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Post by Nitaidas on Oct 25, 2009 6:25:17 GMT -6
Glad to see you've visited the Swaminarayan temple in Neasden. It is a beautiful temple indeed, I've been several times and taken some good pictures. I can't imagine attending on such a occasion as Diwali because of the crowds, but I'm glad you had a nice time. This particular branch of the Swaminarayan sect is known as 'Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha', or BAPS for short. I found out through Internet discussion boards that they are different from the 'true' Swaminarayan sect. In other words, the BAPS people are rather like the IGM when compared to the 'true' tradition, which is based in Gujarat. I understand that they have similar issues regarding disciplic succession although I never got around to examining the details. A similarly opulent temple has been built in Atlanta fair recently, so I hear. The whole Swaminarayan tradition is very much a 'Gujarati' thing just as CV is a 'Bengali' thing, it seems to be relevant only to those Gujaratis who are followers of the sect, whereas other Indians and Western visitors like to attend the temple to see it's grand opulence. It's been some time since I was last there, but the main deities you saw were probably that of Sahajanand Swami and his closest disciples/successors. Sahajanand Swami was the founder of the Swaminarayan tradition and is regarded as an incarnation of Vishnu by his followers. They do indeed worship him as God, referring to him as 'Bhagavan Swaminarayan', and their chief mantra is 'Swami Narayan'. They consider themselves a Vaishnava sampradaya and, if I remember correctly, claim descent from the Ramanandis and originally from Ramanujacharya. Thanks for the info Ekantin. It is interesting. I do recall that all of the monitors and guards had badges on them with the letters BAPS on them. They were all extremely courteous and helpful, but there was just the faintest hint of militancy and danger about them that made me wonder. I wondered if there was a youth training camp behind them and perhaps a bit of mental "training" or "programming" as well. Yes, it was odd to go there on Divali and there were a few minutes of something approaching panic when the crowds were close pressed and one felt unable to move in the direction one wanted to. But those passed quickly and everyone remained calm. I am not one who likes crowds so I felt a little extra anxiety. But it all turned out well. Sri Sri Radha-Krsna seemed more centrally placed than Sri Sri Sita-Rama. The sannyasi figure that I saw on one of the altars must have been the Sahajananda Swami. To appearances, however, he could have been Mahaprabhu.
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Post by Nitaidas on Oct 25, 2009 6:53:10 GMT -6
Update from the BL:
I looked at a very strange work on Friday and made some photocopies of the first few pages. It is a CV commentary on the first four sutra of the Brahma-sutra by a group of Goswamis I had never heard of before. One, who presented himself as a descendant of Jayadeva, was named Ramaraya Goswami. He was the author of a commentary called Gauravinodini-vrtti. Then there was his brother whose commentary was styled a bhasya (a major commentary). His name was Prabhucandragopala Goswami and his commentary was called the Radhamadhava-bhasya. The work was published by the overseer of the Radhakanta Math in Puri whose name was Radhakrsna Goswami. The work was published in 1933 and was sadly poorly edited and printed. Parts of the text are rather hard to read because the ink has blurred. Still it was like no other Caitanyite commentary I have seen. At first I didn't think it was a real commentary on the Brahma-sutras at all, so full of what looked like Hindi and Bengali songs and astakas of Sri Radhika was it. Eventually I found the first four sutras of the BS clearly set apart and was able to determine that indeed the sutras were the organizing principles in the book. I have not yet read it closely but at present it seems to be something of a hodgepodge of materials. I will present more of the details on this in the coming days. It may turn out to merit inclusion in my Vedanta book on the Catuhsutri of the Brahma-sutras, perhaps in a appendix like Sri Anupanarayana's commentary.
