Lets Chant Together 25th April 2024

Hare Krsna,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to Guru Maharaja.
Below is the English transcription of Guru Maharaja’s talk in Hindi during the japa
Session, 25th April 2024.

Dhira Chaitanya and his wife are chanting together. Patita Pavan is also chanting. Why are only some husbands chanting. Are they chanting separately? Krsna Lila mataji, God sees everything.

Firstly, He sees us chanting. He is Sakshi. The Lord is happy to see His devotees

chanting. Then Guru becomes pleased and Vaisnavas are also pleased. Someone  from Solapur, Mauritius, Nagpur should take up the responsibility to check who is not chanting. Syamalangi can find out who all are not chanting in the Middle East Like that you can all find out.

All of you who are chanting on this forum get the credit. Krsna takes note of your efforts. We don’t only want to be bhajananandi, but gostianandi. So when we do bhajan by ourselves it’s bhajananandi and when we ask others to do and make an effort it’s gostianandi. Krsna is very pleased with those devotees who asks others to do. Some selfishness is there is bhajanand. In gostianandi there is parmaar/paropkar.

Caitanya Mahaprabhu says:

bhārata-bhūmite haila manuṣya janma yāra
janma sārthaka karikara para-upakāra

Translation:

“One who has taken his birth as a human being in the land of India [Bhārata-varṣa] should make his life successful and work for the benefit of all other people.” (CC Adi 9.41)

Chant and make others chant. Read Scriptures and make others read. Honour

prasada and serve prasada to others. Go to temple for darshan and take 10 to 15 with you for darshan. Go on yatras. Come to Vrndavana, Pandharpur and Mayapur Bring your friends. Vasudeva kutumbakam. We have a big family. The whole

world is a family. “We 2 and our 2”  – finished. No! Prabhupada has given us ISKCON where the entire world can live. We are ISKCONvasis like Mayapur-, Ayodhya-, Vrndavanavasis. I never said ISKCONvasi before.You can also use this term. Make the entire world ISKCONvasis.

We can become  a Zoom temple vasi. Para dukha dukhi. Seeing others dukhi we become dukhi. Vaisnavas know the suffering of others and want to do something about it. Why did Prabhupada go to the West at the age of 70? Para dukha dukhi. He did not just worry about his own suffering.  Rather a Vaisnava thinks of the suffering of others too.They have the solution as well. Do you know ?

ami bina bandhu ara ke ache tomara

Caitanya Mahaprabhu is our Bandhu and so assist others to also establish their

relation with Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

tomare loite ami hoinu avatara

Got the medicine to give you all. You are diseased, so have got Harinama. It’s

the medicine for Krishna consciousness  – Gita, Bhagavad. Prasada is the medicine. Only I should not be worried why only so few are chanting or why so few are there on this zoom session from Surat or Nagpur. Take the responsibility Anand Prada Mataji and others. Shorten the burden or shoulder the burden. Take the burden. Don’t leave the burden on my shoulder. Shouldering the burden or burdening the shoulder. We can give relief. Help! Help!

Devotees from Mongolia are chanting? Do you know where Mongolia is?It is above China. From there one elderly mataji is chanting. I was saying Krsna is Sakshi. Krsna says so, so I am repeating. Where I am sitting in Vrndavana Dhama from here I am getting darshan of Surya Narayan. He is looking at me. So the thought came to mind how the Lord is a witness/Sakshi. He is looking at me and that mataji from Mongolia and He is seeing all. If Suryadev is watching it means the Lord is watching. Sakshi suryo Krsna says in Gita. The sun and moon are the eyes of the Lord. During the day the sun sees and at night the moon. Krsna becomes Sakshi.

You will find this Sakshi list in Ajamila katha. The sun and moon are mentioned who together see all. Surya who is the Lord’s eyes sees and shows. Have you thought about this? If there is no light then how can the eyes see.You might be proud of your eyes, but if there is no Suryadev light on any place or person, then we cannot see. No one can. We are TOTALLY dependent on Krsna from every angle.

prakṛiteḥ kriyamāṇāni guaiḥ karmāṇi sarvaśhaḥ
ahankā
ra-vimūḍhātmā kartāham iti manyate

Translation:

All activities are carried out by the three modes of material nature. But in ignorance, the soul, deluded by false identification with the body, thinks of itself as the doer. (BG 3.27)

A foolish soul thinks I do, I see. You are nothing without God

yadi hyahaṁ na varteyaṁ jātu karmaṇyatandritaḥ
mama vartmānuvartante manuṣhyāḥ pā
rtha sarvaśhaḥ

Translation:

For if I did not carefully perform the prescribed duties, O Parth, all men would follow My path in all respects. (BG 3.23)

As Krsna shows, we see. We are not independent, but fully dependent.

