Hrsikesa Krsna Astami

For several days leading up to the Appearance Day of Bhagavan Sri Krsna, thousands of sadhus and pilgrims were finding their way to Mathura Dhama to observe the Janmastami-vrata (vow), to have darsan of Kamsa's Dungeon where Vasudeva Krsna appeared 5000 years ago, to bathe in the sacred Yamuna, and to perform parikrama of the many significant tirthas in and around Mathura. By the causeless mercy of...

Sri Jayadeva Gosvami's kirtana, Sri Mangala-Gitam, glorifies Bhagavan Sri Krsna, but moreover it indicates the glories of Srimati Radhika. This is because Lord Krsna's highest glories are not manifest without His being in Her association...

Every verse of Srimad-Bhagavatam is also a mantra, and one can attain siddhi (perfection) from each of them. These verses can fulfill even the topmost desire, but unfortunately we have no faith in this. We are chanting the maha-mantra and we have no faith in it; but this and all other mantras are truly kalpa-vrksa, desire trees. Every sloka of Srimad-Bhagavatam is like the kama-dhenus (the cows of Goloka Vrndavana, who can fulfill all of one's desires). Not only one kama-dhenu – each sloka can be compared to millions of kama-dhenus...

Sri Krsna takes shelter of kamala. Srita means shelter, and here, kamala means Radharani. Kuca-mandala means that Krsna is taking shelter of the breasts of Radharani. Dhrta-kundala. Krsna's kundala (earrings) are not ordinary. His kundala is the glories of Radharani, and He is always "wearing" that...