Follow The Puri Roster?

[suchandra]

Should the global Ratha-Yatra Festivals be organized by the Jagannath temple administration in Puri?

 

Puri locks horns with ISKCON over chariot festival

 

Submitted by Mudassir Rizwan on Mon, 12/17/2007 - 11:21.

http://www.indianmuslims.info/news/2007/dec/17/puri_locks_horns_iskcon_over_chariot_festival.html

• India News

By IANS

Puri (Orissa) : The Jagannath temple administration announced Monday that it may sue the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) for violating traditions of the Rath Yatra festival.

Rath yatra, or the ancient festival of chariots, is an annual event celebrated in this Orissa town that is home to the famous 12th century Jagannath temple.

Idols of Lord Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra are ferried from the Jagannath temple in Puri to another shrine called the Gundicha temple in three chariots during this annual festival, held on the second day of the fortnight of Ashadha (June-July).

According to the temple administration in Puri, ISKCON has been organising this festival during the wrong months in different parts of the globe.

There are thousands of Jagannath temples in India and abroad. But all of them follow the Puri roster. They host the annual yatra on the same day every year.

It is only ISKCON that does not organise the Rath Yatra on July 16, a Puri temple priest said.

The public relation officer of the Jagannath temple administration, Laxmidhar Pujapanda, said Oriya devotees had recently informed them that ISCKON organised the festival in Ludhiana in Punjab on Oct 6 and in Chandigarh on Dec 1.

In other Jagannath temples, it was held on July 16.

The temple administration has written to ISKCON on the issue and is also considering legal action.

[suchandra]

.> ..> <table class="content" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td height="10" valign="top" width="47%"> By Rajkumar Mohanty

Puri (Orissa), Dec 14: For the first time a major section of Sri Jagannath temple priests came down to road shouting slogans against the Gajapati King Divyasingh Dev who is considered as the chief servitor of the temple.

On Friday, hundreds of Sri Jagannath temple servitors under the banner Jagannath Sevayat Sammillani led by its president Narasingh Pujapanda charged the Gajapati for helping non-Hindus to enter the Puri temple, and encouraging the ISKCON devotees to organise Rath Yatra in a number of foreign countries defying the principles of the Puri temple.

</td> <td height="10" valign="top" width="53%">

 

 

</td></tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" height="10" valign="top"> They were critical against the Gajapati King's religious sanction to these organisations, particularly the ISKCON which was organizing untimely Rath Yatras. They flayed the Gajapati for his presence in the `anti-Hindu ISKCON organised Rath Yatras.

They too alleged that the Gajapati had been encouraging so called Hindus of foreign countries to enter into the Puri shrine, the abode of Lord Jagannath, often creating law and order problems in the town besides hurting the religious emotions of the devotees.

The Gajapati King of Puri happens to be the ex-officio chairperson of the temple managing body. This apart, devotees believe him as the religious representative of the Lord Jagannath and revere him as next to the lord. His alleged involvement with the ISKCON evoked severe criticism form the servitors.

Madhav Gowdesar Vaishnav sect, activists of Adityavahini and Sevayat Kalyan Parishad joined in the agitational programme of the Sammillani. The slogan shouting activists marched from the Lions Gate of the temple to the District Collectorate where they held a public meeting.

Sevayat Sammillani president Narasingha Pujapanda and several other leading servitors and heads of various organisations addressed the gathering.

While denouncing the Gajapati King for his alleged anti-Hindu activities, they came down heavily on the temple administration, which according to them, was adopting anti-religious and anti-servitor policies. A charter of demands addressed to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik was submitted to Sub-Collector Pravakar Sarangi.

</td></tr></tbody></table>

[suchandra]

Only One Rath Yatra, says Temple Admin

Dec 18, BHUBANESWAR, ORISSA (NEW INDIA PRESS) — After servitors cried foul over the indiscriminate’ and ‘untimely’ rath yatras conducted by Iskcon (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) in India and overseas, the Jagannath Temple Administration (JTA) today jumped on the bandwagon.

The administration of Sri Jagannath Temple, Puri said it will firmly take up the issue with ISKCON authorities as temple principles do not allow multiple rath yatras across the year. ‘If they don’t refrain, we would move the court of law,’ Chief Administrator Suresh Chandra Mohapatra told mediapersons.

The world famous rath yatra of the trinity - Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra - is held during the Hindu month of ‘Ashadha.’

JTA has, lately, been planning to integrate all Jagannath temples by way of a uniform ‘niti’ which is followed at Puri, and ISKCON's practices have not gone down well either with the administration or the servitors.

In fact, the servitors of the famous temple had taken out a procession on Friday slamming the ISKCON authorities for conducting ‘untimely’ rath yatras.

They were also critical of ‘soft-pedalling’ the issue of the entry of non-Hindus as well as Hindus of foreign origin and converts.

Reacting to this, Mohapatra said, JTA has no authority over this issue but a committee comprising Shankaracharya of Puri, temple’s Mukti Mandap as well as sevayats will discuss the matter and prepare guidelines.

 

[gHari]

And on which day does one slaughter the innocent lambs?

 

Ridiculing Prabhupada only further destroys the poseurs' credibility.

[gHari]

Does anyone believe that Lord Jagannatha would leave His temple if He didn't want to?

[suchandra]

 

Does anyone believe that Lord Jagannatha would leave His temple if He didn't want to?