It’s amazing. Surya Bhagwan is there who spreads light in the entire Brahmanda. Just like a tube light or light bulb brings light to room. That also only comes from Sun. From agni we get light. Surya has Agni. We cannot analyze the shakti of the Lord so we need to bow down. Offer namaskar to Surya.

aise sri Bhagwan ko barambar pranam he.

Everyday offer obeisances to the Sun God. He takes care of our health.

kṛṣṇa — sūrya-sama; māyā haya andhakāra
yāhāṅ kṛṣṇa, tāhāṅ nāhi māyāra adhikāra

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.( CC Madhya lila 22.31)

So when Sun is there, Krsna is there. Maya is very far away. God’s name is KRSNA.  Stay with Harinama. Take association of Harinama Prabhu. Take shelter and remember Harinama. Take Harinama and give Harinama. There is anything to give except Harinama. Krsna is tomaar.

Whatever realisations you have of Krsna, share it with others. Keep chanting. I am becoming an obstacle in your japa.

Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare – Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Your fallen servant

Shyamalangi d.d




We are superior energy of the Lord. 26th April 2024

Date- 26th April, 2024
1st Speaker- Guru Maharaj
Theme- We are superior energy of the Lord.

Hare Krsna! In the seventh chapter of Bhagavad Gita, verse four and five, Lord Krsna mentions two types of nature, one is Apara and another is Para.

bhümir äpo ‘nalo väyuh
kham mano buddhir eva ca
ahankära itiyam me
bhinnä prakrtir astadhä

Translation

Earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, intelligence and false ego—all together these eight constitute My separated material energies. [BG 7.4]

Our gross body is made of these separated material energies- earth, water, fire, air, ether, itiyam me bhinnä prakrtir. I want to tell this in brief as it is not a Japa Talk, or not a complete lecture. It is just a food for thought. So the body is made of Apara Prakrti. It is inferior nature. Gross body is made of Pancha-mahabhuta. So these five elements, and then our subtle body is made with mind, intelligence and false ego. These eight elements consist in Apara prakrti. And the knowledge of Apara Prakrti, inferior nature is called as Avidya or Apara vidya. Then in the next verse Lord says-

apareyam itas tv anyäm
prakrtim viddhi me paräm
jiva-bhütäm mahä-bäho
yayedam dhäryate jagat

Translation-

Besides these, O mighty-armed Arjuna, there is another, superior energy of Mine, which comprises the living entities who are exploiting the resources of this material, inferior nature. [BG 7.5]

Lord is saying, prakrtim viddhi me paräm, understand this Para prakrti. jiva-bhütäm mahä-bäho, this jiva, spirit soul is Para prakrti, superior energy. Soul is superior and body is inferior. So we are souls, superior energy of the Lord and our body is made with inferior energy, Apara Prakrti. So both are Lord’s energies and among these two, that soul, jiva-bhütäm mahä-bäho, yayedam dhäryate jagat, we are that soul. We are not this body. Body is Lord’s inferior energy. It is also Lord’s energy, but it is not me. Like this we keep saying, aham and mama, me and mine. Aham is soul and mama is body. In the conditioned state we consider our ego, ahankar as aham, but what is the real knowledge? I am the soul and aham dasosmi.

ayi nanda-tanuja kinkaram
patitam mäm visame bhavämbudhau
krpayä tava päda-pankaja-
sthita-dhüli-sadrsam vicintaya

Translation-

‘O My Lord, O Krsna, son of Mahäräja Nanda, I am Your eternal servant, but because of My own fruitive acts I have fallen into this horrible ocean of nescience. Now please be causelessly merciful to Me. Consider Me a particle of dust at Your lotus feet.’ [Cc. Antya 20.32]

So, who is fallen? The soul is fallen. We are souls and we fall down, we accept the false ego and then

prakrteh kriyamänäni
gunaih karmäni sarvasah
ahankära-vimüdhätmä
kartäham iti manyate