The second book I looked at was the one on the life of Pandita Rasikamohan Vidyabhusana called Pandita Rasikamohana by Sri Cunilal Vasu. It was published by the Rasikamohan Smrti-samiti (The Rasikamohan Memorial Committee). The author was a disciple or student of Sri Rasikamohan. I copied a little of this book, too, and read some parts. The author claims that Sri Rasikamohan was conversant with Western philosophy as well as with Indian philosophy, though his specialty was Caitanya Vaisnavism. The first chapter tells the story of his grandfather who was instrumental through his renunciation and bhakti in curing an important Muslim landlord and thereby winning his favor. The chapters are as follows: 1. Introduction to his family, 2. His birth, 3. His education, 4. His marriage, 5. His religious life, 6. His service to people in need, 7. His relationship with Sisirkumar Ghosh, 8. His relationship with Lokamanya Balagangadhara, 9. His relationship with Dvijendranath Tagore, 10. His work in the newspaper business, 11. An Evaluation of him as a whole, 12. A list and organization of that list of all his writings, and finally 13. An appendix (not sure what is in this). All in all it looks like an interesting book on one of the unsung greats of the modern CV tradition. I will give a list of his writings from the book later on.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 25, 2009 11:56:54 GMT -6
Jay Nitai,
Just an added note on this topic, I had some family connection with this great Vaishnava Devotee / Scholar. What i heard from my uncle ( Disciple of my grand spiritual father Srimad Ram das Babaji ) that he attented in his childhood Rasik Bhusan Prabhu's last ritual rite at the burning ghat when he left his body. My uncle's ( and my father's as well ) brother in law ( my Aunt ) Srimad Nitai Kishore Das Adhikary was great devotee and Guru at that time. And he was a famous Kirtaniya as well. And he was blessed by Sri Rasik Mohan Prabhu in his early age. Rasik Mohan prabhu used to give him any new book he is about to publish for his reading/comment with affectionate blessings. Thus he was very close to Rasik Bhusan prabhu. My Aunt Srimad Nitai Kishor Das Ji also mentored my uncle as father figure in his spiritual path, so he got the chance to attend his last right with Srimad Nitai Kishore Das Ji.
FYI, Sri Rasik Mohan Prabhu was descendant of Sri Srinavs Acharyya Prabhu's family parampara.
Apart from that I was talking to Debasis Bhattacharyya of Sanskrit Pustak Bhandar of Kolkata , he told me he is working on reprinting all the literature of Sri Rasik bhushan Prabhu in near future , one by one. That is a great news to me.
Presently I have 1) Raya Ramananda 2) Sarba Sambadini and 3) Nilachale Braja madhuri of Sri Rasik Mohan Prabhu. Sri Nilachale Braja Madhuri is unique in the sense it is about Sriman Mahaprabhu's gambira Lila which he wrote on meditation while remembering Sriman mahaprabhu's Past time at Puri.
FYI,
Rasik Mohan Vidybhusan has very close relationship with Srisir Kumar ghosh and Sri kanupriya Goswami. And My Aunt Nitai Kishore Das Adhikary was also closes to Sri Sisir Kumar Ghosh's family as his children and grand children were also highly advanced devotee ( Some of them were Misnister of West Bengal Govt that time ).
I will try to see if I can post something about Sri Rasik Mohan Prabhu's life, ( most of his writing is lying back at home @ India ).
Jay jay Sri Nitai Chand.
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Post by Nitaidas on Oct 25, 2009 14:46:10 GMT -6
Thanks for this information, Subrataji. It is interesting to hear of your connection to Sri Rasikamohan. Look forward to hearing more about him. Glad to hear that his books might be available again. We will have to try to get some English versions out, as well.
Here are some of the other books listed by Sri Cunilal Vasu:
1. Svarupa Damodara 2. Das Goswami 3. Brahma Haridas 4. Raya Ramananda 5. Sri Rupa Sanatana Siksamrta 6. Nityananda Carita 7. Sri Nama Madhuri 8. Lila Madhuri 9. Nava Vrndavana 10.Nilacale Vraja Madhuri 11. Sri Krsna Madhuri 12. Candidasa o Vidyapati 13. Srivaisnava 14. Anandamimamsa 15. Gambhiray Sri Gauranga 16. Gopigita 17. Sadhana-sanketa 18. Sarvasamvadini 19. Gitagovinda (Bengali trans. with comms) 20. Jagannatha Vallabha Nataka (Beng. trans.) 21. Sri Carana Tulasi 22. Atma-nivedana
Quite a body of work!
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Post by Ekantin on Oct 25, 2009 17:06:02 GMT -6
They were all extremely courteous and helpful, but there was just the faintest hint of militancy and danger about them that made me wonder. I wondered if there was a youth training camp behind them and perhaps a bit of mental "training" or "programming" as well. Just opposite the temple is the Swaminarayan School. They teach the Govt curriculum but also supplement with "cultural" lessons, etc. But yes, you're right, generally speaking the Swaminarayan followers are very courteous and polite.
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Post by Nitaidas on Oct 27, 2009 6:33:38 GMT -6
Here is a list of the works of Sri Syamlal Goswami based on what I know so far. The interesting thing is that most of these are in the BL unlike most of the books by Rasikamohana Vidyabhusana.
