Vedanta dan Sains No.1: Kehidupan dan Asal Mula Jagat Raya

by Dr. T. D. Singh (His Holiness Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Swami)

pp. 84, Softbound

Rp. 50.000 (Yang English)

Rp. 38.000 (Yang Bahasa Indonesia)

ISBN: 81-901369-3-3

Vedanta merupakan kesimpulan atau kata akhir Literatur (Kitab-kitab) Veda. Vedanta- Sutra tersusun atas ayat-ayat pendek yang disebut dengan sutra. Setiap sutra memiliki kedalaman arti dan makna, maka itu orang biasa tidak mudah mengerti dengan membacanya begitu saja. sutra ibarat suatu rumus atau formula yang terdiri atas huruf atau kata yang singkat, harus diberi penjelasan agar orang umum bisa mengertinya. Maka itu sejak dahulu kala Para Acharya agung menyusun berbagai ulasan Vedanta Sutra secara panjang lebar. seperti yang dilakukan oleh Madhvacarya, Ramanuja Acharya, dan lain-lainnya. Kini di dunia modern ini, telah hadir seorang pengulas Vedanta Sutra, Sri Srimad Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Swami (TD Singh, Ph.D) seorang rohaniawan Hindu yang juga jebolan University Of California, USA.  Beliau Menyajikan dua sutra pertama VEdanta sutra dalam buku ini, tentunya disertai dengan ulasan, kali ini ulasan yang tidak seperti sebelumnya, melainkan Ulasan dari kacamata Ilmiah (Scientific Commentary). Walaupun TD Singh seorang DOktor, namun penyajiannya dalam buku ini sangat mudah dimengerti, penjelasannya sangat mengalir. bahasanya sederhana. penuh dengan kejutan dan membuka cakrawala.

So …. Dont Miss it. !

Karena di dalamnya Dibahas:

Ketidaksempurnaan Big Bang Theory, Big Vision: alternatif Vedanta. Asal-usul Jagat-raya. Apakah Jagat raya ini tertutup atau terbuka? Apakah alam-semesta itu cuma satu atau banyak? apakah penciptaan alam semesta itu cuma sekali? atau bersiklus? Apakah setelah kiamat tidak ada penciptaan lagi? dan tentunya Pembahasan tentang Jagat raya ini di dahului dengan uraian-uraian yang mendasar seperti What is Life? apa makna dan tujuah kehidupan itu? Banyak Lagi!

VEDANTA AND SCIENCE SERIES: LIFE AND ORIGIN OF THE UNIVERSE

Since the dawn of civilization, all philosophical, scientific, religious and even artistic works, in principle, have centered around the study of life, its meaning and the origin of the universe. What is life? What is the origin of the universe? Is there any meaning and purpose behind the manifestation of life and the universe? What is the unseen couse behind the manifestation of the percaivable universe? These questions have puzzled all the great thinkers around the world over the ages. Vedanta, the topmost scientific and philosophical treatise of  Indian spiritual and cultural heritage has a lot to contribute in this area and could provide a vital laep in expanding our knowledge of life and the origin of the universe. In this unique book, His Holiness Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Svami (Dr. T. D. Singh) investigates life and the secrets of the origin of the universe and depicts the relevance of vedantic wisdom in the context of modern scientific and tecnological developments.

by ISKCON Manipur

INGA (June):

On the day of full moon of the month of Inga (June), the Vigrahas of Sri Sri Jagannatha, Balabhadra and Subhadra are taken out in the Prangal (verandah) of the Mandir. The brahmanas and pujaris of the temple will perform seva puja and snana of the Vigrahas. The day is called snana yatra day. Countless number of vaisnavas will attend the snana yatra festival and have darshana of Sri Sri Radha Govindaji.

INGEL (July):

