Author Archives: Sevak

How This Place Got The Name Panchavati ?

The demigods are a very high race within the human species, they are often considered in fact above the human species because compared to the greatest powers that any human being can have , the demigods and the rakshashas are supernaturally powerful . Try to understand that within the universe of creation, Vayu has control over the wind and the air, Agni has control over all fire, Surya is presiding and controlling the sun planet. So when we read of how the demigods can do incredible and amazing things it should not surprise us. We cannot compare ourselves to such empowered beings .And often times the demigods, they are not necessarily pure devotees, but they are very pious beings with extremely pious karma by which they are given a birth with incredible facility and incredible oppulence , but they still have their independence  to behave according to their mind and sense desire. So it is very difficult to understand the activities of the demigods . But the Puranas explain many of their activities for several reasons – there are Puranas in the mode of ignorance to uplift one to the mode of passion, Puranas in the mode of passion to uplift one to the mode of goodness and those Puranas in Sattva guna which are meant to uplift us to the transcendental platform of pure unalloyed devotion . So there are various stories which are explained within the histories of the Vedas for different classes of people for different types of purposes.

Pachavati Five Banyan Tree
Pachavati – Five Banyan Tree

So there is one beautiful story about Surya, the presiding deity of the sun planet, he had a beautiful and a chaste wife of the name Usha . And Usha had very difficult time with her husband because he had such a glaring effulgence around him, it was difficult for her to look at him. So she wanted perhaps to give her eyes rest for some time , so she came to the earth planet and began to live at the hermitage of Kanva Muni one of the great rishis of the Puranas meanwhile Surya was very much anxious to be in the company of his consort, so he came down to the earth. As he was approaching the hermitage of Kanva Muni, Usha saw him coming and so she wanted to escape, so she took the form of the female horse, and began to run away, so Surya took the form of a male horse and chased after her and he caught her, then they began to perform lovely pastimes together as horses. Now there were five Rishi kumaras and they happened to be watching this that the great demigod Surya and his queen Usha are playing pastimes in the form of horses , so they began to laugh , Ha !! Ha!!!!! .So Surya cursed them to become trees in that very spot, so the five Rishi kumars became five Banyan trees at this very place. In fact right here we can see five Banyan trees, since that time this place is known as Panchvati – the place of the five Banyan trees.

Since that time this place has become a very very holy place. In fact , Sita and Ram decided to reside here during their exile and they took residence right under these five trees , just behind it you will see this temple, Sita Gufha, it is the cave in which Sita and Ram resided while living here in Panchvati .”

It is said by local people that Lord Ram delivered these 5 sages from their curse of having the tree bodies. However Lord  Ram put life in these trees and thus kept them as it is for thousand of years to come.

Nashik – Panchavati Location:

The city of Nasik is on the western side of the Godavari. Here Laksmana, the pine brother of Lord Ramacandra, cut off the nose of Surpanakha, the sister of the demon Ravana. Nasik means “nose,” and thus the city gets its name.

Place Where Laxman Cuts The Nose Of Surpanakha
Place Where Laxman Cuts The Nose Of Surpanakha

Across the Godavari from Nasik lies the place known as Pancavati. Here in Panchavati tapovan , Lord Ramacandra and His wife, Sita Devi, lived with Laksmana during their exile. Tapovana, a place of penance and meditation where great sages used to practice austerities. Here the Godavari River meets the Kapila Ganges.

Dwaraka – Lord Krishna’s Royal Home

Dwarka is the sacred city where Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, spent most of His time during His appearance on earth five thousand years ago. He performed wonderful pastimes there, including expanding into 16,108 forms and creating 16,108 palaces for His 16,108 queens. In Vrindavan, Lord Krishna lived as a simple cowherd boy, but in Dwarka He lived as a wealthy prince.

 

Dwarka means “gateway to the Supreme” or “city of gates.”

Srila Prabhupada writes: “The heavenly planets are more celebrated than the earth. But the earth has outshined the heavenly planets because of Dwarka, where Lord Sri Krishna ruled as king. Three places, namely Vrindavan, Mathura, and Dwarka, are more splendorous than the famous planets in the universe. These places are perpetually sanctified because whenever the Lord descends on earth He displays His transcendental activities particularly in these three places. They are perpetually the holy lands of the Lord, and the inhabitants still take advantage of the holy places, even though the Lord is now out of their sight.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.10.27, Purport)

Mood of Dwarka Yatra :

Radhanath Swami speaking about DwarkaNot a blade of grass can move without the will of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. One can approach a holy place of pilgrimage only by His mercy. The vibrations of a holy place are sanctified by Tapasya and the transcendental love exchanged between the Lord and his devotees.

