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Introducing Kanu: The Deity of Endless Outfits

Kanu, Handsome and Beloved

Marble deity of Krishna dressed in elaborate pink Shringar with pearl beading, embroidery turban covered in stonework and pearls with peacock feathers and flowers and a long sleeve jacket heavily embroidered. Deity is ornamented with pearl anklets, pearl bracelets, arm cuffs, long three strand necklaces with ruby red stones. Deity of Krishna plays the flute

Namaste and greetings from my little corner of the creative world here in Australia! Today, I’m so excited to share a very special arrival with you – a brand new Krishna deity who has completely stolen my heart.

Recently, I was inspired by the devotion of a dear friend and the beautiful, elaborate outfits she creates for her Lord. While each piece is a masterpiece, it’s not always easy to mix and match them. This sparked a creative idea: to craft a Krishna deity with a versatile wardrobe, designed for endless creativity and joy.

And so, with immense joy, I present to you… Kanu, The Charming One!

A close up view of 12-inch marble deity of Krishna playing a flute. He has dusky stormy grey-blue skin, and his smiling face is decorated with gopa dots and a tilak. He wears a jeweled turban with a pearl tassel over his long, curly black hair. The deity is dressed in a yellow vest and a long dhoti with intricate braid work, along with a yellow sash and shawl. A jeweled pearl and gold girdle is at his waist, and he wears three necklaces of pearls and rubies, along with delicate pearl jewelry on his arms and wrists

This magnificent 12-inch marble murti of Shri Krishna has been hand-carved to embody all the Lord’s handsome and youthful charm. His stormy grey-blue complexion radiates a serene grace that has captivated me from the moment He was finished. As I gazed upon His beautiful form, I began to ponder a name that would capture all His special qualities. Should it speak to His beautiful hue – Neela Megha? Or perhaps His sweet childhood pastimes – Nanda Nandana? So many beautiful names danced in my heart, but in the end, the name that felt absolutely perfect was Kanu – meaning handsome, brave, and charming. What do you think? Doesn’t it just suit Him?

Decorating His base with tulsi manjaris and wild blooms, the delicate flowers ensure Tulsi is always at His feet.

But the charm doesn’t end with His name and beautiful form. Oh no! Kanu arrives with a meticulously curated collection of five complete outfits and an opulent array of intricate jewelry. And here’s the truly exciting part: each and every piece is designed to be mixed and matched!

Think of the possibilities! His elaborate pink ensemble with its pearl beading and jeweled turban can be paired with the rich green silk dhoti and shawl for a touch of regal elegance. The vibrant yellow set, with its intricate braid work, looks equally stunning with the striking peacock-print dhoti. And His deep wine-purple outfit? Imagine that paired with the green sash and mix it up with the yellow vest and pink turban!

Creating this wardrobe for Kanu has been such a labor of love. Just like when I was working on a glorious hot pink outfit, I found myself inspired to create extra jewelry elements – a long, knee-length pearl necklace, delicate armlets, and matching earrings – that would perfectly complement the pants and the overskirt and jacket. And the beauty is, these pieces can be worn with so many other outfits in His collection too! Whether adorned with His jeweled crown or a beautifully tied turban, He looks absolutely enchanting.

I truly believe that serving our beloved Krishna should be a joyful and creative expression of our love. With Kanu’s versatile wardrobe, you’ll have the freedom to dress Him in countless beautiful ways, making your daily worship and special celebrations even more personal and heartfelt. Knowing you lose your heart to His smiling face, but then carefully examine His wardrobe to see what it contains, I made sure that He has a warm option – the long sleeve pink vastra jacket will mix and match with the different dhotis and turbans. All three necklaces can be worn independently. There are 3 turbans and a crown! Multiple shawls and dhotis… lots of vests, oh! the opportunities.

Kanu, The Charming One, is now ready to journey to His new home and fill it with blessings. He is waiting to grace your altar and become a cherished member of your family’s devotional life. And to make this even easier, I am offering free worldwide shipping on Him!

Click here to learn more about Kanu and welcome Him into your heart and home: Kanu Krishna – Uniquely one of a kind, and available only until claimed.