On the second day of the bright fortnight of Ingel (July) Sri Jagannatha, Balabhadra and Subhadra will move out in a Ratha specially designed for the Ratha yatra festival. Before the Vigrahas are taken out of the temple, They will be properly decorated with beautiful garments. After that, the pujari will offer arati to the Vigrahas. Then the three Vigrahas will be shifted from the temple to the Ratha by using three well designed palanquins, to be carried by the selected pujaris and devotees involving the Gvala arati. Many sankirtana palas of Sri Govindaji will come in procession for offering devotional service while shifting the deities from the temple to the Ratha, kept ready for being pulled by the vaisnavas on the main road of the Govindaji palace complex. Seven groups (dals) of sankirtana palas will perform sankirtana during the Ratha yatra procession.
While taking the Vigrahas of Jagannatha, Balabhadra and Subhadra from the palanquins to the rotating Simhasana fixed on the wheel on the Ratha, the ceremony is accompanied by a musical band party followed by the sankirtana palas. Immediately after installation of the Vigrahas on the platform fixed on the Ratha, arati is being offered. The bhaktas and vaisnavas will start pulling the Ratha with band party in the front, followed by sankirtana palas, singing devotional songs and Harinama mahamantra. All the participants who come for darshana of the Ratha Yatra will chant loudly, in the same voice “Jaya Jagannatha, jaya Balabhadra and Jaya Subhadra” as they pull the Ratha by holding the ropes tied to the Ratha. All the fruits, flowers, etc., brought by the bhaktas and vaisnavas are put together in front of the Ratha displaying properly. Then arati puja is offered. After reaching the main gate of the palace complex, the Ratha will be pulled back along with the usual devotional services being offered. The platform on which the Vigrahas are placed will have a complete turn to face towards the returning direction. The band party followed by sankirtana palas will be in procession in front of the Lord. The Vigrahas will be taken back to the premises of the temple by using the palanquins used earlier. Thereafter an arati puja is offered and the Vigrahas are taken inside the temple on the simhasana and then arati puja is offered again.
A simple participation of the Ratha Yatra at the Govindaji’s temple complex cannot give complete satisfaction to the vaisnavas. On going back to their homes they take part again in the Ratha Yatra festival performed in every locality or Leikai where the Vigrahas of Jagannatha, Balabhadra and Subhadra are worshipped in the temples. Therefore, in Manipur the Ratha Yatra festival is observed in all the villages of the valley area of Manipur numbering more than 5000.
In the evening after the Sandhya arati, the devotional singers of the temple will sing the song composed by poet Jayadeva in a sweet rhythmic sound describing the ten avataras of Lord Sri Krishna. This singing with dancing joyfully is called by the Manipuri vaisnavas “Jayadeva Chongba”. The singing accompanied by dancing is unique that not only the elderly vaisnavas but also the young boys and girls alike take part in the singing and dancing of Jayadeva Chongba. On the ninth day, there will be observance of Punar yatra festival involving pulling of the Ratha as was done on the first day of the Ratha Yatra. Then on the day of dwadasi of Ingel, Hari Sayana is observed, after which Lord Jagannatha is believed to have taken a complete rest for a considerable period of time till the day of Hari Utthana.

THAWAN (August):

Beginning from the third day of the bright fortnight of the month of Thawan till the fullmoon day, the Jhulan Yatra is observed. During this period, many devotional services are offered to the Lord by having the sankirtana Nupapalas of two groups in succession without fail. A group of twentyfive male singers will perform sankirtana being offered to the Lord. Immediately after the Gvala arati, the Vigrahas of Sri Sri Radha Govinda will appear on the swing, specially prepared and decorated for the festival. After having Sri Sri Radha Govinda well decorated with beautiful dresses and ornaments, the brahmanas and pujaris offer arati puja. Such a devotional service will be continued till the end of the Jhulan festival. Countless number of bhaktas and vaisnavas will come to have the darshana of Sri Sri Radha Govindaji to their fullest satisfaction. All the fruits and flowers brought for offering to Sri Govindaji while corning for darshana will be displayed nicely on the plates kept on the floor properly cleansed in front of the swing. The idea behind the observance of full thirteen days Jhulan festival in the premises of Sri Govindaji temple is that Manipuri vaisnavas while celebrating it, remeber the pastimes of Sri Sri Radha Krishna on a swing hearing the scorching heat of the sun along with gopis and sakhis as the swing moves to and fro in the direction of the steadily moving breeze over of the Kunjas and Vanas (gardens) of creepers in Radhakunda and Vrindavana dhama.
On the eight day following the fullmoon the Janmastami festival is observed in memory of the advent of Lord Krishna on the earth as the son of Vasudeva and Devaki to protect the bhaktas, vaisnavas from the hands of the miscreants. On this occasion, several groups of female
On the first day of this month, the Manipuri vaisnavas worship the Govardhana hill by installing a model of Govardhana, made out of cowdung. The observance is meant for recalling of the performance of Govardhana puja by Lord Sri Krishna along with the elderly members, the gopas and gopis of Vrindavana Dhama instead of worshipping Indradeva, the king of heaven. On this day, the vaisnavas and vaisnavis of Manipur will bring their earliest yearly produce for offering to Lord Sri Govindaji. All the visiting vaisnavas and vaisnavis coming for darshana are served with Govindaji prasadam.
Starting from the fourth day of the bright fortnight of the month of Hiyangei (November) there will be some special changes of Vesa (dress) of Sri Sri Radha Govinda Vigrahas over and above the normal changes of Vesa as outlined earlier. The changes in the vesa day wise during the fortnight are briefly summarized as below :
Day Nature of dress Day Nature of dress
Caturthi – mala vesa Ekadasi – Raj vesa
Panchami – Napetali vesa Dwadasi:
Sasthi – Yogi vesa (Sri Govinda) - Dwari vesa
Saptami – Nauka Dharan vesa (Sri Radha) – Rairaj vesa
Astami - Natavara vesa Trayodashi – Malini vesa
Navami - Shyama vesa Caturdashi - Payjama vesa
Dasami – Subala vesa Purnima – Natavara vesa

