Sri Jaganath Svami appears as Sri Ram Chandra to Valmiki

Lord Jagannath is the Param Brahma and ever friendly to the devotees. The Lord has shown His appearance to devotees in the forms they conceived in their minds and wanted to see Him in. Lord Jagannath satisfied Valmiki, the author of the great Ramayana epic, by showing him His Raghunath Besha, which is enlisted as one of several Beshas.
Realising the fact that Lord Sri Jagannath is Himself Param Brahma in appearance, Valmiki in his advanced age, proceeded on foot to Puri, the Jagannath Dham alone to see his Lord Sri Rama Chandra, armed with bow and arrows in Lord Sri Jagannath. This pious desire inspired him to travel, covering a long distance.
On his arrival at Puri, he hastened to enter the temple, by ascending the Baisi Pahacha (22 number of steps) and stood in front of the idol of Lord Jagannath on the Ratna Sinhasan (golden throne). From a little distance, he could see the Param Brahma Lord Jagannath with round black eyes, the Sri Vigrahra (sacred idol) without hands and feet and ears, seated and being worshipped. He could not see Param Brahma, according to his conception in the form of Sri Rama Chandra armed with bow and arrows. He was disappointed and left Puri, without even taking any food or drink. He crossed Atharnala
(a road bridge over eighteen nalas) and rapidly proceeded from Puri to Kashi via Batamangala. On the command of Lord Jagannath, Hanuman, who sits on the road bridge over Atharanala, and obstructed Tulsi Das from proceeding to Kashi. Valmiki paid no heed to the indication of Hanuman and proceeded ahead on the road to Kashi.

On the way, in a village called Malatipatapur, Valmiki halted at night in a place called Tulasi Chouwara (elevated platform having sacred Tulasi tree in a pot). Valmiki, out of fatigue and frustration, not seeing Sri Ramachandra in Param Brahma Sri Jagannath, fell asleep. While sleeping in his dream he saw Queen Mother Sri Mahalaxmi, telling Her Lord Jagannath that no devotee returns from Puri without taking Mahaprasad in the form of sacred cooked rice (avada) and curry which She cooks everyday, but devotee Valmiki has left Puri without food and drink. She requested Her Lord Jagannath to proceed Himself in disguise of a small boy taking the sacred rice and curry, which is called Mahaprasad, and offer him to partake. Valmiki, when asked by the boy to take the Mahaprasad, told him that he would not take the sacred rice and curry without seeing Sri Ramachandra in Lord Sri Jagannath, who is hailed as Param Brahma. The boy asked him to open his Ramayana manuscript, which Valmiki had with him, written on palm leaves and bound in red cloth, and asked him to refer to Doha 117 - from the 5th Chowpahi to 8th Chowpahi, which Valmiki himself had written, and to read the Balakanda.

Binu Pada Chalai Sunai Binukana,Kara Binu Karama
Karai Bidhi NanaAnana Rahita Sakala
RasabhogiBinubani Bakata JogiTana Binu Parasa Nayana
Binu DekhaGrahai Ghrana Binu Basa AshesaAsi
Samabhati Alaukika KaranaMahima Jasu Jai Nahin
Barana.

This means:
He is that Param Brahma who walks without feet, hears without ears, does various works without hands, tastes all sorts of items and juices without mouth, touches all without skin, sees all without eyes, and smells all without nose. That Param Brahma is so extraordinarily mysterious, that it is unknown to gods even.

Then the boy said, "Lord Jagannath is the Param Brahma which you have narrated in your above Dohas and poems. He is residing in Sri Mandir and being served by Queen of the universe Mahalaxmi and being bound and tied with the devotional thoughts of his devotees". The boy narrating this told Valmiki to return and look again, and he could see Him in the Form he desired and described in Ramayana.
Valmiki, being emotionally charged and overwhelmed by the words of the boy, resumed his return journey to Puri, came running and reached Puri, ascended the Baishi Pahachas and prostrated before the Lord sitting in Ratna Sinhasan and in the process, Valmiki lost consciousness. Regaining his senses, he looked at Lord Jagannath with folded hands in standing position. He became surprised to see Sri Ramachandra with bow and arrows in hands in the Ratna Sinhasan, in place of Lord Jagannath. He begged excuse and prayed to the Lord to forgive him as he could not recognise Him and could not realize his own version written in Ramayana.

Spontaneoulsy, Valmiki wept profusely and tears rolled down from his eyes and he confirmed his version by the inspiration of the Lord in the immortal poem, which came out from his mouth.

