21 July 2024

Guru Purnima Japa Talk – Pandharpur

The Spiritual Master – The Greatest Doctor

HH Lokanath Swami Maharaja

Jaya Gurudev! Guru is the Lord. Guru and Krsna are non different. All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga! 

oṁ ajñāna-timirāndhasya

jñānāñjana-śalākayā

cakṣur unmīlitaṁ yena

tasmai śrī-gurave namaḥ

śrī-caitanya-mano-’bhīṣṭaṁ

sthāpitaṁ yena bhū-tale

svayaṁ rūpaḥ kadā mahyaṁ

dadāti sva-padāntikam 

Translation: 

I was born in the darkest ignorance, and my spiritual master opened my eyes with the torch of knowledge. I offer my respectful obeisances unto him. When will Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī Prabhupāda, who has established within this material world the mission to fulfill the desire of Lord Caitanya, give me shelter under His lotus feet?(Mangalacharan1)

The spiritual master is a doctor. He operates on our eyes and makes us capable of seeing the Lord.

sri-guru-charana-padma, kevala-bhakati-sadma

bando mui savadhana mate

jahara prasade bhai, e bhava toriya jai,

krsna-prapti hoy jaha ha’te

Translation: 

The lotus feet of our spiritual master are the only way by which we can attain pure devotional service. I bow to his lotus feet with great awe and reverence. By his grace one can cross the ocean of material suffering and obtain the mercy of Krsna. (Guru Vandana 1)

yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādo

yasyāprasādān na gatiḥ kuto ‘pi

dhyāyan stuvaḿs tasya yaśas tri-sandhyaḿ

vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam

Translation: 

By the mercy of the spiritual master one receives the benediction of Krsna. Without the grace of the spiritual master, one cannot make any advancement. Therefore, I should always remember and praise the spiritual master. At least three times a day I should offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of my spiritual master. (Sri Gurvastakam 8)

The spiritual master does a home delivery of Krsna’s causeless mercy. He is not delivering his mercy, instead he delivers Krsna’s mercy. There are different categories of gurus – Diksha Guru, Vartm-pradarshak Guru. You all are Gurus. Some of you are Vartm-pradarshak gurus, some are siksha gurus and then there is the diksha guru. Another guru is Caitya Guru (Krsna vande jagad gurum). Arjuna was confused and then Krsna narrated Srimad Bhagavad-Gita to him. 

kārpaṇya-doṣhopahata-svabhāvaḥ

pṛichchhāmi tvāṁ dharma-sammūḍha-chetāḥ

yach-chhreyaḥ syānniśhchitaṁ brūhi tanme

śhiṣhyaste ’haṁ śhādhi māṁ tvāṁ prapannam 

Translation: 

I am confused about my duty, and am besieged with anxiety and faintheartedness. I am Your disciple, and am surrendered to You. Please instruct me for certain what is best for me.(BG 2.7)

Bhagavad Gita has Krsna’s words. 

gita su-gita kartavya, kim anyaih shastra-vistaraih

ya svayam padmanabhasya, mukha-padmad vinihsrita 

Translation: 

Because Bhagavad-gita is spoken by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one need not read any other Vedic literature. One need only attentively and regularly hear and read Bhagavad-gita. In the present age, people are so absorbed in mundane activities that it is not possible for them to read all the Vedic literatures. But this is not necessary. This one book, Bhagavad-gita, will suffice, because it is the essence of all Vedic literature and especially because it is spoken by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. (Gita Mahatmya 4)

Krsna appeared in this world and He chose Arjuna to be an instrument to deliver a message to all of us. Krsna wrote a love letter to all of us.

man-manā bhava mad-bhakto

mad-yājī māṁ namaskuru

mām evaiṣyasi satyaṁ te

pratijāne priyo ’si me 

Translation: 

Always think of Me, become My devotee, worship Me and offer your homage unto Me. Thus you will come to Me without fail. I promise you this because you are My very dear friend. (BG. 18.65)

Krsna wants to see all of us with Him in His abode. Thus He has given us the manual and guide on how to reach there. The spiritual master acts like a messenger. Krsna wrote this letter, now it’s the time for its delivery. The spiritual master acts on behalf of Krsna, and he does not change or edit anything.

śrī-bhagavān uvāca

imaṁ vivasvate yogaṁ

proktavān aham avyayam

vivasvān manave prāha

manur ikṣvākave ’bravīt

Translation: 

The Personality of Godhead, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, said: “I instructed this imperishable science of yoga to the sun-god, Vivasvān, and Vivasvān instructed it to Manu, the father of mankind, and Manu in turn instructed it to Ikṣvāku.” (BG. 4.1)

evaṁ paramparā-prāptam

imaṁ rājarṣayo viduḥ

sa kāleneha mahatā

yogo naṣṭaḥ paran-tapa

Translation: 

This supreme science was thus received through the chain of disciplic succession, and the saintly kings understood it in that way. But in course of time the succession was broken, and therefore the science as it is appears to be lost. (BG. 4.2)

Sometimes not all the postmen perform their duties properly. They make some changes. As a result the knowledge becomes contaminated. A non Vaisnava cannot act as a spiritual master. Only a Vaisnava, a devotee of Lord Vishnu can become a spiritual master. This world is full of gurus, but Krsna appoints the spiritual masters Himself. We also find some self appointed gurus – today’s Swami, tomorrow’s Narayana.

kṛṣṇa-bhakta — niṣkāma, ataeva ‘śānta’

bhukti-mukti-siddhi-kāmī — sakali ‘aśānta’ 

Translation: 

Because a devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa is desire-less, he is peaceful. Fruitive workers desire material enjoyment, jñānīs desire liberation, and yogīs desire material opulence; therefore they are all lusty and cannot be peaceful. (CC Madhya 19.149)

If the Guru is a Vaisnava, then he will also make those he comes into contact with a Vaisnava.

yānti deva-vratā devān

pitṝn yānti pitṛ-vratāḥ

bhūtāni yānti bhūtejyā

yānti mad-yājino ’pi mām 

Translation: 

Those who worship the demigods will take birth among the demigods; those who worship the ancestors go to the ancestors; those who worship ghosts and spirits will take birth among such beings; and those who worship Me will live with Me. (BG. 9.25)

There are people who would send you to ghosts and spirits. Then there are bona-fide spiritual masters who give Krsna or Panduranga. 

sampradāya-vihīnā ye mantrās te niṣphalā matāḥ 

Translation: 

If one wants to advance in spiritual power, one must receive his mantras from one of these bona fide sampradāyas; otherwise he will never successfully advance in spiritual life. (Padma Purana)

We cannot give any guarantees. The fruit of all endeavors is to attain Krsna. Attaining Krsna is the only success. Even Krsna accepted the disciplic succession. He accepted initiation and once He accepted the initiation, He said, “My spiritual master blessed Me with initiation. And then he asked Me to chant the Hare Krishna maha-mantra.

harer nāma harer nāma

harer nāmaiva kevalam

kalau nāsty eva nāsty eva

nāsty eva gatir anyathā 

Translation: 

In this age of quarrel and hypocrisy, the only means of deliverance is the chanting of the holy names of the Lord. There is no other way. There is no other way. There is no other way. (CC Madhya 6.242)

He found Me to be a great fool. Others will make you realize the truth, once they are carrying your body to the cremation ground. Mandodari told Ravana that because of his lusty desires he became compelled to kidnap Mother Sita and as a result he would now perish and vultures would eat him up.

krtaisa vidhava lanka

vayam ca kula-nandana

dehah krto ‘nnam grdhranam

atma naraka-hetave

Translation: 

O pleasure of the Raksasa dynasty, because of you the state of Lanka and also we ourselves now have no protector. By your deeds you have made your body fit to be eaten by vultures and your soul fit to go to hell. (SB 9.10.28)

Only a person who has accepted an acharya in his life,  gets to know Krsna. 

punarapi jananam punarapi maranam punarapi janani jathare sayanam,

iha samsare bahudusare krpaya’pare pahi murare

Translation: 

Being born again, dying again, and again lying in the mother’s womb; this samsara is extremely difficult to cross over. Save me, O destroyer of Mura, through your infinite compassion. (Bhaja Govindam 21)

Anāvṛttiḥ śabdāt means “liberation by sound”. The words of Srimad Bhagavatam, Bhagavad Gita, etc can liberate us.

sarvasya cāhaṁ hṛdi sanniviṣṭo

mattaḥ smṛtir jñānam apohanaṁ ca

vedaiś ca sarvair aham eva vedyo

vedānta-kṛd veda-vid eva cāham

Translation: I am seated in everyone’s heart, and from Me come remembrance, knowledge and forgetfulness. By all the Vedas, I am to be known. Indeed, I am the compiler of Vedānta, and I am the knower of the Vedas. (BG 15.15)

All these Vedas were awarded to us and they are known as Shabda Brahma. We have 108 Upanishads, Puranas, Mahabharata, Bhagavad Gita, Srimad Bhagavatam. In total there are around 4 lakh verses. All these scriptures make up the Sastras. The origin of all this knowledge are these Sastras given to us by Srila Vyasadev.

ete cāṁśa-kalāḥ puṁsaḥ

kṛṣṇas tu bhagavān svayam

indrāri-vyākulaṁ lokaṁ

mṛḍayanti yuge yuge

Translation: 

All of the above-mentioned incarnations are either plenary portions or portions of the plenary portions of the Lord, but Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa is the original Personality of Godhead. All of them appear on planets whenever there is a disturbance created by the atheists. The Lord incarnates to protect the theists. (SB 1.3.28)

Krsna is Apaurusheya (not of a man). Similarly all these scriptures are Apaurusheya. The soul has no birth and no death. It is eternal and Krsna is eternal.

na jāyate mriyate vā kadāchin

nāyaṁ bhūtvā bhavitā vā na bhūyaḥ

ajo nityaḥ śhāśhvato ’yaṁ purāṇo

na hanyate hanyamāne śharīre

Translation: 

The soul is neither born, nor does it ever die; nor having once existed, does it ever cease to be. The soul is without birth, eternal, immortal, and ageless. It is not destroyed when the body is destroyed. (BG 2.20)

Knowledge regarding Krsna is eternal. The Bible says “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” It is a very beautiful statement. It’s similar to the question we generally ask, what came first  – the hen or the egg. Similarly what appeared first, Krsna or the knowledge about Him. The spiritual master delivers such knowledge to us.

 

Hare Krsna.

 

Japa Talk – 22nd July, 2024

Speaker – HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj

Topic – Guru Poornima

 

To all assembled devotees, on the auspicious occasion of Guru Poornima, I extend my best wishes. From the side of Kṛṣṇa, who is Krishnam Vande Jagat Guru, the original guru; from Brahmaji, the first acharya of our Parampara; and from Srila Vyasadeva, who compiled all the scriptures for our benefit. From the side of the Sad-Goswamis, the acharyas of the Gaudiya Vaishnav Parampara, and from Srila Prabhupada, I extend my heartfelt wishes. May your journey be prosperous—not the journey to your homes in places like Solapur, Nagpur, or Kolhapur, but the journey to Vaikuntha.

 

tarko ’pratiṣṭhaḥ śrutayo vibhinnā

nāsāv ṛṣir yasya mataṁ na bhinnam

dharmasya tattvaṁ nihitaṁ guhāyāṁ

mahājano yena gataḥ sa panthāḥ

 

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu continued, “Dry arguments are inconclusive. A great personality whose opinion does not differ from others is not considered a great sage. Simply by studying the Vedas, which are variegated, one cannot come to the right path by which religious principles are understood. The solid truth of religious principles is hidden in the heart of an unadulterated, self-realized person. Consequently, as the śāstras confirm, one should accept whatever progressive path the mahājanas advocate.” [Cc. Madhya 17.186]

The path you are on is the one described by the saying “Mahājano yena gataḥ sa panthāḥ”—one must follow the path of the mahājanas. By following the paths laid out by these great souls, we will reach Vaikuntha. This is the ultimate goal of life.

 

paritrāṇāya sādhūnāṁ
vināśāya ca duṣkṛtām
dharma-saṁsthāpanārthāya
sambhavāmi yuge yuge

 

Translation

To deliver the pious and to annihilate the miscreants, as well as to reestablish the principles of religion, I Myself appear, millennium after millennium. [Bg. 4.8]

There are many things that Kṛṣṇa does, but one key aspect is that He re-establishes the principles of religion and imparts them to us. The first word of the Bhagavad Gita is “Dharma,” and the last word, found in verse 18.78, is “Mama.” Together, they form “Mama Dharma,” meaning “my duty” or “my religion.” Prabhupada used to say that religion is simply the laws of the Lord.

 

ekaṁ śāstraṁ devakī-putra-gītam

eko devo devakī-putra eva

eko mantras tasya nāmāni yāni

karmāpy ekaṁ tasya devasya sevā

 

Translation

There need be only one holy scripture-the divine Gita sung by Lord Shri Kṛṣṇa: only one worshipable Lord-Lord Shri Kṛṣṇa: only one mantra-His holy names: and only one duty-devotional service unto that Supreme Worshipable Lord, Shri Kṛṣṇa.[Gītā-māhātmya 7]

 

Lord has given this in Bhagavad Gita and other scriptures, but it is also said that “Ekam shastram Devaki Putram Gitam”. Only one scripture is sufficient and that is Srimad Bhagavad Gita. Lord also gave Bhagavad-Gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam, Veda, 18 Puranas, Mahabharat, 108 Upanishad, compilation of this is done by Srila Vyas Deva. Whose Vyas Poornima we are celebrating today, Lord becomes Srila Vyas Deva, shaktavesh avatar, and the Lord, who himself is knowledgeable. Lord means knowledgeable. That is why, Lord created all scriptures, Vyas Dev did compilation of all scriptures and gave us all. To know Kṛṣṇa these scriptures are mandatory. If there was no any scripture, we would not know about Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa cannot be seen by seeing; by hearing we can see him. Hearing is believing is said, but hearing is seeing also. Hear about lord is seeing lord. By studying and hearing scriptures 

 

Apuliya hita jo ase jagata, dhanya matapita tayachiya

Kuli kanyaputra hoti ji saatvik, tayacha harikh wate deva

Geeta Bhagwat kariti shravan, akhand chintan Vithobache

Tuka mahne maj ghado tyachi seva, tari mazya daiva paar naahi

 

Translation

Saint Tukaram is praising pious persons in this abhanga. Parents of a person, who knows what is in his best interest, are really blessed (by having given birth to him)! Even God is overjoyed about those persons in whose clan children of pious thoughts are born. Where there is unceasing reading of Bhagawat Geeta, Bhagwat and contemplation of Lord Vitthal; If people in such place are served by me, then I will consider my fortune as unparalleled. [by Saint Tukaram] 

 

We can see Kṛṣṇa by the eyes of scriptures, Shakstra chakshusa. We need glasses made up of scriptures, then only we can see Kṛṣṇa clearly. It is said Sadhu, Shastra, Acharya but Sadhu, Acharya teaches scriptures only. By the help scriptures Sadhu, Acharya gives us darshan of Lord, Scriptures are also called as Shad-darshan. Darshan of Lord is possible by studying, hearing and chanting of scriptures. These scriptures were given to us when the Lord appeared in the form of Srila Vyas Deva and in the same Parampara we Gaudiya Vaishnav our first Acharya is Bramha.  

