Home Altar Standards

It's a good idea to think about what they are.
1. Decide the minimum standard for your home altar maintenance and deity worship

2. Even better, write it down. That helps it become more of an unbreakable declaration. In other words, don't post anything you can't handle regularly. Therefore, it's best to start very simply and maintain that.

3.  Beyond that can be extras according to availability, desire, etc. For example, finally having access to a fresh flower garden or tulasi leaves.

Here's a sample of a basic standard for a home altar with pictures of the Lord and His associates:

EACH MORNING:
Carefully wipe each picture dust free (or as needed).

EACH DAY:
Wipe the altar before and after removing each bhoga offering;
Offer bhoga at least once a day

EVERY EKADASI:
Polish deity cups

HOME ALTAR CHALLENGES
One can gradually add things to the initial standard, but only what is sure to be maintained. Here are a few examples for how standards may be raised (or at least dreamed about!):

• Learning to consecrate water (samana arghya) and sip acamana properly. Learning the full set of acamana mantras.
• Awakening the Lord and putting Him to rest each morning and evening.
• Offering another cup of fresh water before putting the deity to rest.
• Memorizing the mula mantras for each deity being served.
• Putting up altar curtains to close when the Lord eats or rests.
• Offering arati at least once a day. Full artik includes offerings of incense, ghee wicks, water, a cloth, flowers, chamara whisk and (during the warm seasons), a peacock fan. Dhupa or a shortened artik consists of incense, flowers and the chamara whisk,
• Wearing fresh clothing for every offering cooked or arati performed, etc. This means clothing that has not been eaten in, slept in, worn while using the restroom or sitting on any bedding or other impure place. This means learning how to hand wash and dry lightly worn garments efficiently or else having a lot of extra clothing.
• Not worshiping Lord without a seat, aka an asana.
• Learning to drink brahmana style when dressed in suchi clothes and drinking a beverage.
• Cooking and serving everything freshly cooked with the freshest ingredients possible. Nothing canned or frozen or pre-prepared in a factory with preservatives and additives. Preparing everything from scratch to ensure high standard of purity for Krishna's pleasure.
• Kitchen cleanliness before, during and immediately after cooking and eating.
• Using two sinks, two dish racks and two separate sponges- one suchi (for Krishna's offerings) and the other muchi (for personal use). And keeping deity items out of the muchi sink.
• Washing kitchen towels separately from personal laundry.
• Not eating in the kitchen.
• Transferring the cooked offerings from the Lord’s pots into separate serving containers, pitchers, etc. instead of serving from the cooking pots.
• Serving everyone assembled for prasadam first, then honoring prasadam yourself, only after everyone is fully satisfied.
• Wiping the eating place immediately after eating, including the floor.
• Keeping no leftovers in the refrigerator and distributing them.
• Keeping the kitchen very clean on a daily basis and neatly organized. Thoroughly deep cleaning the entire kitchen at least once a week.
• Supplying the Lord fresh water at every meal.
• Supplying fresh tulasi leaves daily for puja and offerings.
• Growing and keeping Tulasi Maharani plant at home. 
• Polishing the deity cups daily or on Ekadasis.
• Not blowing on anything clean such as a candle. Snuff it out instead.
• Learning prayers for forgiveness at the conclusion of worship. And learning the wor-for-word meaning of the prayers and mantras used.
• Having an entire room set aside as the puja room in the house for where the altar is set up and for daily worship, and with a bell at the entrance.

HOME ALTAR WISH LIST (or again, simply to dream about):
More items to add to worship, if and whenever possible (or to bring as gifts to one's local temple):

• bowls, spoons and  tray for deity bathing
• towels for after deity bathing
• rosewater
• saffron
• sandlewood and a grinding stone to grind into pulp
• (preferably edible rather than synthetic) camphor
• incense
• ghee wicks
• choice, scented flowers, a whole garden of them!
• flower garlands and learning various garland making techniques
• plate covers for covering food offerings from the eyes of others before the offering,
• seating for the deities while They are eating (asanas)
• roasted fennel seeds for Lord to chew after His meal. And a small side offering of salt, pepper, slices of lemon with noon bhoga offering, and a daily sweet...
• materials for clothing construction and embellishments
• jewelry
• crowns and or turbans
• deity shoes
• a mirror for morning darshan
• deity beds and bedding and night outfits!
• Altar decor including flower arrangements, decorative back drops; images of cows, peacocks, elephants. Learning decorative rangoli. Lighting lamps for Kartik (diyas) and Diwali seasonal decor.

Deity worship material Arcana Paddhati, is available for more information. Also take note of and ask experienced devotees about their home altars during visits to their homes. ISKCON deity worhip ki jaya!

Mango Chutney

Personal favorite:
 INGREDIENTS:

1 T ghee 

1 T ginger root, grated

1/4 t mustard seeds 

1/4 t cumin seeds

1/4 t kalonji seeds

1/4 t fennel seeds

1/4 t fenugreek seeds 

2 ripe mangoes, washed, peeled and coarsely chopped

Pinch of salt (opt)

Pinch of black pepper (opt) AND OR

Cayenne pepper (opt), as desired 

Sugar, as desired or at least 3 T

PREPARATION:

1. Chaunce in the ghee the ginger until a little brown
2. Add the next five spices (AKA panch purang)
3. When the mustard seeds stop popping, add the mango and give a little stir to coat with seasoning.
4. Add the remaining seasoning as desired. 
5. Add enough water to cover and cook the mango until thoroughly heated.
6. Mash and the add sugar and finish cooking when thickened as desired

Another from long ago:

INGREDIENTS:

2 medium sized, ripe mangoes
1-2 T ghee
2 t fresh ginger, grated
1/2 t cumin seeds
1/2 t mustard seeds
1/2 t coriander powder
1/4- 1/2 t black pepper, as desired (or use dried red chili)
1/2 t turmeric
1/4 cinnamon
1/4 c water
1/4 c sugar

PREPARATION:
1. Slice and peel the mangoes, coarsely cut into chunks.
2. Chaunce in ghee the ginger, cumin and mustard seeds. After the mustard seeds pop, add remaining spices and mango in quick succession.  Stir well until the mango is coated with the ghee and spices.
3. Add the water and sugar, cover and cook on medium heat until the mango is tender (about ten minutes). Mash. Uncover and continue to cook until nicely thickened (a few minutes more). Now its ready to offer.

Goat Fight

In Kali yuga, fighting and quarrel is a fact of life. Early on, Maharaja Yudhistira noticed "All ordinary transactions and dealings became polluted with cheating, even between friends. And in familial affairs, there was always misunderstanding between fathers, mothers and sons, between well-wishers, and between brothers. Even between husband and wife there was always strain and quarrel." SB 1.14.4 In the western world, when husband and wife fight, however, very quickly there may immediately be the suggestion and support for divorce.

In Vedic culture, on the other hand, this fight between husband and wife is considered normal and therefore not a big deal. Prabhupada quoted Canakya Pandita in this regard: "Bambhärambhe laghu-kriyä. Aja-yuddhe, fighting between two goats... Now, they are very serious about fighting, and somebody comes, (claps) does like this, (claps), and they go away. The fighting stops. You see? So bambhärambhe, the attempt is very great, but the effect is little...

