Meditations on Transcendence

Sloka (Bhagavata Purana 1.2.6): sa vai puṁsāṁ paro dharmo, yato bhaktir adhokṣaje, ahaituky apratihatā, yayātmā suprasīdati. "The supreme dharma for all humanity is that by which one can attain loving devotional service unto the transcendental Lord. Such devotional service must be unmotivated and uninterrupted to completely satisfy the self." --- To love God कृष्ण is not a matter of external reasoning, for the love for कृष्ण (कृष्ण) is already अन्तर्निहित (inherent) in the dormant soul (जीवात्मा). This स्वाभाविक (natural) affection for सर्व कारण कारणं (the cause of all causes) is spontaneous, like the love for one's parents or birthplace (जन्मभूमि). Yet, the मायाशक्ति (illusory potency) sometimes covers this स्वाभाविक प्रेम (natural love). The उद्घाटन (uncovering) of this love is the essence of योग and अध्यात्म (spirituality). Through नवधा भक्ति (ninefold devotion), this dormant love for कृष्ण can be awakened, leading to पूर्ण आनन्द (complete bliss).

# Krishna Prema Bhakti: The Divine Bath of Immersion In the ocean of bhakti yoga, the concept of *sarvatma snapanam* ripples with profound significance. This Sanskrit phrase, meaning "bathing of the entire self," perfectly captures the essence of *Krishna prema bhakti* - a love so deep it submerges the devotee completely in divine bliss. Like a swimmer *nimajjantam* (immersing) in cool waters, the bhakta plunges into the *ananda kunde* (pool of ecstasy) of Krishna's love. The act of *snapanam* (bathing) is not merely external; it permeates every layer of one's being. As water cleanses the body, *prema bhakti* purifies the *atman* (soul). This spiritual bath washes away the *mala* (impurities) of material existence, leaving the devotee pristine and ready for divine union. The *bhakta* becomes *nimagna* (fully immersed) in thoughts of Krishna, each moment a fresh dip in the waters of devotion. In this state of constant *snapanam*, the devotee experiences *svaghosam nima...

कृष्णभावनाभाविताः च गोपीभावनाभाविताः (Krishna Consciousness is Gopi Consciousness) Krishna consciousness (कृष्णभावना) signifies the awareness of the divine presence of Krishna at every moment, in every place, in every breath. The गोपिकाः of वृन्दावन are the highest exemplars of this state of consciousness. Their प्रेम (love) is unmixed with any knowledge of कृष्ण's ऐश्वर्य (supremacy), free from the concept of divinity, and focused entirely on his सखा (friend) or beloved form. This निर्विशेष (pure) and intimate love, devoid of grandeur, embodies the रस (essence) of Krishna consciousness. As the Gita proclaims, "सूत्रे मणिगणा इव" (BG 7.7), Krishna is the सूत्र (thread) holding together the entire universe like pearls on a string. The गोपिकाः did not meditate on Krishna as परमेश्वर (supreme lord), but simply as their beloved गोपाल, untouched by the idea of his cosmic authority. This प्रेमाभक्ति (love-filled devotion) is the pinnacle of consciousness. In कृष्णभावना, we culti...

 (Verse 1)   Yo, vidya's like the bride, Radha on the side,   Maha-bhava shining, can’t keep it inside.   Knowledge in the name, yeah, that’s how we ride,   Through Krishna’s love, man, we amplified. (Chorus)   Radha’s essence, that’s the real deal,   Prema so strong, you can’t help but feel.   Through the holy name, we hit that high,   In Krishna’s world, we touch the sky. (Verse 2)   Hladini vibes, yeah, it’s pure heat,   Radha’s love, make your heart skip a beat.   Vidya in her essence, it’s so elite,   Krishna’s name, where the soul’s complete. (Chorus)   Radha’s essence, that’s the real deal,   Prema so strong, you can’t help but feel.   Through the holy name, we hit that high,   In Krishna’s world, we touch the sky. (Bridge)   Flowin’ through the beat, Radha on my mind,   Maha-bhava deep, that’s the...

Srila Prabhupada tirobhava tithi maha mahotsava ki jaya His divine grace name in his earlier asrama was 'Abhaya caran' which means fearless lotus feet. Whose lotus feet? this is addressed in the kirtan 'Bhaja hure mana, Sri Nanda Nandana, abhaya caranaravinda re'. The fearlessness is found at the lotus feet of son of Nanda Maharaja. Srila Prabhupada's mission is to help living beings of the world experience true fearlessness by developing bhakti at the lotus feet of Nandanandana Sri Krishna. All the higher attainments of spirituality like Prem, bliss, happiness, eternity are built on the foundation of 'Abhaya' or fearlessness. Fear is always due to the unknown. As finite entities when we see the vast world, there remains so much unknown and this causes fear. Fear is the primary destroyer of wellbeing. It corrodes at the most fundamental level and shakes up the whole foundation of existence. Fear also eats up our life span (ayur vyaya). In response to the Que...