Thank you for sharing in this exciting new chapter with me. I can’t wait for you to meet Kanu and experience the joy of serving this beautiful, charming deity.

update, He has now been invited to a devotees home, please explore my current creations to claim your own perfect deity of Krishna .

With love and devotion,

your friend Sita

Remember Krishna

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Song in Praise of Lord Chaitanya – devotional songs

Lord Chaitanya appears in a dream to Gopal Bhatta

This is a song by Narottama dasa Thakura in praise of the glories of Lord Caitanya.

For any devotees who want to relish the transcendental and nectarian words of the devotees of Shri Krishna Chaitanya, I know you will be so happy to have this soundtrack to listen to. Lord Chaitanyas devotional songs are the heart and soul of His devotees!

SAVARANA-SRI-GAURA-MAHIMA
Anyone who has accepted the two lotus feet of Lord Chaitanya as their only asset knows the true essence of devotional service. If anyone gives submissive aural reception to the pleasing and sweet pastimes of Lord Chaitanya, then immediately his heart becomes cleansed of all material contamination.

For you to read, here is the verse and translation to learn and sing along with in this wonderful melody.

SAVARANA-SRI-GAURA-MAHIMA

The Glories of Sri Gauranga from Prarthana by Sri Narottama dasa Thakura 

Text One 

gaurangera duti pada, jar dhana sampada, se jane bhakati-rasa-sar gaurangera madhura-lila, jar karne pravesila, hrdoya nirmala bhelo tar

Translation
Anyone who has accepted the two lotus feet of Lord Chaitanya as their only asset knows the true essence of devotional service. If anyone gives submissive aural reception to the pleasing and sweet pastimes of Lord Chaitanya, then immediately his heart becomes cleansed of all material contamination.

Text Two 

je gaurangera nama loy, tara hoy premodoy, tare mui jai bolihari gauranga-gunete jhure, nitya-lila tare sphure, se jana bhakati-adhikari

Translation 
Anyone who simply chants the name of Sri Krishna Chaitanya will immediately develop love of Godhead. I offer him all congratulations by saying, ‘Bravo!’ If anyone feels ecstasy and cries by simply hearing the transcendental qualities of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, he at once understands the eternal loving affairs between Radha and Krishna.

Text Three
gaurangera sangi-gane, nitya-siddha kori’ mane, se jay brajendra-suta-pas sri-gauda-mandala-bhumi, jeba jane cintamani, tara hoy braja-bhume bas

Translation
Anyone who has understood that the associates of Lord Chaitanya are eternally liberated souls immediately becomes eligible to enter into the abode of Krishna, the son of Nanda Maharaja in Vrndavana, in his next birth. If anyone understands that there is no difference between Gauda-mandala, the place in West Bengal wherein Lord Chaitanya had His pastimes then he actually lives in Vrndavana.

Text Four
gaura-prema-rasarnave, se tarange jeba dube, se radha-madhava-antaranga grhe ba vanete thake, ‘ha gauranga’ bo’le dake, narottama mage tara sanga

Translation 
Anyone who takes pleasure sporting within the waves of the ocean of Lord Chaitanya’s distribution of love of God immediately becomes a confidential devotee of Sri Sri Radha-Madhava. It doesn’t matter whether such a devotee is in the renounced order of life or whether he is a householder. If he is actually taking part in Lord Chaitanya’s sankirtana activities and actually understanding what it is, then such a person is always liberated. Narottama dasa aspires for his association.

NOW BACK TO US

I grew up listening to this wonderful prayer on repeat, and my dear friends, you need to be able to hear it to! Would you like more access to some of the wonderful soundtracks I was blessed to learn about? I bet you would! So I will keep seeking them out and sharing here.

If you have joined my newsletter then you will get a little blitz with this and a personal story as well.

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Remember Krishna – the solution to all of life’s problems

remember krishna radha decorated with garland with fairylights poster

Please read on where I am sharing the most beautiful spiritual wisdom talk shared by my own spiritual teacher, who has given us all this gift of transcendental knowledge.

