Sep 16, CANADA (SUN) — The departure of Nama Acarya, Srila Haridas Thakur is observed on September 16th.

Hari Das Thakur is a combined incarnation of Brahma Mahatapa, the son of Richika Muni and Prahlad. The respected Murari Gupta has written in his Chaitanya Charitamrita that this muni's son picked a tulasi leaf and offered it to Krishna without having washed it first. His father then cursed him to become a mleccha in his next life. He was thus born as Hari Das, a great devotee. (Gaura-ganoddesha-dipika 93-95)

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Pulaha Rishi

BY: SUN STAFF

Sep 16, CANADA (SUN) — A study of the famous Rishis and Munis of Vedic literature.

Pulaha Rishi is another of the manasa-putra Prajapatis, and a Saptarishi from the first Manvantara. He was born from the navel of Lord Brahma. He was burned due to a curse made by Lord Shiva, then was born again in Vaivasvata Manvantara, this time from Agni's hair.

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Parsva Ekadasi

BY: SUN STAFF

Sep 13, CANADA (SUN) — Parivartinii or Parsva Ekadasi, from the Brahma-vaivarta Purana, observed September 14th in LA and Mayapur.

Sri Yudhishthira Maharaja asked of Lord Sri Krishna, "What is the name of that Ekadasi that occurs during the light fortnight (shukla paksha) of the month of Bhadrapada (August-September "Hrishikesha mase")? Who is the worshipable Deity for this Ekadasi, and what merit does one attain in observing it? Kindly reveal all of this to me my Lord."

The Supreme Personality of Godhead Lord Sri Krishna addressed His devoted Yudhishthira as follows, "This Ekadasi, Oh Yudhishthira, is called Vamana Ekadasi, and it bestows upon those who observe it both great merit and ultimate liberation from material bondage. Therefore, because it removes all one's sinful reactions, it is also called Jayanti Ekadasi. Just hearing of its glories frees one from all his past misdeeds.

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Kratu Rishi, Part 2

BY: SUN STAFF

Sep 13, CANADA (SUN) — A study of the famous Rishis and Munis of Vedic literature.

Some of the details of Kratu Rishi's lineage and role as Saptarishi during various Manvantaras was mentioned in our first segment. In particular, the fact that he was the progenitor of 60,000 thumb-sized sons. This is but one of many pastimes associated with Rishi Kratu that are mentioned throughout sastra.

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Sri Vilapa Kusumanjali

BY: SUN STAFF

Sep 11, CANADA (SUN) — Srila Raghunatha dasa Goswami - Special Prayers to Srimati Radharani, on this Her Appearance Day.

Special Prayers

tvad-alokana-kalahi-
damsair eva mrtam janam
tvat-padabja-milal-laksa-
bhesajair devi jivaya

TRANSLATION

O Radharani, the queen of Vrndavana, with the medicine of the red lac from Your lotus feet, please bring back to life this person now dead from the bites of the black snake of not seeing You.

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Sri Sri Radhika Astottara-sata-nama Stotram

BY: SUN STAFF

Sep 11, CANADA (SUN) — 108 Names of Srimati Radharani by Srila Raghunatha Dasa Goswami.

aviksatmesvari kascid vrndavana-mahesvarim tat padamboja-maka gati dasyati katara patita tat-saras tire ruda tyartha-ravakulam tac chri-vaktreksanavaptyai namanyetani sanjagau

Some maidservant, unable to find her mistress, has fallen on the bank of Radhakunda, crying in great anxiety, being very eager to take exclusive shelter of Her lotus feet, glorifying Her by singing the following names of Her:

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Kratu Rishi

BY: SUN STAFF

Sep 11, CANADA (SUN) — A study of the famous Rishis and Munis of Vedic literature.

Kratu Rishi, another of the Saptarishis, is mentioned in Mahabharata as being a Prajapati in the Swayambhuva Manvantara. He is the desired son of Lord Brahma, having been born from Brahma's hand. Kratu Rishi was the progenitor of 60,000 sons, who were collectively known as Valakhilyas. These sons were born to Kratu and his wife Santhati (Sannati), the daughter of Prajapati Daksha. (Bhagavat Purana)

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Pulastya Rishi

BY: SUN STAFF

Sep 09, CANADA (SUN) — A study of the famous Rishis and Munis of Vedic literature.

