October 2011 Archives

The importance of Human Life
Enlightening discourse and beautiful kirtan with Swami Nikhilanand, pracharak of Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj and sanyasi teacher at JKP Radha Madhav Dham

Date:
Sunday, November 13th
2:00 - 3:30 PM

Venue:
Hindu Samaj Mandir
247 West Ramapo Ave.
Mahwah, NJ 07430
www.HinduSamajMandir.org
[Map]

Phone: 201-529-1277

Kamanaon ka Vishesh Gyan: The Science of Desires
Enlightening discourse and beautiful kirtan with Swami Nikhilanand, pracharak of Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj and sanyasi teacher at JKP Radha Madhav Dham

Date & Time:
Sunday, November 13th
5:00 - 7:30 PM

Venue
Hindu Community Center
Kearny Mandir
156 Schuyler Avenue
Kearny, NJ 07032
[Map]
www.HinduMandirNJ.org

Phone: (201) 997-5556

Once in Braj, people were preparing many varieties of food to offer to god Indra, the king of the celestial abodes, so that he would provide plenty of rain for their crops and cattle. The little son of Nand, Krishn, told them to stop worshipping celestial god Indra and to direct their devotion to Govardhan hill which is the embodiment of God Himself. Thus, all the food that was prepared to be offered to Indra, was offered to Govardhan hill. At that moment, Lord Krishn appeared on the hilltop as Govardhan God and accepted all the offerings.

At JKP Radha Madhav Dham, USA, we celebrate Govardhan Pooja on Oct 30th, the day after we celebrate Divali. Depending on the weather, we may celebrate this festival inside or outside. When celebrated inside, we build a Govardhan hill on the stage in the Temple. We sing bhajans and pads that celebrate the greatness of Govardhan hill and the leelas associated with this favorite place of Krishn's pastimes with His Gwalbal friends. When celebrated outside, we do parikrama from the Temple steps to our Govardhan hill and circumambulate it while dancing joyously and chanting nam sankirtan in praise of our Govardhan Dhari, Krishn. Whether outside or inside, we prapare a delicious meal of devotionally prepared foods and sweets and then offer them to Govardhan and we shower flowers on Him. Dinner prasad is then enjoyed by all those present.

Don't miss our culturally rich and exciting Divali celebration at Radha Madhav Dham on Oct 29th. The festival will begin with dinner prasad at 5 pm. We are having a spectacular laser light show this year.

Program Highlights
- Sita Ram Abhishek near the Shiv Shrine at 6:00pm, performed by Dattatreya Badrinathji, expert Krishn Yajur Veda Pundit. $21 donation per family
Panchamrit will be distributed to those who participate in this auspicious pooja
- Beautiful Sita Ram deity available for a contribution
- Inspirational discourse by Swami Mukundanand at 7:30pm
- Laser light show in the back of the Temple at 9pm
- Ras Garba on Maharas Mandal until 11pm
- Lots of food, fun and Garba dancing with Sur Sangam of Hurst, TX, and a spectacular laser light show in the back of the temple. This entertainment is not to be missed!

Note: We invite you and your family to join the festivities of Divali celebration at Radha Madhav Dham on Saturday, October 29th. There will be new highlights this year. There will be a spectacular Laser Light Show in the back of the Temple at 9:00 pm, which is sure to enthrall and amaze everyone.

In addition, we are offering special devotional opportunities just for Divali. We will have a Sita Ram Abhishek near the Shiv Shrine. A Hindu pujari will perform the ceremony at a beautifully decorated shrine. You are invited to do the Abhishek pooja (for a donation of 21 dollars or more per family) and receive Panchamrit.

[The following Divali message is excerpted from a speech by a disciple of Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj]

The blessed souls. Today we are celebrating Deepavali, festival of lights. This Deepavali celebration has been celebrated for hundreds, thousands, millions, billions, and trillions of years because this is not just a social occasion--Deepavali was introduced by our Divine descensions Bhagwan Ram and Krishn.

Bhagwan Ram you all know from the Ramayan. He went to Lanka, conquered Lanka, killed Ravan, and came back to Ayodhya. He had been in exile for 14 years before going to Lanka so it was after a long, long time that Bhagwan Ram was coming back to Ayodhya. All the Ayodhyawasis (those who lived in Ayodhya) were so over-thrilled with joy, "My Ram is coming? My Ram is coming!" So they decorated their houses and lanes and everywhere with light. The whole of Ayodhya was glowing with light. That was Divali celebration.

So Bhagwan Ram comes. There were millions of people, all anxious to see Bhagwan Ram at the same time. Bhagwan Ram had a little problem...but it's no problem for God. Amit roop pragate tehi kala. Yathayog mile sabahin kripala. (Ramayan Uttar Kand 5/3). The kripa shakti (power of Grace) of Bhagwan Ram, with His kripa shakti, He met everyone simultaneously and everyone thought, "My Bhagwan Ram has met me first." It was just a Divine miracle. They were all contented. This was the Divali celebration. From that day on, every year in Ayodhya they celebrated Divali.

