8th January 2020

Bhagavad-Gita Marathon

When we chant, the Lord is pleased. But, he is not pleased with everyone. His pleasure depends on how we chant.

He is pleased with a very few devotees. It depends on our bháva, bhakti without offences and the quality of our Japa. Might be Lord is displeased with us even if we are chanting. There might be several reasons which might displease Him like how we behave throughout the day. We beg for service during chanting but if we don’t render service to Him then He gets displeased.

With how much love Tukarama Maharaja chanted? Right now I am in Pandharpur, and yesterday evening we had class on Srimad- Bhagavatam where we were remembering Tukarama Maharaja. He was chanting in Dehu with other devotees.

akamah sarva-kamo va
moksa-kama udara-dhih
tivrena bhakti-yogena
yajeta purusam param

Translation
A person who has broader intelligence, whether he be full of all material desire, without any material desire, or desiring liberation, must by all means worship the supreme whole, the Personality of Godhead.[SB 2.3.10]
While he was chanting, he was desiring to go back to Godhead. He was very intense in his devotional service. He was very adamant to go home and was saying I’m missing you, bring me back to home. So, with this intense devotion, he was having conversation with the Lord.
When we chant, we directly connect to the Lord via a phone call.

guhyam akhyati prcchati bhunkte bhojayate caiva sad-vidham priti- laksanam [NOI 4]

So this system is there to open up our heart to the Lord during chanting. We have appointment with Lord. Japa is an appointment with the Lord. We make an appointment as soon as we get up. He is ready to receive our call all the time( 24 hours a day, 7 days a week). He is ready on all the days as doctors are ready in the hospital. When we read Bhagavad-Gita, then the Lord is pleased. When we distribute Bhagavad-Gita and ask others to chant then Lord is more pleased with the one who distributes this knowledge and also encourages others to read it.

Those who have become the cause of delivering the Bhagavad-Gita pleases the Lord. If we chant and also inspire others to chant by telling the glories of holy name then He is much more pleased.

Just now Gita Marathon took place. Did you distribute Bhagavad-Gita? How many books did you distribute? Radhika from Noida did 32. Others please write. Please type gradually. You can also read scores. Lord is very pleased with all of you. Lots of Bhagavad-Gitas have been distributed. You were not reporting. So whatever has been written has been noted, Not only by me but by all participants.

yare dekha, tare kaha krsna’-upadesa

There are benefits of hearing japa. You beg for service. Lord gives you intelligence.
As you distributed books, then we are pleased – Srila Prabhupada, acaryas and myself. This is perfection of chanting. So many people will read Bhagavad-Gita if not now, then in future. News from Bhagavad-Gita will always remain fresh and never become old. I think most of you had opportunity to announce scores.

Congratulations all of you!

Thank you very much.
May Srila Prabhupada bless you all!
All Glories to Guru Gauranga!
All glories to Bhagavad-Gita Marathon!

7 January 2020

Beg for the Holy Name

Today we have 455 devotees chanting with us. The number is gradually increasing and this is very pleasing. Please stop chatting because in this Japa talk the English transcription is being done now. Just listen and don’t type anything.

Today’s news from Noida temple is that Paramsundar Prabhu and Sita Thakurani Mataji conducted UNNATI Seminar for children and parents. 150 people participated in this pro-gram. This is a good morning news. This doesn’t come in the daily newspaper.

kaler dosa-nidhe rajann
asti hy eko mahan gunah
kirtanad eva krsnasya
mukta-sangah param vrajet

Translation:
My dear King, although Kali-yuga is an ocean of faults, there is still one good quality about this age: Simply by chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, one can become free from material bondage and be promoted to the transcendental kingdom. [SB 12.3.51]

This is the present fault of Kali. They do not present any news from the spiritual world. Newspaper presents only bad things. This is Kali’s tactic. Kali was only 28 years old when Sukadev Goswami spoke Srimad-Bhagavatam.

krsna stu dhama gate tad dinatha kali

As soon as Krsna left for His abode Kali appeared. tad dinatha Kali appeared. Then what does Kali do? He just disturbs sadhana. Sarva sadhana badhak. that’s why due to disturb-ance, most of the people leave devotional practice. But this is the mercy of Lord Caitanya that He appeared 500 years ago and brought the holy name with him.
golokera prema-dhana, hari-nama-sankirtana

rati na janmilo kene tay (Hari Hari bifale)

A few said that He brought the holy name and we are also chanting. But we are not devel-oping any taste. Why are we not getting any taste? This one should introspect and ask. Do singha avalokan. It can be done on Ekadasi as recommended by Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur. krsna bada doyamaya. Krsna is very merciful that He brought the holy names to us. By chanting the holy names Lord Caitanya came to Pandharpur 500 years ago.

rama nama ke heere moti ,mein bikhrau gali gali

In all streets of Pandharpur He scattered jewels and pearls of the holy name. But I think at that time there was no city in Pandharpur. Lord Caitanya as Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur sings in his song jiva jago. He is reminding us about Lord Caitanya. Every word and letter is important. He said that Lord Caitanya has told jivas to wake up. Uthishtha Uthishtha jagrata This is Veda Vachan. Vedas ask us to get up. One who is sleeping is being asked to wake up. Are you sleeping? How much longer will you continue to sleep and why? Lord Caitanya asked this. Do you have any answer? Where are you sleeping then? Mayar pisacira kole. In the lap of the witch called Maya. So he is reminding all about the appear-ance of Lord Caitanya. Bhaktivinod reminds us that bhajibo boliya ese. Bhuliya rohila tu-mi . I will certainly chant Your name, worship You and I have forgotten this. He further writes that, “You had said if you or the jiva gets awakened, then you had promised to chant the glories of Lord. In the 3rd Canto Kapila Muni describes:

punarapi jananam punarapi maranam,
punarapi janani jatare sayanam
iha samsaare khalu dusthare,
krupayaa pare pahi murare (Bhaja Govinda Verse 21)

It has been described how much suffering the living entity goes through while in the womb of the mother. He prays to the Lord in the womb to release him from this suffering from within the womb and in return he will chant the Lord’s glories. So Lord Caitanya is speak-ing to the jiva, “You had promised Me that you would chant My glories while in womb. But as you have come out you are not keeping your promise.” Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur has also written one more song of how parents and family members make the child forget about his promise by showering him with lots of love and affection. So Lord Caitanya is conversing with the jivas. Jivas means me, not us. This is a personal conversation.

Tumare loite ami, hoinu avatar .

I have appeared for you only. Who else other than Me is Your well wisher? I had spoken this already in BG 5.29

bhoktaram yajña-tapasam sarva-loka-maheshvaram
suhridam sarva-bhutanam jñatva mam shantim richchhati

Translation:
Having realized Me as the enjoyer of all sacrifices and austerities, the Supreme Lord of all the worlds and the selfless Friend of all living beings, My devotee attains peace.

Who else is your friend in this world? ami bina bandhu are ache tomara. A friend in need is friend indeed. Is there anyone who can save you from death, old age? A friend will ad-mit you into a five star hospital, but he can’t cure your disease. Only the Lord can free you from birth, death, disease and old age. Not any friend, relative nor demigod, only Lord Visnu can liberate you as Lord Siva also confirms. visnu pradata sarvesham visnu na sanshaya. Lord only can help you in old age and death. So are you hearing? My attention is on devotees sitting in front of me. But all of you are also there on the conference. Eneci ausadhi maya nasibaro lagi.

