We receive a human form with God’s grace and during the precious time we are given in this birth, we have the greatest capacity to achieve the highest spiritual goals.

The start of every New Year is an excellent time to do some serious introspection and analyse what resolutions we made in this direction from the previous year. In doing so, we may find we have fallen short of meeting these goals. If this was the case with you, you are not alone. Do not be disheartened.

In reality, every second we are alive is an opportunity to improve our dedication and determination, to deepen our understanding and to change. This means a person with an average human life span of 70 years has 2,207,520,000 seconds at his disposal (that’s 2 billion, 207 million and 520 thousand seconds. If someone would like to convert this into lakhs and crores, please respond to this post.)

Consider the greatness of our human brain – in a ratio of brain to body size, we have the largest brain of any life form. Here are some other factoids:

• Your brain is estimated to have more than 100 billion neurons (also called nerve cells or brain cells) – the estimated number of stars in the Milky Way galaxy.

• Each neuron is connected to other neurons by up to 40,000 individual connections called synapses.

• A piece of brain tissue the size of a grain of sand contains 100,000 neurons and 1 billion synapses all “talking” to each other.

• Your brain represents only about 2 percent of your body weight, but it consumes 25% of the calories you consume, 25% of the total blood flow in your body, and 20% of the oxygen you breathe.

• Your brain NEVER turns off or even rests, not even while you sleep.

• Your brain never stops changing and can continue to form new neural connections throughout your lifetime.

The human brain is truly a high performance machine and clearly it is designed for a higher purpose. As the scriptures state, “Na manusham binanyatra tatvagyanam tu labhyatey,” it is the human brain that is capable of acquiring spiritual knowledge or tatvagyan. It is only in the human form that we can perform karmas, actions based on that understanding to produce future consequences.

However, as well-intentioned as we may be about improving ourselves and in spite of the many blessings we have received in the form of our human birth and the association of a true Saint, we may find ourselves accomplishing much less than we desire or underperforming in spite of our great capability.

In this spirit, below are some general guidelines  to help you gain more success in your resolutions this year.

Basic Steps for Success

The value of specific goals

It is not enough to resolve, “I will improve my spiritual or devotional practice.” The human brain is a goal-seeking organism. If your conscious mind has decided and is firm in its commitment to attain certain goals, even your subconscious mind will work day and night to help you achieve them. To unleash this power of the mind, your goals should answer two questions: (1) how much, and (2) by when. Making a goal as tangible and measurable as possible takes it out of the realm of simply being a good intention.

To have this specificity, write your goals down with as much detail as possible. Review this list in the morning after awakening and in the evening before going to bed. Following this discipline creates what psychologists call “structural tension” – your brain wants to close the gap between what is your current reality and the vision of your goal. This will increase your motivation and heighten your awareness of the resources that will help you achieve your goal. Review this list faithfully to affirm your determination and to see where you are stuck, careless or forgetful.

Obstacles

Three common obstacles to success are considerations, fears and roadblocks. You resolved to sit for meditation 30 minutes a day, but within moments you also thought, “But, of course, this will have to be flexible. What if I’m late for work?” This is a consideration, your mind’s reasoning why you shouldn’t attain this goal. When such thinking surfaces, realise these very considerations are what have been keeping you from being successful in the past. Allow them to come into conscious awareness, face them, and overcome them.

Fears may also arise, but if your understanding of the goal is unshakable, you will realise that your fear is simply another consideration.

Roadblocks are real world circumstances you need to deal with – your car broke down so you can’t drive to satsang. You have a splitting headache so you can’t sit for meditation or go to the lecture. You just lost your job and have no money to make donations. Life presents us with many roadblocks, but a roadblock is not a stop sign.

“The block of granite which was an obstacle in the path of the weak becomes a stepping-stone in the path of the strong.” Thomas Carlysle

The human brain has tremendous creative ability. Consider every roadblock to be an opportunity to create a workaround – a unique solution that will allow you to proceed toward your goal’s fulfillment in spite of any obstacle you face.

