Neyveli Skandasubramanian : ‘Playing for bhajans improved my skill’
V. BALASUBRAMANIAN

Over the years, encouraged by his gurus and fellow musicians, Neyveli Skandasubramanian has become one of the most sought after mridangam players. Impeccably dressed, he can be identified at once thanks to the sacred ash and vermilion on his forehead and his broad smile. Skandasubramaniam recalls some memorable moments in his musical journey.

Early years and basic training…

My father B.Y. Sundararajan learnt mridangam from Poovalur Venkatraman (a disciple of Palani Subramania Pillai). Compelling family circumstances made him take up a teacher’s job in Neyveli. His unfulfilled desire of becoming a mridangam player was in a way responsible for what I am today. Neyveli Balasubramaniam spotted my love for rhythm and put me under Tiruvarur Krishnamurthy of AIR Pondy, who was frequenting Neyveli to conduct classes. In a year, there were only four or five classes. But I would continue practising. Then there was a lull for four years. But my father was determined and took me to Tiruvarur Krishnamurthy’s house at Pondy. Soon classes began during weekends and holidays. The only difference was I had to travel to Pondy every time. Playing for Srirangam Ranganathan’s vocals regularly helped immensely. Also, my sister, a qualified musician, would sing at home so that I could practise.

My days in Neyveli…

Even as a child, my mother would take me and my sister to all concerts in Neyveli along with my grandmother, who was a good singer. I have listened to many veterans. Music was always my first choice when compared to games in the township. I would never miss concerts even during exams. Competing with my sister, I would run to the main gate to grab the concert notice for the month when it was being distributed. Listening to concerts in AIR was another highlight.

Most memorable Neyveli concert…

D.K. Jayaraman’s performance with T. Rukmini and R. Ramesh is still etched in mind. We were in awe as we had listened to him only on AIR. That day, we never wanted the concert to end. The way he encouraged young R. Ramesh was something incredible.

The influence of Pudukottai Sanjeevi Bhagavatar…

Regular bhajans and annual Radha Kalyanam were part and parcel of Neyveli life. Pudukottai Sanjeevi Bhagavatar would stay in our house when he came to participate in the Radha Kalyanam festival. It was he who made me play for his bhajans. I received my first ever sambhavanai of Rs.75 from him. Playing for bhajans regularly improved my skill, what with varied style, different talams and tunes and long hours of non-stop playing.

Tiruvarur Bhaktavatsalam and an important decision…

After completing DME, I immediately got a job. Tiruvarur Bhaktavatsalam, a nephew of my first guru, knew me even during my Neyveli days. After convincing my parents, he made me take up mridangam full time. Then I moved to Madras. His words of encouragement helped me overcome my initial diffidence in a new atmosphere. His mother T.R. Aanandavalli sang a lot for my practice sessions. Bhaktavatsalam made me participate in several competitions and in the first year of my entry, I won prizes at The Music Academy, IFAS and MFAC . Incidentally I got the Government scholarship to learn mridangam under him.

Professional life…

Winning competitions earned me a few concerts. My guru also recommended me to many artistes, and sabhas. S.V. Krishnan of Raga Sudha boosted my morale by featuring me at least twice a month. One such concert for Rajee Gopalakrishnan really pushed my career ahead. My maiden tour abroad was with her, arranged by Cleveland Sundaram. Playing for veena vidwan K.S. Narayanaswamy in the presence of M.S. Subbulakshmi is something I will cherish forever. At the end of the concert, Veenai Vasu virtually lifted me from the stage on his shoulders, showering praises.

My association with Sudha Ragunathan…

After playing at a few concerts for Sudha Ragunathan, there was a gap. Then, all of a sudden, she called me up and asked me to accompany her. There was no turning back after that. Accompanying her for concerts, there has not been a place that I have not visited both within India and abroad.

Encouragement from other vidwans…

O.S.Thiagarajan is a big source of inspiration and so is T.V. Sankaranarayanan. Playing for Priya Sisters, Nithyasree Mahadevan, Sikkil Gurucharan and many others regularly, has helped me adapt to different styles.

Love for Tiruppugazh…

Our house in Neyveli would always ring with Tiruppugazh. My parents, brothers and sisters were all good at it. These hymns of Arunagirinathar are the ultimate statement on rhythm. Taking part with T.V. Sundaravalli in her Tiruppugazh concerts and albums has been soul satisfying.

Most cherished moments…

The blessings I received from Kanchi Paramacharya when he released the first Tiruppugazh CD of T.V. Sundaravalli at the Mutt and the pat on my cheeks from Sathya Sai Baba after I played with Priya Sisters in Puttaparthi… I will never forget those moments.

Approach to concerts…

On the days I have concerts, I get up early and set my mind for the evening’s concert. Tuning myself to the style of the artist whom I am going to accompany that evening goes on the whole day. By the time I leave my house, I am all set. On concert days I never undertake any domestic work. Non-concert days are reserved for my family.