"So, of course, in India the quarrel between husband and wife, nobody cares. Nobody takes very seriously. The husband may complain, the wife may complain. Everyone says, 'Yes, yes. That's all right. It will be all right.' They never go to court for divorce. You see? But it is... There is no seriousness. And actually it is fact. I have seen a serious. They are divorced, but still, the husband is anxious for the wife, and the wife is anxious for the husband. The divorce is artificial. The husband and wife, the combination, that cannot be cut off. So one should tolerate these things. If there is some misunderstanding, they should not go to the court for divorce. They should tolerate. These are some of the rules for spiritual advancement." Bg 6.32-40 lecture, 9/14/66, NY

"There was no question of divorce. There was no question of divorce, even they do not like each other, even they fight. Fight there must be, whenever there are two men or women. That is individuality. Therefore Canakya Pandita says... Whenever there is fight between husband and wife, it should be neglected. The formula of Cänakya Pandita is given like this: Aja-yuddhe. When the goats are fighting, as it is very insignificant... If you understand that in the door two goats are fighting, you don't care for it. You see, a goat fight....In the morning if there is thundering sound in the cloud, you should know it will not rain. It will never rain. That thundering may be very loud, but there will be no rain. That means you can neglect. As you can neglect the fight between two goats...as you do not take very seriously the thundering sound of the cloud in the morning, similarly, dämpatye kälahe caiva, similarly, whenever there is fight between husband and wife, you should take like that. Don't take it seriously." -SB 12.2.1 lecture,3/18/68, SF

Of course, with the degradation of the people, such as taking intoxication or keeping bad association, fights can get out of hand, but we are talking about devotees here only, those who are on the path of progressive life.

Prabhupada also advised a disciple: "We should learn to forget and forgive minor incidents because whenever there are two men in a place, there is always some misunderstanding. Such misunderstanding happens even between husband and wife—what to speak of others. But we have to adjust things on the basis of Krishna Consciousness." --letter, 1/11/68, LA

Also: "Another difficulty is that in modern civilization everyone is independent spirited. The girls are no longer very much humble and submissive to their husbands. So you must be prepared to tolerate such whims of your future wife. According to our Vedic civilization, disagreements between husband and wife is not taken very seriously. But the modern age allows divorce even, either by the husband or by the wife. These things are not good. But after marrying, certainly there will be some disagreement or misunderstanding between husband and wife." --letter, 11/26/69, London

In my experience, too, no matter how disturbing at the time the fight may be, it can be forgotten and the other person can be forgiven. It makes me appreciate the saying:

"A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person."

That's because, with a little patience, no matter how distant a couple may feel at times, feelings of affection can return. That's how the material energy works- happiness and distress come and go (Bg 2.14), and faithfulness is the path towards understanding what real love is all about. Love doesn't quit.

"Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,
It is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always preserves."
( 1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

WHERE LAKSMI LIVES
In closing, Srila Prabhupada describes how a husband and wife may work together for a simple, prosperous, peaceful life:

" So in the morning, the husband and wife would go to take bath in the Ganges. They would very nicely take bath, and while coming they will purchase some ingredients and then come home. The husband will perform püjä, etc., and the wife will prepare many nice preparations-badä, pakora... this, that. Then he'll take his meals, rest awhile, and in the evening he will sit down...about four or five o'clock. All the preparations his wife had made whole day, and the small shop. And the university students will come up to night, ten o'clock, he'll finish. Nothing will remain. Everything will be... And he'll make at least ten rupees profit, minimum. In those days, 1925, in those days ten rupees means nowadays at least fifty rupees. So, and living very happy. Living humbly as a brähmana, he was having his püjä, going to the Ganges, taking bath, husband and wife, in the morning, and the wife's business is to prepare and his business was to sell. So they'll make at least ten, fifteen rupees profit daily, very prosperous. Living peacefully, husband and wife. There are many such families...

"If wife is very good, then his home is very nice. They cannot be unhappy at any circumstances.... Cänakya Pandita (said): When there is full agreement between husband and wife, cooperation, then the goddess of fortune comes there without application. You haven't got to ask goddess of fortune, "Please come and help me." She'll come automatically. This is Canakya Pandita's instruction....

"There are so many things in India culture for becoming happy and advancing towards the goal of life. Now I am appreciating for more and more, seeing the whole world, what is India's culture. Formerly I was thinking, 'It is custom. To become faithful wife, this is custom.' But when I come outside I see what is wife and what is faithful wife. In India, still, in the village, even there is fight between husband, wife, the wife is faithful. Still. Completely dependent on husband. The husband also, in spite of fighting, is always careful that the wife does not get any inconvenience. It was the culture, now it is breaking...In material world, for peaceful life, there must be peaceful condition between the husband and wife. Everyone requires wife, everyone requires husband. Sex is necessary, so make the condition of sex very peaceful... It is necessary. As eating is necessary, sleeping is necessary, for ordinary man, so sex is also necessary. So make a condition so that nothing will be disturbed, and in undisturbed condition of mind execute spiritual advancement. This is Indian civilization. Aim is spiritual advancement."--8/2/76 New Mayapur farm, France

(photo courtesy of freeimage4u.com)

Collected Prayers

Prabhupada wrote: "According to great learned scholars, the whole Bhagavad-gitä contains many authorized prayers, especially in the Eleventh Chapter, where Arjuna prays to the universal form of the Lord. Similarly, in the Gautamiya-tantra all the verses are called prayers. Again, in Srimad-Bhägavatam there are hundreds of prayers to the Lord. So a devotee should select some of these prayers for his recitation." NOD9

One may wish to collect their favorites. Here's a sampling of my own:

"O Lord of Madhu, as the Ganges forever flows to the sea without hindrance, let my attraction be constantly drawn unto You without being diverted to anyone else." SB 1.8.42

“My Lord, I know that young girls have natural affection for young boys, and that young boys have natural affection for young girls. I am praying at Your lotus feet that my mind may become attracted unto You in the same spontaneous way.” NOD 9

“O my Lord, I do not have any love for You, nor am I qualified for discharging devotional service by chanting and hearing. Nor do I possess the mystic power of a Vaisnva, knowledge or pious activities. Nor do I belong to a very high-caste family. On the whole, I do not possess anything. Still, O beloved of the gopis, because You bestow Your mercy on the most fallen, I have an unbreakable hope that is constantly in my heart. That hope is always giving me pain." Madya 23.29

“O Lord of the poor, do what you like with me, give me either mercy or punishment, but in this world I have none to look to except Your Lordship. The cätaka bird always prays for the cloud, regardless of whether it showers rains or throws a thunderbolt.”--Srila Rupa Goswami

“O Lord, no one is more merciful than You, and no one is more pathetic than I. I am very low and fallen. O Lord Yadunath, please reflect on my case and do to me whatever is appropriate.

“I have no goal in life, and I have committed countless sins. O Lord Hari, O Murari, You are my shelter. O Madhusudana, O Vasudeva, O Vishnu, all glories to You. O Jagadisa, please protect me, please protect me.

“We are not poets. We are not logicians. We are not philosophers who have crossed to the farther shores of Vedanta. We are not eloquent debaters. We are the servants of a rascal cowherd boy.” --Sri Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya

"Gurudeva, give to this servant just one drop of mercy. I am lower than a blade of grass. Give me all help. Give me strength. Let me be as you are, without desires or aspirations. I offer you all respects, for thus I may have the energy to know you correctly. Then, by chanting the holy name in great ecstasy, all my offenses will cease.