What the believe is at Puri 2007 - it is hard to figure out, the daily news says, priests feel better when expressing their anguish over the police act of facilitating the Indonesian nationals to enter the temple of Lord Jagannath - although it is written in their passports that they're Hindus.

 

Puri priests demand ban on entry of ISKCON monks

20 Dec 2007, 1550 hrs IST,PTI

TIMESOFINDIA

PURI: Firing another salvo against ISKCON monks, nearly hundred priests of Sri Jagannath Temple here sat on a dharna on Thursday demanding a ban on the entry of converted Hindus into the 12th century shrine.

In a memorandum to Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), Sri Jagannath Sevayat Sammilanee (SJSS) said only "Hindus by birth" should be allowed into the temple, one of the four important dhams for Hindus in the country.

Earlier last week, the priests had criticised ISKCON for holding "untimely" Rath Yatra and display of the Lord's picture on the website of an American online shopping outlet.

Samilanee Secretary, Harehrushna Mahasuar, said a number of foreigners under the cover of ISKCON were trying to enter the temple. "Though their passports showed they were Hindus, in reality they hailed from other religious groups," he claimed.

Citing two recent incidents in which the priests drove out nine Indonesian nationals from the temple, Mahasuar said they were Hindus on paper. But they were converts. "We are sure that they had changed religion in order to get an entry into the Puri temple which is a dream for many," he claimed.

The priests also expressed their anguish over the police act of facilitating the Indonesian nationals to enter the temple.

"We allowed them to enter the temple as their religion was Hindu according to their passports," said Puri Superintendent of Police Asit Panigrahi.

[gHari]

They are already defeated. The blood is on their hands and now karma will show their folly to the world.

[suchandra]

 

They are already defeated. The blood is on their hands and now karma will show their folly to the world.

Looks like this time they succeed to stop Ratha-Yatra in Delhi.

 

Puri Temple Letter to Delhi CM against ISKCON Rath Yatra

BY: SUN CORRESPONDENT

Dec 21, JAGANNATHA PURI, ORISSA — The Jagannath Temple administration on Friday shot a letter to Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit to restrain the ISKCON devotees from celebrating Rath Yatra, scheduled to be held on Sunday at Delhi. It came following the mounting opposition from Jagannath Temple priests over the celebration of Rath Yatra by the ISKCON fraternity on different dates at many places.

“We have written a letter to the Delhi CM requesting her to stop the Rath Yatra of the ISKCON on Sunday. The Jagannath Temple administration has also requested the state government to pursue the matter for the greater preservation of Jagannath culture,” said the temple’s chief administrator, Suresh Chandra Mohapatra. “Puri is the real abode of Lord Jagannath. And the Lord’s Rath Yatra is celebrated on Asadha Shukla Dwitiya that falls in June-July. But the ISKCON devotees have been flouting the age-old tradition by observing the festival on dates of their will,” Mohapatra said.

Notably, this is the second such attempt by the 12th century shrine officials to stop ISKCON followers from celebrating Rath Yatra according to their own schedule. Earlier, the administration had warned the ISKCON management at Ludhiana in Punjab prior to their celebration of Rath Yatra on October 6 this year, but that yielded little result. And the abortive attempt of the Jagannath Temple authorities then gave way to protests by a number of Hindu brigades alongside the priests.

“This time we hope for the best. Looking at the public interest and priests’ unrest, we have requested the Delhi government to consider the matter seriously”, Mohapatra said.

A few days ago, Mohapatra said that the shrine administration was contemplating to move the court against the ISKCON management for their unscheduled Rath Yatra. “Since we cannot stop ISKCON Rath Yatra by force, we will resort to legal procedures. But we need to discuss with the Jagannath Temple managing committee before taking shelter of the court,” Mohapatra reiterated.

 

[gHari]

Will they now try to force ISKCON to murder sheep? The Ratha Yatra should proceed as scheduled, as Prabhupada would have it. The rabble-rousers are already defeated.

 

Who in ISKCON believes that they have been dragging Lord Jagannatha out of His temple against His will all these years? Don't listen to these buffoons.

[suchandra]

Ratha Yatra celebrations in South India,http://www.iskconbangalore.org/festivals/ratha_yathra.htm

 

The chariot festival of Jagannatha Puri is celebrated at ISKCON Bangalore with great show. Sri Sri Krishna Balaram Deities of the temple come out of the temple and ride on their chariot to bless devotees with their auspicious Darshan. Thousands of devotees pull the chariot, offer their prayers and join in the Kirtana, all along the route of the ratha yatra.

<table bgcolor="#d25e15" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="273"><tbody><tr bgcolor="#f1d4b6"> <td width="49%">Mysore </td> <td width="51%">5th Jan 2008</td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#f1d4b6"> <td>Hubli </td> <td>2nd Feb 2008</td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#f1d4b6"> <td>Dharwad</td> <td>9th Feb 2008</td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#f1d4b6"> <td>Mangalore</td> <td>1st Mar 2008</td></tr></tbody></table>

[theist]

 

Will they now try to force ISKCON to murder sheep? The Ratha Yatra should proceed as scheduled, as Prabhupada would have it. The rabble-rousers are already defeated.

 

Who in ISKCON believes that they have been dragging Lord Jagannatha out of His temple against His will all these years? Don't listen to these buffoons.

