namahatta.org - Congregational Development Ministry

I've been chanting Prahlad Maharaj's prayers regularly and have been getting a lot of strength and inspiration from them and I wanted to try and share a little of that with you.

They way he begins his prayers is so beautiful and so exemplary.

He begins his prayers to Lord Nrsimhadeva been expressing how he feels totally unqualified to offer prayers due to being born in a demoniac family and being very contaminated by the modes of passion and ignorance.

tataḥ kalau sampravṛtte

sammohāya sura-dviṣām

buddho nāmnāñjana-sutaḥ

kīkaṭeṣu bhaviṣyati

SYNONYMS

I recently came across this beautiful verse in Srimad Bhagavatam which states that the benevolent smile of the Lord dries up the ocean of tears caused by the intense suffering that one experiences in the material world.

paramärädhanaà tad dhi puruñasyäkhilätmanaù

(I apologize to anyone who doesn't feel comfortable with the epithet of "pure devotee" next to anyone besides Srila Prabhupada. I just couldn't help it, when I read this quote today I couldn't help but think of the loving smile of my spiritual master. I feel that there are many pure devotees in ISKCON whose smiles are winning many admirers, disciples, and followers and attracting them to Srila Prabhupada's ISKCON, his books, and ultimately to the all attractive lotus feet of the divine couple Sri Sri Radha Madana Mohana.)

Since I can't be with all the Vaisnavas in New Vrindavan, I'll just have to have to get my inspiration elsewhere, and what better place to turn to for inspiration that the Srimad Bhagavatam.

Here is one my favorite quotes from the Seventh canto of Bhagavatam:

naham bibhemy ajita te 'tibhayanakasya-
jihvarka-netra-bhrukuti-rabhasogra-damstrat
antra-srajah-ksataja-kesara-sanku-karnan
nirhrada-bhita-digibhad ari-bhin-nakhagrat

Here are a few quotes from my latest Bhagavatam study session. It is amazing how every time you read Bhagavatam you find so many beautiful instructions in the science of God consciousness.

Real devotees of bhakti-yoga accept only the material necessities of life absolutely needed to maintain the body and soul together; they refrain completely from all exaggerated material sense gratification. They are prepared to undergo all kinds of tribulation, provided they can make progress in the realization of the Personality of Godhead. 3.21.12