 

oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya
janmādy asya yato ’nvayād itarataś cārtheṣv abhijñaḥ svarāṭ
tene brahma hṛdā ya ādi-kavaye muhyanti yat sūrayaḥ
tejo-vāri-mṛdāṁ yathā vinimayo yatra tri-sargo ’mṛṣā
dhāmnā svena sadā nirasta-kuhakaṁ satyaṁ paraṁ dhīmahi

 

Translation

O my Lord, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, son of Vasudeva, O all-pervading Personality of Godhead, I offer my respectful obeisances unto You. I meditate upon Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa because He is the Absolute Truth and the primeval cause of all causes of the creation, sustenance, and destruction of the manifested universes. He is directly and indirectly conscious of all manifestations, and He is independent because there is no other cause beyond Him. It is He only who first imparted the Vedic knowledge unto the heart of Brahmājī, the original living being. By Him even the great sages and demigods are placed into illusion, as one is bewildered by the illusory representations of water seen in fire, or land seen on water. Only because of Him do the material universes, temporarily manifested by the reactions of the three modes of nature, appear factual, although they are unreal. I therefore meditate upon Him, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, who is eternally existent in the transcendental abode, which is forever free from the illusory representations of the material world. I meditate upon Him, for He is the Absolute Truth. [SB 1.1.1]

 

The Lord revealed transcendental knowledge in the heart of Brahma, the adi-kavi, or the original poet. Brahma then imparted this knowledge to Narada Muni, who in turn shared it with Srila Vyasadeva. This lineage continued through Madhavendra Puri and Sri Kṛṣṇa Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, becoming part of that esteemed sampradaya. This lineage includes the Six Goswamis, Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur, Gaur Kishor Das Babaji Maharaj, Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Sarasvati Thakur, and Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. All these revered figures are gurus.

 

Although gurus may appear as different personalities, the Guru is a principle, a divine potency. This potency manifests through various individuals, embodying the essence of the one Guru. The Guru has existed since the beginning of creation. When Brahma was the only person in the universe, Kṛṣṇa made Brahma the guru, imparting knowledge to him. This guru-parampara has continued ever since, with each guru and acharya explaining the scriptures and imparting divine knowledge to us.

 

oṁ ajñāna-timirāndhasya

jñānāñjana-śalākayā

cakṣur unmīlitaṁ yena

tasmai śrī-gurave namaḥ

 

Sub-topic – Service to Spiritual master

 

On this day, we offer frequent obeisances at the feet of our Diksha Guru and express our deep gratitude. It is also a day to deepen our surrender and take up more services. Today is also the day of Guru-Puja. While puja may be performed for a few minutes, Guru-Puja extends beyond mere worship; it is not limited to it. We can serve the Guru 24 hours a day by faithfully following His instructions.

 

yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādo
yasyāprasādān na gatiḥ kuto ‘pi
dhyāyan stuvaḿs tasya yaśas tri-sandhyaḿ
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam 

Translation

By the mercy of the spiritual master, one receives the benediction of Krsna. Without the grace of the spiritual master, one cannot make any advancement. Therefore, I should always remember and praise the spiritual master. At least three times a day I should offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of my spiritual master. [8, Sri Guruvastakam]

We should remember our Guru in the morning, noon, and evening, meaning we should continuously follow the instructions of our Spiritual Master. By doing this, we always remain in the association of our Guru. There are two ways to serve the Guru: Vapu-seva and Vani-seva.

Vapu-seva involves serving the physical presence of the Guru, such as cooking for Him, washing His clothes, or driving Him. This type of service is limited by the Guru’s physical presence.

Vani-seva, on the other hand, involves serving through the Guru’s teachings and instructions, which can be done at any time and in any place. This service continues even after the Guru has departed to Kṛṣṇa’s abode.

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur instructed Srila Prabhupada, “If you ever get money, print books.” Srila Prabhupada followed this guidance diligently. Although he initially struggled with finances in India, upon traveling abroad, Kṛṣṇa provided him with ample resources. This led to the establishment of the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT).

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur also encouraged Srila Prabhupada to preach in English. Following this, Srila Prabhupada translated the scriptures into English and took them to foreign lands. There, he asked his disciples to translate his books into as many languages as possible. The term “Vyas” means “expander,” and Srila Prabhupada embodied this role by expanding the scriptures into English, and from there, into numerous other languages. This is the essence of expansion.

 

Sub-topic – Book distribution

 

chakhu-dan dilo jei, janme janme prabhu sei
divya-jnan hride prokashito
prema-bhakti jaha hoite, avidya vinasha jate
vede gay jahara charito

Translation

He opens my darkened eyes and fills my heart with transcendental knowledge. He is my Lord birth after birth. From him ecstatic prema emanates; by him ignorance is destroyed. The Vedic scriptures sing of his character. [from Guru Vandana]

 

This knowledge is imparted by the Lord through texts such as the Gita, Upanishads, and Bhagavatam. Srila Prabhupada’s International Society for Kṛṣṇa Consciousness (ISKCON) has published and distributed these scriptures in many languages worldwide. Srila Prabhupada once said, “Book printing and book distribution will be the most pleasing activities to me; this is the dearest service.” Through this endeavour, the essence of his mission is fulfilled.

 

oṁ ajñāna-timirāndhasya

jñānāñjana-śalākayā

cakṣur unmīlitaṁ yena

tasmai śrī-gurave namaḥ

 

 Srila Prabhupada’s books are opening the eyes of millions, bringing the science of God to people everywhere. Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur instructed Srila Prabhupada, “You are intelligent; go preach the science of Kṛṣṇa consciousness in foreign countries. Print books if you ever get the opportunity.” This instruction from his spiritual master was pivotal. Similarly, I have received many instructions from Srila Prabhupada. Some of these are general, such as “Chant Hare Kṛṣṇa and be happy,” “Follow the four regulative principles,” and “Chant a minimum of 16 rounds,” which are common guidelines for all devotees. However, at times, the spiritual master bestows special mercy through unique instructions. I was fortunate to receive such an instruction from Srila Prabhupada: “You do Padayatra with a bullock cart and start a sankirtan party.” Srila Prabhupada observed that while Hari-nama sankirtan was thriving in big cities, the majority of India’s population lived in villages. He was concerned about reaching those in remote areas who were in distress. Thus, he devised the Padayatra strategy to fulfill the prophecy of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

 

pṛthivīte āche yata nagarādi-grāma
sarvatra pracāra haibe mora nāma

Translation

He wanted that everywhere, in every nook and corner of this world — every city, every town, every village, there should be the chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa maha-mantra. [Chaitanya Bagavat]

 

Sub-topic – Preaching

 

In fulfilling the purpose of spreading the holy name, Srila Prabhupada instructed me to preach the holy name using a bullock cart. I am striving to follow this instruction and seek your support. I need your help. I need help, I need help. The Lord desires to reach every living being He longs to connect with each jiva. In the form of His holy names, He is calling out, “Take me, take me” with the chanting of 

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna 

Krishna Krishna Hare Hare 

Hare Rama Hare Rama 

Rama Rama Hare Hare.

 

Kṛṣṇa is eager and enthusiastic, persistently working to re-establish His relationship with every jiva. This connection is achieved through devotional service and the process of chanting. This was the instruction given to me.

Srila Prabhupad observed that Maharashtra, or indeed all of India, is a land rich in the legacy of saints like Tukaram. However, political leaders, actors, and other figures have tarnished this legacy. Prabhupad emphasized awakening Kṛṣṇa consciousness by spreading it to the masses. This was an instruction I received. To effectively preach Maharashtra, I thought it would be impactful to establish strong projects in Pandharpur, as it is a spiritual center attracting people from every village and town in Maharashtra. Thus, we initiated the “Bhuvaikuntha” project, which is now coming to fruition.

In alignment with Prabhupad’s instructions, we began the “Bhuvaikuntha” project, and I seek your support in this endeavor. Are you ready to help? We are all part of the same home; ISKCON is our global home. Prabhupad envisioned ISKCON as a place where the entire world could find refuge. You are all part of this family, and I love you all. As your siksha guru and diksha guru, I see myself as a spiritual father to thousands of children, even though a sannyasi traditionally does not have biological children.

Just as Lord Vitthal considers all his devotees as his children, so does the Guru, who is also a spiritual father. Srila Prabhupad used to address his disciples as “My dear spiritual sons and daughters.” We are one family, and this discussion is a family matter. If Srila Prabhupad wanted this, if Lord Vitthal desires it, and if I wish for it too, then do you also want it? The key is to have a strong will. Intense will.  Where there is will, there is a way. If you have the desire, you will find a way. You will collect the necessary funds with determination. I wish to offer this temple to my spiritual master, just as you should offer it to your spiritual master, and my spiritual master to his spiritual master, and so forth, ultimately offering it to the Lord.

In Aravade, we began our preaching activities. Initially, I used to go there to celebrate the Hare Kṛṣṇa festival. When Srila Prabhupad was present, I sent him a report about the festival, mentioning that one person had taken the resolution to chant 16 rounds daily. Prabhupad responded by instructing me to make that person a representative of ISKCON in the village. When I read this, I understood that Prabhupad intended for an ISKCON temple to be established there. Consequently, I established an ISKCON temple in Aravade. We are also building a temple in Nagpur because it was Prabhupad’s desire. All the services I perform are aligned with Prabhupad’s instructions. For the past 50-55 years, I have been following Prabhupad’s directive to chant 16 rounds of the Hare Kṛṣṇa Mahamantra.

In Nagpur, around 1971-72, when Prabhupad was with his Western disciples, he used a large map of India and indicated where ISKCON centres should be established. Nagpur, being the geographical centre of India, was one of those key locations. Prabhupad emphasized that ISKCON must be present there.

When I later became the Maharashtra Zonal Secretary, I remembered Prabhupad’s desire for a temple in Nagpur, so we began constructing one there as well. Although I don’t mention it often, Srila Prabhupad used to appreciate my kirtans. Tamal Kṛṣṇa Goswami Maharaj, Srila Prabhupad’s secretary, would often say, “Prabhupad, Lokanath Swami is here. Would you like him to do kirtan?” I always perform kirtan with the thought that it pleases Srila Prabhupad, and this thought continually inspires me.

Srila Prabhupad wrote to me, instructing me to distribute more books, open more temples, and connect many devotees to ISKCON. Today, Veni Madhav Prabhu from Bengaluru recalled a memory with Srila Prabhupad in his room at Hare Kṛṣṇa Land, Juhu. In those days, ISKCON faced significant opposition and was criticized as being associated with the CIA or as a movement for hippies, with some even claiming that ISKCON’s presence was a threat to national security. Despite these challenges and widespread scepticism, I was among the few who joined. Prabhupad told me, “We need more men like you.” We continue to strive to connect more people to the movement, fulfilling Prabhupad’s desire.

When I see you in this number, I remember Prabhupad’s word “more men like you”, those men are you, more men, more men, women also like you. It is needed, since you came, please take resolution that this home, family you will never leave. You will stay connected, and you will expand it. You will do more book distribution, you will do more Hari namm sankirtan, you will do more prasad distribution, you will study Prabhupad books. Prabhupad use to complaints in early days that my disciple’s doesn’t give much time to read my books. Thus, I desire, this complaint should not come from you, you should not only distribute books, distribute books, distribute books but also read my books, read my books, read my books you must do. 

We are also establishing the Rupanuga Vidyapith, as HH Sundar Chaitanya Maharaj explained. The purpose of this institution is to deepen the study of Srila Prabhupad’s books and other scriptures, enhancing your knowledge and fostering greater love for Kṛṣṇa.

premāñjana-cchurita-bhakti-vilocanena
santaḥ sadaiva hṛdayeṣu vilokayanti
yaṁ śyāmasundaram acintya-guṇa-svarūpaṁ
govindam ādi-puruṣaṁ tam ahaṁ bhajāmi 

Translation

I worship Govinda, the primeval Lord, who is Śyāmasundara, Kṛṣṇa Himself with inconceivable innumerable attributes, whom the pure devotees see in their heart of hearts with the eye of devotion tinged with the salve of love.[BS 5.38]

kibā vipra, kibā nyāsī, śūdra kene naya
yei kṛṣṇa-tattva-vettā, sei ‘guru’ haya

Translation

“Whether one is a brāhmaṇa, a sannyāsī or a śūdra — regardless of what he is — he can become a spiritual master if he knows the science of Kṛṣṇa.”[Cc. Madhya 8.128]

 

Sub-topic – Instructions for disciple’s

 

A person, regardless of being a śūdra, woman, or mallecha, who understands the science of Kṛṣṇa, can become a Guru. On this Guru Poornima, let this be your resolution or an encouragement to increase your efforts to become spiritual masters. While becoming a Diksha Guru might be for some, every one of you can strive to become a Shiksha Guru and expand these teachings. This can be achieved through distributing Srila Prabhupad’s books and constructing temples.

amara ajnaya guru haya tara ei desha

jare dekho tare kaha krsna upadesa

yāre dekha, tāre kaha ‘kṛṣṇa’-upadeśa

āmāra ājñāya guru hañā tāra’ ei deśa

 

Translation

“Instruct everyone to follow the orders of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa as they are given in the Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. In this way become a spiritual master and try to liberate everyone in this land.”.”[ CC Madhya 7.128]

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who is the Lord Himself, instructed Nityananda Prabhu, the adi guru (Balaram), and Haridas Thakur, who is Brahma, to visit every house. Their directive was clear: preach the science of Kṛṣṇa consciousness to everyone.

 

prabhura ājñāy, bhāi, māgi ei bhikṣā

bolo `kṛṣṇa,’ bhajo kṛṣṇa, koro kṛṣṇa-śikṣā

 

Translation

O people of faith! O people of faith! By the order of Lord Gauranga, O brothers, I beg these three requests of you: Chant “Krsna!”, worship Krsna, and teach others about Krsna.[ Nadiya Godrume Nityananda Mahajana Text 2]

This is the work you all must undertake. When Sri Chaitanya Maha Prabhu stayed at the house of a Brahmana in Kurma Kshetra, He instructed the Brahmana, “āmāra ājñāya guru hañā tāra’ ei deśa,” meaning, “By My order, become a guru and preach in this country.” Although the Brahmana was a householder and not a sannyasi, Mahaprabhu ordered him to spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Similarly, regardless of whether you are a lady, gentleman, brahmachari, grihastha, vanaprastha, or sannyasi, you must continue to preach and expand your efforts. This will not only please Srila Prabhupad but also me. Are you ready? 

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna

Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama Hare Rama

Rama Rama Hare Hare

 

Keep performing kirtan, chanting, following the four regulative principles, and studying Srila Prabhupad’s books. I am summarizing this message: always stay connected to ISKCON and engage in practical services to the best of your ability and desire.Thank you! I wish you the best!

28 July 2024

Disappearance day of Srila Lokanath Goswami

Speaker: HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj

Jai Jai Sri Chaitanya Jai Nityananda! I welcome you all. Today is the disappearance day of Srila Lokanath Goswami. So we will discuss his pastimes. 

je anilo prema-dhana koruna pracur

heno prabhu kotha gela Lokanath-thakur (Je Anilo 1)

Translation: He who brought the treasure of divine love and who was filled with compassion and mercy—where has such a personality as Lokanath Acarya gone?

We know where he has gone. He has entered the eternal pastimes of the Lord. But we are bereft of his physical association. Lokanath Goswami was an associate of Sri Krsna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. He was Manjulali Manjari in Krsna lila. And as per the will of Krsna he appeared in this world.

We had visited his Samadhi at Bangladesh. Padmamali Prabhu could arrange the darshans of pastime places related to Srila Lokanath Goswami. His worshipable Deity was Sri Sri Radha Vinod ji. His temple is at Jaipur. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu visited Bangladesh, Lokanath Goswami wanted to come along with Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

But Chaitanya Mahaprabhu stopped him and instructed him to serve his parents till their end of life. Later on after his parents died, Lokanath Goswami visited Sri Navadip dham. But Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was 24 years old by then and he wanted to take Sannyas. And this was unbearable to everyone specially Srila Lokanath Goswami.