 

Yes apparently these people think they own Lord Jagannatha. They will show him to the people or not at their discrection. They really take themselves way too seriously.

 

Bt it appears Lord Jagannatha wants to roll around the world on His own time schedule. He may even want to start rolling in one city as He stops in another city and we may find the Lord on continually tour around the world 24/7 in this pastime.

[theist]

Actually the more I think about it the more I like the idea of a continous series of Ratha-yatras flowing one after another across the world.

[theist]

I've been looking for that picture of the first SF Ratha yatra with Jayananda Prabhu and the Deities on that flat bed truck. Can't find it.

[suchandra]

 

I've been looking for that picture of the first SF Ratha yatra with Jayananda Prabhu and the Deities on that flat bed truck. Can't find it.

Ratha-yatra in time:

 

Chariots getting ready

<table class="content" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td colspan="2" valign="top"> </td></tr> <tr> <td align="left" valign="top" width="33%">By Rajkumar Mohanty

Puri (Orissa): Nearly one hundred traditional carpenters have been working to a definite plan to complete the construction of the three huge chariots for observance of annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra on July 16. </td> <td align="right" valign="top" width="67%"></td></tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" valign="top"> The construction work of the three chariots starts on the auspicious Akshaya Tritiya day and gets completed with in forty-four days, a day prior to the Rath Yatra or Car Festival. The construction of chariots begins after the temple priests hand over Ajnamallyas (order of the Lord) from the Lord Jagannath to the Biswakarmas (chief carpenters).

 

A number of carpenters and their assistants work under a chief carpenter called Maharana. Sutar Maharana and Tali Maharana, who belong to the lower order of the chief carpenter, too supervise the on going work at Ratha Khala (construction yard) along the Grand Road. They are designated as Saree Bandha Biswakarmas, (royal permission holders). One Amina Maharana shoulders the responsibility of supplying required size timbers to the carpenters at work in the yard.

 

Being indulged into the holy task of constructing gigantic chariots, the carpenters, however, are not getting any satisfactory reinforcement that they feel the temple administration should dole out to them. They come from various remote villages of the district and belong to economically backward class.

 

"Every year we used to construct Nandighosh Rath (13.9 metres height) of Lord Jagannath with 16 giant wheels, Taladhwaj (13.5 metres height) of Lord Balabhadra with 14 wheels and Darpadalan (12.9 metres height) of Devi Subhadra with 12 wheels using total 872 pieces of timber of various tree species like Asan, Dhaura and Phasi, said Bijay Kumar Mohapatra the head carpenter.

"Specific types of timber logs are used to prepare the axle, wheel and the spokes besides the other parts of the chariots. All the three chariots are fitted with unique shock absorber systems with manual operated front brakes. For our service the then rulers had granted us the right to take balance timber as `Khei' (remuneration) which the temple administration has now stopped and compensating in terms of rupees," Mohapatra added.

 

Carpenters work for nearly 10 hours a day under the supervision of senior Maharanas in the Ratha Khala. Sometime they have to double up the work in the event of work hampering due to natural calamity like rain and cyclone to meet the deadline.

 

Apart from the carpenters a number of Roopakaras (sculptors and painter) display their skill by engraving and colouring the images of (Parswadevatas) guarding deities on all four sides of the chariots. They use bright traditional colours to decorate the images lively created by the wood sculptors on detachable wood pieces. After putting colours then fix them to places around the chariots.

 

A number of blacksmiths display their skill to strengthen the weak portions particularly the wheels by reinforcing them with iron clamps and hooks. Apart from these, a set of traditional tailors (Durjees) work for a week to deck the chariots with their assigned coloured cloths.

On the Rath Yatra day the presiding deities go on a pleasure ride to their aunt's house Gundicha Temple for a nine day sojourn. Their trip to aunt's house is celebrated as Rath Yatra.

http://kalingatimes.com/orissa_news/news/20070616_Chariots_getting_ready_for_Rath_Yatra.htm

</td></tr></tbody></table>

[suchandra]

Looks the problem will be solved soon, only "Hindus of specified category can enter the Jagannath Temple".

 

Puri Sankaracharya to Solve the Religion Confusion

 

Feb 16, JAGANNATHA PURI, ORISSA — The Jagannath temple, which is off limits for non-Hindus, may soon have some limitations for the Hindus as well. And the shrine administration has decided to rope in Puri Sankaracharya Nischalananda Saraswati to earmark the categories of Hindus to be allowed into the state-run 12th century shrine.

 

Jagannath Temple chief administrator, Suresh Chandra Mohapatra, said the shrine administration will get a confirmation from the Puri Seer on the ‘category of Hindus at Jagannath temple’ in the next two months. “We shall approach the Puri Sankaracharya very soon. Since he is a religious expert, only he will decide Hindus of which category can enter the Jagannath Temple,” Mohapatra told reporters on Friday.

 

His Holiness Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Nishchalananda Saraswati

 

The decision to take the advice of Sankaracharya was taken after the Jagannath Temple administration expressed its inability to decide on the raging issue of religion confusion, which created an unprecedented flutter at Puri in the recent past. Some Hindu pilgrims (as claimed by police) from Indonesia were thrown out of the Jagannath temple by angry priests, who suspected them as non-Hindus.

 

“Even though the Jagannath Temple is run by the state government, we are not supposed to take a decision on the issue of religion confusion at the shrine. People with deep religious knowledge can crack it. Hence, Sankaracharya is the best person to do that,” Mohapatra, an IAS officer said.