1. Vedanta-darsanam (1891) 2. Siddhanta-ratnam (Baladeva, 1897) 3. Bhakti-sutram (Narada, 1904) 4. Sri Krsnalila (1904) 5. Navayogendropakhyana + Uddhava-gita (11th Skandha, 1900) 6. Isopanisad (with comms of Baladeva, Sankara, Anandagiri, 1895) 7. Isa, Kena, Katha Upanisads (1906) 8. Taittiriya, Aitareya, Svetasvatara Upanisads (1907) 9. Chandogya Upanisad (1906) 10. Kausitaki Upanisad (1903) 11. Premasamputa (1906) 12. Sri Sri Gaurasundara arthat Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu Carita (1907) 13. Sadhaka-jivani (?) 14. Satsandarbha (1899-1901)
On the back cover of one of these books I noticed other books also listed including an edition of the Bhagavad-gita with Sridhara and Baladeva's comms., an edition of the Bhagavata Purana with Sridhara's comm, and a book on Sadhana, the name of which I forget. I am sure there where other books listed as well. It is not clear whether the BL has copies of these books or not. I will try to compile a complete list.
Subrataji, if you have Devashish's ear at Sanskrit Pustak Bhandar, you might suggest he consider republishing this good Goswami's works too. They are really delightful.
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Post by Nitaidas on Oct 27, 2009 7:52:39 GMT -6
Update from the BL: I completed my examination of the Blue Slips relating to Bengali books. The Blue Slips are a file containing information on books in the BL that have neither been cataloged nor included in any of the printed catalogs of the collection. They thus appear nowhere, and certainly not in the online catalog. I was somewhat disappointed because I had hoped that in the Blue Slips I would find many older texts from the 19th century. What I actually found was primarily from the 1930s and 1940s, although one book dated 1858 did appear. Needless to say I did not find a copy of the Dasa-mula (Ten Roots) by Vipinavihari Goswami, though a couple of his others works are at the BL. It must not have made the journey as part of the British Museum collection or the India Office Collection. Anyway, I did find lots of interesting stuff. A list of my findings among the Blue Slips is available at the bottom of this post. I read the introduction to the new commentary on the Brahma-sutras I found at the BL more carefully and discovered that the Goswamis who wrote the commentaries are not modern as I said before. They were apparently in the first generation of followers of the Caitanya tradition. Ramaraya Goswami was a direct disciple of Nityananda Prabhu. His commentary is called the Sri Gauravinodini-vrtti. Though it is not stated in the introduction, his brother Prabhucandragopala Goswami must have also been. His commentary, the Radhamadhavabhasya, was on Ramaraya Goswami's commentary. Moreover, the grandson of Prabhucandragopala Goswami, one Brahmagopala Goswami, also wrote a set of notes on the his grandfather's commentary called the Vastu-bodhini-tippini. This is the first time I have ever heard of any of them. What is more, the writer of the introduction (Sri Yamunavallabha Goswami of Vrndavana) quotes a passage from the last of these writers which supports the idea of acintya-bhedabheda as the final conclusion of study of the Vedanta-sutras. He seems to have arrived at that conclusion independently of Sri Jiva who states it in his Sarva-samvadini, one of his later works. Sri Jiva certainly does not derive it in any explicit way from the Brahma-sutras as Brahmagopala Goswami appears to. This is all entirely new to me. I must admit it seems rather suspicious, but on the back cover of the text I recall seeing it stated that the book was published with the approval of several notable Vaisnavas among whom was given the name of our recent person of interest, Sri Rasikamohan Vidyabhusana. The introduction ends by saying that the book was published by the order of Sri Ramakrsna Dasa Babaji of Vrndavana by Sri Radhakrsna Goswami the overseer of the Radhakanta Math in Puri. This must be Siddha Pandita Ramakrsna Das Babaji. So maybe this is legitimate. He was a level-headed scholar of the tradition. I will include some translations from the introduction and opening sections of this work later. They are interesting. CV Works at the BL
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Post by Ldd on Oct 27, 2009 14:13:27 GMT -6
Brha -- to expand .. to grow. Brahman - the root from which everything has expanded. Brahmananda - the source of the cosmic egg. Anda =egg. Brahman is infinite - the source of infinity. Vishnu (Krishna’s expansion within this cosmos} from vish to enter. He who enters - pervades. Brahman - the source of matter space and all that be. Infinite, all pervading, beyond the reach of the mind and senses. Transcendence. Imbued with the mystic power to manifest or destroy the material manifestation. Unknowable. Vishnu is personal brahman - possessing attributes, in charge of the material manifestation. Impersonal Brahman is also Vishnu - the energy that pervades every atom of the cosmos. We know Krishna is the loverboy from Mathura, but time and time again, we need to remember his ashwairya position to maintain respect . Krishna is the source and center of everything that exists. He is imperceptible to those who are not devoted. He hides himself from the eyesight of those who are not favorable. But his position as the source of all that be is unchangeable. Something that bhaktas should keep in mind. We are not on the level as yet ( at least me) to treat Krishna as a mere playboy or friend or child.. Respect is an important element at our present level.
