Date: 01May 2024
Speaker: HG Ananta Sesa Prabhu Ji
Topic: Param Vijayte Sri Krishna Sankirtanam

HG Ananta Sesa Prabhu Ji:

From last few days, we we’re discussing the teachings of lord Caitanya. In the Sikshastakam Prayers; whereverse 1-8 wasexplained as the steps from faith to love. The 1st verse has both do’s and don’ts. It also has ‘Param Vijayate’.

CC,Antya Lila, 20.12:

ceto-darpaṇa-mārjanaṁ bhava-mahā-dāvāgni-nirvāpaṇaṁ
śreyaḥ-kairava-candrikā-vitaraṇaṁvidyā-vadhū-jīvanam
ānandāmbudhi-vardhanaṁprati-padaṁpūrṇāmṛtāsvādanaṁ
sarvātma-snapanaṁparaṁvijayateśrī-kṛṣṇa-saṅkīrtanam

Translation:

‘Let there be all victory for the chanting of the holy name of Lord Kṛṣṇa, which can cleanse the mirror of the heart and stop the miseries of the blazing fire of material existence. That chanting is the waxing moon that spreads the white lotus of good fortune for all living entities. It is the life and soul of all education. The chanting of the holy name of Kṛṣṇa expands the blissful ocean of transcendental life. It gives a cooling effect to everyone and enables one to taste full nectar at every step.’

The steps of cetodarpanmarjanam and bhavmahadavagninirpanam are of Anartha Nivriti. From śreyaḥ-kairava-candrikā-vitaraṇaṁ to
sarvātma-snapanaṁis Artha Pravriti. Both provided by Hari Naam Samkirtana.

We will continue on the commentaries of Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakurand Bhakti Vinod Thakur.

Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur explains the word ‘Sri Krishna Samkirtanam’ that how one forgets Krishna and is disoriented from Krishna. One forgets his own real identity. Then he becomes miserable. And when he takes shelter of a spiritual master and hear the pastimes of Krishna from them, He can call out Krishna intensely.

Haridas Thakur explains in the book Harinaam Chintamani.

Harinam Chintamani, Chapter 1, Verse 34:

cid-vaibhavapürëa-tattva mäyächäyätära |
cid-aëu-svarüpajévavaibhavaprakära ||

Translation:

Chidvaibhav is the complete element and Maya is only its shadow. The independent soul is a microscopic molecule of your spiritual power.

Harinam Chintamani, Chapter 1, Verse 35:

cid-dharma-vaçataùjévasvatantragaöhana |
saìkhyäyaanantasukhatäraprayojana ||

Translation:

Being spiritual, living beings are independent, they are infinite in number and eternal happiness is their only purpose.

The one who Chooses Krishna and take shelter of Krishna, always thinking about the pleasure of Krishna, Will become associate of Krishna.

Harinam Chintamani, Chapter 1, Verse 36:

sei sukhahetuyäräkåñëerebarila |
kåñëa-päriñadamukta-rüpeterahila ||

Translation:

Those who have accepted the shelter of Krishna for that eternal happiness or eternal bliss, they are free and living eternally with Krishna as his advisors.

The one who thinks about his own pleasure; will be caught in the trap of Maya.

Harinam Chintamani, Chapter 1, Verse 37:

yäräpunaùnija-sukhakariyäbhävanä |
pärçva-sthitämäyäpratikarilakämanä ||

Translation:

On the other hand, the living beings who desire their own happiness get attracted towards Maya, which is always nearby.

Then he will surely change one body after another body.

Harinam Chintamani, Chapter 1, Verse 38:

sei sabanitya-kåñëa-bahirmukhahaila |
devé-dhämemäyä-kåtaçarérapäila ||

Translation:

Only those living beings, turning outward from Krishna daily, attain the body created by Maya in the Devi Dham.

Krishna Das Kaviraj also tells in,

Srila Prabhupada also quotes this verse often.

Prema-vivarta 6.2:

kṛṣṇa bhuliya jīva bhoga vāñchā kare,
pāśate māyā tāre jāpaṭiyā…

Translation:

As soon as a soul desire to be enjoyer, then he is immediately captured by māyā
The living beings are the servants of Bhagavan and are for His enjoyment. When you try to acquire and enjoy those objects, you commit great sin. The wealth of the soul is manifested from Bhagavan’s potency and is meant for His service. We are suffering in this material existence because we have lost our service nature and forgotten that we are Krsna’s eternal servants.

Caitanya-caritamrta Madhya-lila 20.117-118:

krsna bhuli’ sei jiva anadi-bahirmukha
    ataeva maya tare deya samsara-duhkha
kabhu svarge uthaya kabhu narake dubaya 
    dandya-jane raja yena nadite cubaya        

Translation:

“Because he has forgotten Sri Krsna, the jiva has been absorbed in his attempts to enjoy the material energy since time immemorial. Therefore, Krsna’s maya-akti awards the jiva the various sufferings of samsara. Sometimes he is elevated to the heavenly planets, and at other times he is thrown in the hellish planets. This is just like a man who is punished by the king by being tied to a wooden plank and dunked in a river. Sometimes he is immersed till he nearly drowns, and sometimes he is released for a few moments of apparent happiness.”

When we forget our true nature, then, the witch of maya attacks us with countless kinds of affliction. By great fortune, the living beings come in contact with Vaisnavas, and they then come to realize their dreadful condition in material existence, and pray to Krsna for mercy. As described in Sri Prema-vivarta (6.1-13)—

pisaci paile jena mati-cchana haya
maya-grasta jivera haya se bhava udaya

Translation:
“The dharma of the jiva who has turned away from Krsna becomes covered, just as a person’s intelligence becomes covered when he is haunted by a witch.”

ami siddha krsna-dasa, ei katha bhule
mayara naphara hana cira-dina bule

Translation:
“He forgets Bhagavan’s identity, and his own identity as a servant of Hari. Becoming a slave of maya, he wanders here and there for a long time in this bewildering material existence.”

kabhu raja, kabhu praja, kabhu vipra, sudra
kabhu duhkhi, kabhu sukhi, kabhu kita ksudra

Translation:
“Sometimes he is a king and sometimes a subject, sometimes a brahmana and sometimes a sudra. Sometimes he is happy and sometimes distressed, and sometimes he is a tiny insect.”

kabhu svarge, kabhu martye, narake va kabhu
kabhu deva, kabhu daitya, kabhu dasa, prabhu

Translation:
“Sometimes he is in heaven, sometimes on earth, and sometimes in hell. Sometimes he is a deva and sometimes a demon. Sometimes he is a servant and sometimes a master.”

ei-rupe samsara bhramite kona jana
sadhu-sange nija-tattva avagata hana

Translation:
“As he is wandering like this throughout material existence, if by some great fortune he happens to obtain the association of pure bhaktas, he comes to know of his own identity, and his life thus becomes meaningful.”

nija-tattva jani ara samsara na caya
kena va bhajinu maya kare haya haya

Translation:
“By his association with those bhaktas, he understands his true identity and becomes indifferent to material enjoyment. Grieving bitterly for his predicament, he laments, ‘Alas! Alas! Why did I serve maya for so long?’”

With this feeling, he cry with his heart.

kande bole, ohe krsna! ami tava dasa
tomara carana chadi’ haila sarva-nasa

Translation:
“He cries profusely, and prays at the lotus feet of Bhagavan. ‘O Krsna! I am Your eternal servant, but I have been ruined because I disregarded the service of Your feet. Who knows how long I have been wandering aimlessly as the slave of maya?’”

Then he takes the process to conquer maya; Maya daman prakriya. He learn about jeevatatva and develop devotion. Srila Prabhupada often says that one should cryfor krishna loike a small child. If once a pure name of Krishna comes from one’s mouth, then he will get the mercy of Krishna and he can conquer maya.

kakuti kariya krsne dake eka-bara
krpa kari krsna tare chadana samsara

Translation:
“’O Patita-pavana! O Dina-natha! Please protect this destitute soul. Deliver me from Your maya and engage me in Your service.’ Sri Krsna is an ocean of mercy, and when He hears the jiva cry out in such desperation even once, He quickly transports him across this insurmountable material energy.”

mayake pichane rakhi’ krsna-pane caya
bhajite bhajite krsna-pada-padma paya
krsna tare dena nija-cic-chaktira bala
maya akarsana chade haiya durbala

Translation:
“Krsna empowers the jiva with His spiritual potency, so that maya’s power to attract the soul gradually wanes. The jiva then turns his back on maya and desires to attain Krsna. He worships Krsna again and again, and finally becomes competent to attain His lotus feet.”

‘sadhu-sange krsna-nama’–ei-matra cai
samsara jinite ara kona vastu nai

Translation:
“Therefore, the only infallible method to cross this insurmountable material existence is to chant krsna-nama in the association of bhaktas.”

Vaishnava Song, Thakur Vaishnava Pada By Srila Narrottama Dasa Thakur:

thakurabaisnaba-pada abanirasu-sampada
suna bhai hana eka mana
asrayalaiyabhajeta’rekrsnanahityaje
arasaba mare akarana

Translation:

O brother, please hear my words with rapt attantion. The lotus feet of the Vaisnavas the most valuable treasure of this world. These  vaisnavas continuously take shelter of Lord Krsna and worship Him, They never abandon their Lord. They are liberated. They are free from the cycle of birth and death.

Yesterday, I have ended with some hard words.

23. Madhya Lila, 23.14-15:

ādauśraddhātataḥsādhu-
saṅgo ’thabhajana-kriyā
tato ’nartha-nivṛttiḥsyāt
tatoniṣṭhārucistataḥ

athāsaktistatobhāvas
tataḥpremābhyudañcati
sādhakānāmayaṁpremṇaḥ
prādurbhāvebhavetkramaḥ

Translation:

‘In the beginning there must be faith. Then one becomes interested in associating with pure devotees. Thereafter one is initiated by the spiritual master and executes the regulative principles under his orders. Thus one is freed from all unwanted habits and becomes firmly fixed in devotional service. Thereafter, one develops taste and attachment. This is the way of sādhana-bhakti, the execution of devotional service according to the regulative principles. Gradually emotions intensify, and finally there is an awakening of love. This is the gradual development of love of Godhead for the devotee interested in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.’

When we take Holy Name under the shelter of Guru and Srila Prabhupada, then our chanting will be fruitive. This verse, I am quoting from shastras.

Śvetāśvatara Upaniṣad 6.23:

yasyadeveparābhaktir
yathādevetathāgurau
tasyaitekathitāhyarthāḥ
prakāśantemahātmanaḥ

Translation:

“Only unto those great souls who have implicit faith in both the Lord and the spiritual master are all the imports of the Vedic knowledge automatically revealed.”

Here daiva meanskrsna.

We must follow our spiritual master and follow the instructions. As all the associates of lord Chaitanya followed the instructions of the lord to preach everywhere.Caitanya Mahaprabhu instruct Raghunath Das Goswami to follow the Samyas Ashrama strictly. No Goswami went to Vrindavan by their own will. In pancharatrik Vidhi, Spiritual master provide the service of the lord; Ijya; to their disciples. Even coming to Vrindavan was his order, not their desire.He orderd them to write books, worship deities, open temples and preach. When Goswamis found the deities of Radha Madanmohan, Radha Govind Dev Ji and Radha Gopinath, they firstly tell Caitanya Mahaprabhu. When he allowed them to worship the deities. So, to even worship deities, we need the permission of spiritual master.This is wrong that we buy deity and start worship on our own. To follow the instruction of spiritual master without break is important.

Srila Prabhupada used to say that If we don’t follow the instruction, then it acts as a mad elephant and destroys the creep of bhakti.The beginning uprooting is done, when one stops following spiritual master or commits offense against Him, then this act of ours will be the steps of a mad elephant.Accepting the bona fide spiritual master as one’s life and soul, the submissive disciple should learn from him the process of pure devotional service, which satisfies the Supreme Lord. By thus following the path of devotional service, the disciple gradually develops all good qualities.
Srila Prabhupada hardly associate four or five times with his spiritual master. He had no recorded lecture to listen. He took the essence of their words. We might not get association but instructions of the Spiritual master is enough.

As, Mrigari took the instruction of Narada Muni and starts chanting ‘Mara Mara’, then he automatically comes to chant ‘Rama Rama’. We just have to follow the instruction.

As Guru Maharaj used to say, ‘name will bring us to dham’. But name only arises when we strictly follow the instructions of spiritual master.

One should not be eager to go back, backto Godhead. But one should be eager to follow the instructions given by his Spiritual Master. One should always think about, How to fulfil the desires of my Spiritual master.

There are two things: one is to follow the instruction and another is to contemplate the instructions.

Srila Prabbhupada: In conclusion, if a disciple is very serious to execute the mission of the spiritual master, he immediately associates with the Supreme Personality of Godhead by vāṇī or vapuḥ. This is the only secret of success in seeing the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Instead of being eager to see the Lord in some bush of Vṛndāvana while at the same time engaging in sense gratification, if one instead sticks to the principle of following the words of the spiritual master, he will see the Supreme Lord without difficulty.

We don’t need to search Krishna. As Srila Bhakti Siddhant Sarasvati Thakur says, ‘Don’t try to see lord, do service in a way, Lord wants to see you.’

Some people try to imitate devotion. If one is in the KG class, then how he can get the degree of graduation?

Srila Bhakti Vinod has warned us in Bhajan Rahasya:

adhikara na labhiya siddhadeha bhave
viparyaya buddhi janme saktira abhave

Translation:
“The intelligence of one who thinks of his siddha-deha without first acheiving elegibiltiy becomes bewildered.”

If one tries to jump on the 20th step of the ladder from the 1st step, then he will surely get a fracture. So, we should follow carefully.

Srila Prabhupada left Vrindavan Dham to preach in the West countries.

Vaishnav song; Mana, Tumi TirtheSada RataBy Bhakti Vinod Thakur:

(1) mana, tumitirthesada rata
ayodhya, mathura, maya, kasi, kanci, abantiya,
dvarabati, ar ache jata

 

(2) tumicahobhramibare, e sakala bare bare,
mukti-labhakoribara tare
se sakalatababhrama, nirarthakaparisrama,
cittasthiratirthenahi kore

 

(3) tirtha-phal sadhu-sanga, sadhu-sangeantaranga,
sri-krsna-bhajanamanohar
jatha sadhu, tatha tirtha, sthirakori’ nijacitta,
sadhu-sanga koro nirantar

 

(4) je tirthebaisnabanai, se tirthenahi jai,
ki labhahantiya dura-desa
jathaybaisnaba-gana, sei stanabrndabana,
sei sthaneanandaasesa

 

(5) krsna-bhakti jeisthane, muktidasiseikhane,
salilatathaymandakini
giritathagovardhana, bhumitathabrndabana,
abirbhutaapanihladini

 

(6) binodakohiche bhai, bhramiya ki phal pai,
baisnaba-sebana mor brata

Translation:

1) My dear mind, you are always attached to all the different places of pilgrimage such as Ayodhya, Mathura, Maya, Kasi (Varanasi), Kancipura, Avantiya, Dvaravati, and so on.

2) You want to travel to all these holy places of pilgrimage again and again simply to the sake of obtaining liberation from the material miseries. But we actually see that your heart is not becoming resolutely fixed up by going to all these places; therefore all of you wanderings are simply useless labor for nothing tangible.

3) The ripened fruit and real benefit of any place of pilgrimage is the company of the pure-hearted devotees of the Lord. Establishing intimate and friendly relations with such devotees, let your mind be captivated by performing the charming worship of Lord Krsna in their association. Actually, any place in the entire world becomes a worshipable place of pilgrimage if devotees are living there. Thus, you should immediately seek out such a place, wherever you happen to be, and you should become fixed up in Krsna consciousness by constantly remaining in the company of such devotees.

4) Personally, I never bother to visit any so-called place of pilgrimage which is devoid of the presence of unalloyed devotees, for what other worthwhile benefit could possibly be gained by taking the trouble of walking to such faraway places? Only that place which is graced by the presence of the devotees is actually Vrndavana, and only at that place can you come into contact with unlimited spiritual pleasure.

5) Liberation personified is herself the humble maidservant of that place which is surcharged with devotion to Krsna. All the water at that place is the celestial Ganges, every hill there is Giri-govardhana, and the very earth is indeed Vrndavana. Only such a place can manifest the appearance of the eternal spiritual joy which is revealed by the Lord’s pleasure-potency.

6) I ask you now, dear brother, what benefit would I get by circumambulating all of the holy places of pilgrimage? Personally, my vow is to serve the Vaisnavas with firm resolution and untiring endeavor.

my vow is to serve the Vaisnavas with firm resolution and untiring endeavor.

Sri Prema-vivarta: 7.1:
asadhu-sange bhai krsna-namanahihaya
namaksarabahiraya bate tabu namakabhunaya

Translation:

“Brother, the Name of Krishna never appears in bad association: the letters of the Name may appear, but the Name never does.”

Pure Holy Name comes only in association of devotees and Spiritual Master.
Chanting in separation. From the Hari Bhakti Vilas:

ācāraevanṛpapuṅgavasevyamānodharmārthakāmaphaladobhavitehapuṃsām |
tasmātsadaivaviduṣāvahitenarājanśāstroditohyanudinaṃparipālanīyaḥ || 19 ||

Translation:

O best of kings, conduct alone, if served, will bestow the fruits of righteousness, wealth and desire on men

Therefore, O King, the scriptures should always be observed with the attention of the learned.

brāhmemuhūrtautthāyakṛṣṇakṛṣṇetikīrtayan |
prakṣālyapāṇipādau ca dantadhāvanamācaret || 20 ||

Transaltion:

Get up in the moment of Brahma and chant Krishna, Krishna

He washed his hands and feet and brushed his teeth.