Thus Chaitanya Mahaprabhu asked him to go to Vrindavan. He assured him that I’ll come to Vrindavan. But later on Sachi Mata asked Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to stay at Sri Jagannath Puri and not to go to Vrindavan. Later on when Chaitanya Mahaprabhu went to South India, Lokanath Goswami followed but by then Chaitanya Mahaprabhu had left South India for Sri Vrindavan Dham.

Lokanath Goswami ran back towards Sri Vrindavan Dham but by the time he reached Vrindavan, he got the news that Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is heading back towards Sri Jagannath Puri Dham and he is at Prayagraj at present. He was about to leave for Prayagraj but then Chaitanya Mahaprabhu instructed him to stay at Sri Vrindavan Dham always and to never leave Sri Vrindavan Dham ever.

śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya,
rādhā-kṛṣṇa nahe anya (Chaitanya Bhagavat)

Translation: Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu is a combination of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa.

Thus Lokanath Goswami could never meet Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in person ever after. He also has a very intense desire to serve the deities of the Lord. To satisfy this desire, Krsna himself appeared and handed over his Deity form to Srila Lokanath Goswami. That form was Sri Sri Radha Vinod ji. Though we hear that there were 6 Goswami’s of Vrindavan.

he radhe vraja-devike ca lalite he nanda-suno kutah
sri-govardhana-kalpa-padapa-tale kalindi-vane kutah
ghoshantav iti sarvato vraja-pure khedair maha-vihvalau
vande rupa-sanatanau raghu-yugau sri-jiva-gopalakau (Shad Goswami Astakam 8)

Translation: I offer my respectful obeisances unto the six Gosvamis, namely Sri Rupa Gosvami, Sri Sanatana Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha Bhatta Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, Sri Jiva Gosvami, and Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami, who were chanting very loudly everywhere in Vrindavana, shouting, “Queen of Vrindavana, Radharani! O Lalita! O son of Nanda Maharaja! Where are you all now? Are you just on the hill of Govardhana, or are you under the trees on the bank of the Yamuna? Where are you?” These were their moods in executing Krishna consciousness.

krishnotkirtana-gana-nartana-parau premamritambho-nidhi
dhiradhira-jana-priyau priya-karau nirmatsarau pujitau
sri-caitanya-kripa-bharau bhuvi bhuvo bharavahantarakau
vande rupa-sanatanau raghu-yugau sri-jiva-gopalakau (Shad Goswami Astaka 1)

Translation: I offer my respectful obeisances unto the six Gosvamis, namely Sri Rupa Gosvami, Sri Sanatana Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha Bhatta Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, Sri Jiva Gosvami, and Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami, who are always engaged in chanting the holy name of Krishna and dancing. They are just like the ocean of love of God, and they are popular both with the gentle and with the ruffians, because they are not envious of anyone. Whatever they do, they are all-pleasing to everyone, and they are fully blessed by Lord Caitanya. Thus they are engaged in missionary activities meant to deliver all the conditioned souls in the material universe.

But in some places we also read that there were 8 Goswami’s in Vrindavan – Rupa Goswami, Sanatana Goswami and the other 4 Goswami’s + Lokanath Goswami + Bhu Garbha Goswami. Just like other Goswami’s of Vrindavan, Lokanath Goswami would also wander around the holy land of Vraja. There is a place named Khadirvan where Lokanath Goswami established his Bhajan kutir.

Other Goswami’s had their temples in Vrindavan which is known as Sapta Devalya. But Lokanath Goswami would worship his Lordships in his heart. He would carry his Lord around his neck.

nana-sastra-vicaranaika-nipunau sad-dharma-samsthapakau
lokanam hita-karinau tri-bhuvane manyau saranyakarau
radha-Krsna-padaravinda-bhajananandena mattalikau
vande rupa-sanatanau raghu-yugau sri-jiva-gopalakau (Shad Goswami Astaka 2)

Translation: I offer my respectful obeisances unto the six Gosvamis, namely Sri Rupa Gosvami, Sri Sanatana Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha Bhatta Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, Sri Jiva Gosvami, and Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami, who are very expert in scrutinizingly studying all the revealed scriptures with the aim of establishing eternal religious principles for the benefit of all human beings. Thus they are honored all over the three worlds and they are worth taking shelter of because they are absorbed in the mood of the gopis and are engaged in the transcendental loving service of Radha and Krishna.

Once he was chanting the Holyname , he was completely absorbed in this process right from early in the morning till afternoon. By then it was time to offer Raj Bhoga to the Lord. But he had no external consciousness. Radha Vinod was worried, when will he offer Raja Bhoga to me.

Then Krsna himself appeared as Lokanath Goswami and cooked Raja Bhoga. The servant who was assisting Lokanath Goswami came out to take something. Then he saw, Lokanath Goswami was busy chanting and he was completely absorbed in it. And then again he went to the Kitchen. There he saw, Lokanath Goswami was cooking.

Then he could understand that Radha Vinod has himself appeared to cook. Such pastimes would happen with him. But he wouldn’t let them be shared in public.

vairāgya-vidyā-nija-bhakti-yoga-
śikṣārtham ekaḥ puruṣaḥ purāṇaḥ
śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya-śarīra-dhārī
kṛpāmbudhir yas tam ahaṁ prapadye (CC Madhya 6.254)

Translation: Let me take shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, who has descended in the form of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu to teach us real knowledge, His devotional service and detachment from whatever does not foster Kṛṣṇa consciousness. He has descended because He is an ocean of transcendental mercy. Let me surrender unto His lotus feet.

He wanted to avoid any name, fame or glory. He requested Krsna Das Kaviraj Goswami to not mention his name anywhere in Chaitanya Charitamrita. He would say, I am not worthy.

na dhanam na janam na sundarim
kavitam va jagad-isha kamaye
mama janmani janmanishvare
bhavatad bhaktir ahaituki tvayi (Shikshastakam 4)

Translation: O almighty Lord, I have no desire to accumulate wealth, nor do I desire beautiful women, nor do I want any number of followers. I only want your causeless devotional service, birth after birth.

He had a pledge that he would never accept any disciple. But he had to break his pledge because of Srila Narottam Das Thakura.

śrī-nārada uvāca
brahmacārī gurukule
vasan dānto guror hitam
ācaran dāsavan nīco
gurau sudṛḍha-sauhṛdaḥ (ŚB 7.12.1)

Translation: Nārada Muni said: A student should practice completely controlling his senses. He should be submissive and should have an attitude of firm friendship for the spiritual master. With a great vow, the brahmacārī should live at the gurukula, only for the benefit of the guru.

Even though Narottam Das Thakura was born as a Prince, but he accepted his service attitude. He would clean the place every morning where Srila Lokanath Goswami would go to pass stool. Such humility, forced Srila Lokanath Goswami to break his vow.

sri-guru-charana-padma, kevala-bhakati-sadma
bando mui savadhana mate
jahara prasade bhai, e bhava toriya jai,
Krsna-prapti hoy jaha ha’te (Sri Guru Vandana 1)

Translation: The lotus feet of our spiritual master are the only way by which we can attain pure devotional service. I bow to his lotus feet with great awe and reverence. By his grace one can cross the ocean of material suffering and obtain the mercy of Krsna.

This Guru Vandana prayers which we sing every morning, were actually composed by Srila Narottam Das Thakura as an offering to Srila Lokanath Goswami Maharaj.

sri-guru karuna-sindhu, adhama janara bandhu
lokanath lokera jivana
ha ha prabhu koro doya, deho more pada-chaya
ebe jasha ghushuk tribhavana (Sri Guru Vandana 4)

Translation: Our spiritual master is the ocean of mercy, the friend of the poor, and the lord and master of the devotees. O master! Be merciful unto me. Give me the shade of your lotus feet. Your fame is spread all over the three worlds. We take shelter of your lotus feet. You are the friend of the most fallen.

Instructions of the spiritual master should be the life and soul of a disciple. And there should be no other desires. Once I was leading Kirtan in Srila Prabhupada’s quarters at Sri Vrindavan Dham. And then I asked Srila Prabhupada, Prabhupada is there anything I can do for you to get healed? Srila Prabhupada replied, No just chant Hare Krsna. Lead Kirtan and then he said, ar na koriho mane asha. This comes from here,

guru-mukha-padma-vakya, chittete koriya aikya,
ar na koriho mane asha
sri-guru-charane rati, ei se uttama-gati,
je prasade pure sarva asha (Sri Guru Vandana 2)

Translation: Make the teachings emanating from the lotus mouth of our spiritual master one with your heart, and do not desire anything else.  Attachment to his lotus feet is the best way to make spiritual advancement. His mercy fulfills all desires for spiritual perfection.

Sri Krsna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu asked Lokanath Goswami to never leave Vrindavan. And Lokanath Goswami Prabhupada instructed Srila Narottam Das Thakura to go back to Bengal and preach Krsna consciousness there. Similar instructions Acharya tree received from Srila Jiva Goswami Prabhupada also. 

Also very similar instructions, I had also received from Srila Prabhupada. Srila Prabhupada instructed me to go to Mayapur from Sri Vrindavan Dham through Bullock cart. First he asked us to go to Sri Mayapur Dham. And then once we reached Sri Mayapur Dham then he asked us to go to Sri Jagannath Puri Dham from there.

Once we reached Sri Jagannath Puri Dham and Srila Prabhupada was pleased with our service. Then he said, We could have millions of such carts. Devotees would have Darshans of Sri Sri Radha Vinod at Jaipur. Whenever I visit there I make sure to have their Darshans. Make sure to take their Darshans the next time you visit Jaipur.

barhāpīḍaṁ naṭa-vara-vapuḥ karṇayoḥ karṇikāraṁ
bibhrad vāsaḥ kanaka-kapiśaṁ vaijayantīṁ ca mālām
randhrān veṇor adhara-sudhayāpūrayan gopa-vṛndair
vṛndāraṇyaṁ sva-pada-ramaṇaṁ prāviśad gīta-kīrtiḥ (ŚB 10.21.5)

Translation: Wearing a peacock-feather ornament upon His head, blue karṇikāra flowers on His ears, a yellow garment as brilliant as gold, and the Vaijayantī garland, Lord Kṛṣṇa exhibited His transcendental form as the greatest of dancers as He entered the forest of Vṛndāvana, beautifying it with the marks of His footprints. He filled the holes of His flute with the nectar of His lips, and the cowherd boys sang His glories.

This is how Srila Sukhdev Goswami has explained the transcendental form of the Lord. Here we can see his Samadhi Temple. You can have his Darshans and pray so that we could also attain Sri Krsna.

chakshu-dan dilo jei, janme janme prabhu sei
divya-jnan hride prokashito
prema-bhakti jaha hoite, avidya vinasha jate
vede gay jahara charito (Sri Guru Vandana 3)

Translation: He opens my darkened eyes and fills my heart with transcendental knowledge. He is my Lord birth after birth. From him ecstatic prema emanates; by him ignorance is destroyed. The Vedic scriptures sing of his character.

We should pray that may the Guru Parampara bless us with the transcendental knowledge. Let us pray like this at the Lotus feet of Srila Lokanath Goswami. Let’s try to understand his personality. I really like Lokanath Goswami Prabhupada’s personality.

śamo damas tapaḥ śaucaṁ
kṣāntir ārjavam eva ca
jñānaṁ vijñānam āstikyaṁ
brahma-karma svabhāva-jam (Bg. 18.42)

Translation: Peacefulness, self-control, austerity, purity, tolerance, honesty, knowledge, wisdom and religiousness – these are the natural qualities by which the brāhmaṇas work.

As Srila Prabhupada blessed me with his name, Srila Prabhupada made me Lokanath Swami. Though I received his transcendental name but I don’t know when I will develop the qualities like Srila Lokanath Goswami. I am Lokanath for name sake only. But I am trying my best to attain this. 

mach-chittā mad-gata-prāṇā bodhayantaḥ parasparam

kathayantaśh cha māṁ nityaṁ tuṣhyanti cha ramanti cha (BG 10.9)

Translation: With their minds fixed on Me and their lives surrendered to Me, My devotees remain ever content in Me. They derive great satisfaction and bliss in enlightening one another about Me and in conversing about My glories.

I offer such my prayers for success in this attempt, you can also pray on my behalf. There are some additional pictures from Sri Vrindavan Dham – Sri Sri Gokulananda temple. Here we can see Srila Lokanath Goswami and Srila Narottam Das Thakura. Srila Lokanath Goswami is holding Sri Sri Radha Vinod ji in one hand and on the other hand he is holding his chanting beads.

This is how they gave Holyname to this world. When Chaitanya Mahaprabhu visited Bangladesh, there he had performed kirtan along with Lokanath Goswami. Lokanath Goswami Prabhupada’s father was also a very great devotee. He had studied under the guidance of Srila Advaitacharya at Shantipur.

You can also share these pastimes during the day. You can pass on the mercy of Srila Lokanath Goswami with others. You can search the biography and sketches of Srila Lokanath Goswami and go through that during the day. 

This is the picture of Bhajan kutir at Khadirvan. He received Radha Vinod ji at this place. This is his birthplace at Bangladesh. ISKCON was planning to purchase this land. This discussion was going on when I visited Bangladesh last time. Bangladesh was part of Bengal only, East Bengal. Many associates of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu came from there.

Thank you. Hare Krsna.

 

Topic: The Glories of Rathayatra Mahotsava

Date:  30th July 2024

Speaker: HG Vedant Chaitanya Prabhuji

Small Talk by HH Lokanath Swami Gurumaharaj:

It is wrong to think about sense gratification. How will we meditate on the Brahma Jyothi? There is no dham, or Lord on whom we can meditate. This is not a subject of meditation for the Vaishnavas at least. We should meditate on Lord.

Bg. 2.62

dhyāyato viṣayān puṁsaḥ
saṅgas teṣūpajāyate
saṅgāt sañjāyate kāmaḥ
kāmāt krodho ’bhijāyate

Translation

While contemplating the objects of the senses, a person develops attachment for them, and from such attachment lust develops, and from lust anger arises.

aishvaryasya samagrasya

viryasya yashasah shriyah

jnana-vairagyayosh chaiva

shannam bhaga itingana

 

Translation

“Full wealth, strength, fame, beauty, knowledge, and renunciation – these are the six opulences of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.” (Vishnu Purana 6.5.47) By these six opulences one can ascertain what is God.

So we should meditate on Lord who has all the wealth and fame, so Hare Krishna Mahamantra is Lord. This mantra is full of all this six opulences. 

CC Madhya 17.133

nāma cintāmaṇiḥ kṛṣṇaś
caitanya-rasa-vigrahaḥ
pūrṇaḥ śuddho nitya-mukto
’bhinnatvān nāma-nāminoḥ

 

Translation

‘The holy name of Kṛṣṇa is transcendentally blissful. It bestows all spiritual benedictions, for it is Kṛṣṇa Himself, the reservoir of all pleasure. Kṛṣṇa’s name is complete, and it is the form of all transcendental mellows. It is not a material name under any condition, and it is no less powerful than Kṛṣṇa Himself. Since Kṛṣṇa’s name is not contaminated by the material qualities, there is no question of its being involved with māyā. Kṛṣṇa’s name is always liberated and spiritual; it is never conditioned by the laws of material nature. This is because the name of Kṛṣṇa and Kṛṣṇa Himself are identical.’

Our mind wanders after different sense objects:

Bg. 6.26

yato yato niścalati
manaś cañcalam asthiram
tatas tato niyamyaitad
ātmany eva vaśaṁ nayet

Translation

From wherever the mind wanders due to its flickering and unsteady nature, one must certainly withdraw it and bring it back under the control of the Self.

We must engage our mind in Krishna. Take the help of your brain. Chanting is not a fool’s task. So, you slept also in between. Your brain is nit functioning that means. Brain can tell whether I am sleeping or awake. We can use our brain to decide whether we are awake or sleepy. If sleep in between our japa that means we are fools.