I have brought this medicine of the holy name to destroy the illusion of maya. I’m your friend. Do not do only lip service, do something practical. I know all of you are bhava rogi and suffering from heart disease. So take this medicine. When Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur came to know about Lord Caitanya’s call, then he is re-membering the Lord.He is remembering that the Lord is a genuine and not a superficial friend. To help you I’ve brought the medicine of the chanting of the holy names.

So Bhakti Vinod Thakur woke up after contemplating in this way. Then what did he say? He fell at the feet of Lord Caitanya carane pariya and he is begging to get that medicine of the holy name. The last line of the song is of Bhakti Vinod Thakur. All previous lines are from Lord Caitanya. You have Krsna and you can give Him to me. Hence I’m chasing be-hind you.

ami to’ kangala, ‘krishna’ ‘krishna’ boli’
dhai tava pache pache

I am indeed wretched and simply run after you crying Krsna Krsna. please give me Your holy name. So we should beg in this way. It’s not fine that Lord Caitanya has brought the holy name. We should demand it and take initiation. In this way Lord Caitanya appeared. So it’s never too late. We just got to know now. So we can ask for it now. We can also be benefitted in the same way as our predecessors were benefitted. So we should beg in this way.

Thank you.

Ohe! Vaishnava Thakura
(from Saranagati)

(4)
krishna se tomara, krishna dite paro,
tomara sakati ache
ami to’ kangala, ‘krishna’ ‘krishna’ boli’,
dhai tava pache pache

Translation:

1) 0 venerable Vaisnava, O ocean of mercy, be merciful unto your servant. Give me the shade of your lotus feet and purify me. I hold on to your lotus feet.

2) Teach me to control my six passions; rectify my six faults, bestow upon me the six qual-ities, and offer unto me the six kinds of holy association.

3) I do not find the strength to carry on alone the sankirtana of the holy name of Hari. Please bless me by giving me just one drop of faith with which to obtain the great treasure of the holy name of Krsna.

4) Krsna is yours; you have the power to give Him to me. I am simply running behind you shouting, “Krsna! Krsna!”

6 January 2020

REMEMBER ‘ALL OF KRSNA’ WHILE CHANTING!

I am in Pandharpur. This talk is not only for those who are in this conferencebut alsofor the temple devotees. Pilgrims who have arrived over here are also asked to chant astray do in Mayapur. In this way the message of Krsna, yare dekha, tare kaha ‘krsna’-upadesa, is being instructed to everyone.

om ajñāna-timirāndhasya jñānāñjana-śalākayā
caksur unmīlitam yena tasmai śrī-gurave namah

When we chant, it is also called as nama-smaran, remembering the holy name. Remembering Krsna means nama-smaran. Somebody was mentioning in the japa reform post the 64 qualities of the holy name as mentioned in Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu. As Prabhupada said, “When we chant, we have to remember ‘All of Krsna’ such as the pastimes of Krsna, His qualities, forms and abode. This is a straight forward thing. We should understand this non difference

nama chintamani caitanya rasa vigraha nitya suddha mukta abhinatvam, abhinatvam nama namino

There is no difference in nama and nami. They are the same. One whose name is being addressed is called nami, one who has his dham, is called dhami. One who has lust is called kami or lusty.

Krsna says

man-mana bhava mad-bhakto
mad-yaji mam namaskuru
mam evaisyasi yuktvaivam
atmanam mat-parayanah ( BG 9.34)

Translation
Engage your mind always in thinking of Me, offer obeisances and worship Me. Being completely absorbed in Me, surely you will come to Me.

‘Remember me! Remember My name is also remembering Me. Remember My form.

Sundara the dhyana ubhe vitevari ( abhang of Tukarama Maharaja)

Translation
Beautiful enchanting form of the Lord is standing on the brick.

The form is Me. Remember My pastimes and abode. It’s the same as Me. The Lord’s name is His form.

I am writing a book in Hindi entitledSri Krsna Swarupa Cintana. Cintana means contemplation. This book has 5 chapters.

mac-citta mad-gata-prana

Every chapter is Sri Krsna swarupa. First chapter is about nama-cintana, next chapter is rupa or swarupa cintan. Name is also a form or swarupa. When we say form it means the Lord looks like this. We see photos or make a video. The Lord’s form is not His only form but His name is also His form.

Caitanya-caritamrta describes:

Kali-kāle nāma rūpe krsna-avatāra( CC Adi. 17.022)

In the age of kali, Krsna incarnates in the form of the holy name. Name is also form. Name is non-different from the Lord.

man-manā bhava mad-bhakto

Lord asks us to remember his name, form, pastimes, qualities and abode. They all are swarupa of the Lord. It’s all Krsna’s kindness. He is very kind that these all are also His swarupa.

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

When we chant the maha- mantra, we do sravanam kirtanam visnu smaranam. ( SB. 7.5.23, 24) We remember Krsna, Rama, Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Krsna is Rama or Narasimha. When we chant then there are many things worth remembering.Just hear. Don’t remember Krsna. Don’t contemplate on His form, qualities, pastimes… This is voidism or impersonalism. Lord is very sweet. What about his sweetness then? Srila Prabhupada has clearly told Sivananda Prabhu. When we chant Hare Krishna, we have to remember ‘All of Krsna’, everything related to him.

vama-bahu-kruta-vama-kapolo
śrī-gopya ūcuḥ
vāma-bāhu-kṛta-vāma-kapolo
valgita-bhrur adharārpita-veṇum
komalāṅgulibhir āśrita-mārgaṁ
gopya īrayati yatra mukundaḥ ( SB. 10.35.2/ Yugal geet)

Translation
The gopis said: When Mukunda vibrates the flute which He has placed to His lips, blocking its holes with His tender fingers, He rests His left cheek on His left arm and makes His eyebrows dance.

The Gopis also remember Krsna. There are many songs in Srimad-Bhagavatam such as Yugala-geet, Bhramara geet, Venu geet, Gopigeet, etc in the 10th canto. gopya īrayati yatra mukundaḥ. Gopis also remember Mukunda and sing His glories. Yugala means two gopis are singing together. They are remembering the Lord and glorifying His qualities. They always see Krsna and be with him. Gopis know how is Krsna. Have you seen Krsna? I haven’t seen Him but I have heard from those who have seen Krsna. How does He look?

The Gopis are one party who always see Krsna and want to be with Him. A few Gopis and Manjaries appeared over here 500 years ago. Rupa Manjari appearing as Rupa Goswami. He wrote a few books such as Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (The Nectar of Devotion),Ujwala Nilamani. Madhurya lilas has been described in The Nectar of Devotion but he was not satisfied with this book so he wrote another book namely Ujwala Nilamani which is exclusively dedicated for conjugal dealings of Radha and Krsna. He had so much information and wrote so many books. Other Goswamis also wrote regarding name, form, qualities, pastimes, abode and associates of Krsna.