At night, on the day of Hiyangei Purnima (full moon night of November) Rasa lila is offered to Sri Sri Radha Govindaji in the Rasamandal. This rasalila is taken by the Manipuri vaisnavas as the most sacred since it has been offered to the Lord in commemoration of the Rasa Lila elucidated in the Srimad Bhagavatam’s 10th Canto Chapter 29 Verse 1. On the day of Gopastami (Gosthastami) the pastime of herding the cattle by the gopas of Vrindavana, along with Sri Rama Krishna are reproduced every year in the temple complex of Sri Govindaji in the form of Sansenba Lila. The selected small children of vaisnavas of Manipur play the role of the gopas in the Lila. The Vigrahas of Sri Krishna and Sri Balarama are taken out from the Mandir to the playfield of the Sansenba Lila to witness it.
On the Sukla dwadasi day of Hiyangei (the 12th day of Hiyangei), the festival of Hari Utthana is observed annually in the Sri Govindaji temple. This festival is meant for reminding vaisnavas of the fact that Lord Sri Govindaji has got up from His long rest that was started from the day of the Sukla dwadasi of Ingel (July). Among the Manipuri vaisnavas there has been a long standing belief that Lord Sri Govinda has awaken from His deep slumber on the Sukla dwadasi of Hiyangei. Lord Sri Govinda will come out to give His unlimited blessings to the devotees. This is done by organising small Ratha festival of Hari Utthana. The background of this festival is that the vaisnavas of Manipur were very much impatient to have the darshana of Gopaldeva since (it was felt) they could not have it during the past four months. They could not bear this long separation and they stole the Vigraha of Gopaldeva from the nearby local Mandir one day prior to the day of Hari Utthana. The following day Gopaldeva was brought back to the Mandir in a small Ratha to the Mandir from where the Vigraha was stolen the previous night. This pulling of the small Ratha wherein Gopaldeva is graced on the small simhasana is called Hari Utthana Kang Chingba. The vaisnavas will offer fruits and flowers to the Gopaldeva in the Ratha with sankirtana chanting “Bola Jaya Radhe, Radhe Govinda” “Chant, Glory to Radharani, Glory of Radhe Govinda”.
On this day in the Govindaji temple, many groups of male singers perform sankirtana in front of the Vigrahas of Sri Sri Radha Govinda taken out from the mandir to the Mandapa. The Nupapala sankirtana is followed by the female singers, known as Rasheswari pala. Thereafter, the arati puja is offered before the Vigrahas are taken back to the Mandir.

POINU (December):

In the month of Poinu (December) there are no special festivals of Sri Govindaji except that of regular astakala seva puja.

WAKCHING (January):

In the month of Wakching (January) Tila Sankranti is observed indicating the approach of Uttarayana (the day when the sun crosses the Tropic of Capricorn and starts entering a space of a tila (sesame) towards the equator). On this day tila is offered to Lord Govindaji and it is taken as prasadam in every vaisnava family. There is a belief among the vaisnavas that if anyone who has not taken this tila prasadam on this day he is sure to take the form of an animal like dog instead of receiving human body in the next birth.

PHAIREL (February):

On the 5th day of Phairel a festival known as Phairel Panchami is observed to mark the beginning of spring season. From this day onwards, Sri Govindaji will be dressed in yellow colour including the crown (Kokthol) till the end of Lamda (March). On this day the spring fruits and flowers namely the mango blossom, the mustard plant flowers which are perfectly yellow in colour and the pea plant flowers are offered along with sankirtana.

LAMDA (March):

The Holi festival which is taken to be the most popular religious festival is observed annually from the Sukla Ekadasi day of Lamda (March) for full five days. During this period innumerable number of Holi palas including that of women will come to Sri Govindaji’s temple for Holiseva, specially on the second day of the festival that is called Peshakari, the spraying of colours among the devotees in a very ecstatic and joyful manner. This Holi festival is known in Manipuri language as Yaoshang.
In the beginning, the Holiseva to Sri Govindaji was performed by the Holiseva dals from the four panas (divisions) of Manipur namely Khurai, Wangkhei, Khwai, Yaiskul.
Due to the presence of the waisnavas groups of Holiseva dals from various parts of Manipur for offering Holiseva, the palas to Lord Sri Govindaji Holiseva could not be restritcted to the above mentioned four panas and as such the restriction was lifted and by now any Holiseva dal could offer Holiseva to Sri Govindaji. Further, in order to accommodate the offering of all devotees, the Holiseva was started from the Sukla astami day instead of from the Ekadasi day. This was made effective from the year 1982 by a joint decision of the devotees.
On the day of Halankar (on the fifth day after the purnima) all the Holi dals from Manipur gather in the premises of Sri Govindaji and from there starts a long procession of the Holi dals led by band party from Sri Govindaji temple towards Sri Vijaya Govindaji to perform the final Holiseva of the festival.

