20th January 2020

Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Ramananda Rai Conversation Part 2

Today is Ekadasi. Japa should be constant, not seasonal. A few of the devotees chant on this conference on special days such as Ekadasi. Don’t do like this. If you chant daily, at the same place and the same time, then it is beneficial. The Lord will be pleased with us. Our meditation will increase.

We have two breaking news! Hare Krishna devotees also have their news. We should listen to this. News from material world are gram katha and Hare Krisna news are Krsna katha.

Yesterday in Greater Noida Purnanandi Mataji organised a children’s padayatra with 64 kids. They did kirtana as well as distribution of books. It’s good morning news. Please take note of this and you can organise such a special one day padayatra. Jayabhadra mataji had also organised Girl’s padayatra. One day padayatras are also going on which are organised by Murali Mohan prabhu. This way preaching is conducted through padayatra. It is also called nagar sankirtana or Prabhat Pheri in Maharashtra. Prabhat means morning hours and Pheri means to go from place to place while doing kirtana.

rama nama ke heere moti
main bikhraaun gali gali

Harinama is a jewel and we distribute these jewels of Harinama in various streets during Sankirtana. ( anonymous Rama bhajan)

Today is Ekadasi. We have to chant more and with more attention. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has recommended introspection of our sadhana on Ekadasi from the last Ekadasi to this one and to make some resolutions to improve our weak points. This is our homework.

ISKCON Amravati in Maharashtra is celebrating the 20th Anniversary of its temple opening this year. They want to renovate the temple and hence they are organising a 20 hour Sankirtana Mahayajna today. They already have started. For this Mahayajna and renovation, all of you please chant Haribol and give your best wishes and blessings and inspire their leaders, devotees and congregation of ISKCON Amravati.

One more news, This year we have the 30th Anniversary of Mayapur, Nabadvipa-mandala Parikrama. This is a special celebration. You all are cordially invited. 30 years ago, we started Nabadvipa Parikrama and the number of participants went on increasing starting from 100. We are expecting 10 thousand participants this year. Please make an announcement regarding Nabadvipa Parikrama in your temple. There will be Kirtana mela in Mayapur and then Parikrama.

Now we will read the remaining conversation between Lord Caitanya and Rāmānanda Rāi. Caitanya Mahaprabhu is asking questions from Rāmānanda Rāi.

‘śreyo-madhye kona śreyah jīvera haya sāra?’
‘krsna-bhakta-sanga vinā śreyah nāhi āra’

Translation:
“Out of all auspicious and beneficial activities, which is best for the living entity?”
Rāmānanda Rāya replied, “The only auspicious activity is association with the devotees of Krsna.” (CC.Madhya 8.251)

Which is the best activity? One is śreyah and another is preyah.

Arjuna said

na ca sreyo ‘nupasyami
hatva sva-janam ahave
na kankse vijayam krsna
na ca rajyam sukhani ca

Translation:
I do not see 5any good (śreyah) can come from killing our own kinsmen in this battle, nor can I, my dear Krsna, desire any subsequent victory, kingdom, or happiness. (BG 1.31)

Arjuna call this śreyah. Preyah means immediate sense gratification. We don’t think of the result of such enjoyment. We don’t think of śreyah or long term benefit. We should not do this. We should think of śreyah. Children like to play. They don’t like to go to school. They are asked to think of the future. The world does not think of the future. They just think of the present. But everything’s not lost with death. We need to think of life after death. Please understand what is śreyah and preyah. We should act now in such a way that we will get the sweet fruits of our current endeavours later in future.

Krsna-prāpti hoy jāhā ha’te (Guru Vandana verse 1) Attaining Krishna is real śreyah. Which is the best activity for the living entities? How can we get śreyah is the question asked now.
There is no other medium to get śreyah other than through the association of devotees of Krsna.

Therefore, It is said that

‘sādhu-sanga’, ‘sādhu-sanga’, sarva-sāstre kaya
lava-mātra sādhu-sange sarva-siddhi haya (CC. Madhya 22.54)

Translation:
Simply by associating with a pure devotee, one becomes wonderfully advanced in Krsna consciousness. (CC. Madhya 22.54)

Siddhi means śreyah. san siddhi hari-poshanam Rāmānanda Rāi replied to get siddhi or śreyah, the association of devotees is mandatory.

‘kānhāra smarana jīva karibe anuksana?’
‘Krsna-nāma-guna-līlā–pradhāna smarana’ (C.C. Madhya 8.252)

Translation :
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu asked, “What should all living entities constantly remember?”
Rāmānanda Rāi replied, “The chief objects of remembrance are always the Lord’s holy names, qualities and pastimes.”

Anuksana comes after Ksana. Anu means to follow or Anusaran or Ramanuj, Krsnanuj. Anuksana means constantly. Whom to be remembered constantly? Rāmānanda Rāi replied that we should remember Krsna, His name, qualities, pastimes, form, abode, and His devotees. This is Bhagavad, anything which is related to Lord.

sri-radhika-madhavayor apara
madhurya-lila guna-rupa-namnam
prati-kshanasvadana-lolupasya
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam

Translation :
Srila Vishwanath Cakravarti Thakur has said that our ideal acaryas are always eager to chant and hear about the unlimited conjugal pastimes of Sri Sri Radhika and Madhava, and about Their qualities, names, and forms. (Sri Gurvashtakam Text 5)

nana-sastra-vicaranaika-nipunau sad-dharma-samsthapakau
lokanam hita- karinau tri-bhuvane manyau saranyakarau radha-krishna-padaravinda-bhajananandena mattalikau
vande rupa-sanatanau raghu-yugau sri-jiva-gopalakau

Translation :
Six Goswamis are absorbed in the mood of the gopis and experiencing bliss remembering name, form, pastimes, qualities of Radha Krsna. (shad Goswamy Ashtakam verse 2)

It’s been asked to remember Krsna always.

Smartavyam satatam Vishnu vismartvyam na jatu chit

Gopis also had asked to remember Krsna always. Not to forget ever Krsna. We have to practice this.

‘dhyeya-madhye jīvera kartavya kon dhyāna?’
‘rādhā-krsna-padāmbuja-dhyāna–pradhāna’

Translation :
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu further inquired, “Out of many types of meditation, which is required for all living entities?”
Śrīla Rāmānanda Rāya replied, “The chief duty of every living entity is to meditate upon the lotus feet of Rādhā and Krsna.”(CC. Madhya 8.253)

Dhyeya means one worthy of remembrance. Object of remembrance. What should the living entity meditate on? Srila Prabhupada would ask us to fix our object of meditation before beginning our meditation. If you don’t know on whom you are going to meditate then what is the use of such meditation. This is the question.

Meditation on the lotus feet of Radha Krsna is real meditation.

radha-krsna-padaravinda-bhajanananda
sa vai mana krishna-padaravindayau

King Kulashekhar used to meditate on lotus feet of the Lord. This is speciality of Gaudiya Vaisnavas.

I was hearing Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur. He was saying that those who worship Visnu are Vaisnavas, those who worship Krishna are Karsnas and those who worship Radha are Gaudiyas or Gaudiya Vaisnavas.

Radha and Krsna are always together. We should meditate upon the lotus feet of Radha Krsna.

‘sarva tyaji’ jīvera kartavya kāhān vāsa?’
‘vraja-bhūmi vrndāvana yāhān līlā-rāsa’

Translation :
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu asked, “Where should the living entity live, abandoning all other places?”
Rāmānanda Rāya replied, “The holy place known as Vrndāvana or Vrajabhūmi, where the Lord performed His rāsa dance.” (CC. Madhya 8.254)

Where should living entity stay giving up everything? Give up everything and run towards Vrindavan. This is our aim. We can go from time to time. If you get frustrated, then go to Vrindavan. When you return, then if you remember Vrindavan wherever you are, say Amravati, Nagpur, Moscow, New York or Pune, then you are in Vrindavan. Srila Prabhupada said once, “I am not in New York. I am in Vrindavan.” So, this is also a way to live in Vrindavan. Srila Prabhupada would say that he was missing his Radha Damodar, Radha Govind of Vrindavan because his heart was not in New York, but in Vrindavan.

So, you can also go to ISKCON temples which are also Vrindavan or else you can turn your home into Vrindavan.

asha pashashater bandhe A living entity should leave everything behind and reach to Vrindavan.

‘śravana-madhye jīvera kon śrestha śravana?”
‘rādhā-krsna-prema-keli karna-rasāyana’

Translation :
Śri Caitanya Mahāprabhu asked, “Out of all topics people listen to, which is best for all living entities?”
Rāmānanda Rāya replied, “Hearing about the loving affairs between Rādhā and Krsna is most pleasing to the ear.” (CC. Madhya 8.255)

What is worth of hearing? Hearing Pastimes of Radha Krsna is worth hearing. Gaudiya Vaisnavas are like this only. They don’t leave Radha Krsna. If you want to live, live in the abode of Radha Krsna. If you want to meditate, meditate upon the lotus feet of Radha Krsna. If you want to hear something, then hear the pastimes of Radha Krsna. First hear, study or chant then automatically you will remember or meditate. śravanam, kirtanam, visnu smaranam or remembering the lotus feet of Radha Krsna. This is the best thing – to meditate upon but for this we have read or hear Srila Prabhupada books, Krishna book, Srimad-Bhagavatam.

‘upāsyera madhye kon upāsya pradhāna?’
‘śrestha upāsya–yugala ‘rādhā-krsna’ nāma’

Translation :
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu asked, “Among all worshipable objects, which is the chief?”
Rāmānanda Rāya replied, “The chief worshipable object is the holy name of Rādhā and Krsna, the Hare Krsna mantra.”(C.C. Madhya 8.256)

Whom to worship? We sadhakas are upasak then who should be Upāsya?
The greatest worship is the name of Radha Krsna. He hasn’t spoken about the worshipping of Deities although we do this also as a part of navidha bhakti as aradhana. But this was recommended in Dvapara Yuga. Whatever benefit was attained by worshipping deities in Dvapara Yuga can be attained by chanting the holy names of Radha Krsna in age of Kali Yuga. That is why it is said in sastras:

harer nāma harer nāma
harer nāmaiva kevalam
kalau nāsty eva nāsty eva
nāsty eva gatir anyathā

” ‘For spiritual progress in this Age of Kali, there is no alternative, there is no alternative, there is no alternative to the holy name, the holy name, the holy name of the Lord.’ ( CC Adi 7.76)

The best worship amongst yajnas is the chanting of the holy names. You can refer to the 8th chapter of Madhya Lila Caitanya-caritamrta from verse 240 onwards , if you want to read this again or you can give class on it.

