The Evils of Black Mold

My last post, "Life and Death," was about high risk pregnancy, and the lucky healthy birth of my grandchild. Tho there "were" initial issues, and time spent in N.I.C.U.  However, after about a week or less, baby was fine and went home. So what is the connection to this post?

My daughter, and her doctors, could not for the life of them figure out what caused this high risk pregnancy. She is young enough, and healthy. [Or WAS healthy.] I feel I have resolved the source of the issue, and my daughter simultaneously agrees. Black mold!

For a couple of years or more, my daughter kept coming over to my house and every now and than, complaining of weird health problems. She would ask me what they were. We both talked thru all types of issues coupled with natural solutions for what it initially appeared to be. While there was initial relief, no resolve lasted very long. And yes, she went to the doctor, who could not find anything serious. Yet there remained chronic and screaming symptoms.

She had tiny red skin marks show up, but with this or that treatment, went away. 

Next got what appeared to be an allergic reaction, but changed their laundry soap and again the symptoms went away. 

After that, started to feel as if little bugs were crawling all over her, but nothing could be seen by the naked eye. She treated for parasites, and for a while it reduced. This one however, did not go away and over time got worse. 

Next, she and her daughter started to get black spots in their mouth, and that is when she moved into my house. [Within days they started to reduce.]

Prior to some of the above, and once upon a time :) her and her husband decided to put a new floor in their kitchen. A happy event! 

Not happy for long. As he pulled it up, he saw huge black mold growing under that floor, as well as spread to other areas of the house. It even went into the bedroom where my daughter and her other child, sleep!

After staying at my house, all their symptoms began to go away. Tho a few were stubborn but close to near extinction, which I feel with so much avoidance of black mold, is probably all ready gone.

However, my daughter did not know she was pregnant while living in her house. Tho in her defense she also did not know it had black mold! And moved out within a few months or less.

I feel the reason the pregnancy was high risk, plus the initial "Infantile Pneumonia" in the baby once born, is all due to black mold! 

Why write this post? Because we were unaware of it, and it could have taken a life, tho it did not. I do not want anyone out there to be unaware of it and wind up with disastrous results. If you've a mystery illness, at least look into the possibility of Black mold.

Simultaneously, I do not want everyone getting fear based and self-diagnosing everything as black mold issues. ha Just use common sense, take the time to figure it out. Go slow in your reading on the net about it, because my daughter read some scary things that never turned out to be true for her. 

And yes, one can get rid of black mold. It usually requires putting in time and effort.

First internally, tho I do not recall everything she took, I do know Golden Seal herb helps get rid of basic mold. But she did much more than that. If you need medical advice for alternative help, hit google. [Just added one really good link on that below.]

Regarding the house, it's not easy to get rid of, but some had my daughter thinking it was impossible. Yet her and husband now have it out of their house. 

How do we know? Well, in addition to testing, she became super sensitive to it. When it was still there but they were in the process of cutting it out or etc - so thought maybe she could visit - she would break out and get itchy. Had to return to my house quick. Whereas now she lives over there, perfectly fine.

What did they do? Many things. Including putting up plastic, wearing protective gear, and ripping out as much of it as they could see!

They also used chemicals. As much as I hate them, I hate black mold more. It's better to have a short use of controllable chemical "black mold bombs" set off in the house where you can leave, and return at a safe time to clean - than it is to live in black mold.

They also used bleach and/or white vinegar as they kill black mold.  But this does penetrate things like tiles. Plus, if the mold has gotten into small cracks or way in the back of old furniture, or etc - bleach may not reach it - and did not in their case - thus the Black Mold Bomb came first.

Then they bought natural products to keep it at bay. Sulfur seems to help relief the itch and I found her nice lavender sulfur bar-soap on Amazon. Also, sulfur power was good for her bed-sheets for a while. Fortunately, no longer needed by them now.