ācamyavasanaṃrātrestyaktvānyatparidhāya ca |
punarācamanekuryāllekhyenavidhināgrataḥ || 21 ||

Translation:

Leaving the unwanted lust at night and putting on something else

Again, in the ablution, he shall do it in writing according to the prescribed method.

athecchanparamāṃśuddhiṃmūrdhnidhyātvāguroḥpadau |
stutvā ca kīrtayankṛṣṇaṃsmaraṃścaitadudīrayet || 22 ||-

Transaltion:

Supreme purity on the head, meditating on the teacher’s feet

Praising and chanting Krishna and remembering this, one should rise up.

We will read a realisation of a devotee:

Itis not hard to chant when we’re in association. But it is much more difficult when we are in the West.How can we have such a strong sadhana, when we are without association?Then Gurudev took the Japa mala and showed us his tulsi beads. He put his hand in the bag and said, ” We should chant together right here.” There were four or five devotees and he was looking at all of us.
We all took the japa beads. We were looking at Gurudev, and he was looking at us. Then, very slowly, he began to chant the maha-mantra on the japa:

Hare Krsna Hare KrsnaKrsnaKrsna Hare Hare – Hare Rama Hare Rama RamaRama Hare Hare

And we began to sing along with him, at the same time, very slowly. We did everything together and it was amazing.
Gurudev led the chanting at a slow pace, and we chanted together in one circle. We sat opposite Gurudev and looked at him, and he sat and looked into our faces and chanted the maha-mantra. It was really powerful.
At the end, Gurudev stopped. Then he looked at the person, who asked the question and asked: “And did your mind wander somewhere?” Gurudev then smiled and said, ” No, where will your mind go if we are sitting alone like this?”

Indeed, if you are sitting opposite Gurudev and he is looking at you, while you are chanting, your mind will not go anywhere, will it? Can you imagine that? It’s really beautiful.
Gurudev said that when we chant in the West, we should not take japa mala with an absent mind and chant Holy Name.

“First of all, you must come here as you did now. You should sit across from me and see that I have taken my japa beads and I am slowly chanting Holy Name.

I look at you, eye to eye, and you sit and look at me. Then you start chanting with me. You should meditate in this way when you chant the maha-mantra.”

Meditating on Gurudeva in this way is the first step in meditating on Guru Puja, through the mantras that I have explained earlier. Gurudeva very gradually introduced me to this process of meditation while chanting Holy Name.

He emphasized that this is not a one-sided meditation. We should not sit and meditate on Gurudeva, who has completely forgotten us. We should meditate on the fact that he is sitting and chanting with us and looking at us. This is an internal action. This is a two-way meditation.
Then Gurudev said: “If you chant in this way and your meditation becomes deep, like,’ I am sitting next to Gurudev, I am sitting in front of Guru Maharaj. ‘

When we remember someone while chanting, a small part of their sadhna added in our account. The existence of a pure devotee can purify one.

We discussed on ‘param vijayate sri krsna sankirtan’.

How to win over mayaand how win over Kaliyuga. We don’t even have to meditate on Sri Guru.

Hare Krishna!

Japa Talk 2 May 2024
HG Shankhadhari Das
Dovetail and not Control the Senses

Hare Krishna!

First of all I thank to HH Loknath Swami Maharaj and to other devotees for giving me an opportunity to talk to all of you about Lord Krishna. Also, I am now travelling between Dehradun to Rishikesh in the car so there might be some disturbance so kindly excuse me for that. Besides, I am very fortunate to be among the all of you.Today, I am going to take a simple topic which brought me faith in the Bhagavad Gita and Krishna. It was around 1989 or 88 when I first came across Bhagavad Gita but I was not having so much strong faith in that and the main reason was actually I was not understanding it properly. However, around 1989, I happened to attend one of the Bhagavad Gita classes in Bangalore.Itwas chapter 2 text 59.

There is no use of controlling the senses but by dovetailing the senses, you will be able to control the senses. We are in Rishikesh and river Ganga is there.Youcan see mother Ganges is in the background.The point is that in my life, I was scientist. I was in control system and I used to work in nanosecond 10^-12 but I was not in a position to control the mind.Thequestion for me was how to control the mind?

Even though I was scientist controlling the satellite in the 10^-12thof the nanosecond. But the real question was how to control my mind and the main thing was I was looking for a direction. I came to Rishikesh in 1984-85 to Divine Life Society to practice how to control mind. I went to Kanyakumari for 21 days Yoga camp in Vivekananda Kendra camp to learn how to control the mind. But everything I learnt would not last for more than a week.It’s very tough to continue practices.

Only solution is paraṁ dṛṣṭvā nivartate

Thenat that moment I heard this verse. Here, in this verse, first of all Krishna tells that you may not be able to control the senses when you have taken the body.

viṣayā vinivartante
nirāhārasya dehinaḥ
rasa-varjaṁ raso ’py asya
paraṁ dṛṣṭvā nivartate

Translation:

Though the embodied soul may be restricted from sense enjoyment, the taste for sense objects remains. But, ceasing such engagements by experiencing a higher taste, he is fixed in consciousness.

This I liked because first thing was that you cannot control the senses.Itis their nature because if our senses are not acting then we are dead body.Therefore, first of all I like the way  Krishna presented that you cannot control the senses.But, then does it mean that we will allow the senses to go on freely through?The problem is we cannot allow senses then we will become animal.Thenwhat is the solution? Only solution is paraṁ dṛṣṭvā nivartate, that by giving  the higher test, lower taste goes.This simple principle I loved it.Youdon’t control but you dovetail. Prabhupada used this word ‘dovetail’. ‘Dovetail’ means use your senses.Thisis very strange word, Srila Prabhupada used it. I heard this very lovely word for the first time. Since you cannot control but you can use it.Properly use it. Themain thing is now we know that Gandhi used to tell about three monkeys.One will close eyes, one will close the ears and one will close the mouth.Don’t see the bad thing; don’t hear the bad thing; don’t eat or talk the bad thing. Everybody knows it that we should not do it.Thisis controlling the senses. We can’t control because even if we control, but our mind has all the impressions.Theforce will not work here because once get the chance, it will let loose. It is like a child is crying and if you close his mouth forcefully  then the cries stop but the moment you leave the hand he criesten times louder than earlier. Similarly, when senses are forced like a crying child mouth is forcefully closed, he doesn’t cry that time but when left open hecries much faster.Similarly,the controlled census, when they get a chance they act heavily.Therefore controlling is of no use.Everybody is gentleman in a gentle place among gentle people but in a dirty place who is gentle is great. Similarly we can control the senses in a proper environment but when the environment is bad we cannot control it.Then, what is the solution again?Now Krishna tells that you have to engage the senses properly and Srila Prabhupada showed us a practical way how to dovetail the senses.Your tongues are very powerful therefore, you give them prasadam. If your nature is to talk then talk of Krishna katha, talk of chanting and everything do with the speech.And, if you want to hear please hear nice kirtan, nice Bhajan like yesterday night Maharaj sung very wonderful Bhajan kirtan here in Dehradun. If you hear Bhagavad Gita, Bhagwatam and you hear kirtan then these are all dovetailing your ears and avoiding all the nonsense.

Youuse your eyes in the darshan of Lord, for reading Krishna’s books.Evenif you go to nature and see, try to see with your eyes Krishna in viraat rupa. Now I am seeing Ganga and Himalaya together but I should able to recognise that Krishna’s presence in that. Similarly when you are holding your Tulsi mala, let it touch and it will purify you. Your touching sensation will be purified. Your nose, let it smell the good garland offered to Lord. Nose can be used in the service of Lord by smelling the garland and flowers offer to Lord.Thisway you are trying to continuously engaging your senses in Krishna’s things. This taste when once you get it you will lose the lower taste and this is the easiest way.It’s a natural way, spontaneous.No strain on controlling senses because when senses get higher taste then lower taste goesautomatically.The simpleexample I can say that instead of controlling the child by forcefully closing the mouth, you give the child some nice things to play with.Thenchild gets involved in the play and forgets the crying. Similarly our senses are longing for nonsense  and you give them some good Krishna’s taste then your senses will not long for nonsense.For example, if you eat a nice feast in your house, you don’t go outside on the roadsidefor small toffee or something. Similarly, if you get higher test for all the senses then lower taste will have no place and it is so wonderful when practiced like simple chanting.

Firsttime when I chanted I used to go to ISRO by vehicle, before chanting one round I used to sleep for four times.Therefore, for the senses, that it is very simple way where the senses automatically become controlled by dovetailing and while chanting, even sleeping also, you find it tremendously benefitted and I was able to little balance my mind. ThenI went to the temple and found the devotees and they were living with lot of simplicity. Those times, big temples were not there and devotees’ life was very simple. They were very happy with the khichdi and sleep on the floor and bathing 2-3 times and they were very happy. They were very peaceful. I was earning a lot of money, lot facilities but I was not peaceful.ThenI asked them “How come you are so peaceful?”Then, they told me to “Chant sixteen rounds”.ImmediatelyI started chanting sixteen rounds and thereal taste, I was able to get it.The result of that taste is peace. The result of that taste is control the mind and being peacefulness.Eventoday I used to think if Prabhupada had not given the practical solution I may be decent person but a very decent dog.Therefore, I am indebted to Krishna and Prabhupada birth after birth. I am still progressing but there is a lot of progress. I am not perfect but I have lot of improvement.Therefore, one who has intelligence should immediately take up this Krishna consciousness. This is really the best solution.

Quality Chanting is the Key!

You should not stop at 16 rounds we should do more and more. Srila Prabhupada told his disciples in the beginning to chant 64 rounds. And even if you can’t do all the things you must chant. Once they asked, “Prabhupada, you have given us so many instructions.Wecannot follow all of them.Tellonly one.”Srila Prabhupada said, “Chant 16 rounds.” What does it mean?Allother instructions need not to follow?No, because by chanting all other things will be followed.Some of us may ask that “I am chanting but I am still not able to control my senses fully.Forthat we need to do quality rounds. The quality rounds mean that your mind, words, deed, everything should be on chanting.Therefore, that is a real way you can improve the quality of chanting.”

Therefore, in short we are fortunate enough to have all these instructions in this Yuga. Let us not waste it.Useit properly.Letus advance. I am very-very really happy to see that you all got the fortune of Loknath Swami Maharaj and his association, his disciples andteachings, and you are able to hear him chanting every day.Yougot the opportunity to chant with the Maharaj directly but when you are chanting don’t be inattentive.Try to engage all your sense it chanting, especially the process of speaking and listening. Then it will be more useful and I am very thankful to all of you for giving me this opportunity. I also thank to Lokanath Maharaj also for giving me this opportunity to talk and to get associate with all of you.Thankyou very much.

Hare Krishna!

Japa Talk : 03^th May 2024
Speaker:- H H Loknath Swami Maharaj
Theme: Srila Vrindavan Das Thakura Appearance Day

Sub Theme: Introduction

Hare Krsna!

Param dekhe dukhi, para sukhe sukhi

Devotees become sad when they see others sad or in misery. They become happy when they see others happy. Participants or locations have reduced today since yesterday when we had 1500 participants. Due to your endeavor’s, the class was houseful yesterday.

Like Children are motivated to go to school and again the next day they need to be motivated to go to school again. You shall continue your efforts and keep this room our housse full. Similarly, new joining devotees would be happy. I would also be happy after seeing them and ultimately, Lord Krishna will be happy too. Yasha prasada bhagwat prasado, this is our ideology.

 Theme: Jive Daya/Name Ruci/Vaishnava Seva

jive dayä näme ruci vaisnava sevana iha chära dharma nähi suna sanätana

Hear, Sanätana! Kindness to all living beings taste for the holy name, and service to Vaisnavas—apart from these there is no other religion. This is the theme till the next Ekadashi! This is a campaign to increase the taste in the holy name, service to Vaishnavas, and kindness to all living beings. We will do all possible efforts to increase the taste in Holy Name. To increase the taste in Holy Name, we first need to service devotees, and second, we need to show kindness to all living beings. These three are the homework or one consolidated homework i.e. taste in the holy name, service to Vaishnavas, and kindness to all living beings. I will not tell much.

One of our targets is driven by the increase in the holy name’s taste i.e making this conference house full. That is one thing. The second thing is reciting Shikha Astakam and reciting or remembering the 10 offenses towards Hari Naam. We all need to understand and focus on these two items i.e. understanding Shikshasthakam and understanding 10 offences towards Holy Name. When we learn about the 10 offences it talks about the prohibition. We shall not commit these mistakes or those mistakes. Shikshasthakam talks about how shall we do the Japa i.e. We shall do the Japa with pure devotion and surrender. This is also called law or method of practicing the Holy Name. Similarly, we have Service offenses, Vaishnav offenses, and deity service offenses that come under the 10 offenses. Offenses talks about what we shall not do. These are the dos and don’ts, Yam or Niyama. There is Asthang Yog and Dhayana Yog which Krishna explained in the sixth chapter of the Bhagwat Gita. Asthang Yog – The first two rules of Asthang Yog is Yam and Niyam. Yam – means the work which will take us to Yam Puri. Niyam – means the regulations or methods.

satataṁ kīrtayanto māṁ yatantaś ca dṛḍha-vratāḥ
namasyantaś ca māṁ bhaktyā nitya-yuktā upāsate [Bhagwat Gita 9.14]

Our objective is to always perform Kirtan of Holy Name. What is the work of Gopis?

smartavyaḥ satataṁ viṣṇur vismartavyo na jātucit sarve vidhi-niṣedhāḥ syur etayor eva kiṅkarāḥ
[Bṛhat-sahasra-nāma-stotra] CC Madhya 22.113

Gopis only knows two things i.e. Smartavyah satatam Visnur – Always remember Krishna and vismartavyo na jātucit –never forget and always remember Krishna. Krishna Kanahiya Lal ki Jai! Radha Shyam Sundar Ki Jai! Hare Krishna! Radhe Krishna!

ārādhyo bhagavān vrajeśa-tanayas tad-dhāma vṛṇdāvanaṁ ramya kaścid upāsanā vraja-vadhu-varga-vīrya kalpita
śrīmad-bhāgavatam amalaṁ purāṇaṁ premā pum-artho mahān śrī-caitanya mahāprabhor matam idaṁ tatradaraḥ na paraḥ [Caitanya-mañjusā]

[The Supreme Personality of Godhead, the son of Nanda Mahārāja, is to be worshiped along with His transcendental abode, Vṛndāvana. The most pleasing form of worship for the Lord is that which was performed by the gopīs of Vṛndāvaṇa. Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is the spotless authority on everything, and pure love of God is the ultimate goal of life for all men. These statements, for which we have the highest regard, are the opinion of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.]

As per Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, one of the points is how shall we worship Krishna, we all shall worship Krishna similar to Gopis of Vrindavan. This is the recommendation of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. We shall always remember Krishna and never forget Krishna. Understanding Shiksha Astakam will help us to remember Krishna.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare!
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare!!

When we chant this Maha Mantra in the full mood of remembering Krishna. And when we avoid the offenses we will be able to do offense-free chanting of Holy Name.

aparadha-sunya ho’ye loha krishna-nama krishna mata krishna pita krishna dhana prana from nadiya-godrume by Bhakti Vinod Thakur

We all need to very well understand these dos and don’ts till the next Ekadashi. We will have classes in the Japa Talk to have a deeper understanding of the Shikha Astakam. We have prepared a syllabus

which will be covered by various speakers including me. I will be showing you the book which was covered during the Pad yatra. This book unfortunately is out of stock because of the high demand. Does any one of you have this book? Raise your hand in case you have.

Who all have these book can scan and distribute this book to all of you?

dadāti pratigṛhṇāti guhyam ākhyāti pṛcchati bhuṅkte bhojayate caiva ṣaḍ-vidhaṁ prīti-lakṣaṇam NOI 4

This way you are going to help lots of devotees. We will not spend much time on this. If by any means it reaches you it would be very nice. Anyways padayatra press need to reprint this book, but it will take time and you might not be able to get reprint version near soon. You can get it from Shyam Sundar Prabhu ji from Vrindavan. He is one of the most intelligent and knowledgeable disciple of mine. He has compiled and written this book. We will discuss the 10 offenses and other offenses for the next 2 weeks.

mac-cittā mad-gata-prāṇā bodhayantaḥ parasparam kathayantaś ca māṁ nityaṁ tuṣyanti ca ramanti ca [Bhagwat Gita 10.9]

Devotees will share their deeper understanding of these two topics and you can also share your opinion and understanding on the topic. This small thinking is actually not a small and can-do revolution in your consciousness. It can bring transformation in your behavior. We all believe that today’s you will not be there till next Ekadashi. You will be a different you after these 15 days. With these attempts Gauranga will be happy will all of you! Hari Hari!

These things are our objectives or our homework till the next Ekadashi! We will have a strong foundation in Devotion and on top of it we can build many more stories of devotion further. We can build high devotional buildings touching the skies. To have such buildings we need a strong foundation and this theme will provide the required foundation for the same.

Yam, and Niyam are the foundation of Ashtanga Yog. After this foundation only we can follow other asanas like Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi! If Yam and Niyam are not stable then we will not have a stable foundation and it can lead to our destruction. We all will make our foundation very strong. This is our resolution to have a stable foundation. You all are also ready to have a strong foundation. I am proposing this resolution. Who all are ready to participate in this transformation journey? Is there anyone who is not interested in this journey, came forward?

It seems all of you are taking this resolution.

We will close this Japa talk with a discussion about Vrindavan Das Thakur’s Appearance Day. Vrindavan Das Thakur Ki Jai!

Vrindavan Das Thakur appeared at the same time as Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu! He was an incarnation of Srila Vyas Dev Ji! Vyas Dev appeared in the form of Vrindavan Das Thakur. When Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was in Jagannath Puri, after taking Sannyasa, that time Vrindavan Das Thakur appeared in Mamgachi, Modadruma-dvipa, Nawadweep! We don’t know all these places. Modadruma-dvipa is in between Jahnudvipa and Rudradvipa. Elder brother of Srivas Thakur, Nalin Pandit’s daughter Narayani’s son is Vrindavan Das Thakur. Narayani was also a very special devotee. When Narayani was

only 4 years, Mahaprabhu revealed his Mahaprakash pastime for 7 pahrs (21 hours). Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu asked Narayani to perform Kirtan during his Mahaprakash time. She performed Kirtan will full submission and involvement. She was crying and doing Kirtan. She was showcasing the eight types of devotions. Vrindavan Das Thakur was the son of such exemplified devotee Narayani. When Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appeared in this material world, a complete spiritual universe appeared along with him on this earth as mentioned by Kavi Karnapura in his scripture, Gaura Ganoddesa Dipika. He mentions who from Krishna’s pastime appeared as what in Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s pastime. There he mentioned that Sri Vyas deva appeared as Sri Vrindavan Das Thakur.