Gaura prema nande hari haribol !

19th January 2020

Lessons from the Conversation between Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Ramananda Rai

During His South India tour as the Lord was travelling to different regions on banks of Godavari, there He had a meeting with Rai Ramananda at Kovvur in Andhra Pradesh. It’s said that Rai Ramananda is the incarnation of Vishaka and Vishaka has descended and was Governor of Andhra Pradesh. Talks between Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Rāmānanda Rāya

It’s a very famous conversation and is found in Caitanya-caritamrita Madhya Lila 8th chapter. The conversation between Mahaprabhu and Ramananda went on for about 1week .They met every day and there would be different discussions. This conversation has been presented in fthe orm of small questions and answers or perfect questions and perfect answers like we have Srila Prabhupada’s book Perfect Questions, Perfect Answers. It’s a very important dialogue. Here the answers were given by Rai Ramananda. Questions were being asked by Lord Caitanya and Lord Caitanya was getting them answered through Rai Ramananda.

Rai Ramananda said “Oh Lord you are speaking or you are making me speak. I’m an instrument in Your hands like a vina and I will make the sound as you play.” So the speaker is Lord Caitanya Himself. We will make you hear this conversation as it’s very useful and it should be learned and followed. We should develop our character through this.

Lord Caitanya inquired to Ramananda Rai:
prabhu kahe, — “kon vidyā vidyā-madhye sāra?” rāya kahe, —
“kṛṣṇa-bhakti vinā vidyā nāhi āra”

Translation:
On one occasion the Lord inquired, “Of all types of education, which is the most important?” Ramananda Rai replied, “No education is important other than the transcendental devotional service of Krsna.” [CC Madhya lila 8.245]

Ramananda Rai replied: Knowledge related to Krsna or devotion is knowledge and it is the essence of all. We should take lessons in bhakti yoga in this life. And that education or knowledge is supreme and the essence of everything.

Knowledge that we learn and teach is not knowledge of bhakti, but it is knowledge of bhukti. That is money making knowledge, not man making. When you earn money then it is just utilized for sense gratification, dharma, artha, kama. When the pocket is full one goes for sense gratification. We should learn bhakti not bhukti?

Lord Caitanya inquired from Ramananda Rai:
‘kīrti-gaṇa-madhye jīvera kon baḍa kīrti?’
‘kṛṣṇa-bhakta baliyā yāṅhāra haya khyāti’

Translation: “
Out of all glorious activities, which is the most glorious?” Ramananda Rai replied: “That person who is reputed to be a devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa enjoys the utmost fame and glory.” [CC Madhya lila 8.246]

Identifying oneself as servant of Krishna is true glory or kirti. So this is real glory, I am servant of Krsna, I am Krsnas and I do this for Krsna, all this things are glories. jiva krsna das ei visvas.

The glory in this world can be of two types – being famous for good deeds or being famous for bad deeds. Ravan was also very famous, but he was well-known for his bad deeds. Most of the idiots of this world are famous in this manner. We should identity ourselves as servants of the Lord, I am Krsna Dasa. This type of introduction one should give and that’s the real glory. If you become the Lord’s devotee, the Lord will increase and expand your fame all over.

Lord Caitanya inquired to Ramananda Rai:
‘sampattira madhye jīvera kon sampatti gaṇi?’
‘rādhā-kṛṣṇe prema yāṅra, sei baḍa dhanī’

Translation:
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu asked, “Of the many capitalists who posses great riches, who is the topmost?`
Ramananda Rai replied, “ He who is richest in love for Radha and Krishna is the greatest capitalist.” [CC Madhya lila 8.247]
Which is greatest wealth amongst all wealth which can be called real wealth? Ramananda Rai replied: If you have been bestowed by Radha Krsna prema then you have real wealth. If you don’t have that then you are bankrupt. There is not even one penny in your account. You have just collect material wealth. The person who has Krsna prema that person is really wealthy. We chant Hare Krishna in the morning. We start to earn real wealth early in the morning while others start very late by 10 or 11 am. But Krsna’s devotees are very smart. They start increasing their fixed deposits early in the morning. Krsna prema is real wealth of the soul which pleases the soul. You are truly wealthy as you’re chanting Hare Krishna and earning real wealth.

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu asked :
‘duḥkha-madhye kona duḥkha haya gurutara?’
‘kṛṣṇa-bhakta-viraha vinā duḥkha nāhi dekhi para’[CC Madhya lila 8.248]

Translation:
“Of all kinds of distress, what is the most painful?”
Ramananda Rai replied: Apart from separation from the devotee of Kṛṣṇa, I know of no unbearable unhappiness.”
If we are bereft of association of devotees then what else couldn’t have been greater cause of despondency? Association of devotees is very important, it gives pleasure. And if we are not getting association of devotees that should be the cause of our unhappiness. We keep meeting many people who cheat us, mislead us. But mahajano yena gatah sa panthah, if we are not getting association of devotees who show us the right path that’s the cause of our sadness. We should always try to get association of devotees.

asat-saṅga-tyāga-ei vaiṣṇava-ācāra [CC Madhya 22.87]

There are two types of association, satsanga and asatsanga. Asatsanga gives pain and satsanga gives pleasure. So it’s said here if we are not getting association of devotees that the cause of our lamentation. Oh why are you sad these days? Oh I am not getting association of devotees.
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu asked:

mukta-madhye kon jīva mukta kari’ māni?’
‘kṛṣṇa-prema yāṅra, sei mukta-śiromaṇi’ [CC Madhya lila 8.249]

Translation: “Out of all liberated persons, who should be accepted as the greatest?” Ramananda Rai replied: One who has got Krishna prema is greatest amongst liberated personalities. Krsna prema, we call in Gaudiya vaishnav language as pancham purusartha. There are four purusartha-dharma, artha, kama, moksha. The Advaitavadis consider getting merged into Brahman as mukti.

kaivalya narkayate

Liberation of Mayavadis is worse than getting intoo hell. Attainment of Krishna prema is better than mukti. Superior than liberation is devotion for Lord Krsna. As you get Krishna prema then there is nothing left to be achieved. You get Krsna, His abode, His service and you get situated in your own eternal form or svarupa. hitva anyatha rupam sva-rupena avasthiti. This is liberation according to Bhagavatam. It’s not that the Lord does not have form. This ignorance is mayavad. One who escapes from this and achieves Krsna prema is the supreme amongst the devotees

Caitanya Mahaprabhu asked

‘gāna-madhye kona gāna — jīvera nija dharma?’
‘rādhā-kṛṣṇera prema-keli’ — yei gītera marma’

Translation:
“Among many songs, which song is to be considered the actual religion of the living entity?” Ramananda Rai replied: Singing glories of love of Radha Krishna are greatest. [CC Madhya lila 8.250]

rādhā kṛṣṇa-praṇaya-vikṛtir hlādinī śaktir asmāt

Keli means pastime like jala keli, prema keli, rati keli. So conjugal pastimes of Radha Krsna are the highest level of love.

gaurangera madhura-lila, jar karne pravesila, hridoya nirmala bhelo tar

You may say gaurangera madhura lila or Krsnera madhura lila, singing these pastimes is the greatest. Songs of Radha Krsna pastimes are the greatest. Everyone likes to sing, so one should sing this. For that we need to first hear these pastimes and then we need to engage our tongue to sing them or chant,

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare

Hare Krishna maha-mantra includes all the pastimes and songs. We need to hear this maha-mantra. Lord Caitanya also used to hear Srimad-Bhagavatam. He also chanted Hare Krishna. He would go to Gadadhar Pandit at Tota Gopinath and hear Srimad-Bhagavatam from him. And in Gambhira the whole night He would spend time with Rai Ramananda. In Kovvur He told Rai Ramanand to join Him to give up his job of being Governor. Rai Ramananda asked Caitanya Mahaprabhu to stay for few more days. “We will have more katha and discussion. What big difference will a few days, I want to have discussions with you throughout your whole life. You renounce all this dirty business and come to Jagannatha Puri. Thus Caitanya Mahaprabhu inspired him and Ramananda Rai renounced everything and came to Jagannatha Puri. By the time Caitanya Mahaprabhu came back from South India tour Ramananda Rai reached Jagannatha Puri after retiring from his job. He spent his remaining life singing the glories of Radha Krsna with Lord Caitanya. He sang from Srimad- Bhagavatam, Gita Govinda, Krsna karnamrita, Candi Dasa. In this way Lord Caitanya has set a standard in front of the whole world – if you want to sing, sing the glories of Radha Krsna and chant

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare

We will do the remaining questions tomorrow.
Gaur Premanande Hari Hari bol

18 January 2020

Radharani nourishes devotional service.

All of you are welcome.

In Kaundinyapur a katha is going on by Sarvabhauma Prabhu. You can also join.

rādhā kṛṣṇa-praṇaya-vikṛtir hlādinī śaktir asmād
ekātmānāv api bhuvi purā deha-bhedaṁ gatau tau
caitanyākhyaṁ prakaṭam adhunā tad-dvayaṁ caikyam āptaṁ
rādhā-bhāva-dyuti-suvalitaṁ naumi kṛṣṇa-svarūpam

Translation
Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa is one. Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa is Kṛṣṇa and Kṛṣṇa’s pleasure potency combined. When Kṛṣṇa exhibits His pleasure potency, He appears to be two — Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa. Otherwise, Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa are one. This oneness may be perceived by advanced devotees through the grace of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. This was the case with Rāmānanda Rāya. One may aspire to attain such a position, but one should not try to imitate the mahā-bhāgavata. (CC. Ādi 1.5)

Lord Caitanya is combined form of Radha and Krisna is Lord Caitanya ekatmanapi,bhuvi purā deha-bhedaṁ gatau tau Radha Krsna is one soul for the sake of pastime, They separate and become two. Krsna is energetic and the mighty God, whereas Radha is His energy. Krsna is Radha itself. shakti shaktimatayo abhedha
There is no difference between energy and energetic. That is why both Krsna and Radha both are God.

We have a power house from which we receive electricity. That power gets manifested in the form of heat, light, a cooling effect. Like the heating, cooling and lighting cannot be separated from electricity, in the same way, Radha and Krsna are one. They complement each other. Radha and Krsna cannot be separated from each other. bhuvi purā deha-bhedaṁ gatau tau This has been explained by Krsna Das Kaviraj Goswami at the beginning of Caitanya-caritamrta.