"When will such mercy fall to this one who is weak and devoid of intelligence? Allow me to be with you.

"If you examine me, you will find no qualities. Your mercy is all that I am made of. If you are not merciful unto me, I can only weep, and I will not be able to maintain my life.---Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura

Krishna Krishna Krishna Krishna Krishna Krishna Krishna he
Krishna Krishna Krishna Krishna Krishna Krishna Krishna he
Krishna Krishna Krishna Krishna Krishna Krishna raksha mäm
Krishna Krishna Krishna Krishna Krishna Krishna pähi mäm
räma räghava räma räghava räma räghava raksha mäm
Krishna Keshava Krishna Keshava Krishna Keshava pähi mäm
“O Lord Räma, descendant of King Raghu, please protect Me. O Krishna, O Keshava, killer of the Kesi demon, please maintain Me.”--Madya 7.96

"O Lord, we pray that You let us be born in any hellish condition of life, just as long as our hearts and minds are always engaged in the service of Your lotus feet, our words are made beautiful [by speaking of Your activities] just as tulasi leaves are beautified when offered unto Your lotus feet, and as long as our ears are always filled with the chanting of Your transcendental qualities."--SB 3.15.49

“If You like that I shall again take birth, it doesn’t matter. My only request is that if I have to take my birth, please kindly give me the chance of taking my birth in a devotee’s house. I don’t mind if I am born as an insect, but I must be in the house of a devotee. I do not like non-devotee life. Even if I am born a Lord Brahma I want to remain with the devotees. I want such devotee who doesn’t care for material happiness or spiritual liberation I simply desire to be associated with such pure devotees. Now, henceforward You are my father, Your are my brother, You are my daughter, You are my son, You are m Lord, You are my spiritual master, You are my husband, everything You are. My Lord, Kana-Krsna, You are the lover of Radharani, but You are my life and soul, kindly give me protection!"--Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura

Keeping me blindfolded
In this arena of the mundane world,
O Hari! You ask me to catch You.
Hurling a blow on me, You tell with a smile
“Well here is My touch,
That you have been asking for.”

I have reached for You, in futile efforts,
Just to be harassed.
You have always stayed close to me
While maintaining a distance.
Despite being so near and dear to me
You have always remained a stranger.

My days are waning,
When will You stop Your game?
You indulge in cruel sports and it frightens me.
I am incapable of catching You.
I admit my defeat.
Now undo my blindfold
And unfold Yourself to me,
O Diffuser of Distress.
--author unknown, translated from Bengali

The Measles

What starts out as fever and diarrhea for a week may go unrecognized as measles until the rash develops.


In the case described here, the rash lasted only 2 1/2 days, mostly covering the trunk, arms and face of the patient. The patient's eyes were pretty red also. So one of the first things was to put him in a darkened room with adequate ventilation. He mostly wanted to rest, and definitely had no appetite. It is advised, therefore, to give frequent doses of lemon juice in water to stimulate the appetite. Lemonade with mishri is very cooling along with coconut water. Continue with lots of fluids and lots of rest the first day or so along with juicy fruits such as watermelon and papaya and a little honey to ward off any weakness. Slowly add other foods while the patient is convalescing such as watery rice or mung soup or a combination of both plus softly cooked carrots or watery oatmeal.


At some point toward the end of the rash and fever an ear infection may develop. Warm oil in the ear and especially a dose of bitter herbs (Sudarshan Ghanvati) one tablet both morning and evening, along with Lord Krishna's grace, can help the infection quickly subside with no need for medical intervention.

SPECIAL NEEM BATH
There may or may not be much itching, but fresh neem leaves,


steeped in hot water first like a strong tea and then added that to the bath water is soothing.

Loving the Lord

Loving the Lord
In bhakti yoga there are nine loving ways to remain continuously  connected with the Lord.

1. Associate with Lord Krishna by hearing about Him every day from authorized sources. Learn about Him, what He likes and dislikes, and how to please Him.

2. Call upon Him every day by chanting His holy names with love and devotion. Tell others about Him. Bring Him up in every conversation. Speak about His transcendental service, instructions and pastimes.

3. Remember Him day and night, His holy name, form, qualities, pastimes, devotees, paraphernalia... Remember special realizations of His presence and protection. Even better, write them down. Surround yourself with people and things that remind you of Him. Keep pictures of Him where you'll see them. Celebrate the days that are dear to Him. Wear the Vaisnava clothing and tilak that He likes and wears. Eat only what has been offered to Him for eating first.

4. Like iron drawn to a powerful magnet, visit your local Radha Krishna murtis and Their associates every day. Drink the holy water that has washed Their lotus feet. Carefully assist and take shelter of Their pure servants. Visit the holy places marked by Their lotus feet. Worship and serve Tulsi devi who adorns Krishna's lotus feet.

5. Whatever you do, do it for Krishna with love. Prepare special little things for His comfort such as offerings of food, water, incense, and so on. Give gifts and offerings of food to Him that you know He will enjoy. Pay attention to details. Keep yourself and everything used in His service very pure and orderly.

6. Bow down to His lotus feet, surrendering your heart and soul. Talk to Him in prayer every chance you get. Whenever in doubt, ask Him what to do. Listen carefully to the things He says to you as Supersoul, in dreams, in the sastras, as well as through the sadhu and trusted sources. With great feeling, sing to Him loving prayers each morning and evening.

7. Be available, always prepared to render Him service. Give your full attention. Think of how to serve Him better each new day. Look for His presence everywhere and in every heart.

8. Treasure the things He gives to you - whether it be prasadam, a scripture verse or some gift or necessity He has sent through another person- treasure it! Depend on His provision, protection and direction.

9. Offer to Him your mind, body, words, family and household affairs, heart and soul- everything you possess- for His service. Affirm your unconditional loyalty to Him. Acknowledge Him in all your ways.

“You are Krsna's. You become Krsna's servant.”

-- A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, SB lecture 3.25.43 Bombay 12/11/74

The Laughter of Rupa Goswami

Taken from Sri Bhakti Ratnakara, fifth wave, by Srila Narahari Chakravarti, here's more help for guarding against the first offense:

bhakta-sthane sabadhana habe sarva-mate
yena kona akausala nahe tan’ra cite

Always be careful in your dealings with devotees and never create any ill feelings in their hearts.

akausala ha-ile saba haya antaraya
prasanga paiya kichu kahiye ethaya

Creating ill feelings with the devotees will create impediments on one’s path. I will relate a story to reveal this truth.

One day in Vrindavan Srila Rupa Goswami Prabhupada sat rapt in meditation, feeling great bliss in his heart.

While he was sitting in his samadhi he observed a wonderful pastime. The gopis were decorating Srimati Radharani while Krishna stood behind Her watching. Krishna revealed His presence to the sakhis, bringing an increasing festival of joy to their hearts, but Radharani was unaware that He was there. In many wonderful ways the gopis braided and decorated Radha’s hair. Then they placed a mirror before Her. As She gazed at the beauty of Her own face, Radharani also saw Sri Krishna’s moonlike face in the mirror. Radha became very shy and quickly covered Herself with Her cloth. The gopis happily laughed at this, and Srila Rupa Goswami also joined in their laughter.