TRADITIONALLY ACCEPTED NORMS OF VAISNAVA CULTURE.
A brief description of thè daily life of Manipuri vaisnava:

At Brahma muhurta (early dawn) on getting up from sleep, the vaisnava before getting down from the bed, will touch the mother earth first with the right hand and again touch the forehead with the same hand three times and get down with the right foot first chanting ‘Hare Krishna.’ The philosophy behind this is that everybody is to treat the earth as his/her real mother in the sense that mother earth gives ample food grains and vegetable for the sustenance of all living beings on her lap, just like the mother feeds her baby with her breast milk.
Even a child of tender age is being guided to form a habit by following into what their parents do. Then the vaisnava while coming out of the house will offer obeisances to the Tulasi plant growing in the courtyard. The children of the vaisnava family are given the understanding that the Tulasi plant is very dear to Lord Sri Krishna and thus one should beg for blessings from Tulasi plant.
The first duty of a housewife in the early morning after fìnishing Pratar Kriya (morning duties for cleansing the body) is to keep the Tulasi area clean by sweeping and smearing of it with water along with cowdung. Thereafter the Tulasi plant will be worshipped by offering incense, light, and flower and pouring water and applying the mud from the foot of the Tulasi plant on the forehead. The elderly members of the family while coming out of their houses to perform their day-to-day earning activities will move out remembering Lord Sri Krishna. This is a continued process in the daily routine activities of all Manipuri vaisnavas.
Offering of anything to Lord Sri Krishna is made by a vaisnava in a state of sanctity after taking bath, by having tilaka on the forehead and wearing clothes properly washed and dried. The prepared food is always taken as Mahaprasadam after being offered to Lord Krishna. If it is not offered to the Lord, the vaisnava will not take it. The underlying meaning of this practice is that Lord Sri Krishna is supremely merciful and His pleasure is most important to the individual devotee.
The vaisnava, after taking bath either in a pond or river, should wear a clean and washed cloth. Then he will pour sacred water collected from the pond or river over the Tulasi plant and will collect a few drops of water drifting from the leaves of the Tulasi plant with the right hand. Then he sips a few drops of water thus collected and after sipping the water he will use the ring finger of the right hand to press on the wet soil at the foot of the Tulasi plant and then applies on the forehead to make a mark of Chandana in between the two eyebrows. The vaisnava will put a Tulasi leaf in the water pot and using the very water, a paste of Chandana is being made along with a piece of earth taken from the foot of the Tulasi plant on the palm of the left hand. With the paste of Chandana, a mark of Tilaka is put on the forehead first and then, to the twelve specified parts of the body. He will offer flowers and fruits or even water to Lord Sri Govinda by chanting some of the prayer slokas in front of the small murtis or pictures usually kept inside the Chandana box. After the puja is over, he will offer the cooked items to Lord Sri Govinda and prasadam will be given to the members of the family.
In the evening after the Sandhya prayer, the members of the vaisnava family will offer obeisances to the Tulasi plant and then enter the house. Even after returning home late at night from a far place, the vaisnava will never forget offering of obeisance to the Tulasi plant before entering the house. He will never violate the principle of honouring the Tulasi plant.
When the vaisnava hears any emotional burst of someone’s anger or unsocial behaviour, he will spontaneously utter words such as- Visnu ! Visnu ! Krishna ! Krishna! He will not make any comments. He will just submit to the Lord for His kind judgement. On the other hand when he sees another vaisnava in diffìculty, he will utter, “He Radhika” to console him praying to Srimati Radhika to shower Her mercy upon the vaisnava.
The tilaka mark on the forehead is so important to a Manipuri vaisnava that no one moves out of the house without a Chandana (tilaka) mark on the forehead after taking bath. It is also customary that every vaisnava should first take bath and move out of the house to attend to one’s day-to-day business. If there is no tilaka mark on the forehead, no adults including small children will not like to attend any religious ceremonies like marriage, shraddha and other pujas, etc. This shows that Krishna conscious people consider a very high spiritual value attached to the tilaka mark on the forehead.

VAISNAVA BIRTH CEREMONY:

The moment a child is born, the first sound the child is to receive is the transcendental sound of Hare Krishna Maha Mantra given by the father of the child or the male head of the family, or by a brahmana through the ears of the child. The purpose of this is to pray to Lord Sri Krishna to make the child Krishna conscious right from the moment of birth.
On the sixth day of the birth of a child a Puja is offered to Sri Krishna with fruits, flowers and other items seeking blessings from Lord Sri Krishna for the well being of the child. This is known as Swasthi Puja. The elderly persons who are well wishers of the parents of the child are invited to offer blessings to the child.
When the child is six months old a ceremony called Chaumba is performed on a very auspicious day. A puja will be offered to Lord Sri Krishna under the guidance of an experienced brahmana. After the puja, the baby will be given solid food for the first time in the form of Krishna prasadam. Thus from childhood, he/she is introduced to vaisnava culture.
It is customary on the part of the vaisnava family to observe annual disappearance day utsava of their forefathers accompanied by devotional sankirtana and many other formal offerings to Lord Sri Krishna inviting brahmanas, friends and relatives. Performance of such devotional activities are very important.
Among the Manipuri vaisnavas there is a common belief that the hair of the child that has been growing right from the mother’s womb is preserved till the completion of four or five years. After that an auspicious day is selected for shaving the hairs. On the day, a religious prayer is offered to Lord Sri Krishna begging His unlimited blessings upon the child for a happy, long and healthy life.
There has been a long standing traditional belief among the vaisnavas that there are marks of impression in each ear of the child called Nahutpham (a place meant for making a hole in it). The holes are made on the marks of impression of the ears. An auspicious day is selected for nahutpa (piercing of ears) utsava accompanied by sankirtana and fire sacrifìce.
The Manipuri vaisnavas strictly follow the vaisnava Dharma as enshrined in the Vedas. When a child is around eleven or twelve years old he is given initiation in a ceremony under a spiritual master which is called Nagun Thangba, wearing of sacred thread. The initiation gives an idea of the second birth of the child since he has become the child of the guru, having received the spiritual knowledge. It has been a belief among the vaisnavas that life without initiation under a bonafide guru is just like someone trying to cross the vast ocean of Samsara without a destination to reach. If the boy or girl could not have initiation at the age of 12/13 years, it is compulsory that he/she should get initiation, before entering a married life, from a qualified Guru following the Guru Parampara System.