A worshipper of Shakti is called a Shakat.
A worshipper of Ganpati is called a Ganapatya,
A worshipper of Visnu is called a Vaisnava.
A worshipper of Surya is called a Saur.

We are Vaisnavas, but we worship Radha. Radha is the energy. We are also Shakats as we worship Srimati Radharani as the energy of the Lord. Like in Bengal, worshippers of Durga are called Shakats.

There are two energies of the Lord – the external and internal. External energy (Maha Maya) is Durga and Internal energy (Yoga Maya) is Radharani. Durga protects this fort, the material world. Durg means a fort from which it is very difficult to get in and out as it is well protected and Durga or the external energy protects this fort. Worshippers of the external energy are also called Shakats. We, Gaudiya Vaisnavas, worship Radharani who is the internal energy of Lord and also known as Yoga Maya. Visnu or Param Visnu, Sri Krsna also worships Radharani. We are not recognized as Shakats, but can be called that.

Radha Krsna love each other so much and when They sometimes get separated, They miss each other very much. When Krsna enters the kunja first then He waits and searches for Radharani. If He does not find Her over there then He gets upset. It’s not that only the gopis and Radharani look out for Krsna, Krsna also searches and waits for Radharani and the gopis. Krsna becomes restless without the association of Radharani and the gopis. Krsna also chants the names of Radha. When Mother Yasoda asks Krsna to chant the mantra given by Bhaguri Muni then Krsna begins to chant the names of Radha instead.

Radhe Radhe Radhe,
Radhe Radhe Radhe,
Jai Jai Sri Radhe

One day Krsna was playing flute at Imlitala and was calling the names of Radharani through His flute. Krsna’s flute can speak and send messages like we send a sms from a mobile. The flute speaks in five melodies. Sa re ga ma pa … these melodies are sweet, but not meaningful. But when Krsna plays the flute, it’s melody is very sweet and meaningful and sends messages and calls each of the gopis, Radha and cows by their names. Krsna was so absorbed in playing the flute and calling for Radharani that His whole bodily complexion was transformed. As Krsna called Her, Radharani reached over there. When She got there, She found that Krsna was absorbed in meditation and has become golden remembering Radharani. sravanam kirtanam radhayaha smaranam

Krsna was chanting, hearing and remembering Radharani and at that time, He didn’t remain Syamsundara but became Gaurasundara. He gave this darsana 5000 years ago at Imlitala before appearing as Gaurasundara or Lord Caitanya in Kaliyuga.

bhuvi purā deha-bhedaṁ gatau tau
dhule dhule gorā chāńda
hari guna gāi
āsiyā vrndāvane
nace gaura rāy ( anonymous Bengali)

When Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu came to Vrndavan, He began to dance in kirtana and performed Vraja-mandala Parikrama. Then He began to stay at Akrura-ghata. He came to Imlitala and started to call the names of Krsna in the mood of Radha.

Krsna!Krsna!Krsna!Krsna!Krsna!Krsna!Krsna!he!
Krsna!Krsna!Krsna!Krsna!Krsna!Krsna!Krsna!he!
Krsna!Krsna!Krsna!Krsna!Krsna!Krsna!raksa!mam!

He was chanting the names of Krsna at the same place where Krsna was chanting the names of Radha and while chanting the names of Krsna, he became completely absorbed in meditation of Krsna, Gaurasundara became Shyamsundar.

In this way Radha Krsna chant remembering each other. They go into samadhi and feel intense separation from each other.

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

Translation
I offer my respectful obeisances unto the Vaishnava devotees of the Lord. They are just like desire trees and can fulfill the desires of everyone, and they are full of compassion for the fallen conditioned souls. ( Vaisnav pranam mantra)

Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu has asked all fallen souls like us to chant the holy names of Radha Krsna. bolo krsna bhajo krsna karo krsna siksa

harer nāma harer nāma
harer nāmaiva kevalam
kalau nāsty eva nāsty eva
nāsty eva gatir anyathā

Translation
For spiritual progress in this Age of Kali, there is no alternative, there is no alternative, there is no alternative to the holy name, the holy name, the holy name of the Lord. ( CC Adi 7.76)

Radha chants the names of Krsna while Krsna chants the names of Radha, but we chant the names of both. When we say Hare, we are calling Radharani. When Krsna hears someone chanting the names of His Radharani then He gets pleased and excited. And when we say Krishna, Radharani gets pleased and excited when She hears the names of Krsna.

There are only 2 names in the Hare Krishna maha-mantra – 8 times Hare or Radha, 4 times Krsna and Rama making 8 times Krsna. So, this makes 8 names of Radha and 8 names of Krsna.

When we chant and They hear each other’s name being called then both of them get pleased and bestow happiness on the chanter. This way, it becomes complete. Krsna and Radha, both are sat-cit-ananda. Radha is the internal or hladini sakti of Krsna. Radharani gives bliss to Krsna and for your information, whatever pleasure we get, is also given to us by Radharani.

Krsna is sat-cit-ananda and we are part and parcel of Krsna. So we are also sat-cit-ananda. Sat is Sandhini, Cit is Samvit and Ananda is hladini. These all are potencies of Krsna. These potencies become person and the hladini potency or ananda is Radharani. Radharani gives bliss to Krsna and the jiva (soul). Radharani nourishes our devotional service. Karunamayi Radha! Radha is Vrndavaneswari!

Chant Hare Krishna and be happy and Radharani makes us happy.

17 January 2020

Perform devotional service like Radharani

You are all welcome this morning.

This is Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s teaching. It is said in Sanskrit and there are many

aradhyo bhagavan vrajesa-tanayas tad-dhama vrndavanam
ramya kacid upasana vraja-vadhu-vargenava kalpita

And moving forward:

srimad-bhagavatam pramanam amalam prema pumarthomahan
sri-caitanya-mahaprabhor matamidam tatradaro nah parah

The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Krishna, the son of Nanda Maharaja, is worshipped along with His transcendental abode Vrndavana. The most pleasing form of worship for the Lord is that which was performed by the gopis of Vrndavana. Srimad Bhagavatam is the spotless authority on everything and pure love of Godhead is the ultimate goal of life for all men. These statements, for which we have the highest regard, are the opinion of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. (Caitanya-matta-manjusa by Srila Viswanatha Cakravarti Thakura)

Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu is inspiring us and showing us when we perform our worship, how we should do it. It should be the way in which the gopis performed worship. Make the gopis your ideal heroine. And of all the Gopis, Radha is the topmost. This word aradhana is called such due to Radharani. anayārādhito nūnaṁ

The gopis were searching for Krsna in the forest and just after seeing the Lord’s footprints, they could see some other footprints also. Before this they could not see any footprints and there was no sign whatsoever, but they kept searching and then they saw Krsna’s footprints. It was like a ray of hope as they saw the Lord’s footprints. ‘Krsna’s footprints are here so He must be here nearby. He must have walked this way.’ When gopis see His footprints what happens? He is caught like a thief. When there is robbery in the village people search for the footprints of the thief. Where he came from? Where he went? Till where he went? So the presence of footprints means there is hope that the person is around. First they saw Krsna’s footprints and then following those footprints after some time they again saw some other person’s foot prints.

As they saw this other set of footprints they started talking amongst themselves. They started guessing whose footprints they may be. So another Gopi exclaimed, ‘You silly girl, can’t you understand this? Who else’s footprints can these be? These must be Radhika’s footprints.’

And they spoke in these words,

anayārādhito nūnaṁ
bhagavān harir īśvaraḥ
yan no vihāya govindaḥ
prīto yām anayad rahaḥ [SB 10.30.28]

Translation:
Certainly this particular gopī has perfectly worshiped the all-powerful Personality of Godhead, Govinda, since He was so pleased with Her that He abandoned the rest of us and brought Her to a secluded place.

These footprints are definitely of Aradhita, the one who worships Krsna. Krsna aradhita, the one who worships Krsna.

They did not say ‘Radha’ directly, but they said anayārādhito nūnaṁ, yan no vihāya govindaḥ. Govinda left us when the Rasa dance was just about to take place. They were feeling hopeful that the rasa dance would start, but then He took this particular Gopi, this Aradhita, He took Her away alone somewhere. So where did He take Her? He brought Her here. He left us at that place and He took away that Gopi. Can you see Her footprints here? Govind bhagavān harir īśvaraḥ Hari has taken Her.

They called Him Bhagavan and Isvara as well as Hari. He who takes away our chitta. He took Radha away. He separated us from Himself. We were all with Radha, but that Govinda – Govinda means one who gives pleasure to the sense, to the cows, to the land. So the Gopis said ‘Govind, Isvara, Bhagavan, anayad’ He took Her away. This is the place, He has bought Her here. These footprints are Aradhita’s. They have not said her name directly, they have not said Radha. They said that He has bought the one who worships Him – Aradhita. There is only one place in the Bhagavatam where She is mentioned and Her name Radha is not mentioned directly, but indirectly ‘Aradhita’ the one who worships, that Gopi – Aradhita. These are Her footprints. So Caitanya Mahaprabhu says, ‘We should worship Lord Krsna like the gopis or like Radharani worships Lord Krsna.’

sri caitanya mahaprabhor matam idam tatradaro na parah.

This is the opinion of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Radha’s bhava, the Gopi’s bhava, bhakti bhava is matchless. According to the opinion of Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu, He gives inspiration to all the Gaudiya Vaisnavas that one should worship like the Gopis, worship like Srimati Radharani. Caitanya Mahaprabhu did not just tell us, but He Himself worshipped the Lord like this and stayed in Radha bhava. The pastimes He performed in Jagannatha Puri, when He was staying in Gambhira, along with Swarup Damodar and Ramananda Raya, there Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu was constantly in Radha bhava -in the mood of Srimati Radharani, Gopi bhava. This was a confidential, personal, private reason for His appearance, He wanted to understand Radharani.

To know Radharani, you have to perform devotional service like Radharani in the mood of Radharani. If we have Gopi bhava, if we worship like the Gopis, only then we will be able to understand devotional service. Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu took up Radha bhava.

radha bhava dyuti suvalitam naumi Krsna swarupam

He took up Radha’s mood, Radha’s complexion. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu became Gauranga, the colour of Radharani. tapta-kancana-gaurangi and Radharani is Gaurangi. Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu is Gauranga. Gaura is constant – both are of Gauravarna. Radharani is gauravarna and Caitanya Mahaprabhu also became gauravarna.