 

Meanwhile, the Puri temple administration took a back foot in taking on the ISKCON management for celebrating Rath Yatra on unscheduled dates in different places across the country. Even though Mohapatra had earlier told to move the court against the ISKCON management, he on Friday went into his shell. “We consulted with our legal experts regarding this. But they told it is not easy to move court against the ISKCON management. But we are examining what we can do,” Mohapatra said. “However, we will appeal the state governments in the country to cooperate with us. Rath Yatra is celebrated on asadha sulka dwitiya, which falls in June and July in Gregorian calendar. So one should not celebrate it in other seasons,” Mohapatra added.

 

“Mere appeal cut no ice in the past. Despite appeals by the Jagannath Temple administration, ISKCON devotees have been celebrating Rath Yatra at many places. In early January and February this year, ISKCON devotees celebrated Rath Yatra at different places in Karnataka. So the temple administration should think of some alternative measures against the ISKCON,” said Harekrushna Mahasuar, the secretary of Sri Jagannath Sebayat Sammilani. Jagannath temple priests recently poured into the streets protesting the untimely celebration of Rath Yatra by the ISKCON devotees at many places.

[yogesh]

I am Disgusted with these Puri Priest. I have made a point to never enter the Jaganath Mandir in Puri and would rather Pay my Obesiance outside the steps of My Sweet Lord.

Who gave these Puri Priest the right to controll Lord Jaganath!!!!

 

Do they even understand what the name of the Lord Mean?????

 

Jaganath means Lord Of The UNIVERSE!!!!!! Not Servant of the Puri Priest who thinks that they have the monoply over Lord Jaganath!!!!

 

Yes My Friends The END is Near for those who want to controll Lord Jaganath.

 

As Prabhupada said one day the deities will walk out of the Puri Temple.

 

Hare Krsna

 

Jay Sirla Prabhupda

[suchandra]

 

I am Disgusted with these Puri Priest. I have made a point to never enter the Jaganath Mandir in Puri and Pay my Obesiance outside the steps of My Sweet Lord.

Who gave these Puri Priest the right to controll Lord Jaganath!!!!

 

Do they even understand what the name of the Lord Mean?????

 

Jaganath means Lord Of The UNIVERSE!!!!!! Not Servant of the Puri Priest who thinks that they have the monoply over Lord Jaganath!!!!

 

Yes My Friends The END is Near for those who want to controll Lord Jaganath.

 

As Prabhupada said one day the deities will walk out of the Puri Temple.

 

Hare Krsna

 

Jay Sirla Prabhupda

 

Seems like even Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu did not comment on this and respected this behaviour. We find this also in other religions, see below, "deserves being punished from Heaven", and, yes, there are rules and laws that will never change.

 

 

 

Rabbi Bleich - Contemporary Halachic Problems II chapter 16 pp 311-340

has a very good discussion of the issue - especially the issue of giving

Torah classes on the radio.

 

Igros Moshe has a number of tshuvos see Yad Moshe page 377 under the

category of Talmud Torah - in particular E.H. IV # page 54 concerning

teaching in a Jewish school where many of the students are not Jews and

Y.D. IV #38.10 page 255 concerning translating seforim and Y.D. III #90

page 332 concerning teaching Torah to a group of Jews when a non-Jew

is present.

 

Also of relevance is the extensive discussion in Rav Dovid Yosef's

edition of the Rambam's tshuvos #50.

 

Of interest -- especially since it seems not to be cited by anyone --

is the Chasam Sofer to Chullin 33. He also does not cite the Rambam's

tshuva. The Rambam (Hilchos Melachim 10:10) states that if a ben noach

wants to perform one of the 613 mitzvos to get reward -- we don't stop

him from doing it correctly. However, the Rambam (Hilchos Melachim 10:9)

states that if a non Jew wants to keep Shabbos, learn Torah or create

a religious obligation for himself -- he deserves being punished from

Heaven. The Chasam Sofer (Chullin 33) explains the apparent contradiction

by saying that the Rambam holds there are two types of non Jews. A Ben

Noach is one who has accepted not to worship idols while an Akum has

not. The Ben Noach is allowed to keep Shabbos, study Torah and do the

other mitzvos. He also notes that whether it is permitted for a nonJew

to learn Torah is apparently a dispute in the gemora itself [Chagiga 13a,

Sanhedrin 59a, Avoda Zara 59a and Nedarim 31a] and that the Rambam rules

according to the lenient opinion stated in Nedarim 31a since this section

of Shas was composed more recently than the rest of Shas.

 

In sum - there are definitely hetairim for a wide range of Torah

activities directed at Jews even though non-Jews might also learn as

well as teaching non-Jews directly in certain limited circumstances.

 

Daniel Eidensohn

 

 

</pre>

[yogesh]

 

Actually the more I think about it the more I like the idea of a continous series of Ratha-yatras flowing one after another across the world.

That sounds like such a great Idea!!!. Now to get all the temples organized so that straight after the (1)Puri Rathayatra (India) the Next day would be (2) Russia/Poland, (3)East Block Countries, (4)Europe & Africa (incl Madagascar) ;(5) UK; (6)The Americas (yes this incl Canada:P);(7) Pacific Islands; (8)Japan; (9)New Zealand & Australasia; (10) China; (11) Indonisia; (12) Malaysia; (13) Thailand; (14) Burma; (15) Nepal stopping on the east coast of India;

 

WOW SANKIRTAN IN EVERY TOWN AND VILLAGE WITH THE RATHAYATRA PROCESSION. THE WORLD FLOODED WITH THE RESOUNDING SOUND OF HARINAM!!!!