Translation-

The spirit soul bewildered by the influence of false ego thinks himself the doer of activities that are in actuality carried out by the three modes of material nature. [BG 3.27]

kartäham iti manyate, we consider ourselves as the doer. Vimüdhätmä- the bewildered soul! Anyways, this is just food for thought. You contemplate on this, Bhagavad Gita, seventh chapter, text number is four and five. Prabhupada used to tell this again and again, so that we can have self-realization, ‘who am I?’ I am not this body. Body is Lord’s Apara Prakrti. I am soul and I am Lord’s Para Prakrti. Like this there are two types of knowledge, Apara vidya and Para vidya. Knowledge of soul is Para vidya and the knowledge of body or the material world is Apara vidya, inferior knowledge. Okay, keep chanting.

2nd Speaker- Shyamananda Swami Maharaj

Theme- Instructions given by the Lord in Bhagavad Gita

Hare Krsna! I offer my humble obeisances to all of you. I hope that all of you are fine. It is possible that you are not fit and fine by your body, but by your mind you must be fit and fine. This is the goal of human birth.

Sub-theme- Bhagavad Gita is the foundation of Srimad Bhagavatam

So we all know that among all Dhama, Sri Vrndavana Dhama is superior and to understand this Vrndavana Dhama one must have the blessings of a Vaisnava. Without understanding Dhamavasis, we can not understand the Dhama; and when we will not understand Vrndavana,, then how can we understand the transcendental pastimes of the Lord? The ultimate goal of our life is to do sravan and kirtan of Lord’s pastimes which He performed with His intimate devotees in Vrndavana, in Mathura and in Dwaraka. Lord’s pastimes are elaborately mentioned in Srimad Bhagavatam. Srimad Bhagavatam is superior, transcendental scripture. It is the literary incarnation of the Lord, Vangmaya Murti. So, to understand the transcendental topics of Srimad Bhagavatam, first we need to understand Bhagavad Gita, the instructions given by the Lord to Arjuna. Bhagavad Gita is the foundation of Srimad Bhagavatam. The twelve floors of the mansion of Bhagavatam are standing on Bhagavad Gita. On the 10th floor, the 10th canto, there are 90 chapters which are like 90 kunja, forests. And among these kunjas, the five chapters of Rasa pastime, they are the special cells of these kunjas. Here Lord Sri Krsna is performing His eternal pastimes with His eternal consort, Radharani. Srimati Radharani is eternally in the service of the Lord Sri Krsna; similarly Sri Krsna also eternally serves Srimati Radharani. Unless we properly understand the instructions of Bhagavad Gita, we can not understand Srimad Bhagavat, especially the confidential pastimes of tenth canto.

Sub-theme- Five divisions of Bhagavad Gita verses

The verses of Bhagavad Gita are divided in five levels. In one section, the general instruction is given by the Lord, like

yuktähära-vihärasya
yukta-cestasya karmasu
yukta-svapnävabodhasya
yogo bhavati duhkha-hä

Translation-

He who is regulated in his habits of eating, sleeping, recreation and work can mitigate all material pains by practicing the yoga system. [BG 6.17]

This is general instruction. We must always have regulated habits of eating, sleeping and recreation. Bhakti-yoga does not require too much vairagya as well as sense gratification. Therefore in this first level, Lord is saying that devotee must maintain regulated habits. He should not eat too much and at the same time he should not eat too little, as a result giving up all services. What are you doing? We are fasting. Then who will do the services? Better eat and do services. So, this is the first step of devotional service, to be regulated.

Then He gave another instruction which is superior to this previous one. This is knowledge at the stage of Brahman and it is known as guhya jnana, confidential knowledge. There Lord says-

brahma-bhütah prasannätmä
na socati na känksati
samah sarvesu bhütesu
mad-bhaktim labhate paräm

Translation-

One who is thus transcendentally situated at once realizes the Supreme Brahman and becomes fully joyful. He never laments or desires to have anything. He is equally disposed toward every living entity. In that state he attains pure devotional service unto Me. [BG 18.54]

Devotional service begins from here. Brahmabhuta stage, means beyond the three modes of material nature. As Guru Maharaj was telling just few minutes before, aham and mama, me and mine are on the material platform. Unless we rise above this bodily platform, we can not understand the transcendental pastimes of the Lord, then what to say of entering in them. Therefore Lord gave this confidential instruction, which is at the stage of Brahman. When one reaches at this platform, na socati, he does not think about the world, what is going on in the world and what about the family and all. Right now we have so much tension. Always something-something going on! When Sukadeva took birth from the womb of his mother, after twelve years, immediately after birth he left for the forest. Father is calling loudly, wait dear son, don’t go. But Sukadeva Goswami does not know who is son and who is father. This father-son relation is from this material world, temporary.

