Programme Brochure - Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Australia

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Gaura Purnima celebrates the appearance anniversary of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. It is observed annually in late February, early March by Krishna devotees all over the world— especially in the area of Mayapur, India, the place where He appeared in the year 1486. Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is Krishna Himself, appearing as His own devotee, to teach us that we can gain full enlightenment simply by chanting the holy names of the Lord: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare Those who witnessed the Lord’s pastimes saw Him dance and chant with ecstatic love for God, the likes of which had never been seen before. Lord Chaitanya encouraged everyone to follow this same process. He taught that anyone—regardless of background or spiritual qualification—can develop their innate love of God and experience great spiritual pleasure by chanting the Hare Krishna mantra. Gaura Purnima means “golden full moon,” signifying that: (1) Lord Chaitanya was “born” during a full moon, and (1) The Lord blesses everyone with the soothing, moonlike rays of His sublime teachings. His followers generally observe this festival by fasting and chanting the holy names all day. At moonrise, a special multi-course feast is offered to the Lord and then enjoyed by all. Who is Lord Chaitanya? Gaura Purnima Chaitanya Mahaprabhu or Lord Chaitanya is an incarnation of Krishna who appeared in Nadia, West Bengal, India in the 15th century AD. His significance for those of us living in the modern world can hardly be overstated. When Krishna spoke Bhagavad Gita to his devotee-disciple-friend, the military commander Arjuna, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra around 3,000 BC, He exhibited all the power and majesty of God Himself. His final instruction to Arjuna was that surrendering to Him is superior to all other religious duties. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appeared, as predicted in the Bhagavad Gita itself: “Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religiosity, and a pre-eminent rise in irreligion, at that time I descend Myself.” In His youth, Chaitanya was known as Nimai Pandit. He gained early fame as the world’s preeminent scholar of the Vedas, able to defeat by logic and argument any philosophical opposition. His mission was to popularize the public chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra. According to many references in the sacred teachings of the Vedas, chanting this simple mantra is the most highly recommended means of achieving spiritual perfection available in the modern age. Essentially, Lord Chaitanya is the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself, appearing as His own devotee, teaching how to best practice Krishna consciousness by His own most authorized example. He debated with some of the most respected Vedic scholars of His day—Kesava Kashmiri, Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya, and Prakashananda Sarasvati. Chaitanya was able to convince each one of them that the worship of the Personality of God is superior to any other philosophical system. He also challenged the religious establishment
y emphasizing spiritual equality of all living beings, insisting that anyone can become a devotee of Krishna— and even a spiritual master—regardless of social position, caste, or even species. His unique position as Krishna appearing as His own devotee has another component, which is that He wished to experience the most sublime spiritual emotions of Srimati Radharani— Krishna’s own internal potency and greatest devotee. As a result of experiencing such uncommon spiritual ecstasy, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu often manifested extreme bodily symptoms that are almost unbelievable. Gaura Purnima Festival The annual Gaura Purnima Festival is the most exciting event of the year at Mayapur. Since Sri Mayapur is the transcendental appearance place of the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir serves as the international spiritual headquarters for ISKCON. Srila Prabhupada desired all devotees to come to Mayapur at least once in a year as far as possible, to get charged with the unlimited mercy of Mahaprabhu, and Gaura Purnima is the best time to do this. The festival officially begins after the ISKCON’s Governing Body Commission (GBC) meetings and festivities extend to about 3 weeks. But many devotees start to assemble at Mayapur even one week earlier, at the beginning of the GBC meetings. So, about one month before Gaura Purnima each year Mayapur gets flooded by devotees from all around the world and everyone is enjoying blissful Sadhu-sanga. First week senior and experienced leading Vaishnavas conduct Satsanga and other seminars organized by the Mayapur Institute. Award nights praise devotees for preaching endeavors such as congregational preaching and book distribution. Second week all devotees perform annual Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama. Third week is filled with festivities and cultural programs. Various cultural entertainment programs such as dance, drama, ISKCON cinemas, kirtanas, and bhajanas are performed every evening. A mini-market is set up for the devotees to procure unique Mayapur products, as well as other devotional items. Almost every day is dedicated to one major festivities event. Source: www.krishna.com, www.gaurapurnima.com High Commission of India in <strong>Australia</strong> The»High»Commission»of»India»in»<strong>Australia</strong>»have»created»a»special»section» on»Indian»Students»with»guidelines»and»advice»for»Students. Please»visit»www.hcindia-au.org/students_guidelines.html
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