Hemangi, so just from the outside, bahir gaura He became the colour of Gaura. radha bhava dyuti suvalitam. Radha’s complexion and Her bhava, Her mood from the inside and the outside He was Radharani. He is looking like Radha, He has Her complexion and her bhava, her whole mood is like hers. So Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu has taken Radha’s mood. He has taken also the mood of renunciation and He has all the right to tell us, take up Radha bhava, Radha’s mood, the Gopi’s mood. This is the mood of Sad Goswamis of Vrndavan. They used to run towards the forest searching for Krsna. kvasikvasimaha-bhuja. The six Goswamis are saying, he radhe vraja-devike ca lalite he nanda-sunokutah, in the 8th verse of Sadgoswamiastak. ghoṣantāvitisarvatovraja-pure khedairmahā-vihvalau The Goswamis would become impatient, eager and through the whole of Vraja-mandala they would run and search ‘kutah’ where are You? ‘He Radhe, he vraja-devike, he Lailite, he nanda sunokutah!

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

We also have to do this chanting in the same mood – Gopibhava, or the six Goswamis of Vrindavan’s bhava. We read in Sri Caitanya-caritamrta the devotion of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He became a devotee and showed by His example how one should perform devotional service.

apani achari jagate sikhaye

He taught the world through His own His behaviour, His dealings. Then He went to Jagannatha Puri and performed such devotional service. Why in Jagannatha Puri? Jagannatha who is there in Jagannatha Puri is now sitting in Dvaraka and He is remembering the Gopis and mother Yasoda. The memories of the Gopis and the pastimes with the cowherd boys and Sridhama Sakha is always bewildering Him. He is eager to meet all of them. All these pastimes, ‘Oh when will I play?’ and the Vatsalya bhava with mother Yasoda, ‘When will I experience that again? And my friends! uddhav mohe braja visrat nahi. The Lord cried and cried as He spoke these words to Uddhava in Mathura.

So this Lord who cannot forget Vraja or the Vrajvasis and has this mood in His heart is sitting as Lord Jagannatha in Jagannatha Puri. That is why His eyes are so big.

Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu reached Jagannatha Puri. And as Lord Jagannatha has the mood of searching for His devotees ‘Where are My devotees, when will I see My devotees?’ In this same way when Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu is reaching Puri He is thinking ‘When will I see My Lord?’ He is in Radha bhava, Gopi bhava. He is very eager to see the Lord, and to have His darsana and to embrace the Lord. Jagannatha is lamenting as He got separated from His devotees. Caiatanya Mahaprabhu in gopi bhava is thinking, “Krsna left me and went away.”

soduniya gopina krsna mathuresi gela

He left the gopis and went to Mathura. From there He was to come back but then He moved ahead, He went to Dvaraka. When Caitanya Mahaprabhu was in Jagannatha Puri, this was the mood He had. This is a nice combination of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Lord Jagannatha. They search for each other, love each other and are in intense separation from each other. This is the mood Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu took up and He has ordered or rather instructed that you all take up that mood up, service in separation, the mood of devotion in separation.

ramya kacid upasana vraja-vadhu-vargena va kalpita

One should chant with this mood. This is the practice, sadhana to have these thoughts, this bhava this mood while chanting. Otherwise remember and meditate on Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu or His mood, the Gopis’ mood. You can meditate on Radharani’s mood and evoke that mood within you and chant,

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare

nitya-siddha krsna-prema sadhya kabhu naya
shravandi-shuddha-chitte karaye udaya

Translation:
“Pure love for Krishna is eternally established in the hearts of the living entities. It is not something to be gained from another source. When the heart is purified by hearing and chanting, this love naturally awakens.” (C.C. Madya 22.107)

As we hear Hare Krishna, the holy name with that sadhana as we move forward with our mood of devotion, our Krsna prema will be revived.

Gaura Premanande Hari Haribol

16th January 2020

Kill them with love

Hare Krishna

Some of you are writing,

vancha-kalpatarubhyash ca
kripa-sindhubhya eva ca
patitanam pavanebhyo
Vaisnavaebhyo namo namaha ( Vaisnava pranam mantra)

I offer my respectful obeisances unto the Vaisnavaa devotees of the Lord. They are just like desire trees and can fulfil the desires of everyone, and they are full of compassion for the fallen conditioned souls. ( Vaisnava pranam mantra)

So go on offering your obeisances to Vaisnavaas. This is also a prayer at the feet of Vaisnavas. vancha-kalpatarubhyash ca

Vancha – you are the desire tree who fulfils all the desires. Whatever one desires from the desire tree he gets it. Vaissnavas are like those trees. Even the trees in the abode of the Lord are desire trees and if the trees are desire trees then what to speak of Vaisnavas over there. They also fulfil our desires so you pray at the feet of Vaisnavas.

patitanam pavanebhyo
Vaisnavaebhyo namo namaha

My obeisances to those who purify the fallen souls. So keep on offering obeisances. Gaudiya Vaisnavaas are special Vaisnavaas.

Yesterday and the day before yesterday here in Juhu the 42nd anniversary of Sri Sri Radha Rasbihari Temple was celebrated. Yesterday there was a huge rush of people aspiring to take darsana of the Lord. There was also abhishek of the Deities. A flag hoisting was also done with the help of a crane. I was also fortunate to participate in the flag hoisting on the top of Sri Sri Radha Rasbihari Temple. We kept singing Garud-dwaja. I had heard of this.

uttisthottistha! govinda!
uttistha garudadhvaja!
uttistha kamalakanta!
trailokyam mangalam kuru

Please wake up! Oh Sri Krsna who delights the cows and the mother earth! One who has Garuda on His Flag! One who is loved by Mother Kamala who is going to bring both of us together! Make the three worlds prosperous! ( Venkatesh Suprabhatam)

He! Radha Rasabihari, He! Panduranga! He! RadhaSyamasundar, He! Balaji please wake up. He! Garud-dwaja. One of the names of the Lord is Garuda dwaja, because on His flag there is a picture of Garuda. It is not only picture. It is Garud himself.

Yesterday in the evening there was satsang. Prabhupada disciples and devotees from the managing committee were present in big numbers. Devakinandan Prabhu, Narasimhanand Prabhu, Jagat Purusha Prabhu who taught me how to worship Radha Rasabihari were all on stage. While addressing the gathering over there I said that the presence of such great devotees has made the gathering roof- full. The way we say houseful, I said roof-full as the program was on the top roof. A huge number of people had gathered which Narasimhanand Prabhu also noted and expressed his happiness about it. He narrated the memories saying, ‘This temple is like a palace in which the Lord will definitely reside. There is a big hall made of marble , and all opulence is there. But if there are no devotees and it is all empty or visitor’s who come for darsana, then what is the beauty or usefulness of such a temple?’ Then it will not be a temple, but it will be like a crematorium. No one stays in a crematorium.’

I was also thinking that so many people have gathered and how many of these are followers and how many have gathered for darsana. How many of these are guests and how many consider themselves hosts. This temple belongs to us and lets us contribute in some way to manage the whole show. We follow what has been taught here. We are not only aya rama gaya rama. People go to many big temples like Birla mandir. They haven’t developed any relationship with the temple or don’t have any affection in the heart for the deities over there. They don’t listen to the words of great souls of Hari-katha over there. They are just visitors like guests. But we have to convert them from visitors to followers of Prabhupada. If they become followers they will be benefited. When such a society consolidates then the whole society will be greatly benefited. sanghe shakti kalau yuge so there will be exhibition of special power, power of devotion. People will witness so many people, those who have not remained people, but have become devotees. They will meet each other and then they will serve joining hands together. But before joining hands there will be joining of hearts. Together they will serve the Lord. Together they will do Sankirtana.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare

Caitanya Mahaprabhu taught the whole world this Hari kirtana and now we are learning. We have also become students. Caitanya Mahaprabhu gave this Sankirtana and also said,

śreyaḥ-kairava-candrikā-vitaraṇaḿ vidyā-vadhū-jīvanam
ānandāmbudhi-vardhanaḿ prati-padaḿ pūrṇāmṛtāsvādanaḿ
sarvātma-snapanaḿ paraḿ vijayate śrī-kṛṣṇa-sańkīrtanam

Translation:
Cleansing the mirror of the heart, mind, and consciousness (citta), extinguishing the great forest fire of material existence, spreading the moonshine of the lotus of good fortune, the life of the spouse of all knowledge, increasing the ocean of bliss, giving a taste of full nectar (amrita) at each step, bathing all souls, let there be all victory for the congregational hearing and chanting of the holy names of Lord Kṛṣṇa. ( Siksatakam verse 1)

All those who are on the conference and also those who are sitting here with me and at other places also became fortunate, as they have come in contact with Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s Sankirtana movement. They do kirtana together, they do sankirtana. And then the world witnesses the power of devotion and gets attracted to it. All the worldly people then have to think and proceed as they cannot ignore. When such power of devotion is exhibited then many other souls are impressed. They are forced to think before they proceed with their business as usual. sanghe shakti kalau yuge. This will cause the number of devotees to rise. We are all termed Vaisnavas. We are Vaisnavas. This is not some designation like any material designations, I am Indian, I am a man, I am dark, I am fair etc. So

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

‘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 effects. One is freed from all material designations, and one’s senses are purified simply by being employed in the service of the Lord.’ (CC Madhya 19.170)

We will have to cast off designations of this material world. But one designation we cannot get rid of is Vaisnava. We are Vaisnavas. We are trying to become Vaisnavas and then will go back to Godhead. There also we will remain Vaisnavas. The abode of the Lord is full of Vaisnavas. All the citizens over there are Vaisnavas. No one is foreign there. Everyone is local, who are in their own country in the village or abode of the Lord.

vaiṣṇava jana to tene kahiye
je pīḍa parāyī jāṇe re,
para duḥkhe upakāra kare to ye
mana abhimāna na āṇe re

Call those people Vaisnava who
Feel the pain of others,
Help those who are in misery,
But never let self-conceit enter their mind ( Vaisnava bhajan by Narsingh Mehata)

Those whom we keep calling Vaisnava is the transcendental designation. What is their introduction.

pīḍa parāyī jāṇe re,
Je ka ranjale ganjale tyasi mhane jo apule

In other words this means one who becomes unhappy when he sees others in a problem. There was such an exalted Maha Bhagwat Vaisnava who went to America. Why did he go to America? Because he was in grief seeing others’ problems. ( Para dukhe dukhi) How would the upliftment in the consciousness of the world have been possible if Prabhupada had not gone to America? The number of Vaisnavas are increasing on the earth, and burden on the earth is reducing.

The earth was experiencing the load and was crying in grief and so had gone to the Lord. Then Lord appeared and then he again appeared as Caitanya Mahaprabhu. What He did and not only did but still is doing,

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)

Whatever moment Caitanya Mahaprabhu started is still going on, at this moment also.