So, Lord gave this confidential instruction, which is known as instruction of Brahman stage.  Then Lord gave third level instruction which is known as Paramatma level’s instruction. This is more confidential knowledge. Lord says-

uttamah purusas tv anyah
paramätmety udährtah
yo loka-trayam ävisya
bibharty avyaya isvarah

Translation

Besides these two, there is the greatest living personality, the Supreme Soul, the imperishable Lord Himself, who has entered the three worlds and is maintaining them. [BG 15.17]

Paramatma enters in the three worlds and bibharty, maintains them. So this is instruction at Paramatma level and it is more confidential knowledge. So, the instruction at the level of Brahman is instruction for jnanis. Instruction of Paramatma level is for yogis. Therefore Lord says-

tapasvibhyo ‘dhiko yogi
jnänibhyo ‘pi mato ‘dhikah
karmibhyas cädhiko yogi
tasmäd yogi bhavärjuna

Translation-

A yogi is greater than the ascetic, greater than the empiricist and greater than the fruitive worker. Therefore, O Arjuna, in all circumstances, be a yogi. [BG 6.46]

A yogi is greater than the ascetic, because jnani is on the Brahman level, but the yogi is on the Paramatma level, one step higher. So, here Lord gave more confidential instruction and there is more confidential instruction than this and that is-

yoginäm api sarvesäm
mad-gatenäntar-ätmanä
sraddhävän bhajate yo mäm
sa me yuktatamo matah

Translation-

And of all yogis, the one with great faith who always abides in Me, thinks of Me within himself, and renders transcendental loving service to Me—he is the most intimately united with Me in yoga and is the highest of all. That is My opinion. [BG 6.47]

This is the most confidential knowledge, Bhakti yoga. From here Bhakti yoga begins. In the ninth chapter Lord says-

idam tu te guhyatamam
pravaksyämy anasüyave
jnänam vijnäna-sahitam
yaj jnätvä moksyase ‘subhät

Translation-

My dear Arjuna, because you are never envious of Me, I shall impart to you this most confidential knowledge and realization, knowing which you shall be relieved of the miseries of material existence. [BG 9.1]

yaj jnätvä moksyase ‘subhät, one who knows this, get relieved from the miseries of material existence. So the Lord has given topmost instruction. The above instruction can take one to Vaikuntha, because it is having aisvarya bhakti, but Vrandavana dhama is for Madhurya bhakti. Therefore

sarva-guhyatamam bhüyah
srnu me paramam vacah
isto ‘si me drdham iti
tato vaksyämi te hitam

Translation-

Because you are My very dear friend, I am speaking to you My supreme instruction, the most confidential knowledge of all. Hear this from Me, for it is for your benefit. [BG 18.64]

tato vaksyämi te hitam, it is for your benefit. This sarva-guhyatamam, supreme instruction was hidden. Lord had not given it from long time. Therefore Lord felt sad. Then the Lord came in the form of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He thought, I will give the instruction but who will understand it? Therefore I Myself will perform bhakti, and then will teach the people, then only they will understand it. Hence-

anarpita-carim cirät karunayävatirnah kalau
samarpayitum unnatojjvala-rasäh sva-bhakti-sriyam
harih purata-sundara-dyuti-kadamba-sandipitah
sadä hrdaya-kandare sphuratu vah saci-nandanah

Translation

May the Supreme Lord who is known as the son of Srimati Saci-devi be transcendentally situated in the innermost chambers of your heart. Resplendent with the radiance of molten gold, He has appeared in the Age of Kali by His causeless mercy to bestow what no incarnation has ever offered before: the most sublime and radiant mellow of devotional service, the mellow of conjugal love. [CC Adi 1.4]

Lord took two things from Radharani; one was Her mood. What is the mood, bhava of Radharani? Her mood is not of boss.

Munindra-vrinda-vandite! Tri-loka-shoka-harini
Prasanna-vaktra-pankaje! Nikunja-bhu-vilasini!
Vrajendra-bhanu-nandini! Vrajendra-sunu-sangate!
Kada karishyasiha mam kripa-kataksha-bhajanam?

