The Biography of HDG Srila Gaurakisora Dasa Babaji Maharaja, Part 2
BY: SUN STAFF
Apr 13, CANADA (SUN) A serial presentation of the life and pastimes of our illustrious Sampradaya Acaraya.
The Charming Garden of Svananda-sukhada-kunja
In 1898, when Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura was staying in Godrumadvipa, just after the garden of Svananda-sukhada-kunja had been built, he first met his spiritual master, Srila Gaurakisora. One day, humbly following the direct instruction of Srimati Radharani, and chanting in a sad voice, Srila Gaurakisora, the chief of the followers of Srila Rupa Gosvami, arrived in the beautiful garden of Svananda-sukhada-kunja. This transcendental crown jewel of the renounced order was wearing a tigerskin cap and carrying a basket containing various paraphernalia used in his personal bhajana.
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Parishads: Sri Vamsivadana Thakura and Sri Syamananda Pandita
BY: SUN STAFF
Apr 13, CANADA (SUN) The Appearance day of Vamsivadana Thakura & Syamananda Prabhu is observed on April 13th.
Sri Vamshivadanananda Thakura
The gopis praised the good fortune of Krishna's flute, for he was able to constantly drink the nectar of Krishna's lips. Everything in Vraja is spiritual, i.e., conscious, and so the flute could take human form as Sri Vamshivadanananda Thakur. His life story has been recounted by his grandson, Shrivallabha Das, in the book Vamshi-vilasa. Other books which contain details of his life are Shripata-paryatana and Bhakti-ratnakara, and the Gaudiya Vaishnava Abhidhana also gives a brief biography.
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The Ramayana of Valmiki, Part 499
BY: SUN STAFF
Apr 13, CANADA (SUN) A serial presentation of 'The Epic Journey of Rama'.
Book VI - Canto CXXI - Dasaratha
"To him Maheśvar thus replied:
"O strong-armed hero, lotus-eyed,
Thou, best of those who love the right,
Hast nobly fought the wondrous fight.
Dispelled by thee the doom that spread
Through trembling earth and heaven is fled.
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Prabhupada Padma-vakya
BY: SUN STAFF
Apr 13, CANADA (SUN)
Audio files with transcripts recorded on this day.
April 13, 1973, New York
Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.8.21
"You cannot approach the unlimited by your limited knowledge. That is
not possible. So, by the grace of devotees like Kuntidevi, we can
understand that here is Vasudeva."
April 13, 1974, Bombay
Bhagavad-gita 4.24
"Just like a drop of sea water and the sea, chemical composition is
the same, but the drop of sea water is not equal to the sea. This is
Vaisnava philosophy."
April 13, 1976, Bombay
Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.12.02
"The birds and beasts, they are also doing the same thing. In the
morning they find out any tree, anywhere they stop, and small fruits
they can eat. So the eating arrangement is already there, although they
have no kitchen or hotel."
Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. HDG A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada.

The Biography of HDG Srila Gaurakisora Dasa Babaji Maharaja
BY: SUN STAFF
Apr 11, CANADA (SUN) A serial presentation of the life and pastimes of our illustrious Sampradaya Acaraya.
vihaya sangam kuliyalayanam
pragrhya sevam dayitanugasya
vibhasi mayapura-mandirastho
namo namo gaura-kisora tubhyam
O Srila Gaurakisora, you abandoned the association of worldly people and went to live alone at Kuliya in the island of Koladvipa, where you accepted the service of Sri Dayita dasa. Your effulgent personality illuminates the temple of Sri Dayita dasa in the sacred abode of Sri Mayapura dhama. I eternally offer my obeisances unto you, Srila Gaurakisora.
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The Ramayana of Valmiki, Part 498
BY: SUN STAFF
Apr 11, CANADA (SUN) A serial presentation of 'The Epic Journey of Rama'.