Pulastya Rishi is another of the Prajapati, or mind-born sons of Brahma, and is among the Saptarishis in the first Manvantara. He was the medium through which some of the Puranas were communicated to man. He received the Vishnu Purana from Lord Brahma and communicated it to Parashara, who delivered it to mankind.

All the Rakshasas are said to have come from Rishi Pulastya's line. Pulastya was married to one of Kardama muni's nine daughters, Havirbhoo. They had two sons - Maharshi Agastya and Visravas. Visravas and his wife Kekasi bore Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Vibhishana. With his wife Ilavida, he had the son, Kubera.

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Kirtimukha, Roaring Lion and Flying Vidyadharas
in Temple Art

BY: SUN STAFF

Sep 09, CANADA (SUN) — By S.S. Pandey, Orissan Review.

The Head of Glory or kirtimukha, Roaring Lion or jagrata, and the Flying vidyadhara are profusely carved on the temple walls of the upper Mahanadi valley from the 9th century onwards, but the earliest of these motifs are found amidst the temple ruins at Mohangiri in the Kalahandi and Banei in Sundergarh districts. The kirtimukha motif of Mohangiri is akin to that found on the doorjamb of the Bharatesvara temple at Bhubanesvar, assigned to the 7th century. In this example, two lined threads instead of festoons of pearls come out of the mouth of the kirtimukha, forming the top portion of the caitya medallion.

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Vasistha Rishi, Part 3

BY: SUN STAFF

Sep 07, CANADA (SUN) — A study of the famous Rishis and Munis of Vedic literature.

As the story continues of Rishi Vasistha's great feud with the sage Vishvamitra, after the untimely death of his sons at the hand of his nemesis, his life was renewed by the discovery that a grandson, Parashara, was to be born.

Despite his personal situation the Rishi, being of spotless character, performed many selfless deeds. Having freed Kalmashapada from the bonds of being a rakshasa, Vasistha's noble spirit became known even to Vishvamitra. And even though his own sons had been slain, Vasistha was willing to assist king Dileep, who was suffering a barren marriage.

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The Appearance of Srimati Sita Thakurani

BY: SUN STAFF

Sep 07, CANADA (SUN) — Srimati Sita Thakurani's Appearance day is observed on September 7th. From 'Lives of the Saints' by S. Rosen.

Shri Sita Thakurani is to be worshiped just as much as Sachidevi herself, as the mother of the universe. She is the eternal wife of Shri Advaita Acharya. She was the daughter of Shri Nrishinga Baduri. She was married to Shri Advaita Acharya in Phuliya Nagara.

After their wedding, Advaita Acharya went to Nadiya, to live in Shantipura. Sita Thakurani was always absorbed in vatsalya prema for Shri Gaurasundara Prabhu, and, out of parental concern used to instruct Jagannatha Mishra on how to care for the boy.

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Sep 07, CANADA (SUN) — The Sun's weekly cartoon series.

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Vasistha Rishi, Part 2

BY: SUN STAFF

Sep 05, CANADA (SUN) — A study of the famous Rishis and Munis of Vedic literature.

The great feud between Rishi Vasistha and the sage Vishvamitra is told in both the Adi parva of Mahabharata and in the Ramayana. In the latter, the story is narrated by Satananda, King Janaka's priest, on the occasion of Rama's wedding.

The account of these events deals with not only with the pastimes of the great Rishi Vasistha, but also with the kshatriya-turned sage, Vishvamitra. The two sages took opposing sides, which resulted in the ruinous War of the Ten Kings described in the Rig Veda.

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Salve for the Eyes
of the Blind

BY: SUN STAFF

Sep 05, CANADA (SUN) — Salve for the Eyes of the Blind (Andhera Cakse Anjana) by HDG Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur, Sajjana Tosani, Vol. 8, No. 12, 1897.