When Bhagwan Krishn appeared, He also celebrated Divali, along with all the Brajwasis, to mark the return of Bhagwan Ram to Ayodhya. You were just singing a Divali song, a Divali pad. In that song, it tells that on the Mansi Ganga--Mansi Ganga is a very big pond in Braj--Radha Rani and Krishn, They each came from opposite sides. Radha came from Barsana. Krishn came from Nandgaon. Krishn had thousands of Gwalbals with Him, His playmates. Radha Rani had thousands of Gopis. And they all had a diya of light in their hands. They all came and in the big huge Mansi Ganga, Mansi pond, from both sides they put the candles from their side. Imagine...all those candles floating on the water--thousands of candles from both sides. The whole of Mansi Ganga was enlightened.

But the candle bowls were not moving because it was a pond. So from their hands, they all just pushed the water like so to make some small waves. The candle bowls and lights began to move and...all over the water there were only deepaks, those candles--glowing. Just an occasion. So on every Divali occasion Krishn and Radha celebrated Deepavali in some new style.

Deepavali has two meanings, social and spiritual. Social means we socially gather, meet together, forget our animosity of past, develop new friendships, new relationships, new harmony in the family, with friends, in the nation. That's all social the occasion. We have two great festivals, Holi and Divali, and both are meant for developing your social good will, social welfare, social harmony--all of that.

The spiritual meaning, however, is very deep. And it's for every soul of the world! You see, in your heart, people say, "His heart is very dark, not a good person. Oh, he is a very bright person, his soul is evolved." You all have an inner light--the inner light of God. So enlighten your heart with the light of God, that's the message for Divali. Enlighten your hearts with the light of God, that is Deepavali occasion. If you have that light, that Divine light in your heart, then you don't care, because you are always happy in every situation.

You see in your family life, social life, things come--ups and downs. Sometimes good days, sometimes bad days--they keep on coming good after bad, bad after good. It's nature. But if you are contented, you don't mind very much. So enlighten your heart with the love of God. Divine light, Divine love comes after complete heart purification. To receive that state, you have to do some devotion. So devotional love and Divine love they are two states. Devotional light and Divine light. So enlighten your heart with the devotional love of Radha and Krishn.

Why Radha and Krishn? You can choose other forms if you want. There are many forms of God: Durga, Shiv, Karttikeya, Ganesh, whatever you like. I said Radha Krishn because all our rasik Saints described that Bhagwan Radha and Krishn are the original form of Divine love. All other forms of God are incorporated in these two forms, Radha and Krishn. It's your own personal choice. But love is the common factor. You have to love God. Selflessly. Not with any selfish motive. Loving God selflessly is called devotion, that is bhakti. And with this devotional love you have to enlighten your heart. Then you will feel peace in your heart and mind always. That's the message which at every Divali we give.

And at Radha Madhav Dham here, we always teach devotion to the loving form of God. So come close to God, bring peace into your life, and be happy forever. In this way, with these festivals of light, the Deepavali festival with a social meaning and the Deepavali festival which has a very deep meaning, in this way, try to come close to God. Enlighten your heart with devotional love. That's my message to all of you. You all have my blessings.

Now we will do chanting for a few minutes. RRadhey Radhey Govind, Govind adhey. I told you that you need to develop your Divine love for Radha and Krishn or any form of God you like. How to develop that love, that I will tell you now. We teach a very simple form of devotion--very simple. No posture. No breathing technique. No making any thing. Nothing to do. Very simple. God has imbued all of His powers in His names, in His personal names: Radha, Krishn, Govind, Gopal, Shyam, Ram. Remember those names with love and you are on the path. That's it. Very simple devotion.

So we'll do chanting of the names: Radhey Radhey Govind, Govind Radhey. When you go back home, remember this chant in your heart and think this chanting is going on in your heart while you are sleeping. And do this every night. And you will see, your heart is getting enlightened with devotional love for your beloved God. Radhey Radhey Govind, Govind Radhey.

Jai Shree Radhey!

Rang De with Anup Jalota at Radha Madhav Dham, Austin

[Visit facebook for full Sharat Poornima and Rath Yatra 2011 photo set]

AUSTIN: "Enchanting music that touched my soul!" exclaimed Shalini Arora of Plugerville. "By far, one of the best concerts I have been to at the Radha Madhav Dham". Jigish Parikh

Anup Jalota is a master entertainer and world class performer who had an audience of more than 500 clapping and singing along - some even got up to dance - concluding in thunderous applause that echoed throughout the main prayer hall of Radha Madhav Dham. He playfully engaged the audience with stories and jokes, in addition to singing bhajans, such as Jag Mein Hain Do Naam, Main Mori Main Nahin Makhan, and Aisi Lagi Lagan. Those in attendance were especially struck by the love pouring from his renditions of bhajans composed by Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj. Anup met Shree Maharajji in Bombay and agreed to release several CDs of Shree Maharajji's compositions (available at Radha Madhav Dham).

