Question: Spirituality should be silent and sober like in meditation. When devotees sing loudly and dance vigorously, how can such a noisy activity be considered spiritual?
Answer: Sankirtana, the congregational chanting of the holy names of Krishna to the accompaniment of music and dance, is actually meditation in its most profound, potent and practical form. Let’s see how.
The Narasimha Kavacha Stotra is a powerful mantra from the Brahmanda Purana, formerly spoken by Prahlada Maharaja. It is said that one who chants this mantra is bestowed with all opulence and will be elevated to the heavenly planets. One should first meditate on the transcendental form of Lord Narasimha (as described in verses 3 to 6 of the stotra) and pray to Him for protection. The Narasimha Kavacha Stotra is the king of all mantras (mantra-raja).
As we approach the first anniversary of Yamuna-devi’s departure—and the immersion of her ashes in the Yamuna and the dedication of her samadhiin Vrindavan—I thought to share some recollections and reflections on her glorious service, based on my talk at her memorial program in Vrindavan on December 23, 2011.
There is so much to be said about Srimati Yamuna-devi dasi.
Pain is a Stronger Motivator Than Pleasure
In the seminar I give on prayer, devotees look at their obstacles to bhakti and consider why it is important to overcome them. Then I ask devotees to focus on the pain they feel when they allow these obstacles to impede their spiritual progress. I ask this because if we do not associate significant pain to our anarthas, we may not be motivated to give them up. It is said that people don’t change when they see the light; they change when they feel the heat.
In Kingdom of God, there is no hunger, thirst, birth and death, old age, disease, etc. Thus without these sufferings that draw our consciousness in the material world, keeping us absorbed in sorting out problems of life in material world, one can simply focus on service to Supreme Lord without any impediments.
"Bhagavad Gita As It Is" is a significant and widely recognized commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, one of the most revered and important texts in Hindu philosophy and spirituality. This commentary was written by A.C.
Meditate on Lord Balarama by reading this Lord Balarama, appeared in the meeting where Romaharsana was sitting on his big vyasasana. There were so many thousands of students, great sages, listening to Romaharsana, preparing to hear the message of Bhagavat. Everyone stood up to greet Balarama.