Keep the fire of your intention burning brightly and always remember that time is of the essence.

Keeping your devotional focus, celebrate, dance, and enjoy.

The ashram is located within walking distance of the historic
Shri Ji Mandir in Barsana.

Entrance to Vishwa Kalyan Kendra,
the satsang and meditation hall of the ashram.

Kirtan and meditation in session.

Shrine of beloved Amma Ji in memory of her birthday
on Divali.

The beautiful deities of Shri Radha Krishna in the meditation hall,
inspiring loving remembrance.

Entrance to Shri Maharaj Ji’s room.

Banners decorating the ashram grounds announcing
Amma Ji’s birthday.

The start of the evening Divali activities.

Front entrance of the ashram

Happy Divali from Rangeeli Mahal

Ayo braj ras bechan varo.
The seller of braj ras or the nectar of selfless divine love, Shri Krishna, has descended in Braj.

Jo ras nigamagamahun agam soi, det vanacharin kahan karo.
This same braj ras, which is unattainable even by the Vedas and other scriptures, is being given freely by Shri Krishna to the illiterate Gopis.

Jo braj ras hit shuk sanakadik, latan patan tan kari daro.
In order to attain this braj ras, even the greatest paramhansas and gyanis like Shuka, Sanaka and others have descended in Braj in the form of creepers, plants and trees.

So ras as jehi lagi Shiva-shankar, nar tey nari tanu dharo.
In order to attain this braj ras, Lord Shankar assumed the form of a Gopi.

So ras piyat soi jo vako, nij tan man pranan haro.
This braj ras can only be attained by the one who surrenders his body, mind and soul to Shri Krishna as its price.

So ras as ‘Kripalu’ chhin chhin badh, ras Vaikuntha lagat kharo.
Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj says, “The bliss of that divine love increases every moment, and it is so great that even the almighty bliss of God’s Vaikuntha abode seems dull in comparison.”

(Exerpted from the Rasiya Madhuri section of “Prem Ras Madira”, written and composed by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj)

© Radha Govinda Samiti and Bhakti Bliss

Jayati guruvar, jayati guruvar, jayati guruvar pyare.
Glory and all glory to my beloved Guru.

Tu hi Brahma, tu hi Vishnu, tu hi Shankar pyare.
Oh my beloved Guru, you are Brahma, Vishnu and Shankar. (The Guru awakens in his disciple’s heart true devotion to God, he protects that disciple’s spiritual progress, and in the end, he destroys the veil of Maya and bestows upon that disciple divine knowledge and divine love.)

Tere pache chalat Natvar, chahat pad raj pyare.
Natvar Shri Krishna follows behind you because He desires your footdust.

Harihin bhaven shuddha jan tohin, patit bhaven pyare.
Shri Krishna only graces those souls whose hearts are completely purified; but you accept the fallen and impure souls.

Tu to asharan sharan mohun, sharan ley ley pyare.
Oh my beloved Guru, you are the refuge of destitutes. Please give me refuge at your lotus feet.

Main hun shraddha-heen mo sir, dharahun nij kar pyare.
I am completely faithless; please place your merciful hand on my head and bless me with devotion.

Tu jo ho anukoola to Hari bhaje aave pyare.
Krishna runs towards that soul who has favorable and dedicated feelings for you.

Guru hi rinatey urina nahin ko pranahun de pyare.
The Guru does so much for a disciple, that the disciple could not repay this debt, even if he were to give his own life.

Hari ‘Kripalu’ hon tabhi jab, kar kripa guru pyare.
God bestows His grace only when the beloved Guru becomes merciful.

(Excerpted from the Braj Ras Madhuri, written and composed by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj.)