Krishnaraj Kariraj Goswami was similar to Six Goswamis. He also wrote Sri Chaitanya Charitmrit. He has mentioned a lot about Vrindavan Das Thakur.

bhāgavate kṛṣṇa-līlā varṇilā vedavyāsa caitanya-līlāte vyāsa — vṛndāvana dāsa CC Ādi 11.55

Śrīla Vyāsadeva described the pastimes of Kṛṣṇa in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. The Vyāsa of the pastimes of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu was Vṛndāvana dāsa. He is given a detailed explanation of Sri Chaitanya Mahapurabhu in his scripture Sri Chaitanya Bhagwat! He is very well qualified to remove the darkness from this world from his scripture. Earlier Sri Vrindavan Das Thakur names his scripture Sri Chaitanya Mangal. But when he came to know that Lochan Das Thakur, another spiritual master, has also written a scripture named Sri Chaitanya Mangal, then he renamed his scripture as Sri Chaitanya Bhagwat.

bhāgavate yata bhakti-siddhāntera sāra likhiyāchena iṅhā jāni’ kariyā uddhāra CC Ādi 8.37

In Śrī Caitanya-maṅgala [later known as Śrī Caitanya-bhāgavata] Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura has given the conclusion and essence of devotional service by quoting the authoritative statements of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. The way Sri Vyasa dev has written Srimad Bhagwatam, similarly, Vrindavan Das Thakur has written in Sri Chaitanya Bhagwat, as mentioned by Krishna Raj Kaviraj Goswami.

manuṣye racite nāre aiche grantha dhanya vṛndāvana-dāsa-mukhe vaktā śrī-caitanya CC Ādi 8.39

This scripture can not be written by an ordinary person. The subject matter of this book is so sublime that it appears that Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu has personally spoken through the writings of Śrī Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura.

vṛndāvana-dāsa-pade koṭi namaskāra aiche grantha kari’ teṅho tārilā saṁsāra CC Ādi 8.40

I offer millions of obeisances unto the lotus feet of Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura. No one else could write such a wonderful book for the deliverance of all fallen souls. We offer our obeisances to Vrindavan Das Thakur who has given this scripture which has the capability to overcome fallen souls from this

material world. We have to study this Shri Chaitanya Bhagawat as well. Although Srila Prabhupada has only given Sri Chaitanya Charitmrit to us. In case he had more time he could have translated Sri Chaitanya Bhagwat in English as well.

We will know the character and pastimes of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu only when we read both Sri Chaitanya Charitmrit and Sri Chaitanya Bhagwat. They complement each other. It is because the pastimes of nawadweep are explained in detail in Sri Chaitanya Bhagwat by Sri Vrindavan Das Thakur. Only a few of these pastimes are explained by Krishnaraj Kaviraj Goswami in Sri Chaitanya Charitmrit. This might be the policy Krishnaraj Kaviraj Goswami that he has either completely omitted or written in short those pastimes which were written in detail by Sri Vrindavan Das Thakur.

Sri Vrindavan Das Thakur was the councilor and was close to Sri Nityanada Prabhu. He was very educated and initiated the disciple of Sri Nityanada Prabhu. If you want to read the pastimes of Nityanand Prabhu then also you have to read the Sri Chaitanya Bhagwat. It is so because Sri Chaitanya Charitmrit has very less description of the pastimes of Nityanand Prabhu! Sri Vrindavan Das Thakur became the benevolent disciple of universal spiritual master Nityanand Prabhu. It is because of the mercy of Nityananda Prabhu he wrote this magnificent scripture Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu! He stayed here for 82 years and disappeared after that from this material world.

As Prabhupada said if you want to know me, read my books. Similarly, if we want to know Sri Vrindavan Das Thakur you shall read his books. Prabhupada also said that I will never die and will always remain alive with my books. Certainly! Similarly, Sri Vrindavan Das Thakur is also alive with his scripture. Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has given the gift of Sri Harinaam. Similarly, Sri Vrindavan Das Thakur, the expansion of Sri Ved Vyasa, has given Sri Chaitanya Bhagwat, a magnificent gift, as a gift to all of us. So we all shall read, listen and hear Sri Chaitanya Bhagwat along with Sri Chaitanya Charitamrit.

Nitai Gaur Premamananda, Hari Hari Bol!!

 

04 May 2024
How to reach Krsna
Speaker: HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj

Hare Krsna. It’s Ekadashi today. All glories to the Ekadashi festival. The word “Ekadash” represents a count of 11. Even our senses are 11 in number. Five working (Karma) senses, five knowledge acquiring senses and one mind.

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

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

Here, śamaḥ — peacefulness; damaḥ — self-control;When we restrict our senses in this way then we will be able to attain peace.

Shaanta-Aakaaram Bhujaga-Shayanam Padma-Naabham Suresham

Vishva-Aadhaaram Gagana-Sadrsham Megha-Varnnam Shubha-Anggam

Lakssmii-Kaantam Kamala-Nayanam Yogibhir-Dhyaana-Gamyam

Vande Vissnnum Bhava-Bhaya-Haram Sarva-Lokai[a-E]ka-Naatham (Sri Vishnu Stuti)

Translation: Salutations to Sri Vishnu, Who has a Serene Appearance, Who Rests on a Serpent (Adisesha), Who has a Lotus on His Navel and Who is the Lord of the Devas, Who Sustains the Universe, Who is Boundless and Infinite like the Sky, Whose Colour is like the Cloud (Bluish) and Who has a Beautiful and Auspicious Body, Who is the Husband of Devi Lakshmi, Whose Eyes are like Lotus and Who is Attainable to the Yogis by Meditation, Salutations to That Vishnu Who Removes the Fear of Worldly Existence and Who is the Lord of All the Lokas.

Krsna is also Shanta. Ekadashi is also known for Fasting (Upavas). Upavas means to reside closer to the Lord. Today we will avoid Grains. Also we need to fast from Maya. We will feast for Krsna and fast from Maya. Krsna is like Sun and Maya is compared to the darkness.

kṛṣṇa — sūrya-sama; māyā haya andhakāra
yāhāṅ kṛṣṇa, tāhāṅ nāhi māyāra adhikāra (CC Madhya 22.31)

Translation: Kṛṣṇa is compared to sunshine, and māyā is compared to darkness. Wherever there is sunshine, there cannot be darkness. As soon as one takes to Kṛṣṇa consciousness, the darkness of illusion (the influence of the external energy) will immediately vanish.

nāma cintāmaṇiḥ kṛṣṇaś
caitanya-rasa-vigrahaḥ
pūrṇaḥ śuddho nitya-mukto
’bhinnatvān nāma-nāminoḥ (CC Madhya 17.133)

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

Somebody questioned me, Maharaj,how do you manage?You are chanting daily at this zoom conference for the past five years?I replied, It’s not just a question of 5 years, I have been following this schedule for the last 50 years.

As soon as you go away from Maya, there is only one more destination, Sri Krsna.There should be continuity, sincerity. In the morning HG Revati Raman Prabhu, the president of ISKCON Trupati approached me with Tirupati Balaji’s Prasadam. I said immediately, It’s ekadashi today I can’t honour grain Prasadam today.

As Ekadashi reminded me to not honour grain prasadam today. Similarly we have accepted this pledge of chanting Hare Krsna Mahamantra for the rest of our life.

harer nāma harer nāma
harer nāmaiva kevalam
kalau nāsty eva nāsty eva
nāsty eva gatir anyathā (CC Madhya 6.242)

Translation: In this age of quarrel and hypocrisy, the only means of deliverance is the chanting of the holy names of the Lord. There is no other way. There is no other way. There is no other way.

So we should practice this pledge with full conviction and determination. We should be very firmly situated in our practices.

utsāhān niścayād dhairyāt
tat-tat-karma-pravartanāt
saṅga-tyāgāt sato vṛtteḥ
ṣaḍbhir bhaktiḥ prasidhyati (NOI 3)

Translation: 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.

Why should we approach Maya?Why should we contemplate Maya?

dhyayato visayan pumsah
sangas tesupajayate
sangat sanjayate kamah
kamat krodho ‘bhijayate (BG 2.62)

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

That Maya which kicks us, why should we go near her?Why should we meditate on the Maya, which makes us get trapped in these clutches of birth and death. And she sends us to suffer in hell. We should instead focus and remember Krsna.

nitya-siddha kṛṣṇa-prema ‘sādhya’ kabhu naya
śravaṇādi-śuddha-citte karaye udaya (CC Madhya 22.107)

Translation: Pure love for Kṛṣṇa 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.

By remembering Krsna, our love for Krsna will get awakened and we will become eligible to go back home back to Godhead.

itidrik sva-lilabhir ananda-kunde
sva-ghosham nimajjantam akhyapayantam
tadiyeshita-jneshu bhaktair jitatvam
punah prematas tam satavritti vande (Sri Damodarashtaka 3)

Translation: By such childhood pastimes as this He is drowning the inhabitants of Gokula in pools of ecstasy, and is revealing to those devotees who are absorbed in knowledge of His supreme majesty and opulence that He is only conquered by devotees whose pure love is imbued with intimacy and is free from all conceptions of awe and reverence. With great love I again offer my obeisances to Lord Damodara hundreds and hundreds of times.

One of the names of Krsna is Ananda. Krsna is Bliss. And if we associate with that Ananda, then we will become eligible to enter the eternal pastimes of Krsna. Do you want to become a part of those eternal pastimes of the Lord?It is possible!!!

The result of mediating in Krsna’s Holyname, form, qualities and pastimes is that we become eligible to enter his abode. That is our life.

radha-krishna prana mora jugala-kisora
jivane marane gati aro nahi mora (Sakhi-vrinde Vijnapti 1)

Translation: The divine couple, Sri Sri Radha and Krishna, are my life and soul. In life or death I have no other refuge but Them.

We have a choice, whether to choose Maya or Krsna. Take a pick. Whom will you choose?

Specially Sri Krsna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appeared in this material world out of his causeless mercy.

avatérëe gauracandre vistérëe prema-sägare
ye na majjanti majjanti te mahänartha-sägare (Sri Caitanya Candrämåta 135)

Translation: The Advent of Çré Gauracandra is like a vast ocean of nectarean prema. One who neglects to gather the priceless jewels from that ocean is certainly the poorest of the poor. The golden moon of Gauracandra has now created a great tidal wave in the ocean of prema, and those who do not dive deep into that vast ocean will find themselves floating

instead on that great ocean of futile deeds and useless goals.

It’s a team of Guru and Gauranga.

Golokam ca parityajya lokanam trana-karanat
kalau gauranga-rupena lila-lavanya-vigrahah (Markandeya Purana)

Translation: In the Kali-Yuga, I will leave Goloka and, to save the people of the world, I will become the handsome and playful Lord Gauranga.

As Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appeared, similarly even the spiritual master appears in our life.

saḿsāra-dāvānala-līḍha-loka-
trāṇāya kāruṇya-ghanāghanatvam
prāptasya kalyāṇa-guṇārṇavasya
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam (Sri Gurvastakam 1)

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.

It happens by the Mercy of Gauranga Mahaprabhu.

brahmāṇḍa bhramite kona bhāgyavān jīva
guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja (CC Madhya 19.151)

Translation: According to their karma, all living entities are wandering throughout the entire universe. Some of them are being elevated to the upper planetary systems, and some are going down into the lower planetary systems. Out of many millions of wandering living entities, one who is very fortunate gets an opportunity to associate with a bona fide spiritual master by the grace of Kṛṣṇa. By the mercy of both Kṛṣṇa and the spiritual master, such a person receives the seed of the creeper of devotional service.

He sends us in the association of the devotees and introduces us with our spiritual master. And then whatever he wants to convey, he conveys through the spiritual master. Though Krsna never leaves us alone, he acts like caring parents. Just like parents never leave us alone, Krsna does not leave us. Krsna is everything for us.

He is our father, mother, caretaker, everything. Even in the lower spices of life he accompanies us. And as a human being also we have him with us.

sarvasya cāhaṁ hṛdi sanniviṣṭo
mattaḥ smṛtir jñānam apohanaṁ ca
vedaiś ca sarvair aham eva vedyo
vedānta-kṛd veda-vid eva cāham (Bg. 15.15)

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

Even though Krsna wants to give every possible knowledge toliving entities. But we are so engrossed in the material energy that we are not ready to listen.

dehāpatya-kalatrādiṣv
ātma-sainyeṣv asatsv api
teṣāṁ pramatto nidhanaṁ
paśyann api na paśyati (ŚB 2.1.4)

Translation: Persons devoid of ātma-tattva do not inquire into the problems of life, being too attached to the fallible soldiers like the body, children and wife. Although sufficiently experienced, they still do not see their inevitable destruction.

So in order to give the same knowledge, Krsna sends the Sadhus and spiritual master. They are repeating the same message. This association of devotees is very rare to achieve.

durlabha mānava-janma labhiyā saṁsāre
kṛṣṇa nā bhajinu-duḥkha kahibo kāhāre? (Durlabha Manava Janma 1)

Translation: The human form of life is the rarest opportunity for attaining spiritual perfection. But now I am lamenting, because I’ve somehow or other been born with such an opportunity, and I wasted it by never worshiping Lord Krsna. Oh, to whom shall I tell the tale of this misery?

And if we are getting this opportunity then we should consider ourselves as very fortunate. It’s by Krsna’s mercy that we are able to get this association. One of the aims of establishing ISKCON by Srila Prabhupada was to provide the association of devotees to the people of this world.

ajanu-lambita-bhujau kanakavadatau
sankirtanaika-pitarau kamalayataksau
visvambharau dvija-varau yuga-dharma-palau
vande jagat priya-karau karunavatarau (CB Adi 1.1)

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

Srila Prabhupada who was the founding father of our society. His aim was to make the devotee association feasible for the people in general. Even Chaitanya Mahaprabhu had the similar mission.

pṛthivīte āche yata nagarādi grāma
sarvatra pracāra haibe mora nāma (CB Antya 4.126)

Translation: In every town and village, the chanting of My name will be heard.

If Chaitanya Mahaprabhu had remained in Nabadwip for his entire life then we would have never been with devotees. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu took Sanyas and he left Nabadwip. He travelled through South India and preached Krsna consciousness. When people are not ready to come to the temple then devotees themselves go out on road and perform Harinam Sankirtan. Devotees go out for book distribution to different places like Railway station,  airport, bus stand etc. So that the people could get devotee association and hear the message of Krsna, which they were unable to hear.

padārthāḥ saṃsthitā bhūmau bījahīnāstuṣā yathā |
viprairbhāgavatīvārttā gehe gehe jane jane (Padma Puran 6.193.73)

In this way, they would hear this message of Godhead from Saint’s and spiritual masters and their life will get transformed. They themselves will become devotees and experience this eternal bliss.

There is no choice other than becoming devotees. Chanting the Hare Krsna Mahamantra, Reading Srila Prabhupada’s books and distributing them to others.

Taking the pledge of just honouring prasadam for the rest of our lives. Honouring prasadam and distributing prasadam. We need to follow these rules and regulations ourselves and let others do the same.

dadāti pratigṛhṇāti
guhyam ākhyāti pṛcchati
bhuṅkte bhojayate caiva
ṣaḍ-vidhaṁ prīti-lakṣaṇam (NOI 4)

Translation: Offering gifts in charity, accepting charitable gifts, revealing one’s mind in confidence, inquiring confidentially, accepting prasāda and offering prasāda are the six symptoms of love shared by one devotee and another.

It’s not that we are delivered, we don’t bother about others. No It’s a concern of a devotee to practice Krsna consciousness and give Krsna consciousness to others. We have to be merciful unto others, this is part of Jiva Daya. There are 3 qualities of a devotee – Name Ruci, Jive Daya and Vaishnava Seva.

jive daya name ruci vaishnava sevana
iha chara dharma nahi suna sanatana

Translation: Hear, Sanätana! Kindness to all living beings, taste for the holy name, and service to Vaiñëavas—apart from these there is no other religion.

We shouldn’t be criticizing the devotees. Instead we should be serving them. This has to be a lifestyle of a devotee unless we attain the perfection. Stop not unless the aim is achieved. ṣaḍbhir bhaktiḥ prasidhyati (NOI 3)

Don’t stop until the goal is achieved. Don’t take it easy, keep going. Are you listening?Do you agree to follow these practices?If yes then you can raise your hands.

If you have any special achievement to share which you achieved from last Ekadashi to this Ekadashi, If you have any good news to share then you are welcome to share.As ISKCON Thane reported they distributed 500 Bhagavad Gita to the students. HG Swarupanand Prabhu and HG Purnanandi Radha Mataji from Greater Noida organizedone day Vaishnavi Padayatra with a group of 200 Vaishnavi’s. ISKCON Pandharpur construction is going on nicely. Similarly you can share other reports also.

The devotees who have a special report to share in the past fortnight can share by raising hands. ISKCON has reached Pakistan. HG Padmaksi Prema Mataji says they organized Vaishnavi Padayatra at Gondia in Maharashtra and they had a very blissful experience. HG Shimla Mataji reported they organized a Vaishnavi Padayatra under the guidance of HG Jaybhadra Mataji. Mataji distributed 40 Bhagavad Gita.

HG Krsna Kumar Prabhu from ISKCON Aravade shares they had organized a youth festival where HG Vaidanta Chaitanya Prabhu was the chief guest. HG Arjuna Krishna Prabhu shares he is conducting a Bhakti Vriksha program.