In the days of yore, people who were determined to go on pilgrimage undertook long and arduous journeys. There were no automobiles or trains at the time and pilgrims on their way to Badrinath, Kedarnath or other holy places, would travel for weeks and months. They would walk all the way, begging for food. Sometimes, they would get nothing and they would fast.

Things have changed now. The pilgrimages are convenient and many facilities are available for the comfort of pilgrims. This is a manifestation of Krishna’s mercy towards his devotees who, in this day and age, are caught up in the everyday struggle of life.

But since purification cannot be done without Tapasya, He makes sure to send us a token of hardship

just to polish our consciousness while entering the holy place. So, if there are difficulties in the journey, understand that you have managed to attract Krishna’s attention and be grateful.

Take this yatra as an opportunity to advance spiritually. Don’t talk about anything but Krishna. This will make your heart receptive to the vibrations of the holy place. Constantly chant the holy names or discuss the glories of the Lord. Beyond that, one should speak only as much as is necessary. Take care not to indulge in small talk and gossip.

Do not talk about your life in the material world. Although such talk may appear mundane, it can leave you trapped in illusory miseries. At least during these few days, keep your mind engrossed only in the remembrance of Krishna.

It is very important to help each other on the yatra. In the mood of servant of the servant, we should go out of the way to help each other to derive the full benefit of the pilgrimage. Do not complain while undergoing austerities.

Instead of criticizing, simply accept the experiences as a process of purification through chanting of the holy name of Krishna and glorifying Him. Krishna, while talking about the process of liberation, said he who thanks the Lord when cast into suffering is the one eligible for salvation.

Krishna Married Sixteen Thousand QueensKrishna married 16,108 women!  How did he interact with them? How did they live their routine lives? It is natural for a seeker to wonder. The answers to these questions can strengthen the faith of those visiting Dwarka.

When Krishna was here, he was with each and every queen intimately. He was the perfect husband and companion, never letting his wives feel lonely even for a moment. In the morning, Krishna woke up at the crack of dawn as the ‘grihasta’, He would meditate, do pooja, give charity and then leave each of His 16,108 palaces to do His durty as Dwarkadish or the king of Dwarka. He would assist King Ugrasena and go to the Sudharma assembly house. The Srimad Bhagvatam explains how HE would leave in his 16,108 forms. But just before entering the Sudharma assembly house, all the forms would merge into one composite whole. This way he would rule the state of Dwarka. After court, when it was time to meet His queens, He would expand into 16,108 forms and go on to please his wives, who were his pure devotees, by reciprocating the love they showered on Him.

One may ask how it was possible for Krishna to live in 16,108 palaces simultaneously. Because for Krishna, anything is possible. He  is the Absolute Truth, he is the embodiment of Adhyatamik Shakti and inconceivable potencies. When Krishna descended on earth, his supremacy was evident, which  paved the way for the salvation of mankind through love and devotion. He is all attractive and we are drawn to Him by the inconceivable qualities He exhibits.

The original city of Dwarka, described in the Srimad-Bhagavatam, the Mahäbhärata, and other Vedic scriptures, was a fort city surrounded by sea.  Today, a small island, “Bet Dwarka”- is all that remains to remind us of the glorious past. Pilgrims can visit this place too.

The present city of Dwarka is on the shore. It has a population of approximately 30,000, and a tourist population that fluctuates with the seasons. Even though it’s remote—on the west coast and a long way from major cities—many pilgrims make the endeavor to go there.

Dwarka is one of the most important places for devotees because it is one of the four prominent holy places in the cardinal directions of India: Dwarka (west), Puri (east), Rameswaram (south), and Badrinath (north).

The atmosphere in Dwarka is peaceful. The people are pious and don’t seem overly hassled. They happily go to the temple to see the Lord. We arrived in Dwarka at 6:30 in the morning, and although it was still dark, quite a few people were walking towards the main temple, that of Dwarkadhish, “the Lord of Dwarka,” the four-armed Deity of Krishna. By the blessings of Lord Krishna, the opulence of Dwarka survives. Although we don’t see fabulously rich people, the ordinary people live a comfortable life.

Dwarka is a pleasant town on the coast, with a nice strip of beach. The sea is calm there. The climate is moderate, not too hot in the summer or too cold in winter.