© Radha Govinda Samiti and Bhakti Bliss

Happy Ramnaumi

Shri ramachandra kripalu bhaju mana harana bhavabhaya darunam.
Navakanja-lochana, kanja-mukha, kara-kanja, pada-kanjarunam.
O my mind! Remember Lord Rama, the gracious Lord who eradicates even the most terrible effects of Maya. His eyes, shaped like new lotus blossoms, are set in his lotus-face. His tender hands are like lotuses and His feet, which are pinkish in hue, are like red lotuses.

Kandarpa aganita amita chabi, navanila-nirada sundaram.
Pata peet manahu tadita ruchi shuci naumi janaka sutavaram.
With utmost humility I bow to Sita Ji’s eternal consort, Ramachandra, whose boundless beauty exceeds the combined beauty of countless kamdevas (celestial gods of beauty). He complexion is as exquisite as a rain-laden cloud. The yellow garments He is adorned with are glorifying His sapphire-blue body just as charming flashes of lighting glorify a dark sky.

Bhaju dinabandhu dinesha danava-daitya-vanssa-nikandanam.
Raghunanda anandakanda kaushalya-chanda dasaratha-nandanam.
Oh, my mind! Meditate on Ram, the delight of the house of Raghu, who is the source of all bliss, soothing as the moon to the Kaushalas, the son of Dasaratha, the friend of the humble, the descendant of the Raghu (solar) lineage and the exterminator of the demons and daityas.

Sir mukut kundal tilak charu udar anga vibhushan.
Ajanubhuja sar-chap-dhara, sangrama-jita khara-dhushanam.
He has a shining crown on His head, glittering pendants in his ears, a lovely tilak on His forehead and resplendant ornaments on His lustrous body. His strong arms, which extend to His knees, are holding the bow and arrows that conquered Khara and Dushana.

Iti vadati tulasidas shankara-shesha-muni-manaranjanam.
Mama hridaya-kanj-nivasa kuru, kamadi khala-dala-ganjanam.
Tulsidas humbly entreats Lord Ram, who is the delight of Lord Shiva and the sages, and slayer of enemies such as lust, pride, greed, and the like, to reside in his heart and make it His home forever.

© Radha Govinda Samiti and Bhakti Bliss

Gopashtami or Gopa Ashtami, is observed on the eighth day during waxing phase of the moon (Shukla Paksha) in Kartik month (October – November).

These celebrations commemorate Shri Krishna’s childhood leelas related to tending cows in Braj. Traditionally on this day, cows are bathed and decorated, and “go” or cow puja, a small ceremony, is performed.

A beautiful rangoli design was made with colored powders inside the temporary cow pen

Two cows from the ashram goshala were chosen and decorated for the occasion

Crowd waiting for the festivities to begin

Joyous respected devotees beginning to arrive for the celebration

Shri Maharaj Ji graces the occasion

While proceeding from Ayodhya to Chitrakoot at the beginning of their forest exile, Lord Ram, Sita ji and Lakshman came to this spot, which in that age was situated in the kingdom of Nishadha Raj Guha. Ram and Sita rested here for one night.

The following morning, Ram, Sita and Lakshman approached Kevat, a boatman, to be ferried across the Ganges so they could continue their journey. Kevat knew that Shri Ram was supreme God. At first, Kevat told Shri Ram that he would not take them on the pretext that the dust of Shri Rama’s feet could turn his boat into a woman. This was in reference to Ahalya, the wife of sage Gautama, who was saved from the curse of being turned into stone by receiving Shri Ram’s foot dust.

Kevat said, “If this happens to my boat, how will I survive? It is my only means of income.” Kevat then made a condition that he should be allowed to wash Shri Rama’s lotus feet to free them of any dust. His hidden desire was to have the opportunity to touch his beloved Lord’s lotus feet, which would cause him to be forever free from Maya.

Shri Ram started mildly refusing, because he knew Kevat’s actual intention and that if He were to bestow His divine love on a fully surrendered soul, He would become the servitor of that devotee forever. However, Kevat kept insisting, and finally Lord Ram agreed. This leela is narrated in the Ayodhyakanda section of the Tulsidas Ramayana.