Also PDC training program is being conducted. HG Sumit Charan Prabhu from Sri Ekachakra Dham shares, he is being guided very nicely by HG Acharya Prabhu. And he wants to accept initiation from Srila Gurudev.

HG Padmamali Prabhu speaks , in today’s Japa talk we heard about the connection between Spiritual Master and Krsna. And annually we just get one occasion to express our gratitude towards our spiritual master.

As we all know Guru Maharaj’s 75th Vyaspuja ceremony approaching. And we need to write the Vyaspuja offering for the same. Use vrndavanalila108@gmail.com for English Offerings. You can share your Vyaspuja offerings in any of these 3 languages, Hindi, English and Marathi. Use shridharmadhavdas.lok@gmail.com for Hindi, Marathi Offerings.

Last year we managed to achieve our desired target. This year’s last date for Vyaspuja offering submission is May 15^th. We request you all to please submit the Vyaspuja offering prior to last submission date.

A few days Back HG Anantasesa Prabhu shared that we have 8000 initiated disciples of Guru Maharaj and including the aspiring disciples this number can be counted as 12500 approximately. So on the occasion of 75th Vyaspuja, we are expecting at least 7500 offerings.

It’s Saturday today and tomorrow we have Sunday, So utilize your time.Some devotees are leaving the meeting we are requesting you all to please stay for a bit longer this is a very important announcement. Tomorrow’s Zoom session is going to be very special, please make sure not to miss it

It’s a surprise for you all.

Hare Krsna.

 

5th May 2024
Glories of HH Gopal Krsna Goswami Maharaj
Speaker: HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj

Hare Krsna. I have sent someone to get an health update of HH Gopal Krsna Goswami Maharaja and until then, please kindly continue to pray for Maharaja’s speedy recovery.

We do not have any new update as of now but devotees are waiting outside ICU to get the latest updates for HH Gopal Krsna Goswami Maharaja’s health. Additional devotees have joined after 6am just to inform you that HH Gopal Krsna Goswami Maharaja suffered a cardiac arrest multiple times yesterday.

He is admitted in synergy hospital Dehradun where I am also present where Maharaja is on life support and the doctors are trying their best. Acme is a life support machine which is being transported from Delhi to Dehradun which may help revive Maharaja so then Maharaja can be transferred to Delhi for further care.

Some ISKCON leaders and senior disciples of Maharaja have also reached here even this hour, and now only Krsna can help to improve Maharaja’s health. So please kindly pray to Sri Sri Radha Parthasarathi for Maharaja’s recovery. Narasimha Yagya was also performed in Mayapur and Delhi

and please continue with Sankirtan yagya and offer oblations to Krsna in the form of Sankirtan Yagya.

enechi ausadhi maya nasbaro lagi’
hari nama maha mantra lao tumi magi (Jiv Jago 4)

Translation: I have brought the medicine that will wipe out the disease of illusion from which you are suffering. Take this maha mantra Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu says the above. And as we know, a friend in need is friend indeed. Maharaja needs help at this hour in terms of our prayers. Our best friend is Krsna who will fulfil all our desires so kindly encourage others to chant as well for Maharaja. Maharaja’s urine output has improved due to additional medications

and this is wonderful improvement!

Our prayers have been heard by Krsna, nevertheless his health condition remains critical. You could also arrange Kirtan in your respective temples and temple leaders can organize the Kirtans. Congregation devotees may also join and we all devotees shall continue to chant a few more rounds and offer them to HH Gopal Krsna Goswami Maharaj.

All of you should forward this message to other devotees. HH Gopal Krsna Maharaja’s health update:

Respected Maharajas, Prabhujis, and Matajis, please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. The latest update is that Guru Maharaja responded by moving his lips, when Dr. Saligrama Krsna Prabhu of our Healthcare team called out to him ten minutes back. Maharaja’s urine output has improved due to additional medical support.

While this is wonderful, Gurudeva’s health condition remains critical. We beg that your intense prayers continue and not to believe in any irrelevant rumors.

Your servants

HH Gopal Krsna Goswami Maharaja Health Care Team

5th May, 2024 6.45 am
Camp: Synergy Institute of Medical Sciences Dehradun

On screen you can see that the alter set up of Maharaja which he carries with himself wherever he goes. Guru Maharaja says, ‘I remember, in 1977, when Srila Prabhupada was sick, I asked him, ‘we all are doing something or the other for your health, is there anything that we are not doing?’ Srila Prabhupada said, ‘just keep chanting Hare Krishna.’ On screen you can see images of HH Gopal Krsna Goswami Maharaja with Srila Prabhupada on other important occasions.

In the past two months Maharaja has inaugurated two projects, ISKCON Rohini, Delhi NCR and ISKCON Rukmani Vihar, Vrindavan. Also, there has been a land breaking ceremony here in Dehradun

This is a letter by Srila Prabhupada to Maharaja in 1969, at the time of his Initiation. We can continue chanting for some more time. We are reminding you all that Guru Maharaja’s 75th Vyasa Puja offerings are to be written and sent back on time.

We had planned to sit together and write the offerings today, but now we are all m sincerely praying for HH Gopal Krsna Goswami Maharaja today. But you must think about the glories of Guru Maharaja, his interactions with you and how he has influenced you in your life.

You have to open your hearts and you all must not think that whether to write this or not? Do not think that ‘only new devotees are supposed to write offerings, I don’t need to send.’ He carries this book with himself while traveling during the Chaturmasya. Today is a Sunday, so you can spare time today and write the offering.

If you you have any doubts you can approach senior devotees to get more guidance so you can write an offering to Guru Maharaja with the mood of surrender, gratitude and love. We shall end this session here now and your all may chant more rounds for the health of HH Gopal Krsna Goswami Maharaj or perform Kirtan for him. Hare Krishna.

 

Topic: Glorification of HH Gopala Krishna Swami Maharaj
Date:  07^thMay 2024
HG Padmamali Prabhu:

How can we fill this void? Mohanrupa Prabhu- For us life was very wasy till now. We could easily ask Mahraj but now it will be difficult. Everyone is taking shelter under Maharaj. So let’s hear from senior devotees from Maharaj

HH Radhey Shyamanand Prabhu:

Om aja..

Namo om lok

Namo Gopala krishna

Vancha

Jai sri Krsna Chaitanya..

Hk mantra

So yesterday HH GKGM was GBC of India and he comes to Vrn and I used to talk to him everytime. I am seen such good qualities in Maharaj. I will discuss 3-4 qualities. I saw his sadhna. Whereever he is he will attend Mangala aarti and perform aarati. Purity is the force. He used to serve personal deities. Sp had said deity worship is imp and this will engage our mind in Krishna. He used to today it personally. His sadhana and japa is perfect. His management tactics are great and he used to be called as Problem shooter. He used to be always engaged in Krishna’s service. Maharaj’s book distribution is splendid. He used to always emphasize on book distribution. He engaged everyone in Krishna’s service/ He opened 18 temples in Delhi more than he was asked to. Once I was in Barelliey and he used to call devotees and he used to personal dealings with  his disciples. He used to forgive all the devotees. He used to change the location but he used to never throw away anyone. He used to recognize the qualities in his devotees. Maharaj used to call or meet a devotee who left ISKCON. He used to never let anyone free. They are ready to give their life. HH Jayapatka Maharaj’s disciples are powerful because of which he is protected. His contribution is unmatchable and only 2-3 sannayasis could have matched his level. I met Maharaj and t asked me to go Agra for preaching and he knows and recognises everyday. He didn’t suffer from ailments and his face was very peaceful and the whole world came to Vrindvan around 10,000 people which is a record. He always wabted to please his master. So we should take alteast one or two qualities of him.

HG Anant Sesha Prabhuji:

Hk. DP.

HH GKGM ki Jai. So HH Shyamanana Maharaj told everything. So whole India ccameyesterday and he was the first prominent leaders of ISKCON. When we heard HH GKGM he took personal care of bank account of SP. His 47 years of service is unmatchable. Till his last breath he served ISKCON. He served as chairman till his last breath. He preached in many countries like Russia, USA etc and in India in Vrn, Juhu and Delhi temples. NIDC, WIDC he was head of everything. His final will was narrated yesterday and his determination for BBT is unmatchable. He said that I will always be loyal to GBC and he used to speak on SP books. My disciples should follow GBC and I never deviated from ISKCON. So always wanted to cooperate with GBC. He alos mentioned that he wanted to build his samadhi in Vrindavan in case he leaves his body in North India and in Mayapur if he left somewhere else. His disciples has registered a place for his samadhi and this place should be utilised for ISKCON Vrindavan. One mtg gave a land to Vrindavan and gave this land to his Russian devotees and he said he has no wealth of his own. He just had a watch given by SP. All my belongings should be given to my disciples. And his laptops and all should utilised properly. He was unstoppable. I had my last darshans in Mayapur and in the beginning he misunderstood me as HG Vedanta Chaitanya Prabhu and in Kartik also this crowd was seen and this much of crowd was not seen in Srila Prabhupada’sDisappearnce day. Everyone came there even we had small space for the samadhi and I was in Maharashtra and I wanted to take part in this.

In every center, this memorial should be held and gm told this when he came out of the altar today.

HG Vedanta Chaitanya Prabhu:

Hk . Thank for this opportunity. He was the first sannayasi I met in IIT Kanpur. His secretary was in our batch of Brahmachari and he never missed mangalaaarati . Once Maharaj and his servant reached at 1 pm in Mayapur and then Maharaj is tired and said I might be late. He saw that Maharaj went and attended Mangala aarti and he was very determined and unstoppable in his services. His servant once told me that once it was raining a lot in Delhi and Maharaj asked is that road empty or busy and if I am doing service of Lord why should I stop if these people are not stopping. His consciousness was at the topmost stage. Once a crow hit Maharaj’s car and then Maharaj did one mala foe that crow and then went to Vrindavan. His secretary told me that once Maharaj and then there where a lot of ants and his servant said that why did you kill those ants with wiper. His determination for SP. I I heard many lectures of him and he took SP’s name more than Krishna. His determination for SP was so much. He was once given a sweatshirt in which SP’s pic was on the back of that sweatshirt so he said that I cannot wear this SP cannot be behind me. Once he was gifted a shirt in which SP’s fave was printed on the front. So he always took off that shirt while going to toilet. So I was thinking that there was a tussle between Lord and the devotees but in the end Lord won.

HG Brajbhumi Prabhuji:

HH GKGM ki jai.

I had the fortune of associated with HH Gopala Krishna Maharaj since my beginning. I know him from 27-28 years. I personally met Maharaj many times in Vrindavan. Many devotees had personal association of Maharaj and he used to serve his deities. He used to always solve problems with a smile and he was called a Problem Solver. Sp was able to expand his movement with his able disciples like Maharaj. His life was dedicated for the mission of Maharaj. So 18 temples were opened in Delhi. He used to always come to Vraj Mandal and used to like walking and he came last time as well. See his determination still came in his bad condition as well. He used to say that you should distribute his books in your area. We have lost a Prabhupada gem. Even I never saw such a crowd for any other sannayasi. I want to beg for any offenses if I committed on his lotus feet.

HG Harikirtan Prabhuji:

Namo om Gopala

For the pleasure of GM we had a memorial in Nagpur for Maharaj. Everyone was listening and we gave an introduction about Maharaj and he was a great soul and I told about his educational background.

Shloka

He went to Mc Gill University. He surrendered his life to Prabhupada. From his life we can take this that he can see his determination to serve Srila Prabhupada. He followed Prabhupada’s instruction at any cost. It is exemplary and then we saw all the crowd which came to meet Maharaj. He never left ISKCON. He listen to other babas and this shows our determination. He was my first siksha guru in 1978 and Maharaj and he said how many spiritual engineers are being produced amongst lakhs of engineers. He came in Nagpur and Noida and he used to always meet everyone with equal eyes. He used to love GM everywhere and he was there in all the meetings with Srila prbahupada. The success of HH Gopala Krishna Maharaj and he was sold out to SP and he was such a dedicated soldier.

2 days before I didn’t go to Dehradun and I asked HG Raman Krishna Prabhuji and HG Rishi Kumar Prabhu said and GM went again and went to ICU. GM told that till 20 mins we tried to save him and he said HK in his last time just like SP. GM never left him till the time he was put in Samadhi. He said that I have lost a 50 year old friend.

HG Keshav Prabhuji:

Hk mantra

Maharaj was very humble and compassionate. So on the way there were a lot of ants and he immediately asked to remove those ants and he said that it should be removed. He used to stay in temple even when the conditions were not suitable. He used to be engaged in his sadhna. In 1988, he came me  aNarismha photo and I made a locket and chain. He used to wear Prabhupada’s ring and I made this for him. I made  a lot of deity jewellery. He told me to get Mercedes car as per his instructions. So he also said that the Pandharpur and he used to say that where ever GM is plz offer my obeisances to him. I took 2 cr and acquired a land. And NVCC temple and radha Kunj Bihari temple was also built His personal attachment and always focused on proper chanting and take sankalpas for reading. He use to give the answers to all the questions. I had darshans of Maharaj and I took the blessings from his Charan paduka. We also had the Rohini temple inauguration and also for Noida, Khargar and in Delhi temple and he along with GM served with Maharaj.

Shloka

He always wanted to make book distribution in Pune and 4 times it came first. I prayed that plz our temple should be built in Pandharpur prabhu.

HG Ishtadev Prabhuji:

As the time is over, but still I will say. I get very less time to glorify and I joined in 1983 and he was the first sannayasi I saw Maharaj. He was very expert and he used to say HK first. I used to go to Russia and he used to ask me to say. I got his association in his initial days and whenever he used to hold my hand he used to misunderstood me as sakshi Gopal and used to ask about his wife also. I went with Maharaj and he held my hand and it was such a nice feeling. He was going from Mayapur and he had a wonderful smile. My wife used to make garlands and dress for deities and Maharaj said that you take care of the children and Maharaj used to say about book distribution even in Vraja. HH Jayapataka Maharaj was also there and he had so much of managmement capabilities. He had no energy to do aarti but still he used to perform that. He worked tirelessly for Prabhupada just like a soldier he left his body. In BBT, in 5 years for every Vyasapuja and Brajvasa. He loved TOVP. He gave a lot of initiations and when in Jodhpur and Maharaj gave all his initiation for the TOVP. He asked to give all the donations for TOVP. So when we went to Rohini temple. Making a temple is easy but the inspiration for us. I saw one interview where he was boldly contradicting the host who was telling that ISKCON brainwashed. You should all hear this lecture. Just like GM he tirelessly served. I don’y know what injection Prabhupada has given to these people. He has Prabhupada man and it is a great loss of us and specially for GM and they used to meet imp leaders with him. Janannic=va prabhu is very disturbed and I know it is very happy for you and we all are with you. His disciple said that you are our ashraya now. Om nityalilapravishta .. and he reached Delhi and we sat in the lotus feet of Maharaj and even though I am not his shishya but I deeply miss him.

Date: 08 May 2024
Speaker: Various
Topic: Glorification of HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj

HG Padmamali Prabhu Ji:

Hare Krishna!

We will hear the glorifications from the devotees joined in the zoom temple.

Firstly, we will hear the glorification done by HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj yesterday at Iskcon Vrindavan Temple.

HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj:

My obeisances to the lotus feet of HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj!

Some devotees are very insistent on telling how Maharaj left this world as I was the only one with Maharaj at that time. As the doctor was trying to revive his heart, I was witnessing the process. They were not succeeding. I was wondering whether Maharaj was here or not. To check I shouted- Hare Krishna! Maharaj opened his mouth widely and moved his tongue to say something. I couldn’t hear the response but I knew he responded to me with Hare Krishna. Those were his last words. In a few moments, Doctors confirm that he is no more with us.

Je anilo Prem Dhan Karuna Prachura

These are not only my words but these are your words. All are singing this Vaishnav song to express their feelings.

I could simply weep. I am going to be missing him. I thank Srila Prabhupada for giving me Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj as my Godbrother, friend. Not only his disciples, but I am also feeling separation from him. We did many services together. He arrived in 1975 in India. Although there were some ups and downs in our relationship which is natural in this material world. But we maintain unity in diversity. When Srila Prabhupada departed, we had only seven temples in India. Some days ago, I heard from Bhakta Rupa Prabhu that now we have close to 700 entities which submit their account in India. Iskcon was in survival mode. And then its revival happens and credit goes to the all members of the team but the whole credit goes to HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj. There is no doubt. Maharaj is known for temple openings. He initiated a number of devotees. He sold a number of books. He was the trustee of BBT. Prabhupada assigned him that duty. He was the trustee for his whole life. He was the longest GBC member in Iskcon. Prabhupada instructed him to Distribute my books. Book distribution was the most pleasing thing to Srila Prabhupada. Srila Prabhupada must be very pleased with Gopal Krishna Goswami. He was also part of Food for life. He was the big force behind TOVP Construction. There are thousands of devotees in the temple. This is the manifestation and glory of Gopal Krishna Goswami.

People used to say this is the temple of foreigners. He made it the hare krishna temple. He is deep rooted. Movement has been leading through survival to revival and through revival to trivial. They all love Gopal Krishna Maharaj.

Now I am going to say that if you love Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj then I also love you. My love is conditional. I was remembering the sentence said by Srila Prabhupada. Your love towards me will be shown how you cooperate in the services for this institution. Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj would surely say it’s our responsibility to cooperate with each other to maintain whatever Iskcon has made. Bring SrilaPrabhupada Movement to another level.

We are here together to give our homage to HH Gopal krishna Goswami Maharaj. The best offering is to do what is needed for the pleasure of Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj.

I remember once Srila Prabhupada asked how this movement will go fast? Giriraj Goswami was sitting near Srila Prabhupada and he said by chanting Hare Krishna and Follow four regulative principles. Of course, Srila Prabhupada agreed with the answers but not fully satisfied. Then he added an organization run with intelligence. This is the homework for all of us to maintain this organization. We don’t have to take a step back in the absence of Gopal krishna Goswami maharaj but take a step forward.

HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj has returned to Vrindavan. For the pleasure of Gauranga, Srila Prabhupada and Gopal krishna Goswami Maharaj, take some responsibility to spread the movement of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. This would be the best offering ever.

All Glories to HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj!

All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!

All Glories to Krishna Balaram!

HG Acharya Prabhu Ji:

Many devotees were talking about the glories of HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj. Once we were in Iskcon Aravade. It was not a big temple at that time. HH Gopal Krishna Goswami was from Iskcon Nasik. There were only 8-10 devotees to welcome him. Maharaj interacts with each and every devotee. Devotees were asking him to take prasad. He said that firstly my Gaur Nitai will honor prasad and then I will take it. Devotees arranged prasadam meanwhile Maharaj was giving the lecture. After the lecture Maharaj offers garland to the small deities of Gaur nitai and offers them the prasadam.

We can see his attachment towards deities. Even in Mayapur festival time, he attended all the aarti of deities. At the time of Vraj Mandal Parikrama he always went for Chintaharan Mahadev. He used to say that there is a worry that disturbs me is Srila Prabhupada has written so many scriptures, but no one is reading them. Parikrama often held in the month of November and he gave the targets of book distribution to the devotees for December in advance. This is the dedication of Maharaj for Srila Prabhupada.

In Navadwip Parikrama, he came to the samadhi of Jagannath Das Babaji Maharaj. He used to do kirtan and tell the glories of Jagannath Babaji Maharaj. Yesterday Anant Sesa Prabhu ji was telling that Maharaj has no personal bank account. He used to give the example of Jagannath Babaji Mharaj that we must try to live like him. He doesn’t take a single penny from anyone. If one gives him some donation, he feasts all the villagers with that donation.

Now he is no more with us. Guru Maharaj gave a very good talk. Maharaj went to Kumbh Mela also. All the disciples of Srila Prabhupada along with Gaur Nitai seem like a big family. They all went to take a bath together. It’s my fortune that I got the association of Maharaj many times. And misfortune is that we will not be able to get his association anymore.

Let’s pray in the lotus feet of HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj that he always has his mercy on all of us.

Hare Krishna!

HG Revati Raman Prabhu Ji:

We are very fortunate to get the association of Maharaj in Juhu Temple. He has many qualities. I would like to elaborate some of them. When I invited him to see the project. He was amused on seeing that project and asked me who had given me that project. I said someone has given the property for this. He was extremely interested in building temples. He gave us the inspiration and enthusiasm to make the temple. A video is going viral in which he is doing aarti in his dreams. We often do Aarti as per the time duration. But his only focus while doing aarti is on Sri Sri Radha Rasbihari. We have to wait sometimes for 2-4 minutes.

Their dedication towards book distribution is commendable. He personally visits every stall at the railway stations. He visits all the four temples in Mumbai; Khar, Juhu, Mira Road and Chowpatty to inspire the devotees to distribute books. He never wastes a single sec to follow the instruction of Srila Prabhupada. He insists that Bus traveling of book distribution should be always continued.

It was the time of the opening of Aravade temple. A was fortunate to get the opportunity to serve 35 Srila Prabhupada’s disciples. I got the service of washing their feet. I washed the feet of HH Radha Natha Swami Maharaj and some other maharajas. But HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj refused to wash his feet out of humility. He never expects any respect.

Another incident was at the time of Noida temple opening. The dressing of the deities was going to happen and an incident happened with the deities of Srimati Radha Rani. HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj was looking at all this with no expressions. But HH Gopal krishna Goswami Maharaj was crying his heart out. His attachment towards deities is extreme.

Two things required in the deity worship: punctuality and cleanliness. Maharaj used to change his clothes three times a day. And he dresses his deities so nicely. He builds so many temples. He is also known as the founder acharya of temple opening. His bond with Lokanath Maharaj is also very rare. They both can be seen together at various times. By chance, at the time of his departure, Lokanath Swami Maharaj was also with him and he chanted the holy name in his ear. It is a very difficult time as we are not going to see him again. I wanted to come to Vrindavan but couldn’t go. I have attended all the programs online.

Once a disciple of HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj went to an astrologer. The astrologer said that your Spiritual master is an extraordinary person. Do his service and everything will be alright. He is a Vaikuntha Man. All demigods walk behind him. You don’t need to go anywhere. Just Serve him.

HG Krishna Bhakta Prabhu:

Here we did the glorification program for Maharaj. I will try to repeat it again.

Everyone will leave their body in Vrindavan. His servants did not want him to go to Dehradun. Late night till 10:30, this discussion was on whether he is going or not. HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj was saying that he held the meeting and he is the head of that bureau meeting. It will not be good if he cancels. He did the Bhumi Pujan of Shri Banke Bihari Temple in Dehradun. He was not feeling well and was led to the hospital there, from where he departed back to godhead. He was fulfilling the instruction of Srila Prabhupada of management till his last breath.

He met with Srila Prabhupada in 1968 in Montreal. He was asking whether there is any hindu temple in Montreal. The first service was to clean the temple of Srila Prabhupada. Prabhupada was coming in the upcoming two days. He was excited to know about spirituality and to surrender. But He often says that it was Krishna who inspired him to select Prabhupada as his spiritual master. From the first day to till date, he dedicatedly served Srila Prabhupada.

I met Maharaj in 2004, in Mega Youth Festival, Pune. It was the national Youth Festival. Around 5000 youth took part in that festival. Maharaj was the GBC of Pune, so he was also there actively. HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaj and Others were also there. It was the first festival of youth of that scale. After that Umang and Viplava went on.

Srila Prabhupada brought him to India in 1975 and gave him many responsibilities along with the GBC. In all the legal documents of Iskcon in India, there is mentioned the name of only two members: HH Jaypataka Swami Maharaj and HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj. Maharaj fulfilled all his responsibilities from 1975 to 5th of May 2024. He asked his secretary in the hospital to write a resignation letter that he will not be able to be the chairman of the bureau. After signing that resignation letter, he leaves this body.

Once Maharaj said to Prabhupada that the books are not being sold. Prabhupada Said that the books will not be sold by placing them in the stores or stalls. The book distribution is depending upon the enthusiasm of the devotees who went to distribute them. He took that sentence of Prabhupada very seriously. As we can say that in any marathon, Delhi, Juhu and Mayapur temples are always on the top list. Around 8000 congregation devotees and brahmacharis came on road on weekends to distribute books.

His dedication about deity worship is out of this world. Everyday at 4:30 AM he was seen at the altar. Whatever time he comes from travel, wherever he is, he will surely attend the Mangala Aarti. As we hear in the homage of Guru Maharaj that he made from seven to seven hundred temples in India. The very first worship after installation is being done by Maharaj whether it is of Aravade temple or Noida temple, Solapur or any other temple.

He was not feeling well when I invited him to Solapur. In spite of his bad health, he came to Solapur by taking flight till Pune and by car from Pune to Solapur. He installed the deities of Sri Sri Radha Damodar in Solapur. After that ceremony, he went to Pandharpur, where the students of Bhaktivedanata Gurukul welcomed him. On seeing that, Maharaj was very pleased and said it seems he was in Mayapur. This is like mini-Mayapur. He visits everywhere in Pandharpur; Prabhupada Ghat, Chandrabhaga River, Bhaktivedanata Gurukul, Brahmachari Ashram etc. He had to reach Pune at 1:30 PM so he arrived early in Pandharpur to visit every location.

After deity worship in the temple, he gives almost two hours to serve his personal deities Gaur Nitai, Laxmi- Narsimha, Vrinda devi and Saligrama Shila. He instructed in his will to distribute his deities in every zone so that the worship will be continued eternally. By giving the deities to a single person, serving is not that sure because no one can serve the deities with the same passion every day. But in the temple every service of the deities will be performed precisely.

When Prabhupada came to Mumbai, he instructed Maharaj to talk with visa minister to give some concessions to foreigner devotees. Mharaj came back after talking with the minister and some MR. Vajpayee was there and he agreed to give the concession to the devotees. Prabhupada was very pleased and declare that He will be very famous in future. Then after some time, this Vajpayee becomes the prime minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayi. He inaugurated the Radha Parthasarathi temple along with Maharaj. Within three hours of departure of Maharaj, many ministers including Narender Modi and ministers of many states like Haryana, Rajasthan, UP etc. sent their condolence message on this situation.

People in America were very happy as Maharaj had planned to go there on 9th of august, just before Janma Ashtami. Everyone was preparing to welcome him. According to the English Calendar, the Vyasa Puja celebration of Maharaj will be on 14th of august. So, the ceremony was going to happen in the Baltimore Temple in America, which is near to the capital of Washington DC and the devotees of Canada were planning to come.

He also mentioned in his will that he has nothing personal except his deities and a Rolex watch which is gifted by Srila Prabhupada Himself. He has no bank account and any wealth. He is my elder brother. We should feel the grief when a father leaves his son. Although his instructions were always with us, we will not be able to get his association personally.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Ramananda Rai were discussing what is the biggest grief.  The biggest grief is not getting the association of the devotees.

As he mentioned in his will that he is the trustee in Iskcon only and he has no other wealth, we should also surrender ourselves to Srila Prabhupada and his mission Only. We should pray to Maharaj to give us strength to do that.

Hare Krishna!

HG Murli Mohan Prabhu Ji:

When I completed my college and visited JUHU Temple, I met HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj first. He is my first Shiksha Guru.Our relationship kind of friends. Because I was an art student and he loves art. He asked me what I was doing. I replied I am a student of JJ College and working in Makhija in an advertising agency. His friend, Ishan Khanna was in HTA, he talked with him and gave me some freelance work. When I told him about my inconveniences, that I am living in Vasai and it is really hard to do work, he advised me to go to Ahmedabad and meet with Yashomati Nanadan Prabhu, he will help me out. So, we can see how he took care of everyone. Yashomati Nandan and Maharaj are very very good friends. Maharaj used to come there and inspire us to distribute books. It was only his inspiration that Ahmedabad distributed 1,50,000 and more books in marathons.

In 1997,before the temple opening of Delhi, I arranged an exhibition called Moods of Prabhupada. I have to go to Vrindavan to sell the books. HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj was in Noida at that time and they saw my paintings and he saw the letter sent by HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj.

The letter was:

Dear Lokanath Swami

Pamho

All Glories to Srila Prabhupada

Is Murli Mohan ready to help Gyangamyam (Prabhupada’s Disciple). I will be grateful if you convince him to help out for two weeks. We will pay him ten thousand and more per week and we will also help him to sell his paintings.

Jai Prabhupada

Gopal Krishna Goswami

When Maharaj saw this letter he sent it to serve HH Gopal krishna Goswami Maharaj.

When Delhi Temple was being constructed, He was very worried how Prabhupada’s panel would be ready as  Gyan Gamyam Prabhu ji was busy with some other projects. So, I have to assist him in making Prabhupada’s panel. Then I got the opportunity to read Prabhupada’s lilamrita.

Maharaj asked me to finish all the work in one and a half months. As there was no computer facility, I hired a studio near the temple to work on the panels. I used to go there at 9 AM everyday and returned from there at 2 AM at night. After Maharaj completed his japa after Magala Aarti, I used to show him the designs. This was my daily routine. I completed this work in just fifteen days. Maharaj was very pleased. He handed me a flight ticket to Ahmedabad and an amount of thirteen thousand and said to me that it was half of the amount and half amount would be given in the service of Sri Sri Radha Parthasarathi.

Once Maharaj was saying that rulers like khilji used to destroy temples. It is my uncleared realization that Prabhupada would always think that we will make so many beautiful temples that these rulers will get tired of destroying them. And this responsibility is given to HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj.

I pray to Maharaj that he gives us strength and energy so that we can build at least one or more temples for the service of Prabhupada.

Hare Krishna!

HG Srimati Radhika Mataji:

Hare Krishna!

I met HH Gopal krishna Maharaj in 2007, in Delhi Iskcon Temple. He is the one who leads me to my Spiritual Master.

I would like to thank him for this. When I was connected with Iskcon Punjabi Bagh, Guru Maharaj wanted us to preach. And every disciple of him was always ready for that. Vimpla Prasad Prabhu Ji, Rukmini Krishna Prabhu ji and Amogh lila Prabhu ji used to come to our home to preach.

I would like to get blessings from maharaj on this day so that we can serve for the pleasure of maharaj and Srila Prabhupada.

Hare Krishna!

HG Madhvi Gopi Mataji:

Hare Krishna!

I first met with Maharaj in 2004 in Delhi Temple. He used to come to Gurgaon occasionally and he has organized Janmashtami Festival there.

Then we moved to Thana and once he was giving a lecture and I was sitting near to his lotus feet. He asked if anyone knows the meaning of Adhokshaja? I replied and he was very pleased by hearing my answer.

His departure was very shocking. We have arranged an homage for Maharaj on Monday as there are many new devotees who hardly know about Maharaj. So we will tell them a brief biography of Mharaj and some glorification.

I asked Maharaj’s blessing so that whatever he had taught us we can act accordingly and can preach it to others.

Hare Krishna!

HG Syama Preyasi Mataji:

I Have seen Maharaj since my childhood. Maharaj always came to Noida for the Janmashtami Festival.

I remember once our family went to Delhi Temple to take Darshan and we came across Maharaj. We paid our obeisances to Maharaj and started talking with him. Then they asked if we had taken the darshan. We said we will do it right after talking with you. He said go fast and take the darshanas. We were not sure as it was the closing time and the doors might be closed. We rushed to the temple hall and we were surprised as the doors were still open and we took darshans of Radha Parthsarthi, Gaur Nitai and Ram Sita Laxmana and Hanuman.

Then I realized that without a vaishnava we can’t get the darshana of Lordship.

I completed my graduation with the same university byu which Mharaj had studied. This is the small connection between us.

I am very fortunate to get the association of Maharaj.

Hare Krishna!

HG Naam Premi Mataji:

Hare Krishna!

Maharaj is the warrior of the movement of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. He follows the instruction of Prabhupada till his last breath.

Prabhupada used to say that Iskcon is my body, the laxmi you have collected is my blood, BBT is my heart and book distribution is my heartbeat. Prabhupada gave his heart to HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj.

HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj was with him till his last breath. It shows how strong the brotherhood relationship was between them.

I feel amused reading his quotes and teachings.

I prayed to maharaj that please bless me so that i can follow his teachings and instructions.

Hare Krishna!

 

HG Vraj Vilasini Mataji:

Once I met with HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj in Delhi Rath Yatra Festival. Maharaj was moving forward to the Ratha and there was some vacant place and me and my daughter paid obeisances to Maharaj and pleaded with him to come to Meerut. He said yes I will come. Within two months he came to Meerut. I was very surprised that in our prayers he visited there.

Then my daughter passed away and we were in Vrindavan for her last rituals. My husband was not in good condition and I was also crying. Maharaj came to know the whole situation and he smiled at me and asked that you are doing services in Meerut. Don’t leave meerut. It was my second meeting with Maharaj.

I would like to thank Maharaj for inspiring me and to HG Purnanandi Mataji also for her support.

His departure for me was like the departure of my own Guru Maharaj. I realized the importance of my Guru Maharaj and took a pledge to do two rounds of japa for the wellbeing of my Guru Maharaj.

Hare Krishna!

HG Symalangi Mataji:

Hare Krishna!

Thank you to HH Lokanath swami Maharaj for arranging this session for all of us. It seems that this session will continue till eternity. Yesterday I was hearing the glorification of Maharaj from Vrindavan. It was amazing and it lasted for five hours.

I lived in Canada and often met with him as it was his zone. Thanks to HG Syama Preyasi for remembering the last meeting of Mahraj in Vrindavan. I was also with her at that time.

Once we went to leave our daughter in toronto and we came to know that Maharaj is also in toronto. My husband and I went to take his darshan. But his servant stopped us as Maharaj’s throat was not in good condition. But we pleaded that we came from Dubai and didn’t know when we got the next chance to meet with him. Then the servant takes us to Mharaj and Mharaj gives us a lot of blessings. It was a very nice meeting.

Hare Krishna!

HG Yashwant Prabhu JI:

My relationship with Maharaj was like a father-son relationship. Once he tapped on my head and I realized he had initiated me.
It was his blessings that we are following devotional life. I would like to thank him and offer our homage on behalf of my whole family.

Hare Krishna!

HG Nar Narayana Prabhu Ji:

Hare Krishna!

I have written a poem as homage.

ब्राह्मण के घर जन्म लिया, पर ब्राह्मण जैसा कुछ न किया,

काम, क्रोध, लोभ, मोह, मत्सर्य, इन सब का पीछा किया,

लेकिन ब्राह्मण जैसा कुछ न किया,

एक दिन ऐसा आया, मैने एक सही निर्णय लिया,

रथयात्रा के आमंत्रण को स्वीकार कर लिया,

भगवान और भक्त के प्रेम का दर्शन किया,

उस भीड़ में चलते आते एक संत को देखा,

दिल्ली की उन सड़कों पर परम पूज्य गोपाल कृष्ण गोस्वामी महाराज को जगन्नाथ के समक्ष शीश झुकाते देखा,

महाराज जी, आपके दर्शन मात्र से हृदय में एक किरण को उगते देखा,

दिल्ली की मायानगरी में खुद को जलते देखा,

और फिर से एक सही निर्णय लिया,

आपके शिष्यों को संपर्क किया, जिस प्रेम को ढूंढता रहा अपने घर की चार दिवारी में,

वो मिला मुझे श्री श्री राधा पार्थसार्थी मंदिर की गौर आरतियों में,

श्री श्री राधा पार्थसार्थी मंदिर के आप ही तो थे सारथी,

इसलिए आपके कई शिष्य बन गए मेरे जीवन के सारथी,

मुझे इतना प्रेम दिया, की मैने फिर से एक निर्णय लिया, अपने जीवन में आपके शिष्यों का संग कूट कूट के भर लिया,

आपके सानिध्य में सेवाएं करना सीखा,

जीवन में भक्ति के चमत्कारों को होते देखा,

आपकी करुणा को हृदय में उतरते देखा,

भक्तों को मित्रता से हृदय को बदलते देखा,

फिर से मैंने एक निर्णय लिया,

मैंने जा कर IYF ज्वाइन कर लिया,

सुंदर गोपाल प्रभु जी जैसे भक्तों की कृपा से भक्ति विनोद सभा को उभरते देखा,

गुरु पद आश्रय की इच्छा को हृदय में उबलते देखा,

आपके आश्रय में ही पहली बार श्रील गुरुदेव लोकनाथ स्वामी महाराज को देखा,

आप मेरे गुरुदेव नहीं, गुरु महाराज नहीं,

पर हृदय से कहता हूं, मेरे गुरु महाराज से कम भी नहीं,

श्रील भगवद पाद जिनका नाम है,

राधा पर्थसार्थी जिनका धाम है,

ऐसे श्रील गोपाल कृष्ण गोस्वामी महाराज को मेरा बारंबार प्रणाम है,

श्रील प्रभुपाद जिनके प्राण हैं, और book distribution ही जिनका ध्यान है,

ऐसे श्रील गोपाल कृष्ण गोस्वामी महाराज को मेरा बारंबार प्रणाम है।

 

Hare Krishna!