Johi Rama Sohi Jagaddisha,
Dina Hine Ananta Parbata Shesha

This means:
Lord Jagannath is Rama, and Rama is Lord Jagannath. He is the protector of the poor, down-trodden and neglected, like the mountain is being protected by Sheshanaga, (Ananta) upholding the same by placing the earth over it.

Valmiki became satisfied and his journey to see Lord Ramachandra in Puri in Param Brahma Jagannath was fulfilled completely. He returned from Puri Dham on foot, meditating over the event.

Jai Ram...Sri Ram... Jai Jaganatha

Ramayana, its all about lessons of relationship

Sri Ram Navami -14th April 2008

Isvaar uvacha
Sri Rama Raama raameti Rame Raame Manorame
Sahasra Naama Tatulyam Rama Naama Varanane
Sri Rama Nama Varaanana Om Nama Iti

Lord Shiva spoke
" I chant the holy name of Rama Rama Rama and thus constantly enjoy this beautiful vibration.

This holy name of Lord ramachandra is equal to one thousand holy names of Lord Visnu"

-Brhad Visnu Sahasranama Stotra, Padma Purana 72.335 -

Mood : Bliss + appreciation

Jaya Jaganatha!!

It is finally starting to look like spring from my room window panel. And all the tiny raindrops which had been making my mood wet is evaporating and it's actually sunny! And i finally can see the sun in the evening. Rainy season here drove me crazy and made my life idle.

It came just in time as im preparing myself for a great annual festival which i anticipate with great desire and love. Its the time to celebrate the "Appearance day of Sri Rama Piran". Sri Ram Navami is one of five great festival which i enthusiastically await, besides Sri Ratha Yatra, Sri Snana Yatra and Sri Radhasthami and Srila Prabupad's Vyasa Puja.

This year Ram Navami celebration is going to mean alot for me as i had made some personal vows for my own spiritual life. I seriously cant wait for the indulgence, the ambiance, the mood, the vibes, the spiritual sensation, the flamboyant outfit, Sri Ram's Mahaprasad and of course the mercy of our Sri Sita Ram Lakshman Hanuman Bhagavan. Im truly going to put extra effort to please my eyes and soul on this blessed day.

Last sunday, i had the good fortune to start on the "Ramayana Marathon" which it will last for seven days. It is beyond doubt that Sri Ram katha is brilliantly a grand spiritual epic. There is myriad segmentation in Ramayana where a reader can break into a component and extract the scared juices. But the vital component which magnetize me was the compassionate humanitarian relationship or the "Rasas" between each personality.

Every personality in Ramayana is giving up Their comfort and delight to please and serve Sri Rama, let it be Queen Mother Sita who left Her royal pleasure just to serve Sri Rama in the woods and tasted the "Vipralamba rasa". Let it be Lakshman who left His newly wedded Urmila just to serve Sri Rama or let it be Bharat who even left the kingdom and His mothers and dressed Himself with treebarks and matted hair and worshiped Sri Rama's Paduka at Nandagram. Especially Mother Kaikeyi who was ready to sacrifice Her own son Bharat for the wellfare and happiness of Sri Rama and She took all blames and curses, She was indeed a great Mother among all and my humble obeisances unto Her lotus feet. And Hanuman who have dedicated his life and soul to Sri Rama alone and eternally carrying Sri Rama's fame in His heart.

At this point my vocabulary become void and my heart become heavy as i stand astonished and thunderstruck as i reliaze and appreciate the nucleus piece of this great epic- Ramayana, its all about lessons of relationship.

Where we as a devotee can comprehend these lessons on our daily sadhana and learn to please the Supreme Lord, who is served by millions of goddess of fortune.

After reflecting back on what i've wrote, i felt that i've not really extracted my love for Lord Sri Rama truthfully and placed my words precisely in order to glorify Him. All I can say is "Hare Krsna", and hope that one day I will have Lord Jaganath's blessing in being able to do what I was always meant to do.

To all dear sweet devotees of the Lord, Please kindly bless me so that i could position my mind towards Lord Sri Rama, who is very dear to Mother Sita.

I wish that my Sweet Black Jaganatha turns green on Ram Navami.......

Beloved of His devotees

At all times past present future

You are my mother, my father and my very life itself

Having gotten you, will I ever let you go?

O lord of the three worlds

O Supreme One, Jaganatha!

With your eternal fame, so far-reaching,

With your sweet-smelling cool garland of tulasi leaves

You grace is as cool of Niladri hill.

He is the Lord who once measured the three worlds.

He is the Holiest. He went to the holy hill of Niladri.

He dwells there. If that one Hill is worshipped.