Something else that kills black mold is the extremes of either hot or cold. So a hair dryer placed on the hottest setting and aimed at it should help a lot, as well anything extremely cold like ice or fire extinguishers that are specifically made of something cold. These can be aimed between floor boards, or behind drawers, places hard to get at to clean.

Smudging helps, as black mold can't stand smoke! 

When the mold was gone, we bought her a special type of Essential Oil Diffuse advertised to help in such situations.  [Do not smudge at the same time.]

I have listed these solutions in order. They need to be done that way with the most intense first.

And I do hope this helps someone out there! 

Black mold can torture or if ignored long enough even kill. Especially babies in the womb. Death can come at any moment, but lets do our best to keep it at bay. 

Chant Hare Krishna and be happy.

[Bala-Krsna dolls, crocheted]

[My friend made me these and sent them all the way from Germany! Aren't They adorable?!]

Resources for help with Black Mold problems:

How To Detox Black Mold out of your BODY,

5 Symptoms Of Black Mold Exposure,

How To Get Rid Of Black Mold the Easy & Cheap Way,

More black mold Tips.

Longevity and Self-Sufficiency - taking it beyond black mold, this page gives ideas on healthy eating, dentistry, juicing, exercise, and more. 

 

Life and Death

My apologies for taking so long to post another blog. I have a bona fide reason.  You see, I was about to become a grandma but it was a high risk pregnancy. And a very scary one. First informed this horrible thing was going to happen, then it did not and all was well. Shortly after, told some new awful thing was going on, then with testing it revealed everything was ok. On and on for most of the pregnancy like that. So, I'd rather not go into all the details. 

Finally, the baby was born, and healthy. We were relieved. However, within hours - went downhill. Came close to death!

I believe medicine has it's place, be it allopathic, natural, or both. Also, I believe that Energy Healing has a place, plus the power of sound vibration or the "chanting" of Vedic Prayers, andddddddd :) mixing everything together with the God connection - all have their place in healing. That is what we did. 

Although the details on "how" is a different topic and I don't want to get sidetracked, if you want to learn healing with Mantra as well as with Energy, even the power of Candle Work - check out my yahoo egroup specific to learning that, here.  

Long story short, baby fully recuperated, is perfectly fine, and I am a happy grandma! Phew. 

However, it forces one to think about birth and death, how they have so much in common, and how even if we get a shot at an auspicious birth, we really never know. Anything can be taken away from us at any moment.

Now things have settled down and I am able to write this post, However, I must say, please oh please take spiritual life seriously cuz at any moment death can raise it's head.  By serious I do not mean fanatically or etc, because true spiritual life is blissful. 

Yet we do have to commit to some action. I've given many ideas throughout this blog on practical ways to do that, even within the home. Look around at the various links. Open them up, see if they tickle your fancy. If one doesn't, keep looking and find one that does, because life on this planet is temporary - whereas spiritual life never ends and is eternal. Unlike material banks, whatever we deposit in our transcendental bank account is never taken away. So lets keep depositing more.

In the Mahabharata the question is asked: What is the most wonderful thing? [Wonderful meaning surprising or filled with wonder, unexpected.] The reply given was: Family, friends, and so on are dying all around everyone, yet each person thinks they themselves shall not die.

This does not mean logically we do not think it, as we all know with our intellect we must die. Rather, we too often live our life as if death is far away, or sometimes that it is not even a thought we allow in order to remind us that life is temporary - therefore go do something permanent.

Anyway, it is there in ancient scripture as a warning, not as paranoia. It is simply a reality of the material world.

Some may say this is a morbid topic. I disagree. Nothing here is speaking of eternal hell fires or how we are always bad. ha What is being pointed out is to take this golden opportunity Krishna has given us, and put in some time to make spiritual advancement.

After all, we are given free will. No one is forcing. It's up to each individual to either take out time to serve God/Krishna, or we will be forced by the laws of material nature to serve Maya. 

Maya can be anything from our jobs to cleaning the house to etc. And sure, we have to live in the material world. But when we add Krishna to the mix, we may be in the world, yet not of the world.