 

Japa Talk:

Vedio – Paying Homage to H.H Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj at ISCKON Delhi by H.H Lokanath Swami Maharaj and some important announcements from the Will of H.H Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj

Dated: 9^thMay 2024
Theme: Homage to H.H Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj on his Tirobhav
Sub: Theme: H.H Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj Writes in his Will

I do not have any cash, Bank deposits, lock boxes, stocks in my name all property in my zone is registered legally in ISKCON’s name except of the Rolex Watch which was gifted by Prabhupada in 1977 to me, my laptop and two mobiles. I desire this watch to be handled over to one of my disciples who had helped in serving Srila Prabhupada. I would request Krishna Priya das Prabhu who has been personally serving H.H Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj almost for 30 years announce the name of the person and in the context of which it was done.

I would request H.H Loknath Goswami Maharaj to hand over this watch and fulfil the important element of His Will to that particular person.  I want H.G Krishna Priya Prabhu to introduce that person.

Hare Krishna this is first time when Guru Maharaj fell ill he wrote his Will and is not registered but waswritten on paper and in that will he clearly mentioned the name of the person and that devotee has done so much more since 1995, that person’s name is, none other than our H.G Ved Vays Prabhu.

In that will Maharaj has also mentioned when I go then my disciples can take shelter of H.H Loknath Swami Maharaj. Hari Bol Hari Bol,

Hari Bol. Hari Bol

Personal Servant H.G Ajay Gaurang Prabhu Speaks: This watch stoped functioning the day, Maharaj left his body. Now H.G Dashavatra Prabhu has got it rectified and is now functional. This watch was very precious of Guru Maharaj H.H. Gopal Krishna Maharaj, whenever there was Rath-yarta procession or Special functions Maharaj  would not wear it and would request  to keep it in safe custody so that it is not lost. He would request always kept it in safe custody.

Sub: Theme: Executing H.H Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj Will – handover of the Prabhupada Watch.

H.G Krishna Priya Prabhu speaks about H.G Ved Vyas Prabhu special qualities which is not known to most of us. Why H.G Ved Vyas Prabhu was so dear to Maharaj ji and how we developed so intimate friendship with him. H.G Ved Vyas Prabhu is a big industrialist when this temple was under construction duringinitial days he helped us a lot, helped through bank to get us loan and money.

Devi Prabhu from Bombay had arranged for the Architect, when we were not able to pay him then at that time he would directly go to the Ved Vyas prabhu and get the money. One day while I was Chastising him, H.G Ved vyas Prabhu heard, he then narrated. He told me prabhu just cool down, let me tell you the shirt I am wearing is also brought with the money taken as loan from Bank my car is also brought with loan money from bank, even my all necessities of life like food, accommodation etc are dependenton that money. If we can get all these things for material comfort from bank why temple constructioncan be done from the money taken from Bank .Not only this Ved Vyas prabhu used to guide us, just go to the bank Manager Mr. Agarwal, he used to oblige us and lend money, When We used to call him he would say please come and take this some additional money. We have seen so much of miracle this is all due to blessings of Sri Radha Parthasarthi Deities, they are very special as Srila Prabhupada had himself brought them.  He had told if you pray this deity, you will see lot of miracles. One of the miracle was getting a Gem like H.G Vedvyas Prabhu.

We are all proud of him he had done so much for ISCKON and many god brothers. One of his qualities is that he cannot say no to anyone. In case you need his help in assisting you in getting loan from the bank he will somehow get it done for you.

Srila Prabhupada Ki Jai

Nitya Lila Pravisht Srila H.H Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj Ki Jai

A.C Bhakti Vedanta Srila Prabhu Pada ki Jai

H.H Lokanath Goswami Maharaj Ki Jai

 

H.H Lokanath Guru Maharaj Speaks:

Please accept my Pranamas .

Vanch KalpatruVakshakripasindhuevacha
(jaya) sri-krsna-caitanya prabhu nityananda
sri-advaitagadadharasrivasadi-gaura-bhakta-vrnda

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

You all belong to Gopal Krisna Maharaj and he was mine too.

Gopal Krishna Goswami Tirobhav Tithi ki Jai. This is a challenge to observe this occasion, in front of all us and for me too. In his association we have been working and there are other teams also. But I and Gopal Krishna Maharaj always worked as a team. Now in that H.H Gopal krishna Maharaj is not with us now. In this situation our mind is feeling the separation of that person, This TirobhavThithi is anoccasion of grief as well as happiness. As we know this through the song

je āniloprema-dhanakoruṇāpracur

heno prabhu kothāgelā Sri Gopal Krishna Gosai Maharaj

It is mixed feeling of separation and happiness. They enter into Leela of Personality of Godhead. Then it becomes reason for our happiness. For last so many years when he was in Canada. He was quite responsible person and hence Srila Prabhupada asked him to come to India and become GBC of entire India.

He did everything for it from 1975 till few days back. We lived and served Srila Prabhupada together. Gopal Krishna Maharaj was in Mumbai, when I took Sanyas, I wanted to travel as one of our God brother Hans Dutt Maharaj had brought some German Buses and wanted to do some travelling and preaching. Hans Dutt Maharaj also wanted me to be part of that team and I also wanted to be part of that, but H.H Goaplkrishna Maharaj did not wanted to leave me, while I wanted to travel.

Then Hans Dutt Maharaj and Gopal krishnamaharaj went to Srila Prabhupada. Gopal Krishna Maharaj said that Lokanath Maharaj is key person in Bombay how can he go.Srila Prabhupada said he wants to go let him travel. I as released from cluthes, of Gopal krishna Maharaj. After that Srila Prabhu asked me to start travel in bulkcarts. Then when I was in Bombay Gopal Krishna Mahraj was thinking how can I get him back, besides being BBT Trustee. After discussing with Srila Prabhu, I was made Leader of Sankritan travelParty. So, I was again in the courtyard of Gopal Krishna Maharaj. Narda Muni book distribution party and after travelling we reached Nagpur.  We used live in MLA house that time there was no smsetc , even phones was not there.

Gopal krishna Maharaj Arrived in this MLA hostel as he had to catchup with me. Till date, I could not figure out how he came to know that we were staying in that guest house.

For Sri Radhapartasharthi there was no one to look as president as the person handling had left for other country.He asked me to go to Delhi, on 8^th July 1978 , I reached and then I was made Temple president of Sri Radha Parthasharthi Temple.

So, I was back again in the vicinity of Gopal krishnaMahraj. His presence was always pleasurable. When he was asked to come to India Srila Prabhupada in his letter had mentioned that for some timeno important temple has been opened in Delhi, you come and build temples in Delhi. It was Srila Prabhupada will to get at least 12 temples build in Delhi.

Initially Radha Parthasarthi was in Anand Niketan and then Bengali Market, Todar mal lane and then Lajpat nagar. These buildings were filled with big landlords, all land is of Gopal “ Sarvalok Maheshwara “ . But lord was residing in rented house in GK-1 ( M119). As Maharaj (H.H Gopal Krishna Goswami) was BBT Trustee, then what he did, he Purchased that house. For first time after lining in rented house, Radha parthasarthi lived in the house of its own.

Gopal Maharaj did this; he was also looking for land. He had given this assignment to me, I was visiting DDA many times was accompanied by Gopal Krishna Maharaj also, finally we got this land. We gave it name as Hare krishna hill. This hill was not in good condition, better not to speak about it.

Finally, the temple was constructed, I along with Gopal krishna Maharaj was part of it and some of you were also part of that journey. Then on inauguration Atul Bihari Vajpaee came, who had become PM just few days prior. First engagement after becoming the  PM came to open Radha Parthasarthi temple.

Right here , then gradually we got a building in Panjabi Bagh, then we sold that, Surbhi Swami  as architect Ministry of ISKCON then we brought new land – for Radha Raman lal. After it was 3^rd, 4^th , 5^th etc . Initially he was told by Srila Prabhupada to make few temples, but Maharaj maharaj made 18 temples.

Worshiping deities was his favourite pastimes. There was a vedio, have you seen it Srila Prabhupada used to say we should serve krshna how much time 24 hours as day. Gopal krishna was serving 24 * 7. Today morning I saw a vedio, Maharaj performing aarati while he is in sleep.

Maharaj is in deep sleep, he is performing aarti – first of lamp, than of chamar. All articles it went for several minutes. Hari Hari.

He was totally absorbed in Krsna, serving Srila Prabhupada and his ISCKON. I do not know any other hardworking leader as Gopal krishnamaharaj, full of anxiety for ISKCON. Do you know Chinta haran Temple, I used to tell him Maharaj Pray to Chinta Haran Mahadev to get relief from anxiety, even Yashoda was also praying there for Krsna. He was always in anxiety for ISKCON

His Anxiety was like meditating for ISKCON.  Such apersonality, till last moment he was with me and we cooperated. Till his last breath, in Dehradun, I was with him. When Dr’s were going to see him, I also insitedthe Guards that I have to go inside. Doctors were trying to revive the functioning of the heart, they were trying it for some time. Then since I was there, I was not able to understand if Maharaj was with us still or left. So, I one more time though to check, I was praying that do not go, stay with us. Then, to check I loudly recited Hare Krsna , then I saw Maharaj opened his mouth,  till that time he was motionless, actionless. I could see moment of his tongue he wanted to say Hare Krshna. After dometimeDoctors declared Maharaj is not with us.

He has done so much for us, whole world, Delhi and for you also. Certainly, you will be feeling that gratitude for him. We are all indebted to Gopal Krishna maharaj.

Someone had asked Prabhupada can we become free from your debt. Then he said no you cannot become free from this debt. Then after pause, he said yes you can get free from the debt. You do As I did.

If you also want to get rid of this debt so do as H.H Gopal Krsna Maharaj did. Not sure where he said that, but I am saying this on his behalf, This is even for me. No imitation but follow in his footsteps. Are you ready. Not louder. Again. I am known for long talk. I will take one more minute. IF I can do anything for you, I cannot as much as H.H Gopal Krishna did. I will be reachable and what ever help I can provide In absence for Gopal Krsna maharaj.  I will do, you can think about it.

Srila Gopal Krsna mahara ji jai

Srila Prabhupada ki jai

Srila Lokanatha Goswami maharaj

 

Date- 10^th May 2024
Speaker- Guru Maharaj
Theme- Significance of Akshay Tritiya

Hare Krishna! Srila Prabhupada ki Jai!

om ajnäna-timirändhasya jnänänjana-saläkayä
caksur unmilitam yena tasmai sri-gurave namah!!

sri-krsna-caitanya prabhu nityänanda sri-advaita gadädhara sriväsädi-gaura-bhakta-vrnda!!

Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare, Hare Räma, Hare Räma, Räma Räma, Hare Hare!!

Welcome to all devotees assembled in ISKCON Noida temple and also on the zoom temple. First you are welcomed for Japa and now you are welcomed for Japa Talk. Welcome and congratulations. Today is a special day, Aksaya Tritiya Mahamahotsva ki Jai!

It is one of the three and half muhurtas. Akshay! Ksaya means destruction, reduction. There is one disease as well named as ‘Ksaya’, TB. You know what happens with that person. After getting kshaya, gradually only bones remain in the body. So this is opposite to that. A-ksaya, it does not get ksaya, diminished. It never gets reduced or diminished. Such is the importance of this day.

Sub-theme- Important events happened on Aksay Tritiya’s day

Today, means on Aksaya Trtiya day many things happened and some keeps happening. Ganga appeared on earth on this day. Ganga Maiya ki Jai! You know how much efforts Bhagirath Maharaj was doing to bring Ganga on earth from heaven. Finally on today’s day he was succeeded and Ganga came at Gomukha. Ganga arrived at the pick of Himalaya. Shivaji was sitting there. He is known as Gangadhar because he held Ganga on this head, in his jata, clustered hair. There is Kedarnath and Badrinath; so today Lord Badrinatha’s darshan opens. Their darsan gets closed during winter and opened on today.

In Jagannath Puri, the chariots of Jagannath, which are used in Rathayatra; only two times these chariots are used, while going to and coming from Gundicha mandir. So every year new chariots are prepared and today the work of chariot construction begins.

Today, Sudama was reached at Dwaraka. After long time Sudama and Krsna were met again on today. When will we meet? We are also friends. They met today, but when will we meet? One day we will also meet Krsna. When we will listen this pastime of Krsna and Sudama Milan- meeting, and when we remember the Lord, then that remembrance is nothing but meeting with the Lord. And then on today’s day, Sudama fed chipped rice to Dwarakadhish. That happened today. We have a small list with us.

On Akshaya Tritiya day, Satyayuga appeared. Whenever Satyayuga appears, then that day is Akshaya Tritiya only.

mayädhyaksena prakrthih
süyate sa-caräcaram
hetunänena kaunteya
jagad viparivartate

Translation-

This material nature, which is one of My energies, is working under My direction, O son of Kunti, producing all moving and nonmoving beings. Under its rule this manifestation is created and annihilated again and again. [BG 9.10]

Krsna Kanhaiya Lal ki Jai! Such is the arrangement of the Lord. Every action is niyama-baddha, rule-bound, pre-planned. Lord again said-

upadrastänumantä ca
bhartä bhoktä mahesvarah
paramätmeti cäpy ukto
dehe ‘smin purusah parah

Translation-

Yet in this body there is another, a transcendental enjoyer, who is the Lord, the supreme proprietor, who exists as the overseer and permitter, and who is known as the Supersoul. [BG 13.23]

Upadrasta anumantä ca, I am the overseer and permitter. We keep on hearing that ‘Not even a leaf moves without the permission of the Lord’. Here is the proof. No admission without permission. Lord is the superintendent. See how mush accuracy is there. The day when Satyayuga begins, it is Askaya Tritiya day. Satya, Treta, Dwapar, Kali and again Satya, Treta, Dwapar, Kali. So every time Satyayuga begins on Aksaya Tritiya.

Lord has done the arrangements to make us intelligent. There are two types of personalities. One is jna and another is ajna. Together they are called as jnajna. So the jna party is the Lord Himself and His devotees. And we conditioned souls are from ajna party. So to give us knowledge, Lord –

mäyä-mugdha jivera nähi svatah krsna-jnäna
jivere krpäya kailä krsna veda-puräna

Translation-

The conditioned soul cannot revive his Krsna consciousness by his own effort. But out of causeless mercy, Lord Krsna compiled the Vedic literature and its supplements, the Puränas. [CC Madhya 20.122]

Lord in the form of Vyasadeva compiled Vedas and Puranas. Vyasadeva is Sakyavesa incarnation of the Lord. So He, Vyasadeva also started the work of his writings on Aksaya Tritiya. There is Vyasa-gufa and Ganesha-gufa, cave in Badrikarsrama. So Srila Vyasadeva dictates and Ganesha writes. This work began today. So, with the help of Vedic literatures Lord makes us intelligent.

Today is Lord Parasurama appearance day as well. We see bow and arrow in the hand of Lord Rama, but one more Rama was there and He was Parasurama, who was carrying parasu, axe in His hand. With this axe He did vinasaya ca diskritam, destroyed 21 generations of ksatriyas. He also appeared on Aksaya Tritiya.

Draupadi-vastraharan also took place today. In Hastinapur, not far from here! Duryodhan was evil minded and result of his evil mind was also bad. So today Lord provided unlimited sari to Draupadi.

Sub-theme: Whatever you possess, use that in the service of the Lord

We should perform pious activities on Aksaya Tritiya. Today is the day to become pious soul. The day for giving charities! People do shopping and all today, buying gold, properties, etc… Who knows how they are going to use that gold or property. So, you do shopping, but use that in the service of the Lord. Otherwise, you purchased gold, Ravana also did that. Buy, borrow, steal and he became Lankesha. It was city of gold. Not one or five tolas. So, wealth is known as Laxmi. She belongs to Narayana and she should be used in the service of Narayana. If we will not do that, then our situation will be same like Ravana, who wanted to enjoy Laxmi. The result of bhoga, enjoyment is only roga, diseases and then the ultimate result is death penalty. Don’t know how many times we died. punarapi janaman punarapi maranam, why there is maranam, death? Because we are punished, and what is that punishment?

mrtyuh sarva-haras cäham
udbhavas ca bhavisyatäm
kirtih srir väk ca närinäm
smrtir medhä dhrtih ksamä

Translation-

I am all-devouring death, and I am the generating principle of all that is yet to be. Among women I am fame, fortune, fine speech, memory, intelligence, steadfastness and patience. [BG 10.34]

Lord says, for those evil minded people, for those materialists, I appear in the form of death and whatever money, wealth they have collected, I snatch it away. I throw them out of their homes and give them death penalty. Unfortunately we forget that this has happened with us. If we wish not to receive such punishments then whatever we have-

manasa deha geha, yo kichu mora,
arpilün tuwä pade, nanda-kisora

Translation-

My mind, my body, my home, or whatever I have got in my possession I surrender unto Your Lotus Feet, O my dear Lord, Son of Nanda Maharaja (Krishna). [Saranagati, by Bhakti Vinod Thakur]

This was the policy of Bhakti Vinod Thakur. Take a note. Bhakti Vinod Thakur was our Acharya. What was he doing? He was doing and saying– manasa deha geha, yo kichu mora, arpilün tuwä pade, nanda-kisora- whatever I possess, if we will use that in the service of the Lord then

sarva-dharmän parityajya
mäm ekam saranam vraja
aham tväm sarva-päpebhyo
moksayisyämi mä sucah

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]

‘I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions’, this is Krsna’s guarantee. Lord is saying this in the essence of the Gita. Do you want to die? No, no! If you do not want to die then mäm ekam saranam vraja and then aham tväm sarva-päpebhyo moksayisyämi mä sucah, do not fear. Get free from anxieties. So today is the auspicious day. Some people try to do pious activities and all, but also remember these things.