Long time friend and master tabla player, Ramesh Kumar, traveled from Southern California to join the troupe, along with Sangeetika who also sang beautiful bhajans and playback. Balkar, an eminent keyboardist and bhajan singer from Houston, rounded out the performance with his brilliant contributions.

Earlier that morning, everyone including the performers took part in Radha Madhav Dham's annual Rath Yatra celebration. The deity of Radha Rani looked spectacular sitting on the beautifully decorated chariot. After performing Her arti and being showered by marigold flowers, Sushree Banchary Didi led the chanting and the chariot procession began. Everyone was singing and dancing alongside the chariot when a sudden auspicious cloudburst poured down more Divine Love on all the participants. Everyone was soaked and there was so much added excitement.

Gathering the temple at the conclusion of the procession, Didiji gave a wonderful pravachan on 'Radha Tattva' and the listeners were deeply moved by her scriptural knowledge, clear explanations, humor and engaging stories. Attendees then enjoyed a delicious lunch prasad, after which the concert began. The youth were entertained by magician John Maverick and also had a chance to watch and meet with Anup Jalota.

On Sunday, the 9th, the Dallas satsang group of Radha Madhav Dham hosted a concert at the Plano Civic Centre where over 700 guests enjoyed Mr. Jalota's performance. Co-sponsored by Fun Asia, proceeds from the concert went to support 'Stride for C.H.A.I.' Supporting healthcare from America to India, this nonprofit organization helped build a fully charitable hospital in Barsana, India, and is currently helping to build and supply a JKP Foundation hospital in Vrindaban. For more information, please call Sunita at 972-404-2151.

Radha Madhav Dham's Sunday services and youth classes are from 11am - 12:45pm. Lunch Prasad is served following the arti.

Celebrate the Festival of Lights at JKP Radha Madhav Dham with Swami Mukundananda, senior disciple of Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj.
5:00 pm Dinner Prasad
6:00 pm Sita Ram Abhishek by Hindu Poojari
7:00 pm Diya lighting, kirtan, arti, and special Divali pravachan from Swami Mukundananda
9:00 pm Lasar Show, Dandiya Ras Garba on the Maharas Mandal

Celebrate Govardhan Pooja on Oct 30th, 11am - 1pm
Kirtans glorifying Giriraj Maharaj Krishn
Discourse & Arti
Outdoor Govardhan Bhog & Parikrama
Lunch Prasad

RAYS youth convention includes trip to Radha Madhav Dham

Rajasthanis Abroad Youth Samaj (RAYS) hosted a very successful youth convention in Austin, Texas this past Labor Day weekend. At 32 attendees, the turnout was great! The group was well engaged throughout the weekend, as could be seen by the substantial participation in all of the weekend's organized events. The scope of these activities ranged from a fun excursion to Zilker Park, where the group enjoyed a cool dip in a nearby river, to a fruitful discussion on the grounds of Radha Madhav Dham.

The weekend culminated in a Sunday afternoon trip to Radha Madhav Dham. The group engaged in a fun and highly competitive game of India-themed Jeopardy while snacking on delicious samosas and donuts. The "Final Jeopardy" question was "What does it mean to be Marwari".

Maharas leela lovingly performed at Radha Madhav Dham, Austin, by the devotees of Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj on Sharat Poornima night.

Sharat Poornima (शरत्‌ पूर्णिमा) is that Divine night when Radha Krishn revealed the supreme Bliss of maharas to uncountable Gopis in Vrindaban about 5,000 years ago. It is the full moon night which falls in October. This day is very precious in our lives for an additional reason as well: our beloved Shree Maharajji appeared on that night in 1922 in Mangarh, India.

Swami Nikhilanand is currently staying at Bhakti Dham ashram where our beloved Shree Maharajji is celebrating his 90th birthday with all the devotees. Early morning at 2am on the day of his birthday, devotees gather outside the room of Shree Maharajji for ecstatic kirtan which continues throughout the morning. Later, Shree Maharajji throws handfuls and handfuls of candy to all the devotees in a celebratory style. Throughout the day, devotees have the joy of Shree Kripaluji Maharaj visiting their rooms, doing charan pooja to him, continuous kirtan, arti... Later in the day, Shree Maharajji cuts a decorated cake which is lovingly prepared by devotees. In the evening, there are dances and entertaining cultural programs to celebrate the occasion.

‎"Stages of Bhakti" lecture series just posted on the new lecture website. These special lectures were given by Swami Nikhilanand during the annual intensive at Radha Madhav Dham temple, Austin.

