CONTENTS:
- THE GLORIES OF NAVADWIP DHAM
- QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
- SRILA PRABHUPADA'S APPRECIATION
- GURU MAHARAJA’S INSTRUCTIONS
1. THE GLORIES OF NAVADWIP DHAM
The Ganges River runs through Gauramandala, Gaurmandala which contains Navadwip dham in the centre. Navadwip is the centre of the lotus and as the lotus expands, the full lotus is Gauramandala. 168 miles in circumference, Vrajamandal is 84 times 2 equals 168. The Saraswati and Yamuna rivers are there. This Navadwip in its lotus form is not visible to those who don’t have the eyes. Lord Shiva is saying they are visible through dreams, meditation and through the naked eyes of those who are pure devotees of the Lord All the spiritual abodes like Swetadwip, Vaikuntha, Goloka and Vrindavan and the famous sacred 7 cities of the world. In Vrindavan there are 12 forests one after another in sequence. By the Lord’s desire there is no order the uncommon forest increases the prema or the mood.
Although the 12 forests of Vrindavan are not there in Navadwip. One will find the same places like Rasathali, Govardhan. All the leela places of Vrindavan are situated in Navadwip. There is no distinction between Navadwip and Vrindavan and Gauranga and Krishna. Vrindavan and Navadwip are non-different. The only difference is the forests of Vrindavan are in order or sequence whereas in Navadwip it’s not like that. Although they are not obviously perceived in Navadwip dham still one will find the same transcendental places like Rasathali, Giri govardhan, Radhakund and others. The leela places of Vrindavan are situated in Navadwip dham. Lord Shiva told Parvati the glories of Navadwip are like the glories of Vrindavan, hearing them destroys all sins and creates devotional service and spiritual advancement.
I offer my obeisances to anyone who understands. There is nothing as sweet as Gauravan, Gauranga’s Forest. All glories to Lord Gauranga’s Forest which is shining like golden tilak covered with the white garments of the Ganga water, splendid with blossoming champaka flowers filled with various rasa and saturated with the sweetest nectar of Krishna Prema which is relished by the beloved Srimati Radharani Lord Gauranga’s Forest which is filled with the unlimited sweet nectar of love. Thank you very much. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
2. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q: It is mentioned in the book all the pastimes places in Navadwip. Please explain the different bhavas?
A: Patimes of Krishna enjoying is that he is distributing love. They are enjoying rasa dance but in the rasa dance there is sankirtan. At night he is dancing rasa dance in Vrindavan at night at Srivas Thakur’s house there is chanting. So, in these pastimes sankirtan is going on.
Q: Why does Gorvardhan and rasathali manifest?
A: It’s not exactly Gorvardhan but a replication. In his pastimes what Krishna is doing tending to his cows here he is having sankirtan with his associates.
3. SRILA PRABHUPADA'S APPRECIATION
“Srila Prabhupada’s stay in Calcutta was extremely busy. He knew a lot of people there, and many of them came to see him. One afternoon a few reporters came to interview him, appreciative of his achievement sin the West. “Srila Prabhupada” said one, “what you have done is unprecedented. Never in history has such a thing happened. Within such a short time a spiritual movement has spread all over the world...Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu spread this movement only throughout India, but you have spread it all over the world.” “No, “Prabhupada replied. “What I have done is simply due to the mercy of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and my Guru Maharaja. They have actually done everything. They simply let me have the credit.”
(Extract from “Ocean of Mercy” by HH Bhakti Charu Swami)
4. GURU MAHARAJA’S INSTRUCTIONS
- There is no distinction between Navadwip and Vrindavan and Gauranga and Krishna. Vrindavan and Navadwip are non-different.
- Once again, I request, please follow these three instructions. No matter whatever happens, never ever leave ISKCON. If you love Srila Prabhupada express your love through corporation with one another. Always place yourself under the authority of GBC and I can Assure you will never go wrong.
(The content of this E-magazine is based on a lecture given by HH Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaja on the glories of Navadwip dham.)
(Compiled and Edited by Hemavati Radhika Devi Dasi)