Book VI - Canto CXX - Sítá Restored
"Thus spoke the Self-existent Sire:
Then swiftly from the blazing pyre
The circling flames were backward rolled,
And, raising in his gentle hold
Alive unharmed the Maithil dame,
The Lord of Fire embodied came.
Fair as the morning was her sheen,
And gold and gems adorned the queen.
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Sri Garuda, Part 8
BY: SUN STAFF
Apr 09, CANADA (SUN) A serial exploration of Sri Garuda, the transcendental carrier of Lord Visnu.
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The Ramayana of Valmiki, Part 497
BY: SUN STAFF
Apr 09, CANADA (SUN) A serial presentation of 'The Epic Journey of Rama'.
Book VI - Canto CXIX - Glory To Vishnu
"The shrill cry pierced through Ráma's ears
And his sad eyes o'erflowed with tears,
When lo, transported through the sky
A glorious band of Gods was nigh.
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Sri Garuda, Part 7
BY: SUN STAFF
Apr 07, CANADA (SUN) A serial exploration of Sri Garuda, the transcendental carrier of Lord Visnu.
Glorification of Garuda
We have offered in this series an introductory tracing of the presence of Sri Garuda from India's southern tip to the northern Himalayas. There is such an abundance of examples of Garuda worship around the world that we can't begin to cover even the finest here. In fact, the presence of Garuda throughout Java, Sumatra, Bali and Cambodia is so great it will require a number of articles dedicated to that region alone.
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The Ramayana of Valmiki, Part 496
BY: SUN STAFF
Apr 07, CANADA (SUN) A serial presentation of 'The Epic Journey of Rama'.
Book VI - Canto CXVIII - Sítá's Reply
"Struck down with overwhelming shame
She shrank within her trembling frame.
Each word of Ráma's like a dart
Had pierced the lady to the heart;
And from her sweet eyes unrestrained
The torrent of her sorrows, rained.
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Sri Garuda, Part 6
BY: SUN STAFF
Apr 05, CANADA (SUN) A serial exploration of Sri Garuda, the transcendental carrier of Lord Visnu.
Kathmandu Garuda
In previous segments, we looked at the history of Sri Garuda's presence in Nepal, and at a number of the beautiful murtis found in Patan and Bhaktapur. Today we complete the Nepal Garuda tour with a visit to the City of Kathmandu.
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The Ramayana of Valmiki, Part 495
BY: SUN STAFF
Apr 05, CANADA (SUN) A serial presentation of 'The Epic Journey of Rama'.
Book VI - Canto CXVII - Sítá's Disgrace
"He saw her trembling by his side,
And looked upon her face and cried:
"Lady, at length my task is done,
And thou, the prize of war, art won,
This arm my glory has retrieved,
And all that man might do achieved;
The insulting foe in battle slain
And cleared mine honour from its stain.
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Sri Garuda, Part 5
BY: SUN STAFF
Apr 03, CANADA (SUN) A serial exploration of Sri Garuda, the transcendental carrier of Lord Visnu.
Bhaktapur Garuda
Adjacent to the City of Patan, Nepal is Bhaktapur. This holy dhama is home to a number of beautiful murtis of Sri Garuda, several of which reside in the famed Changu Narayan temple. Located at a height of 1541 m. in Bhaktapur, Changu Narayan is the oldest temple in the Kathmandu Valley, dating back to 323 A.D. The temple was erected by King Hari Dutta, a Licchavi king. He ordered the building of four hilltop Narayan temples around Changu Village (Doladri, in Sanskrit). The other temples are Ichangu Narayan, at the West, Sikhara Narayan, and Lokapalasvamin.
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The Ramayana of Valmiki, Part 494
BY: SUN STAFF
Apr 03, CANADA (SUN) A serial presentation of 'The Epic Journey of Rama'.
Book VI - Canto CXVI - The Meeting
"He looked upon that archer chief
Whose full eye mocked the lotus leaf,
And thus the noble Vánar spake:
"Now meet the queen for whose dear sake
Thy mighty task was first begun,
And now the glorious fruit is won.