When we read or hear all these things then chips of our brain will be filled with this knowledge and then we will remember the Lord. When we hear or study, it means we are doing sravanam and when we speak with the devotees,

mac-cittā mad-gata-prāṇā
bodhayantaḥ parasparam
kathayantaś ca māṁ nityaṁ
tuṣyanti ca ramanti ca ( BG. 10.9)

Translation
The thoughts of My pure devotees dwell in Me, their lives are fully devoted to My service, and they derive great satisfaction and bliss from always enlightening one another and conversing about Me.

We enlighten each other. Srila Prabhupada asked us to chant in the morning session and then we see the Lord whose name we chanted and remembered. Then we worshipacarya.

acharyavan purusho veda.

Translation
One who follows the acaryas knows things as they are.”(Chandogya Upanishad, 6.14.2)
This line is very important.

tad viddhi pranipātena
paripraśnena sevayā
upadeksyanti te jñānam
jñāninas tattva-darśinah.

Translation:
Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized souls can impart knowledge unto you because they have seen the truth.( BG 4.34)

Those who are following the acarya will get knowledge. We worship our Gurus, perform Guru Puja. This is included as a part of sadhana. Then there is Srimad-Bhagavatam class. Nityam bhagavat sevaya. So, there is one part of chanting and another part of hearing Srimad-Bhagavatam. These both are complementary with each other. When we chant attentively then we will realise Srimad-Bhagavatam and we will act with irrevocable faith. Knowledge will turn into realization. When we chant then we will realize while hearing Srimad-Bhagavatam.When we hear Srimad-Bhagavatam, our japa will improve. So, study sastras such as Bhagavad-gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam. It will help when we chant Hare Krishna. Remembering Krsna is a part of japa. How japa should be done? We could describe it in one word – attentively or meditatively.

man-manā bhava mad-bhakto

Remember the Lord. Hear Srimad-Bhagavatam. There are 10 topics of Srimad-Bhagavatam. The ultimate topic is asraya and that is Sri Krsna. All other 9 topics are there to help to remember the Supreme. satyam param dhimahi( SB1.1.1) When we hear Srimad-Bhagavatam, we will remember the Lord and then we will take shelter of Lord.
sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekam śaranam vraja ( BG18.66)

As we hear, we can take shelter of the Lord. As you hearSrimad-Bhagavatam you will have a nice time while chanting. This is a preparation for chanting which includes the study of scriptures. We don’t just chant. harer nāmaiva kevalam. It has been said to just chant, but Jiva Goswami says that whatever you do has to be accompanied by chanting of Hare Krishna. All other angas of bhakti namely śravanam, kirtanam, visnu smaranam, pāda-sevanam, arcanam, vandanam, dāsyam, sakhyam, ātma-nivedanam have to be accompanied by the chanting of Hare Krishna. Work with the hands and chant with the mouth. nishidram karoti. When all our activities and duties are accompanied by chanting of Hare Krishna then all the loopholes or flaws will be rectified by it. So the Gopis always remember the Lord as I was discussing in Yugala geet.

gopya irayati yatra mukundah

They have all sights stored in their mind.

vama-bahu-kruta-vama-kapolo

They have seen His cheeks, His tilted body or bends.

valgita-bhrur adhararpita-venum
komalangulibhir ashrita-margam

He is moving His eyebrows up and down as if they are dancing. He holds His flute on His lower lip and with His soft fingers, He opens and covers a few holes of His flute.
His hands are dancing. His eyebrows are dancing. His neck is leaned. this is the beginning of the song. If we have read all these things during Srimad-Bhagavatam class that how Krsna clothes Himself, plays the flute then we will have darsana of His form, pastimes, qualities…

Krana is not only a butter thief but also a heart thief. He is a leading man in thieves. These are all His qualities. There is an astakam giving the list of different kinds of His stealing. We should remember the Lord’s form, his qualities, pastimes… When we were talking about all these things a few days ago, I thought of these points. We should remember the Lord’s form. When Sivananda Prabhu asked Srila Prabhupada if it an offense to remember the pastimes of the Lord during chanting Prabhupada said, “It is required.” We must remember ‘All of Krsna’ including His name, form, qualities and pastimes.

One Mataji has said that there are many signs on the soles of Krsna’s feet. How many are there? Eleven and Eight. 19?

So, we are getting into details. Jiva Goswami and many acaryas have enlightened us regarding the various marks on the feet and hands of Krsna, Radha, Lord Caitanya and Nityananda. We can also remember these signs. We should remember the lotus feet of Krsna and surrender unto His lotus feet. If we remember Him then we will surrender unto Him. All various signs are very active and merciful and they reciprocate with those who bow down at Krsna’s lotus feet. There is a sign of the sudarshan chakra which protects one who bows down at His lotus feet.

There is a sign of an umbrella. One who remembers this gets honour. In South India Padayatra, we saw that when they greet someone they take a kumbha, umbrella. So, this is a way to show respect. In few temples, an umbrella is held over Srila Prabhupada. It’s written that one who remembers the lotus feet of the Lord, for him every sign will nurture one’s devotion. Signs are also the Lord. This non different business is important, but difficult to understand. So, when we chant, there are many topics worthy of remembering. Our chanting should not be null and void. There should be something to remember then we can say we chanted with attention.

Chant Hare Krishna and be happy.

5 January 2020

Bhakti should be constantly practised with love

Today there is participation from 400 places. We welcome all of you. It is Sunday to-day. It’s said in the Bible that the Lord created for 6 days and on the 7th day He rested. So now people also rest on Sunday. Sunday is vacation day, rest day. But we Hare Krsnas don’t take rest. Hare Krsnas are never on vacation.

Sunday ho ya Monday, we chant every day

tvayi me ‘nanya-visaya
matir madhu-pate ‘sakrt
ratim udvahatad addha
gangevaugham udanvati

Translation:
O Lord of Madhu, as the Ganges forever flows to the sea without hindrance, let my attraction be constantly drawn unto You without being diverted to anyone else. [SB 1.8. 42]

So we should also pray that our bhakti should be like this. Lord Krsna has also said in Bhagavad-gita, satatam kirtayanto mam.

satatam kirtayanto mam
yatantas ca drdha-vratah
namasyantas ca mam bhaktya
nitya-yukta upasate

Translation:
Always chanting My glories, endeavoring with great determination, bowing down before Me, these great souls perpetually worship Me with devotion.{BG 9.14}

Sri Krsna Caitanya said, “kirtaniya sada hari”

Kirtana of Hari always! We are also servants. What type of servants? Nityadasa! We are always a servant, not just a morning or afternoon servant. This is our only dharma. Dharma means that which can’t be separated from us, our nature. Srila Bhakti VinodT-hakur has named it Jaiva dharma – dharma of the jiva. What is the dharma of a servant? Serving his master. We should always be following our dharma, then kirtaniya sada hari is possible.

tesam satata-yuktanam
bhajatanm priti-purvakam
dadami buddhi-yogam tam
yena mam upayanti 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]

satata yuktanam – One should constantly be devoted and worship the Lord with love. So satata yuktanam bhakti should be constant and with love. That’s the symptom of love

dhyayan stuvams tasya yashas trisandhyam [Sri Sri Gurvastakam, verse 8]

At least three times a day I should offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of my spiritual master- trisandhya.
That’s said in Srimad-Bhagvatam.

sa vai pumsam paro dharmo yato bhaktir adhoksaje [SB 1.2.06]

Pumsam means jivatma, the supreme occupation [dharma] for all humanity is that by which men can attain to loving devotional service unto the transcendent Lord. This is grantha Bhagavat and name of our dharma is Bhagavat dharma and actually that’s the right name. And how should our bhakti be ? ahaituki apratihata. Devotional service must be unmotivated and uninterrupted. There should not be any material desires. De-votional service should be pure.