Creation took place on today’s day. Lord is the creator. Some say, GOD, G for generation, O for operation and D for destruction. So out of that, the work of creation begins today.

Sub-theme: Lord Jagannath’s special form

Lord Jagannath gave instruction to King Indradyumna or He expressed His desire that ‘from today you celebrate Chandan-yatra’. So Indradyumna Maharaj, who was the staunch devotee of Purushottam, for him Jagannath became Jagannath. Before He was Nilamadhava and then He became Darubrahma. Daru is not wine. It is wood. It was not any ordinary wood from forest. King did arrangements for carving of the Deities from that kastha, wood. The artist who was making the deity, he carved the deity only in those forms which we can see now. He said, ‘I will do the work behind the doors. I will do it alone. Until the work is complete, no one should interrupt the work.’ But deity making work was taking much time. King was very eager. We hear that one day the sound of carving stopped. So Indradyumna Maharaj pushed opened the door, but he saw that Deities are not complete. Where is the beauty? They are ugly forms.

Then Narada Muni arrived and he said, ‘No no King. These Deities are more than complete. Not only complete, but more than complete. Do installation.’ He must have informed to the King, ‘How Lord took these forms; how in Kuruksetra Krsna, Balarama and Subhadra took the forms of Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra?’ So there installation ceremony took place.

At no other place so many festivals are getting celebrated as many are celebrated in Jagannath Puri. So, there is possibility that there was no Chandan yatra festival earlier and Jagannath Baladeva inspired King Indradyumna to start it in Jagannath Puri. ‘Start this festival in Jagannath Puri for Me. These are summer days. It is very hot!’ So on today’s day Chandan Yatra began in Jagannath Puri. This took place millions of year back. So following this order of Lord Jagannath, Indradyumna Maharaj used to make sandalwood paste to apply on Jagannath. This festival starts today and will go on for 21 days. There will be special darsan in these days.

kasturi-tilakam laläta-patale vaksah-sthale kaustubham
näsägre vara-mauktikam kara-tale venuh kare kankanam
sarvänge hari-candanam su-lalitam kanthe ca muktävali
gopa-stri-parivestito vijayate gopäla-cüdä-manih

Translation-

All glories to the crest jewel of cowherd boys known as Gopal, who has a musk tilaka-mark on His forehead, the kaustubha jewel on His chest, a graceful pearl on the tip of His nose, a flute in His hand, a bracelet on His wrist, graceful sandalwood paste on all of His limbs, a necklace of pearls on His neck, and who is surrounded by a host of gopis. [Sri-gopäla-sahasra-näma, text 28]

sarvänge hari-candanam su-lalitam, graceful sandalwood paste on all of His limbs. So the same work is going on right now with Radha Govinda and Jagannath, Baladeva, Subhadra. Therefore today’s darsan will be little late. Is that ok? Hari Bol! What to do? But before eight o’clock for sure!

In Vrndavana Lord told Madhavendra Puri in dream, ‘I am feeling very hot. Go to Jagannath Puri. Bring sandal from there.’ So Lord gave order to Madhavendra Puri, ‘I want sandal.’ Sandal has cooling effect. That’s why in summer the snakes who are most suffered in summer days, they run to sandal trees and get themselves wrapped around these trees. It would have been better if we were like sandal. Lord would have applied us on Him.

Sub-theme: Life style of Gokula

Yashoda also used to worry. ‘Dear son, these are summer days. Take umbrella with you.’ And in the morning she applies sandalwood paste on the limbs of Krsna with her own hands. She thinks that, ‘this sandal paste will protect Lala from summer heat.’ This is vatsalya, motherly affection of Yashoda. We also get chance to express such vatsalya during these candan yatra days. So many devotees were making sandalwood paste. Yesterday our GBC chairman Guruprasad Maharaj saw many devotees are making sandalwood paste. He was appreciating. He also said that, ‘this is good, it gives little exercise’. Devotees were also sweating. We do not do that now. We do not perspire. We do not want to take efforts. Just relax! I was telling Maharaj, how I was born in a village and my mother early in the morning used to grind floor and then used to churn the yogurt, etc. etc. That was the culture in villages; the culture of Gokula. When we were small, we were cowherd boys. We used to take our cows for pasturing. There used to be buffalos and goats as well. Krsna was also cowherd boy.

krsi-vänijya-go-raksä
kusidam türyam ucyate
värtä catur-vidhä tatra
vayam go-vrttayo ‘nisam

Translation-

The occupational duties of the vaisya are conceived in four divisions: farming, commerce, cow protection and moneylending. Out of these, we as a community are always engaged in cow protection. [SB 10.24.21]

Nanda Maharaj was vaisya, the leader of vaisya. So his son, born in Gokul, same life style He was having. Now if you want to churn yogurt, then there are machines. We have machine for each work. We have machine to wash clothes. Machine works and we remain relaxed. We watch TV or internet. We do not want to run or take efforts. Don’t do efforts and get sick. Naturally in those days they used to take efforts, such was their life style. Life style of Gokul! To make sandalwood paste is also one part of Gokul’s life style. Yashoda used to do that. We can also do. Uthi Uthi Gopala, like this she used to sing to wake Krsna up. Lord has appeared in the form of Radha Govinda for the residents of Noida. Sometimes it is said, Noida- no idea. The residents of Noida can do

sri-vigrahärädhana-nitya-nänä-
srngära-tan-mandira-märjanädau
yuktasya bhaktäms ca niyunjato ‘pi
vande guroh sri-caranäravindam

Translation-

The spiritual master is always engaged in the temple worship of Sri Sri Rädhä and Krsna. He also engages his disciples in such worship. They dress the Deities in beautiful clothes and ornaments, clean Their temple, and perform other similar worship of the Lord. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master. [Sri guru astaka by Srila Visvanätha Cakravarti Thäkura]

You are doing that. You come for Mangal Arati. The Brahmin initiated devotees cook for the Lord, do srngar of the Lord.

Sub-theme: Bhava of pure devotees (Vatsalya and sakhya)

Yashoda was cooking and today also she is cooking. This is not past, she was cooking. She is doing today also. Various dishes, kachori and sweets! What are you feeding me? Maiya I want butter. You feed Me butter. This conversation between mother and son, Kanhaiya was saying, ‘you keep me feeding other things. Why don’t you feed me butter?’ One Vraja Gopi heard this conversation while standing at the window of Nanda Bhavan. Krsna was saying, ‘I want butter. Feed me butter.’ So Suradasji writes in his song, when that Gopi heard this demand of Krsna, she thought, ‘Kanhaiya, your mother do not feed you butter, then why don’t you come to our home? And when you will come, I will be there, but I will pretend that I am not there. I will make butter available for you. Why don’t you come?’ So Suradasji writes, Krsna noted that this Gopi standing at the window of Nanda Bhavan is thinking like this and requesting Krsna in her mind. Krsna said, ‘yes yes, for sure, I will come to your home.’ So Krsna goes to her home and steals butter.

So this is the mood, bhava of Yashoda. It is named as Raganuga. And the bhakti we should do, is this Raganuga, Raga-anuga. The ideal devotees of Vraja, and the leader of Vatsalya bhakti is Yashoda and Nandababa. And not only Yashoda or Nandababa, but all elders, senior citizens have vatsalya for Krsna. So there are unlimited devotees who serve Krsna with Vatsalya bhava. Then there are also devotees with Sakhya rasa, like Lord’s friends are having Sakhya rasa. This rasa, mood, bhava or bhakti, use any word, but the feelings are same. Only names are different. So making them ideals, when we perform bhakti, following their footsteps, then it is known as Raganuga bhakti. Anuga means to follow them or do the same way the Vraja devotees do. Then that bhakti is Raga-anuga bhakti. Gaudiya vasnavaism is known for Raganuga Bhakti. These are the bhava of devotees for Krsna. ‘Krsna is helpless child, very tender’ the devotees in vatsalya rasa, the caretakers of Krsna, like Nandababa and elders think like this. So the devotees become caretakers of the Lord and Lord gets pleased when His devotees become His masters or caretakers or friends.

sakhä suddha-sakhye kare, skandhe ärohana
tumi kon bada loka,—tumi ämi sama

Translation-

My friends climb on My shoulders in pure friendship, saying, ‘What kind of big man are You? You and I are equal. [CC Adi 4.25]

Lord’s friends say, ‘Hey! What do you think you are? Game is not over. If you will leave now, then we will not play with you again. Do you understand? Tumi ami sama, we are equals.’ These are their genuine feelings. And Lord becomes pleased with this. Same thing with Vatsalya bhava and He becomes pleased also with Madhurya rasa. This is play of Bhakta bhava.

Sub-theme: Does Lord really feel hot?

What does it matter, weather it is summer, 44 degrees and all?

mad-bhayäd väti väto ‘yam
süryas tapati mad-bhayät
varsatindro dahaty agnir
mrtyus carati mad-bhayät

Translation-

It is because of My supremacy that the wind blows, out of fear of Me; the sun shines out of fear of Me, and the lord of the clouds, Indra, sends forth showers out of fear of Me. Fire burns out of fear of Me, and death goes about taking its toll out of fear of Me. [SB 3.25.42]

The sun shines out of fear of the Lord; then will the Lord be affected with that sun’s shine? There is so much energy for heating and burning in the sun.

In Bhandirvana, once there was fire. Krsna’s cows were caught in that fire. They started to cry. Krsna reached there. His friends also reached there. Friends are in anxiety. Cows are in anxiety. What does the Lord do?

sri-suka uväca
vaco nisamya krpanam
bandhünäm bhagavän harih
nimilayata mä bhaista
locanänity abhäsata

Translation-

Sukadeva Gosvämi said: Hearing these pitiful words from His friends, the Supreme Lord Krsna told them, “Just close your eyes and do not be afraid.” [SB 10.19.11]

‘Dear friends and cows close your eyes.’ You (devotees) are closing your eyes without asking. ‘mä bhaista, do not be afraid’. Do not fear, I am near, oh dear come here. So, as friends and cows closed their eyes, Lord drank the fire. Acharyas write in their commentary, Lord is saying to fire, ‘come on in’. Fire emanates from the mouth of the Lord. Svaha! Svaha! Svaha! We do in agnihotra yajna. Svaha is the name of fire’s wife. Whatever offering we do, Lord accepts it through fire, but her place is in the mouth of the Lord. This is also seen in the universal form of the Lord at Kuruksetra. All warriors were entering in the mouth of the Lord. Some were stuck in the teeth of the Lord. Fire appeared there and these warriors’ final rites were taking place in the mouth of the Lord.

So, in ‘the drinking of fire’ pastime, the Lord asked His friends and cows to close eyes, and then the Lord drank the fire. So were the limbs of the Lord burnt? Was the moustache of the Lord burnt? Lord is not having moustache, why? When does the moustache come? At the age of 20-22! But Lord does not become 20-22 years old. He always remains 16 years old. At Kuruksetra war, He was more than hundred years old, but He looked only of 16 years old. Kumar avastha, Pauganda avastha, kishor avastha, only up to this kishor avastha He reached. So, why this temperature and all will affect the Lord? Lord has said-

nainam chindanti sasträni
nainam dahati pävakah
na cainam kledayanty äpo
na sosayati märutah

Translation–

The soul can never be cut to pieces by any weapon, nor burned by fire, nor moistened by water, nor withered by the wind. [BG 2.23]

Here Lord is talking about the soul. You are saying that I don’t want to kill anybody. Arjuna, I challenge you, go ahead and try to kill. You can not kill because problem with you is, you are considering everyone as bodies. But they are not bodies, they are spirit souls and what is the identity of the soul? The soul can never be cut to pieces by any weapon, nainam chindanti sasträni, nainam dahati pävakah, nor burned by fire, na cainam kledayanty äpo, nor moistened by water, na sosayati märutah nor withered by the wind. Earth, water, fire, and air, these are the four elements out of pancha-mahabhuta, five elements. Soul is avyayi, avinasi, never dies. It is ajar, unborn and amar, immortal.

So, when the soul cannot be cut into pieces or cannot be burn or dry, then how can the Supersoul be burn?

mamaivämso jiva-loke
jiva-bhütah sanätanah
manah-sasthänindriyäni
prakrti-sthäni karsati

Translation-

The living entities in this conditioned world are My eternal fragmental parts. Due to conditioned life, they are struggling very hard with the six senses, which include the mind. [BG 15.7]

Lord is finite and we are infinite. We are His parts and parcels. He is Saccidananda, and we are also saccidananda, as we are His parts and parcels. Sat means eternal, and cit means knowledge, and änanda means bliss. So Lord is saying to Arjuna- nainam chindanti sasträni, nainam dahati pävakah, 50 degrees or 500 degrees or 500 thousand degrees, what does it matter? It can not affect the Lord. But Yashoda is worried, and this is bhakti of Yashoda. And we also have to be like the thoughts of Yashoda or Nandababa. And we are having these thoughts but we have forgotten. We have forgotten soul. Every single person of this material world is forgotten soul, but the soul is not forgotten, but Mäyayä apahrta-jnänäh, Maya makes us forget. I look like this, this is my address, but this is not our address and the mother and father we have now are only for some limited time. We had so many mothers and fathers. Now we are Indians, who knows who we were in previous birth? There are 84 lacks species of living entities; that means so many types of bodies.

väsämsi jirnäni yathä vihäya
naväni grhnäti naro ‘paräni
tathä sariräni vihäya jirnäny
anyäni samyäti naväni dehi

Translation-

As a person puts on new garments, giving up old ones, the soul similarly accepts new material bodies, giving up the old and useless ones. [BG 2.22]

This body is a garment. This body is compared with garment and chariot and bag and so many things. So, we wear many types of garments. King Bharat gave up his body and in next birth he became a deer.

So the bhava bhakti of Yasoda, Nandababa or of His friends, girl friends, we are also having such bhava bhakti. We are no less, but unfortunately from time immemorial we became bahirmukha and

krsna-bahirmukha hanä bhoga-vänchä kare
nikata-stha mäyä täre jäpatiyä dhare

Translation–

As soon as the living entity wants to enjoy life without Krsna, without God, immediately he comes under the clutches of mäyä. [Prema-vivarta]

When one breaks the traffic rules, he immediately gets caught by the Police, similarly when one breaks the rules of the Lord, he turns around and becomes forgotten soul.

Durlabha manava janama, how is the life? durlabha, it is very rare and Prahlad Maharaj says,

sri-prahräda uväca
kaumära äcaret präjno
dharmän bhägavatän iha
durlabham mänusam janma
tad apy adhruvam arthadam

Translation-

Prahläda Mahäräja said: One who is sufficiently intelligent should use the human form of body from the very beginning of life—in other words, from the tender age of childhood—to practice the activities of devotional service, giving up all other engagements. The human body is most rarely achieved, and although temporary like other bodies, it is meaningful because in human life one can perform devotional service. Even a slight amount of sincere devotional service can give one complete perfection. [SB 7.6.1]

Sub-theme: importance of devotee association

Human life is adhruvam, temporary. Human life and all other births also are temporary. Yes they are temporary, but they are meaningful, arthadam, they have purpose, and what is that?

durlabha mänava-janama sat-sange
taroho e bhava-sindhu re

Translation-

Having obtained this rare human birth, cross over this ocean of wordly existence through the association of saintly persons. [From bhajhü re mana by Govinda das Kaviraj]

We should run towards Sat-sang. And just to make such satsanga, devotee association available, Srila Prabhupada established ISKCON, so that people from all over the world, not only Indians, but also Chinese and Japanese, Canadians, Astralians and Africans should also get the devotee association. With this intention Prabhupada established ISKCON. And when in this rare human birth we get association of the devotees,

durlabho mänuso deho
dehinäm ksana-bhangurah
taträpi durlabham manye
vaikuntha-priya-darsanam

Translation-

For the conditioned souls, the human body is most difficult to achieve, and it can be lost at any moment. But I think that even those who have achieved human life rarely gain the association of pure devotees, who are dear to the Lord of Vaikuntha. [SB 11.2.29]

To get human birth is a rare thing and more rare than that is vaikuntha-priya-darsanam, to gain the association of pure devotees, who are dear to the Lord of Vaikuntha. And when we gain both of these rare things then taroho e bhava-sindhu re, then we can cross over this ocean of wordly existence and reach from where we came. So, Lord has given this rare human birth and He also has given the rare devotee association. You are being benefited with that. You should be thanking the Lord.

uttisthata jägrata präpya varän nibodhata

Translation-

“O living entity, you are sleeping in this material world. Please get up and take advantage of your human form of life.” [Katha Upanisad 1.3.14]

Oh human being uttisthita jagrata, wake up, and varan nibodhata, understand that this human birth and this devotee association is blessings to you. When both things are gained then what comes next? Krsna prapti hoya jaha hoite, we gain Krsna and is there anything more to achieve after gaining the Lord?