We were built to serve, but we were also given free will. It is up to us, what we wish to do. By making the endeavor to serve Krishna, we are cutting the binding chains of our individual material existence, while simultaneously reconnecting with God. Yoga means to unite, and that is what Bhakti Yoga is all about. Uniting through love and service. 

P.S.  Love is a verb. :) We show our love to God by the actions of devotional service. And there is so much blissful service available that can be done even within the home. It is not a drag ha, nor boring - rather it is nectar!  Please open links at the side of [or beneath] this blog to find something that does it for you. Life is short, chant and be happy.

If you'd like to receive each new blog post as soon as it is created, click subscribe. :)  Thanks.

Saradiya has left us, going higher

October 5th the last full moon, known as Saradiya Rasa, the devotee Prabhupada named Saridiya devi dasi left this planet [passed on]. 

I can not claim to have known her, but that will not stop me from posting what a wonderful devotee she was! I wish I had known her. She joined the Hare Krishna Movement at the age of 16. How rare is that?! Prabhupada asked mother Malati to adopt her. :) And she did. 

Saradiya devi dasi dancing before Srila Prabhupada in 1968:

Saradiya was also an artist. Here is the link to her art page.

Now something very interesting happened. A young, new devotee, barely a year older than Saradiya when she herself became a devotee, took pictures of the full moon that night. She knew Saradiya, got her first BhagavadGita from her. She got more than a full moon when taking those pics. 

What would that be? 

In her own words: "This was the full moon on Saradiya RasaYatra. After and before I took this picture, I saw this orb. I was talking to Saradiya and telling her how much I miss her already. I believe this orb could be her energy. If not, it could be the Lords energy. Either one makes me happy."

[Click pics open to get the 'real' effect!]

Notice how it moved a bit too [click open]

Traveling somewhere: 











Next, I wish to thank PrabhupadaConnect / PC for giving me permisison to use anything from the site, which I have. :) Therefore I'd like to add this link to theirs; an article written by Saradiya called: "Bonds Of Love."

And here Saradiya wrote: "It was the summer of 1969.  I was cleaning A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada’s apartment on 26 2nd Ave in New York City.  His apartment was behind the Radha Krishna Temple, across the small courtyard, up the stairs, and on the second floor.  His rooms were small, but functional.

The temple was a small storefront that the previous tenants had made into a gift store with the sign: "Matchless Gifts."  The sign certainly alluded to the real matchless gifts of Srila Prabhupada’s teachings generously given to all who entered the transformed storefront.

The previous summer, I had the good fortune to attend a few of Srila Prabhupada’s darshans (discussion/gatherings) in this apartment.  He had asked the devotees if they were painting. ..... "Full Story here.

How interesting she left her body at this exact point in time. Prabhupada knew what he was doing when he named her. :) Plus, a very auspicious time to go:

Sri Kavi Karnapura describes the autumn of Vraja in his Ananda Vrindavana Campu: 

THE AUTUMN SEASON OF VRAJA

The splendorous season of autumn is characterized by lakes full of deep blue water filled with red lotus flowers that look like the lotus feet of Visnu being caressed by the loving lotus hands of Laksmi. 

Brimming with water, these lakes are as clean and pure as the sinless heart of a devotee aspiring for prema. 

As Narayana is beautified by the presence of the joy-ful Goddess of Fortune, similarly, the autumn lakes are beautified by the presence of cakravaka birds and blossoming lotuses.

Groups of lazy swans sport freely in the lakes. Gliding along the water, they resemble liberated souls (paramahamsas) swimming in the ocean of spiritual bliss. 

The cooing herons appear to be echoing the tales of Rama and Laksmana. 

Blue lotuses please everyone with their splendid fragrance, spreading through the land like the fame of the all-attractive Lord. 

The white lotuses (pundarika) ornamenting the lakes are like the elephant Pundarika who decorates the Southeast direction. 

