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