2016-04-01 Srimad Bhagavatam 10.79.07-15 - Lord Balaram goes on Pilgrimage (download mp3) by Bhakti Charudeshna Swami at ISKCON Chowpatty www.iskcondesiretree.com SB 10.79.7samstutya munayo ramam prayujyavitathasisahabhyasiñcan maha-bhaga vrtra-ghnam vibudha yatha Translation: The exalted sages honored Lord Rama with sincere prayers and awarded Him infallible blessings. Then they performed His ritual bath, just as the demigods had formally bathed Indra when he killed Vrtra. SB 10.79.8vaijayantim dadur malam sri-dhamamlana-pankajamramaya vasasi divye divyany abharanani ca Translation: They gave Lord Balarama a Vaijayanti garland of unfading lotuses in which resided the goddess of fortune, and they also gave Him a set of divine garments and jewelry. SB 10.79.9atha tair abhyanujñatah kausikim etya brahmanaihsnatva sarovaram agad yatah sarayur asravat Translation: Then, given leave by the sages, the Lord went with a contingent of brahmanas to the Kausiki River, where He bathed. From there He went to the lake from which flows the river Sarayu. SB 10.79.10anu-srotena sarayum prayagam upagamya sahsnatva santarpya devadin jagama pulahasramam Translation: The Lord followed the course of the Sarayu until He came to Prayaga, where He bathed and then performed rituals to propitiate the demigods and other living beings. Next He went to the asrama of Pulaha Rsi. Purport: Pulahasrama is also known as Hari-ksetra. SB 10.79.11-15gomatim gandakim snatva vipasam sona aplutahgayam gatva pitrn istva ganga-sagara-sangameupasprsya mahendradrau ramam drstvabhivadya casapta-godavarim venam pampam bhimarathim tatahskandam drstva yayau ramah sri-sailam girisalayamdravidesu maha-punyam drstvadrim venkatam prabhuhkama-kosnim purim kañcim kaverim ca sarid-varamsri-rangakhyam maha-punyam yatra sannihito harihrsabhadrim hareh ksetram daksinam mathuram tathasamudram setum agamat maha-pataka-nasanam Translation: Lord Balarama bathed in the Gomati, Gandaki and Vipasa rivers, and also immersed Himself in the Sona. He went to Gaya, where He worshiped His forefathers, and to the mouth of the Ganges, where He performed purifying ablutions. At Mount Mahendra He saw Lord Parasurama and offered Him prayers, and then He bathed in the seven branches of the Godavari River, and also in the rivers Vena, Pampa and Bhimarathi. Then Lord Balarama met Lord Skanda and visited Sri-saila, the abode of Lord Girisa. In the southern provinces known as Dravida-desa the Supreme Lord saw the sacred Venkata Hill, as well as the cities of Kamakosni and Kañci, the exalted Kaveri River and the most holy Sri-ranga, where Lord Krsna has manifested Himself. From there He went to Rsabha Mountain, where Lord Krsna also lives, and to the southern Mathura. Then He came to Setubandha, where the most grievous sins are destroyed. Purport: Usually one goes to Gaya to worship deceased forefathers. But as Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti explains, although Lord Balarama’s father and grandfather were still alive, it was on His father’s order that He carefully worshiped His forefathers at Gaya. Drawing insight from the Vaisnava-tosani, the acarya further explains that although Lord Balarama was in the immediate proximity of Jagannatha Puri, He did not go there, since He wanted to avoid the embarrassment of having to worship Himself among the forms of Sri Krsna, Balabhadra and Subhadra.

2016-03-27 Sunday Feast - 12 Mahajan Series-Glories of Yamaraj (download mp3) by Baladeva Prabhu at ISKCON Chowpatty www.iskcondesiretree.com

