"Don't try to analyze this..." (Srila B.A. Paramadvaiti Maharaj)

“...But don't get the idea that the drop is the ocean.”

Fragment of a great class in the Berlin temple. 

Devotional service is on an Absolute level (Srila B.A. Paramadvaiti Maharaj)

Gurumaharaj in Bulgaria, July 2013,

giving class on Srimad Bhagavatam 1.5.17

“Whether you have all the material desires, or no material desires, 

or you have the desire for liberation from the material sufferings –

regardless, it is recommended that you serve Krishna.”

Selected Posts on Krishna Consciousness (19): In a particular direction that cannot be traced by any loss or gain of this world (Srila Sridhar Maharaj)

Excerpt from Follow the Angels

Srila Srdihar Maharaj - Vaisnava

Appendix to Donations (1): Felix

Adopted cat Felix. (His former name was Fenix. Why would you name a cat after a bird?) Saved by temple devotee and veterinarian Prema Dhama mataji. Very well-behaved and polite, very loving and sweet, and quite aware. Temple cat for 2 weeks. He loved the temple basement (this he has in common with Gurumaharaj). But now he has a new home: temple devotee Makhan Chor's villa in the countryside. A big old house with many exciting places to hang out in indoors, wild nature with high grass outdoors, and a cat-hatch to come and go as he likes. The best possible home for a cat. That's why his name is Felix: happy. And sadhusanga* and prasadam*. Thank you Krishna for the best possible solution for Felix. For the background story, click here.

* Sadhusanga: click here and here.

* Prasadam: click here and here

*

Photo by Makhan Chor

Who am I, inside out? (Srila B.A. Paramadvaiti Maharaj)

"When you look in the mirror, you think you see somebody you know. 

We have to understand one thing. We don't really know who we are."

Flea Market in Gauda (Pictures)

Pictures from last week's flea market "Loppis på Gårda"

in the temple backyard, where we served prasadam

The portal to Nimaihuset’s backyard in the area Gårda (pronounced 
just like Gauda, Lord Nimai’s whereabouts).
Wonky but beautiful, as everything about this place.

Everything is sweet (Srila Sridhar Maharaj)

In this fantastic informal talk on his veranda, Srila Sridhar Maharaj describes how to make your transition from the path of this nether-world to the path to the Gracious World, from the land of bondage to the Land of Freedom, in 3 easy steps. You can start from wherever you are.

1. Stop acting on a personal agenda. Do your duties, your responsibilities, what's "on your table", but don't cash in the fruits from it.

2. Accept your karma as it comes to you, without resistance or trying to enjoy it.

3. Think of Krishna, the Supersoul/Superconsciousness, the Absolute Person, the Supreme Will behind the Universal Flow, and surrender everything to Him. Chanting the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra is the best method for that. If you want to add power to it, think of its inner meaning as "Please let me be an instrument of Your love".

Then just watch your surroundings change, and follow what unfolds in that flow. 

*

Srila Sridhar Maharaj

Everything is Sweet

(27 July 1982)

Hare Krishna Top 10 (2)

2.

Stevie Wonder:

“Pastime Paradise” (1976)

Soul legend and musical genius Stevie Wonder showing what he's made of. A great song with conscious lyrics striking at the materialistic and pleasure seeking society of modern times, ending with a black gospel choir (West Angeles Church Of God In Christ Mass Choir) singing “We shall overcome” and a choir of devotees singing the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra in the background (from 2:37). 
Sincerity, beauty, fantastic music.

Sri Radhastami: Radha Dasyam (Srila Sridhar Maharaj)

(The first 18 minutes)

Sri Radhastami is celebrated september 12 and 13 depending on which count you use and where on earth you are. So for these 2 days, here is a precious gem for our dear readers from all over the world: an audio-clip with Nimaihuset favourite Srila Sridhar Maharaj speaking informally about Srimati Radharani from his legendary verandra in Navadvip, West Bengal, to a small number of fortunate devotees, starting by singing a Radharani-bhajan by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura. From July 1982. I was about to say "Enjoy!", but instead I say: Serve! – Serve by listening to this hi-quality hari-katha; that is called sravana, hearing about the Lord, and it's the first of the 9 limbs of devotional service. 

Devotional Service Will Free You (Srila Prabhupada)

Lecture by Srila Prabhupada, New York, January 11, 1967
(Transcription, slightly edited)

Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

"Real knowledge means to understand the last word of the Absolute Truth, the 

Supreme Personality of Godhead, and surrender unto Him, after knowledge." 

"Devotional service past knowledge is just like gold with flavor."

*

Sri Radhastami!

Sri Radhastami

Celebration of Sri Radhe’s Appearance Day

Friday 13 september we celebrate the appearance day of Srimati Radharani – 

Sri Krishna’s Beloved, the female half of the Divine Couple (the Absolute, 
forever divided).

There will be a small but devoted celebration with bhajans (singing of mantras), lecture, arati (altar ceremony), puspanjali (altar ceremony), 

and afterwards some prasadam (sanctified food).

We begin at 19.

Bring something nice to offer to Sri Radhe!

The feast does not cost anything but donations are gladly accepted.

Welcome to Nimaihuset and celebrate with us!

Die to live (Srila B.V. Sadhu Maharaj)

Srila B.V. Sadhu Maharaj (sannyasi-disciple of Srila B.A. Paramdavaiti Maharaj) on one of the biggest obstacles on the path of devotion: fear to surrender to the Spiritual Master. A first reason may be difficulty to discriminate between Sri Guru and the surrendered soul in whom He manifests. Here it's about taste, and confusing 'live' and 'die'. 

Italy, 2013

Commentary to the Maha Mantra

by Gurudeva Srila Bhakti Aloka Paramadvaiti Maharaj

Oh you most dear to the infinite enchanter

this sinner longs for your service far above.

Only this Krishna, your beloved Krishna

You alone can grace me with his love

Queen of Vrindavana, so much love for you has Rama

I have come to you now begging for your grace.

Because his love for you is endless he never denies your wishes

Yours is my soul in eternities embrace

The importance of the Heart (Srila B.A. Paramadvaiti Maharaj)

Bulgaria, July 2013

"He is in this room so many times."

Srila B.A. Paramadvaiti Maharaj on Bhagavad Gita 6.30,

ending up talking about love, as always.