In 1965 Prabhupada was only one and now they have become many, many more. Caitanya Mahaprabhu is destroying our wickedness. In other incarnations he used an axe or bow and arrow. He threw arrows with the help of the bow. Jay Sri Rama, ho gaya kam! Or there is a Sudarshan with which Sisupal was killed. But what has Caitanya Mahaprabhu done?

sangopangastra parsadam …

All the devotees have become His weapons. In their association what happens? In English they say ‘ killing with words’. You are loving so much that you are killing me. Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Vaisnavas love us so much that the wickedness within us like Hiranyakasipu is killed with that love. It kills our wickedness and our offences. This love destroys all the offences within us. So in this way harinama

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare

Early in the morning what do we do after getting up? There is wickedness within us. if you are thinking that there is no wickedness, then it’s an illusion. We have to understand that there is a Ravan hiding within us, a demon hiding within us, which is against Krsna.

daivasur eva ca …

Lord explained that there are two types of people in the world – one is with all the good qualities and others are demons. In the morning immediately after getting up what we try to do? We try to kill this demon. Caitanya Mahaprabhu said,

ceto-darpaṇa-mārjanam

There is a blur of demonic tendencies in our consciousness, which stains the mirror with different demonic tendencies. The eed of sin is in the inactive state in the mind. When it becomes active, it can create a nuisance. So we try to destroy it before it becomes active. This can trouble us in the future as we will have to face the consequences of committing sins. We try to kill the seed the desires of sin.

Caitanya Mahaprabhu said,

ceto-darpaṇa-mārjanam bhava-mahā-dāvāgni-nirvāpaṇaḿ

Listen carefully to what Caitanya Mahaprabhu is saying, bhava-mahā-dāvāgni
Bhava means this material world and davagni , the fire which is here , which is also there in our mind in our home in our consciousness, then bhava-mahā-dāvāgni-nirvāpaṇaḿ

Then when we sprinkle

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare

As is said sravan kirtana jale ‘sinchan’ in Marathi means to spray. So we spray with the maha-mantra. Whenever there is a fire at any place the fire brigade is called. They sprinkle water and try to extinguish the fire. Similarly there is a fire is in our consciousness, in our hearts, senses. There is fire in the senses, as neither the senses nor the mind is in peace, then this nama sankirtana extinguishes the fire and brings peace.

When we acquire the maha-mantra from Gurujans. It is said,

saḿsāra-dāvānala-līḍha-loka-
trāṇāya kāruṇya-ghanāghanatvam
prāptasya kalyāṇa-guṇārṇavasya
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam

Translation:
The spiritual master is receiving benediction from the ocean of mercy. Just as a cloud pours water on a forest fire to extinguish it, so the spiritual master delivers the materially afflicted world by extinguishing the blazing fire of material existence. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master, who is an ocean of auspicious qualities. ( Gurvastakam, Verse 1)

Dava means fire, anal means wind. Whenever there is the mercy of the spiritual master and Vaisnavas, they extinguish this fire. We remain in gratitude for them and chant the mantra early in the morning. Those who gave this mercy to us, this Krisna consciousness to us those who did

yare dekha, tare kaha ‘krsna’-upadesa

krsna se tomarkrsna dite par tomar sakti ache

You can give Krsna to us. Those who gave this name of Krsna to us those who give prasada to us, give festivals, we should be in gratitude for them. So we say

vande guro sri caranaravinda… ( Gurvastakam)

We have to increase the numbers. We have to expand this Krishna consciousness.
sanghe sakti kalau yuge ………

Or is said ,

jyoti se jyot jagate chalo prem ki ganga bahate chalo…

In this world there is no love but in turn there is a brook of dirty water. There are lusty desires under the name of love. So all such Brooks of muddy water are cleaned. Lot has been talked about Swachh Bharat mission. But ISKCON campaign is swachh mann, clean minds. ceto darpana marjanam

By this all the wicked, dirty thoughts should be cleaned out and then there will be a clean consciousness. Such a campaign has been started by ISKCON. Srila Prabhupad is the founder acarya of this movement.
This becomes our duty that we have to make this Ganga of love that is the Hare Krishna maha-mantra flow everywhere, by which there will be all auspiciousness to us, as well as the whole world.

Hare Krishna!
We will meet again.

Japa Talk- 15/01/2020

Topic- Man vs Money Making Teaching

Hare Krishna. Now be attentive. All of you are welcome and congratulations.Today Gangul Prabhu from Bhiwandi has his birthday. So, we can all loudly chant Hare Krishna for him. Hare Krishna devotees always say, “Chant Hare Krishna and be happy” while material people wish Happy Birthday.

sa vai puṁsāṁ paro dharmo
yato bhaktir adhokṣaje
ahaituky apratihatā
yayātmā suprasīdati

Translation
The supreme occupation [dharma] for all humanity is that by which men can attain to loving devotional service unto the transcendent Lord. Such devotional service must be unmotivated and uninterrupted to completely satisfy the self. [SB 1.2.6]

Do something by which the soul will be blissful . We try to keep our senses and mind happy. We try to pray to get such happiness. But we forget ourselves. If we forget ourselves then how will we or our souls experience bliss. Our devotional service should be free from material contamination and it should be without unmotivated and uninterrupted.

teṣāṁ satata-yuktānāṁ
bhajatāṁ prīti-pūrvakam
dadāmi buddhi-yogaṁ taṁ
yena mām upayānti te

Translation
To those who are constantly devoted to serving Me with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to Me. [BG 10.10]

Devotional service should be free from lust. There is bhukti and bhakti. Both have huge differences. Bhakti should be constant and with love. Chanting Hare Krishna is also bhakti.

śrī-prahrāda uvāca
śravaṇaṁ kīrtanaṁ viṣṇoḥ
smaraṇaṁ pāda-sevanam
arcanaṁ vandanaṁ dāsyaṁ
sakhyam ātma-nivedanam

Translation

Prahlāda Mahārāja said: Hearing and chanting about the transcendental holy name, form, qualities, paraphernalia and pastimes of Lord Viṣṇu, remembering them, serving the lotus feet of the Lord, offering the Lord respectful worship with sixteen types of paraphernalia, offering prayers to the Lord, becoming His servant, considering the Lord one’s best friend, and surrendering everything unto Him (in other words, serving Him with the body, mind and words) — these nine processes are accepted as pure devotional service. [SB 7.5.23]

sravanam kirtanam – Bhakti starts with hearing. Hiranyakasipu asked Prahlada Maharaja what he had learnt in Gurukul because He was sent to Gurukul to become a leader amongst the demons. Prahlada Maharaj replied that he had learnt the 9 types of devotional service. Chanting Hare Krishna, hearing it and then remembering it.

Prahlada Maharaja didn’t learn this from Sanda and Amarka. They would teach in the same way as it is being taught in today’s schools just to earn money. Today teaching is based on money-making-teaching not man-making-teaching. There is no stress on cultivating character, only money making. What is the purpose of vidya to make money? To earn some livelihood? To get a job in factory? The goal of vidya has become money making. Money is means. But what’s the goal? Kama or lust. Then you require roti, clothes, home.

Luckily Prahlada Maharaja by good fortune was already post graduate as he came out of the womb of his mother. At that time, Narada Muni protected his mother in his own asarama as the demigods wanted to kill him. He predicted that Mrs Hiranyakasipu will give birth to a saintly, great soul. He gave a crash course or training that he was self realised by birth. He was God realised from birth. He was Maha-bhagavat . He was not asurya-varya . He learnt everything from Narada Muni.

Srimad-Bhagavatam is supremely authorised which explains devotional service. Chanting Hare Krishna is the devotional service and dharma. Chanting of Hare Krishna maha-mantra is bhakti. śravaṇaṁ kīrtanaṁ viṣṇoḥ smaraṇaṁ Whatever else other than this is bhukti or sense gratification.

In Bhagavad-Gita yogi bhava Arjuna and us are asked to become yogi. We have given this yugala mantra. Yugala means couple or pair – son of Nanda Maharaja and daughter of King Vrisabhanu. In Vrndavana, they are called Yugala Sarkar, Kisor-Kisori, Nanda-Nandini, Nandlala(Krsna)-Vrisbhanu dulari (Radha).

As we chant we become Japa yogis. The whole world says to become a bhogi or sense enjoyer, but they don’t know that if we become bhogi then it leads to rogi (diseased). It also leads to mental distress.

Lord Caitanya established this movement and Srila Prabhupada propagated this throughout the world and came back to India. Then in 1971, he came to Mumbai. There was news of “American sadhus in Mumbai.” I was moved by it. I was being taught by teachers like Sanda and Amarka. Then I went to see those American Sadhus and got convinced. I also saw Srila Prabhupada. Then I learnt the Raja Vidya or most confidential knowledge from Srila Prabhupada and began chanting.

In 1972 Srila Prabhupada purchased Hare Krishna land. Earlier it was known as Nairwadi. Then after a lot of struggle he established a palace for Radha Rasabihari. Then in 1977 he didn’t stay at the time of the opening 42 years ago as he already had gone back to Goloka. Today we are celebrating 42nd anniversary of Radha Rasabihari Temple.

There will be Guru Puja, then class by Srila Prabhupada. I have also been asked to give a class. There are so many programs in the evening and delicious prasada for all. So, if you are hungry, comets the inauguration and get the mercy of the Lord.

Thank You.
Hare Krishna

12 January 2020

What about the welfare of others?