Bg. 7.15

na māṁ duṣkṛtino mūḍhāḥ
prapadyante narādhamāḥ
māyayāpahṛta-jñānā
āsuraṁ bhāvam āśritāḥ

Translation

Those miscreants who are grossly foolish, who are lowest among mankind, whose knowledge is stolen by illusion, and who partake of the atheistic nature of demons do not surrender unto Me.

Maya steals our focus or knowledge. It makes us fools. So be cautious and take the help of your brain. Meditate on holynames, when you do that, then you can meditate in the form of the Lord and when we do that we will meditate on the qualities of Lord then we can remember the pastimes of Lord, and then we meditate on his associates as well and then finally we mediate on Dham. So we can remember the holynames, qualities, pastimes, associates and Dham of the Lord. So we have a variety as all of them are Krishna himself; his names, qualities, associates who are his relatives and dham- is his expansion. Keep chanting. If you are sleepy, then stand up and chant and then sit again and chant. Wash your face with cold water, do something when you are asleep. Think something to remove sleep. Ask someone to wake you up. Don’t get angry when someone wakes you up. Appreciate someone if they wake you up. This give and take is only called yoga or connection with Lord. Establish your relationship more and more.  We are chanting to deepen our relationship with Lord. Remember Lord while chanting, this is the process. What we should not do? Don’t think about Maya. We have to do only this, we have to think about Krishna and forget Maya while chanting. We must do nothing apart from this. Our life will be successful, and this self-realization is the goal of life. We have to go Back to home, back to Godhead. Do these do things-meditate on Lord and forget Maya. We have to practice this everyday and every second.  Don’t think about sense objects, words, smell, form, ras and touch. We have to stay away from them. Material touches which are their in malls, form, ras and smell he should leave this. We should not engage ourselves in this completely. Think about Lord that is Su-Vichara. Then there is Ku-vichar which is not thinking about Krishna. From Suvichara we will have good morning and night also. On the basis of these good wishes, we will have good morning. So Vedant and Chaitanya together. The essence of Vedas is Chaitanya. His words is his introduction. Now hear him nicely.

HG Vedant Chaitanya Prabhuji:

Dandvat Pranam to Gurumaharaj and all the devotees.

Introduction of  courses from Rupanuga Vidyapeeth Pandharpur.

So we should do these types of organised courses. Although these lectures are available on youtube, but it is important to listen carefully. Generally, we don’t listen properly, but when we listen in these courses which has exams, then only we study properly. Exam fear makes us study. They should read and listen. We just read for the sake of it. So this is a systematic study and then we can understand the subjects properly. We are creating these courses to give a platform for devotees to learn scriptures. This is run by the will of Srila Gurudev. We have created a school-college kind of environment and please float these courses in different groups. 

om ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjana-salakaya
cakshur unmilitam yena tasmai sri-gurave namah

nama om vishnu-padaya krishna-preshthaya bhutale

srimate bhaktivedanta-swamin iti namine

namas te saraswate deve gaura-vani-pracharine

nirvishesha shunyavadi pashchatya desha tarine

jaya sri-krishna-chaitanya
prabhu nityananda
sri-adwaita gadadhara
shrivasadi-gaura-bhakta-vrinda

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare

In bhakti our progress is dependent on our interest in hearing and how much we can chant. This determines our success in bhakti. These things cannot happen separately, it goes hand in hand. So we talk about senior devotees and many people think that we are senior devotees so we don’t need to do these courses. I want to ask them why do they think so? So we should be senior in Namrata, tolerance and knowledge and a person how is senior in this things is actually senior. If someone is demanding seniority then that means that person is not senior at all. So we have to become senior in these things and if you follow these things, then we can consider that person as senior. One should not demand respect but command respect, Guru Maharaj says this. His character, behaviour should reflect that. So these symptoms are automatically shown. We don’t need to ask for it. He excels in naam ruchi, knowledge etc and then if they command respect then that is not right. They give respect rather than receiving it. People will treat you as senior rather than you demanding for it.  These devic gunas can come when we have mercy of senior vaishnavas but we cannot develop these qualities on our own. Devotees say that we can get  angry even when we are in ISKCON for so many years. So, we should continuously do practice to give up these bad qualities. If the guru and Vaishanava  are pleased, then these qualities develop. We can’t bring these qualities on our own. These are the intrinsic quality of the soul. We have taken dirty upon us, just like dirt fade aways the shine of the diamond. We should remove the dirt to show the shine of diamond. So, by hearing, serving, staying at holy place, we can remove the dust layer of maya. Then we become tolerant and we become humble. So all these layers should be removed by service, hearing, worshipping dham vaas and chanting.

Bg. 7.25

nāhaṁ prakāśaḥ sarvasya
yoga-māyā-samāvṛtaḥ
mūḍho ’yaṁ nābhijānāti
loko mām ajam avyayam

Translation

I am never manifest to the foolish and unintelligent. For them I am covered by My internal potency, and therefore they do not know that I am unborn and infallible.

When someone listens to katha of Krishna with great concentration, then these anarthas wash away. We give respect to others, leave our pride etc. So it shows in person whose Avranas are removed. Sravana is very important. In SB

ŚB 1.2.17

śṛṇvatāṁ sva-kathāḥ kṛṣṇaḥ
puṇya-śravaṇa-kīrtanaḥ
hṛdy antaḥ stho hy abhadrāṇi
vidhunoti suhṛt satām

Translation

Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Personality of Godhead, who is the Paramātmā [Supersoul] in everyone’s heart and the benefactor of the truthful devotee, cleanses desire for material enjoyment from the heart of the devotee who has developed the urge to hear His messages, which are in themselves virtuous when properly heard and chanted.

So listening is important for removing this anartha layers. We should listen very carefully with great attention and we should hear each word carefully. Many times, deer roams in the jungle and he hears very carefully so that he is aware if the lion comes. If they does not hear properly, then the lion can eat them and his life is gone. So, they listen carefully. If we don’t hear carefully then there is no point in listening. So the deer loves his life so dearly but when we don’t hear and listen properly then we are not able to break the shackles of so many lives. So Sukadev Goswami asks Parikshit Maharaj to please hear with great attention. 

A person who is very humble then we understand from Guru. Till the time the disciple is not humble then till that time we cannot make them understand about the confidential knowledge. So Gurumaharaj said that this shloka tells about the patrata of a person. If we don’t have a patrata, then how can we accept the mercy of Guru. This patra is

CC Ādi 17.31

tṛṇād api su-nīcena
taror iva sahiṣṇunā
amāninā māna-dena
kīrtanīyaḥ sadā hariḥ

Translation

“One who thinks himself lower than the grass, who is more tolerant than a tree, and who does not expect personal honor yet is always prepared to give all respect to others can very easily always chant the holy name of the Lord.”

We can understand the patrata of a person by assessing these four qualities. Guru can always give mercy but if we do not have patrata then what is the use?  These four qualities are important to imbibe in us so that we can develop the patrata. A person who is humble only he can take knowledge. 

Once HH Sivarama Swami said, if we don’t develop a heart-to-heart relationship with Gurudev UNTIL that time Guru doesn’t reveal the confidential knowledge. Guru cannot express themselves fully if trust is not built. People who win the trust of people, only they can succeed in devotion. Only those people can understand the knowledge. Trust is next to love. It is not easy to win someone’s trust, it takes years and years of time, when a person serves the Guru, then he gives the knowledge to us.

Sri Guru-vandana

Text 3
cakshu-dan dilo jei, janme janme prabhu sei,
divya jnan hride prokasito
prema-bhakti jaha hoite, avidya vinasa jate,
vede gay jahara carito

Translation

He opens my darkened eyes and fills my heart with transcendental knowledge. He is my Lord birth after birth. From him ecstatic prema emanates; by him ignorance is destroyed. The Vedic scriptures sing of his character.

Kripa is of two types-Kapta and Nishkapta kripa. Kapta kripa is when he praise you but this Nishkapta Kripa happens when we get scolding from guru. We think our service is good, but if we don’t reach that level actually then Guru knows and then he talks in that way. In Srimad Bhagavatam, What is that life without scolding of Guru. We need to make ourselves qualified to receive that mercy.

So we can take up one question.

Ques 1. So if we feel insulted by seniors then what should we do? So they treat VIPS and they don’t treat us properly. So what should we do? They say that your behaivior is not good and all.

Ans1. In your home, we don’t treat our housemates as VIPS. So similarly when we become residents of the temple, we should leave it there only. This is not a big thing. So when a guest comes in the house, then we treat them differently. Seniors should know we should not hurt anyone’s ego. We feel bad when someone tries to find fault. This is Lord’s mercy that someone is taking out mistakes in us. So we should take it us mercy of Krishna. It is a way of cleansing us. So if you can’t bear that then you can distance yourself from that person.

 

 

Date: 31 July 2024 

Speaker:  HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj

Topic: Appearance of Lord Chaitanya

HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj:

Please chant!

CC Ādi 2.3:

jaya jaya śrī-caitanya jaya nityānanda
jayādvaita-candra jaya gaura-bhakta-vṛnda

Translation:
All glories to Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Lord Śrī Nityānanda! All glories to Advaitacandra, and all glories to the devotees of Lord Gaurāṅga!

You know this verse?
It is in the beginning of every chapter of the Caitanya Charitamrita compiled by Srila Krishna Das Kaviraja Goswami.
Basically he is saying the victory of Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Nityanand Prabhu and Advait Acharya. There are so many devotees whose glories he wants to say. That’s why he said Gaur Bhakt Vrinda. You all are also in the group of devotees of Gaur Chandra. If you become a devotee then you are also glorified in the last line. 

Today is ekadasi which is a benediction itself. Srila Krishna Das Kaviraja Goswami also gives us a benediction in the beginning of Chaitanya Charitamrita. We will discuss about this, who is lord Chaitanya and why did he appear?
CC Ādi 1.4:

anarpita-carīṁ cirāt karuṇayāvatīrṇaḥ kalau
samarpayitum unnatojjvala-rasāṁ sva-bhakti-śriyam
hariḥ puraṭa-sundara-dyuti-kadamba-sandīpitaḥ
sadā hṛdaya-kandare sphuratu vaḥ śacī-nandanaḥ

Translation:
May the Supreme Lord who is known as the son of Śrīmatī Śacī-devī be transcendentally situated in the innermost chambers of your heart. Resplendent with the radiance of molten gold, He has appeared in the Age of Kali by His causeless mercy to bestow what no incarnation has ever offered before: the most sublime and radiant mellow of devotional service, the mellow of conjugal love.

 
Srila Krishna Das Kaviraja Goswami is also a Manjari who has appeared as an associate of Lord Chaitanya. So, if anyone knows lord Krishna, it is Radha, Gopis and Manjaris. So, he knows who is Lord Chaitanya. That’s why he is telling us. 

Srimad Bhagavatam is a graduate study and Chaitanya Charitamrita is post graduate. So, I was thinking Vyasa Dev has compiled Srimad Bhagavatam and Chaitanya Charitamrita is considered more deeper a subject. So, Srila Krishna Das Kaviraja is higher than Vyasa Deva. As Vyasa Deva know only Krishna. But Srila Krishna Das Kaviraja Goswami knows Lord Chaitanya. So, he has the authority to share such knowledge. 

anarpita — not bestowed; carīm — having been formerly; cirāt — for a long time;

Lord Krishna appears once in the day of Brahma. He appears at the end of Dvapur yuga and now in the first Sandhya of Kali yuga, hardly 500 years ago, he appeared as Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. 

Krishna is the Avatari. He appeared once in a Kalpa. Lord Chaitanya appeared later to relish and share the pastimes of Lord Krishna.

samarpayitum — to bestow; unnata — elevated; ujjvala-rasām — the conjugal mellow; 

bestow what no incarnation has ever offered before: the most sublime and radiant mellow of devotional service, the mellow of conjugal love.

 BG 4.2:

evaṁ paramparā-prāptam
imaṁ rājarṣayo viduḥ
sa kāleneha mahatā
yogo naṣṭaḥ paran-tapa

Translation:

This supreme science was thus received through the chain of disciplic succession, and the saintly kings understood it in that way. But in course of time the succession was broken, and therefore the science as it is appears to be lost.

But in course of time the succession was broken, and therefore the science as it is appearing to be lost.

karuṇayā — by causeless mercy; avatīrṇaḥ — descended; kalau — in the Age of Kali;

he gives up his abode and comes out of his causeless mercy, seeing the suffering of the living entity.

Cc. Ādi 1.5: 

rādhā kṛṣṇa-praṇaya-vikṛtir hlādinīśaktir asmād

ekātmānāv api deha-bhedaṁ gatau tau caitanyākhyaṁ

prakaṭam adhunā tad-dvayaṁ caikyam āptaṁ

rādhā-bhāva-dyuti-suvalitaṁ naumi kṛṣṇa-svarūpam

Translation:

The loving affairs of Śrī Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa are transcendental manifestations of the Lord’s internal pleasure-giving potency. Although Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa are one in Their identity, previously They separated Themselves. Now these two transcendental identities have again united, in the form of Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya. I bow down to Him, who has manifested Himself with the sentiment and complexion of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī although He is Kṛṣṇa Himself.

Lord’s abode has two parts:  one is vraja Vrindavan; where Radha Krishna and the gopis reside and doing pastimes.
second is Navadwipa; they are combined as lord Chaitanya.

The identity of Lord Chaitanya can be known as, śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya, rādhā-kṛṣṇa nahe anya: “Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu is a combination of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa.” Where lord Chaitanya gave darshan as Radha and Krishna is also known as Vrindavan. 

Sri krishna Chaitanya is the combined form of Radha and Krishna. He has the complexion of molten gold. His charmis as the thundering light.

tapta-kāñcana-gaurāṅgi rādhe vṛndāvaneśvari

vṛṣabhānu-sute devi praṇamāmi hari-priye

Translation:

I offer my respects to Rādhārāṇī, whose bodily complexion is like molten gold and who is the Queen of Vṛndāvana. You are the daughter of King Vṛṣabhānu, and You are very dear to Lord Kṛṣṇa.   

 rādhā — of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī; bhāva — mood; dyuti — the luster; suvalitam — who is adorned with; naumi — I offer my obeisances; kṛṣṇa-svarūpam — to Him who is identical with Śrī Kṛṣṇa
 I bow down to Him, who has manifested Himself with the sentiment and complexion of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī although He is Kṛṣṇa Himself.”

538 years ago, Lord Chaitanya appeared in the mood of Srimati Radha Rani, as he wanted to know the emotions of Radha. There are many mellows. But the vishrambha parts of these mellows are the ones that lord wanted to relish and preach. 

Once, in Dwarika, Rukmini asks Krishna that there are some things that I know and Srimati Radha rani knows even more about you that even you don’t know. Krishna says how is this? I know everything. He said its true what pangs of separation Radha feels she alone knows that. So, lord desired at that moment in Dvarika. I want to know her more. So, after winding up his pastimes and in going back in Vaikunta Krishna thinks, “I don’t know Radha. I want to know her love, her devotion, her experiences. He thought like this in Goloka and he desires to appear again.”

Srila Krsna das Goswami explains the reason for the lord to appear.

The primary reason is:
BG 4.8:

paritranaya sadhunam
vinasaya ca duskrtam
dharma-samsthapanarthaya
sambhavami yuge yuge

TRANSLATION:
In order to deliver the pious and to annihilate the miscreants, as well as to reestablish the principles of religion, I advent Myself millennium after millennium.