Windmills Bet Dwarka

Etiquette in Holy Places

Vaishnava Etiquette in Holy Places

"Coming to pilgrimage means to come where the sadhus are. I am here, so why is everyone going elsewhere?" "You cannot see Vrndavana with visaya, or material spirit. The test is how much you have conquered over eating, sleeping and mating. Don't think you can just come to Vrndavana and become a Goswami!" Lilamrta V, p. 193
 
01. We come to a holy place to become purified, to develop our Krsna consciousness.
02. It is important not only to maintain a submissive, humble attitude with other ISKCON devotees but with all the residents of the Dhama. (We should be especially mindful of this in "mundane" dealings e.g. arranging transport, shopping).
03. To actually be in the Dhama means to be in the association of devotees, to hear from senior Vaisnavas and serve them. We cannot see a holy place with visaya (material spirit). We are reliant on the mercy of the Vaisnavas.
04. We must maintain Srila Prabhupada's good name by being clean in all our dealings. (This includes everything from eating to changing money).
05. We must be aware that Govardhana Hill, Radha and Syama Kunda etc. are Supremely transcendental personalities. If we desire to take Their darsana we must do so in proper consciousness.
06. Animals are also residents of the Dhama. We should neither befriend them nor make them our enemies. It is best to maintain a neutral position.
07. It is important to come to the Dhama in a service mood rather than an enjoying mood. Then our visit will be successful.
 
Quotes from Srila Prabhupada
Dhama Considerations (neophytes are not recommended to go for seeking solitude) The association of devotees is the only solace for our existence. New York might have been a little busier than Boston, but so long as it is under the guidance of an experienced devotee, the affairs in both cases are all right. The tendency for solitude is a kind of reaction on our past material activities, but solitude is not very good for a neophyte. …The best thing therefore is not to seek solitude in the beginning, but remain in the midst of pure devotees so that even there is attack of Maya, their association will protect us. If you are, however, always busy in the matter of preaching work, that is very nice. But to remain alone in a solitary place for a new man is not advisable.
 
Vrndavana is of course very impressive for devotional service, but that also is not advisable to remain alone. I am trying to get a nice place at Vrndavana and when the place is there, I shall personally be present with some devotees, and appreciate the atmosphere in Vrndavana. So long we are engaged in devotional service with proper guidance, certainly we are always in transcendental position, and transcendental position is unlimited. It doesn't matter whether you are in Vrindavana or USA. But still, of course, Vrndavana atmosphere is very sweet. But so long as we have not completely freed our material attachment, even Vrndavana residence becomes uncongenial. Just like in the case of Kirtananda, it was so happened. …Our sound position is always being engaged in service of Krsna, that is positive standing.
SP letter to Yadunandana (March 26, 1968)

Learn the Etiquettes
In the holy dhama, if one of my disciples drinks from a jug and contaminates that jug, everyone will notice it. Don't be criticized for this uncleanliness or I will be criticized. It is the duty of the disciples to follow these etiquette habits very austerely." [refer this also to "How to serve and honor prasadam"] 
Lilamrta V, p. 17

Don't Drink into mag

All Animals are Residents of the Dhama (Dogs, Hogs, Monkeys)
Not Disturbing The Dogs
Once in Vrndavana, the devotees tried to chase away a few stray dogs by throwing stones and yelling, but Prabhupada stopped them, "Leave them alone," he said, and he began throwing prasada from his plate to the dogs. Lilamrta V, p. 25
 
The Monkeys
Neither be their friend or their enemies, if you make friends with them, they will simply be nuisance. If you become their enemies, they will become very vindictive. Just maintain a neutral position. Lilamrta V, p. 42

Behaviour in Dhama

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has listed ten offenses against the holy dhama that we must carefully avoid in order to be fully benefitted from our visit to or residence in the holy dhama.

  • To disrespect one’s spiritual master who reveals the dhama to the disciple
  • To think that the holy dhama is temporary.
  • To commit violence towards any of the residents of the holy dhama or to any of the pilgrims who come there, or to think that they are ordinary people. Srila Prabhupada writes: “All the inhabitants of Vrindavana are Vaisnavas. They are all auspicious because somehow or other they always chant the holy name of Krishna” (C.C.Adi 5.232, purport).
  • To perform mundane activities while living in the holy dhama.
  • To utilize the dhama for personal economic development by commercializing deity worship and sankirtana in the holy dhama.
  • To think that the holy dhama belongs to a mundane country or province, such as Bengal; to think that the Lord’s dhama is equal to a place connected with some demigod, or to attempt to measure the area of the holy dhama.
  • To commit sinful acts while residing in the holy dhama
  • To consider Vrindavana-dhama as different from Navadvipa-dhama.
  • To blaspheme the sastras that assert the glorious position of the holy dhama.
  • To be faithless and think that the glories of the dhama are imaginary.

Srila Prabhupada explained that the results of all devotional activities performed in the holy dhama are magnified a thousand times. Therefore, one can make rapid advancement if one lives offenselessly in the holy dhama. But if we commit offenses, the results of those offenses are also magnified one thousand times. Therefore, one is advised to carefully avoid committing any offenses in the holy dhama.