The bees ravage the honey of the kumuda lotuses growing in the lake, just as they enjoy the liquid oozing from the body of Kumuda, the elephant of the Southwest direction. 

Red lotuses cast their colors across the autumn lakes like the setting sun coloring the evening sky with it pastel pinks.

Like an impassioned lady, the autumn season holds these lakes, the reservoirs of all beauty, to her chest in love. 

The autumn moon shines brilliantly like a glinting sword unsheathed before battle. 

As dharma fully manifests in Satya-yuga, the bulls, as representatives of religion, manifest a type of madness during this season as they turn every field into a play-ground. 

The large lakes of this season are very beautiful with warm water on their surfaces and cool water within. They resemble a peaceful man who keeps cool within, even when harassed by the words of a fool. 

The rows of brilliant wispy clouds adorning the autumn sky look like sandal-wood paste on the limbs of the directions personified as women. 

These cloud wisps appear like the white scarf of a young woman waving in the breeze, or cotton fluff carried by the winds personified as young girls.

When the groups of pure white clouds reflect in the Yamuna, it appears like a brilliant white sandbar in the middle of the river, or that the Ganga (which is greenish-white in color) has taken shelter of the Yamuna to gain the fortune of bathing Krsna. 

Three wonderful features fill the autumn season with bliss, namely the fragrant pollen from blooming lotuses, the directions becoming darkened from swarms of bees maddened by the in-toxicating fragrance of the chatina tree, and the wind driven clouds mov-ing like freely roaming elephants.

The autumn season can be seen as a beautiful woman whose waist-belt is the cooing herons, whose ankle-bells are the sonorous quacking of the ducks, whose breasts are the cakravaka birds, whose moon-like face is the half-blooming lotuses, whose eyes are the blue lotuses, whose eyebrows are the fickle bees, and whose attractive garments are the pollen from various flowers.

When the mud (kardama) dries up this season becomes blissful with the sight of the faces of many brown calves (kapilas). Similarly, when Kardama Muni renounced his home, Devahuti took pleasure in seeing the face of her son Kapiladeva. 

This season is like a king who has a flower bed in the middle of a forest of land lotuses. Its canopy is the sky overhead sparkling with the constellations. Its camara whisks are the swaying of the tall kasa flowers.

In the monsoon season, the elephants of the directions jump on the clouds and push them down so that the sky appears to touch the treetops. 

On the other hand, when the tree branches become free of these clouds, it seems the elephants of the directions have departed. In their absence the space above the trees increases.

~~*~~

Stevie Wonder - Hare Krishna

"PASTIME PARADISE"

Some have criticized me for posting this. I have no ill will toward them, simply wish to clarify where I am coming from:

Not everyone is going to shave-up or move into the ashrama. When I hear famous musicians trying to share Krishna's holy name with the world, and risking criticism doing so, yet they do it - I am proud of them. 

And lets remember how George Harrison combined Hallelujah with Hare Krishna. :) Prabhupada was pleased. 

Great preaching. With both George - and maybe not to the same degree, yet I really don't know much about Stevie - but him too. He is also spreading Krishna's holy names throughout the world.

I remember working the front desk at the NY skyscraper temple. It had a huge [paper-mache type art] of Lord Chaitanya to the side of the entrance door. That made it's placement before the front desk where I sat. 

A devotee who had been there quite awhile, told me that Stevie Wonder came to visit, and he asked permission to "brail" Lord Chaitanya. He was given that permission. That was long before he did the following, below, so it must have taken. :)

Sankirtana ki jai! :) Peace. <3

Darn, can't get the thumbnail pic to come thru. Please just click here.

It's A New Day

Just a few days past, we had the fear of Hurricane Irma, category 5, hitting Florida. For that matter, other areas as well.

When there are disasters, either in the world or in our life, we turn to God. And that is good. 

However, to only pay attention to God at that time, not so good. :)  That is, it's unwise to ignore God during other times. 