Caitanya Mahaprabhu has said

na dhanam na janam na sundarim
kavitam va jagad-isa kamaye
mama janmani janmanisvare
bhavatad bhaktir ahaituki tvayi

Translation
”O Almighty Lord, I have no desire to accumulate wealth, nor to enjoy beautiful women. Nor do I want any number of followers. What I want only is the causeless mercy of Your devotional service in my life, birth after birth.” [Siksastaka 4]

If you don’t want bhukti, take some mukti. But Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, ‘No I am ready to take birth, but I want your causeless devotional service.’ So bhakti should be akanda.

yayatma suprasidati

If you do all this your atma your soul will be happy.

brahma-bhutah prasannatma
na socati na kanksati [BG 18.54]

One who is thus transcendentally situated, never laments nor desires to have anything; he is equally disposed to every living entity. He lives and does his devotional service. He is not affected by what happened in the past. We say Hare Krishna mantra, but we are not meditating on the Lord. We are worried about our future, and we lament about our past. So we should do bhakti in the present. We should chant with all attention, then there will be happiness all over.

anandi ananda gade jikate tikade sagadikade

Do you like this line? It’s very nice. Once a disciple asked Prabhupada a question relat-ed to chanting. His name was Sivananda Dasa. Prabhupada answered his question, Yes-terday when I was studying, I read it. It was 40 years back and I thought I should share with you all. It is a very common question. After 40 years also the question is the same and keeps coming. It’s a common question and keeps coming around. Prabhupada has already answered it, but still it has not reached everyone in ISKCON.

Prabhupada writes:

Regarding your first question, is it offensive if thoughts of Krsna’s pastime come in your mind during chanting? Many devotees think that while chanting remembering the Lord’s pastime is offensive. So some devotees say, “Oh just chant or just hear. Do not even think.” Let’s first read Prabhupad’s answer and then discuss.

“I think you should know it’s not offensive In fact it’s required. One must try to point when he simply hears Krsna immediately all of Krsna.” What ever is related to Krsna he should remember all His form, all of His qualities, all His rupa should all come to the chanters thought. So to always be immersed in thoughts of Krsna this is our process. When we are full of Krsna then where there can be any chance of Maya being in us.

Jaha krsna taha nahi mayar adhikar

Krsna is all in our hearts there is empty place in our hearts so how can maya enter in our heart. Then where can there be chance for maya being in us. So it’s our duty to re-member Lords pastime always. One who can’t remember the pastime of Krsna let him always hear hare krsna. Then hearing chanting one will become fully Krsna conscious.

We sing in Gurvastakam,
sri-radhika-madhavayor apara-
madhurya-lila-guna-rupa-namnam
prati-kshanaswadana-lolupasya
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam

prati-kshana –every moment one should remember the Lord. What just chanting mean? Only chanting? But if one is just chanting that’s incomplete chanting. If there is kirtana then there is sravanam also. Do we just leave the mantras in the air? No, we hear them. Some say just hear and chant, that’s also incomplete. If one hears and chants then the next stage is remembering. Prabhupada said, ’All of Krsna.” Simply hear Krsna and im-mediately ‘All of Krsna’. The pastimes are all in his thoughts, in his heart.

Smrutipatal is like a screen inside us, as we chant and hear immediately there is smara-nam on our smrutiptal.

santah sadaiva hridayesu vilokayanti
yam shyama-sundaram achintya-guna-svarupam
govindam adi-purusham tam aham bhajami [Brahma-samhita 5.38]
So sravan, kirtana and smaran

When we chant smaranam is there and then we hear Srimad-Bhagavatam and read oth-er sastra like Caitanya-caritamrta. One who has chanted and then he reads sastra then immediately everything will sit in his mind and heart. Whatever I read and try to re-member is only the result of sravanam and kirtanam. That’s like a reward for us – what-ever we read after chanting goes deeper. Our faith becomes more determined and strong. Without sravanam and kirtanam reading is not that powerful.

gita bhagavat karti sravan akanda kirtana vithobha che

If one reads Gita-Bhagavat he remembers Lord Viththala, Tukarama Maharaja says. It’s like a circle. Lord reveals to those who do hearing and chanting.

Aksharakruti as I was reading yesterday. Nama has a form, ha re krs na these are letters, akshara. In the maha-mantra there are 32 letters and 16 names. Words are formed from letters. Raghunath Goswami has written in a song, Aksharakruti. From letters the Lord manifests as a Deity form. So from aksharakruti we get aksharamurti. By hearing and chanting you remember the Lord. And whatever you remember after chanting becomes your property. Now your knowledge is becoming science-practical realisations. Now you will read sastra with nistha. Once you were reading with faith, now you have to read with nistha. And then you do bhakti with nistha. We have to become nisthavan then.

nasta-prayesv abhadresu nityam bhagavata-sevaya

By regular reading of Bhagavatam and by rendering service to the pure devotee, all that is troublesome to the heart is almost completely destroyed. And now your faith is ma-ture. So whatever we read after chanting and hearing the Lord reveals Himself to us.

Once while Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur was giving a class disciple got up and went for darsana. When he came back Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur asked, “How was your eye exercise?I was sitting here to give you eyes to see the Lord and you went away.”
We can’t have darsana of the Lord by our own effort and strength.

nayam atma pravacanena labhyo na medhaya, na bahuna srutena [The Mundaka Upanishad]

Only when there will be mercy of Guru and Gauranga then it’s possible. So it’s a cycle.
We chant, we hear and then we understand the Lord more and Lord gets situated in our heart.

4 January 2020

Gaudiya connection with Pandharpur

Those who chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra are Hare Krsna bhaktas or devotees. They are Gaudiya Vaisnavas. We are devotees of Radha Krsna, our aradhya Lord:

aradhyo bhagavan vrajesa-tanayas tad-dhama vrndavanam
ramya kacid upasana vraja-vadhu-vargena va kalpita
srimad-bhagavatam pramanam amalam prema pum-artho mahan
sri-caitanya mahaprabhor matam idam tatradarah na parah
krsna stu bhagavan svayam

The Lord is complete when He is with his alahadini sakti. Radhe gives pleasure to Lord Krsna.

mahātmānas tu māṁ pārtha daivīṁ prakṛitim āśhritāḥ
bhajantyananya-manaso jñātvā bhūtādim avyayam [BG 9.13]

The great souls, mahatmas take shelter of the divine nature [daivi prakriti] and the divine nature is Srimati Radhika.
Another energy of the Lord is Durga. One is Yoga maya and another is Mahamaya. Yogamaya is Radha and Mahamaya is Durga. When we say sat-cit-ananda. How is the Lord? He is sat-cit-ananda. As Caitanya Mahaprabhu appeared in West Bengal and its called Gaudadesh, so from Gauda comes Gaudiya. People from Orissa are called Udiya and from Gauda are called Gaudiya. So Caitanya Mahaprabhu was Gaudiya as well as Udiya. So our aradhyadev is Radha Krsna.