VAISNAVA DEATH CEREMONY:

When a patient is seriously ill and no hope for survival is seen, a brahmano, is called to recite Bhagavatam along with the Harinama Sankirtana so that the patient may get the opportunity of listening to the pastimes of Lord Sri Krishna and the chanting of Harinama Mahamantra. At the time of death, having taken out of the bed, the dying patient is placed on the South east corner of the court yard, called “Khangembam”, in a small thatched house erected temporarily called Shang that will be burnt along with the dead body. After having been given the idea of the journey towards his destination by the vaidya (physician), the atma of the patient will take leave of the gross body. By this time the devotional singers will continue singing Harinama.
After completion of the preparation of theè fumeral pyre meant for performing Yajna of chita, the dead body is placed inside a coffin made of wood plank being covered with a white cloth along with a Namabali immediately above the head of the dead body.
Thereafter, four persons of his/her close relatives preferably the sons or brothers will carry the coffin to the funeral ground. The Harinama sankirtana party will lead the funeral march. On reaching the funeral ground the dead body is given bath, then dwadasa tilaka is applied. Thereafter, the four carriers circumbulate the pyre once or thrice carrying the dead body. After this the body is kept on the pyre in such a manner that the other end of the coffin is to reach the other end of the chita at three intervals. The body is covered with the big logs of firewood after removing the covering clothes.
After offering puja to the firegod, the next kin of the deceased will carry a pot of water on his shoulder and holding a piece of burning wood in his right hand will go round the funeral pyre five or seven times followed by his relatives and near and dear ones. While going around the pyre the carrier of the pot will pour out some water from the pot backwards at the four corners of the funeral pyre for every round. After this the next kin of the deceased will put the burning wood below the coffin and others will follow it. He will first fan the funeral pyre with “Yangkok. ”
After returning from the cremation ground all the persons involving in the cremation process will take bath and they will be received with fire outside the gate before entering the house. A water pot with tulasi leaf will be kept in the courtyard. After given reception with fire, they will use a few drops of Tulasi water for sipping and sprinkling over the head and the body. The returning journey from the cremation ground to the house is called “Mangarakpa” in Manipuri.
Before the body gets reduced completely to ashes a small piece of bone will be taken from the forehead which will be kept somewhere in a safe place inside the hole of a small bamboo piece or small bottle. For those persons who have taken the renounced order of life, on the sixth day after the cremation, the small piece of bone kept will be collected after being purified with Vedic mantra. The piece of bone thus collected is known as “Chintamani”. This process is called Asthi Sanchaya, which involves the cleaning of a part of the cremation ground. The person who is to take the Chintamani will take bath and sit beside the brahmana who will recite vedic mantra to purify the Chintamani by using Panchagavya (cow-dung, cow-urine, cow-milk, yogurt and clarified butter) and then finally dipped in thè Gangajala (Ganges water), Ratnodaka (Diamond /gold dipped water), Gandhodaka (water mixed with chandana), Puspodaka (flower dipped water) and Kevalajala (plain water) contained in the donas (cups made of banana leaf). After the purification process, Chintamani is wrapped in a cloth preferably silk tightly. The ends of the cloth are tied up and then placed around the neck of a person who is supposed to carry the Chintamani. During the purification process, there will be kirtana to fill up the surrounding with spiritual vibration. While coming along with the Chintamani someone will use an umbrella to keep the person carrying the Chintamani covered from the sun.
During the period of the observance of Ashthi sanchaya all the participants will come wearing clean clothes, white for the male and light orange (Pungou phanek) for the female and participate in making prayer to Lord Krishna for the departed soul. The person carrying the Chintamani, on reaching the residence will move round the Srimad Bhagavatam placed in the courtyard specially cleaned and decorated under a roof in a clockwise and prostrate before the Srimad Bhagavatam and singers. Then he offers obeisances to the assembled vaisnavas and vaisnavis. This process comes to an end after offering arati to Srimad Bhagavatam.
Shraddha ceremony is observed on the fourteenth day of the disappearance of the person. On this occasion the Hari sankirtana seva is performed along with the dakshina seva to all the assembled devotees and invitees.
After the shraddha ceremony, on completion of one full month from the disappearance day, an utsava is offered to please Lord Govindaji. This is done for every month. After the completion of one year, a big Mahotsava is performed along with Hari sankirtana. This is known as “Phiroi”. Brahmanas, vaisnavas, relatives and friends are invited on this occasion.
The above mentioned discussion on the line of the traditionally accepted features of the vaisanava culture in Manipur refers to the analysis of the vaisnavism in a nutshell, which was strictly followed by the vaisnavas of Manipur before the coming of the western influence in the daily life of the Manipuris. With the coming of the western system of education, the agelong vaisnava tradition of Manipur has been seriously affected specially to the younger generation of today’s Manipur. However, there are devout vaisnavas who are strictly following the vaisnava principles.