Sub-theme: Feelings and thoughts of pure devotees

Lord gave darsan to Dhruva Maharaj. Lord knew that he came to Me with some desire. He was performing austerities with the desire, ‘I want such position, the topmost position.’ But when Dhruva gained the Lord and Lord said, ‘ask what you want. I am Varadaraj, the king of benedictors.’ There is Varadaraj Deity in Kanchipuram. So when Lord said, ask benediction, Dhruva Maharaj said-

sthänäbhiläsi tapasi sthito ‘ham
tväm präptavän deva-munindra-guhyam
käcam vicinvann api divya-ratnam
svämin krtärtho ‘smi varam na yäce

Translation-

“[When he was being blessed by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Dhruva Mahäräja said:] ‘O my Lord, because I was seeking an opulent material position, I was performing severe types of penance and austerity. Now I have gotten You, who are very difficult for the great demigods, saintly persons and kings to attain. I was searching after a piece of glass, but instead I have found a most valuable jewel. Therefore I am so satisfied that I do not wish to ask any benediction from You.’ [CC Madhya 22.42]

Dhruva Maharaj said, ‘I do not want benediction. The material position which I was seeking for is just like a piece of a glass.’ In the accident, we see so many pieces of the glasses. Does it having any value? Who cares? O there are so many pieces. We will pick one and say, ‘I got one’. Dhruva Maharaj said, ‘I was desiring for a piece of glass. I achieved you. You are everything.

aisvaryasya samagrasya
viryasya yasasah sriyah
jnäna-vairägyayos caiva
sannäm bhaga itingana

Translation-

Bhagavän, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is thus defined by Paräsara Muni as one who is full in six opulences—who has full strength, fame, wealth, knowledge, beauty, and renunciation. [Visnu Puräna 6.5.47]

You are full in six opulences. Varam na yace, I do not want anything else.’

na dhanam na janam na sundarim
kavitäm vä jagad-isa kämaye
mama janmani janmanisvare
bhavatäd bhaktir ahaituki tvayi

Translation-

O Lord of the universe, I do not desire material wealth, materialistic followers, a beautiful wife or fruitive activities described in flowery language. All I want, life after life, is unmotivated devotional service to You. [CC Antya 20.29]

Caitanya Mahaprabhu expressed these feelings. I do not want wealth, followers, wife, etc. Do you want liberation? No no, I am even ready to take birth again. All I want, life after life, is ahaituki bhakti, unmotivated devotional service. So these are the feelings of the pure devotee, which are expressed by Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Dhruva maharaj, and all devotees of Vrndavan are of such feelings. We, the souls are having these feelings, and we need to awaken them and manifest them in our life. We need to become high thinkers, ‘simple living and high thinking’.

Sub-theme: become high thinkers

I was in America, there people were telling me, ‘Swamiji Swamiji, we have adopted a new formula.’ I asked, ‘what is that formula?’ they said, ‘Its name is KISS formula.’ I said, ‘no, no, you are calling me Swamiji. Swamiji has nothing to do with kiss. Why are you telling me kiss formula?’ They said, ‘No no no Swamiji, not that kiss.’ ‘What kiss is your kiss?’ They said, ‘Keep It Simple Stupid! KISS!’ Keep it simple, don’t complicate. This is also one thought of the scriptures- simple living and high living. So we need to become high thinkers like the thoughts of pure devotees, scriptures and the Lord. Again we need to become like that. These are not new things for us. Not at all! So take such sankalpa, vow on today’s auspicious day. Take sankalpa that I will awake such bhava, like the bhava of Yashoda and Nandababa.

Sub-theme: start the beginning of the end of the Kaliyuga

In last month, for our youths there was one seminar and its name was ‘Arambha’. I add Shubh to it. So Shubharambha- good beginning! And there was one subtitle- beginning of the end of the Kali. Such motivation was given to the youth, who fortunately reached there. You do not let your children, and so they need to come secretly. You can go to watch movie, but can not go to temple. You can do sin but to do pious work is not allowed. You want to become duratma? Welcome! You want to become Mahatma? Don’t do this. Not now, you can see in old age. First do study and this and that. Postpone becoming devotee and mahatma. Give priority to other things. To become devotee, Krsna Conscious is at the bottom of the list. Who knows if you are lucky to reach that bottom?

So, it was told to those children that start the beginning of the end of Kali. You may be late to finish it, but first do the beginning. Do it from today. So, ‘the beginning of the end of the age of Kali’ this was said by me. So, when Srila Prabhupada started preaching in America, some boys and girls were coming from few months. From them Prabhupada collected few youth boys and girls and asked, can you help me to spread this Krsna Consciousness all over the world? But for that you have to follow some rules. One is you have to chant Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. Then you have to study Gita, Bhagavat, eat prasadam, etc. All this is vidhi, to do’s. But there is nishedha, not to do’s and will you follow that? ‘Swamiji first tell us what is that?’

So Prabhupada said, in Kaliyuga there are four great sins. 5000 years ago Kali accepted the form and he wanted to bit and cut the cow. That time King Pariksit said, ‘I will kill you to pieces’. So, Kali said, ‘save me, forgive me’. To forgive someone is a superior thought. Anyone can punish but rarely anyone can forgive. This is also one thought or feeling. ‘Okay I forgive you. I am not killing you. Keep living.’ ‘Okay you saved me, but give some place to stay.’ That time King Pariksit said, this is from first canto, he said-

süta uväca
abhyarthitas tadä tasmai
sthänäni kalaye dadau
dyütam pänam striyah sünä
yaträdharmas catur-vidhah

Translation-

Süta Gosvämi said: Mahäräja Pariksit, thus being petitioned by the personality of Kali, gave him permission to reside in places where gambling, drinking, prostitution and animal slaughter were performed. [SB 1.17.38]

You reside where there are four types of irreligious, sinful activities- dyütam, gambling, pänam, intoxication, sünä, meat eating and striyah, illicit sex. One is vidhi and another is avidhi or avaidha, illicit, illegal sex. In Grhastha asram legal sex, you can do this much, you get license. But after crossing the parameter, it is illegal sex. So King Pariksit said, where you will find gambling, drinking, prostitution and animal slaughter, there you can live. So Kali received these four places. Once there was time when such places were very rare to find for Kali. It was the end of Dwapar Yuga. Kaliyuga was just to begin.

Okay, back to New York, when Prabhupada said, you can help me. You need to follow some rules and regulations? How many of you are ready? Raise your hands. No, no, I am not asking you. Prabhupada is asking in New York. In response American boys and girls, unanimously raise their hands and said, yes Swamiji we are ready. So it was the first incident, first group of people in the Kali yuga, in the western countries. They were taking vow against Kaliyuga. No more gambling, no more intoxication, no more meat eating, no more illicit sex! That was the beginning of the end of Kaliyuga.

Sub-theme: Do you want to be free from difficulties?

So, today’s day is very auspicious. You also have taken some vows. You can take vow to intensify those vows. When there is raining, you do not have potency to stop the rain, but you can protect yourself with umbrella. When there are thorns and stones everywhere, who knows when the road will be repaired, but you at least can wear proper shoes. Similarly we are in anxiety due to this Kali yuga, you do not even think why you are anxious, but the scriptures say

Yada mukundo bhagavan
ksamam tyaktva sva padam gatah
tad dinat kalir ayatah
sarva sadhana badhakah

Meaning- the day when Lord Mukunda left for His eternal abode, from that day kalir ayatah, Kaliyuga began. And Kaliyuga is sarva sadhana badhakah, it is the job of Kali to crate obstacles, difficulties in the sadhana of devotees. [Bhagavat mahatmya 1.65]

So, do you want to get free from the difficulties? Yes! But you do not know how to do that. No one wants to become miserable. Everyone wants to be happy. But people do not know how to become happy. Lord, Scriptures and pure devotees, for sure want to see everyone happy. Child is sick, then mother and family members want him free from sickness, but they do not know how to do that. Therefore they go to Dr, you do something. Dr knows. So, like this, we want you to be happy, and you also want to be happy,

Sarve bhavantu sukhinah
Sarve santu niramayah
Sarve bhadrani pasyanti
ma kascid duhkha bhag bhavet

Translation-

May all be happy. May all be free from illness. May all see what is auspicious. May no one suffer. [Peace formula- prayer in sanskrit]

But Lord, Lord’s devotees and scriptures know how we can be happy eternally. Not happy, but blissful! When we say happy, then the counter part is sad, but there is no counter part of bliss. After enjoying happiness, the result is sadness. If you do not want to be sad, then do not try to get material happiness. If you will seek for that happiness then you will get sadness. Happy- sad, happiness-sorrow, this will go on in this material world. No one in this material world is only happy or only sad. This is the nature of this world. It is made like that only. Therefore-

yadrcchä-läbha-santusto
dvandvätito vimatsarah
samah siddhäv asiddhau ca
krtväpi na nibadhyate

Translation-

He who is satisfied with gain which comes of its own accord, who is free from duality and does not envy, who is steady in both success and failure, is never entangled, although performing actions. [BG 4.22]

We need to go beyond these dualities and the way is Krsna Consciousness. That is the life of bliss. Nanda ke ghar Ananda bhayo! You experienced some bliss, some spiritual bliss, then what will be the result? Will that bliss reduce? Happiness gets reduced or destroyed, but bliss only increases.

ceto-darpana-märjanam bhava-mahä-dävägni-nirväpanam
sreyah-kairava-candrikä-vitaranam vidyä-vadhü-jivanam
änandämbudhi-vardhanam prati-padam pürnämrtäsvädanam
sarvätma-snapanam param vijayate sri-krsna-sankirtanam

Translation-

Let there be all victory for the chanting of the holy name of Lord Krsna, which can cleanse the mirror of the heart and stop the miseries of the blazing fire of material existence. That chanting is the waxing moon that spreads the white lotus of good fortune for all living entities. It is the life and soul of all education. The chanting of the holy name of Krsna expands the blissful ocean of transcendental life. It gives a cooling effect to everyone and enables one to taste full nectar at every step. [CC Antya 20.12]

There is no question of reduction or destruction of spiritual bliss. It keeps on increasing more and more. Such blissful life is waiting for all of us. Or we can say that the person whose name is Ananda, He is waiting for us. Krsna’s one name is Ananda. That is why they were saying, Nanda ke ghar Ananda bhayo. He is the personification of bliss, ananda. He is the source of ananda. He is everything. Mama sarva deva deva!

So on today’s auspicious day take such vow, one is there should be the beginning of the end of Kali. But this is not the only one aim. Goal of life is not to become free. One who is a devotee, he is free, but he who is free, not necessarily he will be a devotee. So become devotee, as Krsna said-

man-manä bhava mad-bhakto
mad-yäji mäm namaskuru
mäm evaisyasi satyam te
pratijäne priyo ‘si me

Translation-

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

If you will do this then-

janma karma ca me divyam
evam yo vetti tattvatah
tyaktvä deham punar janma
naiti mäm eti so ‘rjuna

Translation-

One who knows the transcendental nature of My appearance and activities does not, upon leaving the body, take his birth again in this material world, but attains My eternal abode, O Arjuna. [BG 4.9]

You will attain Me and I will bring you to My eternal abode. Just remember Me while leaving your body.

Gaurapramanande Hari Hari Bol!

11 May 2024
Krsna provides intelligence
Speaker: HG Vedanta Chaitanya Prabhu

HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj: Hare Krsna. Rub sandalwood, prepare paste and apply it on the beautiful form of the Lord. It enhances the beauty of the Lord multi-fold. There was a saint. He was performing yoga asanas and he was lamenting that, I passed my life without chanting the holy name of the Lord. Yesterday we celebrated Akshay Tritiya. I had initiated a disciple on Akshay Tritiya.

And I named her as Akshay Tritiya devi dasi. I received a letter from her in appreciation that I accepted her as my disciple and gave her the name “Akshay Tritiya”. I remembered her yesterday.

This is how Paramatma inspired her to write and express this gratitude. Paramatma acted as witness and he inspired Akshay Tritiya devi dasi to contact me and he reminded me of her also. She is present in this conference. Keep chanting.

HG Vedanta Chaitanya Prabhu: Please accept my humble obeisances. As Guru Maharaj shared his realization, in relation to the same context once HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj shared that there is a spiritual communication channel between the spiritual master and disciple. It’s beyond our material conception. That’s why we can’t apply much logic in spiritual concepts.

When we water the root, the complete tree gets nourished. Similarly when we worship Krsna, all the other demigods and living entities are satisfied. As a tree and its leaves get dried up when the root is not watered, similarly if we do not practice Krsna consciousness, then our soul will die.

Only a spiritually potent person can understand the creation of the creator Krsna. Rathangpane – this is a name given to Krsna, when he held the chariot  wheel in order to kill Bhishma dev. A person who worships Krsna without any reservation. Amayaya means without any reservation. We should serve Krsna consistently and without any other motivation.

anyābhilāṣitā-śūnyaṁ
jñāna-karmādy-anāvṛtam
ānukūlyena kṛṣṇānu-
śīlanaṁ bhaktir uttamā (CC Madhya 19.167)

Translation: When first-class devotional service develops, one must be devoid of all material desires, knowledge obtained by monistic philosophy, and fruitive action. The devotee must constantly serve Kṛṣṇa favorably, as Kṛṣṇa desires.

When Narshimha dev asked Prahlad Maharaj to ask for a boon then in response Prahlad Maharaj said , do you think I am a businessmen? Our devotional service should be unflinching. We should stick to our pledges which are made in the service to Krsna.

ādau śraddhā tataḥ sādhu-
saṅgo ’tha bhajana-kriyā
tato ’nartha-nivṛttiḥ syāt
tato niṣṭhā rucis tataḥ (CC Madhya 23.14)

Translation: In the beginning there must be faith. Then one becomes interested in associating with pure devotees. Thereafter one is initiated by the spiritual master and executes the regulative principles under his orders. Thus one is freed from all unwanted habits and becomes firmly fixed in devotional service. Thereafter, one develops taste and attachment. This is the way of sādhana-bhakti, the execution of devotional service according to the regulative principles. Gradually emotions intensify, and finally there is an awakening of love. This is the gradual development of love of Godhead for the devotee interested in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Krsna says in the Bhagavad Gita that he awards intelligence to a person who tries to serve Krsna constantly to understand him.

teṣāṁ satata-yuktānāṁ
bhajatāṁ prīti-pūrvakam
dadāmi buddhi-yogaṁ taṁ
yena mām upayānti te (BG 10.10)

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

How to understand this. Consider I want to serve you. And you don’t like to eat bitter gourd, but I am offering you bitter gourd repeatedly without considering your likes and dislikes. Then this is not favourable.

Though every living entity is serving Krsna but they are rendering this service unknowingly. As Krsna says in Bhagavad Gita, even those who are worshiping other Demigods, by default they are worshiping me only. If you like to drink mango shake then you will share instructions on how to prepare it. Similarly Krsna has shared his likes and dislikes in the scriptures like Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam.

patraṁ puṣpaṁ phalaṁ toyaṁ
yo me bhaktyā prayacchati
tad ahaṁ bhakty-upahṛtam
aśnāmi prayatātmanaḥ (BG 9.26)

Translation: If one offers me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit or water, I will accept it.

He is not putting an emphasis on the menu, instead he is focusing more on the intention. He is the maintainer and provider of everything. So what can we offer to the Lord. Still when we offer what the Lord himself has provided to us then we are accompanying our love with the article. And Krsna accepts that love and devotion with which it’s offered.

When Krsna accepts our services and he is pleased with our services, then it results in the destruction of all sorts of lamentations, fears and attachments.

yasyāṁ vai śrūyamāṇāyāṁ
kṛṣṇe parama-pūruṣe
bhaktir utpadyate puṁsaḥ
śoka-moha-bhayāpahā (SB 1.7.7)

Translation: Simply by giving aural reception to this Vedic literature, the feeling for loving devotional service to Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, sprouts up at once to extinguish the fire of lamentation, illusion and fearfulness.

We should hear the glories of the Lord attentively and understand the favourable mood to render service to the Lord. Gradually it will result in the loss of all the lamentations, fears and attachments.

nehābhikrama-nāśo ’sti
pratyavāyo na vidyate
sv-alpam apy asya dharmasya
trāyate mahato bhayāt (BG 2.40)

Translation: In this endeavor there is no loss or diminution, and a little advancement on this path can protect one from the most dangerous type of fear.

Guru and Krsna are one team. Service to the spiritual master is service to Krsna and vice versa.

sa veda dhātuḥ padavīṁ parasya
duranta-vīryasya rathāṅga-pāṇeḥ
yo ’māyayā santatayānuvṛttyā
bhajeta tat-pāda-saroja-gandham (SB 1.3.38)

Translation: Only those who render unreserved, uninterrupted, favorable service unto the lotus feet of Lord Kṛṣṇa, who carries the wheel of the chariot in His hand, can know the creator of the universe in His full glory, power and transcendence.

We can take some questions as we have time.

Q :- You mentioned that Krsna gives intelligence to everyone. But we have seen many material scholars, they have crab mentality.

Ans:- There may be people, materially very intelligent but here Krsna is not talking about material intelligence. Krsna is talking about the intelligence needed to serve Krsna.

Q:- How to understand the fall downs of very sincere devotees?

Ans:- It happens due to bad association or committing offenses against the devotees which results in an increase in the material desires. We should be beware of the bad association.

asat-saṅga-tyāga, — ei vaiṣṇava-ācāra
‘strī-saṅgī’ — eka asādhu, ‘kṛṣṇābhakta’ āra (CC Madhya 22.87)

Translation: A Vaiṣṇava should always avoid the association of ordinary people. Common people are very much materially attached, especially to women. Vaiṣṇavas should also avoid the company of those who are not devotees of Lord Kṛṣṇa.

Q:- Even though we are following the process to the best of our abilities, we are unable to experience the bliss of practicing devotional service, why? It may be sentiment.

Ans:- Our understanding should be that the spiritual master knows Krsna and his likes and dislikes. So we should serve Krsna following the instructions given by our spiritual master. The devotees asked Srila Prabhupada what pleases you the most, Srila Prabhupada replied Book distribution, then we should distribute books. And that only we should do.

Hare Krsna.