Every mantra has its mantra devata. So we worship that mantra Devata with that specific mantra. The Devi of Hare Krsna maha-mantra is Radha. I was thinking as I am in Pandharpur and this japa talk is live from Pandharpur. This dhama is called Bhuvaikuntha. It’s famous as Bhuvaikuntha dhama. Tukarama Maharaja went to Vaikuntha saying “ami jato amchya gava amcha rama rama ghyava.” So Pandharpur is Vaikuntha. Pandharpur is Golok also, Pandharpur is Vrndavan also. Caitanya Mahaprabhu also became dhami of this dhama. He stayed here also. Nitayananda Prabhu also stayed here, so he is also dhami of Pandharpur. Visvarupa is also dhami of Pandharpur. Golok has two parts. One is Vrndavan and another is Navadvipa or its also called Svetadvipa. Pandharpur dhama is also the dhama of Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

Pandharpur is not only Vaikuntha, its also Golok. Sometimes Golok is also called Vaikuntha. Vaikunthanayak Sri Krsna. If one says Visnu it also indicates Krsna, like that if one says Vaikuntha it also indicates Vrndavan. But there are many indications as this dhama is imprinted with many others symbols which proves that Pandharpur dhama is not only Vaikuntha

goloka-namni nija-dhamni tale ca tasya
devi mahesa-hari-dhamasu tesu tesu
te teo prabhava-nicaya vihitas ca yena
govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami

Translation:
Lowest of all is located Devi-dhama [mundane world], next above it is Mahesa-dhama [abode of Mahesa]; above Mahesa-dhama is placed Hari-dhama [abode of Hari] and above them all is located Krsna’s own realm named Goloka. I adore the primeval Lord Govinda, who has allotted their respective authorities to the rulers of those graded realms.[Brahma-samhita Verse 43]

First is Devi dhama then Hari dhama then Saket or Ayodhya then Golok dhama. Golok is the topmost as Krsna is the topmost. In Pandharpur’s Viththala temple there is not only Rukmini, but there is also Radhika. Satyabhama is also is there so that means Dwaraka is also there, all in one. Mangal arati of Pandharpur is called as Kakad arati. At the time of mangal arati Lord Viththala is not Viththala. He is standing on a brick that’s vit in local language so Lord is called Viththala.

He has come from Dwaraka so He is Dwarakadhish also. But at the time of abhishek, it is done by Yasoda. As Lord is a baby in the morning. In the morning the Lord is offered a lot of sweets and in the afternoon He is fed like a king. Why sweets in the morning? Prabhupada said that as the Lord is a baby in the morning so balabhoga is offered to Him. He grows up by afternoon so rajbhoga. So food like a King Dwarakadisa is offered.

Abhishek means bathing the Lord. First is arati in the morning and then abhishek. Then in the middle of the abhishek the Lord is reminded of makhan/butter. What’s the time of makhanchori? This much at least you know. You should have learnt it. Maybe you also have done makhan chori with Krsna. So as He remembers makhan He is feed makhan, a big ball of makhan. In Marathi it’s called ‘lonyacha goda.’ So this lila of eating makhan Lord Panduranga also does. What ever Lord does is a lila, a pastime. Here we have Gopalpur. One is Pandharpur and another is Gopalpur. So its two in one. Gopalpur makes it more clear. In Dwaraka Lord sits in a chariot so there godapal [horse for chariot]. Lord Krsna does cow herding here in Gopalpur. So Gokul of Vrndavan is equal to Gopalpur of Pandharpur.

Visnupad is once again the same thing. The foot prints are Krsna’s, but they are called Visnupad. So it’s interchangeable. As in sastra Lord Krsna is also called Visnu. There are also imprints of foot prints of Kanhaiya, hooves of the cow, flute what else you need? People say Pandharpur is Vrndavan then show it? Also darsana in Gopalpur is of Krsna Kanhaiya. All the pastimes of Kanhaiya are depicted there. And in Pandharpur there is Radha Pandharinath. Pandharinath appeared here to make it clearer to all of you.

baap dakhav nahitar sraddha, proves we will not believe. So here Radha Pandharinath appeared in nitya-lila of Pandharpur.

There are two types of lilas. Nityalila and Pragatlila. In Pragatlila what ever see in Gopalpur the darsana there or whatever we see at Visnupad. And then the deity of Lord Viththala does the pastime of eating makhan. Caitanya Mahaprabhu also came here and does His lilas. Nityananda Prabhu came here. So we have our Gaudiya connection with Pandharpur. Srirangapuri, disciple of Madhavendrapuri came here. There are many disciples of Madhavendrapuri. He is our first acarya in whose heart the love for Radha Krsna manifested. He was first initiated in Madhvacarya sampradaya. Sriranga Puri was staying in Pandharpur. Caitanya Mahaprabhu came here and as He got the news that Sriranga Puri in here in Pandharpur he went running to Sriranga Puri. Caitanya Mahaprabhu is also acraya here. He was on pilgrimage.

sarvatra prachar hoibe mora nama
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare

He was preaching His own name. prachar hoibe mora nama. My name will be preached all over. And what is my name? Hare Krishna is My name. I am not only Krsna, but I have also brought Radha with Me. So I am Radha Krsna-Caitanya Mahaprabhu. My name will be preached all over but now I am not alone.

sri krsna caitanya radha krsna nahi anya

When Caitanya Mahaprabhu met Sriranga Puri there was katha for 7 days. I wish we could get a recording of that katha, but unfortunately we don’t have. Here recording is going on. Wherever there is a katha in ISKCON immediately the recording is done. But there is no record of the 7 day Hari katha or bodhayanta parasparam. There are no details of that dialogue of Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Sriranga Puri.

Every God has it’s dhama, so Pandharpur dhama is the dhama of Radha Krsna. It’s originally the dhama of Radha Krsna? Pandharpur dhama is famous for kirtana, Nada brahma. Jagannatha Puri is famous for anna brahma. Another dhama is Srirangam which is famous for suptam madhuram. Lords is sleeping is also madhur. Lord’s sleeping is also a pastime. Tirupati is kanchan brahma. So Pandharpur is Nada brahma.

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

Question: It is good to leave body in Pandharpur?

Answer: Why do you doubt? Yes, it is. Why not?

itna to karna swami govind nama leke tab prana tana se nikale

Oh! Lord if you could do this much for me, how much?That I utter your name while leaving this body. There is prayer like that:

jamuna ka vamsi vata ho

Srila Prabhupada also rushed to Vrndavan when he was not well. I better leave my body in Vrndavan. So devotees aspire to leave their body in the dhama. ‘May I utter your holy name at the time of my departure?’ If You could be there next to me when I am leaving this body. As it happened in the case of Bhisma and Haridasa Thakur.

radha ko sat lana

Please bring Radharani also with You when You come at the time of my departure. And if this could happen in the dhama that could be most ideal. Over one hour we were talking Pandharpur is dhama.We would be happy enough if you leave your body here in Pandharpur.

Question: When Narayana or Viththala eat makhan He is no more Viththala?