If we are tired of being battered around by hurricanes [or their threats!], or people [or their threats ha], or anything in the material world, we need to DO something about that other than limiting it to taking shelter of the Lord only during danger.

Now I am a rascal, fool number one, and admit I struggle doing this myself. Simultaneously I keep trying. That's all we need to do, keep trying.

Desire to increase our service. If that's too hard, then desire to desire to increase. If that's still too hard, then desire to desire to DESIRE :) to increase service. Keep on going in that way, until you find where you can function to do so.

Thus I am adding my yahoo Healing E-group here.  It use to be a yahoo group but they closed all of them, therefore I have done my best to somewhat recreate it over on facebook. If anyone would like to mildly increase their service, coupled with taking the time to "learn" our technique of healing, this is a FREE self-taught school =  both can be accomplished. And you can indeed connect with God through our healing technique! 

It's a yoga coupled with healing. What more can one ask for? :) Yoga means to yoke up to, or connect. Unite with God/Krishna, plus heal self or others. Many charge high fees for such knowledge, we give it at no cost - at all. 

Tired of feeling powerless over a situation, self, a loved one? Enroll in this free online school that teaches you ancient techniques to help get a handle over that. 

Read our introduction and see if you are a good fit. Hope you are! :)  I no longer teach it but the info is there for the taking.   

Mantra and Energy Healing Skills 4 Devotees

Florida Hurricane Prayers

Those in India or other countries may not know there is soon to be one of the biggest hurricanes we've ever had in America, and it may wipe out the devotees, and/or temple in that area!

I also have a daughter who lives there, and am very worried. Later I may return and add more to this post, but for now had to get it started, cuz help is needed, now!

Please pitch in and say a prayer or chant some mantra for the protection of all the devotees, and the deities, in Alachua Florida. And all of florida.

First, Intent: Any [Vaisnava] prayers or mantra are fine, simply this is one example-

"Dear Lord Narasimhadeva, My obeisances unto You! We are in need of your protection, as Florida devotees and temple are seriously in danger due to this upcoming Hurricane Irma. Please push it far away, please protect the deities there, and the people there. While this is being reported as one of the most powerful hurricanes in decades, we know You are far more powerful than any hurricane. Please show Your mercy and bestow Your power to push far away, this Irma hurricane, and protect all devotees threatened. Falling at Your lotus feet, thank You. I am but your fallen servant, YS, ABC" [Insert your own name, and modify however you wish, or compose your own.]

If anyone wants to add my daughter to the list, I thank you. 

After saying a prayer of intent, follow with this chanting [or some mantra to VishnuTattva of your own]. Here are the words to this one:

Ugram Viram Maha Vishnum,
JwalanTum SarvaTo Mukham

Nrsimgham BhishaNam Bhadram
Mrityur Mrityum Namam Yaham

Mantra is not wishful thinking, it actually sends out specific sound vibrations to change/ modify the atmosphere. Coupled with the God aspects too. 

So vibrate dear folks, vibrate. :) Do your part, and in that way God notices you are sincere, and does His.

And if a reader out there does not know who Lord Narasimha is, here's a summary: 

A demon named HaranyaKashipu asked for a benediction that he would never be killed, and back than they could give benedictions. In this case, was kind of tricked into it. Tho NaradaMuni said he can not grand him immortality,  Haranyakashipu said ok, then never let me be killed by man nor by animal, etc etc. Interestingly HaryanKashipu's own song was a great devotee! That made Haranyakashipu mad. He tried and tried to convert him into becoming a demon, but 5 year old Prahlada would makes replies like: "Father, please just try it, just chant Hare Krishna, and your anger will leave you. You will become soooooo happy." This only made stubborn Haranyakashipu more angry, to the point of abusing his son.