Bedugul, Bali, Indonesia, Dec 28, 2005

Hare Krsna, I d like to thanks all of you for your coming from different great planets…

So, Bhaktivonoda Thakur says, that in most people sleeping, so therefore it is good to understand that we are waking up from deep slumber…slumber mean sleep. So by the blessing of Prabhupada that so…we given this wonderful understanding that we have to get up from this deep sleep. To wake up means…what do we do when we wake up? just like the sun rising in early in the morning and then …we see everything is look up a beautiful life and we can see around, also we can remember the beautiful  birds and so many wonderful things happening when we wake up in the morning. So this understanding of waking up of from deep sleep, deep sleep means one completely in the mood of ignorance, darkness, tamoguna.  When tamoguna is influenced the individual, we just like in a deep slumber or deep sleep. But only go to the Vaikuntha planet by we leave this body, and we  go to Vaikuntha planet…in Vaikuntha planet all living entities never sleeps. So therefore  is hours in the morning, always likes a morning-morning hours. When I came to Bali, in the morning I always  heard a beautiful music from a little birds that always come near me and sing a beautiful song that reminds me the Vaikuntha planet. In another day when we  working a whole night…we re left  after four o’clock in the morning, and when I come out from the door I saw a beautiful bird singing  little far and he was singing; “Swamiji….in the birds song but the song says in English that, “Krsna is The Supreme Personality of Godhead”. So, I heard the same song, the same music about 10 years ago when I had a little operation a removement of stone and I spend some days in Bombay. But in Bombay by next of my room there’s was a coconut tree, Bombay is also like Bali. And in that coconut tree, this little bird come every day, every day early in the morning I heard the same song, “Swamiji…Krsna is The Supreme Personality  of Godhead”. So what I heard the same song another day in Bali, o…this is a message…massage, a bird from Vaikunta planet. Therefore, that Krsna Consciousness is the culture of Vaikuntha, people in Vaikunthaloka.

There is also a beautiful song, I will sing a song. The song called arunodaya kirtan, actually sung when the sun is coming… rising…the rising sun. So the meaning is ..very beautiful (Guru Maharaja read song’s the translation);

“As the rising sun colored the eastern horizon. Lord Gaurasundara, the jewel of twice born woke up. Gathering his devotees around him, he went to walk in the town of Nadia. The mrdangga made tathai…tathai sounds…tathai is the name of the language of mrdanga ..and the cymbals played along rhythmically. The lord’s golden limbs tremble with ecstasy  of divine love and his ankle bell jingle.

And the lord explained to his followers, just chant the name of Krsna, Mukunda, Madhava, Yadava and Hari. Your night has wasted in useless sleep and your day is lost in decorating your body. Then He says, having received this human body that we so difficult to attain, why do u still remain unconscious of this value. If you do not worship the son of Mother Yasoda now, then you regretted in the time of death.

When the rising sun sets u become anxious because another day has in lost, why then do you remain idol and lordships the lord of your heart. The essentials thing to know is that life is temporary and full of dangerous. Therefore, take shelter of the holy name with great care, while continuing  to do your own occupation or duty.

Then He says, desiring to bring auspiciousness to all souls, the holy name has descended into this material world to remove darkness and ignorance and to shine in the sky of heart. And Bhaktivinod says, please give Bhaktivinoda life by drinking the pure nectar of holy name. There is nothing more value in this fourteen worlds other than holy name”.

Jai jai harinama mahasankirtana ki..jai…

Hare krsna…hare krsna…hare krsna…jai..jai harinama mahasankirtana ki…jai..

Harer nama harer nama harer namaiva kevalam, kalau nastyeva nastyeva nastyeva gathir anyatha. Jai Srila Prabhupada ki..,Jai Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu ki..jai..jai Vaikuntha Bhakta Vaishnava Vrnda ki jai…Gaura Premanande…

Udilo aruna purabe-bhage (Maharaja singing arunodaya kirtana song with devotees)

Hare krsna hare krsna krsna krsna hare hare hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare

Prema dhavani…then Guru Maharaja speaks again;

“Hare krsna, somehow the sun also coming, the lakes on the right side and the trees also enjoying. Vaikuntha is like that…very peaceful, Vaikuntha mean peace, Vaikuntha means place there is anxiety and no worry. So Krsna consciousness is a training how to enter Vaikuntha world. So therefore this is the most, highest, the most important culture. Therefore we have to learn how to remain very steady, steady means dhira, dhira means very very peaceful in ourselves and peaceful with everyone…So the culture of how became dhira, dhira means very stable, very balance, balance life, and also always taking the blessing the higher authorities is the essence of Krsna Consciousness.