In the Bengali year 1252, that is, fifty years ago, a book called Kayastha Kaustubha was published. Fifty maha-maha-panditas, such as Haldhara Tarka-cudamani, a resident of Bhattapalli, offered dandavats to that book and confirmed the things written in there to be true. There is a chart in that book. In that it is written thus:

"The kings of the royal Sena Dynasty were mixed kayasthas. Sriman Satrughna Sena was an idolator. This king made his new capital on the island of Navadvipa. It was surrounded by the waters of Ganga Devi on all four sides. The king was a siddha (perfected being). By the potency (maya) of Ganga Devi, the city became the repository of all holy tirthas and the place of all knowledge. It is for this reason that it is known as Mayapura in the sastra. Mayapure mahesani varam ekam saci-sutah ('O Parvati, the Lord will appear in full, as the Son of Saci in Mayapura' - Urddhvamnaya Tantra)."

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Prabhupada Padma-vakya

September 16, 1972, Los Angeles
Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.3.10
"…we know how this creation has taken place, how it is being maintained, how it will be annihilated, what will happen after annihilation -- everything we know by this sankhya philosophy. But they do not know. The so-called scientists, they are troubled what will happen next."

September 16, 1976, Vrndavana
Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.7.19
"Above this gross there is mental platform. So mantra is also on the mental, little above, intelligence. And above that there is spiritual platform. So if on the material platform, mental platform, the mantra can act so wonderfully, how much spiritually the mantra can benefit you."

Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. HDG A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada.

108 Krsna Pastimes -
Toll Taking, Part 3

BY: SUN STAFF

Sep 13, CANADA (SUN) — Sri Krsna's divine pastimes.

84. Your priceless loveliness rebukes the beauty of ten million goddesses of fortune. You are the crest jewel among the Vraja-gopis, each of whom is more enchanting than one hundred thousand Laksmis. For Your exquisite beauty You must give to Me Your body as toll-payment.

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The Ramayana of Valmiki, Part 409

BY: SUN STAFF

Sep 13, CANADA (SUN) — A serial presentation of 'The Epic Journey of Rama'.

Book VI - Canto III. - Lanká

"He ceased: and Raghu's son gave heed,
Attentive to his prudent rede:
Then turned again, with hope inspired,
To Hanumán, and thus inquired:
"Light were the task for thee, I ween,
To bridge the sea that gleams between
The mainland and the island shore.

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108 Krsna Pastimes -
Toll Taking, Part 2

BY: SUN STAFF

Sep 11, CANADA (SUN) — Sri Krsna's divine pastimes.

28. Overwhelmed with passion, Radha stared at Lord Giridhari. Her body became bathed with tears and perspiration. O my friend Sudati, She trembled, and only with great difficulty was able to keep the glistening pot of ghee from slipping out of Her lotus hand.

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The Ramayana of Valmiki, Part 408

BY: SUN STAFF

Sep 11, CANADA (SUN) — A serial presentation of 'The Epic Journey of Rama'.

Book VI - Canto II. - Sugríva's Speech

"He ceased: and King Sugríva tried
To calm his grief, and thus replied:
"'Be to thy nobler nature true,
Nor let despair thy soul subdue.
This cloud of causeless woe dispel,
For all as yet has prospered well,
And we have traced thy queen, and know
The dwelling of our Rákshas foe.

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108 Krsna Pastimes -
Toll Taking

BY: SUN STAFF

Sep 09, CANADA (SUN) — Sri Krsna's divine pastimes.

Today we begin another category of Sri Krsna's lilas – His demands for tolls, taxes and benefit of gifts. Krsna is often joined by the cowherd boys, bringing consternation to Radha and the gopis, and their retaliation follows. Among the many delightful pastimes of the Lord, these manifest lilas are nectar to the Vaisnavas. In his Sri Bhagavatamrta Kanika, Sri Visvanath Cakravarti Thakur describes the vast array of the Lord's transcendental pastimes:

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The Ramayana of Valmiki, Part 407

BY: SUN STAFF

Sep 09, CANADA (SUN) — A serial presentation of 'The Epic Journey of Rama'.