He had him thrown off a mountain. He had him put in a pit of poisonous snakes [who never bit him because he was chanting Hare Krishna], even tried to boil him in oil (!), 

So when his son, Prahlada, a pure devotee, prayed to Krishna for protection, God incarnated as half lion, half man, as not to break the benediction. [Well, being God He never would have broken it, but for the eyes of humans, He mercifully appeared like this so no one would think He disrespected benedictions].  Also to avoid breaking the benediction that Haranyakashipu never die never inside or outside, he killed this demon on the doorway. Clever. :) 

It should also be noted, anyone who is killed by God - goes to God. It should also be noted, this is a pastime, not to be imitated. Briefly, this story leads to another, regarding how Jai and Vijai the gatekeepers above, had to take birth in the material world. They were given choice, to take many birth as devotee, or take few births as demon. It was their choice, and they both wanted to get back soon, so they picked demon. In Krishna's rasa of course so that is special. Ok, phew, done. :)

With that explained, phew ha, I share with you the following video that protects the devotees and destroys demons. Right now this hurricane feels like a demon, killing people. Please chant to shift it's course, as well as to have all devotees and pious folk protected!

Briefly mentioned in this video are certain things to do prior to chanting - while it is nice, do not think you should not chant if you are not up to, or don't have additional time, to chant the mantra itself. Just chant! This is an emergency and everyone in Florida needs protection! Sitting right here, behind your computer, right now, chant along! Please. Help those in danger: Chant.

After that, if interested in learning and participating, join my fb Mantra Healing Page. And/or join my Yahoo e-group on Distant Healing which now includes mantra. 

Becoming Free

There are many ways to become free, and the most transcendental will be posted after I explain my personal need to clear a few unexpected maya blocks [attacks?] that suddenly entered my life. Maybe it will help others in some way as well.

It's been a while since I posted, which also was unexpected. Many problems hit out of the blue. Electricity crashed. When it was fixed, the Internet went down. Next, they took turns, back and forth, even together, going down. Arrrgh as Charlie Brown says. ha

What to speak of personal issues that I did not know were going on - for a few years! They suddenly came into the light. Issues: a fancy word for problems :) . They were revealed and I had to deal with them - big time.

Saturn retrograde was doing what it does. Yes, I was effected by that as well. Readers may have been able to notice this by the recent addition of items I now must start selling.  It was not my plan to add sales - it became a necessity. What happened even effected my ability to spiritually practice. Thus I merely want to get back on my own 2 feet.

In case you're curious, it was someone outside the family who took liberties secretly within my family and caused a variety of problems, including financial.

Saturn has the propensity to bring what was hidden, into the light. Especially in my chart. :-)  In it's own way, that is good, but can be painful. I'm glad Saturn has, just recently, gone direct. Phew. 

It may take time until everything gets back into sync. There are often some shadow or lingering effects. If you too had problems arise, soon you will likely notice them reduce and, though according to the chart, go away or get resolved.

Moving on, this brings up the topic of Astrology. To be specific, I only trust Jyotish/Sideral/Eastern/Vedic astrology. Not Western.  With that clarified, some say: "If we are Krishna Consciousness, astrology should not effect us."

My understanding of this, or my reply?  "All who are pure devotees, please raise your hand." No one? lol 

Ok, until we become pure devotees, there will be influence of planets, just like there is influence of sunshine, moonshine, gravity, or wind. They are all natural forces.

What to do about that? It does not mean we must become absorbed in astrology. No. Instead, a person can spend 24/7 thinking of, serving, dancing for, chanting, offering foodstuffs to, Krishna. It's all quite pleasurable. Until we become 100 percent pure, with a schedule plus lifestyle to support that - an easy solution is to make a daily habit of "attentively" chanting or singing DASHA-AVATARA. (I noticed in their comment section, several people wrote down the words.) This mantra covers nearly every planets [Vaishnava] lordship while simultaneously glorifying God. The above is a bit esoteric tho I find it fascinating. However, if you want a different one, just type the words "Dasavatara" into youtube's search bar.