The Hindu Reference

Baba’s birthday a low-key affair
Express News Service
First Published : 24 Nov 2009 03:48:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 24 Nov 2009 11:08:59 AM IST

PUTTAPARTHI: The 84th birthday celebrations of Sri Satya Sai Baba were held at Sai Kulwant Hall in Prashanti Nilayam in Puttaparthi. Saibaba has formally cut the cake to mark his birthday in the presence of several dignitaries and thousands of devotees who thronged to witness the celebrations.

This time around, Sathya Sai Baba did not speak nor give any message.

The entire celebrations were a low-key affair. Malgudi brothers entertained the audience with their bhajans.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan attended the function with his family members.

Tourism Minister J Geeta Reddy, Puttaparthi MLA Palle Raghunatha Reddy, former Supreme Court Justice PN Bhagawati, TTD chairman DK Audikesavulu Naidu. Additional DGP Sivanarayana, former DGP HJ Dora, former cricketer EAS Prasanna, TVS Group head Srinivasan, Mallika Srinivasan, noted Sitar player Pandit Ravishankar, District Collector B Janardhan Reddy, Anantapur Range DIG BL Sujatha Rao, SP MK Singh, actresses Anjali Devi, Krishnakumari, Janaki, Jamuna, playback singer Suseela and a host of other celebrities participated.

There were less number of foreign devotees this year for the birthday celebrations may be due to economic recession and the recent floods. NT Chowdary and Dr Damoder arranged for free food for the devotees.

The district SP made elaborate police bandobast in Puttaparthi.

Express Buzz Reference

BANGALORE: The Goddesses of Carnatic music and dance left audience hooked to their seats at Ambedkar Bhavan. The musical evening, part of the ‘Bangalore Festival’ had the audience swaying to ragas and talas.

Monday saw mesmerizing performances from Carnatic music singer Sudha Raghunathan and Bharatanatyam dancer, choreographer, and accomplished actress, Shobhana.

It was Sudha who set the pace for the evening. She began with preludes in Sanskrit, seeking the blessings of lord Ganesha and Krishna. The ragas she sang left listeners lost in a melodious world.

When she picked the high note, the packed audience echoed with applause. She also rendered a bhajan to Sathya Sai Baba, as it was his birthday on Monday.

After one hour of pure bliss, Padma Shri Shobhana took centrestage. She began with a varnam and she also danced to a bhajan from one of her Hindi movies. Her troupe, which performed a ballet, regaled the rasikas as well. A music lover and dancer herself, Vani Ganapathy kept on clapping and encouraging both her contemporaries. She expressed delight in attending the cultural festival. At the end of the programme, music and dance lovers went home craving for more.

Times Of India Reference

Also see:
- Sudha Raghunathan And Sathya Sai Baba

Daras kab daihau Nandakishor.
Oh, Nandakishor Krishna! When will You bless me and I will see You?

Lakhi Ghanshyam shyam ghan nachihain,
kabai mor man-mor.
When upon seeing Your beautiful complexion, which is like a dark rain-laden cloud, will my mind dance like a peacock in joy?

Kabai driganchal chanchal chanchal,
lakhihau hamarihun or.
When will you glance at me with Your mischievous, love-filled eyes, regarding me as Your own?

Kab laihou chit chor morahun,
braj banitani chit chor.
Oh, stealer of the hearts of the maidens of Braja! When will You steal my heart as well?

Kab brajavasini dasini dasini,
dasi banihaun tor.
When will I become Your servant by becoming a servant of a servant of those servants of Yours who reside in Braja?

Kab ‘Kripalu’ tanu-sudhi bisaraihaun, hwai ras prem vibhor.
Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji asks in the words of devotee,“When will I lose consciousness of all else and drown in the bliss of Your divine love?”

(Pad kirtan excerpted from “Dainya Madhuri” of Prem Ras Madira, written and composed by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj)

© Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat and Bhakti Bliss, 2009

New information page uploaded: “What is a mridanga (khol)?“

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Are man! Avsar beetyo jaat.
A devotee is addressing his mind, “Oh my mind! The golden opportunity of this human birth is slipping away!” (It is only in a human birth that a soul can attain his ultimate aim of supreme divine bliss.)

Kal-kaval vash Vidhi Hari Har sab,
tori kaha bisaat.
Even the governors of this world, Brahmā, Vishnu and Shankara are under the control of time; what then to speak of you?

Lahi paras nar-tanu sur-durlabh,
gunjan-hit bhatkaat.
You have been blessed with a human body, which is like a parasa (the mythological touchstone which turns iron into gold). It is so rare that it is unavailable even to the celestial gods, yet due to ignorance, you are wasting this precious birth being enamoured by worthless material sense objects.

Badhira andha jimi sunat na dekhat, rahat vishaya madmaat.
Like one who is both deaf and blind, you neither listen to the teachings of the Saints, nor see the illusory nature of this world, and you are constantly intoxicated by worldly pleasures.