Book VI - Canto I. - Ráma's Speech

"The son of Raghu heard, consoled,
The wondrous tale Hanumán told;
And, as his joyous hope grew high,
In friendly words he made reply:
"Behold a mighty task achieved,
Which never heart but his conceived.
Who else across the sea can spring,
Save Váyu and the Feathered King?

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108 Krsna Pastimes -
Lilas of Disguise, Part 8

BY: SUN STAFF

Sep 07, CANADA (SUN) — Sri Krsna's divine pastimes.

Today we present a most beautiful and illuminating narrative on Sri Krsna's pastimes of trickery. In the Prema-samputa of Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur we find an elaborate exchange between the disguised Krsna and Radharana. Their rasa unfolds in the narrative between Krsna, costumed as a demigoddess, and Radha with her gopi friends.

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The Ramayana of Valmiki, Part 406

BY: SUN STAFF

Sep 07, CANADA (SUN) — A serial presentation of 'The Epic Journey of Rama'.

Book VI. - Canto XVI. - Ráma's Speech

"There ceased the Vánar: Ráma pressed
The treasured jewel to his breast,
And from his eyes the waters broke
As to the Vánar king he spoke:
"As o'er her babe the mother weeps,
This flood of tears the jewel steeps.

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108 Krsna Pastimes -
Lilas of Disguise, Part 7

BY: SUN STAFF

Sep 05, CANADA (SUN) — Sri Krsna's divine pastimes.

In Sri Vrindavana-Mahimamrita, the Nectarean Glories of Sri Vrindavana by Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati, we find several passages narrating the guises and disguises Sri Krsna employs to get the association of His beloved Radha.

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The Ramayana of Valmiki, Part 405

BY: SUN STAFF

Sep 05, CANADA (SUN) — A serial presentation of 'The Epic Journey of Rama'.

Book VI. - Canto XV. - The Tidings

"And Hanumán the brave and bold
His tidings to the monarch told;
But first in Ráma's hand he placed
The gem that Sítá's brow had graced:
"I crossed the sea: I searched a while
For Sítá in the giants' isle.

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108 Krsna Pastimes -
Lilas of Disguise, Part 6

BY: SUN STAFF

Sep 03, CANADA (SUN) — Sri Krsna's divine pastimes.

Today we hear a narration of the divine trickery Sri Krsna plays on Radha, taking the disguise of a poor mendicant in order to get Radha's offering of alms. This 'Kamoda-raga' is from the Padavali of Srila Govinda Das Thakur. Set in 62 Ragas, it was translated by Sriman Kusakratha dasa.

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The Ramayana of Valmiki, Part 404

BY: SUN STAFF

Sep 03, CANADA (SUN) — A serial presentation of 'The Epic Journey of Rama'.

Book VI. - Canto VIII. - The Feast Of Honey

"They rose in air: the region grew
Dark with their shadow as they flew.
Swift to a lovely grove they came
That rivalled heavenly Nandan's fame;
Where countless bees their honey stored,—
The pleasance of the Vánars' lord,
To every creature fenced and barred,
Which Dadhimukh was set to guard,
A noble Vánar, brave and bold,
Sugríva's uncle lofty-souled.

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Vasistha Rishi

BY: SUN STAFF

Sep 03, CANADA (SUN) — A study of the famous Rishis and Munis of Vedic literature.

Today we look at another of the great sages in the category of the Saptarishis -- the Rishi Vasistha. Vasistha is among the Seven Great Sages in the current manvantara, or age of Manu. Sage Vasistha is often pictured with Kamadhenu and her child, Nandini, the Wish-fulfilling Cow. He is married to Arundhuti, and RgVeda (7:33) states that he is the son of MitraVaruṇa and Urvasi.

One of the nine Prajapatis, Vasistha is credited as being the chief author of Mandala 7 of the RgVeda. He and his family are glorified in RV 7.33, which glorifies their role in the Battle of the Ten Kings. He is thus the only mortal besides Bhava Rishi to have a Rigvedic hymn dedicated to him.

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