All our sins will completely vanish.

Tiruvaymoli 2.6.10, Namm Alvar

Sri Gaura Purnima Mahostva Ki Jai..

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabu Ki Jai

21th March 2008, Today is a momentus day. With big rhytm and reason to celebrate, an obstacle in our spiritual path will be removed today. I offer all obeisances unto Lord Sri Krishna Caitanya's Lotus feet, who appeared in gem like womb of Mother Sachi. I don't offer particular worship or requests of boons for my self pleasure but a sincere prayer from bottom of my heart to serve His devotees.

I enjoyed an ecstatic Gaura Purnima festival at Sri Jaganath Mandir, Kuala Lumpur, i continue to appreciate the spiritual benefits. After weeks of rain, and it still continued to pour on this auspiousious day and the sun never came out to opened many beautiful flowers for the garlands. Despite of the rainy season, the devotees had transformed Thier Lordships altar into a adoring spring garden with white roses and gerberas. As Their Lordships were dressed in stary night ultramarine blue outfits and captivated His devotees's heart by sinking them into the furrow of spiritual euphoric. Their Lordships were simply dazzling and alluring and im sure many of the beholder had enchanted and mesmerised. Above all this, I had the rare darshan of our gracious Panca-tattva Bhagavan.

I enjoyed participating the Abisheka ceremony for Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai and it was accompanied with a melodious kirtan. Later in the evening, HG Thyaga Caitanya prabu gave a spiritual soothing class on Mahaprabu and then read a selection of the detailed descriptions in Sri Caitanya Caritamrta, Sikshaskatam and some pastimes the Lord with His devotees. And was followed with a blissful Sayana Arti conducted with exhilarated kirtan. The kirtan was loud and joyful. An excellent feast was offered of Their Lordships, and everyone relished prasadam together afterwards. Sri Gaura Purnima Mahostva Ki Jai..

Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

O Nilachala Deva

jihva na bāñchai grāmya gāibāku rajanī divasatumbha nāmabala kebaḷa sankhāḷi hoi thāo Pitavāsa

Neither by day or night does this tongue want to sing mundane songs.

O Pitavasa, O Lord Jagannatha, who wears yellow garments,
chanting Your holy name is my only last hope.

-Salabega-

The Perfectionist Jaganath

Mood : Delighted + Bewildered

Hooray, Hare Krishna

I feel that everything in my experience; even normal or every day-to-day things that aren't that outright spectacular (for example, I am continually amazed at the wonderful potencies of Lord Jaganath in which everyway and everything neatly winds up in itself - how even the atomic structure of matter, even in things like lint balls and ants - is so perfectly well-rounded and everything comes to full circle. How there is so much incredible detail in everything - and yet somehow, it is all balanced. Even the most imperfect things seem to come to full circle in everyway - even random things are not truly random). I ponder who is this Jaganath and where did He got so much of Potencies( hahaha). And yet why am i attacted to Him and paying so much of attention unto Him? And why He had to bloomed and florished my life with love and blessings when im extermely unqualified to utter His name?

We humans do and create, but hardly ever realize just how perfectly things are constructed around us - everything is so well carried out, it becomes sublime and undetectable ...

For instance like electricity-How is it that such a powerful and dangerous force can be easily channeled and integrated into complex systems to do so many wonderful things? And that it just somehow happens to all work perfectly?? And how Lord Jaganath is so kind that he allows us to utilize such energies in our own ways when He is only proprietor for all the material and spiritual systems and just imagine it is so beautiful to think about that inexplicable exchange with that Supreme lord

As far as His engeries goes, as great as any piece of art or paintings may ever be, none will never come close to being able to touch the perfection of material nature - a painted flower will never have the vibrance and beauty of a real one that comes forth in fractions of seconds, even if one spends 50 years working on the same piece - and this seemingly overwhelming energy is just a mere fraction of the perfection that lies in Lord Jaganath

How tremendous it is over us - and yet my there is no end to the excuses that my mind offers so that I do not surrender 100 percent to You. O sweet Jaganatha... Im surrending unto You submissively

Reading back over what I wrote, it seems like I'm not quite explaining myself correctly. I can't really put it into words that will satisfy my desire to explain the supermacy of Lord Jaganath. All I can say is Hare Krsna, and hope that one day I will have Lord Jaganath's blessing in being able to do what I was always meant to do.

