Description of Meditation

Lord Almighty could not be achieved through sacrifice, penance, rituals and knowledge. The Gracious Lord could be won only through true devotion (bhakti). The great devotee Prahlada had thus said-

“For devotion one need not be God, dvija, sage;

One need not acquire knowledge of many scriptures;

Penances, silent prayers, sacrifices, gifts are mere deceptions,

Narayana remains content only with devotion.” _Prahlada Charitra

However, devotion does not come automatically. To develop devotion one must have to go on practicing it in body, mind and words. 

For practicing devotion at Lord Krishna’s lotus feet the company of Vishnu’s devotee is required first. Vishnu’s devotee should be taken as preceptor and well treated. Krishna’s feet should be meditated in hearts. The Almighty dwells in all creatures. Thus, knowing it well, have affection for all creatures. One should practice sravana and kirttana. The duties other then this are mere deceptions. When one thinks more and more about Lord Krishna, his devotion at Hari’s feet would increase and all the dirt of mind would disappear. Then alone to the Almighty Krishna our mind shall be drawn.

Now listen raptly, how to meditate on Hari; listen to the beauty and virtue of Hari.

There is a place named Vaikuntha. It is the Supreme Abode made only for Lord Narayana. The chariots glitter rows after rows, all inlaid with sapphires, diamond and emerald. There the Sun and the Moon shines in such a way that it is not known whether it is a night or a day. In the transparent water of the beauteous lakes bloom fragrant lotus and shining lilies. Flocks of swans are playing on the water, sportingly uprooting lotus-roots and eating there. On the bank, flower parijats blooms. The sweet fragrance of the flowers blows with the breeze filling the entire region with scent of flowers. The sparrows are singing in a melodious way and the black bees are singing Hari’s songs hearing which the Vaishnavas derive pleasure. At the centre of such highly charming Vaikuntha there is a tall Temple made up of precious gems. The pillars are made up of sapphire and walls of marble. It has pearl panels and diamond doors; thereon are carved out chains of gold, spotted with various gems and emeralds; and the beams are inlaid with charming rubies. The temple is dazzling as crores of suns. Varieties of canopies are hanging over there. Garlands of gems and pearls are hanging everywhere. Inside this divine temple on a throne of gems Lord Narayana is sitting charmingly. He is surrounded by his attendants, holding upon umbrellas inlaid with pearls. They fan Him both sides with white caamaras (a whisk made of the tail hair of the yak) and strew around Him sweet-smelling flowers. At His feet is sitting Lakshmi, Mother Goddess of Universe, offering her prayers in all devotional ways. In Eternal Form of Purity and Consciousness, Lord Hari continues to dwell there in Supreme Bliss. His Capacious Form is dazzling so amazingly that crores of kandarpa (the Indian Cupid) fails to conform. Father of Universe is devotee’s friend, Lord Hari keeps on shining as crores of Moons, whose very recalling burns series of sins.