Answer: No, that’s not the case, Narayana and Krsna are non-different. For Krsna’s devotees, Lord Viththala becomes Krsna. When Tusli Dasa went to Vrindavan he wanted to darsana of Sri Rama. So for him Krsna became Sri Rama, his worshipable Lord. Radhika is also there on the altar. He is Viththala of Rukmini and Krsna of Radhika. Everyone knows that Tukaram Maharaja is a Viththala bhakta, but the abhangas he has written are of Krsna.

gokudichya sukha antapar nahi lekha
gudiya torane karati katha gati gane

There is description of all Krsna’s pastimes. With all his heart Tukarama Maharaja has described the pastimes of Krsna in his abhangas. Many other saints have also described pastimes of Lord Krsna in their abhangas.

Lord Dwarakadhisa went to Kuruksetra and became Jagannatha. And He stays for one full year in His temple that’s Dwaraka dhama. He goes to Gundicha temple for 7 days, that’s Vrndavan dhama. And Gambhira is Navadvipa, where Caitanya Mahaprabhu stayed.

3rd January 2020

Real Social Service

I welcome you all. Happy New year! We have been telling this to those who are chanting on the conference. We just don’t wish for people to be happy, but also tell them how to be happy by saying, ‘Chant Hare Krishna and be happy’. Remember the Lord and be happy. We should be wishing all a ‘Happy Journey’ as the railway people keep wishing us. ‘We wish you happy journey.’ Some rail journeys are long journeys, but this life is also a long journey. Let this journey of life be auspicious for you. This can happen only when we chant,

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

We have to understand the glories of Harinama. Many were chanting with us since morning.We all were doing nama yagya, sankirtana yagnya. We do the offering of Harinama in this sankirtana yagnya.

We make a bow of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra and the soul becomes an arrow. With the help of the bow we ‘shoot’ the arrow(soul) at the lotus feet of the Lord. We don’t injure the Lord’s feet with the arrow, but we humbly offer the soul at His lotus.

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

Translation
Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.( BG 18.66)

When we chant, this eternal servant (nitya dasa ) takes shelter of the Lord. This becomes the yajnya. ‘Swaha! Swaha!’ When we say yagya we are reminded of swaha which is the offerings in the fire. So this chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra is also a yagya, which we are trying to make you understand. So this sankirtana yagnya is the religion of Kaliyuga which is all auspicious. By doing such yagya our life will become all auspicious and happy. By this we will also reach our desired destination as we mentioned sometime back – let your journey be happy and auspicious. Not that only your this year should be happy but let your entire life become all auspicious and happy. Is it ok? Otherwise this year may be happy and the next year one may turn bankrupt. Let this journey of your whole life be all auspicious for you. When we are talking about the sankirtana yagya, I am reminded of Vinoba Bhave who also used to perform yagya. As I am sitting here with a few devotees.He would travel from village to village with a few followers and used to perform Bhudan yagnya. Bhu mean bhumi, land. So he used to do this Bhudan yagya, around 50 – 60 years back. He would acquire some pieces of land from the big landlords and give them to poor people under the name of Bhudan yagnya. In this way would do some social service or social reformations.

Such social services keep happening and people serve the society, their country in this way. They give things in charity,perform Bhudan yagya,open hospitals etc. We say, ‘Chant Hare Krishna be happy.’. A lot can be achieved by this and we can explain that but we don’t have that much time. Nowadays people say, ‘They don’t have time to die’. So this type of charity and social services doesn’t include any agenda for upliftment of the soul. Food, clothing and shelter are for the body and in no way is the soul getting affected by providing of all this. What benefit does the soul get from this? The soul doesn’t get any benefit. Sankirtana yagya, or chanting or the process of remembering the Lord can’t be compared with any of such religious or pious activities punyachi ganana kon Kari. This is supreme divine pious activity. There are different levels of pious activities also. One is at the level of the mode of goodness. There is a supremely divine (alaukik) pious activity which is beyond the three modes of goodness.

punyachi ganana kon kari – Whatever your daily routine is you should chant.

This sravanam, kirtanam, visnuhu smaranam is all supremely divine. Whatever pious activities go on they are in the mode of goodness. Hare Krishna devotees have to understand this, All other general social or pious activities like bhudan yagya or opening of hospitals, are considered as pious activities by the people. By such pious activities one can reach upto heaven. But amhi jato amuchya gava amucha ram ram ghyava. This type of pious activities of Bhudan yagya and hospitals can’t take you to Vaikuntha, because in this what benefit is being done for the soul? Is there something for the soul in Heaven. The home for the soul is Vaikuntha or the country of the soul is Goloka, Vrindavan or Pandharpur.This is mahe ka ghar ( mother’s place) of devotees. Back to Home.

Jau devachiya gava. Adi-dev. People don’t even understand this and consider all 33 crores of demigods as the supreme Lord. We don’t have to go to their abode, but have to go to the country of Adi-dev. Srila Prabhupada had explained that Hindus don’t understand that there is something called heaven and that is different from Vaikuntha. This is a pious activity and the other is a spiritual activity. This is a demigod and other is the Supreme Lord.

Whom does the soul want? The soul wants the Supreme Lord. Whom does the child want? Yesterday at the airport I saw a small child crying. Possibly her mother was not travelling with her. Her father and younger sister were with her. That small girl was crying, and looking here and there. Then father gave her some toy. She stopped crying for a moment and then again started crying saying, “Mummy!Mummy! Then her father gave her a lollipop. She was trying to taste it, but again started crying “ Mummy! Mummy! The soul wants the Supreme Lord. When we are talking about the child I am reminded of Prabhupada’s saying that this chanting which we do who has to be done like the crying of a baby. The way the baby cries in separation of the mother. The mother is like God.

The mother is everything for the child. Similarly one needs the Supreme Lord and so we should be chanting like the crying of a baby. The way the baby just keeps remembering the mother, we should keep remembering the Lord. When the baby cries there is an intensity in it. It is not pretentious. As we grow up we learn to pretend. When people go for someone’s funeral they will take out a handkerchief and wipe off the eyes even if there are no tears just to show off their grief. Elder people are too smart, but young children are very straight and innocent. Inside and outside they are same. The remembrance of a mother is focused. They want everything from their mother.

Srila Prabhupadawould sayabout these social services that there are certain religions like Christianity in which they consider this social service only to be supreme, and now Hindu people are also acquiring that. Whatever activities they perform are not beyond the three modes of material nature or they are not divine. They are in the mode of goodness. If a millionaire’s son has left his father’s house and is wandering here and there. Someone helps him by allowing him to stay in their house for a few days and gives some food, a place to sleep. People keep helping others in this way. But then someone else comes and asks that son of a millionaire who are you? Where do you belong? Why you are here? – I am the son of Ambani. Although this name is not worthy of being remembered in the morning, if that person makes him understand that his real precious residence of 14 floors in Mumbai israther like the 14 bhuvanas in Brahmanda. If that person takes him to his 14 flooredhouse. He has been helped in two ways. One he was kept in own house and given food, shelter, but the other one found out where he belongs and sent him there. So now he is back home. The common person who had kept him in his house was not having much wealth but when he reached his own house the opulence over there cannot be compared to what he was getting in that person’s house. So whose help is more beneficial? – The one who sent him to his own house. So you also need help. In this Gaudiya Vaisnava parampara you are getting this help. One day we will go back, Back to Godhead. Say bye to Pune!