 

But the main and confidential reason is:

 

CC Ādi 1.6:

śrī-rādhāyāḥ praṇaya-mahimā kīdṛśo vānayaivā-
svādyo yenādbhuta-madhurimā kīdṛśo vā madīyaḥ
saukhyaṁ cāsyā mad-anubhavataḥ kīdṛśaṁ veti lobhāt
tad-bhāvāḍhyaḥ samajani śacī-garbha-sindhau harīnduḥ

Translation:
Desiring to understand the glory of Rādhārāṇī’s love, the wonderful qualities in Him that She alone relishes through Her love, and the happiness She feels when She realizes the sweetness of His love, the Supreme Lord Hari, richly endowed with Her emotions, appeared from the womb of Śrīmatī Śacī-devī, as the moon appeared from the ocean.

He wants to give the conjugal mellow. He appeared in Mayapur and gives the love of Vrindavan. In this mellow, all other mellows are included. Krishna is thinking that all the awe and reverence that is in the heart of the devotees actually create a barrier. So, he is happy and not happy as well. He wants the devotees to love him like a friend, I will be happier.

CC Adi, 4.25:

sakhā śuddha-sakhye kare, skandhe ārohaṇa
tumi kon baḍa loka, — tumi āmi sama

Translation:

“My friends climb on My shoulders in pure friendship, saying, ‘What kind of big man are You? You and I are equal.’

CC Ādi 4.21-22:

mora putra, mora sakhā, mora prāṇa-pati
ei-bhāve yei more kare śuddha-bhakti
āpanāke baḍa māne, āmāre sama-hīna
sei bhāve ha-i āmi tāhāra adhīna

Translation:
“If one cherishes pure loving devotion to Me, thinking of Me as his son, his friend or his beloved, regarding himself as great and considering Me his equal or inferior, I become subordinate to him.

 The older ones of Vrindavan loves Krishna as their son. Krishna feels so happy with their love. Like when Yashoda runs after Krishna and ties him up. he enjoys it more. This is the topmost mellows.
He appears in kali yuga to relish and distribute these mellows.
 samarpayitum — to bestow; unnata — elevated; ujjvala-rasām — the conjugal mellow; sva-bhakti — of His own service; śriyam — the treasure;
 

He appeared to give his service and his bhakti.

Srila Krsna das Kaviraj Goswami is giving us, Gaura devotees, a benediction, his well wishes, his blessings in the Mangalacharan.
May the Supreme Lord who is known as the son of Śrīmatī Śacī-devī be transcendentally situated in the innermost chambers of your heart.
May He encourage you, enthuse you and give this foremost mellow. What all should he give. He has given his opinion.

Chaitanya Manjusha:

ārādhyo bhagavān vrajeśa tanayas tad dhāma śrī vrṇdāvanam
ramyā kācid upāsanā vrajavadhū vargeṇa vā kalpitā
śrīmad-bhāgavatam amalaṁ purāṇaṁ
śrī-caitanya mahāprabhor matam idaṁ tatrādarāḥ na paraḥ

Translation:
The Personality of Godhead Śrī Krishna, Who is known as the son of the King of Vrajadhāma i.e. Śrī Nanda Mahārajā, is the ultimate worshipful Lord of all Lords. Similarly His residential abode namely the holy place of Vṛndāvana is as much worshipful as the Lord is Himself. The ways of His worship maybe various but the one which was conceived by the circle of the damsels of Vrajadhāma is unsurpassable by any other devotee. Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam Purāṇam is the unalloyed guidance for this purpose of approaching the worshipful Lord and that is the sum total opinion or cultural philosophy of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

He is asking us to read Srimad Bhagavatam and relish it. He showed by his own example. God became devotee to devotee.

CC Ādi 7.6:

pañca-tattvātmakaṁ kṛṣṇaṁ
bhakta-rūpa-svarūpakam
bhaktāvatāraṁ bhaktākhyaṁ
namāmi bhakta-śaktikam

Translation:
Let me offer my obeisances unto Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, who has manifested Himself in five as a devotee, expansion of a devotee, incarnation of a devotee, pure devotee and devotional energy.

As a devotee he loves Vrindavan and he goes there.  He stayed in Jagannath Puri for 12 years in the mood of Radha Rani, always hearing from Raya Ramanada, Swarup, recitation of Chandidas, Krishna Krnamrita. By giving up dharam, Artha, kama, and moksha and accept the fifth purusharth- love. A devotee literally should spit on these four purusharthas. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu advised us to give up these and accept the love of Lord.

CC Madhya 19.53:

namo mahā-vadānyāya
kṛṣṇa-prema-pradāya te
kṛṣṇāya kṛṣṇa-caitanya-
nāmne gaura-tviṣe namaḥ

 

Translation:
“O most munificent incarnation! You are Kṛṣṇa Himself appearing as Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Mahāprabhu. You have assumed the golden color of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, and You are widely distributing pure love of Kṛṣṇa. We offer our respectful obeisances unto You.

He is the most merciful. He is more merciful than Krishna.

He spread the love of Krishna by chanting and kirtan Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Krishna himself becomes Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. I bestow in the lotus feet of him. 

So, May He bestow upon you the top most mellows, residence in his holy abode, achieve love of God head. May that be our topmost goal and may we become his devotee.

Srila Bhakti Siddhant Sarasvati Thakur inspire Prabhupada to spread the Krishna Consciousness in the whole world. Lord Chaitanya himself inspired in the form of Srila Bhakti Siddhant Sarasvati Thakur.

Its our duty to propagate this further in our society. 

Cc. Madhya 7.128:

amara ajnaya guru haya tare ei deśa

yare dekha, tare kaha ‘kṛṣṇa’-upadeśa

Translation:

Instruct everyone to follow the orders of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa as they are given in the Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. In this way become a spiritual master and try to liberate everyone in this land.

 This instruction is given by not only to the brahmin, but also for all of us.

Srila Prabhupada has done so much for us. Now it is our duty to give this benediction to everyone.

Cc. Ādi 9.41:

bharata bhumite manusya janma haila jara

janma sārthaka kari’ kara paropakāra

Translation:

One who has taken his birth as a human being in the land of India [Bhārata-varṣa] should make his life successful and work for the benefit of all other people.

 

Hare Krishna!

 

03 August 2024

How to live and leave

Speaker: HG Harikirtan prabhu

HG Padmamali prabhu: After around one month of Guru Maharaj’s Vyaspuja, HG Hari Kirtan Prabhu is with us. We remember he had delivered two continuous sessions on Vanaprastha Ashram prior to Guru Maharaj’s Vyaspuja. Prabhu ji has left his renowned position as Civil Engineer and now he is working on Guru Maharaj’s different projects like ISKCON Nagpur and Bhuvaikuntha in Sri Pandharpur Dham. He is serving in Guru Maharaj’s temple projects as a full time devotee. He is the co-president of Iskcon Nagpur. 

HG Harikirtan prabhu: When HG Padmamali prabhu was speaking about myself, I remembered HH Guru Prasad Swami Maharaj, who visited Sri Dham Pandharpur recently. When we shared his details, Maharaj commented, please pray that I could get freed from all these designations. Very Similar feeling I had when Padmamali Prabhu gave my introduction.

Today’s topic is also in line with the previously discussed topics – How to live and leave nicely. This life is a journey towards death. 

āścarya-vat paśyati kaścid enam

āścarya-vad vadati tathaiva cānyaḥ

āścarya-vac cainam anyaḥ śṛṇoti

śrutvāpy enaṁ veda na caiva kaścit (Bg. 2.29)

Translation: Some look on the soul as amazing, some describe him as amazing, and some hear of him as amazing, while others, even after hearing about him, cannot understand him at all.

Death is the final examination. Death as a topic has always attracted me. Death is certain. Srila Prabhupada used to say “As sure as death”. We may make plans, plans of outing, strategies for growth and profit, that may happen or may not happen. It is not certain, however well planned. We may hear, someone left the world unexpectedly.

But there are no un-expectations about death. Yudhisthira Maharaj was asked what is the most strange in this world? He replied, everybody knows that they need to die one day still they lead their life in such a way, as if they are never going to die.

ahany ahani bhūtāni

gacchantīha yamālayam

śeṣāḥ sthāvaram icchanti

kim āścaryam ataḥ paraṁ (Mahabharata, Vana-parva 313.116)

Translation: Hundreds and thousands of living entities meet death at every moment, but a foolish living being nonetheless thinks himself deathless and does not prepare for death. This is the most wonderful thing in this world.

During the Autumn season, the tree shades away all it’s leaves as if it’s completely dead, it shows no symptoms of life. And then as soon as there is a spring season it blooms once again. We have seen in childhood, how a caterpillar who wants to become a butterfly. It enters it’s pupa and it struggles.

Then it comes out as a beautiful butterfly. It’s a transition phase. We have taken so many births and each life was a failure. We failed the final exam of death in every previous birth. This is proven by our birth itself. Our last memories are bringing us back into this world.

yaṁ yaṁ vāpi smaran bhāvaṁ

tyajaty ante kalevaram

taṁ tam evaiti kaunteya

sadā tad-bhāva-bhāvitaḥ (BG 8.6)

Translation: Whatever state of being one remembers when he quits his body, O son of Kuntī, that state he will attain without fail.

anta-kāle ca mām eva

smaran muktvā kalevaram

yaḥ prayāti sa mad-bhāvaṁ

yāti nāsty atra saṁśayaḥ (BG 8.5)

Translation: And whoever, at the end of his life, quits his body remembering Me alone at once attains My nature. Of this there is no doubt.

Both verses have smaran in them. Our goal should be to engage our mind in Krsna, to bring it in the shelter of devotees. Any other accomplishment that we have attained, will be snatched from us at the time of death. 

yena tena prakāreṇa manaḥ kṛṣṇe niveśayet (Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu – 1.2.4)

Translation: Somehow or other just engage your mind in loving Shri Radha Krsna every moment. This is the only goal of sadhna!

This morning I was discussing with Guru Maharaj, how I had a dream this morning. In that dream I was struggling to get a cab, as I had a meeting scheduled with Guru Maharaj and he was waiting for me. Later on when I woke up I realized that I was lying on my bed at a Guest house in Pilibhit. When I got up I realized that with this all stress, what I had was illusion. 

The life is like a stage. We all are just playing our part. In the end the curtain falls and all the characters are back to original positions. This is a golden opportunity for all of us. Guru Maharaj is so merciful. Daily in the morning, he tells us Jiv Jago.

jīv jāgo, jīv jāgo, gauracānda bole

kota nidrā jāo māyā-piśācīra kole (Jiv Jago Jiv Jago 1)

Tranlation: Lord Gauranga is calling, “Wake up, sleeping souls! Wake up, sleeping souls! How long will you sleep in the lap of the witch called Maya?

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is calling us. But we are replying No, I like to sleep and I want to continue sleeping. We are entrapped in the desires of this material world. How do you prioritize? Do you give highest priority to Krsna? When your garment is worn out, you will have to change it. This body is like a car. We may get it repaired to some extent, but at one point one has to stop using it and replace it with a new one.

sarvasya cāhaṁ hṛdi sanniviṣṭo

mattaḥ smṛtir jñānam apohanaṁ ca

vedaiś ca sarvair aham eva vedyo

vedānta-kṛd veda-vid eva cāham (Bg. 15.15)

Translation: I am seated in everyone’s heart, and from Me come remembrance, knowledge and forgetfulness. By all the Vedas, I am to be known. Indeed, I am the compiler of Vedānta, and I am the knower of the Vedas.

Krsna is the controller. Stronger the relationship, more is the chance that Krsna will listen to our prayers. HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj as well as Chanakya Pandit has said, always remember two things: How uncertain is Death and the Holy name. One thing we should always forget, that is the misconduct done to ourselves by other Devotees.

Once a devotee was admitted to the hospital and she was going to be given anesthesia. She tried hard to remember the Lord, but in the end that didn’t become possible. Whereas there was another devotee who was a good devotee and was having a regular chanting habit. She had a brain stroke and she had an operation.

She forgot everything but could recall Hare Krsna Mahamantra even after her operation. And as the time passes, she could recall everything. So this depends upon our personal relationship with Krsna. That is the original goal of life. 

The mind remembers everything from our past life. Bhagavad Gita is a true manual for us to understand everything. Raghavdas Brahmachari was travelling in a car and while driving the driver went to sleep and the car got smashed. Raghavdas Brahmachari died and Srila Prabhupada said that whatever devotion he performed in his life will be carried to his next life in more advanced way. In his next life, he became a mataji. That mataji remembered everything that she was a Brahmachari in her previous life. 

Raghavdas Brahmachari was attached to a girl. When that mataji remembered her previous life, she went to that girl to meet her and she saw that she was having the same features as that of that girl. Because Raghavdas Brahmachari was thinking of that girl and because of that consciousness, he got those features in his next life. 

In 1973, Raghavdas Brahmachari died and that mataji was born in 1975. This episode of Raghavdas Brahmachari is available on google. So our mind remembers everything and our consciousness is carried to our next life. The devotees made his astrological chart when he died. When Dhruv Maharaj was going to Bhagavad dham, he saw death personified.

Ugram Viram Maha Vishnum Jvalantam Sarvato Mukham

Nirisimham Bhishanam Bhadram Mrutyur Mrutyum Namamy Aham (Narsimha Mantra)

Translation: May my head be protected by the moon colored one, who is the greatest among humans. My obeisances unto the ferocious and powerful, the great Visnu, the fiery one, who’s faces are on all sides, the fearful one, Nrsimha, who causes the death of even death personified, (or who can overcome death).

These attachments will not let us enter Bhagavad dham.

sarvopādhi-vinirmuktaṁ

tat-paratvena nirmalam

hṛṣīkeṇa hṛṣīkeśa-

sevanaṁ bhaktir ucyate (CC Madhya 19.170)

Translation: Bhakti, or devotional service, means engaging all our senses in the service of the Lord, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the master of all the senses. When the spirit soul renders service unto the Supreme, there are two side effects. One is freed from all material designations, and one’s senses are purified simply by being employed in the service of the Lord.

If we have intense attachments for material things, then we will not reach our goal. Dissolve your subtle body and surrender to the Lord. After listening, be determined about your intense sadhu sanga and Bhajan. Death can come any day. Ask yourself, what should I do to get attached to Kṛṣṇa. I will remember the Lord’s form, activities and pastimes. If the mind gets attached then there will be punarapi jananam (Repeated Birth and Death). Also don’t get attached to the service and only obey the instructions of your spiritual master.

Hare Krsna.

 

04 August 2024

Glories of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu

Speaker: HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj

Hare Krsna. Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur is singing this Gaura Aarti. I remember how we used to fight to sing the Gaura Aarti in the Sri Sri Radha Rasbihari Mandir. A loving fight, of the good old days. This Aarti praises Gauranga Mahaprabhu. Both Bhoga Aarti and Gaura Aarti are composed by Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur. As soon as the temple doors opened, many devotees would start singing together. Then some would continue singing and some humble devotees would stop singing out of shyness. I used to be in the queue of those who kept singing.

(kiba) jaya jaya goracander aratiko sobha

jahnavi-tata-vane jaga-mana-lobha

jaga-jana-mana-lobha

(First Refrain)

gauranger arotik sobha

jaga-jana-mana-lobha (Gaur Aarti 1)

 

dakhine nitaicand, bame gadadhara

nikate adwaita, srinivasa chatra-dhara (Gaur Aarti 2)

Translation: (1) All glories, all glories to the beautiful arati ceremony of Lord Caitanya. This Gaura-arati is taking place in

a grove on the banks of the Jahnavi [Ganges] and is attracting the minds of all living entities in the universe.

(2) On Lord Caitanya’s right side is Lord Nityananda, and on His left is Sri Gadadhara. Nearby stands Sri

Advaita, and Srivasa Thakura is holding an umbrella over Lord Caitanya’s head.