 

THAT IS WHAT I WOULD TRULY CALL THE CELEBRATION OF LORD OF THE UNIVERSE.

 

Just what Sirla Prabhupada would have wanted with expert organization anyhing is possible!!!!

 

IF the rich people can celebrate NEW YEAR in every country by flying around the world, I do not see why this cannot happen to celebrate Lord Jaganath Chariot Festival.

 

(In South Africa Indradumna Maharaj helped setup the Rathayatra Festival In 1988 in December. But the temple authorities decided to move the festival over the Easter Weekend. Maharaj was not very happy but the temple authorities had their way. The festival however is still one of the biggest outside India and attracts thousands of people)

 

HARI BOL HARI BOL!!!!!

 

Hare Krsna/Krishna

 

Jay Sirla Prabhupada

[suchandra]

 

That sounds like such a great Idea!!!. Now to get all the temples organized so that straight after the (1)Puri Rathayatra (India) the Next day would be (2) Russia/Poland, (3)East Block Countries, (4)Europe & Africa (incl Madagascar) ;(5) UK; (6)The Americas (yes this incl Canada:P);(7) Pacific Islands; (8)Japan; (9)New Zealand & Australasia; (10) China; (11) Indonisia; (12) Malaysia; (13) Thailand; (14) Burma; (15) Nepal stopping on the east coast of India;

 

WOW SANKIRTAN IN EVERY TOWN AND VILLAGE WITH THE RATHAYATRA PROCESSION. THE WORLD FLOODED WITH THE RESOUNDING SOUND OF HARINAM!!!!

 

THAT IS WHAT I WOULD TRULY CALL THE CELEBRATION OF LORD OF THE UNIVERSE.

 

Just what Sirla Prabhupada would have wanted with expert organization anyhing is possible!!!!

 

IF the rich people can celebrate NEW YEAR in every country by flying around the world, I do not see why this cannot happen to celebrate Lord Jaganath Chariot Festival.

 

(In South Africa Indradumna Maharaj helped setup the Rathayatra Festival In 1988 in December. But the temple authorities decided to move the festival over the Easter Weekend. Maharaj was not very happy but the temple authorities had their way. The festival however is still one of the biggest outside India and attracts thousands of people)

 

HARI BOL HARI BOL!!!!!

 

Hare Krsna/Krishna

 

Jay Sirla Prabhupada

 

 

Agreed, Ratha-yatra should spread all over the world.

 

 

 

DALALER GITA-"The Song of the Broker"

(BORO SUKHER KHABOR GAI)

(from Vaisnava-Siddhanta-Mala by Bhaktivinoda Thakura)

 

 

boro sukher khabor gai

surabhi-kunjete namer hat khule'che / khoda nitai

 

 

boro mojar katha tay

sraddha-mulye suddha-nama sei hatete bikay

 

 

jata bhakta-brnda basi'

adhikari dekhe' nama becche daro kasi'

 

 

jadi nama kinbe, bhai

amar sange calo, mahajaner kache jai

 

 

tumi kinbe krsna-nama

dasturi loibo ami, purna ha'be kama

 

 

boro doyal nityananda

sraddha-matra lo'ye den parama-ananda

 

 

ek-bar dekhle cakse jal

'gaura' bole' nitai den sakala sambal

 

 

den suddha krsna-siksa

jati, dhana, vidya, bala na kore apeksa

 

 

amani chade maya-jal

grhe thako, bane thako, na thake janjal

 

 

ar naiko kalir bhoy

acandale den nama nitai doyamoy

 

 

bhaktivinoda daki' koy

nitai-carana bina ar nahi asroy

 

 

["I am singing news of the greatest happiness! At the place known as Surabhi Kunja in Sri Navadvipa, the Marketplace of the Holy Name has now been opened-and Lord Nityananda Himself is the Proprietor.

 

 

"Such wonderful things are going on in that blissful marketplace! Sri Nityananda Prabhu is selling the pure Holy Name wholesale, merely for the price of one's faith.

 

 

"Seeing the assembly of devotees eagerly waiting to purchase the Name, Lord Nityananda first examines each of them to test their qualification; then He sells them the Name by bargaining for His price accordingly.

 

 

"O my dear friends! If you really want to buy this pure Holy Name, then just come along with me, for I am now going to meet with this Nityananda Mahajana.

 

 

"Thus, you will finally be able to acquire the pure Holy Name. I will also take my due commission, and in this way all three of us will fulfill our desires.

 

 

"Sri Nityananda Prabhu is so extraordinarily merciful-accepting only one's faith in the Holy Name, He bestows the topmost divine bliss.

 

 

"When Nitai sees a tear welling in someone's eye upon chanting the name of "Gaura!" He instantly gives His support to that person; indeed, He bestows all divine opulences.

 

 

"He gives that person genuine realization of the pure teachings of Sri Krishna as found in the Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam. While displaying all this inconceivable mercy, He pays no attention to one's caste, material wealth, mundane knowledge, or physical ability.