Bhaktivedanta Ashram

As part of the efforts to improve the spiritual and cultural understanding of the people,the International Society for Krishna Consciousness Malaysia,Taiping Branch recently has acquired a Double Storey House at Assam Kumbang,Taiping which will be used as it's new Ashram.We have secured a Bank Loan to finanace the purchase of this property.We will be building a small hall adjacent to the current house which will be used for spiritual classes and other activities.This new place shall be called " Bhaktivedanta Ashram"-Oasis of Spiritual Solace.

As of now we have been conducting our weekly activities in our current wooden house at Cator Avenue ,Assam Kumbang for the last 8 years.Many spiritual seekers and families have benefited from our programmes conducted throughout the years.The main focus of our activities are to cultivate spiritual knowledge of Sanatana Dharma based on the primary scriptures like Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam .Prime focus and emphasis are given on reading,understanding and applying in real life the teaching of Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam.Thus,devotees develop a high standard of spiritual sadhana in their daily lives which eventually help to raise their God Consciousness.The high standard of spiritual sadhana encompasses being vegetarian and offering foodstuff to Their Lordship and later eaten as prasadam, avoid taking any form of intoxication, not involving in any gambling,no illicit sex,daily chanting Hare Krishna Maha Mantra on japa beads,performing daily puja,reading Bhagavad gita and Srimad Bhagavatam and other spiritual literatures,performing devotional related social/community services and other activities recommended in the scriptures which promote God Consciousness.Devotees perform all these activities in very joyous mood.Even small children follows the above practices without much difficulties as the sadhana gives immediate spiritual strength and happiness.

As part as our outreach activities,we conduct many programmes to help the public .Some of the programmes which we are conducting in Taiping are :-

• Bhagavad Gita Home classes
• Youth and Children Development Programmes
• Tami School Motivation Programme through our Sastra Dana projects
• Juvenil School Monthly Motivation programme
• Taiping Prison Motivation programme
• Free Vegetarian food distribution for the Poor and the Public
• Sunday Class for Children
• Music and Arts classes
• Family Counseling
• Annual Ratha Yatra Festival
• Annual Colouring Contest for Children and many more.

Once we have moved to our new Spiritual Ashram,we would able to conduct more activities for the benefits of the people especially the Youth and children with the better facilities available.Almost 80% of all our activities are conducted by our well trained Youth.Some of our new activities planned to be added are:-

• Youth development programme under the project of "Developing the Career and Character"
• Expand Children Sunday School curriculums.
• Free Computer classes for youth and children
• Free Yoga Class for youth and Children
• FreeTutions for Children
• Free Vegetarian Food distribution daily on a larger scale
• Free sangeetham,bhajans,mrdanga and harmonioum classes
• Free vegetarian Cooking classes and many more

With all the social problem faced by our Hindu community and tremendous lack of scriptural understanding among the Children and Youth,it has become very essential to help the subjects with the cultivation of spiritual and moral values.
We humbly welcome any donations to help with the above activities.
Thank you and Hare Krishna.

The Black Boy who possess black magic

All glories to Srila prabupad.

In the Sri Jagannath, Sri Baladeva, Srimati Subhadra Stuti it is stated:

karunamrta pathodhi sudhamne namo namahdinoddharaika guhyaya krpapathodaye namah

“O You who are an ocean of nectarean compassion and whose abode is most attractive, I offer my obeisances to You again and again! You uplift and deliver the fallen souls, but how you do this no one can understand. O ocean of mercy, I offer you my respectful obeisances!”

As we see from the above verse, Sri Jagannath’s thoughts and activities are fully mystical always engaged in trying to deliver the fallen souls of the universe. But no one knows how he actually does this. His activities are wonderful and cannot be conceived or imaginable. This truth was extraordinarily exhibited in many devotees lives. He simply cast black magic spell unto his devotees. He is truly a great magician. As for me He is my Lord and Friend birth after birth.

People need to be exposed to Lord Jaganath. The His divine form and His holy name purifies and pacifies the mind and heart so they can begin to comprehend Krishna consciousness. Without that, their minds are so polluted and scattered they cannot understand. The Lord will fully captivate everyone. He had fully manifested and distributed His mercy. And at the end of it all, no one really knew how it all happened.

Sri Jagannath, Sri Baladeva, Srimati Subhadra Maharani ki Jai!