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Post by Nitaidas on Oct 28, 2009 12:30:01 GMT -6
Brha -- to expand .. to grow. Brahman - the root from which everything has expanded. Brahmananda - the source of the cosmic egg. Anda =egg. Brahman is infinite - the source of infinity. Vishnu (Krishna’s expansion within this cosmos} from vish to enter. He who enters - pervades. Brahman - the source of matter space and all that be. Infinite, all pervading, beyond the reach of the mind and senses. Transcendence. Imbued with the mystic power to manifest or destroy the material manifestation. Unknowable. Vishnu is personal brahman - possessing attributes, in charge of the material manifestation. Impersonal Brahman is also Vishnu - the energy that pervades every atom of the cosmos. We know Krishna is the loverboy from Mathura, but time and time again, we need to remember his ashwairya position to maintain respect . Krishna is the source and center of everything that exists. He is imperceptible to those who are not devoted. He hides himself from the eyesight of those who are not favorable. But his position as the source of all that be is unchangeable. Something that bhaktas should keep in mind. We are not on the level as yet ( at least me) to treat Krishna as a mere playboy or friend or child.. Respect is an important element at our present level. Thanks, square, for rising to the occasion. I chided you about doing a little work yourself and you took me seriously. I am not sure what you are talking about half the time, but it is good to hear (see) you talking. Keep up the good work!
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Post by Ekantin on Oct 28, 2009 18:47:18 GMT -6
I read the introduction to the new commentary on the Brahma-sutras I found at the BL more carefully and discovered that the Goswamis who wrote the commentaries are not modern as I said before. They were apparently in the first generation of followers of the Caitanya tradition. Ramaraya Goswami was a direct disciple of Nityananda Prabhu. It sure is nice to hear that the first generation of Caitanyite followers were interested in studying/commenting on Brahma-sutra, thus immediately setting about with establishing the intellectual basis of the siddhanta or tradition.
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Post by Nitaidas on Oct 28, 2009 19:34:35 GMT -6
I read the introduction to the new commentary on the Brahma-sutras I found at the BL more carefully and discovered that the Goswamis who wrote the commentaries are not modern as I said before. They were apparently in the first generation of followers of the Caitanya tradition. Ramaraya Goswami was a direct disciple of Nityananda Prabhu. It sure is nice to hear that the first generation of Caitanyite followers were interested in studying/commenting on Brahma-sutra, thus immediately setting about with establishing the intellectual basis of the siddhanta or tradition. Yes. And it is a pretty sophisticated commentary from the looks of it. In the commentary on the first sutra some of the major philosophical schools are discussed including the school of Logicians or Navya-Nyaya. I have to read that more carefully. I only copied the first twenty pages or so.
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Post by Nitaidas on Nov 3, 2009 8:18:19 GMT -6
Report from the BL:
Having completed the blue slips, it occurred to me that when I am back in K-ville it will be useful for me to have a more complete list of the works on CV at the BL than just those in the blue slips. The works listed in the old printed catalogs are also not in the online catalog. To that end, I started going through the oldest of the printed catalogs dating up to 1886. I found numerous works of interest and have incorporated them into the list I am compiling. Thus it has grown considerably. Over the next few weeks I intend to work on the rest of the catalogs. The next catalog running from the years 1886 to 1910 looks like it is chock full of CV texts. It will take me somewhat longer to complete my survey of it. Once the all the Bengali catalogs are complete I will do the same thing for the Sanskrit catalogs, time permitting. By the end of my stay I should have a pretty substantial list of works available at the BL. Then as the need arises, I can order copies from back home in the boondocks. Also, who knows, perhaps some of the works I am specially searching for were acquired later and are in the catalogs of the later years.
In the process of searching I have come across some interesting works on another figure of interest in the late 19th and early 20th century, Sri Vijayakrsna Goswami. One of his disciples wrote and published what looks like his best biography just a few years after the Goswami's departure. It is entitled: Srimadacarya Prabhupada Vijayakrsna Gosvami: sadhana and upadesa. It is written by Amrtalala Sena Gupta and I have found the 2nd edition published in 1916. I don't know when the first edition was published. The work looks quite good. It is in two parts, the first is on the life of the Gosvami and the second presents some of his main teachings.