 

 

"Now, dear friends, please reject all of maya's entangling snares. If you are a householder, then just remain at your home; if you are renounced, then just live in the forest. Either way, nothing more will trouble you.

 

 

"We no longer need to fear the terrible Age of Quarrel, for the most merciful Lord Nityananda gives the Holy Name to anyone and everyone-even to the lowest among men.

 

"Bhaktivinoda loudly calls out and proclaims to all, 'OTHER THAN THE LOTUS FEET OF LORD NITYANANDA, THERE IS NO SHELTER!'"

Posted 17 Feb 2008 by Nityanandavesa dasa

http://www.agtsp.net/2008/02/khoda-nitai-dalaler-gita-song-of-broker.html

[mahak]

it is the Puri priests who prevented namacarya srila haridas thakur from entering their sacred ground.. It is the mentality of religiosity, which means that these puri priests have no knowledge and understanding of Bhagavad Gita, where religion is placed in the "abandon all varieties of" catagory.

 

Religion is sick, man made, polluted by the modes of materialism, and the basis for all suicidal tendencies of humankind, from war to child abuse, of fraud, of horrific treatment of humankind by elitists who are not accepted by those they pledge allegiance to (Krsna, Allah, Jehovia, Lord Jesus, etc.)

 

We can educate ourselves by witnessing the attitude of these fools. Priests are only valid in religion, so any idea of empowering eccliastic priests is very dangerous to any spiritual ideologies. From mullahs, gurus, popes, all who practice exclusionary sectarioan religions, all should be abandoned, which means withdraw support from anything they stand for. Abandon is a severe term, it doesnt mean that it is okay to go for the social scene, to declare commonality brotherhood because the same songs are3 sung or the same pictures are appreciated. Abandon means rejection, complete rejection, in a most comprehensive and complete manner. Cant have it both ways, to witness the maha aparadha yet want to eat the food and talk to the congregation. Better to live in a graveyard with ashes covering the form, eating from a human skull, acting as a feral human, than to step one foot in their town, or be in their crowd. Go to the beach instead, and worship the one who never was able to go to the Jaganatha temple. This is the example set by Lord Chaitanya, who would leave the temple gladly to go associate with the muslim Haridas Thakura.

 

My opinion is that If ISKCON contests these priests, they are no better, because they too fail to abandon all varieties of religion. Srila Prabhupada does not infringe on rathayatra or puri propriety, he has done something entirely unrelated to any of that nonsense. He has created a unique year round festival to enable us all to gather for one reason, to perform yuga dharma, samkirtana. All the other stuff is facility, not the main show. One can have a rathayatra per Srila Prabhupada without dieties, without sanction of priests and fools (hard to tell which is which, even for Lord Brahma Himself), without permission from governing bodies. So they got a press release, made some political statement. But it has absolutely nothing to do with the Lord of the Universe, who certainly has the omnipotence to ride his cars in australia in december, Oslo in june, or in my baCKYARD TODAY WITH ONLY MY DOGS AND BILLY GOAT IN ATTENDENCE.

 

I defy all such priests anyway, thats why rtviks and GBC alike dont like me. Go priest somewhere else, Id rather hear from the drunk under the bridge. More real insight, better real-life experiance to share.

 

hare krsna, ys, mahaksadasa

[suchandra]

 

it is the Puri priests who prevented namacarya srila haridas thakur from entering their sacred ground.. It is the mentality of religiosity, which means that these puri priests have no knowledge and understanding of Bhagavad Gita, where religion is placed in the "abandon all varieties of" catagory.

 

Religion is sick, man made, polluted by the modes of materialism, and the basis for all suicidal tendencies of humankind, from war to child abuse, of fraud, of horrific treatment of humankind by elitists who are not accepted by those they pledge allegiance to (Krsna, Allah, Jehovia, Lord Jesus, etc.)

 

We can educate ourselves by witnessing the attitude of these fools. Priests are only valid in religion, so any idea of empowering eccliastic priests is very dangerous to any spiritual ideologies. From mullahs, gurus, popes, all who practice exclusionary sectarioan religions, all should be abandoned, which means withdraw support from anything they stand for. Abandon is a severe term, it doesnt mean that it is okay to go for the social scene, to declare commonality brotherhood because the same songs are3 sung or the same pictures are appreciated. Abandon means rejection, complete rejection, in a most comprehensive and complete manner. Cant have it both ways, to witness the maha aparadha yet want to eat the food and talk to the congregation. Better to live in a graveyard with ashes covering the form, eating from a human skull, acting as a feral human, than to step one foot in their town, or be in their crowd. Go to the beach instead, and worship the one who never was able to go to the Jaganatha temple. This is the example set by Lord Chaitanya, who would leave the temple gladly to go associate with the muslim Haridas Thakura.

 

My opinion is that If ISKCON contests these priests, they are no better, because they too fail to abandon all varieties of religion. Srila Prabhupada does not infringe on rathayatra or puri propriety, he has done something entirely unrelated to any of that nonsense. He has created a unique year round festival to enable us all to gather for one reason, to perform yuga dharma, samkirtana. All the other stuff is facility, not the main show. One can have a rathayatra per Srila Prabhupada without dieties, without sanction of priests and fools (hard to tell which is which, even for Lord Brahma Himself), without permission from governing bodies. So they got a press release, made some political statement. But it has absolutely nothing to do with the Lord of the Universe, who certainly has the omnipotence to ride his cars in australia in december, Oslo in june, or in my baCKYARD TODAY WITH ONLY MY DOGS AND BILLY GOAT IN ATTENDENCE.