The divine Form of Madhava is full of Supreme Bliss. It looks like a fresh green cloud. By the yellow robe upon it a glow is made. His capacious Form is so amazingly dazzling that crores of Moons fails to conform. The Lotus Feet of Hari appear as if in full bloom, by seeing which the devotees are highly pleased. The soles are purple in color. Ankusa, padma, dhvaja, vajra and yava are the signs. The fine fingers look like petals in form. They appear as spindles of gems. The nails glitter there as the half-moons. The ujjhanti (a kind of ornament) of gems are shining bright and sounding anklets are adorning the joints of Feet. The thighs appear as the trunk of elephant. A yellow robe glitters on the waist and a girdle inlaid with gems is tied over there. The Lotus-Navel of Lord Hari is shining brightly. On the pleasing chest are glittering locks of srivatsa (the white curl of hair on the chest of Almighty Visnu). There appears Maa Lakshmi shining as golden lines on black touch-stones. The green Body brightens with yellow robes as the lightning in clouds. Necklace of pearls hangs on the broad chest. Pecandaraornament (a kind of gold ornament) is glittering there. Various gems and pearls are glittering brightly. On the beauteous neck hang a beautiful garland of wild flower down to the Feet. The honeybees are getting intoxicated for honey-smelling flowers and they are humming in and round the garland there. The four beautiful arms of Hari are well built. They are blue in color and are highly attractive. Armlets, bangles, bracelets are shining there. The hands glitter like the new grown leaves. The fingers appear as sticks of gems. Various rings glitters there. The red Nails of the figures look like the moon. Lord is holding sankha, cakra, gada and paadma in His four Hands. Necklaces galapata and satasari are hanging in the neck. On the shoulder glitters the sacred uttari (a sacred thread) of nine threads. The conch-shaped throat is adorned by the gem kaustubha. The face of Lord Hari is as pleasing as the view of the full moon. It is as charming as the sun rising in early morn. On ear-lobes glitter the makara-kundala (fish-like earrings). With its radiations the yellow-white cheeks shine. Rows of teeth are so much attractive as if there shine a series of coral and gems. A sweet smile prevails over there in His lips ever. The nose is glittering like sesame flower, reddish Eyes look like petals of rose and Eye-brows resemble beautiful bows. On the forehead is glittering the tilaka (a small round mark on the forehead between the two eye-brow) of gem. Upon the head the Crown of gold is glittering, hair-bands are shining with cudamani diamond and amidst there is the golden Lotus Garland, by the glow of which the Face is being brightened. On such a Divine Form one should meditate. One should meditate on it again and again with firm concentration of mind starting from Head down to Feet inside one’s heart. Observing the signs of the Lotus Feet of the Almighty, namely dhvaja (banner), vajra (thunder-bolt), padma (lotus), ankusa (hook) and java (grain) one should bow down at Feet. Then there would be Suprme Success for you. Hari alone is Invaluable Treasure of the Universe. By meditating at the Divine Form of Hari one would overcome the worldly life at ease. Thus, don’t spoil the human life with fruitless deeds. In the Holy Kirttana Ghosa it is said:

“Keep Lord Hari’s Feet in your firm grips;

This is the only Boat to sail across Ocean of Sins.

Krishna’s kinkara Sankara says:

Ye all chant hari-hari in assemblage.”

When Gracious Almighty Krishna was leaving the earth--

When Gracious Almighty Krishna was leaving the earth--

"Looking at Madhava, the Devas bowed down.
They gazed at the Form attentively;
Showered flowers on Him joyfully.

With folded palms, in separate groups,
They in devotion sang Krishna's deeds.
Some were doing Krishna's kirttana,
Some were dancing on to the tunes.
Instrumental sounds prevailed over sky;
Deva's beating of dundubhi rang high.
'Glory be to Krishna' was pronounced joyously.

Hearing sounds Hari looked above Him;
He met Brahma in front of Him.
Seeing other Devas too in front,
Almighty Krishna shut both eyes.

After performing yoga concentration all,
Placing Himself in Supreme Soul,
Leaving instantly the human nature,
Into Vaikuntha didst Hari enter.

As in clouds a lighting flash,
Is too fast for anyone to trace,
So also Krishna's speed of merger,
Was too difficult for Devas to discover.

The Body that was a meditating object,
Its sight made even Himself amazed.
Such a Body suddenly vanished,
As does the lightening flash.

Virtues like Beauty, Faith, Truth, Patience
With Krishna did all depart hence.
Seeing the happenings of the kinds,
Devas were stupefied in minds.

Wonderful was Krishna's yogic movement;
Seeing it Devas admired and were all content.
To King Parikshita Sage Suka said thus.
O king, won't be amazed at it;
Dead sons from Yama He brought,
As gift to Guru didst He offer;
As human to heaven He sent the hunter.

When by brahma-astra you were burnt,
He with Mace didst you protect.
Deva Hari, being the origin of all creation,
Didst not let survive the Yadu clan.

There is no smooth sailing in man;
Everything is disarrayed at the end.
Lord Hari didst demonstrate it;
Destroying the clan didst he depart.

It is one of the sportive deeds of Krishna,
One who chants about these always,
Surely in Vaikuntha does dwell;
Knowing it, give up idleness all.

Do Hari kirttana always;
Won't die by saying worthless words.
Krishna's kinkara Sankara thus says:
Ye all, chant hari-hari always."