So I m very happy to see devotees from Singaraja…some devotees come from Singaraja right? Can you rise your hand? Id like to thank all of u for coming, by your sincere prayer there is good day today, and no rain this time. Yesterday we have in Klungkung but the rain was very very strong. So we have a special blessing today from…because the authority of Vaikuntha, so therefore the lord blessing us. Very nice.

So I m leaving actually the day after tomorrow morning. This trip is unplanned trip. Then the messages came that I must go for doing some duties, an important duties. I just leave  even I leave my luggage in Calcutta, but  I only came by my dhoti. So this duty was to do something, to organize some program, a more  important preaching, preaching duty in Bali. It s takes two more day to complete. And our…some of our devotees working hard so they don’t sleep for last three or four day, and they only take one glass water every day. They working very hard, but they doing well, finished. So, many of you also contributed something because it is required. I d like thanks all of u for your contribution because contribution is required for completing this work. So please stay well, I intend to return maybe in summer time, summer means around July and I will stay in longer time..will do a lot of programs.

And I want to make announcement that this year from April, I m touring with cultural group from Manipur, I taking more than 20 artist to around USA, drumming, martial arts. Anybody who doesn’t agree I also have martial arts groups…so this is martial arts function (laughter). I will stay about three month until May-June, July I will come and we also plans to invite many artist from all around the world…this is due to invite for opening festival in  Manipur, 2007.  I like to request all of you, to come in Manipur temple opening, 2007 in month of October.

So I suggested to by one boat. You can from here come to harbour in Calcutta, Calcutta is  nearby. It takes about 25 days by boat (laughter). And when u came to Calcutta you said that you are from Manipur, Manipuris. So there is no visa required. They will very happy, then you said that you coming from Bombay for special picnic and now coming in Calcutta. So in this way  please plans. If you don’t find a boat, you can take helicopter…and there will be a very big  festivals…very nice festivals.

Our four devotees from Bali that already in Manipur trying to finished, and they said not to leave Manipur until the temple finished. So by this preparation  pursuing, so please plans from now. But there are also cheap flight if you go by the other way. There are flight…we have like Asia Air, Jet Star…is Dhira Kesava here? Dhira Kesava at this year in Vrndavan recently going by that flight. Also Malaysia airline…very cheap. Many ways  to going there. So Please plans. It will be very cold at this time, Manipur is like this…like this cold. This invitation you keep in mind and you save one rupiah (Indonesian Currency) every day…(laughter), by that way there’s no many problem.

I’m very happy that to see, and also able to come for few days and see all of you. So in Vrndavan a few days ago many devotees gather together and had a very nice program. About many devotees said that they want to do again in Bali, they wants to come to Bali. And also the other group also said, “maharaja we want to go to Bali”, URI also said “maharaja arrange something that we all want to going to Bali”. And our science group from around the world, they call me “Dr Singh you arrange program in Bali, we wants to come to Bali”. Bali is very…I always ask everyone, you come to Bali than you get peace. So, therefore many important program make on, and this program that we are trying to completed is just to facilitate that…we can do some nice program. Because you have so many young devotees, we want to engage all of you very nicely so that you always remain busy. And also we will begin a very nice school for the children. I look so many children, but the school  will be  an English medium school. So that, not only school but we will have all the activities of  Vaikuntha. That means Vedic culture, Vedic culture activities…there will be art and culture, Balinese is very nice in art. And a very important music, musical courses, and philosophy abut Krsna Consciousness. And even prasadam…international prasadam. We will bring recipes from Vaikuntha, Vaikuntha recipes. Vaikuntha recipes was…you know  there is a very nice big…big red gulab jamun, and we will have a nice preparation from black rice, palm sugar…that’s all Vaikunta items. So therefore we plan …if you have some government friend, we need at least 50 acre of lands. So We will have a very nice campus and will have a wonderful program, and all the scientist around the world will come and join the program. This is our prayer and by Prabhupada blessing, please pray so that you remain healthy and strong, become remain  strong Krsna Conscious following the principles, and in this way we can gone nicely in Krsna Consciousness.

I think we should walk now for a little right? Make little…I saw the gate was quiet nice, I want to take a picture there because I taking some sample here to finish  our temple in Manipur. Because when we  sitting, it is good to do some exercise. In Vaikuntha…all the inhabitants of Vaikuntha always do some spiritual exercise…(laughter)

Jai Srila Prabhupada ki..jai..

Jai Srila Bhaktisvarupa Damodar Svami Maharaja ki…jai..

End.

