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WORLD December 14, 1999 VNN5077 Comment on this story Heart Of Vrindavana BY LAJJAH PRIYA DEVI DASI  USA, Dec 14 (VNN) — Heart of Vrindavana - Beautiful Original Devotional PoetryAnnouncing - "Heart of Vrindavana" - Vol. 1 - In Praise of Sri Sri Radha Krsna Original devotional poetry by Lajjah Priya devi dasi Krishna's Gifts This beautifully illustrated and unique collection of poems by Lajjah Priya devi dasi is a must have in one's devotional library. Born in Toronto, Canada, Lajjah Priya began writing professionally at the tender age of fifteen with a newspaper column in Canada's leading Ottawa Journal. Some years later, she relocated to Hollywood, California where she became a devotee in 1973. As a devotee of over twenty five years, Lajjah Priya devi dasi has spent a greater part of her life reading and studying Srila Prabhupada's Bhagavad Gita As It Is, Srimad Bhagavatam and Sri Caitanya Caritamrta and other works of His Divine Grace as well as the works of Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura and the Six Goswamis. She has developed a deep spiritual understanding and maturity which has resulted in this stunning book of poems that simply resound with spiritual and devotional sentiments in appreciation of the Divine Couple; Sri Sri Radha and Krsna. In her own search for poetic expression, Lajjah Priya has been profoundly influenced by the traditional Vaisnava devotional songs, lyric prayers and poetry in the Bengali tradition and also that of the spiritual poets of Southern India. She has been particularly impacted by the great devotees of the Vaisnavite tradition such as Tukarama, Jayadeva, the author of the Gita Govinda, and the medieval princess saint Mirabai whose own poetry evokes great soul stirring love for Sri Krishna. Instead of the traditional poetic meters and verses, these poems are expressed in flowing free verse which speaks to the heart and stirs the soul. These are charming and sublime descriptions of the many pastimes and activities of Lord Krsna and His eternal consort, Srimati Radharani. The poems touching on many different mellows of love and devotion are passionately written, in deep contemplation of the sacred and wonderful pastimes of the dark Lord Krsna. It is poetry which inspires one's heart toward the path of God in a modern adaptation of Vaisnava theology. Therefore, the title is appropriate in keeping with bhakti yoga. Vrindavana is the beloved home of Sri Krishna, who plays and lives surrounded by doting parents and loving cowherd maidens and His playful cowherd friends. Krsna is God Himself, though those who live in Vrindavana don't know this because they love Him as their very own lives as their master, child, friend and lover. Although, in the poems found in this first book, Krsna is portrayed in many roles; He is most centrally portrayed as the lover of Radha, who is His eternal consort and potency, In itself, this illustrates the pureness and fullness of love that a devotee tries to feel in his own life towards God. Krishna therefore, embodies the central focus of these devotional poetic prayers and the centerpiece of the heartfelt love thus aptly known as the "Heart of Vrindavana" series. The second volume, "Heart of Vrindavana" - Vol 2 - Red Lotus, reflects a deeper more mature stage of madurya rasa. The "Heart of Vrindavana" series is available from the Krishna's Gifts website; http://www.zyworld.com/krishnasgifts/Krishnasgifts.htm ; for $9.95 each volume plus shipping and handling. Comment on this story  Contact VNN about this storySend this story to a friend
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