Chanting is sadhana bhakti and the perfection of sadhana bhakti is bhava bhakti. Next is prema bhakti. We are sadhakas and we want to achieve bhava bhakti and Krsna prema is our prayojana. Sadhana is also called abhidheya in the words of sastras. We should know and understand our relationship with the Lord. You all are related to the Lord, in fact you are the Lord’s. You are a servant or a friend of the Lord.

nirodho ‘syānuśayanam
ātmanaḥ saha śaktibhiḥ
muktir hitvānyathā rūpaṁ
sva-rūpeṇa vyavasthitiḥ

Translation:
The merging of the living entity, along with his conditional living tendency, with the mystic lying down of the Mahā-Viṣṇu is called the winding up of the cosmic manifestation. Liberation is the permanent situation of the form of the living entity after he gives up the changeable gross and subtle material bodies. (SB 2.10.6)

Slowly with sadhana bhakti one realizes this is my relation to this Lord. When I return to the Lord’s abode I will enter in this seva or this will be my service there. This will be my dress code there. These are different relations with the Lord. We all are servants of the Lord. Sakhya bhava, being a friend of the Lord is also a relation. Lord’s friends are His servants, also His parents and gopis are servants. And among those servants some play the role of His parents, friend and gopis.

jivera svarupa haya — krsnera nitya-dasa

So we all are servants of the Lord, so this sambandha jnana. After sambandha is abhidheya – serving the Lord or accepting the sadhana of devotional service.

jiva krsna dasa ei visvasa karle ta ara dukha nai – performing sadhana bhakti,
yat karosi yad asnasi
yaj juhosi dadasi yat
yat tapasyasi kaunteya
tat kurusva mad-arpanam

Translation:
O son of Kunti, all that you do, all that you eat, all that you offer and give away, as well as all austerities that you may perform, should be done as an offering unto Me. (BG 9.27)

Doing all this means abhidheya or sravanam hearing is special sadhana. There are two types of sadhana bhakti. Vaidhi and Raganuga sadhana bahakti. We Gaudiya Vaisnavas perform sadhana bhakti following some rules and regulations. Also there is Raganuga sadhana bhakti. Sakya bhava ( Lalita, Visaka or His friends like Subala)and Vatsalya bhava( Nandababa and Yasoda). Trying to develop bhava like them. Vaidhi bhakti followers achieve Vaikuntha and of Raganuga devotees achieve Golok dhama. Yesterday at Chowpatty temple I said every mantra has its mantra devata and by chanting those mantra we please that particular Devata. And the mantra upasak achieves that particular abode.

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)

mad-yājino ’pi mām – demigods may be devata of some mantra.Krsna says to Arjuna those who worship Me and are upasaka of My mantra come to My dhama. Krsna is Supreme.

ramadi-murtisu kala-niyamena tisthan
nanavataram akarod bhuvanesu kintu
krsnah svayam samabhavat paramah puman yo
govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami

Krsna becomes Rama or Krsna takes Rama avatar or Krsna becomes Nrsimha. Krsna has His own abode like Saket, Ayodhya dhama in Vaikuntha where all the avatars of Lord reside. Krsna has said,

yada yada hi dharmasya
glanir bhavati bharata
abhyutthanam adharmasya
tadatmanam srjamy aham [BG 4.7]
paritranaya sadhunam
vinasaya ca duskrtam
dharma-samsthapanarthaya
sambhavami yuge yuge [ BG 4.8]

Lord appears in different forms, so those forms are Krsna also and they are not Krsna also, one and different simultaneously.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare

Those who worship this mantra are all Gaudiya Vaisnava and Hare Krsna upasakas .chant Hare Krsna maha-mantra. Every mantra has its devata. So Devatas of this mantra are Radha Krsna. In this whole mantra there are only two names Radha and Krsna. Rama in maha-mantra is also Krsna. If someone feels this Rama is Sri Rama or Balarama that also is not wrong.

ramati ramayati ca, maya saha ramasva

We also plead to Lord Krsna please play pastimes with me. We have that right. Devata of this mantra is Radha Krsna. And Their abode is Vrndavan dhama.

The goal of those who chant this mantra is Goloka dhama. This all is vaidhi sadhana, our sadhana. There are 64 items of devotional service stated in the Nectar of Devotion by Rupa Goswami. And there are five maha sadhanas which are,

1. Bhagavat sravan
2. Sadhu sanga
3. Nama sankirtana
4. Dhama vasa
5. Vigraha ardhana

These are the 5 main items of devotional service. By accepting these sadhanas we also follow Raganuga sadhana. By Bhagavat sravan, nama sankirtana and sadhu sanga we hear about the acarya those who follow Raganuga sadhana. When we make them our heroes then we get their association. We all Gaudiya Vaisnavas are called Rupanuga – Rupa Anuga. Rupa Goswami was Rupa Manjari and the bhava of Rupa manjari has manifested in the life of Rupa Goswami. He has explained Raganuga bhakti in the books he has written.

One is sadhana bhakti and other is prayojana bhakti. Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu has given us Siksastaka

ceto darpan marjanam

In the first 5 slokas there is description of sadhana bhakti and in

nayanam galad-ashru-dharaya
vadanam gadgada-ruddhaya gira
pulakair nichitam vapuh kada
tava nama-grahane bhavishyati

In the 6th and 7th slok there is description of bjava bhakti.

ashlishya va pada-ratam pinashtu mam
adarshanan marma-hatam karotu va
yatha tatha va vidadhatu lampato
mat-prana-nathas tu sa eva naparah

Here prema bhakti is explained. So our goal is reaching prema bhakti.

Sambandha – Abhidheya – Prayojana

Prema is also called as pancam purusartha, as said by Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

sri-caitanya mahaprabhor matam idam tatradarah na parah

The words of Caitanya Mahaprabhu is final. prema pum-artho mahan. So prema is prayojana and also prayojana is loving devotional service. You also read the sastras and books of Srila Prabhupada – Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu, Nectar of Instruction. Main sadhana is chanting.

The nine items of devotional service from sraddha to prema are also explained in Nectar of Instruction. There are only 11 slokas, but all 9 levels of devotional service are explained by Rupa Goswami.

Do not just chant, but also read books and preach. I said in Bhagavatam class that Advaitacarya was happy that Caitanya Mahaprabhu has appeared on his call, but He was performing kirtana amongst His associates. So he was sad that what will happen with others those who are ignorant. So he said, “Oh Lord, You are chanting in Srinivas angan but what about others.”

One day he reminded Caitanya Mahaprabhu that dharmasya glani has happened, now religion should be established. ‘I understood that so I called and You came but You are chanting amongst pure devotees only. Establish dharma.’ He listened to Advaitacarya and jiv jago, jiv jago, gauracanda bole and then started public chanting and dancing. If you are chanting I am busy but you are not preaching then He is not happy or Srila Prabhupada is not happy, Advaitacarya is also not happy with you. You are chanting but it’s selfish behaviour. What about parmartha – the welfare of others?

bolo krishna bhajo krishna koro krishna-sikha
yare dekha, tare kaha ‘krsna’-upadesa

Understand this. You chant and also make others chant, distribute books, do public sankirtana, honor prasada and distribute prasada. Chant in the japa conference and encourage others to join the conference.

Hare Krsna

13th January 2020

“JUST CHANT HARE KRISHNA!”

Hare Krishna!

No more chatting now as the transcription is going on. Most of the devotees during chatting are offering only their obeisances so my blessings to all those offering obeisances. And my blessings to all those chanting with us even though they write their obeisances or not. Yesterday during morning Bhagavatam class at Chowpatty temple my god brother Shyamsundar Prabhu released a book.

Chasing Rhinos with the Swamiby Syamsundara Dasa

You all also can purchase this.

At the time of book release he narrated about the pandal program in 1971 which was organised by Syamsundara Prabhu himself. When he was talking about that pandal program in 1971 at Cross Maidan he also mentioned His Holiness Radhanath Swami’s name and my name also. Because we both had gone there for the first time. We were not knowing each other at that time. He was from Chicago, America and I was from the village Aravade. We both were in audience. He shared memories about how we both came in contact with Srila Prabhupada and then became devotees. So we are grateful to him for organising the Cross Maidan pandal program. If he had not have arranged that we would not have come in contact with Srila Prabhupada and would not have become devotees. So we thank him and are grateful for his organisation and leadership in that program.

I was also thinking about how I came in contact with Srila Prabhupada and how I remained in contact with him. He also accepted me as his disciple and gave me the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. Whatever interactions I had with Srila Prabhupada regarding chanting, I was thinking of talking all that in this Japa talk. There are certain things which are termed as ‘take aways’. It’s difficult to say all the memories so I will have to narrate it briefly .

I picked up a few small books of Srila Prabhupada and a bead bag and then I also started doing kirtana when I was alone in my room and whenever my roommates used to be away. I was staying in Dadar , Mumbai along with some boys from my village. I had come here for my studies. Whatever I saw and learnt I used to try to follow those Hare Krishna devotees secretly. There was an advertisement that American sadhus are here. I had seen them dancing on the stage and I had also tried to dance with them at that time. When I came back, I closed the doors and windows of my room and I was dancing. So from that Hare Krishna festival I learnt this chanting, dancing and hearing and studying Srila Prabhupada’s books and started implementing those things immediately. In 1972 Srila Prabhupada initiated me in Vrindavan and said, ‘Chant 16 rounds daily’. I accepted the vows of doing that. When I received sannyasa initiation in 1975 that time he told me that as a sannyasi we should be chanting more and more rounds and not just 16 rounds. The way all Shad Goswamis used to keep on chanting. So that time Prabhupada inspired us to chant more and more as sannyasis. From time to time Srila Prabhupada would ask me, ‘Are you chanting?’ I always chanted, but still Prabhupada use to remind me, ‘Are you chanting?’ So for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada I was chanting as well as doing kirtanas. I was doing kirtana for the pleasure of Guru and Gauranga. Srila Prabhupada was my Guru and for the pleasure of Gauranga and Sri Sri Radha and Krsna I was doing kirtanas.

I was fortunate to do kirtanas many times in presence of Srila Prabhupada. Many times I did kirtanas in Srila Prabhupada’s Guru puja in Mumbai, Vrindavan and Mayapur. 1976 on the day of Radhastami when I was doing Kirtana in Delhi , along with the many Kirtana leaders of ISKCON, I was singing Gaur Nityananda bol Haribol Haribol! We used to do kirtana singing this line many times. We had learnt this in Mayapur from Gaudiya math devotees. We would sing Haribol Haribol! So on that day of Radhastami I was singing the Hare Krishna maha-mantra along with this Haribol Haribol. And Prabhupada interrupted in between saying stop it! Stop it! Then I learnt and understood and reduced this Haribol Haribol to a large extent. Since then other ISKCON leaders also reduced this Haribol Haribolkirtana.

Back to Bombay. I was a brahmachari then. Srila Prabhupada was present in Mumbai. As far as I could remember I think it was the disappearance day of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur. At noon Prabhupada did his offering to his Guru Maharaja’s lotus feet. At the time of Puspanjali, Prabhupada told me to lead the manglacaran. I was standing at Srila Prabhupada’s side. So I started singing. I was singing and then others were following me. Then it was time of kirtana. On a disappearance day kirtana usually Gurvastakam is sung.

samsara-davanala-lidha-loka-
tranaya karunya-ghanaghanatwam
praptasya kalyana-gunarnavasya
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam

So that day I was leading the Gurvastakam and while singing I reached up to the line

sri-radhika-madhavayor apara-
madhurya-lila-guna-rupa-namnam

Srila Prabhupada was sitting next to me and he was also singing after me. That day kirtana was going brilliant and everybody was dancing. Then Srila Prabhupada indicated to give the microphone to him. I then kept the stand and microphone in front of Prabhupada. After that line Prabhupada started to lead and he completed the Gurvastakam. I had sung half and then he completed it and did Kirtan also. So on that day we both led the kirtana.