(13-14th August 2006) Guru Maharaja arrived from Bali with his guests Gajapati Maharaj, the King of Puri and his spiritual master, the Raja Guru of the Jagannatha Temple at noon in Singapore. They were received by a host of devotees from Singapore & Malaysia and proceeded to Venu Madhava Prabhu’s home. Guru Maharaja introducing his guests to the local devotees. Due to restrictions in Singapore, Maharaja does not wear his sannyasa robes. At Venumadhava prabhu’s house, Gurudev and his guests had a sumptuous prasadam feast prepared by the matajis. They were joined by two visitors from Malaysia, Dr. Vythilingam who is treasurer of the Malaysian Medical Association and Mr. Ramesh, a lawyer, who are helping Gurudev set up Bhaktivedanta Institute (Malaysia). The details of this effort were further discussed after lunch. In the evening, the devotees brought Gurudev and his guest to the Singapore Night Safari. This attraction is an extension of the Singapore Zoo that presents nocturnal animals in their natural habitats. The King is an ardent animal lover who is accustomed to spending several days in the jungle. In his youth, he used to spend his time in the wilderness hunting; however, later, he simply observed animals while sitting on tree branches. The King of Puri Guru Maharaja with the Rajaguru in the tramp during the Night Safari Guru Maharaja was in a jovial mood throughout. When he saw some lions resting on their backs, with legs up, he remarked that, “they are practicing yoga.” Another time, when he saw some goat-like animals (Oryx) sitting still, he said they were meditating. After most of us left the Night Safari, the King remained behind with three devotees to walk around the Safari and have a closer interaction with the animals. Meanwhile, being the perfect host, Gurudev stayed up late in Venumadhava prabhu’s house waiting for the King to return. During this time, Guru Maharaja gave instructions for the prasadam the next day. One devotee said to Guru Maharaja that at times Krishna consciousness is very sweet and blissful, while at other times, there is no feeling at all, almost mechanical. Gurudev replied that the modes of nature are very strong, even a very wise man can be disturbed. We have to always be positive in our Krishna consciousness. We have to be careful to control anger and lust, (kama, krodha, lobha) and it will be easier to practice Krishna consciousness. He said even if difficulties come, don’t view it negatively, but see it positively. He then gave the example of Queen Kunti, who prayed for difficulties so that she would remember Krishna better. The devotee then asked, as householders we are always in anxiety, thinking about our children, whether they will be Krishna conscious etc. Gurudev replied that as Prahlad Maharaja said ideally Krishna consciousness should be started at a young age so that you will be trained on how to deal with things in a proper way. Because the training was not there from young, we have problems with children. He remarked how in India, sometimes when children leave the care of their parents, they are unable to be independent. He then gave the devotee some personal instructions on how to handle her children. The next day, Monday, August 14th, Gurudev was scheduled to leave for Calcutta in the evening. The program for the day was that we would go to the Underwater World in Sentosa island and Kannan prabhu’s house for lunch. Afterwhich Gurudev would do some shopping before heading to the airport for departure. On Monday morning, we had a mangala arotik. Gurudev was pleased that we had Mangala Arotik as he later remarked to the King, “Did you hear their morning program?” Before his bath, Guru Maharaja drank water and a drink of lemon juice and honey. After breakfast, we proceeded to the Underwater world, which is an aquatic exhibition. Everyone was happy to see the Lord’s amazing varieties of creation under the ocean. Srila Sripada and the giant crab Extending his lotus hands to the lucky fishes After visiting the Underwaterworld, we took a walk along the beach and watched a dolphin show. Then we headed to Kannan prabhu’s house for lunch. GuruMaharaja lead the singing of “ Jaya Radha Madhava” as we all danced blissfully. As GuruMaharaja said the prema dhvani prayers he concluded by saying “now it is time for prasadam program” which drew laughter from everyone. To Kannan prabhu, who is a medical doctor, Gurumaharaja said that doctors should find out the relationship between health and spirituality. Gurudev also recalled that he had an interest in doing medicine but his family was not very keen because it would mean that he would have to be away. So he did science instead. Gurudev then shared with Kannan prabhu where he did his undergraduate and postgraduate studies and about his meeting with Srila Prabhupada. Group photo at Dr. Kannan prabhu’s house After taking a short rest at Venumadhava prabhu’s house, Gurudev and some of the devotees went to do some shopping. Gurudev purchased a new luggage bag and souvenirs for the guests in Manipur. Gurudev was very careful and fastidious in choosing appropriate gifts. Guru Maharaja then did his packing in and took a quick shower before heading to the airport. At the airport, a number of devotees had come to see Guru Maharaja off. After checking in his luggage Guru Maharaja sat in the lounge and the devotees sat around him. He talked about his traveling plans and preaching projects. One devotee asked a question about how we should practice Krishna consciousness in Singapore since there was no temple. Gurudev replied that we should meet once a week in different houses. Each devotee can contribute some prasadam. Someone can give a discourse or if no one is available we can just read Srila Prabhupada’s books. Another question was asked, “How can we remain positive if we continuously experience falldowns from our standards and principles?” Gurudev replied that we should not be weak. If we are facing problems in our devotional life we can reveal them to friends who are close to us and together we can try to overcome them. He also suggested that we should read books individually everyday, conduct mangala arotik in our homes, memorize verses for preaching and for our own purification and to keep a diary to write down our thoughts. He emphasized that planning in Krishna consciousness is very important. Planning is as important as executing. He gave the example that an architect makes his plans first before beginning construction. He said that the real secret is to always keep busy in service. After giving us this nectar from his lotus mouth, Guru Maharaja left for Calcutta. The Gajapati Maharaj and the Rajaguru left two days later, after giving us their enlivening association.The Rajaguru especially shared many wonderful stories of Jagannatha. SrilaGurudev ki! Jay! Yours in the service of Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga, Rupachandra Das & Vaikunthanatha Das