When we say, ‘Chant Hare Krishna and be happy’ and when we this message reaches all the people like prati ghare giya karaho mor adnyay prakash

Caitanya Mahaprabhu advised Nityananda Prabhu and Sri Haridas Thakur to go door to door of all the houses and speed His message. Caitanya Mahaprabhu said this.

bolo krsna bhaja krsna karokrsna siksa

krsna stu bhagawanswayam

That the Supreme Lord gave this order to go to all the houses and yare dekha, tare kaha ‘krsna’-upadesa. Not only Nityananda Prabhuji and Haridas Thakur, but there were many others who did that and in that way this message reached us also. Now it is our turn to let it reach many more. Bolo Krsna means

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

This is the main thing. We tell others to do Hare Krishna Japa, or we give His name to someone means we are giving Krsna to them. In the Harinama diksa ceremony Guru gives Harinama to the disciple. First initiation is also called Harinama diksa, initiation. Gurus give Harinama means Guru gives Krsna. The soul is offered to Krsna. When it is given to Krsna what else remains to be given?

yasmin tuste jagat tustam– If the Supreme Personality of Godhead is satisfied, everyone is satisfied

When we worship Lord Acyuta in this way that means we have done sarva- arhanam. Arhanam means aradhana or worshipping. All are being worshiped this way, no one is remaining. When we water the root of the tree all the parts of the tree – trunk, branches leaves, fruits, flowers everything is served simultaneously. Similarly the Lord is everyone’s root or source.

So thank you.

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

2nd January 2020

Worshipping Tulasi – expansion of the maha-mantra

We will speak few words now in service of Harinama as our japa talk. We have wished each other, ‘Happy New year’ and the first day of the year has passed.

I am in Noida and there were innumerable visitors taking darsana of Their Lordships, which our temple president estimated to be around 30 to 40 thousand. Lots of service of Harinama was being done as there was 12 hours of continuous kirtana. There was also a separate booth where new visitors were given the opportunity to chant. Through all of this the message which was given was clear ‘chant and be happy’. It was a successful effort by ISKCON Noida. For this reason only continuous kirtana was arranged and japa was getting done by new people.

All glories to Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Yesterday this Harinama reached many more people. There may have been many people in the crowd who must have heard the Hare Krishna maha-mantra for the first time in their life. Many people were also dancing in the darsana mandap in front of Radha Govind Devji. That was a very beautiful scene. So you should also arrange such things in your area, your town, your temples and also at your home because charity begins at home. If some members in your family are not chanting, not doing kirtana, tell them to chant. To join this moment of Hare Krishna means you will have to chant and do kirtana, otherwise you cannot be called ‘Hare Krishna people’. You all are chanting and doing kirtana, but also reach out to others. If you tell others to do Harinama chanting then Harinama will be pleased with you. Harinama will be so happy. Harinama will be happy means Lord Hari will be happy, because Harinama is Lord Hari Himself. When we pray like that we say Harinama Prabhu…… to whom we are saying Prabhu? To Harinama. That means Harinama is Prabhu.

Today I sang mangala aarti and I offered arati to Tulasi Devi. That time I had some thoughts regarding the worship of Tulsi which is so very important in our life as sadhakas. If we view some picture of namacarya Haridas Thakur, then what do we observe? In whose association does he do his Japa? It used to be with Tulasi Maharani. Even Shad Goswami used to chant sitting near Tulsi Maharani. When any austerity is being performed, Tulsi Maharani is always there.

There are two types of sadhana:
1. Vaidhi bhakti sadhana
2. Raganuaga sadhana

Both are important, but Gaudiya Vaisnavas mostly follow Raganuga bhakti. The goal is the same. There is vaidhi (sadhana) without which we cannot progress. Both are sadhana. In Raganuga bhakti we do anugaman ( following someone),some devotee from Goloka, or devotees of Vrindavan. Vrinda Devi is a great personality. Some follow Yasoda Mata or Nandababa, some maybe following Subala sakha, or Radha bhava or Gopi bhava.

ramya kacid upasana vraja-vadhu-vargena ya kalpita

This is Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s opinion about how devotion should be done. It should be like that of vraja-vadhu vargena ya kalpita. Devotion should be performed following in the footsteps of the gopis of Vrindavan. Trying to study and sincerely follow the gopis of Vrindavan. Trying to follow in the footsteps of one of the devotees of Goloka, to arouse such emotions and feelings in us, to study this is called as Raganuga bhakti. When I was doing Tulasi aarti, I was thinking of these things.

namo namaḥ tulasī kṛṣṇa-preyasi namo namaḥ

While chanting we should remember, offer obeisances and prayers to Tulasi.

rādhā-kṛṣṇa-sevā pābo ei abilāṣī

What desire do I have?I want to get the service of Radha and Krsna. The feelings which we are expected to have during the chanting of Hare Krishna maha-mantra are also there in this prayer of Tulasi arati. Commentary on the Hare Krishna maha-mantra explains that when we chant the Hare Krishna maha-mantra we are supposed to have feelings of – seva yogyam kuru . When we are chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra in our mind we should have the feeling, “Please make me eligible to do Your service. ” The same thing we pray to Tulsi Devi also. radha krsna seva pabo ei abhilasi Vrinda Devi gives us service as she is in charge of distributing different services, like the Temple commander or organiser. Distribution of services is the Dharma of Tulsi Maharani.

ye tomāra śaraṇa loy, tara vāñchā pūrṇa hoy

You fulfil the desires of those who take your shelter. O Vindadevi! She is also Vaisnavi.

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

So Tulasi gives devotion to devotees. Devotion is not given by Lord Krsna. Bhakti is given by bhaktas or devotees. Srila Viswanath Chakravarty Thakur has explained this very well in his book, Madhurya Kadambini that one can get devotion from devotees. Lord doesn’t give that, but devotees give devotion to others. So great devotee like Tulasi Maharani also gives devotion.

kṛpā kori’ koro tāre vṛndāvana-vāsi

“O Tulasi Maharani who is Vrindavanvasi or Golokavasi please bestow your mercy on us.” Tulasi Maharani is not Noida-vasi although she does appear in Noida. She is also not Swarga-vasi but is Vaikuntha-vasi. You will get her in Vaikuntha, but her original place is in Goloka or Vrindavan. The name Vrindavan itself suggests Vrinda-vana , Vrindayaha vanam. The name of the forest is Vrindavan because of Vrinda Devi, not because of Krsna. It is named after Vrinda Devi. She is a resident of Vrindavan,Vrindavan-vasi. This prayer to Tulsi Maharani is very special. It is filled with the bhavas of Gaudiya Vaisnavas.

mora ei abhilāṣa, vilāsa kuñje dio vāsa

What is my desire? To get the residence in Vilas Kunja. The place where Krsna performs his pastimes with Radharani and the gopis are called Kunja. Kunja-vihar. It is explained that the Lord stays at three places. He stays with mother Yasoda and Nandbaba at Nand Bhavan. That is staying at home in the morning and evening. He stays in the forests at the time of herding the cows. There used to be big pasturing grounds where the cows graze on lush, green grass. This is a second place. At home there was an exhibition of Vatsalya Rasa. At places of Gocaran Lila there was Sakhya Rasa. The third place is in forest itself. These special places are termed as Kunja.

nikunja mein biraje ghanshyam radhe radhe….