 

He is describing the scene so beautifully. Here are some names of Gods and Goddesses. But we have thirty crore Gods and Goddesses and all of them have come now for Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. But they had come for Krsna also and for Lord Narasimha also.

 

bosiyache goracand ratna-simhasane

arati koren brahma-adi deva-gane (Gaur Aarti 3)

Translation: Lord Caitanya has sat down on a jeweled throne, and the demigods, headed by Lord Brahma, perform the

arati ceremony.

 

suta uvaca

yam brahma varunendra-rudra-marutah stunvanti divyaih stavair

 vedaih sanga-pada-kramopanisadair gayanti yam sama-gah

dhyanavasthita-tad-gatena manasa pasyanti yam yogino

 yasyantam na viduh surasura-gana devaya tasmai namah (SB 12.13.1)

Translation: Suta Gosvami said: Unto that personality whom Brahma, Varuna, Indra, Rudra and the Maruts praise by chanting transcendental hymns and reciting the Vedas with all their corollaries, pada-kramas and Upanisads, to whom the chanters of the Sama Veda always sing, whom the perfected yogis see within their minds after fixing themselves in trance and absorbing themselves within Him, and whose limit can never be found by any demigod or demon — unto that Supreme Personality of Godhead I offer my humble obeisances.

 

narahari-adi kori’ camara dhulaya

sanjaya-mukunda-basu-ghosh-adi gaya (Gaur Aarti 4)

Translation: Narahari Sarakara and other associates of Lord Caitanya fan Him with camaras, and devotees headed by Sanjaya Pandita, Mukunda Datta, and Vasu Ghosha sing sweet kirtana.

 

Vasu Ghosh is famous for his singing. Vasudev Ghosh used to sing very beautifully, and it is described that he is singing the Aarti. 

jaya jaya jagannātha sacīra nandan

tribhūvana kore jār caraṇa vandan (Jaya Jaya Jagannath 1)

Translation: All glories, all glories to the dear son of Jagannatha Misra and Saci Devi! All the three worlds offer prayers unto His lotus feet.

 

vāsudeva ghoṣa bole kori joḍa hāt

jei gaura sei kṛṣṇa sei jagannāth (Jaya Jaya Jagannath 5)

Translation: Vasudeva Ghosa says with folded hands, “He who is Gaura is He who is Krishna is He who is Jagannatha.”

 

We sing many songs written by Vasudev Ghosh. There is also a ulādhvanī.

sankha baje ghanta baje baje karatala

madhura mridanga baje parama rasala

(Second Refrain)

sankha baje ghanta baje

madhur madhur madhur baje (Gaur Aarti 5)

Translation: Conchshells, bells, and karatalas resound, and the mridangas play very sweetly. This kirtana music is supremely sweet and relishable to hear.

 

Blowing the conch is a symbol of pride. So here the glory of the Lord is shown. That is why the priest blows the conch at the beginning of every Aarti.

 

bahu-koti candra jini’ vadana ujjvala

gala-dese bana-mala kore jhalamala (Gaur Aarti 6)

Translation: The brilliance of Lord Caitanya’s face conquers millions upon millions of moons, and the garland of forest flowers around His neck shines.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is fair and beautiful, his body parts are beautiful. The English sentence “Millions of moons” comes from here. The radiance of millions of moons is emanating from the lotus face of Lord Chaitanya. This radiance is beyond the imagination of the worshipers of Brahma Jyoti. The radiance of Lord Chaitanya’s face conquers millions of moons, and a garland of forest flowers shines around his neck.

siva-suka-narada preme gada-gada

bhakativinoda dekhe gorara sampada (Gaur Aarti 7)

Translation: Lord Siva, Sukadeva Gosvami, and Narada Muni are all there, and their voices are choked with the ecstasy of transcendental love. Thus Thakura Bhaktivinoda envisions the glory of Lord Sri Caitanya.

Brahma, Narada Muni and Srila Sukhadeva Goswami have also come here to pay their respects. The center of this Hare Krsna movement is Sri Krsna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. This is my opinion. Just some time ago, Lord Gauranga Mahaprabhu appeared in form and Srila Prabhupada propagated his movement. We have two Bhagavatas – Srimad Bhagavata and Chaitanya Bhagavata. Srila Vyasadeva again appeared and preached Chaitanya Bhagavata.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu himself has established this Sankirtana movement. His open lotus-like eyes are now showering compassion. People of this world also want to look like him and he is not alone. There are two Bhagavans – Gauranga and Nityananda.

 

vadanti tat tattva-vidas

tattvaṁ yaj jñānam advayam

brahmeti paramātmeti

bhagavān iti śabdyate (ŚB 1.2.11)

Translation: Learned transcendentalists who know the Absolute Truth call this nondual substance Brahman, Paramātmā or Bhagavān.

Gauranga Nityananda Bol Hari Bol! We can say this only twice. Once I did kirtan in Delhi temple and chanted Hari Bol! many times, others were also doing it. It was Radhastami day. Then when Srila Prabhupada met me in Mayapur, he forbade us from doing this.

ajanu-lambita-bhujau kanakavadhatau

sankirtanaika-pitarau kamalayataksau

visvambharau dvija-varau yuga-dharma palau

vande jagat-priyakaro karunavatarau (Caitanya-bhagavata 1.1.1)

Translation: I offer my respects unto Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Sri Nityananda Prabhu, whose arms extend down to Their knees, who have golden yellow complexions, and who inaugurated the congregational chanting of the Holy Names. Their eyes resemble the petals of a lotus; They are the maintainers of all living entities; They are the best of brahmanas, the protectors of religious principles for this age, the benefactors of the universe, and the most merciful of all incarnations. 

Krsna Balaram and Ram Lakshman, these two always appear together. Like that time also Krsna has become Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Balaram has become Nityananda.

Vrajendra-nandana jei, saci-suta hoilo sei,

balarama hoilo nitai

dina-hina jata chilo, hari-name uddharilo,

tara sakshi jagai madhai (Hari Hari Bifale 3)

Translation: Lord Krishna, who is the son of the King of Vraja, became the son of Saci (Lord Caitanya), and Balarama became Nitai. The holy name delivered all those souls who were lowly and wretched. The two sinners Jagai and Madhai are evidence of this.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is born in the house of Jagannath Mishra. And Nityananda is born as the son of Hadi Pandit. Life is very boring. But Chaitanya Mahaprabhu gives life. Chaitanya means conscious – The one who gives life. He is the protector of the religious principles of this age, the benefactor of the universe, and the most compassionate of all incarnations.

paritrāṇāya sādhūnāṁ vināśhāya cha duṣhkṛitām

dharma-sansthāpanārthāya sambhavāmi yuge yuge (BG 4.8)

Translation: To protect the righteous, to annihilate the wicked, and to reestablish the principles of dharma I appear on this earth, age after age.

King Nimi asked in what form will God appear in the next age. And how will He be worshiped? In reply Karbhajan Muni said, this is given in the 11th chapter of Shrimad Bhagavat and is very famous.

kṛṣṇa-varṇaṁ tviṣākṛṣṇaṁ

sāṅgopāṅgāstra-pārṣadam

yajñaiḥ saṅkīrtana-prāyair

yajanti hi su-medhasaḥ (ŚB 11.5.32)

Translation: In the Age of Kali, intelligent persons perform congregational chanting to worship the incarnation of Godhead who constantly sings the names of Kṛṣṇa. Although His complexion is not blackish, He is Kṛṣṇa Himself. He is accompanied by His associates, servants, weapons and confidential companions.

We are all foreigners here. We have to go back to our real home which is Bhagavad Dham. This question has been answered in Sanskrit. Sanskrit is the language of the Gods. The Lord also uses this language and sings in this language. This is how the Lord will be worshiped in Kaliyug. In Kaliyug, people are very degraded. 

But if there is Kaliyug, then Satyug will also come. Some time ago Darwin also came. He said that we all have originated from amoeba or humans have evolved from monkeys. This is about 1000 years ago. And forget about Mahabharata. It comes in the 10th chapter of Bhagavad Gita. Arjuna says to the Lord, whatever you are saying is absolutely true. A cycle of four yuga’s is one day of Brahma. Seven cycles of such four yuga’s are his one week. And a thousand such cycles means one breath of Mahavishnu. So is God not great!! 

We shall stop now. Hare Krsna.

Topic: Importance of Chaturmaas

Date:  06th August 2024

Speaker: HG Anant Sesha Prabhuji

Hare Krishna.

My humble obeisances in the divine lotus feet of Guru Maharaj and all the devotees.

oḿ ajñāna-timirāndhasya jñānāñjana-śalākayā
cakṣur unmīlitaḿ yena tasmai śrī-gurave namaḥ

nama om vishnu-padaya krishna-preshthaya bhutale

srimate bhaktivedanta-swamin iti namine

 

namas te saraswate deve gaura-vani-pracharine

nirvishesha shunyavadi pashchatya desha tarine

 

vancha-kalpatarubhyash cha
kripa-sindhubhya eva cha
patitanam pavanebhyo
vaishnavebhyo namo namaha

 

jaya sri-krishna-chaitanya
prabhu nityananda
sri-adwaita gadadhara
shrivasadi-gaura-bhakta-vrinda

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare

Today we will hear about chaturmaas. It starts from Dev Shyani Ekadashi every year which means, Maha Vishnu enters sleep for four months. In Madhurashtakam it is said:

Geetham Madhuram, Peetham Madhuram,

Bhuktham Madhuram,Suptham Madhuram,

Roopam Madhuram, Thilakam Madhuram

Madhurathipather akhilam Madhuram (Text 4)

 

Translation

Sweet is thine song, Krishna, So is what you drink, Sweet is what you eat, Krishna, So is your sleep, Sweet are thine looks , Krishna, So is thine Thilaka, Hey king of all sweetness in this world, Everything about Thee is sweet.

All the actions of Lord are sweet. In this world, our sleep is different from the sleep of Lord. Our sleep is Tamoguni. Our senses become action-less, we forget everything in our sleep

Shloka

When Lord sleeps, the world does not stop, his sleep is also divine. When we sleep, we snore but when he inhales millions of planet are produced and when he exhales many Vedas are produced. Sravana, Ashwin, Bhadrapada, and Kartik are the names of these four Chaturmaas. HG Srutakirti Prabhuji said that Srila Prabhupada says that my disciples cannot even chant 16 rounds properly and follow the four regulative principles, then what is the use of other rules and regulations. Do the simple things that I ask you to do. He said just chant 16 rounds and follow the four regulative principles. We have different vratas in Kartik maas, Purushottam maas, Chaturmaas, Bhishma Panchak so we should follow the bare minimum in these periods. But some devotees say that we should follow what Srila Prabhupada has said strictly. But we should also note the context in which Srila Prabhupada has said anything and to whom he has spoken to. So Srila Prabhupada didn’t encourage other fasts that much. Some devotee also said that  Srila Prabhupada has not said to sing Damodar ashtakam in Damodar mass. So we have to understand the context in which he said. Rupa Goswami has mentioned about Chaturmaas in his book The Nectar of Devotion. Sri Krsna, when he appeared as Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, also used to follow Chaturmaas with his associates in Nilachala Dham. Sanatana Goswami also emphasised the need to follow Chaturmaas. 

In Chaitanya Charitamrita, Srila Krishnaraj Kaviraj Goswami writes:

Shloka

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu went to South India from Puri, then Vrindavan and for the last eighteen years he stayed in Puri. Since he stayed there, so all the associates also stayed there.

Shloka

Every year all Bengal devotees Advaita acharya, Nityanand Prabhu etc used to live with Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in Chaturmaas in Puri.

Shloka

He used to always dance, do sankirtan and he used to give prem bhakti to all. Gadadhar Pandit, Vakreshwar Pandit, Shankar Haridas had their permanent residence in Puri. 

Shloka

Shloka

Ramananad Raya so they lived with Chaitanya Mahaprabhu for eighteen years.

Shloka

Advaita acharya, Nityanand, Mukund, Srinivasa Thakur all of them used to live with Chaitanya Mahaprabhu for four months. They used to come from Nawadwip, Kulin dham and many other holy places.

Shloka

Four months they stayed with Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and saw Rathyatra from beginning, they came one month before Purnima, Gundicha Marjan and stayed until the end of Chaturmaasa. 

Shloka

In the first month, Janamastami and Nanda utsav are celebrated- Chaitanya Mahaprabhu used to come  in Gopa Vesha. 

 

Shloka

They filled big pots of milk and butter and celebrated Janamastami. It is like Janamastami in Nilachal Dham. Just imagine you got the opportunity to celebrate Janamastami with Lord! 

Shloka

Jagannath Mahiti who is male but  became Yasoda and another devotee Kutiya became Nand Maharaj. So all the associates perform a Drama for Janamashtami.

Shloka

Pratap rudra, Kashi Mishra, Sarvabhauma Bhattachrya, everyone came and saw Krsna’s appearance.

Everyone started dancing.

Shloka

All is mixed: milk, ghee, haldi and then it is thrown on each other. They are pools of milk and curd in which everyone is playing. So we don’t celebrate Janmashtami like this. Advaita Acharya said that you all are not Gopas as you all do not have a lathi and you all  do not know how to use it as well. So Advaita Acharya says that if you are a Gopa you should know how to play with it. So Chaitanya Mahaprabhu took it as a challenge and  played with it and rotated it like a chakra. He used to throw it up sometimes and sometimes between his legs, shoulders etc.

Shloka

Shloka

Everyone was astonished to see Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. So he was moving the chakra like a ball of fire and he proved that he is gopa. Nityanand Prabhu also did the same. They acted as like Krishna Balram only. Pratap Rudra brought Jagannath’s vastra and all make turbans out of it and this is how they celebrated.

Shloka

So in the similar way, all the festivals which come up in Chaturmaas like Janamastami, Vaman Dwadashi, Kartik Maas, Vijaya Dashmi are celebrated by them.

Shloka

Now they have taken the form of  monkeys and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu became Hanuman himself.

Shloka

He breaks a branch of tree and he breaks into a palace.

Shloka

“Where is that, Ravana” in anger? I will kill him said Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

Shloka

In sharad purnima, Diwali, Damodar Maas, Uthana Ekadashi, he performs lila in this way. So then Chaitanya Mahaprabhu asks everyone to go to their respective places after the Chaturmaas. In Festival of Devotion three day leave was difficult to take for devotees but the associates of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu took four months leave Puri dham. 

Shloka

In Gundicha Marjan they meet again next year. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu  meets every devotee personally like Sri Advaita Acharya, Nityanand Prabhu and all. Following the footsteps of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Rupa Goswami and Sanatana Goswami also performed these pastimes. Initially I didn’t wanted to share this pastime, but what to do? I cannot stop myself from narrating this pastime. Srila Santana Goswami in his book Hari Bhakti vilas mentions about lakhs of limbs of bhakti and Rupa Goswami in Nectar of Devotion says that he has mentioned only sixty-four limbs of bhakti. Srila Bhakti Siddhant Saraswati, Bhaktivinod Thakur used to strictly follow this. Sri Chaitanya Maharaprabhu, reached South India in Ranganath and when he came to know that Chaturmaas has began so he stayed in Venkata Bhatta’s home. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Bhativinod Thakur, Srila Prabhupada also used to follow this Chaturmaas till he was in India. So we should do our basic devotional activities and after that we should follow this Chaturmaas. This is not final but we should do it regularly. So how can we know that a person is progressing from Tamoguna to Rajoguna and then Rajoguna to Satoguna? So that person will have vyakulta to attain Krishna and how can they please devotees, how will I progress in Krishna Consciousness. So a devotee thinks what else can I do for Krishna? What else can I do? So he takes vow in his life. We should practice as per our calibre, we should do as much as we can do in the direction of Guru and devotees. Santana Goswami says: 

Shloka

In Hari Bhakti Vilas,

 Shloka

We should pay our obeisances to Lord who is sleeping. His bed is filled with jewels.