Take heart; Remembering Krishna makes it possible to have actual life.
When you remember Krishna big mountains seem like very small hills you can easily cross.
When you’re not remembering Krishna even small hills look too hard.
When you remember Krishna you have courage facing difficulties & challenges.
When you forget Krishna even the smallest obstacles seem insurmountable, you experience frustration, anxiety, depression.
When you remember Krishna you experience hope.
We forget Krishna & experience hopelessness.
When we remember Krishna we experience purposefulness.
When we forget Krishna we experience life is without any purpose.
When we remember Krishna we are surcharged with spiritual strength.
When we forget Krishna we become spiritually weak.
When we forget Krishna we are like a blind person, we cant see which way to go or where to aim.
When We remember Krishna we can see very clearly what path to follow.
When We remember Krishna our hearts fill with love, appreciation & gratitude.
When we forget Krishna we have hate, anger, feeling resentful, jealousy.
When we remember Krishna we experience tolerance, patience, forgiveness.
When we forget Krishna forgiveness is beyond our reach. We cannot forgive those who offend us.
Simply by remembering Krishna we have life – with forgetfulness of Krishna we have darkness & death.
We should always remember Krishna, and organise our life so that we always remember Krishna.
Chant japa – japa is the private practice of chanting names of Krishna solitarily.
If we neglect to spend time everyday chanting our japa, if we take lightly this instruction from our Spiritual master and don’t spend time alone with Krishna chanting japa then our remembrance of Krishna is weakened.
Some disciples think they are so busy that they don’t have time. They think that they cannot put aside an hour of the morning to chant the names of Krishna.
This is a big mistake. There is no meaning to ‘service’ without remembrance of Krishna.
If we neglect to follow the our vow of spending time with Krishna then we are undermining or rejecting the relationship with our spiritual master and Krishna.
when we neglect this basic central instruction to chant japa by ourselves with Krishna focused on hearing th enames, the form and pastimes of Krishna then we are neglecting the most wonderful opportunity that has been given by Krishna to come into contact with His representative and receive His holy names.
First make sure to remember Krishna by spending time every day chanting japa. Every opportunity here and there through the day we can do more japa.
Hearing the names of Krishna, putting on a cd of Krishna chanting, listening to the names of Krishna and hearing pastimes of Krishna, the names and forms of Krishna & chanting in congregational kirtan.
Organise your life so you are engaged in Krishna.
We eat and drink throughout the day – we can offer that to Krishna.
Remembering Krishna.
We offer obeisances to our Spiritual Master by thanking him for filling our hearts with transcendental knowledge – the truth of my identity that I am part and parcel of Krishna. He is my dear-most friend.
Remember Krishna means remembering our relationship with Krishna, not philosophically but in tasting love for Krishna, in remembering our loving relationship with Krishna.
Transcendental knowledge and love for Krishna are one and the same.
The realization of transcendental knowledge means loving Krishna.
My dear Krishna, you are the heart of my heart, the life of my life, let me take shelter of you. Just rest your heart and mind in Krishna – this is rememberance of Krishna.
This remembrance of Krishna saves us from the greatest dangers, the darkest night.
In all situations just remember Krishna, this is the solution to all of lifes problems.
Just remember Krishna means love Krishna.
Love Krishna and remember Krishna is one and the same. Please chant the names of Krishna

My notes from a lecture given by Jagad Guru Siddhaswarupananda Paramahamsa Prabhupad a bonafide disciple of a bonafide spirtual master coming in a long line of spiritual teachers, originating from God Himself.

Any errors are due to my own note-taking & poor memory, and I beg you will forgive me for them.
For more nectarian instruction visit www.wisdom.yoga
Follow instagram @scienceofidentity for regular spirtual wisdom love bursts on your insta feed!

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Easiest dhoti in the world for Krishna deity

Following on from my first HOW TO MAKE A DHOTI FOR KRISHNA post, I have put together a very simple guide, with some ideas and explanations about the reasons for pleating, and how and where to pleat.

This really is the worlds easiest dhoti… or maybe I should say, realistic dhoti, after all there are some dhoti which are just a sarong and that is probably easier style.