(some verses from the Holy Bhagavata Purana)

Celebrating 563 birth anniversary Of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankaradeva by Srimanta Sankaradeva Sangha

placing the Holy Bhagavata in the cart

ready to go

Bhagavata bhramana

procession

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kids in traditional dress

devotees singing Hari-naam

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procession

Unity in diversity. People from different communities marching together singing Hari-naam

People carrying banner of Jai Guru Sankara (Glory unto Guru Sankara)

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procession

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That outcaste is deemed to be greatest:
From whose tip of tongue flows Hari's message;
He has earned virtues all of holy baths,
Penances, fire-offerings and charities.
To best of castes he belongs, understands Vedas,
If from his mouth springs Hari's naam.

If in Krishna-katha a person has deep interest,
He need not aspire to be a Brahmana in birth.
Let him only recall Hari day and night,
Devotion makes no distinction between caste uncaste.

Our Guru Srimanta Sankara

"Srimanta Sankara Hari Bhakatara

Jānā yena kalpataru

Tāhānta bināi nāi nāi nāi

Āmāra parama Guru ." 375(Naam Ghukha)

Know ye that Srimanta Sankaradeva is like the wish-yielding tree (kalpataru) of all the devotees of Hari. Be triple sure that there is no (other) Guru than Sankaradeva himself.

The Holy Scriptures

“First do I bow down unto Thee, O Sanatana Narayana;
Thou art Brahma manifest, the cause of all incarnations.
From Thy Lotus-naval Brahma sprang forth;
Innumerable Incarnations through ages Thou hadst. ”

            _1 (kirttana ghukha)

The Lord Almighty Narayana is the creator. He is pervading the world over. Everything that we see around us is created by the gracious Lord. The Lord created everything, moving and non-moving, and entered into all the bodied forms in form of soul. In Vedastuti, the Vedas are thus praying at the feet of Lord Narayana:

“Thou hadst created all forms- moving, non-moving;
Thou art with all Greatness present in everything.
Entered Thou as soul into all bodied forms,
Hence, we worship Thee by all means.”

_1655 (kirttana ghukha)

To save the world, for the welfare of the noble and to make the truth prevail the Gracious Lord takes innumerable incarnations from time to time. The various incarnations of Lord Vishnu reminds us of the evolution of life in earth, starting from matsya (fish) avatar to the much awaiting Kalki. In each incarnation the Master, the Almighty Narayana had taught us different lessons in a very sportive way. And the Holy Books like the Kirttana ghukha, Naam ghukha, Srimad Bhagavat Gita etc. contains these lessons that the Lord had taught us. In other words, these books contain the words spoken by the Gracious Lord. In the kali age these holy books are our only preceptors, our only guru. These books would always guide us on the correct way. It is given in the Prahlada Charitra (The Episode of Prahlada) that Lord Almighty could not be achieved through sacrifice, penance, rituals and knowledge. The Gracious Lord could be won only through true devotion (bhakti). The great devotee Prahlada had thus said-

“For devotion one need not be God, dvija, sage;

One need not acquire knowledge of many scriptures;

Penances, silent prayers, sacrifices, gifts are mere deceptions,

Narayana remains content only with devotion.”

_Prahlada  Charitra

However, devotion does not come automatically. To develop devotion one must have to go on practicing it in body, mind and words.

For practicing devotion at Lord Krishna’s lotus feet the company of Vishnu’s devotee is required first. Vishnu’s devotee should be taken as preceptor and well treated. And in our times it is a painful truth that the society is developing for sure however, it is also degenerating as well at the same time. And we, the people, are so sinful that today it is very hard to find a Vaishnava i.e. a true devotee of Lord Vishnu who could guide us. However, if we search by heart we would find the company of Vishnu’s devotee for sure, and this company is in the form of the holy books like the Holy Kirttana ghukha, Naam ghukha, Srimad Bhagavat Gita etc. We should take these Holy Scriptures as our preceptor and treat them well. They are the only company of Vishnu’s devotee. 

Mahapurus Srimanta Sankaradeva

Mahapurusha Srimanta Sankaradeva (1449–1568) saint-scholar, playwright, social-religious reformer, is one  of the greatest religious leaders India has ever produced. The saint led the medieval Bhakti-movement in the north-eastern part of India and founded a religion named Eka-sarana Hari naam dharma. He is credited with providing a thread of unity to Assam straddling two major kingdoms (Ahom and Koch kingdoms), building on past literary activities to provide the bedrock of Assamese culture, and creating a religion that gave shape to a set of new values and social synthesis. The religion he started, Mahapuruxiya Dharma was part of the  Bhakti movement then raging in India, and he inspired bhakti (devotion) in Assam just as Ramananda, Guru Nanak, Kabir, Basava and Chaitanva Mahaprabhu inspired it elsewhere.

