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KARTIK SEMESTER 2008

-The Teacher Training Courses (modules I and II) facilitated by H.G.Laxmimoni Mataji will take place during VIHE Kartik semester 2008.

The dates are:

Teacher Training Course module I - October 26 to November 2

Teacher Training Course module II - November 5 to November 10

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Deity Worship seminar (practicals) will be given by H.G.Mukunda Datta Prabhu on November 3 and 4.

 

Please contact us later for the full Kartik Semester schedule.

 

For inquiries please write to:  vihe@pamho.net

Bhakti-rasamrita-sindhu Text 1.2.222:

tatrapi mathurayam visesho, yatha tatraiva

bhuktim muktim harir dadyad arcito ‘nyatra sevinam |

bhaktim tu na dadaty eva yato vasyakari hareh

 

Translation: SPECIAL EFFICACY OF KARTIKA VRATA IN MATHURA:

It is said in the Padma Purana that Lord Hari gives enjoyments and liberation (bhukti and mukti) to the devotees who observe Kartika-vrata in worshipping the Lord during the month of Kartika anywhere other than Mathura; but does not bestow bhakti because bhakti binds down the Lord to His devotees.  –1.2.222-

 

Commentary: Sri Jiva Gosvami observes that the intention of the text here in saying that the Lord does not bestow bhakti because it binds Him down to such devotee, is that it does not really cause any unhappiness to the Lord being subordinated to His devotees by the superior power of bhakti. This is intended to establish the excellence of bhakti as distinct from bhukti and mukti, as the last two have no power to make the Lord, bound down to those to whom He offers them. Bhakti, which has the potency of subordinating even the Supreme Lord, should not be offered by the Lord to the undeserving. So long as one is not eligible for it, the Lord does not give bhakti. This eligibility lies in the independence of bhakti of any other desire excepting desire for bhakti itself. But even if one is not thus eligible for the blessings of bhakti, such eligibility is easily and immediately attained if one observes Kartika-vrata in Mathura, i.e. if Lord Damodara is worshipped in Mathura in the month of Kartika.

 

            Sri Mukunda dasa Gosvami points out that if one observes Kartika-vrata in any place other than Mathura and without any attachment for the Lord, then such a person, receives the boons of bhukti and mukti from the Lord, and not bhakti. It is not proper that the Lord should make Himself subordinated to one by giving him bhakti when such a person has no attachment for the Lord. It is thus that the Lord does not give them, bhakti. But the worship of Lord Damodara in Mathura in the month of Kartika has such spiritual force that one becomes eligible for the Lord's blessing of bhakti.
Rounded Rectangular Callout: Bhakti-rasamrita-sindhu Text 1.2.222: tatrapi mathurayam visesho, yatha tatraiva bhuktim muktim harir dadyad arcito ‘nyatra sevinam | bhaktim tu na dadaty eva yato vasyakari hareh   Translation: SPECIAL EFFICACY OF KARTIKA VRATA IN MATHURA: It is said in the Padma Purana that Lord Hari gives enjoyments and liberation (bhukti and mukti) to the devotees who observe Kartika-vrata in worshipping the Lord during the month of Kartika anywhere other than Mathura; but does not bestow bhakti because bhakti binds down the Lord to His devotees.  –1.2.222-   Commentary: Sri Jiva Gosvami observes that the intention of the text here in saying that the Lord does not bestow bhakti because it binds Him down to such devotee, is that it does not really cause any unhappiness to the Lord being subordinated to His devotees by the superior power of bhakti. This is intended to establish the excellence of bhakti as distinct from bhukti and mukti, as the last two have no power to make the Lord, bound down to those to whom He offers them. Bhakti, which has the potency of subordinating even the Supreme Lord, should not be offered by the Lord to the undeserving. So long as one is not eligible for it, the Lord does not give bhakti. This eligibility lies in the independence of bhakti of any other desire excepting desire for bhakti itself. But even if one is not thus eligible for the blessings of bhakti, such eligibility is easily and immediately attained if one observes Kartika-vrata in Mathura, i.e. if Lord Damodara is worshipped in Mathura in the month of Kartika.               Sri Mukunda dasa Gosvami points out that if one observes Kartika-vrata in any place other than Mathura and without any attachment for the Lord, then such a person, receives the boons of bhukti and mukti from the Lord, and not bhakti. It is not proper that the Lord should make Himself subordinated to one by giving him bhakti when such a person has no attachment for the Lord. It is thus that the Lord does not give them, bhakti. But the worship of Lord Damodara in Mathura in the month of Kartika has such spiritual force that one becomes eligible for the Lord's blessing of bhakti.                                                                       

   

 

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Last updated on March 20, 2008

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