By Dhruva Maharaja dasa
Please join us in the holy dhama of Jagannatha Puri from Feb. 17 (Bhaimini
Ekadasi) thru Feb. 21 (Purnima), which includes Varaha Dvadasi (the 18th),
and Nityananda Triodasi, (19th), to study the esoteric conversations between
Lord Caitanya and Ramananda Raya daily from 3-5pm.
Here are some inspiring quotes from CC –
“The activities of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhua are like condensed milk, and
the the activities of Ramananda Raya are like large quantities of sugar
candy. Their meeting is like a mixture of condensed milk and sugar candy.
When they talk of the pastimes of Radha and Krsna, camphor is added. If one
tastes this combined preparation, he is most fortunate.
“This wonderful preparation has to be taken aurally. If one takes it, he
becomes greedy to relish it further. By hearing talks between Ramananda Raya
and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, one is enlightened to the transcendental
knowledge of the mellows of Radha and Krsna’s pastimes. Thus one can develop
unalloyed love for the lotus feet of Radha and Krsna.” (CC Madhya 8.304-307)
Tuesday the 19th is Lord Nityananda’s Appearance Day, therefore the seminar
will begin at 5pm and later we will honor Lord Jaganantha’s maha-prasadam!
Feb. 21st is Narottama dasa Thakura’s appearance day; if devotees who lead
nice bhajans attend we will dive deeply into the moods of not only Ramananda
Raya and Lord Caitanya, but will sprinkle our hearts with Narottama dasa
Thakura’s inner moods before once again honoring Lord Jagannatha’s
maha-prasadam under the full moon.
Note: Senior devotees please look at the schedule below and let me know if
you would like to speak on a particular subject. We’d love association with
many senior devotees during these readings to enhance the experience for
everyone.
The proposed schedule:
Feb. 17 – Meeting of Lord Caitanya and Ramananda Raya, conversation covering
varnasrama dharma to 18.54 (brahma-bhuta prasannatama) of the Bhagavad-gita.
Feb. 18 – Lord Brahma’s prayer (SB 10.14.3) thru madhurya-prema (Spontaneous
Love)
Feb. 19 – Srimati Radharani & Radha-Krsna
Feb. 20 – Prema-vilasa-vivarta and the gopis
Feb. 21 – Revelations of Ramananda Raya – Bhajans by Narottama dasa Thakura
The cost of the seminar is only USD $25 (payable thru PayPal) which covers
daily transportation to and from ISKCON’s Bhakti-kuti to ISKCON’s 26 acre
parcel where the seminar will be held, plus evening prasadam each night at
ISKCON’s Gaura-Nitai-Jagannatha Temple. Also included is Lord Jagannatha’s
maha-prasada on the 19th and 21st. If you’re not staying at Bhakti-kuti, but
one of the hotels listed below (except the Mayfair Hotel), the Jeep can pick
you up along route.
Jagannatha Puri is a pleasant seaside resort with hundreds of hotels, from
simple rooms with common bath to Luxury Hotels, so we couldn’t possibly list
all of them. Here are a few located near ISKCON with contact details, listed
in order from simplest to luxury:
ISKCON’s Bhakti-kuti Temple/Guest House – ISKCON.Puri@pamho.net
Birla Guest House – (91) 06752-231311
Hotel Prabhupada (not an ISKCON establishment) – HotelPrabhupad@yahoo.com
Niladri Hotel – Manager Rama’s mobile phone – (91) 0986-144-7710
Hotel Shree Hari – hotelshreehari@sancharnet.in
(http://www.hotelshreehari.com)
Hans Coco Palms Luxury Hotel – hanscocopalms@hanshotels.com
(http://www.hanshotels.com/puri/index.html)
Mayfair Luxury Hotel – puri@mayfairhotels.com
(http://www.mayfairhotels.com/puri/index.asp)
Jagannatha Puri is only a 90 minute drive to Bhuvanesvar Airport, and also
conveniently connected by trains to Kolkatta and Dehli, so it’s an easy
stop-over for devotees going to the Mayapur Festival.
Payments must be made before Feb. 10th through PayPal to:
DhruvaMaharaja.ACBSP@pamho.net so we can properly organize your
transportation and prasadam. For more information, contact the same email.