Ab karihuan, ab karihaun imi kahi, rahi jaihau pachhitaat.
You keep on saying ‘I will start my spiritual practice… later!’ but you will regret your procrastination when one day death overtakes you and it will be too late to do anything.

Hot ‘Kripalu’ pralaya pal mahan tu, kehi bal par itaraat.
Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji says, “In the twinkling of an eye, a person’s life could come to an end. Why then are you postponing for the future? What is the power that you possess to stop death which you are so proud of?”

(Pad kirtan excerpted from “Siddhant Madhuri” of Prem Ras Madira, written and composed by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj)

© Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat and Bhakti Bliss, 2009

Hamaro Shri Vrindaban chanda.
Shri Krishna alone is our everything.

Sadghan, chidghan, anandaghan joi, banyo soi Nandananda.
He who is called by the Vedas sat-chit-anand(existence, knowledge and bliss), has descended as the son of Nanda in Braj.

Paramatma ki param atma,
Radha kaha shruti chhanda.
The soul of that same supreme God, who is also inseparable from Him, has been called ‘Radha’ by the Vedas.

Yugal ekaras ras barasavat,
saras raas ananda.
Both Radha and Krishna bless the deserving souls by showering on them the sweetest divine love bliss of the pastime of raas.

Vrindaban nidhivan gahavaravan, viharat Anandakanda.
Shri Krishna eternally engages in ever-new leelas of divine love, sometimes in Vrindaban, sometimes in Nidhivan, and sometimes in Gahavaravan.

Phirat ‘Kripalu’ Shambhu se jinake, pare prem ke phanda.
Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj says that even great personalities like Lord Shiva wander in the lanes of Braj, bound by the rope of Shri Krishna’s love.

(Pad kirtan excerpted from “Shri Krishna Madhuri” of Prem Ras Madira, written and composed by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj)

© Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat and Bhakti Bliss, 2009

Chandra sam barhai prem Govinda Radhey.
Pai yamen poornima na kabahun bata dey.

(New kirtan verse written by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj on November 2, 2009, Bhakti Dham, Mangarh)

The definition of love is that it should always keep on increasing every moment. The place where the flow of the Ganges River begins in the Himalayas is shaped like the mouth of a cow, so it is called “Gomukh”. It is very narrow at this point, but after this, its flow steadily increases. By the time it reaches Bengal it is extremely big and wide. Divine love is like this.

How is worldly love? It is like a river that begins with a width of fifty feet. So many small rivulets branch off from this river that eventually it becomes a small stream. Understand this in simple language.

If you stand outside in the very early morning, your shadow is extremely long. This becomes shorter and shorter as the sun moves, until midday when you have no shadow at all. As the day progresses towards later afternoon, again your shadow grows again in the opposite direction. So worldly love is just like your shadow when it starts out long in the morning and ends at midday. This is true of any kind of love you have in the world, whether of your wife, husband, son, daughter, or even of a beautiful scene.

For example, the Taj Mahal is one of India’s most beautiful landmarks. When foreign prime ministers visit India, they visit the Taj Mahaj and praise it greatly. But if you ask the people who live in Agra (where the Taj Mahal is located), “Come on! Let’s go see the Taj Mahal!” They will say, “What for? What is there to see? I saw it already.”

So all love in the world steadily decreases. And after this, one starts to experience sorrow from that same husband or wife. Then the insults and verbal abuse begin. God’s love on the other hand, steadily increases every moment, just like the waxing moon.

But the unusual quality of God’s love is that it never reaches the state of absolute fullness – it keeps on steadily increasing for eternity. This is the miracle of divine love.

So there is a competition that is going on between Radha, who is the form of divine love, and Krishna, who is the form of divine beauty. Radha Rani increases Her love, so Shri Krishna increases His beauty. So Radha Rani’s love increases even more, and Shri Krishna increases His beauty to match. Neither defeats the other in this competition. The bliss of Their love and beauty keeps on steadily increasing forever. This is because both Their body and Their soul is made of sat-chit-ananda. That is why this unique quality is present in their divine personalities. This is the brief meaning of this kirtan verse.

© Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat and Bhakti Bliss, 2009

i was wondering already for some time why my bhajan was not giving me the desired bliss and happiness. i couldn’t find out why until today when after long time i was again listening to the wonderful audio narration of Chaitanya Bhagavata. Just after few minutes my heart suddenly overflowed with affection for Lord Gauranga and Lord Nityananda and i felt like crying upon hearing the nectarean, most merciful topics of Chaitanya Bhagavata. i am completely convinced, that it was solely due to the inherent merciful nature of this great and most important divine literature. It can not but forcibly drag one into the sublime and merciful Pastimes of Lords Gaura-Nityananda. The mercy showed by Chaitanya Bhagavata cannot be properly put in words, only one who tried out and his heart grasped the merciful nature of this scripture can understand…

Now i want to give full credit to the words of Srinath prabhu and Shri Swami Gaurangapada Maharaja, that while reading Shri Chaitanya Bhagavata one’s all doubts in regards to Supreme Identity and Supremely Worshipable Position of Their Lordships Shri Shri Nityananda Gauranga and Their Holy Names completely vanishes. By reading Chaitanya Bhagava all one’s fears in worshiping Lords Nitaai-Gauranga and chanting Their Holy Names flee and one feels himself spontaneously and effortlessly attached to the worship of Lord Gauranga’s and Nityananda’s Lotus Feet and chanting Their Holy Names.

i humbly allow myself to claim that this is the primary scripture on which all the enthusiastic worshipers of Lords Nityananda Gauranga and the chanters of Their Holy Names, in other words the Gauravadis, always swear upon. Forever.

simplynitaai

[18:43] Matus Kmit: i couldn’t find out why
[18:44] Matus Kmit: until today when after long time i was again listening to the wonderful audio narration of CB
[18:44] Jay Govinda Das: You need to find Your own relation ship with Lord, and try to sing from hearth
[18:44] Jay Govinda Das: forgive me… i am talking nonsences
[18:45] Matus Kmit: my heart suddenly overflowed with affection for the Lord and i felt like crying upon hearing the nectarean, most merciful topics of CB
[18:45] Matus Kmit: nono, Y

Are man! Murakh nipat gamar.
Reprimanding himself, a devotee says, “Oh my mind! You are absolutely senseless and foolish.”

Bigarat apu bigarat mo kahan, neku na karat vichar.
Along with ruining yourself, you are also ruining me, but you don’t think about this at all.

Koti kalpa bhatakyo jyon shukar, vishtha vishaya majhar.
For uncountable ages you have been reveling just like a pig in the filthy sense objects of this world, searching for happiness.

Binu seva jahan paiya meva,
gayo na tehi darbar.
But you never entered the court of Shri Radha, where you could have received everything without any effort.

Dou kar kamala pasari niharati,
tohin Vrishbhanudular.
Shri Radha is waiting for you with open arms to embrace you.

As avsar nar deha sudurlabh,
milat na barambar.
You will not receive a golden opportunity like this in the form of a human birth again and again.

Sadhan binuhin ‘Kripalu’ dravat jo,
ko as saral udar.
Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj says, “Oh mind! Surrender to Shri Radha. She blesses the souls who are surrendered to Her and makes them Her own without their doing anything at all. Where else will you find anyone as innocent and merciful?”

(Pad kirtan excerpted from Prem Ras Madira, written and composed by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj)

© Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat and Bhakti Bliss, 2009

Kripalu Trayodashi are 13 verses written by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj that are the essence of all the Vedic scriptures. They reveal in a sequential manner how to attain the ultimate aim of life.

Brahm, jeev, maya tatva, Govinda Radhey.
Teenon hain anadi anant bata dey.

(1) There are 3 eternal entities: God, the souls, and Maya. They have no beginning and they will have no end. They have always been in existence and they will always remain in existence.

Brahm jeev chetan, Govinda Radhey.
Brahm shakti jeev yatey ansh bata de.

(2) Supreme God and the souls are chetan, live. In gist, this means they have senses, mind, intellect, physical form and they perform actions. The soul is not independent. It is a power of God, and as such, it is called a part or ansh of God.

Brahm shakti maya jada, Govinda Radhey.
Jeev maya shasak brahm bata dey.

(3) Another eternal power of God is Maya, which is lifeless. The governor of both Maya and the souls is God. They are both His powers that are governed by Him.

Sarva shakti swamini, Govinda Radhey.

Ek shakti para antaranga bata dey.

(4) The supreme power of all of God’s powers is called para shakti, which is also called antaranga shakti, swaroop shakti and yogamaya shakti. It is God’s most intimate and personal power. This is the swamini or supreme governor of all the other powers of God. It is due to this power that God remains ever-blissful.

Brahm bigya sukhakanda, Govinda Radhey.

Jeev agya mayadheen sada te bata dey.

(5) This verse explains the difference between God and the soul. God is all-knowing and the form of unlimited bliss. Because it is eternally under the control of Maya, the soul is ignorant.

Brahma ke anek roop, Govinda Radhey.

Sarvaroop aashreya Krishna bata dey.

(6) God has uncountable forms, but three are main: Brahma, Paramatma, and Bhagawan. Bhagawan Shri Krishna is foremost of all the divine forms of God because all the divine powers are revealed in His personality; they are only partially revealed in the other forms. There are not multiple Gods, rather one God has different forms related to the powers that are manifested. For this reason, the form of Shri Krishna has special importance.

Shri Krishna prapti se hi, Govinda Radhey.

Jeev ko divya sukha prapt ho bata dey.

(7) How will the soul attain divine happiness, its ultimate aim? The happiness we desire can be attained only from Shri Krishna, not any of the other forms of God.