His literary and artistic contributions are living traditions in Assam today. The religion he preached is practiced by a large population, and Sattras (monasteries) that he and his followers established continue to flourish and sustain his legacy.

Sankaradeva took his birth in 1449 in Siromani Bhuna family at Alipukhuri near Bardowa in the present district of Nagaon, Assam. He lost his parents at an early age. He was admitted to school at the age of twelve and after seven years came out as an “unerring scholar”.

On returning home Sankaradeva had to accept the Siromani Bhunaship. He got married at the age of twenty-one or so. But he was more inclined to the study of religious scriptures and ultimately propagated the Bhakti cult. At the age of thirty-two he went on a twelve years long pilgrimage with seventeen companions and visited most of the Vaishnava centres in India. Thereby he came into direct interaction with the nascent neo-Vaishnava movement. He saw the mission launched earlier in a proper perspective and also the means of realizing that.

After completing the pilgrimage, Sankaradeva returned home in 1493. He renounced the post of Siromani Bhunaship and made all arrangements for the propagation of his faith. However, under the pressure of his kinsmen, he had to marry again a Kayastha girl, named Kalindi.

Sankaradeva had to leave his ancestral home in the Bhuna-territories in 1516 A.D. owing to the clash with the neighbouring Kachari tribes. With his kinsmen and followers he shifted the residence to different places on the northern bank of the river Brahmaputra and finally got settled in 1522 A.D at Dhuwahat-Belaguri of Majuli, the river island, in the Ahom kingdom. It was here that, in 1522 A.D, Sankaradeva initiated Madhavdeva into his faith. Madhavdeva had been an young and exuberant pandit of Sakta faith, but after initiation h become the greatest apostle of his guru.

But soon the religion propagated by Sankaradeva proved to be a challenge to the existing Brahmanical priesthood. The priestly class naturally grew hostile to Sankaradeva, abusing and molesting his followers. They started lodging false allegations in the Ahom court against Sankaradeva resulting ultimately, under some pretext, in the tragic beheading of Sankaradeva’s son-in-law, Hari and the imprisonment of Madhavdeva for about a year.

Being shocked and hurt by this inhuman incident, Sankaradeva made up his mind to leave the Ahom kingdom. In the meantime, he heard that the King Naranarayana of Koc-Behar was a scholar and a poet also. Hoping for King Naranarayana’s patronage, Sankaradeva with his followers sailed down the Brahmaputra in 1545 and landed at Barpeta in Kamarupa under the Koc king. Sankaradeva finally settled down at Patbousi in Barpeta for the last eighteen or twenty years of his life. Here he secured the patronage of Cilaraya, the brother and commander-in-chief of the king Naranarayana, as a daughter of Sankaradeva’s cousin Ramraya was given in marriage to Cilaraya. Then Sankaradeva found another rich and sagacious devotee, named Bhavananda Saud (renamed as Narayana Das Thakur). His religious order thrived much there.

In about 1550, Sankaradeva set out for his second pilgrimage with 120 followers, including Madhavdeva and others. The pilgrimage took only six months and extended upto Puri only.

In the Koc kingdom, Sankaradeva’s new cult grew to its fullness. The old priestly class alleged to king Naranarayana against the teachings of Sankaradeva. The king ordered Sankaradeva to appear in his court. Sankaradeva appeared in the court in 1558. The king was overpowered by the radiating personality, sublime faith, profound scholarship and high  poetic accomplishment of Sankaradeva. The Guru came out triumphant in the series of debates that ensured with the Brahmana pundits. The king turned a liflong bosom friend of Sankaradeva and under his patronage Sankaradeva’s cult grew vigorously.

In the last few years of his life, Sankaradeva kept shuttling between Patbousi and Koc-Behar. His eventful long life came to an end in Koc-Behar in 1569. Then Madhavdeva, Sankaradeva’s nominee, shouldered the headship of the religious order.