Next, it is soon to be RADHASTAMI, the 'appearance' day of Srimati Radharani. She is our Divine Mother. Also, one who approaches Radha, Krishna listens to Radha. :) But always keep awe and reverence to Her. Both of Them really.

The date for Radhastami changes from year to year, according to the Vedic Calendar/sidereal. This year it is Tuesday the 29th of August - in America.

If you are honoring this day at home, make it festive and fun. Can cook something special. Radha Red is a wonderful Chutney, both sweet and spicy. 

Also, a good read comes from Krishna Book, etc. These are pastimes, not to be imitated. Not always understood if we use only the left or mundane side of our brain. They are on the highest level of transcendence. Relish them. 

Dance in front of your altar or in your meditation area, while chanting Her transcendental Names on her special day. 

Invite a few friends over too and share it with them. Of course make sure they respect what you are doing and won't give you stress. If you have someone who would enjoy doing this holiday with you - go for it. And if you don't, do it yourself. Connect with the holiday all on your own.

Prayer Containing Ten Names of Radha,

Ananda-candrika (The Moonlight of Bliss)

by Srila Rupa Goswami

[NOTE: If you are new or for any reason have trouble with pronouncing the Sanskrit, do not worry, just scroll to the English. Radha knows your intent. - Those who can read Sanskrit, should. :) ]

radha damodara-prestha

radhika varsabhanavi

samasta-ballavi-vrnda-

dhamillottamsa-mallika

1. Radha, 

2. She who is dear to Lord Damodara, 

3. His greatest worshiper,

4. the daughter of King Vrsabhanu, 

5. She who is the crowning garland of

mallika flowers on the decorated braided hair of all the gopis,

Text 2

krsna-priyavali-mukhya

gandharva lalita-sakhi

visakha-sakhya-sukhini

hari-hrd-bhrnga-manjari

6. the first of Krsna’s beloveds, 

7. an expert singer and musician, 

8. Lalita’s friend, 

9. She who is delighted with the friendship of Visakha, 
10. the flower blossom that attracts the black bee of Lord Hari’s heart.

Text 3 and 4

imam vrndavanesvarya

dasa-nama-manorama

ananda-candrikam nama

yo rahasyam stutim pat het

sa klesa-rahito bhutva

bhuri-saubhagya-bhusitah

tvaritam karuna-patram

radha-madhavayor bhavet

[BENEDICTION]

He who reads this confidential prayer, which bears the title Ananda-candrika (The Moonlight of Bliss), and which is beautiful with ten names of the queen of Vrndavana, becomes free of all troubles and decorated with great good fortune. He quickly becomes the object of Sri Sri Radha-Madhava’s mercy.

UPDATE: It is now the day after Radhastami and I wish to let folks out there know, it does not have to be that holiday in order to practice what has been written here. It can be done on any day! 

Chant or read the benediction prayer, do an offering, make it a great day! Yesterday I was surprised that even this fallen rascal had a blissful day. It was all because of spending it in a form of singing/meditation, and doing some readings here and there. 

Anyone can do it. I actually wanted to report in ha, that my day was so especially nice yesterday, that I plan on repeating bits of it today, and for as long as I can. I will probably go looking for a variety of transcendental tunes, but am going to start out with one I found that really got me motivated. 

Of course, do remember to include the Maha Mantra: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. :) 

Related Post:
"Who Is That Girl With Krishna?" :) And other details are explained on that year 2011 Radhastami blog post. Very nice. Plus more ideas you can do if you wish. And another benediction prayer / mantra. Etc.

Moon Gardening

Krishna says: "I enter into each planet, and by My energy they stay in orbit. I become the moon and thereby supply the juice of life to all vegetables." ~ BhagavadGita As It Is, 15.13  


MOON GARDENING

It was fascinating to me, learning that certain flowers bloom not in the day - but in the evening! 

Years back I had one flower that was advertised to open at night, then close during the day. Had to give that a try, and it was true. So endearing to see that! 