Shloka

Hey Jagannath, all world sleeps when, you sleep when you wake up, everyone wakes up. Please be happy with us.

Shloka

We should pray to Krishna to increase our bhakti. Four months should be followed properly. Santa Kumar says:

Shloka

Dev shayani Ekadashi or Aashad Purnima comes first then Guru Poornima and then we follow it till Kartik Purnima.

Shloka

Why should we do Chatur maas?

If we don’t follow Chatur Maas then that person should be considered as dead. Sanatana Goswami tells that in Shravan we should not eat green vegetables, in Bhadrapad maas we should not eat curd, Ashwin maas we should not have curd and urad dal in last month should be avoided.

Shloka

Those who does not follow Chatur Maas goes to hell. Those who over-eat, they go to hell.

Shloka

Rules are there, homah, chanting, Srimad Bhagavatam should be read, we should do this with extra sankalapa. We should to stuti of Lord. We should sing glories of Lord during Jhulan Yatra. Many stutis, ashtakams are there- Bhisma stuti which can be recited. 

Visnu 

Shloka

Those who do it with Bhakti bhaav they achieve the highest destination. Even if we think in our mind, then also it is beneficial. It is not like doing offence based on the holyname. Sins of hundreds of years of life are destroyed by taking sankalpa of Chatur maas. 

Shloka

We should sleep on the floor in Chaturmaas, so he attains the destination of Vaishnavas. 

Shloka

Lord tells Yudhistra about Chatur maas and the fruits which on can get after following it. We should leave salt if we want to have good voice. We should leave oiling; you don’t need face washes and all. Do not have flower and bhoga related things and all the rasas should be given up. If one follows yoga in Chatur Maas then he attains a higher destination in the heavenly planets. If one leaves all the rasas then he can never be bad looking and he attains a beautiful form and never smells bad. 

Sri Sri Gurv-ashtaka Eight Prayers to the Guru (Text 4)

catur-vidha-sri-bhagavat-prasada
svadv-anna-triptan hari-bhakta-sanghan
kritvaiva triptim bhajatah sadaiva
vande guroh sri-caranaravindam

Translation
The spiritual master is always offering Krishna four kinds of delicious food [analyzed as that which is licked, chewed, drunk, and sucked]. When the spiritual master sees that the devotees are satisfied by eating bhagavat-prasada, he is satisfied. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.

Legs also glow. Milk and curd if we leave we will attain Goloka. Cooked meals if we skip then we attain a son. If we sleep on the floor we attain bhakti.

If we do not speak, we attain a day in Brahma loka. Srila Bhaktisiddhant Saraswati Thakur used to have rice through his mouth kept on floor without using his hands. We can touch the lotus feet of Lord Vithal in Pandharpur. Those who broom the mandir of Lord and he attains Rajpaath. If someone does Parikrama of the temple three times, then he is carried by hamsa to Vaikuntha after his death. If someone plays kartal in temple, he will reach Gandharva loka. If someone tells about Srimad Bhagavatam and Bhagavad gita and one who makes flower garlands for the Lord he attains the abode of Lord who is like Vyasadev. Chaturmaas- naam japa sankalapa is important. Guru’s permission is important. Four months we should wake up early. We should donate in this month. We should follow all Ekadashis- nirjala. Tulsi seva is important. We should pray to Tulsi. We should pray obesiances to Tulsi to receive the mercy of Lord. Swadhaya, sadhana and  seva sankalpa and we should do some service of the Lord, Srila Prabhupada by serving his mission. We should do this for atleast four months. We should go in Kartik maas to temple. If someone goes to temple daily at 4am and do some seva so it is equivalent to doing service in dham. So if you do this for long periods it will become your lifestyle just twenty one days challenge.

Shloka

People will follow Navratri and they do bhoga. Our bhakti should be multipled after every Chaturmaas. 

So I will stop here as time is up. I will cover this up next time.

 

  

 

Date:  7 August 2024 

Speaker:  HG Amogh Lila Prabhu ji

Topic: How to balance health, sadhana and service

HG Amogh Lila Prabhu Ji

Hare Krishna!

 Maharaj is the best example for today topic. Maharaj is extraordinary in his sadhana. Always good in service, always absorbed in chanting, walking more than 300000 miles while building temples in Noida and in other places by doing padayatra. 

How can we balance our health and sadhana and then seva? 

Health is very important. As if we are healthy then we can do good sadhana and good service. Srila Prabhupada said, “one materialistic thing we can ask from lord, that is good health. Srila Prabhupada was very health conscious. He would sleep only 2 hours, have morning walks and 2 hours massage with mustard oil in the noon. Two hours of sleep, may not be sufficient, but Srila Prabhupada has to do the translation, so he started the morning walk for two hours. Srila Prabhupada once showed a devotee how to do push ups as the devotee was a little weak. Srila Prabhupada showed him practically and told him this will make your core stronger.

Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati would make his healthy disciple to do fast so they can be lean and thin. Grihasthas look good when they are healthy. But Brahmachari should be lean and fit. If someone has any hormonal disbalance, then it is an exceptional case. You can see Maharaj’s picture in his younger days, he was very fit and lean like the six Goswamis. Srila Prabhupada was very conscious about the health of devotees.

We have 5 elements in our body: earth, water, air, fire, and ether. We should eat all elements.

We have earth so for this we should eat our food, like chickpeas, chapati, rice etc. We have water then we should have some liquids. We should take at least 3-4 litters. We should eat like the water and food should be chewed so much so that it become liquid. Then we will have not had constipation which creates gas and that makes us sleepy. So, they sleep while chanting and in class. 

We have fire in us that is through the sunlight. We should do early morning chanting with thin clothes or less clothes, so we get good sunlight. Fruits also have fire element in it. 

The air element can come through Pranayama. Our six Goswamis would do pranayama before chanting Gaytri. 

Ether is obtained by fasting. We usually eat so much before fasting, then on fasting they eat all fasting foods and then next day they eat again. This is not good. Today they do intermittent fasting. They don’t eat after 6 pm till 9 am next morning. If we follow this, we may get rid of many diseases. We can take some water in between. We keep snaking every day, you never see fungus on biscuits as even fungus know that there is no nutrition in these. This is a dead food. We can take Jwara Chapati for fibre. We should take more vegetables as compared to grains. 

We should take all elements. As we age, we should lessen our earth intake. So, eat less and nutritious food. Early morning, we should take alkaline food, like coconut water or coconut milk. We should drink milk, when we have exercised. Milk with ghee helps in building bones. But if you sit all the time then milk won’t digest and cause harm. 

We should also care about sadhana. Once a devotee asked to give him the toughest service. Srila Prabhupada said to him that to attend the entire temple program from morning to evening. He was thinking that may be Prabhupada would send him to Africa, Australia or Pakistan for preaching as a toughest service. But to attend the entire temple program is most energizing and most difficult task. Once Kripalu Maharaj came to Mayapur, someone asked him how are the Iskcon people so successful even after Srila Prabhupada has left. He said the first thing is they do Guru Vandana everyday and second thing is they chant and hear Bhagavatam every day. That’s why Iskcon is successful.

Once Srila Prabhupada asked a devotee that why he is not coming for Mangala Aarti? Devotee replied he can’t as he is in Maya. Srila Prabhupada said, “Ok! So, bring Maya with you to attend Mangala Aarti. But you must come.” 

Once Srila Prabhupada was asked when we are allowed to not to come for Mangala Aarti. Srila Prabhupada said, “ When you are dead.”

So, the sadhana of the devotee what makes Iskcon great. Srila Prabhupada said we should always come to mangal arati only they are excused who are dead. The challenge is not getting up early but going to bed on time. Look at our politicians, like Narendra Modi, who sleeps only 3 hours. Even actors are now days getting up early. 

Srila Prabhupada said you should sleep less and eat less, but you should chant 16 rounds every day. If you are not chanting then you are in the spiritually diseased condition. 

Another thing is reading books now. We are always on phone, not discussing and reading. Few years ago, there was pleasant scene, everyone was reading. Devotees used to sit in groups here and there in the temple to read the books. Recently we move our fingers horizontally to flip the pages of the books. Now we are using our finger vertically on the mobiles. That is why we are not getting Krishna Prema. 

Because of not reading, we can’t preach. We just tell people to come to temple what else we can say. Because we never read or hear. Reading and chanting is sadhana. 

We should take care of our sadhana, then comes seva which helps us digest all our sadhana. Srila Prabhupada has defined bhakti as devotional service. One lady would bring water every day from Yamuna to Radha Damodar for abhishek. Srila Prabhupada said just by this one service daily, she can go back to godhead. Spioritual master will be pleased by serving Krishna. 

Once Srila Prabhupada came at an airport, he was nicely welcomed but he asked for Jayananda Prabhu, who was cleaning the car for Srila Prabhupada. He said Jayananda knows my heart. 

So, we should do service every time. We go to the temple there is always service one who want to serve will find service.

Once Shrutakirti Prabhu ji saw that everyone is crying on seeing Prabhupada. How much the devotees loved Prabhupada. But I don’t have that Love for my Spiritual Master. So, he confessed Srila Prabhupada that I don’t have such tears. I am serving you from more than two years, but why don’t I have that feeling for you?

Prabhupada replied, “They have tears in their eyes because they have seen me after a long time. But the privilege of that tear is to get some service to do. That is more important.”

The knowledge digest by render service. So, we must render some service.  

We can’t do 64 rounds daily. So, Srila Prabhupada had set the parameters of 16 rounds and some service. 

A grihastha should come to the temple at least on weekends and do some service. A devotee who wants to do service always find a way to do service. Like one devotee came and asked is there any service? All service was allotted. So, he went in the Tulasi garden and tended to them, watering them. He brings dry cow dung and put it in the roots of Tulasi plants. By this, the plants of Tulasi are fructify so nicely in some days. Then he brings paint and painted all the pots. So, there is always service.  

When all the service was taken by Sita and others. Hanuman didn’t have anything to do. He becomes so sad. Lord Rama asked him what happened. So, the lord said, “whenever I yawn, you can click your fingers.” So, he started doing that. Mother Sita was amused to see his serving attitude. 

Some time we have to balance our service and sadhana. We should take care of our diet also. If one has done the course of Bhakti Shastri by staying in Vrindavan, then he must do some service or preaching after returning from there. So, we should always balance our health, sadhana and service.

Hare Krishna!
 

Topic: How to do Prepation for Katha?

Date:  13th August 2024

Speaker: HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj

Pre-Japa Talk

This platform provides an opportunity to present all of you at one level together. Whether you are a temple devotee, or grihastha or congregation, young or old, someone is from Mauritius or from some other country- so all these distinctions doesn’t matter. Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has given us all an equal opportunity so we should take advantage of it. We should chant with full concentration. You cannot complain- it is indeed an equal opportunity; equal rights are available whether you are a women or man it doesn’t matter. You are neither a male or female, you all are souls.

CC Madhya 20.108-109

jīvera ‘svarūpa’ haya — kṛṣṇera ‘nitya-dāsa’
kṛṣṇera ‘taṭasthā-śakti’ ‘bhedābheda-prakāśa’

sūryāṁśa-kiraṇa, yaiche agni-jvālā-caya
svābhāvika kṛṣṇera tina-prakāra ‘śakti’ haya

Translation

“It is the living entity’s constitutional position to be an eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa because he is the marginal energy of Kṛṣṇa and a manifestation simultaneously one with and different from the Lord, like a molecular particle of sunshine or fire. Kṛṣṇa has three varieties of energy.”

Every living entity is the servant of Lord. They can be a friend of the Lord, or the lover. So all of you are entities.

CC Madhya 19.170

sarvopādhi-vinirmuktaṁ
tat-paratvena nirmalam
hṛṣīkeṇa hṛṣīkeśa-
sevanaṁ bhaktir ucyate

Translation

‘Bhakti, or devotional service, means engaging all our senses in the service of the Lord, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the master of all the senses. When the spirit soul renders service unto the Supreme, there are two side effects. One is freed from all material designations, and one’s senses are purified simply by being employed in the service of the Lord.’

When we are free from our designations, then we are happy. So what you see in the mirror is not you. To mi itna vesa– there is a saying in Marathi, we are sprit souls. Hari Hari! Wear the specs of the shastras, study Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam. When you have the knowledge of soul, then only you can realise this knowledge. Ofcourse, while we are chanting, we have to realise about the soul, then we will understand- “Who am I?”

 

We are Krishna’s. We are not of our parents, our parents are also of Krishna. We had so many parents in so many lives, so out of them no one is:

Bg. 14.4

sarva-yoniṣu kaunteya
mūrtayaḥ sambhavanti yāḥ
tāsāṁ brahma mahad yonir
ahaṁ bīja-pradaḥ pitā

Translation

It should be understood that all species of life, O son of Kuntī, are made possible by birth in this material nature, and that I am the seed-giving father.

Krishna is our father and mother, so you can remember all these things, or chant with this understanding. 

Japa Talk:

So from tomorrow the katha will start, so I thought we should do some preparation for that. Four kumars are talking about some rules and principles in Padma-Puran Mahatamaya, so let’s here from them. They are also world famous orators and in Haridwar they organised a special katha where they were the speakers, so they themselves are Maha-bhagavatas. One is devotee bhagavat and other is book Bhagavat. Before starting the Srimad Bhagavat, there are some instructions for the management as well. Some are for the speakers and some are for listeners. Since you all are managers so you have to also note these points. I also have to do something. They said:

Srimad Bhagavat Mahapuran Mahatymam, Chapter Six, text 1

Kumaaraa uchuh

Atha te sampravakshyaamah saptaahasravane vidhim.

Sahaayairvasubhiscaiva praayah saadhyo vidhih smrtah.

Translation

Now, we will tell you the procedure by which the seven day discourse is to be conducted. Generally, it is said that this procedure is conducted by the help of associates and wealth. 

These four Kumaras talk about the procedure to read Srimad Bhagavatam. They speak together- not spearately. That’s why it is mentioned Kumarah uchuh- uvaca means one person said and uchuh means together they said.  We will tell the procedure to read Srimad Bhagavatam.

Srimad Bhagavat Mahapuran Mahatymam, Chapter Six, Text 2

Daivajnam tu samaahuya muhurtam prscya yatnatah.

Vivaahe yaadrsam vittam taadrsam parikalpayet.

Translation

For the seven days discourse to conduct, first, an should be respectfully called over, and with effort ask him for the proper time and date. Then as much of wealth that is required for a wedding, should be kept handy

First of all, he said that one who knows the future ask them what date and time is auspicious for katha so since Purushottam maas is starting. So this is a special occasion. So there is no need of seeing any muhurat. So wherever there is a need to spend money, Kumaras say  don’t be ungenerous for stay and katha. Please collect money as you collect in weddings in which we take a loan. At the time of wedding we collect money by some or other means and it is celebrated with great pomp and show. So similarly do Srimad Bhagavat katha like that. Collect funds as much as you can for Srimad Bhagavat katha. They say that the katha is going to begin- so spread this news.

Srimad Bhagavat Mahapuran Mahatymam, Chapter Six, Text 5

Dese dese tathaa seyam vaartaa preshya prayatnah

Bhavisyati kathaa chaatra aagantavyam kutumbibhih

Translation

Moreover, a clear message should be sent to every place, that an exposition of Bhaagavata is to take place here, so everyone should come with their family. 

Do this special endeavour to spread this news worldwide. Put this is in invitation card- Katha is going to begin. Everyone should come with family and friends. 

Srimad Bhagavat Mahapuran Mahatymam, Chapter Six, Text 6

Dure hari kathaah kecid durecacyutakirtanah.

Striyah shudraadayo ye ca tesaam bodho yato bhavet.