Shri Krishna prapti hetu, Govinda Radhey.

Shri Krishna – kripa anivarya bata dey.

(8) How will we attain Shri Krishna? Through Shri Krishna’s grace or kripa.

Shri Krishna-kripa hetu, Govinda Radhey.

Sadhan ke bal bhakti bata dey.

(9) How will we attain happiness? By attaining Shri Krishna. How will we attain Shri Krishna? Through His grace. How will we attain His grace? This verse explains: only through bhakti or devotion.

Bhakti (a) man se ho (b) nitya, Govinda Radhey.

Bhav (c) nishkam (d) ananya bata dey.

(10) How will we practice bhakti? Bhakti has four conditions: (a) it is done by the mind, (b) it is continuous, (c) it is selfless, (d) it is single-mindedly directed towards God and Guru. What happens as a result of practicing the devotion that fulfills these four conditions?

Imi man shuddha ho to, Govinda Radhey.

Man ko swaroop shakti divya bata dey.

(11) By completely purifying the mind through devotion, now our work is finished and the work of God and Guru remains. The Guru will grace your mind with God’s para shakti or swaroop shakti, and make it divine.

(12) Divine love is the absolute essence of God’s personal power, swaroop shakti. The Guru bestows that divine love on the qualified soul who has completely purified his mind.

Tab divya man men den, Govinda Radhey.

Guru haldini sar prem bata dey.

Tab jeev pa le nij, Govinda Radhey.

Nitya dasatva adhikar bata dey.

(13) The divine love that the disciple receives is bestowed upon him by the Guru; it isn’t the result of his devotional effort. It is attained through grace. After this, now free from the bondage of Maya, he is qualified to perform God’s eternal service in God’s abode, Golok, forever.

Sathya Sai Baba In Melody

Devotional singer Bhavdeep Jaipurwala is to release an album in praise of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. His forthcoming album “Sathya Sai Baba” is also sung and composed by Sumit Tappu.

“The album comprises of nine songs which are not the typical bhajans, in fact we have kept the music contemporary. It is different from what has been sung so far for baba, so I am sure people will like it,” informs Bhavdeep Jaipurwala.

The album will be releasing in November in Puttaparthi, Bengaluru. “We are releasing it in Puttaparthi as 15 years back we had released an album called Sai Darshan, which went on to become one of the bestsellers so far among the devotional music,” he shares.

Hopefully this time too Sai makes their belief stronger with the success of yet another devotional stint.

Deepa Mishra/ Sampurn Media

Thai Indian Reference

Approximately 25 miles northeast of Bhakti Dham, Mangarh is the village of Shringaverpur. The Ram Shayya Ashram is outside the village on the banks of the holy River Ganges at Ram Choura Ghat. This is an important leela place (leela sthali) related to the descension of Shri Sita Ram.

While proceeding from Ayodhya to Chitrakoot at the beginning of their forest exile, Lord Ram, Sita ji and Lakshman came to this spot, which in that age was situated in the kingdom of Nishadha Raj Guha. Ram and Sita rested here for one night.

The following morning, Ram, Sita and Lakshman approached Kevat, a boatman, to be ferried across the Ganges so they could continue their journey. Kevat knew that Shri Ram was supreme God. At first, Kevat told Shri Ram that he would not take them on the pretext that the dust of Shri Rama’s feet could turn his boat into a woman. This was in reference to Ahalya, the wife of sage Gautama, who was saved from the curse of being turned into stone by receiving Shri Ram’s foot dust.

Kevat said, “If this happens to my boat, how will I survive? It is my only means of income.” Kevat then made a condition that he should be allowed to wash Shri Rama’s lotus feet to free them of any dust. His hidden desire was to have the opportunity to touch his beloved Lord’s lotus feet, which would cause him to be forever free from Maya.

Shri Ram started mildly refusing, because he knew Kevat’s actual intention and that if He were to bestow His divine love on a fully surrendered soul, He would become the servitor of that devotee forever. However, Kevat kept insisting, and finally Lord Ram agreed. This leela is narrated in the Ayodhyakanda section of the Tulsidas Ramayana.

At this important and holy leela place, with the inspiration of Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj, a new Ram Darbar temple was constructed. Before dawn on October 24, Shri Maharaj Ji visited this new temple accompanied by 300 devotees. The program consisted of a welcome message from the Temple priest, kirtan, a special abhishek ceremony of the deities, and prasad.

Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj vists the new Ram Darbar Temple in Shringaverpur, U.P.

Some of the respected devotees visiting with Shri Maharaj Ji

Shri Maharaj Ji and Ram Darbar Temple priest

Entrance to the Temple

Deities of Shri Ram, Sita and Lakshman - Ram Darbar

Deity of Hanuman Ji

View of courtyard outside the Temple

The grass mat on this cement platform commemorates the place where Lord Ram and Sita ji rested for one evening before starting their forest exile. Five Shesham trees that emerge from the platform are believed to be at least 900,000 years old.