Here are the chapter headings:
1. Subject of the book, auspicious acts of dedication and the beginning of the book
2. His mother, father, and ancestors
3. His birth and childhood
4. His study in a Sanskrit tol, his brahmana initiation and his taking up weapons against malpractice (durniti).
5. Entrance into the Sanskrit College, joining the Brahmo Samaj, study in the Medical College, throwing away his Brahmin's thread, rejection by the society at Santipura, residence at Bagancara.
6. Becoming a leader (assistant acarya) in the Brahmo Samaj, establishing an India-wide form of the Brahmo Samaj, spreading the message to North and West India, preaching in East Bengal, visiting Santipura, Kalna, and Navadvipa, residence in Kolkata.
7. Establishing a center at Dhaka, spreading Brahmo dharma and his medical diagnosis business, opening the door of the All India Brahmo Samaj Temple, heart disease because of excessive work strain, reception of initiation from Mahaprabhu in his half-sleep state, beginning of his difference of opinion with Kesava Babu
8. Breaking his ties with All India Brahmo Samaj, establishment of the general or ordinary Brahmo Samaj, perception of the necessity of taking a guru, wandering to many holy places in search of a guru.
[oops! out of time. more later this week.]
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Post by Nitaidas on Nov 8, 2009 18:25:13 GMT -6
[Continuing the synopsis of the Vijayakrsna Gosvami text]
9. Spreading Brahmoism in Gaya, two amazing dreams, awakening of his recollection of previous lives, the amazing event introducing the great soul of Visnupada, the Sky Ganges, his initiation into yoga on the hill, his taking sannyasa at Kasi, what is the necessity for purification of the initiation of a great being, overstepping the rules of offenses for the sake of the supreme controller is not an offense.
10. Introduction to Gosvami's Paramahamsa Gurudev, discussion of the principles of the guru, description of one qualified to bestow Prema-bhakti, the fifth goal of humankind, the rareness in the world of a great soul who is capable of enjoying and holding in his heart the fifth goal of humankind.
11. Seeing the yogic opulence on the hill of Gaya, discussion with Maharsi Devendranath and Brahmananda Kesavacandra, meeting with Ramakrsna Paramahamsa and the brahmacari of Baradi, brief introduction to Sri Sri Ramakrsna Paramahamsa and Lokanath Brahmacari.
12. Stay in Dhaka, trip to Jvaladhuni, breaking the door, stay in Konnagar and Kakina, visit to Kamakhya.
13. Giving of initiation to seekers after dharma, friction with the Brahmo Samaj and resignation from the title of Preacher.
14. His establishment in the position of Acarya of the Brahmo Samaj in East Bengal, the appearance of the Gangadevi while traveling on the Padmanadi, rain of flowers from the sky at the Kali temple in Cancuratala, agitation in the Brahmo Samaj of East Bengal like that in Kalkata, giving up his connection with the Preacher's house and the Brahmo Samaj.
[more later]
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Post by Nitaidas on Nov 17, 2009 11:24:42 GMT -6
Back from Molise. My wife and I just got back from Molise, Italy. We went down there to meet some distant cousins and see where my great grandfather on my father's side was born. What a beautiful place! Wish I had the dough to buy a house there somewhere. Beautiful rolling green hills with villages perched on their tops. It gets a little chilly at night, but it is very pleasant during the day. Best thing is that there are very few people there. The town that has been the home of the Delmonicos for five centuries has 249 permanent residents and the best tasting water I have ever had. The residents live long lives, more than average numbers living to over a hundred. Clean air and sweet water and silence, a great combination for an ashram.
Anyway, it was a delightful visit. But now back to work. What has been going on while I was away? Anything I should be aware of, or give some thought to? I see that spiritualbhakti has been posting some of Haridas Sastri's reflections on the Bhagavata. They look quite reasonable and interesting. I have long favored a non-literal and non-historical interpretation of the Bhagavata (this is not to say that the Bhagavata does not tell us much about its own history). Glad to see such a learned and wise member of the tradition espouse similar ideas.
More reports from the BL and translations coming.
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Post by Nitaidas on Nov 18, 2009 18:37:04 GMT -6
Update from the BL: Here is a more complete version of the books I have found at the BL. I am about halfway through the second volume of the old books in Bengali. I hope to finish it sometime this week. Volume three will take more time I think, maybe the rest of the duration of my stay. I give all the information that one needs to request a photocopy of the book which I believe anyone can do from the web page of the BL. As you can see the list is growing. There is no dearth of Vaisnava literature. With the exception of Sundarananda's books I have included nothing from IGM (not that there was much available from them at this early period. There are a few works by Bhaktivinoda Thakur that I have not listed.) CV Works at the BL
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