The Place of Śrī Nakula Brahmacārī (Śrī Nakula Brahmacārīra Pāṭa)

BY: SUN STAFF

Jul 22, CANADA (SUN) — By Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur, from Śrī Viṣṇupriyā Patrikā, Vol. 2, No. 3, 1890, translated by Swami B.V. Giri.

"There is a place called Pyārīgañj at the north-western end of Ambikā Nagara. The place of Brahmacārī Ṭhākura is still present there, and we went to visit it this morning. That place where his house is located is in a secluded area in the village of Pyārīgañj. First there is a flower garden. As soon as you cross the flower garden and enter the gate, you will notice a courtyard. A number of houses made from straw can be seen on three sides of the premises. On one side is a brick building for Śrī Śrī Mahāprabhu. I came to know that this place has seven bighās of land (about 2.5 acres) and there are ponds and various trees on it. All this land is used for the service of the Mahāprabhu. Money is also available from all the nearby villages. Śrī Mahāprabhu and Nityānanda reside in the temple. There is a very beautiful Gopāla and one śalagrāma. The place where the building is about half a krośa (over half a mile) from the Gaṅgā and half a poyā (about 8 kilometres) from the present paved road.

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Sri Chaitanya Bhagavat, Part 101

BY: SUN STAFF

Jul 19, CANADA (SUN) — By Sri Vrindaban Das Thakur – Antya lila, Chapter Four, Part Ten, the last.

Thus the Lord went around taking note of all the profuse arrangements, although it is impossible for me as the author to note it down in detail, such was the elaborate array. The Lord was very pleased and He began to glorify Sri Advaita to everyone. The Lord again came back to the place of kirtana. His presence immediately accelerated the enthusiasm of the kirtana, and drowned the devotees in a deluge of divine nectar. Devotees danced in every direction, singing and clapping, their uncontained joy increasing with every passing moment. Far above all sound was the clearly discernable singing of the holy names of God. The devotees were now shining with greater effulgence, their bodies decorated with sandalwood paste and flower garlands. The Lord's associates were all very near and dear to Him, and their joyous singing of the holy name spread everywhere purifying the entire universe.

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The Temple of Jagannath at Puri

BY: SUN STAFF

Jul 19, CANADA (SUN) — Historical commentary on the Puri Jagannatha temple by HDG Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur, written in English in 1871.

"There is not a Hindu who has not heard the name of this temple. The old and the young, the male and the female, the Rajah and the ryot, and the weak and the stout, all visit this temple out of a religious curiosity. Three hundred and one miles south-west of the Vice-Regal palace at Calcutta, stands this famous temple close to the seashore affording an object for a telescopic observation to the new-comer on broad the ship bound for Bengal.

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Sri Chaitanya Bhagavat, Part 100

BY: SUN STAFF

Jul 17, CANADA (SUN) — By Sri Vrindaban Das Thakur – Antya lila, Chapter Four, Part Nine.

Sri Advaita Acarya in the meanwhile in spite of such reverse conditions had continued to preach about devotional service to Lord Krishna by the Lord's mercy alone. His discourses on the Gita and Bhagavatm always stressed devotional service to Lord Krishna, which is in fact the essential truth in these books. So when Sri Madhavendra Puri came to Sri Advaita's house it was a wonderful meeting of two highly elevated Vaishnavas. When Sri Advaita saw Srila Madhavendra Puri, recognizing all the signs of saintliness in him, he immediately fell to the ground offering his obeisances. Srila Madhavendra Puri picked up Sri Advaita and embraced him warmly, drenching him with tears of spiritual ecstacy.

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King Panduvijay, Jagannath, and the Pandas

BY: SUN STAFF

Jul 17, CANADA (SUN) — by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur Prabhupada.

There was a powerful king named Pandyavijay, or Panduvijay, ruling Pandya-desh. He was born around 300 B.C. Pandya-desh was an ancient kingdom situated on the shore of the ocean in South India, forming the southernmost part of ancient Dravida. Although he was the king, Panduvijay steadily engaged himself in the worship of Lord Vishnu and the vaiṣṇavas. His reign began about 300 years after the appearance of Lord Buddha. At the time of King Panduvijay, vaiṣṇavadharma had almost been forgotten due to the vigorous preaching of the Buddhists.

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Farewell to Lord Jagannath on
Bahuda Yatra

BY: SUN STAFF

Jul 15, CANADA (SUN) — An ocean of devotees bid adieu to Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra on the occasion of Bahuda Yatra, as the Deities end their vacation at Gundicha Temple and head towards Jagannath Temple on Their chariots.

