ALAS, HOW STRONG IS THE DESIRE TO ENJOY!!

Even though covid is spreading so rapidly with the possibility of death lingering very close to us still, the desire to enjoy this world is still strong. Isn't it surprising? Probably not because Maya after all is very strong and clever. She keeps the hope to enjoy this world even in the face of the greatest dangers alive and burning in our hearts and thus keeps us stuck here birth after birth.

As Adi Shankaracharya prays in his famous Bhaja Govindam song -

"Angam Galitam Palitam Mundam
Dasanavihinam Jatam Tundam
Vrddho Yati Grhitva Dandam
Tadapi Na Muncatyasapindam
Bhaja Govindam Bhaja Govindam……."_

"The body has become worn out. The head has turned grey. The mouth has become toothless. The old man moves about leaning on his staff. Even then he doesn't give up the bundle of his desires.
O foolish mind! seek Govinda!"

The body may become weak but the desires to enjoy still remains strong until we weaken them by practicing strong Bhakti.

- Achyut Gopal Das

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A RADHASHTAMI MEDITATION

Jai Sri Radhe!! Is the chant on everyone's minds and hearts now. Atleast in the minds and hearts of devotees. It's time to celebrate the most auspicious of auspicious festivals; it's time to celebrate Sri Radhashtami - the appearance day of Srimati Radharani. For devotees, Radhashtami is a more important festival than Janmashtami. Why? Because for the world Krishna is God but for devotees, Radha is God because they know that Krishna is subservient to the love of Radha. In our ISKCON circle, it is said that - Janmashtami is a public event but Radhashtami is a private event for only devotees who understand the supreme position of Srimati Radharani. On the most auspicious occasion of Radhashtami, I would like to bring to your attention a beautiful meditation that His Holiness Bhakti Tirtha Swami wrote many years back on this occasion called "An offering for the Divine Mother". The best prayer is to repeat the prayer of previous realized, great souls. Keeping thi...

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