I will narrate one incident during one of the morning walks in Mumbai which is also mentioned in my book ‘In Conversation with Srila Prabhupada’. Once during a morning walk on Juhu beach we asked him about why 16 rounds? What is its significance? Then he was explaining, sankhya purvak nama gan. There should be a fixed number of rounds. Srila Haridas Thakur used to chant 3 lakh names daily. When I asked , ‘Why 16 rounds?’ then Srila Prabhupada explained, ‘Chant 16000 rounds. Who is stopping you?’ You can chant more and more.

Once when Srila Prabhupada was not well. Before that in 1976 in Vrindavan Srila Prabhupada inaugurated our Bullock Cart SankirtanaParty. When we Padayatris had gone in his room. Srila Prabhupada gave a guiding speech to all of us. At the end he said, ‘ yare dekha, tare kaha Hare krsna’-upadesa.’. Normally in Caitanya Caritamrita we read yare dekha, tare kaha ‘krsna’-upadesa. But for padayatris he altered that order of Mahaprabhu and said ,’ yare dekha, tare kaha Hare krsna’-upadesa.’ so I understood , the objective of telling me to go on Bullock Cart Sankirtana is to spread the glories of Hare Krishna aha mantra. he wanted this Bullock Cart Sankirtana party to preach and succeed in spreading Hare Krishna maha-mantra. When this Sankirtana party was successfully moving about in India Prabhupada was very pleased with that. He wrote to one of his disciples, Nityananda Prabhu who was head of the farm community in America named new Talavan. ‘We could have millions of such carts all over the world’. Such cart means our cart which was successfully preaching in India. He said we could have millions like this. So what was the objective of doing this Bullock Cart Sankirtana? yare dekha, tare kaha hare’krsna’-upadesa. Then I understood and that became my mission during Padayatra or even otherwise also, to preach and spread the glories of Hare Krishna maha-mantra which Srila Prabhupada wanted. So basically I was told to do this and then many other things also. So till date I am attempting to do that. Objective of this zoom conference ‘Lets chant together’ is also the same, to inspire you all. To increase your faith in Harinama, so that samsiddhir hari tosanam (SB1.2.13) or as Sri Rupa Goswami said

utsāhān niścayād dhairyāt
tat-tat-karma-pravartanāt
saṅga-tyāgāt sato vṛtteḥ
ṣaḍbhir bhaktiḥ prasidhyati

There are six principles favorable to the execution of pure devotional service: (1) being enthusiastic, (2) endeavoring with confidence, (3) being patient, (4) acting according to regulative principles [such as śravaṇaṁ kīrtanaṁ viṣṇoḥ smaraṇam [SB 7.5.23]—hearing, chanting and remembering Kṛṣṇa], (5) abandoning the association of nondevotees, and (6) following in the footsteps of the previous ācāryas. These six principles undoubtedly assure the complete success of pure devotional service. (NOI 3)

May you all achieve complete perfection in this.

In 1977 Srila Prabhupada had set out on a preaching mission. He had reached London, but his health deteriorated and he wanted to return to Vrindavan. He used to say Vrindavan is my home. So first he returned to Mumbai and I was also there. Our Padayatra Party was in Orissa. Prabhupada also gave me many other services. BBT travelling book distribution Sankirtana party which we had named Narada Muni SankirtanaParty which was also supervised by me. When Prabhupada came to Mumbai then I also came to Mumbai. As his health was not good there were no morning walks. Juhu beach morning walks stopped. Prabhupada was not even attending morning programs. He used to be in his room. Practically he was bedridden and used to take bed rest only. Prabhupada wanted we should do kirtana for his pleasure. He used to listen to kirtana while lying in bed. We also used to read some books like Caitanyacaritamrta for him. I also got the opportunity to do this many times. Only one devotee used to sit on the floor besides him and in a very soft tone played kartals and kirtana was done for him. I was fortunate to get the opportunity to do kirtana for him on many occasions in this way. Once we asked Srila Prabhupada, that we are doing all possible measures of medicines etc. to improve his health but is there anything else which we had still not done? Or any major remedy we hadn’t tried yet? ‘Please tell us so that we can arrange for it, so that your health improves fast.’ Then Prabhupada said, “Just chant Hare Krishna!” That is enough. There is nothing remaining to be tried. Do kirtana.’

One more occasion I was doing life membership preaching all over Mumbai travelling in local trains and returning in the evening. That day it was my turn to do kirtana for Srila Prabhupada. I was tired. So I was dozing many times while doing kirtana. In between I used to sleep then again get up and do kirtana and then was dozing again. Prabhupada noted that and he told me ‘Go take rest.’ He didn’t chastise me, but felt merciful towards me and he told me to take rest.

On still one other occasion,one of my godbrother’s who is a very good singer was doing kirtana for Prabhupada. But I guess he was not relishing that. So Prabhupada told his servant, ” Go find Lokanath!’ Then Prabhupada’s servant came searching for me and gave me the message that Srila Prabhupada wants you to chant for him. Then I went and did kirtana. I realise that time that Srila Prabhupada used to like my kirtanas. So last night in Chowpatty Temple Kirtana Mela when I did kirtana, one of the devotees after finishing the kirtana met me and expressed himself, ‘Thank you Maharaja for chanting for us’. So from that I was reminded that I also used to chant for Srila Prabhupada. Srila Prabhupada also used to be happy with my chanting. I used to do kirtana for him and he would appreciate that. Like this there are so many memories about kirtana and interactions and conversations with Srila Prabhupada. But now I will conclude with this.

We will meet again.

14th January 2020

Mesmerising Bombay Juhu Temple inauguration

Time for Japa Talk .Time and tide waits for no one. Time is passing. I’m here at Radha Rasabihari Temple. Before last night I was remembering pastimes of Radha Krsna written by Srila Prabhodananda Saraswati. I woke up with memories of Radha Rasabihari.

Today 42 years ago on day of Makara Sankranti, there was temple opening ceremony of Radha Rasabihari Temple. So, those memories were coming of the temple opening. Srila Prabhupada was not present in that opening ceremony . He wanted to attend the temple opening. He wanted to open temple on Dussera of 1977. But his health was not good and construction was going on. On Vyasapuja of 1977 he was in Bombay. His health was not improving. Srila Prabhupada returned to his home, Vrindavan from his Bombay office. In September 1977 he proceeded to Vrindavan with me and several devotees. Many couldn’t accompany him as they were engaged in temple construction.

Then the auspicious day of 14 November came, when Srila Prabhupada entered into the eternal pastimes of the Lord.

Then temple opening took place on 14 January of Makara Sankranti. Before 42 years ago when the temple was opened he had entered into the eternal pastimes of the Lord and others were left behind. At the time of the temple opening, we missed Srila Prabhupada so much. He was conspicuous by his absence. We remember someone because of his presence or someone because of his absence.He had given all of us Radha Rasabihari.

They were first deities which I saw for the first time on Cross Maidan in 1971. In 1972 They were taken to Juhu Land. One year, They spent time in Akash Ganga, 7th floor,sea facing. At Juhu, they stayed in kutir. When I joined we used to stay in same kutir where Lord used to stay. We used to share premises with Radha Rasabihari. Arrangements were not comfortable for Them. Rats were running around and also rains and storms were there. Srila Prabhupada promised Sri Sri Radha Rasabihari,”Sir I will build a palace for you.”

After 4-5 years with great difficulties , the temple was constructed there. One time there was an attempt to break the temple. I was also there. It was the talk of the town that Radha Rasabihari Temple was partially demolished. If Balasaheb Thakre wouldn’t have intervened then the temple wouldn’t have been saved. Srila Prabhupada’s himself designed the construction of the temple. He shared his design to his Holland disciple Surabhi. He was also collecting funds from various countries via book distribution. Local people from Mumbai also were contributing. Devotees from all over the world were contributing.Then finally the palace was built but when it was the time of opening of the temple Srila Prabhupada was not there. We all felt how much it would have been great, if Srila Prabhupada would have been there at that time. It was the Lord’s desire. Chief Minister Vasant Dada Patil and other dignitaries were present at that occasion.So when I woke up, all these thoughts were coming to my mind. Also, what I read yesterday was also coming to my mind. So, all sravan kirtana smaranam was happening as I was chanting.

Srila Prabhupada gave me gayatri diksa in 1972, as pujaris were required at that time. I was made Head Pujari at that time. When I went for my Gayatri mantra Srila Prabhupada asked me how many people come to take darsana. I replied that many were coming. He asked how many? I told Prabhupada that about 50-60. Srila Prabhupada was pleased to hear that so many visitors are coming for darsana. And today 50-60 people were entering every minute. The number of people were increasing. Radha Rasabihari Temple is most famous in Mumbai and it became Dhama.

Today there will be prasada distribution of 1,11,000 plates. I inaugurated that. I broke some coconut and gave a little talk also. I congratulate the leaders and team of Food for life. We will celebrate this inauguration festival today and tomorrow. You all are invited. But Noida, Solapur, Mauritius,Ahmedabad, etc will not be able to come.

Today 450 people are chanting in conference. All are welcome. I feel gratitude towards you all. Thank You.
Hare Krishna.

10th January 2020

Chanting the maha-mantra is an authentic process

Please forgive me as I have stopped your chanting. You were chanting, and some are still chanting. You were listening to the Lord,you were getting association of the Lord, you were having a meeting with the Lord, When we chant we are in an interview with the Lord, in audience or meeting with the Lord. All this was going on and I stopped you in between so please forgive me for that.

Chanting is the process of getting association of the Lord, achieving the Lord and of having his association. Chanting of

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare

In many ways chanting is compared to a phone call to the Lord. It’s benefits, and usefulness is all narrated and explained in various ways. When we utter the Harinama , shabda yonitvat or sastra yonitvat. Today before chanting I was reading Tattva sandarbh. Srila Jiva Goswami explains there with reference of one part from Vedanta Sutra. One of the principal from that is Sastra yonitvat. Other place it is said shabda yonitvat. Basic understanding of Sastra yonitvat or shabda yonitvat can be explained in a way. Yoni means source, the place of origin, the place to achieve Lord is ‘word’. Shabda yonitvat. Sastras are full of all different types of words and sentences. ‘Ved-vakya’ or ‘Ved-vani’ is also said Sastra- yoni. On hearing the words from scriptures we can achieve the Lord.