Main kaun mera kaun Govinda Radhey,
yah gyan keval ‘mera’ kara dey.

(New kirtan verse written by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj on October 21, 2009, Bhakti Dham, Mangarh)

“Who am I?” “Who is mine?” You receive correct understanding of this only through the ones who are truly and eternally yours, God and the God realized Saints.

© Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat and Bhakti Bliss, 2009

મથુરામાં ખેલ ખેલી આવ્યા
હો કાન ક્યાં રમી આવ્યા

માથાનો મુગટ ક્યાં મૂકી આવ્યા
સાડી તે કોની ચોરી લાવ્યા
હો કાન ક્યાં રમી આવ્યા

નાકની નથણી ક્યાં મૂકી આવ્યા
વાળી તે કોની ચોરી લાવ્યા
હો કાન ક્યાં રમી આવ્યા

ડોકનો હારલો ક્યાં મૂકી આવ્યા
માળા તે કોની ચોરી લાવ્યા
હો કાન ક્યાં રમી આવ્યા

હાથની પહોંચી ક્યાં મૂકી આવ્યા
કંગન તે કોના ચોરી લાવ્યા
હો કાન ક્યાં રમી આવ્યા

પગનાં ઝાંઝરા ક્યાં મૂકી આવ્યા
સાંકળા તે કોના ચોરી લાવ્યા
હો કાન ક્યાં રમી આવ્યા

પીળુ પીતાંબર ક્યાં મૂકી આવ્યા
સાળુ તે કોના ચોરી લાવ્યા
હો કાન ક્યાં રમી આવ્યા

કાનના કુંડળ ક્યાં મૂકી આવ્યા
એરિંગ તે કોના ચોરી લાવ્ચા
હો કાન ક્યાં રમી આવ્યા

મુખની મોરલી ક્યાં મૂકી આવ્યા
ખંજરી તે કોની ચોરી લાવ્યા
હો કાન ક્યાં રમી આવ્યા

મનડું તમારું ક્યાં મૂકી આવ્યા
સુધબુધ તે કોની ચોરી લાવ્યા
હો કાન ક્યાં રમી આવ્યા

મથુરામાં ખેલ ખેલી આવ્યા
હો કાન ક્યાં રમી આવ્યા

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Lakhon mahafil jahan men yun to, teri mahafil si mehfil nahin hai.
Oh my beloved Krishna! There are thousands of gatherings the world over, but none compares with Yours.

Swarg samrat ya ho chakar, tere dar ye hai darza barabar.
Whether the king of the celestial abodes, Indra, or a pauper, everyone is treated equally by You.

Teri hasti ko ho jisne jana, koi alam men akil nahin hai.
The one who knows the truth of Your divine personality, can’t find happiness from anyone or anything but You.

Dar badar kha ke thokar jo thak kar, aa gaya gir koi tere dar par.
If some exhausted soul who has been rotating in the 8.4 million species of life comes knocking at Your door,

Tune nazron se jo ras pilaya, vo batane ke kabil nahin hai,
au chupane ke kabil nahin hai.
You give him the sweet nectar of Your divine glance to drink, and this nectar is impossible to explain in words, yet its effects are impossible to hide from the eyes of the world.

Tum jo kahate ho tum ho hamare, jor mujh se hi tu nate sare.
You say that You alone are ours and that we should form all our relationships only with You.

Jan kar bhi jo nata na jore, uske manind jahin nahin hai.
There is no bigger fool than the one who knows this and still fails to love You.

Jite marte jo teri lagan men, jalte rahate virah ki agan men.
Those who live and die for You, and who remain in the fire of feeling separation from You…

Hai bharosa tera he Murari, tu dayalu hai katin nahin hai.
Oh, Krishna, they have full faith that You are merciful, never merciless.

Tere ras ka laga chaska jis ko, lagta Baikunth phika sa us ko.
He who becomes addicted to Your divine love nectar, finds even God’s almighty Vaikunth abode bland and tasteless in comparison.

Dub kar koi bahar na aya, is men bhamvaren hain sahil nahin hai.
He who drowns in the ocean of Your divine love never again surfaces,
for there is a whirlpool in this ocean and no shore.

Prem men hai sada dena dena, sochana bhi nahin kuch hai lena.
In love there is only the desire to give and give; a true lover never thinks of taking anything.

Lena vala bara bhola bhala, Braj ke rasikon men samil nahin hai.
One who desires something from the Beloved is ignorant, and is certainly not a Rasik Saint of Braj.

Man le unko tu sirf apana, sikh le yad men bas tarapana.
The only thing you have to do is accept Him as yours and learn to long for Him.

Ve laga lenge sine se tujh ko, dil men baithe hain gafil nahin hain.
He will embrace You. He is seated in your heart and noting your thoughts and feelings.

