I was asked to give a brief introduction on Srila Gurudeva by one of my old friends who is also a devotee. Personally I speak from whatever Gurudeva had revealed to us ..after much coaxing. Gurudeva prefers to be just introduced as a devotee of the divine couple and as a servant of Sriman Mahaprabhu…However I will take this opportunity to say a few words on Srila Gurudeva.
Category: Guru
Identifying a Sadhguru
Identifying a Sadhguru is one of the most challenging part in a disciple’s life. Actually there is no process!! The Sastras may have a lot of guidelines but no disciple can be there in the presence of a Guru 24X7 , 365 days to identify whether the Guru whom he is following is a full blown God-realized “Sadhguru”. It becomes amazingly difficult to identify a Sadhguru. It is said in the Sastras that attaining the Lord is “impossible” without taking shelter of a Sadhguru.This is an undeniable fact!! Continue reading “Identifying a Sadhguru”
Guru Tattva
Based on reading from prema-bhakti chandrika, discussion with Damodar Dasji and confirmation by our beloved Babaji Guru word is very widely used. We use this word for anyone. Our school teacher, coach, physical instructor and even sometimes for person who is clever and cunning. It is important to understand what exactly is the meaning of the word Guru or what is this tattva or element which we term as Guru.In general the potency or power to teach others is present in everyone. It is sarva-vyapi. Thus in generic term every living entity is guru. Just as paramatma is present in everyone similarly the guru-tattva is present in everyone. Thus we can even learn from Continue reading “Guru Tattva”
The Sadhguru
During Sriman Mahaprabhu’s time and maybe a few 100 years later also , the guru parampara of the Gaudiya Vaishnavas flourished. Sriman Mahaprabhu’s dear associates usually householders took the position of guru and initiated 1000s of people into the Gopal Mantra and the Radha Mantra. It was only later during the late 1800’s that this system almost collapsed and pseudo-practitioners welled up to usurp the true sentiments of Krishna Bhavana. Thanks to the advent of Thakhura Bhakti Binode ; who raised up the bar on “deciding who can be a guru”. Continue reading “The Sadhguru”
Harinam, Deeksha and Conception of the highest – Parivaras of Radhakund
Harinaam Samskaar: This is a terminology used by the Parivars. (The 6th Parivar I missed out is the Gadadhara Parivar which is popularly found in Radha Kunda, Jagannatha Puri and Nabadweep).During this process Srila Gurudeva hands over the Hari Nama by means of “Shabda Brahma” to the disciple
Continue reading “Harinam, Deeksha and Conception of the highest – Parivaras of Radhakund”
Harinaam, Diksha and Conception of the highest
References for the below article:
- The Bhakti Trilogy – Translation of Bengali writings by Srila Visvanath Chakravarthy Thakura
- Prema Bhakti Chandrika – Narottama Thakhura Mahasaya
- Raga Vartma Candrika – Visvanath Chakravarthy Thakura
- Walking with a saint – Morning Walks with Srila Narayana Maharaj
- Elucidations about Siddha Deha by Gurudeva – Param Pujya Premdasa Babaji Maharaj
There is a hell of a confusion amongst many people I met in the past about initiation and the various connotations of the word initiation itself with respect to thevarious institutions. I shall try to elaborate on the topics based on a study of the above books and clarifications provided to me by Srila Gurudeva himself.
There are these following terms : Initiation, Hari Nama Samskar, Deeksha, Brahmaniyam , Siddha Pranali or Guru Pranali. Continue reading “Harinaam, Diksha and Conception of the highest”
Charan Pahari 