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Sri Chaitanya Bhagavat, Part 99

BY: SUN STAFF

Jul 15, CANADA (SUN) — By Sri Vrindaban Das Thakur – Antya lila, Chapter Four, Part Eight.

The Lord remained a few days more in Santipura enjoying His stay in Advaita Acarya's house. Soon it was time to celebrate the auspicious occasion of Srila Madhavendra Puri's appearance day. Although there is no difference between Madhavendra Puri and Advaita Acarya, yet Advaita Acarya considered Himself to be Madhavendra Puri's disciple. It is certain that Lord Gaurasundara is eternally present in Madhavendra Puri's body. His devotion to the Supreme Lord is unparalleled. By Lord Krishna's grace, the Lord's transcendental potencies were fully manifest in Madhavendra Puri. Kindly hear attentively how Advaita Acarya became a disciple of Sri Madhavendra Puri.

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Deva-Sayana Ekadasi

BY: SUN STAFF

Jul 15, CANADA (SUN) — Deva-Sayana (Padma) Ekadasi, from the Bhavishya-uttara Purana, observed on July 17th in Los Angeles and Mayapur.

The saintly king Yudhishthira Maharaj said, "Oh Keshava, what is the name of that Ekadasi that occurs during the light fortnight of the month of Ashadha (June - July)? Who is the worshipable Deity for the auspicious day, and what is the process for observing this event?"

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Sri Chaitanya Bhagavat, Part 98

BY: SUN STAFF

Jul 13, CANADA (SUN) — By Sri Vrindaban Das Thakur – Antya lila, Chapter Four, Part Seven.

Suddenly a leper appeared in that assembly and came before the Lord. He threw himself down on the ground like a stick groaning in pain. Then getting up he lifted his arms high and began to wail loudly. He said, "O merciful Lord, You have risen like the sun on this Earth only to dissipate the sufferings of this material life. Your compassionate nature is always moved by the distress of others, and so I have come to You. I am burning in the pain of leprosy. Kindly tell me how I can be relieved of this."

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Offering Bhoga to the Great Lord Jagannath

BY: SUN STAFF

Jul 13, CANADA (SUN) — By Dillip K. Samantary for Orissa Review.

The kings who were ruling over Orissa since the Ganga Rule (13th century A.D. onwards) were considering themselves as the servant (Rautta) of the great Lord Jagannath. The same paraphernalia as is found in a royal household is also discernible in the temple of Jagannath Mahaprabhu with much splendour and magnificence. The items of Bhogas that are offered daily to the Deities are many and varied and they are offered with royal dignity and ceremonial purity.

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Prabhupada Padma-vakya

July 24, 1973, London
Bhagavad-gita 1.31
"Brahmacari, grhastha, vanaprastha, sannyasa asrama. Asrama, when the word is added, asrama, that means it has got reference with cultivation of spiritual life."

July 24, 1973, London
Room Conversation with Reporter from Researchers Magazine
"Our philosophy is that this material world may be temporary, but because it has connection with Krsna, it can be used for Krsna's purpose. That is karma-yoga, bhakti-yoga."

July 24, 1973, London
Room Conversation with Reporter from Researchers Magazine
"Just like the king, it is the government's duty to see that nobody cheats. If a person without any medical qualification, if he writes "Doctor, Medical practitioner," he should be punished. Similarly, if one is claiming to be brahmana, he must act as brahmana."

July 24, 1975, Los Angeles
Morning Walk
"Moon is one of the heavenly planets. So unless one is very advanced in karma-kanda, offering sacrifices, nobody can go there. It is not so easy."

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

108 Divya-deshams:
Thiruvayothi, Part 3

BY: SUN STAFF

Jul 22, CANADA (SUN) — A tour of the 108 Divya-desams, the divine abodes of Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi.

The site of Ram Mandir is the former location of the Babri Masjid, which was built in the 16th century. The mosque was attacked and demolished in 1992. In 2019, the Supreme Court of India delivered the verdict to give the disputed land to back Hindus for the construction of a temple, while Muslims were to be given land elsewhere to construct a mosque.

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The Ramayana of Valmiki, Part 384

BY: SUN STAFF

Jul 22, CANADA (SUN) — A serial presentation of 'The Epic Journey of Rama'.

