2024 evening – Sadhu-sanga and Vaisnava-seva (English) | Seattle, USA | Srila BV Vana Maharaja
Verse: sādhu-saṅga sādhu-saṅga… (CC Madhya, 22.54). All the Vedas and Puranas explain the glories of sadhu-sanga. The six activities of the brahmanas. The story of Gopa Kumara. We need to surrender ourselves to Sri Guru and receive his mercy, Guru-krpa. Guru means “one who can bring light where there is darkness”. Lila of Caitanya Mahaprabhu and a group of gipsies. The importance of practising sadhana and bhajana. Story of a girl cleaning the house when she received a visit from Yamaraja. We do...
11 Feb 2024 evening – Nama-sankirtana (English) – La Plata, Argentina | Srila BV Vana Maharaja
It is very rare to reach the association of saints. Verse: kṛṣṇa-bhakti-janma-mūla haya ‘sādhu-saṅga’ (CC Madhya-lila 22.83). Verse: sādhu saṅga sādhu saṅga sarva śāstra (CC Madhya-lila 22.54). Sadhu-sanga means hearing about Sri Hari and practicing instructions His throughout life. Food for the soul is Sri Krsna katha. Worldly conversations leave our minds disturbed. Verse: tava kathāmṛtaṁ tapta-jīvanaṁ (CC Madhya-lila 10.31.9). Verse: ceto-darpaṇa-mārjanaṁ (Siksastaka 1). We are in the cycle...