Darling(s) in Process

Saturday,March 08,2008

PURI, Orissa, The deities of Lord Jaganath, Lord Baladev and Lady Subadhra are being carved in Southern court of Lord Jaganath's temple in Puri, Orrisa. These craftmen are also knowns as "Daru Panda" and they have been carving the deities of Their Lordships from the time commencing of this ancient temple. Thier linages are believed to be traced from the original Craftman - Vishvakarma. The deities are shown in bada-singhara vesha, which is the "dress" of the gods at the end of the day once its completed, in which they are adorned with a silk cloth and decorated with flowers. Here we see the conch and the cakra on Lord's chest and later will adorned with red-and-green garlands of flowers. Wood carvers produce painted images of the three deities for pilgrims. Some of these wooden deities may be used in home altars or shrines. Balabhadra, who himself is identified as Ananta Sesh; hence the iconography of the snake's head will be painted on His hood. In the carving of, Jagannath's black face, prominent round eyes, and stump arms just below eye level. The Deities which are crafted inside Lord Jaganath's temple is consider more auspicious than the deities which are crafted outside the temple.

Thus, these wooden figures are meant to resemble the temple's images and to remind the devotees of the gods whose darshan (viewing) they received while visiting Puri, thereby stimulating their devotion upon their return home. The same function is true for the pictures of the Puri triad in the Jagannath patas we will now examine. And im sathish, reporting from monkey eat human studio. Inc

Hey... Beautiful devotees

Coming Soon Coming Soon Coming Soon... Guess Who !!

Its Chenakesava, The Handsome Kesava. From Belur.

O my Most Independent Lord

Hare Krsna people..

Mood : Tranquil + cold

Today, 5 march 08,Mangala arti
I prayed that Lord Jaganath may focus my intelligence and my mind so that I can always look in the right direction, as instructed by the exalted spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada. Jaganath is able to do everything, and He is my most reliable friend I have experienced in my life and of course in this world and beyond.

His love is very gracious and genuine. He feels that we are all His children and cares so much for each of us personally, even though we have forgotten Him. But Jaganath still keeps thinking, “How will this child of Mine come back to Me?”

Today I have the good sense to stand before Lord Jaganath and cry: “Jaganatha, please help me. Please overlook my faults. Please connect me to Srila Prabhupada, who is very dear to You and will pull me up.”
Im sure that my Jaganath will make the impossible possible.

How happy I would be to perceive the Lord’s beautiful smiling face framed by His charming locks of hair ( i always imagine Lord Jaganath with beautiful soft locks of black hair). But I know I am not yet qualified nor could ever qualified to stand in front of Him. Therefore, I pray that His powerful Lotus feet which eternally served by Tulasi Maharani will be my solace. By His strong hands the Lord arranges the circumstances of my life in such a way that I can serve better and surrender. Sometimes my Lord’s hands remove the obstacles on my path, even when I do not wish to let them go. At other times Jaganath’s hands bestow favorable circumstances upon my service.

O my Most Independent Lord Jaganath, please make Your own arrangements. I have come to You submissively to surrender.Even through there is no end to the excuses my mind offers so that I do not surrender 100 percent to You. Please help me, O Sweet Jaganatha

Super Gracious Lord

Hare krsna.. Hooray!
Mood : Serene + convinced

I am always amazed at how kind Krsna is to us, even though we were such rascals when we wanted to enjoy seperate from Him. When we start to realize how everything occurs because of His will, I guess we can realize that everything turns out for the better. We only think we know what we need, but Krsna knows for certain, and He gives us what we really need for our advancement.

As the Andal Alvar wrote in Her Tirupavai - Avvavendru araithzu arulenror empavai .." Oh madhava,Please examine myself first throughly and then bless me with what i require to serve You only" So, for us devotees, I feel like He is espicially merciful. Since He is the original artist, that means that every piece of art any artist has ever done is simply copying Krsna in some way. He gives us our ideas, our sources, etc., and we, being foolish, almost never realize who has really been our intelligence.

We seem to think we can create very superior products, but Krsna created the brain. Not only is that extremely complex in and of itself, it is also the means by which we can execute the ideas we get. So, to all beautiful devotees out there, lets change our perceptions and serve with love, love and love...

The Supreme Artist

Hare Krishna! Hooray..

Mood : Adoration

The other day, while driving to office for some photography shooting, I was thinking about Srimad-Bhagavatam, and how it says that Krsna is the intelligence behind all creations which i heard the previous day. No one can create as well as Him, and even Brahma meditates upon Him before creating. [1.1.1]

I was driving with rhea along, when suddenly I was distracted by the remnents of the sunrise, the crack of dawn at Cyberjaya valley. It was one of those surreal ones, where the sky is greenish and the clouds are orange. I thought to the sunrise 'dang, would I like to paint you' [as an artist I believe I am allowed to seem nutters] and then I realized that it was Krsna's painting on the sky. That was just amazing. I was also glad that I don't have any more college essays to write, now that I have talked to a sunrise. Although on the other hand, a heavy day awaits me.....