Tu pila de jo ik bund ras ki, kya kami hai tere pas ras ki.
Give me just a drop of Your divine nectar to drink. Will your treasure decrease if you give me this much?

Phir jo chore koi tera picha, aisa jahin bhi kahin nahin hai.
After receiving Your love if a soul leaves You, there is no one as foolish as he.

Karma hai unki niskham seva, dharma hai unki iccha men iccha.
Serving Him selflessly is true action, and being happy in His happiness is true dharma.

Saump do in ke hathon men dori, ye ‘Kripalu’ hain tang dil hahin hai.
Put the reins of your life in His hands. After all, He is not a miser. He is ‘Kripalu’ (the unconditional and unlimited giver of divine grace).

(Qawwalli written and composed by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj)

© Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat and Bhakti Bliss, 2009]

Hari surya maya tam, Govind Radhey,
yate santon ki divali nitya bata dey.

“God is light, and Maya is darkness.
Saints experience the festival of light (Divali) forever.”

(Synopsis of a talk given by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj on October 16, 2009, in Bhakti Dham, Mangarh)

God and Maya are opposite to each other just as darkness is opposite to light. Darkness cannot exist in the presence of light. Similarly, Maya cannnot exist in God’s presence. Gauranga Mahaprabhu said: “Shri Krishna surya sam, Maya hoy andhakar.” In other words, Shri Krishn is like the sun and Maya is like darkness. They are absolutely opposite to other.

God is the form of supreme illumination and life. On the other hand, Maya is the form of supreme ignorance and lifelessness. There are great differences between them. But they have one thing in common. What is that? God is eternal and so is Maya.

Maya is a power of God, and because of this, it is eternal, without beginning. God did not create Maya, and He likewise cannot eliminate Maya. God will definitely remove Maya’s eternal grip from that soul who surrenders to Him, but he will not remove Maya. Maya will continue to exist.

For example, someone is bound, and you release him from his ties. He is free from that bondage, but the same bondage remains for all the other souls.

Similarly, those Saints who have been freed from Maya are continuously facing towards God, who is like the sun. What does Divali mean? To remove the darkness and face towards the divine light. Saints are enjoying Divali eternally. Because of this, we can’t say to them, “Today is Divali”. They are forever absorbed in the eternal light, love and bliss of God.

© Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat and Bhakti Bliss, 2009

Are man ! Char dina ki bat.
A devotee says, Oh my mind! This life is just a matter of a few days…

Nar tanu sharad chandani beetey, puni andhiyari rat.
After the light of the full moon of the autumn month in the form of this human body ends, then the dark night in the form of rebirth in the 8.4 million species of life is bound to follow.

Tu sovat kachu janat nahin, kal lagayo ghat.
Lost in the deep slumber of ignorance, you are totally unaware that death is waiting every moment to make you its prey.

Tajat na neend yadapi vishayan ke, chhin chhin jutey khat.
Although you are constantly going through terrible suffering as a result of the fleeting happiness you receive from mundane desires, still you are not ready to abandon your sleep.

Avasar chuki phiriya chourasi, kar meenjat pachhitat.
Remember, if you lose this golden opportunity and don’t realise God while in this human form, you will wring your hands in remorse and wander here and there in vain in the other 8.4 million life forms.

Rasikan kahi ‘Kripalu’ manu gahu, yugal charan jaljat.
Therefore, Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji says, “Accept and follow the teachings of Rasik Saints and surrender yourself at the lotus feet of the divine couple, Shri Radha Krishna.”

(Exerpted from Siddhant Madhuri of “Prem Ras Madira”; written and composed by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj)

© Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat and Bhakti Bliss, 2009

(Synopsis of a talk given by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj in Rangeeli Mahal, Barsana, India, on September 26, 2009)

Devotion to Radha Krishna has a few conditions. The main condition is selflessness. This means having no desires. Desires are of two kinds: (1) mayic or worldly desires, such as three of the four aims of human existence, namely dharma (observing religious principles), artha (material wealth), kam (sensual desire), and (2) amayic or non-worldly desires, namely the desire for moksha or mukti (absolute liberation from Maya). Dharma relates to the satvik quality of Maya, arth relates to the rajas quality of Maya, kam relates to the tamas quality of Maya and moksh is nirguna or beyond all the qualities of Maya.

In the Bhagwatam (3/29/8) Bhagwan Kapil explained to Devahuti, his mother, that there are four kinds of devotion, and complete surrender of the mind is required for all of them. They are (1) tamas devotion related to tamas desires, (2) rajas devotion related to sensual desires, (3) satvik devotion for the attainment of the celestial abode, and (4) kaivalya devotion for the attainment of moksh or liberation. This includes the nondual realisation of jnanis. (Chandogya Upanishad 8/15/1, Vasudeva Upanishad 1, Vedant 4/4/22)

Moksh or liberation is actually of five kinds. One of these, ekatva mukti relates to absolute liberation. In this realisation, a jnani loses his personal identity and merges into an impersonal state of God forever. This attainment is dangerous in the sense that once the soul merges into absolute divinity, it no longer has a chance to attain divine love.