Just at that moment a Vaisnava arrived who was very eager to see Rupa Goswami. Seeing Rupa laughing, the Vaisnava did not say anything, but feeling very sorrowful in his heart he went to see Srila Sanatan Goswami. [According to the tradition in Vrindavan, this Vaisnava was a famous devotee named Krishnadas. It is said that Krishnadas was lame and unable to walk and that when Rupa Goswami laughed, Krishnadas thought that he was laughing at his disability.]

The Vaisnava told Sanatan, “I went to see Sri Rupa, but when he saw me he suddenly burst into laughter. My heart filled with sorrow! I don’t know why he acted in that way. I didn’t say anything, but came to ask you about it.” Sri Sanatan then explained the true reason for Rupa Goswami’s laughter. Hearing this, the Vaisnava became repentant at heart. Lamenting greatly, the Vaisnava said, “Why did I approach him at that moment? Not understanding his heart, I have offended him.” The Vaisnava became very agitated. Sanatan Goswami pacified him and made him peaceful again.

Meanwhile, when the Vaisnava had felt offended, Srila Rupa Goswami suddenly lost his vision of the Lord’s pastimes. He became very disturbed and looked everywhere. Considering the situation carefully, he concluded that someone must have come to see him while he was absorbed in seeing Krishna’s pastimes. “I did not honor the person that came, and thereby I committed an offense.” Thinking in this way, Rupa also went to Sanatan Goswami’s place.

When he saw Prabhupada Srila Rupa Goswami coming, that Vaisnava approached him. Falling on the ground, he offered his respects. With great humility he told Rupa, “O great soul, I have committed an offense to you. Please forgive me. Previously when I went to see you I did not understand that you were rapt in meditation.” Standing before Srila Rupa Goswami, the Vaisnava prayed, “Please be kind and forgive me for my offense. If you are merciful to me, only then can my heart become peaceful.”

When he heard these words, Srila Rupa Goswami became very agitated at heart. Falling to the ground, he offered respectful obeisances to that Vaisnava. Folding his hands, he said, “I have no power to say how great was the offense that I committed to you. Please kindly forgive me.”

Both devotees were very humble and both were filled with bhakti-rasa. Forgiving each other, they both became peaceful. The two of them then went to Srila Sanatan Goswami. For a long time they all plunged into relishing nectarean topics of Lord Krishna. When everyone heard about this incident they all became filled with wonder.

Concluding this story, Srila Narahari Chakravarti cautions everyone:

ohe bhai vaisnavete sabadhana habe
pranapana kari’ aparadha ksamaibe

O my brothers, please be very careful in dealing with the Vaisnavas. Beg their forgiveness for any offense with your heart and soul.

vaisnavera dosa-drste habe sabadhana
nirantara karibe vaisnavera guna-gana

Be careful not to see a vaisnava’s faults, and always sing their glories.

purva purva bhagavata-gana ei kaya
vaisnavera kriya-mudra vijne na bujhaya

All of the previous great devotees have said, “No one can understand the behavior of a Vaisnava.”

sri-krsna-caitanya prabhu priya-bhakta-dvare
anyere dilena siksa ei ta’ prakare

Although Srila Rupa Goswami is a highly elevated devotee very dear to Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the Lord used him to teach all of us of the dangers of Vaisnava aparadha.

bhakta-pada-padma dhari’ mastaka-upara
bhakti-rasa-sayare dubaha nirantara

Hold the devotees’ lotus feet to your head and always dive in the nectar of pure devotional service.

— Translated from the Gaudiya Mission edition. Bagbazar, Calcutta. 1987.

Healthy Foods

More menu planning help. Of course, the Internet has gads more information on healthy foods and their nutrients. This is just for starters:

IRON RICH FOODS
broccoli, beet, mustard, green peas, parsley
mung, chickpeas, pinto beans, dried split peas
whole wheat bread
avocado, watermelon, winter squash, baked potato, pumpkin, sweet potato, spinach, tomato juice, Brussels sprouts, carrots, string beans
corn on the cob, cauliflower
peanut butter,
tamarind
dried apricots, raisins, prunes, figs
food cooked in iron cookware
lemon juice squeezed on meal aids the body's absorption of iron

FOODS CONTAINING VITAMIN A:
Vitamin A is restorative during illness.
It is stored in the body so be wary of supplements containing excessive amounts.
Vitamin A is generally found in foods with an orange color or yellow color.
butter and ghee
oranges, cantaloupe, mango, papaya, apricots
carrots, red pepper,

FOODS CONTAINING B VITAMINS
There are many B vitamins such as thiamine and niacin, found in a wide range of foods like whole grain breads and cereals, legumes and milk.

VITAMIN C
Is good as a preventive from illness. It is not stored in body so it needs to be replenished frequently.
Good sources include:
citrus fruits - oranges, pineapple, grapefruit, kiwi, lemon...
strawberries, honeydew, cantaloupe
broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, potato, bell pepper, tomatoes
chili peppers

VITAMIN D
The main, meat-free source is sunshine, at least ten minutes daily.

VITAMIN E
sunflower seeds, almonds
Green leafy vegetables like spinach, turnip, beet, collard, and dandelion greens
pumpkin, sweet potato, mango, papaya
asparagus, broccoli
olives

PROTEIN
Urad dahl (very rich in protein. Prabhupada once said that if a devotee does not eat urad, he must be secretly eating fish),
Chickpeas (rich in protein and provide nearly double the amount of iron and more vitamin C than most legumes)
Milk and milk products
Nuts and seeds
Corn, eggplant, green beans

CALCIUM
milk products, green leafy vegetables, almonds, carob

POTASSIUM
bananas, prunes
sweet potato, beet greens,
white beans, lima beans
yogurt

Every diet also needs some fat and some sugar and salt, in moderation.

Menu Planning

Six helps for menu planning:

THE 1-2-3-4-5 MENU PLAN - (taken from the "Vegetarian Times")
Ideally, daily menus should include:

• 1 serving of nuts and seeds
• 2 servings beans, legumes, dahls,
• 3 servings milk or milk products
• 4 servings of fruits and vegetables
• 5 servings of breads and cereals

"It is rare for dahl not to be present in one form or another in Vedic meals. At least two servings - chickpea, dahls, and so on- are essential, especially for children, pregnant and nursing mothers. It can be served in a variety of ways for breakfast and lunch along with three serving of milk or milk products."

THE VEGETARIAN BASIC FOUR FOOD GROUPS
At least one serving from each food group creates a balanced meal:

• 1. Breads and Cereals
• 2. Milk and Milk Products
• 3. Nuts and Legumes (beans, chickpeas, lentils, dahls...)
• 4. Fruits and Vegetables

THE SIX TASTES according to the Ayurveda
Good health, according to Ayurveda is based on balancing the body with six tastes (having to do with body chemistry, etc). A complete meal should try to include all six. An Internet search will reveal the prominent tastes of various foods and condiments to choose from (often there is more than one. For example, cinnamon is both sweet and pungent) as well as more information. It is a great science!
The six tastes are:

• Hot or pungent taste - e.g. chilies, mustard seeds, black pepper, hing...
• Sweet taste- e.g. breads, cereals, rice, sugar, sweet spices...
• Astringent taste (produces a dryness on the tongue) - e.g. spinach, butter, apple, lettuce, pomegranate, plantain...
• Sour taste - e.g. citrus fruit, yogurt, sour cream...
• Salty taste- e.g. salty tasting vegetables, sea vegetable, as well as salt itself
• Bitter taste- e.g. bittermelon (karela), turmeric, neem, fenugreek, Italian seasoning, dandelion, kale...