In this series, Swami Nikhilanand gives an in-depth description of the different kinds of bhakti, the stages a devotee progresses through on the path of bhakti, and the ultimate goal, the Divine bhakti. These speeches are based on the descriptions by Roop Goswami in Bhakti Rasamrit Sindhu, as explained by Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj.

Enjoy 17 hours worth of speeches at www.SwamiNikhilanandLectures.org! Much much more coming soon! Please bookmark and share this website and keep checking back for more and more inspiration!

Note: This event has been rescheduled for another few weeks

The 3 Goals of Human Life: Bhukti, Mukti & Bhakti
Enlightening discourse and beautiful kirtan with Swami Nikhilanand, pracharak of Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj and sanyasi teacher at JKP Radha Madhav Dham

Date:
Sunday Oct 30th
5:00 - 7:00 PM

Date & Time:
Sunday, November 13th
5:00 - 7:30 PM

Venue:
Radha Krishna Temple,
Lawrence Station Rd,
NJ 08648
[Map]

Phone: (609) 737-1986

Special Thanksgiving retreat with Sushree Siddheshvari Devi

We invite you to join us for our Thanksgiving Retreat at Radha Madhav Dham in Austin, Texas from Nov. 24th till 27th, under the guidance of Sushree Siddeshvari Devi, a pracharak and senior disciple of Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj. Enhance your knowledge of scriptures and improve your devotion to God through interesting and thought-provoking talks, Q&A sessions, guided roop dhyan, nagar sankeertan and beautiful bhajans, all in the serene and devotional atmosphere of Radha Madhav Dham.

There is no registration fee to attend this retreat but you must register yourself. Our retreats are an offering of love to you and we rely on kind donations from participating devotees to continue offering them. All donations made to Radha Madhav Society are tax exempt. Please click here for further information and to register online.

Though quiet, September at Radha Madhav Dham ashram began with the most precious celebration of the year - Shree Radha's appearance day, Radhashtmi. The celebration included chanting the pad kirtan, "Kirti Ghar, Prakatin Kirti-Kumari" - meaning, Kirti-kumari Radhey has appeared in the house of mother Kirti...

Radhashtmi Celebration
Sunday, Sept 4th

Even the littlest got the chance rock Her cradle...

Manjula Andukari and Priya Mehta from Natalaya School of Dance depict a touching leela ....

....where Krishn delights the Gopis, giving them more attention (on the outside) than to His soul beloved Radha.

Bal Radha Arti

Vrishbhanu and Kirti Ma Swing the Paalan of little Lali Radhey ju (Priyanka and Jayanth Cherukuri)

Drumming from our amazing young talent...
From top to bottom: Gourab, Shekkar, Siddhant, Rohit, Toshaan and Shaili.

An Italian devotee recently came all the way to Radha Madhav Dham temple. He has kindly shared a few pictures from his spiritual adventure at Radha Madhav Dham, Austin, USA. Here are some pictures of the precious time he spent exploring the ashram property with Nikhilanand Bhaiya.

If you would like to spend some time at our ashram, please visit the official website. You can book your accomodations online or call (512)-288-7180.

Related post: JKP Radha Madhav Dham at the Sixth Annual Hindu Mandir Executives' Conference

Swami Nikhilanand of JKP Radha Madhav Dham speaking at the Hindu Mandir Executive Conference, 2011, in Ohio.

Swami Nikhilanand pointed out in his parting thoughts that, "Sanatan Dharm is eternal and survives even pralaya. It doesn't need us, we need it. Sanatan Dharm is going to survive no matter what. Our involvement will just benefit us"

Hinduism today has done a wonderful writeup on this historical event. Read it here.

Brand new lecture website of Swami Nikhilanand

Several months ago, a member of the public, Mark Lorange, saw some of Swami Nikhilanand's lectures on youtube. He was impressed by Bhaiya's clear and practical representation of our Hindu dharm, and requested from Bhaiya if he could make a website for his audio lectures. The website is now up and running, and will allow visitors to listen to these sublime lectures via online streaming or through direct download.

Mark Lorange is a very skilled designer who has created many beautiful spiritual websites for Hindu religious organizations. Right now, you can listen to Swami Nikhilanand's Bhagwatam lectures, but more will be added regularly. Upcoming lecture topics include: "8 Important Questions about Hinduism", "Essence of Sanatan Dharm", "Bhukti, Mukti and Bhakti", "Guru Poornima", "Radhashtmi", Vyakhya of the doha "Hari Guru Bhaju Nit Govind Radhey" and Vyakhya of "Mam Thakur Shyama Shyam". You can also listen to beautiful kirtan in the voice of Swami Nikhilanand.

Visit the above link to see the new website, and make sure to check back regularly! And don't forget to share it with family and friends!