2016-03-31 Srimad Bhagavatam 10.79.01-06 - Different Ages Different Approaches (download mp3) by Kaunteya Prabhu at ISKCON Chowpatty www.iskcondesiretree.com SB 10.79.1sri-suka uvacatatah parvany upavrtte pracandah pamsu-varsanahbhimo vayur abhud rajan puya-gandhas tu sarvasah Translation: Sukadeva Gosvami said: Then, on the new-moon day, O King, a fierce and frightening wind arose, scattering dust all about and spreading the smell of pus everywhere. SB 10.79.2tato ’medhya-mayam varsam balvalena vinirmitamabhavad yajña-salayam so ’nvadrsyata sula-dhrk Translation: Next, onto the sacrificial arena came a downpour of abominable things sent by Balvala, after which the demon himself appeared, trident in hand. SB 10.79.3-4tam vilokya brhat-kayam bhinnañjana-cayopamamtapta-tamra-sikha-smasrum damstrogra-bhru-kuti-mukhamsasmara musalam ramah para-sainya-vidaranamhalam ca daitya-damanam te turnam upatasthatuh Translation: The immense demon resembled a mass of black carbon. His topknot and beard were like molten copper, and his face had horrible fangs and furrowed eyebrows. Upon seeing him, Lord Balarama thought of His club, which tears to pieces His enemies’ armies, and His plow weapon, which punishes the demons. Thus summoned, His two weapons appeared before Him at once. SB 10.79.5tam akrsya halagrena balvalam gagane-carammusalenahanat kruddho murdhni brahma-druham balah Translation: With the tip of His plow Lord Balarama caught hold of the demon Balvala as he flew through the sky, and with His club the Lord angrily struck that harasser of brahmanas on the head. SB 10.79.6so ’patad bhuvi nirbhinna- lalato ’srk samutsrjanmuñcann arta-svaram sailo yatha vajra-hato ’runah Translation: Balvala cried out in agony and fell to the ground, his forehead cracked open and gushing blood. He resembled a red mountain struck by a lightning bolt. Purport: According to the acaryas, the demon appeared reddish with blood, like a mountain red with oxide.

2016-03-29 Srimad Bhagavatam 10.78.38 - Lord Chaitanya's Prescription (download mp3) by Vraj Chandra Prabhu at ISKCON Chowpatty www.iskcondesiretree.com SB 10.78.38rsaya ucuhilvalasya suto ghoro balvalo nama danavahsa dusayati nah satram etya parvani parvani Translation: The sages said: A fearsome demon named Balvala, the son of Ilvala, comes here every new-moon day and contaminates our sacrifice. Purport: First the sages tell Lord Balarama the favor they would like Him to do for them.

2016-03-30 Srimad Bhagavatam 10.78.39-40 - Reason for Lord Balaram's Apperance in Krishna Lila (download mp3) by Bhakti Brihat Bhagavat Swami at ISKCON Chowpatty www.iskcondesiretree.com SB 10.78.39tam papam jahi dasarha tan nah susrusanam parampuya-sonita-vin-mutra- sura-mamsabhivarsinam Translation: O descendant of Dasarha, please kill that sinful demon, who pours down pus, blood, feces, urine, wine and meat upon us. This is the best service You can do for us. SB 10.78.40tatas ca bharatam varsam paritya su-samahitahcaritva dvadasa-masams tirtha-snayi visudhyasi Translation: Thereafter, for twelve months, You should circumambulate the land of Bharata in a mood of serious meditation, executing austerities and bathing at various holy pilgrimage sites. In this way You will become purified. Purport: Srila Jiva Gosvami points out that the word visudhyasi means that Lord Balarama would achieve spotless fame by setting such a perfect example for the people in general. Srila Prabhupada writes: “The brahmanas could understand the purpose of the Lord, and thus they suggested that He atone in a manner which would be beneficial to them.” Thus end the purports of the humble servants of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada to the Tenth Canto, Seventy-eighth Chapter, of the Srimad-Bhagavatam, entitled “The Killing of Dantavakra, Viduratha and Romaharsana.”

2016-03-26 Srimad Bhagavatam 10.78.31-36 - If God is Wrong Then Who is Right (download mp3) by Shyamcharan Prabhu at ISKCON Chowpatty www.iskcondesiretree.com SB 10.78.31-32ajanataivacaritas tvaya brahma-vadho yathayogesvarasya bhavato namnayo ’pi niyamakahyady etad-brahma-hatyayah pavanam loka-pavanacarisyati bhavaḻ loka- sangraho ’nanya-coditah Translation: “You have unknowingly killed a brahmana. Of course, even the injunctions of revealed scripture cannot dictate to You, the Lord of all mystic power. But if by Your own free will You nonetheless carry out the prescribed purification for this slaying of a brahmana, O purifier of the whole world, people in general will greatly benefit by Your example.” SB 10.78.33sri-bhagavan uvacacarisye vadha-nirvesam lokanugraha-kamyayaniyamah prathame kalpe yavan sa tu vidhiyatam Translation: The Personality of Godhead said: I will certainly perform the atonement for this killing, since I wish to show compassion to the people in general. Please, therefore, prescribe for Me whatever ritual is to be done first. SB 10.78.34dirgham ayur bataitasya sattvam indriyam eva caasasitam yat tad brute sadhaye yoga-mayaya Translation: O sages, just say the word, and by My mystic power I shall restore everything you promised him — long life, strength and sensory power. SB 10.78.35rsaya ucuhastrasya tava viryasya mrtyor asmakam eva cayatha bhaved vacah satyam tatha rama vidhiyatam Translation: The sages said: Please see to it, O Rama, that Your power and that of Your kusa weapon, as well as our promise and Romaharsana’s death, all remain intact. SB 10.78.36sri-bhagavan uvacaatma vai putra utpanna iti vedanusasanamtasmad asya bhaved vakta ayur-indriya-sattva-van Translation: The Supreme Lord said: The Vedas instruct us that one’s own self takes birth again as one’s son. Thus let Romaharsana’s son become the speaker of the Puranas, and let him be endowed with long life, strong senses and stamina. Purport: Srila Sridhara Svami quotes the following Vedic verse to illustrate the principle enunciated here by Lord Balarama: angad angat sambhavasi hrdayad abhijayaseatma vai putra-namasi sañjiva saradah satam “You have taken birth from my various limbs and have arisen from my very heart. You are my own self in the form of my son. May you live through a hundred autumns.” This verse appears in the Satapatha Brahmana (14.9.8.4) and the Brhad-aranyaka Upanisad (6.4.8).