It’s also extra fun because I have temporarily in my custody this beautiful Krishna deity I painted! Isn’t He lovely? Syamasundar Krishna in all joyous happy beauty. (If you are painting deities then please check out my tips on painting deity forms)

As long as you know how to sew and hem a simple rectangle, then this DIY tutorial is all you need to get started on making your own clothes for Krsna! If you have your deity standing in front of you then you can easily work out the length you need to cut.

I love it if I have Krsna in front of me it makes sewing for Him SO much easier! In general I would allow 1/2 of waist width for the front pleats, 3cm extra for the back pleat, and then 1.5 times waist width for the length to pass between Krishna legs and fold into the back of his dhoti at the back.

Always sew on your braid before you do your final stitches to secure the ends and add your press studs!

If anything in this tutorial is unclear, please refer to my step-by-step tutorial which is detailed with images! Here’s that link again 

There’s a whole catalogue of Krishna videos on my YouTube channel which you may or may not follow – not everything makes it’s way to my blog, we’ve diversified across social media platforms, hah! Please subscribe and follow me on YouTube & Facebook! I promise to keep it Krishna conscious! I don’t promise not to totally obsess over art, Krishna, deities, and more 🙂

 

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Bedtime story magic

I am so happy that my 8yr old has begun requesting them again – for awhile there, it was no mum, not a Krishna story (break my heart!).
Now tho, we do everything and the final request of the night is a Krishna story, or JUST ONE MORE!

So, as the Krishna story request is usually accompanied by a demand for a NEW story mum, I have been delightfully pushed into reading and hearing more, to keep up with this insatiable thirst for the treasure house of Krsna story nectar (that we both love).

One source of joy has been the new treasure trove of Krishna lore from instagram account @KrishnaEveryday (Oh Hari! What a perfect name!)

Pictures from vrindavan
Krishna instagram account with nice stories of Krsna everyday and beautiful images of Vrindavan and the cowherd boys and other inhabitants. Lots of quotes from various bonafide scriptural sources.

 

As a sidenote, somebody please name their child Hara! I heard a beautiful lecture from the wonderful speaker Acharaya das where he talks about the potency of Hara, as a name for Radharani. Hari and Hara? Oh the beauty. Check out more wonderful lectures from Acharya das, an authority on Vedic wisdom, on The Journey of Life.

Ok back to original thread here, one joy was re-reading the Krishna stories as an adult. Yes I was very fortunate to be born into a nice Vaishnava family (my parents are disciples of Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad), and my dad was keen on reading us the Ramayan nightly. I’m pretty sure I learnt to read at 5 just to start reading those stories myself! Anyway it’s amazing how much more you can note and soak up as an adult re-reading Krishna’s pastimes from the Krishna book.

Mostly we switch out the light and cozy up on my daughters bed and I tell her the story as I remember it. I don’t have the worlds greatest memory (it’s wretched), so sometimes I say we are going to have to fact check that in the morning!

I love simple stories, and I love complicated stories! Sometimes you hear snippets studded with wonder from venerable Vaishnava devotees that you haven’t heard elsewhere and we hoard those up like jewels and take them out and marvel at them in story time.

My favorite part of our Krishna playdays is the story telling section. I just love it, and all the kids do too.

Because really, Krishna is for every day! Yay!
Visit @doddyart on instagram for a beautiful stream of Krishna art and all things Krishna related!

What pastime of Krishna do you remember back to front and can tell as you are falling asleep? Me, I like to tell these faves right now: Lord Chaitanya discovers Toto Gopinath in the garden of Gadadhar, and also Mother Yasoda & Rohini call Krishna & Balaram home. My daughter loves to hear how Krishna and Balaram are naughty, and their friends threatening them not to play next time!

As it has just been the appearance day of Lord Sri Krishna Chaitanya we have been talking all the stories I can remember of little Gaura – again so much appreciated!

So if you want to enjoy beautiful pastimes of Krishna then I urge you to start reading and hearing, and you will have so many just ready to flow from your lips when your little ones request Just One More at bedtime.