Krsna does his pastimes with Radharani and gopis at these Kunjas. So what prayer do we offer to Vrinda Devi?

mora ei abhilāṣa, vilāsa kuñje dio vāsa

Let me get some place to serve in Vilas Kunjas.

nayana heribo sadā yugala-rūpa-rāśi

I want to relish with my eyes yugala-rupa-rasi Radha-Govind, Kisor- Kisori, Ladali-lal. yugala-rūpa-rāśi. What is this ‘rasi’? It’s a heap, mountain. Lord is the reservoir of all beauty. Let me get His darsana. When we chant Hare Krishna maha-mantra that also has a similar prayer. He Harinam Prabhu, He Radhe, please give me your darsana.

presthaya saha svabhista-lilam mam sravaya Gopal Guru Goswami explains when we say the Hare Krishna maha-mantra ,what is one of our prayers? presthaya saha – this is the prayer to Radha. presthaya saha – one who is your presth , your dear most, svabhista-lilam – please reveal the best of your pastimes with Him. Let me hear that. Then further we say Hare Rama Hare Rama. At the next Hare we pray, -presthaya saha svabhista-lilam mam sravaya. sravaya means please show. All such emotions and feelings are hidden in this Hare Krishna maha-mantra. O Radha please reveal Your pastimes with Krsna. O Krsna please reveal Your past times with Radha. Let me hear that. Please show me that. The feelings in the prayer to Tulsi Maharani and Hare Krishna maha-mantra are quite similar.

Hare Krishna maha-mantra includes all other players. When you chant Hare Krishna maha-mantra you have also sung all the other songs like Gopigeet, Venugeet, Yugalgeet or Brahmageet or prayer to Tulasi Maharani. It is all in one. When you chant,

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

You have also sung all the songs. Tulasi Vandana is also an expansion of that. Whatever we are praying to Tulsi Maharani, the same thing we are praying to Harinama Prabhu also.

ei nivedana dhara, sakhīra anugata koro

Its matter of ‘anugatya’ or following. Please accept my plea. First is mor ai abhilas .- This is my desire. Then we say this is my plea, sakhīra anugata koro. Let me follow in the footsteps of sakhis.

sevā-adhikāra diye koro nīja dāsī

Let me get some rights to do some service. Such prayers we are offering to Tulsi Maharani, when we are chanting in the presence of Tulsi Maharani. So a prayer is being made – let me follow ( anugatya) in your footsteps.

Goddess Laksmi is observing austerities in Srivan or Belvan of Vrindavan since a long time. Why she is not getting entrance into the Rasa Lila? Because she doesn’t want to follow in the footsteps. She doesn’t have such humility. This is the subject of das-dasanudas. This is the spirit of Vrindavan, of following anugatya . Then one gets entrance into the pastimes of Krsna. Such is the discipline of Vrindavan. We also have to learn that. So in our daily practical life we will have to follow in the footsteps of senior devotees. Not only to Vrinda Devi, but you can also pray to GBC to give some seva.

sevā-adhikāra diye koro nīja dāsī

Give us seva. Please accept my attempt to follow in your footsteps. GBCs or temple commander or head of the department or leader of BACE. We have to follow them. Only the best follower becomes a leader. Good follower becomes good leader. One who can’t follow cannot be a leader. Such is the culture of Vrindavan and so we also pray like that. While chanting Hare Krishna maha-mantra we should have such emotions to become refined. ceto-darpana-marjanam. Whatever garbage is there in the mind, thoughts of aham- mameti are garbage. When we throw off this garbage then ceto-darpana-marjanam will happen.

dīna kṛṣṇa-dāse koy, ei yena mora hoy
śrī-rādhā-govinda-preme sadā yena bhāsi

I am Dina Krsna Dasa, humble servant of Krsna. We are also offering such prayers to Tulasi Maharani when we are chanting. Through the medium of Hare Krishna maha-mantra we are offering such prayers to Tulsi Maharani.

śrī-rādhā-govinda-preme sadā yena bhāsi

Let me get love unto the lotus feet of Radha and Krsna.

The objective of chanting the maha-mantra is prema pumartho mahan which is pancham purushartha. So such prayers are also being offered to Tulsi Maharani.

śrī-rādhā-govinda-preme sadā yena bhāsi

Tulasi Maharani ki Jai!

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

1 January 2020

Chant Hare Krishna and be happy

In the japa talk I share a few things from my heart and not my mind. Today there were greetings in the chat session about a Happy New Year. I also wish you a Happy New Year. Devotees in ISKCON Noida started the New Year with mangala arati darsana of Radha Govind. It's great if you can come for mangala arati daily.

We take new year resolutions. I had to say something. We just don't greet with a Happy New Year. But we also tell how you can be happy in the New Year. It's not that you drink wine in the new year. Just greetings won't work. You have to tell them how can they be happy on behalf of Lord Caitanya. Chant Hare Krishna and be happy. This message is given by Hare Krishna devotees. Chant Hare Krishna and be happy.

They won't understand when we just say this. We have to explain a little more. How to chant? Why to just chant Hare Krishna? We say we become happy by chanting Hare Krishna? Has anyone become happy by chanting Hare Krishna? We have to tell them something from the scriptures. Krsna is like the sun and Maya is darkness.

Krsna is not just like a single sun, but millions of suns together. Wherever there is Krsna, Maya has nothing to do over there. As soon as we have light, darkness immediately vanishes. Wherever there is light, darkness can't stay.

One more year has passed away. You can think how it has passed away. Srimad Bhagavatam states that our lifetime is stolen by every day and night. Our life reduces every day. But if one is engaged in glorifying the Supreme Lord then he actually has not wasted his lifetime. We don't want to waste our lifetime. To do so we have to discuss the glories of the Lord, remember Him and render devotional service. Such people make the best use of time, not waste it. Krsna is like the sun.

As you sleep, you lose yourself. The Lord says in Bhagavata-Gita that ‘I am time’. Worldly people may say something different. They say time is money. They think that if you don't use time in earning money then it is wasted. Devotees engage their time in earning Krsna.

The wealth you have earned is to be used for dharma.We have to stay with time. It means we have to stay with Krsna. Time is Krsna. We have to stay with Krsna, not behind Him. Krsna is the sun, the light, Maya is darkness. If we are sitting in an aeroplane which is flying at 25000 kph around the globe then if we go in a Western direction at this speed what will you experience?From Singapore to US, back to Tokyo. If we complete this circulation within 24 hours starting our flight at 12 pm.Then we will experience that at every place time it will be 12 pm. Wherever 12 pm is there, there will be afternoon not night. You will always be with the sun and no darkness. You will be going with the sun.

So in same way, we can remain with Krsna by glorifying Him, offering everything to Him all the time. In this way, we can stay with Krsna, remembering Him. Srila Prabhupada has asked us to remember Krsna 24 hours a day. Why not 25 hours? How ever many hours you have, for all those hours you remember Krsna. If we do so then our New Year will be happy.