The quickest way to add a sour taste is to serve a slice of lemon on the plate. A quick way to add heat is to serve minced fresh ginger or fresh chili (preferable sauteed in a little ghee). Various chutneys are ideal to serve in a meal because they combine many tastes in one serving. For example, green apple chutney can be a combination of sour, sweet, astringent and pungent tastes.

Generally, a person is advised to choose foods, spices, herbs and lifestyle according to his constitution- predominantly vata, pitta or kapha or a combination of these. Other times, when one has developed some sort of ailment, one should choose according to what needs to be brought back into balance. For example, if you have a vata type headache, you'd want to bring vata back into balance via hot soups and herbal teas and honey, hot bath and rest, etc,"Within the broad principle of including all six tastes, you can customize your food choices to the doshas you are trying to balance at a given time. If you are trying to keep Pitta dosha in balance, for instance, you would choose more foods that are sweet, bitter and astringent and fewer foods that are salty, pungent or sour. To keep Vata balanced, choose more from salty, sour or sweet foods and fewer bitter, pungent or astringent foods. To keep Kapha in balance, eat more bitter, pungent or astringent foods and fewer salty, sour or sweet foods." (see http://www.ayurbalance.com/explore_articlesixtastes.htm).

The test of a good doctor, by the way, is that he'll advise what foods to avoid, and which foods are helpful to regain balance in the system. And this knowledge of the six tastes in useful in home nursing. It can get a little tricky though. For example, refined sugar is said to heat the blood whereas sugar in a cruder state called mishri or rock sugar is cooling.  Also Ayurveda takes the post digestive effect of a substance, as well as the climate and season into consideration and so on and so on. Speaking of digestion, that's probably one of the most important aspects for good health and immunity, according to Ayurveda, rather than the nutrition aspects of a food only.

Gradually you'll become familiar with all the foods, herbs and spices you use and understand their rasa, vipaka, virya and prabhava as well as other properties.

PRABHUPADA'S PROGRAM
Prabhupada taught his disciples to eat rice, dahl, chapatis and a subji (or two) in their main meal. Using this basic formula, there are many variations for each category. For example, instead of chapati have puri or paratha the next day. Instead of plain rice have spicy rice, lemon rice, rice with sweet spices or rice with vegetables added. Extras to round out this basic meal plan would be beverages, raitas and salads, savories, chutneys, sauces and sweets.

A MENU SUGGESTION CHECKLIST
What to make for lunch today? For quick menu planning of any meal, it's very helpful to make a list of favorite preparations to refer to when uninspired. The preps may be grouped as Rice Dishes, Breads and Pancakes, etc. or Breakfast Ideas, Lunch Suggestions, etc. or "What to do With...? (pumpkin, zucchni, apples.. whatever you have on hand).  Another favorite place to go for inspiration is Pinterest.

PRESENTATION:
Presentation of food is important; what it looks like can affect its reception. In that respect, variety is an necessary for creating appetizing menus. Here's some considerations:

Varying colors. For example, an Ekadasi plate of mashed potatoes, subji in a white sauce and tapioca pudding would look pretty boring without garnishes and other variety of food colors.

Varying texture. Not all wet, not all dry subjis, not all deep fried nor just soft or mushy foods (unless you're a baby or something).

Varying tastes.. Ever eaten a meal that had nothing but hot, hot chili taste in every prep with no relief? Yogurt, rice and sweet foods are essential "fire extinguishers" when served with peppery hot dishes.

Also see Creating Garnishes.

Serving and Honoring Prasadam

HOW TO SERVE PRASADAM (excerpt from webpage by HH Bhakti Caru Swami)
"We should never waste Krishna prasadam. Best thing is to cook only what is required and then give each person what he wants. That is the Vedic system, that the people sit in rows behind their plates and servers pass down the rows and put a very small portion of each foodstuff on each plate, unless there is some objection by a person. Then nothing is given. Then if anyone wants more, the servers pass up and down the rows continually and give more if anyone requests. In this way nothing is wasted and everyone is satisfied." (SP letter to Kirtiraja das 71.11.42)

1. All to be served should be invited to sit on the floor, and prasadam should be served by qualified devotees.
2. Those who serve should be very clean, peaceful, and satisfied. They should eat before serving (if they must). They should try not to speak while serving.
3. Serve a little at a time so that nothing is wasted.
4.  Authority figures, the elderly and children should be served first.
5. Place salt and lemon on each plate before those to be served are seated.
6. Always serve water first.
7. Prasadam should be served in the following order:

• First bitter and astringent preparations like sukta and bitter melon and spinach
• Followed by dahl and savories (such as pakora or fried potatoes)
• Then come other vegetable preparations (subjis) progressing from lighter subjis to richer subjis and from wet subjis to dry subjis
• Next richer, wet subjis are served again
• Followed by raitas and chutneys
• Finally sweets progressing less to more sweet
• Rice and chapatis  should be offered from the very beginning and replenished as needed

8. Servings may be small but when the devotees finish an ten, one should be alert to replenish the preparation. Go around serving seconds and so on until every is satisfied. Don't be stingy - don't hold anything back because you want to take it later. Prasadam is meant for distribution.
9. Do not touch plates with the serving spoon. Touching the plate contaminates the spoon. If a spoon becomes contaminated, you should wash it.
10. Don't let your fingers touch any of the preparations, even water. Salt should never be served by hand, use a spoon.
11. Never touch prasadam with your feet or step over it.
12. Serve the prasadam from serving buckets.
13. Don't drag buckets along the floor or make clanging noises with pot handles or utensils. Serve quietly.
14. After everyone is finished honoring prasadam, clean the place immediately.

HOW TO HONOR PRASADA
When a devotee distributes prasada, remnants of food offered to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, in order to maintain our spirit of devotional service we must accept this prasada as the Lord's grace received through the pure devotees. (NI Text 4, p 39)

1. Remember that Krishna prasadam is non-different from Krishna. Recite the 'sarira avidya-jal' prayer to remember that.
2. Use the right hand to eat and drink.
3. Meditate on how Krishna tasted the offering. (One can also meditate on Krishna's mercy in providing prasadam and the prasadam pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Lord Krishna.)
4. Do not talk while honoring prasadam (besides glorifying Krishna and His prasadam.)
5. Do not throw prasadam. Never touch prasadam with your feet.
6. Wash hands, feet and mouth before and after eating.
7. Drink a glass of water one hour before eating. For some time after eating, don't drink; if you at all have to drink, drink something hot.
8.Srila Prabhupäda said: Fill 1/4 of your stomach with water, 1/2 with food and the other 1/4 with air. Do not overeat.