Lord can be achieved with the help of words. By help of scriptures and words from those scriptures Lord is achievable. If one wants to prove this highest evidence ( praman) is Sruti-praman. There are different types of pramanas. There is Sastra-praman, Sruti-praman, Pratyaksha-praman. One may ask what is the evidence for whatever you are saying? How can you prove? What is the proof? Then it’s said that sastras explain which can be taken as Sastra-praman or Sruti-praman. How you will prove whether God really exists? They say Sastra-yoni. So scriptural words can prove the existence of the Lord. Evidence means these words and scriptures will explain to us how the Lord is in actuality. Ved-vani will explain us this thing.

sarvasya caham hrdi sannivisto
mattah smrtir jnanam apohanam ca
vedais ca sarvair aham eva vedyo
vedanta-krd veda-vid eva caham( BG 15.15)

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

Vadameans with the help of the Vedas. With the help of the instrument called Vedas. Vedais can sarvair aham eva vedyo. I am to be known by studying all the Vedas. Vedas are the scriptures. The scriptures from which things can be understood. To know the Lord is called Vedas and the Lord is called ‘Vedya’. Someone is very learned. Why is he called learned? Because he has studied the Vedas. Those who know and study Vedas are called as Vidvan. ( Knowledgeable). What does one come to know from the knowledge of the Vedas? – ‘Vedya’. Ahameva vedyo. Are you understanding this? – Ved, Vidvan and Vedya. There are sastra like Veda, Purana and Srutis. If one knows it, reads it, studies it then one is called as Jnana-van or Vidvan. One who has acquired knowledge is called as Jnana-van. What he has understood? He has learnt about the Lord.

So this
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare

These words or this mantra ( vachan) , this is the conclusion of all the scriptures. You may read all the different mantras in the Vedas or are you may study all the Shrutis or read only one mantra and that is Hare Krishna mahamantra, it’s a same thing.

Brahma explained this to Narada, in one of the conversations which is explained in Kali-santaran Upanishad. Naradji asked Brahmaji who is his spiritual master as well as his father , that now new yuga has started and so what is the method of achieving the Lord in this Yuga? Which mantra or method is useful? Then Brahmaji explained that one can chant Harinama. Then Narada inquired that there are innumerable names of Hari. Is there any specific name which can be chanted specially in Kaliyuga? Then Brahmaji explained that there is one special mantra, the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, and further explained, iti sodasakam namnam kali-kalmasa-nasanam. So these 16 names or 16 words are there.

Hare is one name then Krsna is another name. Then Hare is third name and Krsna is fourth name. Krsna Krsna is fifth and sixth name and then Hare Hare is 7th and 8th like that there are 8 more. So this mantra is of 16 names and 32 letters. Kali-santaran Upanishad is saying this which Sruti praman. Whatever you are saying, what is the proof? So this Kali santarana Upanishad is Sruti sastra or Sruti praman. One is Sruti sastra and another is Smriti sastra out of which Sruti sastra is considered supreme.

There are four Vedas and then Mahabharata is History and is considered as pancham Veda. So

iti sodasakam namnam kali kalmasa nasanam
natah parataropayah sarva vedesu drusyate

Translation
“In this way, the collection of sixteen names is the only destroyer ofsins in Kali-yuga. No other remedy can be found in any part of theVedic literature.” (Kalisantarana Upanishad, Text 6)

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

Who are you? What right do you have to say whatever you are saying? But Brahma can say that he has the right or authority to explain that because, he has learnt and understood it directly from the Supreme Lord. It comes in our tradition ( parampara) . Who is the main Guru of our parampara? Brahma, Madhava and then there are many more who appeared in this tradition. Brahma is telling Narada in this conversation which is explained in Kalisantarana Upanishad. Then there is shabda-yonitvat, Sastra- yonitvat with the help of scriptures and with the help of words we can know about the Lord. Kali-santaran Upanishad explains this. Sadhu , scriptures and Guru are explaining this. This is Kaliyuga and if you want to know the Lord and not only know but to achieve the Lord, and if you want to return to Godhead then the way out is this shabda-yonitvat sastra-yonitvat. They tell about these words,

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare

Whenever names are being chanted then karna randhrenwith the medium of our ears the Lord enters.
cetah-prangana-sangini vijayate sarvendriyanam krtim no jane janito kiyadbhir amrtaih krsneti varna-dvayi (CC Antya 1.99) Rupa Goswami explained this, ‘When I chant the maha-mantra with my tongue , my tongue becomes happy and I feel with one tongue how much I can chant! If I had ‘arbudh’ tongues it would been so nice. Arbudh is a very big number. Then there is Arbudh, Kharva , Shankha, Mahashankh etc. Crore is a very small number and there are many countings further beyond that. Then with my one tongue how much can I chant? Tunde tundavali… tund in Sanskrit means tond in Marathi. Tundavali labdhaye. Aavali means rows. Tundavali labdhaye. It would be so nice if I had rows of mouths. Lord Siva says that he has five mouths, so is called Panchanan. With all the five mouths he chants the names of Lord Hari. Ananta sesa has thousands of mouths, and he chants with all those mouths. So in this way when the names of Hari are uttered then ghatayate… how much can be heard with only two ears? Then he explains karna arbhudhen spriha. I wish I had millions of ears. If the Lord gifts me with millions of years then I can hear the names of Hari with so many ears and then it will easily reach my heart. In this way when Lord will enter my heart I will start dancing. Because we the soul stays in heart, then soul will embrace the super soul. They will shake hands. Then there will be ecstasy of happiness and all the bodily awareness will be lost. When we are saying Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna that means Radha Krishna Radha Krishna. We are meeting with the Lord. Rupa Goswami says vijayate sarva indriyanihi krite.We will conquer over all the organs. We are victorious over all our organs. Whatever business they keep on doing will come to a halt. If only the mind which keeps the organs busygets engaged in chanting the names of the Lord, then the meeting with the Lord will be deep in the heart( antakaran). The mind and the subtle body is also there. Mind, intelligence and false ego is finished. Our real ego, aham, is the soul. Ahankar is just false ego. Aham mameti is on the physical level. If some disorder occurs at the level of mind then aham comes up but actual aham is soul. Soul is busy and engrossed in Radha-Krsna bhajan. But when Soul is busy in taking darsana of Radha Krsna and in chanting and hearing their name and glories in Their presence then sarva indriyani krite … then all the sense organs will be frozen or immobilised.

Rupa Goswami further explains this varna-dvayi. There are two varnas or syllables. ‘Krs’ is one ‘na’ is another. There is so much happiness in these two syllables. Krsneti dvayi gives so much happiness. These two syllables are full of the Lord. So shabda-yonitvat, sastra yonitvat. Hare Krishna Hare Krishna. These words become the origin, or yoni or strot. As these words itself are the Lord. Abhinatvat nama namino. Nama itself is the Lord. This is beyond understanding( Acintya) . Whether He originates from Harinama or Harinama itself is the Lord. Shabda-yonitvat.

Yoni doesn’t give birth to the child. The infant is in the womb. When the child takes birth it appears that he has taken birth from the yoni. The way if someone enters from the door, we observe that he has come out from the door, but that doesn’t mean the door gave birth to that person. So this harinama becomes yoni. Shabda is one thing and Harinama is another thing. But here the words are yoni. That is why it is said,

nama cintamanih krishnas
caitanya-rasa-vigrahah
purnah suddho nitya-mukto
‘bhinnatvan nama-naminoh

The holy name of Krishna is transcendentally blissful. It bestows all spiritual benedictions, for it is Krishna Himself, the reservoir of all pleasure. Krishna’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 Krishna Himself. Since Krishna’s name is not contaminated by the material qualities, there is no question of its being involved with maya. Krishna’s name is always liberated and spiritual; it is never conditioned by the laws of material nature. This is because the name of Krishna and Krishna Himself are identical. (Padma Purana)

Nam and nami are one. Yoni and nam`, these words haven’t given birth. These words are not medium, but the word itself is the Lord. Nama is the Lord. Brahma who is the authority, who advisedNarada. He was told to go and spread it all over….
iti sodasakam namnam kali kalmasa nasanamAll the short falls of Kali will be nullified by this maha-mantra. Whatever defects, shortfalls, problems are there that will be taken care of. These faults will be removed. He not only explained this teachings but Brahma himself appeared. When Caitanya Mahaprabhu appeared on the earth that time even Brahma also appeared. The way he had explained it to Narada similarly he demonstrated that. In English we say ‘walk the talk’.

The way you talked now shows us your behaviour. ‘Walk the talk’. So Brahma appeared and busy Brahma took out time from his busy schedule. He is very busy as he is has created the universe. It is his service. He thought he had done enough work. He was not happy doing only that. Then he took a beadbag , and chanting beads and started chanting 3 lakh names everyday. He is and he was acarya of our parampara. Then he became acarya of the name – Namacarya Srila Haridas Thakur. This is to convince us that this chanting is not just someone’s idea , O! All of you chant! Chant! Chant! Sadhu scriptures and acharya are the solid proofs . Brahma’s teachings , Narada’s teachings is evidence. Vyasadev, and scriptures written by Him are evidence. But Vedas are not written by Vyasadev.

Vedas are apaurusheya. Vedas are eternal. Even when there is complete annihilation of the universe, at the time of pralaya the Vedas are protected. Lord appears as matsya incarnation. All the Vedas are then kept in a boat and then when again universes are created then those same scriptures, Puranas, Mahabharata and Bhagavatam is presented again. Otherwise the world will not know how to live. It is called a manual. When we buy any machine or any tool we get a manual with it to understand how to assemble it , how to unpack it and how to maintain it. Without reading you won’t understand how to handle that machine. So this Vedic knowledge and scriptures are called manuals.

Brahma created the universe first and then there is sarga and visarga. There are two types. So creation of the universes is first and starts by the Lord himself and then Brahma takes birth and he is appointed after being given knowledge of Vedas.

tene brahma hṛdā ya ādi-kavaye muhyanti yat sūrayaḥ

then with the use of that knowledge, after getting the manual Brahma takes his work further. So chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra is an authentic process.Scriptures are the evidence, Lord is evidence(praman). Acaryas are evidence. Sadhu, scriptures acarya are evidence. We should all chant the Hare Krishna maha-mantra in Kaliyuga to attain the Lord.

Hare Krishna!