At this important and holy leela place, with the inspiration of Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj, a new Ram Darbar temple was constructed. Before dawn on October 24, Shri Maharaj Ji visited this new temple accompanied by 300 devotees. The program consisted of a welcome message from the Temple priest, kirtan, a special abhishek ceremony of the deities, and prasad.

Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj vists the new Ram Darbar Temple in Shringaverpur, U.P.

Some of the respected devotees visiting with Shri Maharaj Ji

Shri Maharaj Ji and Ram Darbar Temple priest

Entrance to the Temple

Deities of Shri Ram, Sita and Lakshman - Ram Darbar

Deity of Hanuman Ji

View of courtyard outside the Temple

The grass mat on this cement platform commemorates the place where Lord Ram and Sita ji rested for one evening before starting their forest exile. Five Shesham trees that emerge from the platform are believed to be at least 900,000 years old.

Sakhya bhav ras aisa, Govinda Radhey,
poorn brahm ko ji jiva ghora bana dey.

“The quality of divine love bliss experienced in sakhya bhava, the loving sentiments exemplified by Shri Krishna’s young cowherd friends, causes even supreme God, who is divinely contented, to become a horse for his friends to ride in their play.”

(Synopsis of a talk by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj on October 18, 2009, at Bhakti Dham, Mangadh, explaining this new kirtan verse)

In the Bhagwatam, Shri Krishna explains that He comes under the control of His devotees love. This is the special characteristic of divine love. During His descension period in Braj, Shri Krishna would play games with His childhood friends. The unique quality of divine love bliss experienced by his friends was called sakhya bhav, the feeling of loving equality in a relationship between friends.

Shri Krishna played many games with his friends that would have a challenge. The person who lost had to become a horse and the person who won would become the rider and would sit on the loser. Shri Krishna would frequently lose the game and and He would have to become a horse. His friend would sit on Shri Krishna’s back, in the same way a child would sit on his father’s back, and say, “Chal ghore!” “Go, horse!”

This is the same supreme God who is worshiped through Vedic mantras in temples all around the world by the greatest of priests. But under the control of the love of His devotee, Shri Krishna would do anything desire to fulfill that devotee’s loving desire, and so supreme God would become horse.

If Shri Krishna’s friend felt his “horse” was going too slowly, he would also jab Shri Krishna with his heels from time to time. When this happened, Shri Krishna eyes would fill with full of tears. He would think, “All my devotees worship Me with love and reverence, and also with fear and formality. But my beloved friend has reached such a level of intimacy with me that He is kicking Me!” Then He would start running fast. After some time, He would slow down. It was not because He was tired. Instead, that jab was so sweet He felt, “I would like to feel it once again, so I can run fast and give him joy.” So His friend would again give Him a kick, and again Shri Krishna would starts moving. This is an example of the loving leelas of sakhya bhava revealed in the Shrimad Bhagwatam and in the writings of Rasik Saints.

Rath yatra of Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj in Bhakti Dham, Mangarh, on the occasion of Govardhan Puja.

Govardhan Puja is celebrated the day after Divali. It was the custom during Shri Krishna’s descension in Braj for the Brajwasis to offer food to Indra, the king of the celestial abodes, to propitiate him so that he would provide plenty of rain for their crops. The little son of Nand, Krishna, told the Brajwasis to stop worshiping Indra and instead to direct their devotion to Govardhan Hill, which was the form of God Himself.

All the food that was prepared to be offered to Indra was then offered to Govardhan Hill instead. At that moment Lord Krishna appeared on Govardhan Hill as Giriraj Maharaj and accepted all of their offerings. Then all the Brajwasis circumambulated the hill while singing the glories of Govardhan and dancing joyously.

Joyful renactment of Govardhan Leela at Bhakti Dham, Mangadh.

Jagadguru Shri Kripal Ji Maharaj as Giriraj Maharaj during Govardhan Leela, Bhakti, Dham, Mangadh.

© Radha Govinda Samiti and Bhakti Bliss