AN EXCELLENT SERVICE EXAMPLE:
Story of Prabhupäda's Visit (along with some disciples) at the Asram of Puri Maharaja in Visakhapatnam (SP Lil V, pg 66-67):
"Prabhupäda's godbrother Ananda was eager to cook and serve not only Srila Prabhupäda, but all his disciples. Ananda was elderly, yet he took the position of always offering menial service. Although he spoke very little English, Prabhupäda's disciples could perceive the affection of Ananda and Srila Prabhupäda for each other. Ananda's communication with Srila Prabhupäda's disciples was particularly manifest through his cooking and serving of prasadam..."
[A wonderful description is then given on how Ananda would serve all the devotees prasadam.]

"Each morning everyone would gather on the veranda outside Prabhupada's quarters, the men sitting on one side, the ladies on the other. Down the center aisle, Ananda would walk briskly, distributing prasadam, while Prabhupäda sat at one end in a wooden chair, fingering his japa beads and observing the devotees take prasadam. Prabhupäda had supplied money to the asram and Ananda was regularly cooking sumptuous feasts: deep-fried chunks of potatoes in powdered spices, rice, yogurt, dal, three different types of subjis, french fries, chutney, malpura, rajkeli,
sandesa, ksira -- and everything cooked to a nectarean standard of excellence.

"Prabhupäda would sit at the head of the two rows and encourage them to take prasadam: 'Give him more!' Prabhupäda would praise Ananda's cooking, smiling with pleasure to see his disciples accept prasadam. The devotees would finish, having been induced to eat as much as they possibly could, and Srila Prabhupada would say aloud the prema-dhvani. Then all the devotees would shout in response, 'Jaya!'

"After one such feast, Prabhupäda called the devotees into his room and remarked, 'See how he is cooking. He cooks everything, he serves it, and then he doesn't eat until everyone is fully satisfied. This is Vaisnava, how he should act. He is more satisfied to serve than to enjoy himself.'"

God is Good

The movie "Slum Dog Millionaire" was recommended to me for watching. Summing up all the things that happened to those kids, even though the conclusion was material happiness, not spiritual, the words spoken towards the end that "God is good" were very fitting.

In my own life I can look back and see that places I've been, things I've done, events that occurred, people I've met, and even the seemingly most insignificant comments at the time, were all meant for a reason to bring me to the point I am now. They have shaped me. What to speak of the effect i may have had on others along the way. But I also see there is a higher force at work. It's not that we move independently. There is Supersoul as the director, maintainer, witness and source of knowledge, remembrance and forgetfulness. He knows the destiny of each soul, He is the permitter, allowing the fruits as we deserve, but for His devotee He takes special care because He knows one's heart as well. As soon as a soul desires to know the Absolute Truth, He tirelessly takes special care to bring one to the point of exclusive devotion to His lotus feet.

In Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 1 Bhismadeva instructs King Yudhistira and all those who hear him today that the will of the Lord is inconceivable. In the chapter that follows, Sri Narada repeats to Yudhistira the same teaching. Meanwhile, in the same Bhagavatam, there is the story of how King Pariksit, while still in the womb of his mother, was saved by the Lord from the fiery brahmastra arrow aimed at him. Thus, it is inconceivable that this great and godly king- who was personally protected by the Lord who also arranged for him to be made the emperor of the world- was later on cursed by a brahmana's son to die within seven days because of a simple mistake. Today, however, because of this divine arrangement of the Lord, we can look back at this event recorded by Vyasadeva and see its fruit- the speaking of the Srimad Bhagavatam to King Pariksit through Sukadeva Gosvami, a conversation full of transcendental wisdom that has been passed down since that time for the benefit of all living beings.Therefore, as Prabhupada wrote in SB 1.18.28p., we can see that "The merciful Lord sometimes creates such awkward positions for his pure devotees in order to drag them towards Himself from the mire of material existence. But outwardly the situations appear to be frustrating to the devotees. The devotees of the Lord are always under the protection of the Lord, and in any condition, frustration or success, the Lord is the supreme guide for the devotees. The pure devotees, therefore, accept all conditions of frustration as blessings from the Lord."

"According to Srila Visvanätha Cakravarti, the plan was made by the will of the Lord, and by the will of the Lord...that for his so-called misdeed the King could be cursed by an inexperienced brähmana boy infected by the influence of Kali, and thus the King would leave his hearth and home for good. His connections with Srila Sukadeva Gosvämi would enable the presentation of the great Srimad-Bhägavatam, which is considered to be the book incarnation of the Lord."- SB 1.18.32

In this regard, I've learned that even with proper know how and full facility to do a service, things don't always go the way we plan; there is no guarantee of utilizing it successfully.  For one thing, there are the threefold miseries of existence we must contend with everyday, what to speak of this entire material world being a place of danger at every step; it is rigged to be full of opposition. In only a moment, all our hopes and dreams for happiness can be dashed to pieces. Karma comes into play. We may not deserve what we desire. And in Kali yuga especially, there are so many other problems that the Srimad Bhagavatam describes as symptoms of this age- quarreling of family members, feeling separation of loved ones, the administration of godless leaders and the ill effects of a predominately godless society. Then there's my own poor training and bad habits from my past that I must struggle with. So, although we may wish to peacefully execute our prescribed duties, so many problems may arise.

Yet, Pariksit's example shows that there is a reason for all this trouble. The Lord may have other plans for His devotee, plans to bring one closer to Him in initially not- so- pleasant ways or to shake up any leaning toward spiritual complacency. An example of the latter was King Nrga. He was meticulously careful to execute all His duties properly. Still, for one little mistake, that was not really his fault, he ended up in a hellish condition of life. Yet, this was Krishna's mercy towards him, because the king in his distress spent all his time thinking of the Lord and became purified.

Krishna is eternally our greatest well-wisher. He created this whole material world just to bring us to our senses, to bring us back home, back to Godhead. For His devotee, He is personally arranging that everything we hear, see, experience, the people we have to deal with, the places we must go... is teaching us and pushing us toward full surrender to Him. He has a master plan for all of us, similar to the incredible plan He executed when He personally appeared here to deliver the earth.

And Krsna is infallible. That means we can always depend on Him for help and protection, something that cannot be gotten from anything or anyone else in the material world in the ultimate sense. In His Gita He tells us, "Do not worry about your karma. Just surrender unto Me. I will protect you." Fate is mighty, but Krishna is Almighty. Thus, I put all my faith in Him for executing the duties given me and just try to do my best, cooperating with Krishna to do the rest.

In closing, here is a little story that illustrates further these points:

KRISHNA'S CAKE (adapted, original author unknown)
A daughter is telling her Mother how everything is going wrong- she's failing algebra, her best friend is moving away and she is sad over the recent death of her grandmother.

Meanwhile, her Mother is baking a cake and asks her daughter if she would like a snack, and the daughter says, "Absolutely, Mom."

Here, have some cooking oil," her Mother offers.

"Yuck" says her daughter.

"How about a couple scoops of plain flour?"

"No thanks, Mom!"

"Would you like some salt then? Or maybe baking soda?"

"Mom, those are all yucky!"

To which the mother replies: "Yes, all those things seem bad all by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake!

“Krsna works the same way. Many times we wonder why He would let us go through such bad and difficult times. But Krsna knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they always work for good. We just have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful.”