2016-03-27Srimad Bhagavatam 10.78.37 - Steps to Going Back Home Back to Godhead (download mp3)by Srinathji Prabhu at ISKCON Chowpattywww.iskcondesiretree.com SB 10.78.37kim vah kamo muni-srestha brutaham karavany athaajanatas tv apacitim yatha me cintyatam budhah Translation: Please tell Me your desire, O best of sages, and I shall certainly fulfill it. And, O wise souls, please carefully determine My proper atonement, since I do not know what it might be. Purport: Lord Balarama here sets a perfect example for people in general by humbly submitting Himself before the qualified brahmanas.

2016-03-23 Festivals - Gaura Purnima Evening Lecture (download mp3) by Sridama Prabhu at ISKCON Chowpatty www.iskcondesiretree.com

2016-03-24 CC Adi Lila 13-05 - Gaur Lila Class (download mp3) by Damodar Prabhu at ISKCON Chowpatty www.iskcondesiretree.com CC Ādi 13.5jaya sri-caitanyacandrera bhakta candra-ganasabara prema jyotsnaya ujjvala tri-bhuvana Translation: All glories to the moons who are devotees of the principal moon, Lord Caitanyacandra! Their bright moonshine illuminates the entire universe. Purport: In this verse we find the moon described as candra-gana, which is plural in number. This indicates that there are many moons. In the Bhagavad-gita (10.21) the Lord says, naksatranam aham sasi: “Among the stars, I am the moon.” All the stars are like the moon. Western astronomers consider the stars to be suns, but Vedic astronomers, following the Vedic scriptures, consider them moons. The sun has the ability to shine powerfully, and the moons reflect the sunshine and therefore look brilliant. In the Caitanya-caritamrta Krsna is described to be like the sun. The supreme powerful is the Supreme Personality of Godhead Sri Krsna, or Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and His devotees are also bright and illuminating because they reflect the supreme sun. The Caitanya-caritamrta (Madhya 22.31) states: krsna — surya-sama; maya haya andhakarayahan krsna, tahan nahi mayara adhikara “Krsna is bright like the sun. As soon as the sun appears, there is no question of darkness or nescience.” Similarly, the present verse also describes that by the illumination of all the moons, brightened by the reflection of the Krsna sun, or by the grace of all the devotees of Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the entire world will be illuminated, despite the darkness of Kali-yuga. Only the devotees of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu can dissipate the darkness of Kali-yuga, the ignorance of the population of this age. No one else can do so. We therefore wish that all the devotees of the Krsna consciousness movement may reflect the supreme sun and thus dissipate the darkness of the entire world.

2016-03-25 Srimad Bhagavatam 10.78.29-30 - Just Having Knowledge Skills is not Enough (download mp3) by Hare Krishna Prabhu at ISKCON Chowpatty www.iskcondesiretree.com SB 10.78.29haheti-vadinah sarve munayah khinna-manasahucuh sankarsanam devam adharmas te krtah prabho Translation:  All the sages cried out, “Alas, alas!” in great distress. They told Lord Sankarsana, “O master, You have committed an irreligious act! SB 10.78.30asya brahmasanam dattam asmabhir yadu-nandanaayus catmaklamam tavad yavat satram samapyate Translation:  “O favorite of the Yadus, we gave him the seat of the spiritual master and promised him long life and freedom from physical pain for as long as this sacrifice continues. Purport: Although Romaharsana was not a brahmana, having been born of a mixed marriage, he was invested with that status by the assembled sages and thus given the brahmasana, the seat of the chief officiating priest.