O'erwhelmed with woe thy lady lies,
The hot tears streaming from her eyes.
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Sri Garuda, Part 4
BY: SUN STAFF
Mar 30, CANADA (SUN) A serial exploration of Sri Garuda, the transcendental carrier of Lord Visnu.
Garuda in the North
Along the northeast ridge of India lies the nation of Nepal, whose cities and ancient villages were built in amongst the great Himalayan range. Best known to international travelers is the capital city of Kathmandu, which has long been an exotic destination. But for the devotees, there are hundreds of temples and holy sites throughout the country of great interest.
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The Ramayana of Valmiki, Part 493
BY: SUN STAFF
Mar 30, CANADA (SUN) A serial presentation of 'The Epic Journey of Rama'.
Book VI - Canto CXV - Sítá's Joy
"The Vánar chieftain bowed his head,
Within the walls of Lanká sped,
Leave from the new-made king obtained,
And Sítá's lovely garden gained.
Beneath a tree the queen he found,
Where Rákshas warders watched around.
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Sri Garuda, Part 3
BY: SUN STAFF
Mar 28, CANADA (SUN) A serial exploration of Sri Garuda, the transcendental carrier of Lord Visnu.
Where only a small and select group of temples are found to be entirely dedicated to the glorification of Sri Garuda, there are many temples who provide murtis, stambas and temple art of Sri Garuda, for the worship and devotees. Once example is the famous Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple of Kerala, in which the presiding Deity is Lord Visnu Himself. Located in the City of Thiruvananthapuram, devotees visiting this well known Vaisnava temple are greeting by a large murti of Garuda Vaaghanam, the vahana of Lord Visnu.
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The Ramayana of Valmiki, Part 492
BY: SUN STAFF
Mar 28, CANADA (SUN) A serial presentation of 'The Epic Journey of Rama'.
Book VI - Canto CXIV - Vibhishan Consecrated
"Joy reigned in heaven where every eye
Had seen the Lord of Lanká die.
In cars whose sheen surpassed the sun's
Triumphant rode the radiant ones:
And Rávaṇ's death, by every tongue,
And Ráma's glorious deeds were sung.
They praised the Vánars true and brave,
The counsel wise Sugríva gave.
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Sri Garuda, Part 2
BY: SUN STAFF
Mar 25, CANADA (SUN) A serial exploration of Sri Garuda, the transcendental carrier of Lord Visnu .
The distribution of murtis and images in honor of Sri Garuda are a testament to the devotees' great affection for this transcendental vahana (carrier) of Lord Visnu. Beautiful murtis of Garuda are found throughout the southeastern Asia, from Patan, Nepal to Kerala, in Bali, Cambodia, Fiji, and elsewhere. While a tremendous number of Garuda images are found in temple carvings, on stambhas, and in murti form, there are few temples dedicated primarily to the worship of Garuda, in which he is the presiding Deity.
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The Ramayana of Valmiki, Part 491
BY: SUN STAFF
Mar 25, CANADA (SUN) A serial presentation of 'The Epic Journey of Rama'.
Book VI - Canto CXIII - Mandodarí's Lament
"While thus they wept, supreme in place,
The loveliest for form and face,
Mandodarí drew near alone,
Looked on her lord and made her moan:
"Ah Monarch, Indra feared to stand
In fight before thy conquering hand.
FULL STORY

Sri Garuda
BY: SUN STAFF
Mar 23, CANADA (SUN) A serial exploration of Sri Garuda, the transcendental carrier of Lord Visnu beginning with a summary description of the Introduction to Sri Garuda Purana.