Book V - Canto XXXVI. - Ráma's Ring

"Receive," he cried, "this precious ring,
Sure token from thy lord the king:
The golden ring he wont to wear:
See, Ráma's name engraven there."
Then, as she took the ring he showed,
The tears that spring of rapture flowed.

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108 Divya-deshams:
Thiruvayothi, Part 2

BY: SUN STAFF

Jul 19, CANADA (SUN) — A tour of the 108 Divya-desams, the divine abodes of Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi.

The original design for Ram Mandir was devised in 1988 by the Sompura family of Ahmedabad. The Sompuras have contributed to the design of over 100 temples worldwide for at least 15 generations, including the famed Somnath temple. The temple was designed in the Māru-Gurjara architecture of Nagara style, a type of temple architecture found primarily in northern India.

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The Ramayana of Valmiki, Part 383

BY: SUN STAFF

Jul 19, CANADA (SUN) — A serial presentation of 'The Epic Journey of Rama'.

Book V - Canto XXXV. Hanumán's Speech

With joyous heart she heard him tell
Of the great lord she loved so well,
And in sweet accents, soft and low,
Spoke, half forgetful of her woe:
"How didst thou stand by Ráma's side?
How came my lord and thou allied?
How met the people of the wood
With men on terms of brotherhood?

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108 Divya-deshams:
Thiruvayothi (Ram Janmabhoomi)

BY: SUN STAFF

Jul 17, CANADA (SUN) — A tour of the 108 Divya-desams, the divine abodes of Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi.

It is established in the Ramayana that Ayodhya is the place of Lord Rama's appearance, Ayodhya being one of the seven most sacred dhams on earth, thus one of the 108 Divya Desham temples. Three places in Ayodhya are considered to be the most prominent puṇya kṣētra ('virtued pilgrimage sites), being Janmasthāna ('the birthplace'), Svargadvāra (the gateway to Heaven) and Yajñasthala (place where holy sacrifice was performed).

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The Ramayana of Valmiki, Part 382

BY: SUN STAFF

Jul 17, CANADA (SUN) — A serial presentation of 'The Epic Journey of Rama'.

Book V - Canto XXXIV. Hanumán's Speech

Thus spoke the dame in mournful mood,
And Hanumán his speech renewed:
"O lady, by thy lord's decree
I come a messenger to thee.
Thy lord is safe with steadfast friends,
And greeting to his queen he sends,
And Lakshmaṇ, ever faithful bows
His reverent head to Ráma's spouse."

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108 Divya-deshams:
Thiruvenkadam, Part 3

BY: SUN STAFF

Jul 15, CANADA (SUN) — A tour of the 108 Divya-desams, the divine abodes of Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi.

Venkateswara Swami Temple has three dvarams (entrances) which lead to the garbhagriha from outside. Mahadvaram, also known as padikavali, is the first entrance through Mahaprakaram (the outer compound wall). A 50 ft. tall, five-storied gopuram is constructed over this Mahadvaram with seven kalasams at its apex.

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The Ramayana of Valmiki, Part 381

BY: SUN STAFF

Jul 15, CANADA (SUN) — A serial presentation of 'The Epic Journey of Rama'.

Book V - Canto XXXIII. - The Colloquy

Down from the tree Hanumán came
And humbly stood before the dame.
Then joining reverent palm to palm
Addressed her thus with words of balm:
"Why should the tears of sorrow rise,
Sweet lady, to those lovely eyes,
As when the wind-swept river floods
Two half expanded lotus buds?

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108 Divya-deshams:
Thiruvenkadam, Part 2

BY: SUN STAFF

Jul 13, CANADA (SUN) — A tour of the 108 Divya-desams, the divine abodes of Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi.

Thiruvenkadam is considered one of the eight Swayambhu Kshetras of Vishnu, where the presiding deity is believed to have self-manifested. The seven other temples in this line are Srirangam Ranganathaswamy Temple, Bhu Varaha Swamy Temple and Vanamamalai Perumal Temple in South India; Saligrama in Nepal; and Naimisaranya, Pushkar and Badrinath Temple in North India.

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The Ramayana of Valmiki, Part 380

BY: SUN STAFF

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

Book V - Canto XXXII. - Sítá's Doubt

Her eyes the Maithil lady raised
And on the monkey speaker gazed.
She looked, and trembling at the sight
Wept bitter tears in wild affright.
She shrank a while with fear distraught,
Then, nerved again, the lady thought:
"Is this a dream mine eyes have seen,
This creature, by our laws unclean?

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Jul 13, CANADA (SUN) — The Sun's weekly cartoon series.

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