Dear Srila Prabhupada

Vyasa puja is another form of offering prayers.



My dearmost shiksha guru and spiritual grandfather, Srila Prabhupada,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories unto you! All glories unto my diksha Guru Maharaja Jayapataka Swami!

O Vaisnava Thakur, one such as you is ever-glorious. Instead of only once a year, pages and pages could be written about you every day because those who have taken the dust of your lotus feet upon their heads feel ever- increasing pleasure from extolling your glories. Now, by the mercy of those servants of yours that you have so kindly led me to take shelter of, I shall attempt to produce an iota of what could easily become a limitless composition..

Today, thinking of you, the word "elixir" came to mind. I found this fitting, for in a dictionary it says that an elixir is 1.a hypothetical substance sought for by medieval alchemists to change base metals into gold or to prolong life indefinitely. 2. rare, the quintessence; underlying principle, and 3. a supposed remedy for all ailments; a panacea.

Materialists are very eager to prolong life, but they do not know that the body is always perishable. Only the soul lives forever. You, Srila Prabhupada, came to this world to remove that ignorance. Armed with the knowledge spoken by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Krishna, you defeated their propaganda and freely distributed eternal life by feeding us the deathless nectar of the Lord's holy names and words, and by this process you have proven how bell metal, in other words, how fallen conditioned souls, can be refined from degraded sense enjoyers to genuine gold, first class loving servants of the Lord. Secondly, not only the pure love for Krishna that you possess, but you yourself, a perfect devotee of the Lord, are so rarely found in this world; you exquisitely carry within your heart He who is the underlying principle and all-pervading essence of all that be, the very source of this creation. And third, you have delivered the panacea, Krishna consciousness, to solve the problems of life and to bring peace to all living entities.

I left both the words "hypothetical" and "supposed" in the above definitions because they signify that only devotees can understand these glories; they remain hidden to the demoniac.

Your Divine Grace, the Lord appears very harsh, angry at the demons when he says in His Gita, "Those who are envious and mischievous ...I perpetually cast into the ocean of material existence". I, too, come from a demoniac background; I have often battled the envious nature I was born with. Yet the Lord is also always very very kind. He comes in the form of Sri Guru to save us. Therefore, O Gurudeva, O Savior, my prayer is to never forget you, your instructions, your causeless mercy. I wish - with renewed enthusiasm on this special occasion of your appearance- to forever serve you and your servants with the deepest heartfelt gratitude and love.

From a most indebted soul,

Darshan Meditations

A few select quotes and verses for meditation:

ON THE WAY TO DARSHAN
“I am so fortunate that I will be able to see those very lotus feet on this day, and certainly I shall be able to see the beautiful face of Krishna, which is marked on the forehead and the nose with tilaka. And I shall also see His smile and His curling black hair. I can be sure of this opportunity because I see that today the deer are passing on my right side. Today it will be possible for me to actually see the beauty of the spiritual kingdom of Visnuloka because Krishna is the Supreme Visnu and He has advented Himself out of His own good will. He is the reservoir of all beauty; therefore today my eyes will achieve perfection.”--KB 38

THE GOPIS DO NOT EVEN WANT TO BLINK
“The gopis saw their beloved Krishna at Kuruksetra after a long separation. They secured and embraced Him in their hearts through their eyes, and they attained a joy so intense that not even perfect yogis can attain it. The gopis cursed the creator for creating eyelids that interfered with their vision.”--aDI 4.153

DAILY SUSTENANCE
"The family of Mahārāja Nanda is just like an ocean of milk, wherein Lord Kṛṣṇa has arisen like the full moon to illuminate the entire universe. The eyes of the residents of Vraja are like cakora birds that continuously drink the nectar of His bodily luster and thus live peacefully."  -CC Antya 19.36

THE GREATEST FESTIVAL
"When Lord Krishna passed over the public roads, all the ladies from the respectable families of Dvärakä went up to the roofs of their palaces just to have a look at the Lord. They considered this to be the greatest festival."--SB 1.124

AN EVER FRESH EXPERIENCE
"The inhabitants of Dvärakä were regularly accustomed to look upon the reservoir of all beauty, the infallible Lord, yet they were never satiated." sb 1.11.25

SRILA PRABHUPADA'S CHILDHOOD MEMORY
“I would watch for hours together; the deity was so beautiful. “ -Lilamrta Volume 1

BEGIN BY CONCENTRATING ON LORD’S LOTUS FEET UPWARDS
"The process of meditation recommended in the Srimad-Bhägavatam is not to fix one’s attention on something impersonal or void... There are authorized descriptions of Visnu forms, and there are authorized representations of Deities in the temples. Thus one can practice meditating upon the Deity, concentrating his mind on the lotus feet of the Lord and gradually rising higher and higher, up to His smiling face.

"According to the Bhägavata school, the Lord’s räsa dancing is the smiling face of the Lord. It is recommended...that one should gradually progress from the lotus feet up to the smiling face, we shall not jump at once to understand the Lord’s pastimes in the räsa dance. It is better to practice concentrating our attention by offering flowers and tulasi to the lotus feet of the Lord. In this way, we gradually become purified by the arcanä process...

"The more one concentrates on the transcendental form of the Lord, either on the lotus feet, the calves, the thighs or the chest, the more one becomes purified... The result of meditation on the transcendental form of the Lord will be manifested by one’s detachment from sense gratification. Therefore, the ultimate purpose of meditation is purification of one’s intelligence.--SB 2.2.14

HIS LOTUS FEET
"The devotee should first concentrate his mind on the Lord's lotus feet, which are adorned with the marks of a thunderbolt, a goad, a banner and a lotus. The splendor of their beautiful ruby nails resembles the orbit of the moon and dispels the thick gloom of one's heart. SB 3.28.21

"The Lord's feet act like thunderbolts hurled to shatter the mountain of sin stored in the mind of the meditating devotee. One should therefore meditate on the lotus feet of the Lord for a long time." -SB 3.28.21-22

“Your lotus feet destroy the past sins of all embodied souls who surrender to them. Those feet follow after the cows in the pastures and are the eternal abode of the goddess of fortune. Since You once put those feet on the hoods of the great serpent Kaliya, please place them upon our breasts and tear away the lust in our hearts. “ --SB 10.31.7

"O lotus-eyed one, the goddess of fortune considers it a festive occasion whenever she touches the soles of Your lotus feet." SB 10.29.36

"His lotus feet are the refuge of pure devotees who never talk or sing of any subject except His Lordship." -SB 1.11.26

"Who in human society can be satisfied without hearing sufficient talk of the Lord, whose lotus feet are the sum total of all places of pilgrimage...?" -SB 3.5.11

HIS LEGS, CALVES, THIGHS
"His symmetrical lotus feet and the calves, thighs and joints of His legs are extraordinarily beautiful." -SB 4.24.51

"Next, the yogi should fix his mind in meditation on the Personality of Godhead's thighs, the storehouse of all energy." SB3.28.24

HIS NAVEL
"The yogi should then meditate on His moonlike navel in the center of His abdomen. From His navel, which is the foundation of the entire universe, sprang the lotus stem containing all the different planetary systems. The lotus is the residence of Brahmä, the first created being." --SB3.28.25