Out of the five kinds of liberation, four of these (including ekatva mukti) are considered selfish because the practitioner has some desire he wishes to fulfill through that attainment. The one who renounces these desires attains the braj ras or divine love of the Gopis.

The divine love of the Gopis is of three kinds: (1) sadharani rati, (2) samanjasa rati, and, (3) samartha rati.

Sadharani rati is still related to one’s desire to receive happiness from God. Samanjasa rati and samartha rati are the selfless forms of love expressed by the Braj Gopis, who held the highest place in the divine world. The Bhagwatam explains (3/29/8-12) that the selfless Braj Gopis reached the most elevated state of divine love called mahabhava. Because of this, (Bhagwatam, 10/14/30, 32, 34) even Brahma prayed to one day be blessed with receiving these Gopis’ foot dust.

In worldly love, selfishness is always present. Selfishness means we are selfishly searching for our own happiness. Love in the world is always increasing and decreasing depending on the degree to which our self-interest is fulfilled. If our self-interest is satisfied, we feel love. If our self-interest is harmed, we feel hate. In this way the temperature of our love is always changing – either it is running hot or cold – and that, too, could be for the same person.

The definition of selflessness or nishkamata is to be free of all desires related to the qualities or gunas of Maya, and to have no desire for the four selfish forms of liberation. True selflessness means following the example of the highest class of sadharani rati Gopis and only having the desire for Shri Krishna’s happiness in one’s heart.

Karmi, gyani, yogi agya Govinda Radhey
Bhakta niskham hi hai gyani bata dey.

(New kirtan verse written by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj on October 12, 2009, in Bhakti Dham, Mangarh)

The karmi, the one who performs ritualistic actions with the aim to realise celestial happiness, the jnani, the one who desires to realise nondual liberation and merge into God, and the yogi, the one who practices yoga with a desire to attain siddhis or yogic powers, are all ignorant. Only the selfless bhakt, the one who practices devotion to God with a desire to receive His grace and attain His divine vision and love is truly knowledgeable. (It is only through bhakti that our ultimate aim of true and ever-lasting happiness is fulfilled.)

© Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat and Bhakti Bliss, 2009

Aisi pila de saki, ban jaye tu hamara,
khvahish nahin hai mujha ko, main bhi banun tumhara.
Oh, Saki! Make me so intoxicated with the divine wine of Your love that I will accept You as mine, without being concerned if You have accepted me or not.

Nazaron se mey ka pyala aisa pila khudara,
nazaron mey bas rahe ik, tera hi bas nazara.
My Lord! Intoxicate me with Your grace-filled glance in such a way that I will be able to see You and only You.

Hai khel ik nazar ka, ghatana hai kya tumhara,
kar do karam vo hamdam, bhulun jahan sara.
For You, it is only a matter of a glance; what will You lose by doing this?
Grace me so that I may forget the entire world.

Baithey hain ta kayamat, dar pe laga ke nara,
hai yah kripalu nara, bas ek tu hamara.
Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj says in the words of a devotee, “I will sit at your doorstep til the end of time, loudly proclaiming, You alone are mine! You alone are mine!“

(Qawwalli written and composed by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj)

© Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat and Bhakti Bliss, 2009

Hare Ram Hare Ram, Ram Ram Hare Hare,
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

(Synopsis of a talk given by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj at Bhakti Dham, Mangarh, on October 10, 2009)

Many of you don’t know about the origin of this namsankirtan, but it is essential you understand its importance. This is the only kirtan on this earth that is a mantra from the Vedas, and as such, it is eternal. All other kirtans were made by Saints after those Saints came into this world.

The essence of the four Vedas are the Upanishads. There are many Upanishads like Mundaka Upanishad, Katha Upanishad, Mandukya Upanishad, Shvetashvatara Upanishad, and others. This Hare Ram sankirtan is from the Kalisantarana Upanishad. Because it is a Vedic mantra and also a sankirtan, it is referred to as a mahamantra.

If anyone ever asks you why you are not using a Guru mantra in your devotional practice, you can say that the Guru mantras that originated from the sampradayas or lineages of Saints such as Shankaracharya, Ramanujacharya, Vallabhacharya, and so on, were introduced during this age of Kaliyuga. But what about the time before these Saints were on this earth? What mantras were used then?

Also, what do we mean when we refer to a Saint’s lineage, such as “Shankaracharya’s sampradaya”? This means a Guru had a Guru, that Guru also had a Guru, and if you keep going back historically you will discover that God is the ultimate Guru. Thus, all the sampradayas or lineages are actually Shri Krishna’s sampradayas.

Therefore, a devotee can say, “When I have taken the support of this eternal Vedic mantra, why should I use any other mantra?”