Unending glories of a Vaishnava | Gaudiya Vaishnavism

The following article explores the unending glories of a Vaishnava, his devotion, intense mood, and why he is worshipable for all. Similarly, Vaishnavism, the path of practicing loving devotion (Krishna Consciousness) towards the supreme Lord Krishna, is the most exalted and glorious of all the other means of self-realization.

• #1 Vaishnavas, the devotees of the Supreme Lord Sri Hari, are not subjected to the fruits of Karma. They are highly respected by the demigods including Yamaraja and are not subjected to their punishment. The following verse from Srimad Bhagavatam confirms this statement.

te deva siddha-parigita-pavitra-gatha
ye sadhavah samadriso bhagavat prapannah
tan nopasidata harer gadayabhiguptan
naisam vayam na ca vayah prabhavama dande
(Srimad Bhagavatam 6.3.27)
–
Yamaraja instructs Yamadutas, “My dear servants, please do not approach such devotees (vaishnava), for they have fully surrendered to the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. They are equal to everyone, and their narrations are recited by the demigods and even the inhabitants of Siddhaloka. Please do not go near them. They are always protected by the club of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and therefore Lord Brahma, I, and even the time factor are not qualified to chastise them”.

The Skanda Purana states –

Na brahma na sivagnindra naham nanye divaukasah
Saktas tu nigraham kartum vaishnavanam mahatmanam
–
Lord Brahma, Lord Shiva, Agni, Indra and myself (Yamaraja) and other demigods are unable to chastise the broad-minded Vaishnavas.

 

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Childhood Pastimes of Lord Nityananda | Jai Nitai Jai Gaura !

Lord Nityananda (Nitai) had appeared at Ekachakra Dham (in Birbhum, Bengal), to assist Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, manifest His most magnanimous pastimes. In the battleground of Kurukshetra, Sri Krishna broke His pledge of not using any weapons, by pulling up a wheel and charging towards Bhishma Deva, who was then fighting valiantly against Arjuna. Bhishma was a great devotee of the Supreme Lord and seeing the Lord charge at him, he at once threw away his weapons and surrendered himself. He began singing Krishna’s glories, hearing which the Lord calmed down and threw away the wheel that He had picked up. This wheel is said to have flown all the way from Kurukshetra to land here in this small village of Bengal which came to be subsequently known as Ekachakra. ’Eka’ means one and ‘Chakra’ translates to wheel in Bengali.

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Shukto recipe | Traditional Bengali Cuisine

Overview of Shukto Recipe

Shukto is a bitter and pungent stew of vegetables cooked in mustard oil and spiced with paanch phoron, ginger paste and chillies. It is a starter and usually served with rice. Here is your Shukto recipe.

Preparation Time : 30 minutes
Cooking Time : 30-40 minutes
Taste : Sweet-Bitter
Additional note : Shukto is one of the favorite dishes of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu

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Essence of Indian Varna System – Understanding the misunderstood

The Indian Varna system (caste system), which is often painted negatively and presented likewise even in school textbooks, is perhaps one of the most misinterpreted social hierarchies of the world. It is popularly accepted that the Indian caste system is at least 3000 years old, though an analysis of the Vedic literatures suggests that it is perhaps as old as Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism) itself. This article attempts to exhibit the system of Varna (class) and Ashrama (order) as it had been originally conceived and how it has gradually degenerated with time. The article also seeks to establish how the caste system is an integral part of any successful society and an indispensable tool to ensure its survival.

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