Lord Visnu's Incarnations
Sutji once reached Naimisharanya in the course of his pilgrimage. There he found numerous sages engaged in austerities and penance. All of them were delighted to find Sutji in their midst and considered it a God-sent opportunity to get their doubts related to various religious topics cleared. The Sage Shaunak was also present there, and he asked Sutji --' O revered sage! Who is the creator of this world? Who nurtures it and who annihilates it in the end? How can one realize the supreme Almighty? How many incarnations has the Almighty taken till now? Please enlighten us on all these things, which are shrouded in mystery.'
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The Ramayana of Valmiki, Part 490
BY: SUN STAFF
Mar 23, CANADA (SUN) A serial presentation of 'The Epic Journey of Rama'.
Book VI - Canto CXII - The Rákshas Dames
"High rose the universal wail
That mourned the monarch's death, and, pale
With crushing woe, her hair unbound,
Her eyes in floods of sorrow drowned,
Forth from the inner chambers came
With trembling feet each royal dame,
Heedless of those who bade them stay
They reached the field where Rávaṇ lay;
There falling by their husband's side,
"Ah, King! ah dearest lord!" they cried.
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The Mahajanapadas of Jambudvipa, Part 17
BY: SUN STAFF
Mar 20, CANADA (SUN) A serial exploration of the island of Jambudvipa and the sixteen Great States residing there.
The Kamboja Kingdom
Today we present the last of solasa (sixteen) mahajanapadas -- the great states of ancient India. The Kamboja Kingdom has been mentioned in association with the Gandhara Kingdom, the two being located in close proximity to one another in northwest India. Kamboja is also listed along with Darada and the Bahlika (Bactria).
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The Ramayana of Valmiki, Part 489
BY: SUN STAFF
Mar 20, CANADA (SUN) A serial presentation of 'The Epic Journey of Rama'.
Book VI - Canto CXI - Vibhishan's Lament
"Vibhishaṇ saw his brother slain,
Nor could his heart its woe contain.
O'er the dead king he sadly bent
And mourned him with a loud lament:
"O hero, bold and brave," he cried,
"Skilled in all arms, in battle tried.
Spoiled of thy crown, with limbs outspread,
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The Serpent Kaliya – The Hidden Meaning
BY: SUN STAFF

Mar 20, CANADA (SUN) By HDG Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur, published in Sree Sajjanatoshani (The Harmonist), May 1932.
"There is a beautiful lake of very sweet water in the Yamuna, which bears the name of Kaliya. This lake happened to be infested by a most venomous Serpent from whom the lake derives its name. On a certain day while the cowboys of Braja were out pasturing their calves on the wooded banks of the Yamuna they happened to feel thirsty and not knowing that the water of the lake had been poisoned by Kaliya drank of its water which resulted in their instantaneous death. On being apprised of their plight Krishna came to the spot and restored them to life.
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Universal Brotherhood and the Temple of Lord Jagannath at Paradip
BY: SUN STAFF

Mar 20, CANADA (SUN) By Prabhat K. Nanda for Orissan Review.
Paradip Port has specific importance from cultural and religious point of view. As per the religious history of the area, famous monk, Parashar was directed to meditate at the confluence point of river Mahanadi. Bay of Bengal of today was popularly known as Kalinga Sagar from the period Before Christ. There was dense mangrove forest around the confluence point of river Mahanadi and Kalinga Sagar. The name of the area was considered Paradip after the name of monk Parashar. In public parlance, the name "Paradweep" was transferred to " Paradip".
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Papamocani Ekadasi
BY: SUN STAFF
Mar 23, CANADA (SUN) Papamocani Ekadasi, observed on March 25th in Los Angeles, 26th in Mayapur, from the Bhavishya-uttara Purana.
Sri Yudhisthira Maharaja said, "Oh Supreme Lord, I have heard from You the explanation of Amalakii Ekadasiii which occurs during the light fortnight of the month of Phalguna (February-March), and now I wish to hear about the ekadasii that occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of Chaitra (March-April). What is its name, Oh Lord, and what results can one attain by observing it?"
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