 

I defy all such priests anyway, thats why rtviks and GBC alike dont like me. Go priest somewhere else, Id rather hear from the drunk under the bridge. More real insight, better real-life experiance to share.

 

hare krsna, ys, mahaksadasa

 

Thanks Mahaksa prabhu, good points, the Holy Name should be spread, everything else is politics.

 

By Team Mangalorean

Photographs: Rajesh Shetty

Mangalore, March 1, 2008: Thousands of devotees of Lord Krishna took part in the chariot utsav of Lord Krishna and Balarama held in the city by the ISKCON on the fifth annual Krishna Balarama Ratha Utsava today March 1, 2008.

Presiding over the Utsava head of the Chennai chapter of ISKCON Stoka Krishna Prabhu, stated that the main aim of organizing the rath yatra was to bring the Krishna Consciousness closer to the people. He said in Hindu religion there was a belief that people will attain nirvana (end of birth and death cycle) if they see the lord krishna being drawn by devotees on a chariot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The former MLA N. Yogish Bhat who inaugurated the ratha yatra said nobody can visualize Indian cultural without Krishna and Rama. Describing these deities as integral part of Indian culture, Mr. Bhat lauded the work done by the Akshaya Patra Foundation, managed by the society in reaching out to more than 15,000 school children in and around the city by providing them with mid-day meals under a government scheme.

K. Thejomaya and Raghunath Shet spoke on the occasion. Devotees showered flower petals on the tastefully decorated idol of Krishna Balarama even as a pooja was performed prior to the start of the ratha yatra. The guests joined the devotees who sang 'Harinama Sankeertana' in pulling the flower bedecked chariot through the main thoroughfares of the city.

[lokeshvara]

i am saddened to hear about the news from puri but not surprised. it seems to be a fairly common practice to try and bar certain groups of people from entering shrines. while i can understand not allowing just sight seers in but to not allow admission to those who seek darshan seems silly.

 

when i was in varanasi this past summer a similar thing happened to a few of my friends. we had gone to the Vishvanath Mandir and right away an american born indian friend of my was told none in the group could enter. not even him, a devotee of shiva.

 

a week later i had returned on my own and brought prasad to offer to lord Shiva and after a few questions from the police and filling out some papers (none of which asked if i was Hindu) i was permitted entry.

 

so this matter of entry to shrines seems to be at the whim of whom ever happens to be there at the time.

 

it doesn't just happen in hinduism either. buddhists in south asia won't allow certain types of other buddhists into their shrines.

 

it is an unfortunate set of circumstances. as if anyone could really have any control over the infinite.

 

as for ratha yatra, is there a particular reason why temple officials are demanding it be done during that specific time? does the date have some significance?

 

blessings

[suchandra]

 

i am saddened to hear about the news from puri but not surprised. it seems to be a fairly common practice to try and bar certain groups of people from entering shrines. while i can understand not allowing just sight seers in but to not allow admission to those who seek darshan seems silly.

 

when i was in varanasi this past summer a similar thing happened to a few of my friends. we had gone to the Vishvanath Mandir and right away an american born indian friend of my was told none in the group could enter. not even him, a devotee of shiva.

 

a week later i had returned on my own and brought prasad to offer to lord Shiva and after a few questions from the police and filling out some papers (none of which asked if i was Hindu) i was permitted entry.

 

so this matter of entry to shrines seems to be at the whim of whom ever happens to be there at the time.

 

it doesn't just happen in hinduism either. buddhists in south asia won't allow certain types of other buddhists into their shrines.

 

it is an unfortunate set of circumstances. as if anyone could really have any control over the infinite.

 

as for ratha yatra, is there a particular reason why temple officials are demanding it be done during that specific time? does the date have some significance?

 

blessings

 

Thanks Lokeshvara prabhu, good points, there're surely kind of tourists who cause damage, but to only allow people who're born there to enter a temple doesn't look very spiritual, is a questionable decision. Now the leaders of Puri decided, yes, practically the whole world cannot enter Lord Jagannath's temple, but they can come to research in our library which is liable to pay costs. Question, if they consider us so impure and unqualified to enter Lord Jagannath's temple, why then are they worried to provide us with "transcendental knowledge for research"? Looks rather some of their leaders held a speech pulling out his Microsoft sponsored hand-held calculator and making clear with six-figure sum what is Puri's lost turnover by prohibiting the world to see Lord Jagannath.

 

 

Mega Library and Research Center of Lord Jagannath at Puri

BY: SUN CORRESPONDENT

Mar 11, JAGANNATHA PURI, ORISSA — Puri attracts scores of pilgrims round the year who usually come here only to have a glimpse of the sibling Deities at the world famous Jagannath temple. But the temple town falls flat when it comes to providing a firm ground for scholars and researchers to cultivate their mind on Jagannath art and culture. However, things are set to change as the Jagannath Temple administration has decided to build a mega library-cum-research center here at the abode of Lord Jagannath.

The proposed mega library will be set-up at the Emar Mutt premises, facing the 12th century shrine. Not less than fifty thousand books, mostly related to Jagannath culture, besides a plethora of religious write-ups will find a place in the library, sources said. Even though an old library, namely Raghunandan Library, exists at the mutt premises, the temple administration will annex that one with its own mega library-cum-research center.