Translation

So that, those who are away from Hari’s stories, and those who are away from chanting Krishna’s names, women and people of low cast, to all such people it becomes known.

Make a list by remembering some devotee mandali, and invite them specially women, shudras. This katha is for everyone.

Bg. 9.32

māṁ hi pārtha vyapāśritya
ye ’pi syuḥ pāpa-yonayaḥ
striyo vaiśyās tathā śūdrās
te ’pi yānti parāṁ gatim

Translation

O son of Pṛthā, those who take shelter in Me, though they be of lower birth – women, vaiśyas [merchants] and śūdras [workers] – can attain the supreme destination.

This Bhagavat Katha is for all four varnas and all four ashrams. Then the Kumaras continue:

Srimad Bhagavat Mahapuran Mahatymam, Chapter Six, Text 7

dese dese viraktaa ye vaishnavaah kirtanotsukaah.

Teshveva patram preshyam ca tallekhanamitiritam

Translation

In every place, where there are those who are renounced, those who are devotees of Vishnu, those who are eager to chant Hari’s names, to them also letters should be sent, with this message, it is said.

Those who are renounced and knowledgeable Vaishnavas, who are kirtan and katha enthusiasts should also be invited. This invitation which you send write:

Srimad Bhagavat Mahapuran Mahatymam, Chapter Six, Text 8

sataam samaajo bhavitaa saptaraatram sudurlabhah.

Apurva rasarupaiva kathaa chaatra bhavisyati

Translation

A rare congregation of pious men is due here for seven nights. And an exposition of Bhaagavata full of unprecedented nectarine charm will also take place here.

This seven days katha will happen and this katha will be nectarian.

ŚB 1.1.3

nigama-kalpa-taror galitaṁ phalaṁ
śuka-mukhād amṛta-drava-saṁyutam
pibata bhāgavataṁ rasam ālayam
muhur aho rasikā bhuvi bhāvukāḥ

Translation

O expert and thoughtful men, relish Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, the mature fruit of the desire tree of Vedic literatures. It emanated from the lips of Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī. Therefore this fruit has become even more tasteful, although its Nectarian juice was already relishable for all, including liberated souls.

Hi Rasikas, drink this nectar.

Srimad Bhagavat Mahapuran Mahatymam, Chapter Six, Text 9

shribhaagavatapiyusapaanaaya rasalampataah

bhavantasca tathaa shighramaayaata prematatparaah

Translation

You, who are of a loving disposition and always greedy to drink the nectar of Bhaagavata, are requested to come soon. 

Srimad Bhagavatam says- people who are desirous for this nectar, lampat means desirous

Gurvastaka Text 5

sri-radhika-madhavayor apara-

madhurya-lila guna-rupa-namnam

prati-ksanasvadana-lolupasya

vande guroh sri-caranaravindam

Translation

“I offer obeisances to the lotus feet of the spiritual master, who is very eager to relish at every moment the unlimited sweet or conjugal pastimes, qualities, form, and names of Sri Radhika and Madhava.”

Guru also are bhakti rasa lampat. They relish it every moment. Please call them also. If they are busy, write this also:

Srimad Bhagavat Mahapuran Mahatymam, Chapter Six, Text 10

Naavakaashah kadaachicceddinamatram tathapi tu

Sarvathaagamanam kaaryam ksanotraiva sudurlabhah

Translation

If there is no chance at all, then also you must try and come even for one day. An instant also to be here is difficult to get. 

We are very busy, we don’t have time to die, so tell them please to come atleast for a day. Please come atleast for a second, then also it will be beneficial. This is a rare opportunity. 

Srimad Bhagavat Mahapuran Mahatymam, Chapter Six, Text 11

Evamaakaaranam tesaam kartavyam vinayena ca

Aagantukaanaam sarvesaam vaasasthaanaani kalpayet

Translation

In this manner invitation should be given to everyone politely, and living place should be provided for all those who are coming.

Send this invite on my behalf, then when everyone reached Noida and from there they reach Shuktala, there should be arrangement for their accommodation. Generally people put “Beware of dogs sign” instead of “Atithi devo bhava” and this is till where the human society has progressed. Please remember this. So where can katha be organised?

Srimad Bhagavat Mahapuran Mahatymam, Chapter Six, Text 12

Tirthe vaapi vane vaapi grhe vaa sravanam matam

Vishaalaa vasudhaa yatra kartavyam tat kathaasthalam

Translation

In a place of pilgrimage, or even in woodlands, or in ones’ house, the hearing to this is recommended. Where there is a spacious stretch of land, that place should be selected as the exposition site. 

It can happen in tirtha kshetra or a forest if that place is Vrindavan that is the best or at home, but whatever place you chose, 

 

Srimad Bhagavat Mahapuran Mahatymam, Chapter Six, Text 13

Arvaakpachaahato yatnaadaastirnaani pramelayen

Kartavyo mandapah prochaih kadalikhandamanditah

Translation

Five days in advance, enthusiastically, bed spreads etc., should be put together. A high dais decorated with banana stalks should be erected. Srimadbhagavat mahapuran mahatymam, Chapter six, text 13

Srimad Bhagavat Mahapuran Mahatymam, Chapter Six, Text 15

Phalapushpadalaivirsvagvitaanena viraajitah

Chaturdikshu dhvajaaropo bahusampadviraajitah

Translation

The awning of the dais should be decorated with fruits flowers and leaves. On all the four sides flags should be planted and it should be decorated with many valuables. 

 there can be decoration of mango leaves, flowers, today they have paper ones also, flags can be put on the top of a temple or where the katha is organised, so all should be done since everyone is coming. Those who have taken the pledge of katha who are known as Katha-Vratis, they should come. So, take this pledge of vrata. You are taking katha vrata- for grihasthas- one women vrat, for Brahamcharis- Brahmacharya vrat. So you also take this katha vrat. All of you are katha vratis. So we have to imagine seven planets above Earth and seven lokas below Earth. So in these loka:

Srimad Bhagavat Mahapuran Mahatymam, Chapter Six, Text 16

Urdhvam saptaiva lokaasca kalpaniyaa savistaram

Tesu vipraa viraktaasca sthaapaniyaah prabodhya ca

Translation

In front of the dais a place with seven seats should be properly made. There, the Braahmanas and non-attached people should be seated with persuasion. 

 We have to imagine seven planets above Earth and seven lokas below Earth. There has to be special places for these kinds of Katha. In those special places, Viraktas, Mahatmas, Vaishnavas and Sajjans- there seating should be looked after.

Srimad Bhagavat Mahapuran Mahatymam, Chapter Six, Text 17

Purvam tesaamaasanaani kartavyaani yathottaram

Vaktuscaapi tadaa divyamaanasam parikalpayet

Translation

First of all, for the Braahmanas and dispassionate people, seats should be prepared, consecutively. And then a seat of high quality should also be prepared for the exponent of Bhagavatam. 

After their seating look after the seating of other devotees.

 

Srimad Bhagavat Mahapuran Mahatymam, Chapter Six, Text 20

Virakto vaisnavo vipro vedasastravishuddhikrt

Drshtaantakushalo dhiro vaktaa kaaryotinihsprhah

Translation

A dispassionate Brahmana, who is a devotee of Vishnu, who can explain the Vedas and scriptures, is an expert in giving illustrations, is discerning, and unattached, such an orator should be selected.

The speaker should be knowledgeable, but most importantly he should be a Vaishnava. He is should be an expert in scriptures, and serious- dhira-gambhira. He should have no desires.

CC Madhya 19.149

kṛṣṇa-bhakta — niṣkāma, ataeva ‘śānta’
bhukti-mukti-siddhi-kāmī — sakali ‘aśānta’

Translation

Because a devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa is desireless, he is peaceful. Fruitive workers desire material enjoyment, jñānīs desire liberation, and yogīs desire material opulence; therefore they are all lusty and cannot be peaceful.

He should have no desires. So how he should not be this also has been described:

Srimad Bhagavat Mahapuran Mahatymam, Chapter Six, Text 21

nekadharmavibhraantaah straishnaah paakhandavaadinah

Shukashastrakathaaccore tyaajyaaste yadi panditaah

Translation

Those, who are confused with many principles of different religions, who are fond of women, who preach heresies, should be avoided as a candidate for the exposition of Shuka’s Shaastra, the Bhagavatam, even if they are learned.

Bg. 2.41

vyavasāyātmikā buddhir
ekeha kuru-nandana
bahu-śākhā hy anantāś ca
buddhayo ’vyavasāyinām

Translation

Those who are on this path are resolute in purpose, and their aim is one. O beloved child of the Kurus, the intelligence of those who are irresolute is many-branched.

Bg. 18.66

sarva-dharmān parityajya
mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja
ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo
mokṣayiṣyāmi mā śucaḥ

Translation

Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.

He should leave all religions, one who is not after women, one who is not Pakhandi or a show-off, 

bole taisaa chaale tyaachi vandaavi pauule 

One who acts as he speaks should be respected. – Saint Tukaram

Stay away for such vaktas. A picture of Lord or deity should be kept. He should be the goal of the katha.

 

Srimad Bhagavat Mahapuran Mahatymam, Chapter Six, Text 26

krsnam uddishya mantrena caretpujaavidhim kramaat

pradakshinanamaskaaraan pujaante stutimaacaret

Translation

One must perform worship systematically towards Krishna by chanting mantras, then consecutively circambulate, then bowing down with folded hands, and at the end of the worship sing Krishna’s praises. 

Which mantra you should say? Although it is not mentioned.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare,

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

What should be the goal of the mantra- should be Krishna. This is just the preparation for the katha. Then circambulate, after worshipping deities and circambulate, and be happy after this. Are you happy? Then they say:

Srimad Bhagavat Mahapuran Mahatymam, Chapter Six, Text 30

shrimadbhaagavataakhyoyam pratyakshah krsna eva hi

svikrtosi mayaa naatha muktyartham bhavasaagare

Translation

This, by the name of Shrimad Bhagavata, is Krishna manifest Himself. O Lord! In this mundane worldly ocean, I have sought Thee to rescue me. 

This Srimad Bhagavatam is Krishna himself. This is Vanga-maya murti. This is Krishna himself. Oh Bhagavatam, Hey natha- Please accept me. Please bestow your mercy upon me. Sukadeva Goswami should also be remembered. The four kumars say: 

Srimad Bhagavat Mahapuran Mahatymam, Chapter Six, Text 33

shukarupa prabodhajna sarvashastravishaarada

etatkathaaprakaasena madajnaanam vinaashayam

 

Translation

O Shuka incarnate! You who are an expert in enlightening others, you who are well versed in all the scriptures, by revealing this story, kindly eradicate my ignorance.

Srimad Bhagavatam is the essence of all shastra, and he is the expert in explaining this. So this Srimad Bhagavad Gyan Jyoti should be lightened in my mind and the ignorance in my mind should be removed. 

Guru-Pranam Mantra

om ajnäna-timirändhasya jnänänjana-saläkayä

caksur unmilitam yena tasmai sri-gurave namah

Translation

I was born in the darkest ignorance, and my spiritual master opened my eyes with the torch of knowledge. I offer my respectful obeisances unto him.

Our Adi-guru is Sukadev goswami. We should establish knowledge in place of no knowledge. That is this agyan?

Bg. 7.19

bahūnāṁ janmanām ante
jñānavān māṁ prapadyate
vāsudevaḥ sarvam iti
sa mahātmā su-durlabhaḥ

Translation

After many births and deaths, he who is actually in knowledge surrenders unto Me, knowing Me to be the cause of all causes and all that is. Such a great soul is very rare.

When we become knowledgeable. How much knowledge we should have? Vasudev Hari- is everything. He said it himself in Bhagavat Gita. In katha, when kirtan takes place listeners hear and then they remember Lord. 

Srimad Bhagavat Mahapuran Mahatymam, Chapter Six, Text 37

lokavittadhanaagaaraoutrachintaam vyudasya ca

kathaachittah shuddhamatih sa labhet phalam uttamam

Translation

The person who hears the story with full concentration and with a pure mind, giving up all thought of the world, wealth, money, house and children, he achieves the best result. 

What we have heard we should do meditate on that which is very important to do. This is the best fruit. We should learn how to give katha. Then there is  no entry in Vaikuntha if we don’t give kathas. 

 

ŚB 1.5.11

tad-vāg-visargo janatāgha-viplavo
yasmin prati-ślokam abaddhavaty api
nāmāny anantasya yaśo ’ṅkitāni yat
śṛṇvanti gāyanti gṛṇanti sādhavaḥ

Translation

On the other hand, that literature which is full of descriptions of the transcendental glories of the name, fame, forms, pastimes, etc., of the unlimited Supreme Lord is a different creation, full of transcendental words directed toward bringing about a revolution in the impious lives of this world’s misdirected civilization. Such transcendental literatures, even though imperfectly composed, are heard, sung and accepted by purified men who are thoroughly honest.

This Sravan kirtan, gopis, gopas, Nand Baba. In the hands they have work and in the mouth they have the names of the Lord always. Yasoda Mai also sings the glories of the Lord, while churning butter for the Lord. Only those who do katha only they can enter the pastimes of Lord. 

CC Ādi 17.31

tṛṇād api su-nīcena
taror iva sahiṣṇunā
amāninā māna-dena
kīrtanīyaḥ sadā hariḥ

Translation

“One who thinks himself lower than the grass, who is more tolerant than a tree, and who does not expect personal honor yet is always prepared to give all respect to others can very easily always chant the holy name of the Lord.”

We should make changes in our habits. Think more about Lord and remember him. Katha-vratis  should stay away from 

Srimad Bhagavat Mahapuran Mahatymam, Chapter Six, Text 47

aamam krodham madam maanam matsam lobhameva ca

dambham moham tathaa dvesam duryecca kathaavrati

Translation

A person who has vowed to hear the story, should expel his desires, anger, pride, seeking of honour, jealousy, greed, and hypocrisy, infatuation, and animosity. 

From all these things we should stay away. This is the most difficult thing to do. With the help of katha it is possible.

Srimad Bhagavat Mahapuran Mahatymam, Chapter Six, Text 48

vedavaishnavavipraanaam gurugovratinaam tathaa

striraajamahataam nindaam varjayedyah kathaavrati

 

Translation

A person who has taken the vow to hear the story of Bhagavatam, should avoid to rebuke Vedas, Vishnu devotees, Brahmanas, teachers, cow, people who have taken a vow, and also women, king, and great people. 

All this is maya- kamam, anger, lust etc. 

Bg. 7.14

daivī hy eṣā guṇa-mayī
mama māyā duratyayā
mām eva ye prapadyante
māyām etāṁ taranti te

Translation

This divine energy of Mine, consisting of the three modes of material nature, is difficult to overcome. But those who have surrendered unto Me can easily cross beyond it.

But if we take the shelter of katha then only it is possible to stay away from these things. We should delay such things. That’s why it is said: Please don’t criticize the Vedas, Vaishnavas, Guru, Cow, Vratis, women and king or Maharaj. So what should we do? So no one is left. Truthfulness, cleanliness, speaking less and softly, which is very necessary. Don’t do gossiping

Srimad Bhagavat Mahapuran Mahatymam, Chapter Six, Text 48

satyam shaucham dayaam maunamaarjavam vinayam tathaa

udaaramaanasam tadvadevam kuryaatkathaavrati

Translation

One who has taken a vow towards the exposition, should practice, truthfulness, purity, compassion, silence, simplicity, humbleness, and likewise also, big heartedness. 

Be merciful on everyone. Vasudeva kutumbatam- we have so many people in our family. How many sages were there in Naimisharayna? 60,000. So, we should think that they are my own. All people are my family- this is highest thought- this is the thought of all vaishnavas. My house can fit all the world- this is the highest thought.

Gaur premanande haribol!