Next, to find out recently, there are more that also open to the light of the moon, well, I just had to share.

How would we use this in Krishna Consciousness? Well, it makes me think of the Rasa Dance, tho Prabhupada warns us not to get too into that. He tells the story properly however, so here is a link to read that.

If you have a temple room or space or table / altar or meditation area [which includes pics of Krishna etc] .... accompanied by a window for the moonlight to get in - you could grow these flowers for Krishna so at night He also will have something pretty to look at, and not just the day.

If you do not have a window, maybe try a special grow light. I've used these to replace sunlight in the Autumn and Winter. They worked pretty good. But I have no idea how they would work for replacing Moonlight. Give it a shot, but don't spend much money on a lot of plants until you have experimented on one.

Most folks have a window, :) even a small one. If it's not too far away, the plant should aim itself right toward the moonlight.  With that said.....


MOONFLOWER: This is what I originally had flowering at night on my windowsill. Actually, I bought it in seed form, planted, and they grew!  So easy! Apparently, some think of them as counterpart to Sunflowers. :) 

EVENING PRIMROSE. These bloom at night, but if the day is cloudy it may bloom than too. It does spread fast. If you want that, great! If not, simple solution: Just plant them in pots outside. This plant also has medical value.

NIGHT PHLOX
Very fragrant! And it opens at night, under the evening moonshine.  A great offering flower too. Good border plant. It's an annual, meaning its lifespan is one season. About a foot in height.





MISC:
Here are a few optional but lovely ideas to add to an outdoors moon garden:

SOLAR MOBILE BASED WIND CHIMES - COLOR CHANGING LED: 

I had to put this here because I like it myself. :) Click on pic since it will enlarge and you can see better, just how pretty this is. Adorable 6 hummingbirds and beads that illuminate at night.  Surreal visual effects. One color gradually transitions into another. Beautiful chimes. Durable well-made construction. Easy to use. Beautifully crafted. These Wind Chimes are so unique, and lovely, that I could not help but to add it here. :)  Here's the link. 
       UPDATE: Tho different, here is a different one that costs less and is lovely, no pic here right now but just go to link to view, right here.
       ANOTHER: Can't help myself, ha, they are so pretty! These are beautiful dragonflies that show color at night. Go to site and check out pic - they're beautiful.


Bhagavad Gita on Moon Nourishment, Vegetables, Planets, and much more:

"It is understood that all the planets are floating in the air only by the energy of the Lord. The Lord enters into every atom, every planet, and every living being. That is discussed in the Brahma-samhita. It is said there that one plenary portion of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Paramatma, enters into the planets, the universe, the living entity, and even into the atom. So due to His entrance, everything is appropriately manifested. When the spirit soul is there, a living man can float on the water, but when the living spark is out of the body and the body is dead, it sinks. Of course when it is decomposed it floats just like straw and other things, but as soon as the man is dead, he at once sinks in the water. Similarly, all these planets are floating in space, and this is due to the entrance of the supreme energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. His energy is sustaining each planet, just like a handful of dust. If someone holds a handful of dust, there is no possibility of the dust falling, but if one throws it in the air, it will fall down. Similarly, these planets, which are floating in air, are actually held in the fist of the universal form of the Supreme Lord. By His strength and energy, all moving and unmoving things stay in their place. It is said that because of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the sun is shining and the planets are steadily moving. Were it not for Him, all the planets would scatter, like dust in air, and perish. Similarly, it is due to the Supreme Personality of Godhead that the moon nourishes all vegetables. Due to the moon's influence, the vegetables become delicious. Without the moonshine, the vegetables can neither grow nor taste succulent. Human society is working, living comfortably and enjoying food due to the supply from the Supreme Lord. Otherwise, mankind could not survive. The word rasatmakah is very significant. Everything becomes palatable by the agency of the Supreme Lord through the influence of the moon."  ~ Purport of the above verse, Bhagavad Gita As It Is, 15.13