“The name of the library will be the same, Raghunandan Library. But that will be managed by the Jagannath Temple administration,” said Bhaskar Mishra, the deputy administrator of the temple administration. “Work will start very soon,” Mishra told.

According to sources, at present the temple has a very small library, accommodating only two thousand books, at the Jagannath Ballav mutt premises along the grand road. Very few people find access to that library, which exists a half kilometer from the temple. Every day only twenty or thirty readers visit the library, set up in August 1990.

“So we decided to build a library at such a location which will be convenient for the readers. Besides, a lot of pilgrims can visit the proposed library in front of the Jagannath temple. The rooftop of the Emar mutt also works as a viewpoint of the temple for the non-Hindus, who are denied entry into the shrine. So the proposed library can attract a whole lot of foreigners,” Mishra said. “The shrine administration will renovate the mutt building before setting up the establishment. The expenditure is yet to be finalized. The temple will also pay certain rent to the mutt,” Mishra added.

“The existing library does not cater to the need of the prolific readers. Even though we boast of having a rich history and culture of Jagannath, we don’t have enough books to substantiate the claim. A mega library-cum-research center was need of the hour,” said Rabindranath Pratihari, a member of the Jagannath Temple managing committee.

“We shall collect as many books as possible from various authors and publishers. For, there are many books on Lord Jagannath that have remained in backstage. Those writings need to be brought before the readers and scholars,” Pratihari said.

[suchandra]

Fifteen Newspapers Cover First Solapur Rathayatra

 

By Ekalavya Dasa on 12 Apr 2008

Lokanatha Swami leads the chanting procession down the streets of Solarpur.

 

<!--paging_filter-->On April 6, Lord Jagannatha’s chariot parade rolled out on the streets of Solapur, Maharastra, India for the first time.

Thousands packed the streets, watching as devotees pulled the ropes of Jagannatha’s cart, waved flags, danced and chanted the Hare Krishna mantra. Solapur’s congregation were joined by devotees from every corner of India including Mumbai, Pune, and Kholapur. The festival also yielded a healthy international turnout from the likes of the U.S., Denmark, Poland, Switzerland, and Russia.

Lokanatha Swami, zonal secretary for ISKCON Maharastra, said, “The event was a grand success – I was especially pleased by the participation of so many devotees. Thousands must have accompanied us from beginning to end, despite the hot sun.”

The procession also featured a brass band, floats depicting stories of Krishna and Rama, and two singing parties. Children, dressed up as monkey companions of Lord Rama and dancing exuberantly, put a smile on the faces of onlookers.

Devotees carried banners, flags, and emblems bearing the insignia of Lord Jagannatha, while colorful powder decorations, known as rangoli, covered the entire Rathayatra route.

A beautiful stage program rounded out the event. Devotional music and singing, traditional Bharat Natyam dance, and talks by Lokanatha Swami and Radha Raman Swami enthralled the audience. The Gaura Hari Band ended the performance in style, belting out the Hare Krishna mantra with a western flavor and bringing the audience to their feet to dance the night away.

The event was heavily covered by the press; fifteen newspapers picked up on the story, featuring color photos and even a front page spread. It was a triumphant victory for all the devotees of Solapur and their guests, who worked so hard to make the festival a grand success.

[suchandra]

 

Puri Priest Manhandles Pilgrim BY: SUN CORRESPONDENT

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Nov 26, JAGANNATHA PURI, ORISSA — Being allegedly manhandled by a Jagannath Temple priest (panda), a pilgrim from West Bengal was admitted to the hospital in a terrible state. The horrible incident took place inside the sanctum sanctorum of the world famous Jagannath Temple at around 9.30 am on Saturday.

The victim is Santosh Kumar Das (55), a resident of Dhantikari village under the Dhaniakhali police limit in West Bengal. Meanwhile, this incident adds to the chapter of accidents (hooliganism of priests) taking place inside the 12th century shrine time and again.

According to police, the priest punched Das’s face several times before fleeing from the spot. Das was given five stitches on his nose, police said. The errant panda, whose identity is yet to be ascertained, is on the run. Police registered a case based on the FIR of the victim.

Sources said Das, along with seven of his relatives (all in their fifties), were in a queue in order to have a glimpse of the Deities when the wayward priest pushed them from behind. When Das protested, the priest went berserk and assaulted him, police said.

 

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“I asked the priest in a gentle manner as to why he pushed us from the back. I also showed him how my old mother and aunty fell on the ground because of his violet nudge. But he started arguing with me. When I protested again, he assaulted me and gave punches on my face,” Das said showing his bloodstained white shirt.

His wife, Sunita Dasi, alleged that police turned their back to the hooliganism of the priest despite being present at the spot. “The temple was very crowded. Some policemen were also around us. But shockingly, none of them came to help us. That priest behaved like a gangster,” Sunita said. “Some priests were also present at the site, but they did not stop their colleague from creating the nuisance,” said Sunita.

Meanwhile police tried to downplay the incident, saying it is very hard to track down the errant priest. “We asked our staff and some priests about the incident. But they posed ignorance to it,” said Alekh Chnadra Pahi, the inspector-in-charge of the Puri Town police station.

Temple chief administrator Suresh Chandra Mohapatra said stringent action will be taken against the priest. “I have talked with the superintendent of police to trace the priest, who assaulted the pilgrim,” Mohapatra said.