HIS CHEST
"The Lord's chest is the abode of the goddess of fortune."--SB 1.11.26

"The Lord's chest is the source of all transcendental pleasure for the mind and full satisfaction for the eyes."-SB3.28.26

HIS NIPPLES
"The yogi should concentrate his mind on the Lord's nipples, which resemble a pair of most exquisite emeralds and which appear whitish because of the rays of the milk-white pearl necklaces adorning His chest.'--SB 3.28.25

HIS ARMS
"His arms are the resting places for the administrative demigods."-SB 1.11.26

"All departments of law and order emanate from the arms of the Supreme Personality of Godhead." ...SB 3.28

HIS LOTUS HANDS
“When I bow down before Lord Krsna... certainly He will place His fearless lotus hand on my head. His hand is offered to all conditioned souls who take shelter under His lotus feet. Krsna is the ultimate goal of life for all people who fear material existence, and certainly when I see Him He will give me the shelter of His lotus feet. I am aspiring for the touch of His lotus-like hands on my head. When that hand touched the presentations of King Indra and King Bali, these two became qualified to be lords of the universe, and when that hand touched the gopis as they danced with Krishna in the räsa-lilä, it relieved all their fatigue.”"- KB38

“Lord Krsna became satisfied by the prayers and statements of Jambavan, and to mitigate the pains of his body, He began to smear the lotus palm of His hand all over the body of Jambavan. Jambavan at once felt relieved from the fatigue of the great fight.” KB56

"O best of the Vrsnis, Your lotuslike hand, which holds the hand of the goddess of fortune, grants fearlessness to those who approach Your feet out of fear of material existence. O lover, please place that wish-fulfilling lotus hand on our heads." SB 10.31.6

HIS FLUTE “My dear Krishna, since You are a male, it is not very extraordinary that the attraction of Your lips can disturb the minds of women. But I am ashamed to say that Your impudent lips sometimes attract even Your flute, which is also considered a male. It likes to drink the nectar of Your lips, and thus it also forgets all other tastes.” Antya 16.123

HIS ORNAMENTS
"His ornaments were polished by the turning of Mandara Hill. In other words, the ornaments on the arms of the Lord are as brilliant and lustrous as if they had been polished very recently." SB 3.28.27 and purport

HIS PEARL NECKLACE
"One should meditate upon the pearl necklace on the Lord's neck, which is considered to represent the pure living entities who are always engaged in His service." - SB 3.28.28

HIS NECK "The yogi should then imprint on his mind the neck of the Personality of Godhead, who is adored by the entire universe. The neck of the Lord serves to enhance the beauty of the Kaustubha gem, which hangs on His chest." -SB 3.28.26

HIS MOUTH
"Bhagavad-gitä is the essential nectar of the Mahäbhärata, and it is spoken by Lord Krishna Himself, the original Vishnu." (Gitä-mähätmya 5) Bhagavad-gitä comes from the mouth of the Supreme Personality of Godhead,and the Ganges is said to emanate from the lotus feet of the Lord." -Bg Intro

“When Krishna opened His mouth wide by the order of mother Yasodä, she saw within His mouth all moving and nonmoving entities, outer space, and all directions, along with mountains, islands, oceans, the surface of the earth, the blowing wind, fire, the moon and the stars. She saw the planetary systems, water, light, air, sky, and creation by transformation of ahaìkära. She also saw the senses, the mind, sense perception, and the three qualities goodness, passion and ignorance. She saw the time allotted for the living entities, she saw natural instinct and the reactions of karma, and she saw desires and different varieties of bodies, moving and nonmoving. Seeing all these aspects of the cosmic manifestation, along with herself and Vrndävana-dhäma, she became doubtful and fearful of her son’s nature.” SB 10.8.37-39

"Some gopis touched Krishna cheek to cheek, and Krishna began to offer them chewed betel nuts from His mouth, which they accepted with great pleasure by kissing. And by accepting those betel nuts, the gopis spiritually advanced." KB33

HIS NOSE AND CHEEKS
"The yogi should then meditate on the lotuslike countenance of the Lord, who presents His different forms in this world out of compassion for the anxious devotees. His nose is prominent, and His crystal-clear cheeks are illuminated by the oscillation of His glittering alligator-shaped earrings." -SB 3.28.29

HIS LOTUS EYES, LOVING SMILE, AND EYEBROWS
" There is no consummation for the eyes other than the sight of Krishna. Whoever sees Him is most fortunate indeed." -CC Adi 4.154

'The yogis should contemplate with full devotion the compassionate glances frequently cast by the Lord's eyes, for they soothe the most fearful threefold agonies of His devotees. His glances, accompanied by loving smiles, are full of abundant grace....

"Sometimes disturbances come, but the agonies and anxieties of the devotees are at once mitigated when they think of the Supreme Personality of Godhead in His beautiful form or the smiling face of the Lord. The Lord bestows innumerable favors upon His devotee, and the greatest manifestation of His grace is His smiling face, which is full of compassion for His pure devotees....

"The charming eyebrows of the Lord are so fascinating that they cause one to forget the charms of sense attraction....The charming brows of the Supreme Personality of Godhead protect the sages and devotees from being charmed by material lust and sex attraction. ...Thus if anyone wants to be aloof from sex attraction, he must see the charming smile and fascinating eyebrows of the Supreme Personality of Godhead."
--SB3.28.29-32

HIS FACE
"His moonlike face is the drinking vessel for eyes which hanker after all that is beautiful." --SB 1.11.26

"O Lord of love, in beauty Your glance excels the whorl of the finest, most perfectly formed lotus within the autumn pond. O bestower of benedictions, You are killing the maidservants who have given themselves to You freely, without any price. Isn’t this murder?"--SB 10.31.2

"O You who destroy the suffering of Vraja’s people, O hero of all women, Your smile shatters the false pride of Your devotees. Please, dear friend, accept us as Your maidservants and show us Your beautiful lotus face." SB 10.31.6

HIS LAUGHTER
With devotion steeped in love and affection, the yogi- should meditate within the core of his heart upon the laughter of Lord Visnu. The laughter of Visnu is so captivating that it can be easily meditated upon. When the Supreme Lord is laughing, one can see His small teeth, which resemble jasmine buds rendered rosy by the splendor of His lips. Once devoting his mind to this, the yogi- should no longer desire to see anything else....

"It is recommended that the yogi- visualize the laughter of the Lord after studying His smile very carefully. These particular descriptions of meditation on the smile, laughter, face, lips and teeth all indicate conclusively that God is not impersonal. SB 3.28.33

"After hearing of these arrangements, Balaräma and Krishna, who are very expert in killing opponents, mildly laughed at the plans of Kamsa." -KB39

"When Lord Sri Krsna saw Paundraka imitating His posture and dress, He could not check His laughter, and thus He laughed with great satisfaction."--KB 66

ATTRACTION FOR THE LORD
"Attraction for the Lord naturally withdraws the mind from everything else. Once devoting his mind to this, the yogi should no longer desire to see anything else. By following this course, the yogI gradually develops pure love for the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari. In the course of his progress in devotional service, the hairs on his body stand erect through excessive joy, and he is constantly bathed in a stream of tears occasioned by intense love. Gradually, even the mind, which he used as a means to attract the Lord, as one attracts a fish to a hook, withdraws from material activity." SB 3.28.34