Translation-

Oh You who are adored by all the best sages! Oh You who takes away all the miseries of the three material worlds! Oh You whose face joyfully blooms just like a lotus flower! Oh You who delights in playing love-sports throughout the secret forest bower-houses! Oh most charming daughter of Vrishabhanu, the best of kings! Oh closest heart-felt companion of the son of the King of Vraja! When, oh when will You make me the object of Your side-long glance of causeless mercy? [Radha Kripa Kataksha -1]

All demigods and Rsi-munis hanker for the mercy of Radharani. She is the queen of Vraja, yet Her mood is of a servant, and this is the topmost mood. This mood attracts the Lord. That’s why Lord Himself accepted that mood.

sauryam tejo dhrtir däksyam
yuddhe cäpy apaläyanam
dänam isvara-bhävas ca
ksätram karma svabhäva-jam

Translation-

Heroism, power, determination, resourcefulness, courage in battle, generosity and leadership are the natural qualities of work for the ksatriyas. [BG 18.43]

Lord is having isvara-bhävas, mood of leadership. How many people get pleased with the leaders? If the leader will not do someone’s any small work, that person will become unhappy with the leader. But the servants please everyone, even the leaders, management.  Therefore Radharani’s mood is of a devotee. We should understand that, as big the position is, that much more should be the service mood. But in this world opposite things happen, people’s positions keep raising but their services keeps decreasing and they think themselves ‘Lord’. With position humility should increase. We can see the example of our prime minister, Modiji, for how many hours he sleeps? Only three-four hours. He works for the country for twenty hours a day.

So the most supreme, confidential instruction of Bhagavad Gita, which the Vrajavasis have accepted is-

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]

satyam te, Lord is Absolute Truth. He never speaks lie, yet He is saying I am speaking the truth. This is very astonishing thing.

atya-vratam satya-param tri-satyam
satyasya yonim nihitam ca satye
satyasya satyam rta-satya-netram
satyätmakam tväm saranam prapannäh

Translation-

The demigods prayed: O Lord, You never deviate from Your vow, which is always perfect because whatever You decide is perfectly correct and cannot be stopped by anyone. Being present in the three phases of cosmic manifestation-creation, maintenance and annihilation—You are the Supreme Truth. Indeed, unless one is completely truthful, one cannot achieve Your favor, which therefore cannot be achieved by hypocrites. You are the active principle, the real truth, in all the ingredients of creation, and therefore you are known as antaryämi, the inner force. You are equal to everyone, and Your instructions apply for everyone, for all time. You are the beginning of all truth. Therefore, offering our obeisances, we surrender unto You. Kindly give us protection. [SB 10.2.26]

satyätmakam tväm saranam prapannäh, everything pertaining to the Lord is truth. His body is truth, His knowledge is truth, and His pleasure is truth. Sun can not observe darkness, yet if the sun says, ‘I promise you I will not give you darkness.’  This is strange, because where there is sun there is no question of darkness. Similarly here Lord is saying, I am telling you the truth because you are My very dear friend.

Lord wants us back to home. He is not happy seeing us here suffering in this world. He comes as Rama and Shyama. What is the need to come in this world, in this miserable world? Even demigods do not want to come on Bhuloka. When they do come, they do not even touch the earth. But Lord comes time to time. For a mother, her child is dear, even though he is dirty or has passed urine or latrine. She never rejects him. She picks him up lovingly, bathes him, dresses him and then gives him in the lap of his father. Similarly we are children of the Lord. He worries about us. His eternal consort Radharani also worries about us a lot. That is why Lord comes in Radha-bhava.

Then Lord says-

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]

Abandon all varieties of religion, but how to do it? Who will explain this? Therefore Lord said man-manä bhava mad-bhakto, this is the most important verse of Bhagavad Gita. ‘Become My devotee; give that mind, which you have engaged in the material things, give it to Me, engage it in Me. Rest I will see; you do not worry!’ Many times Lord is saying this in Bhagavad Gita. Mind is superior in all senses. Lord also says-

vedänäm säma-vedo ‘smi
devänäm asmi väsavah
indriyänm manas cäsmi
bhütänäm asmi cetanä

Translation-

Of the Vedas I am the Säma Veda; of the demigods I am Indra, the king of heaven; of the senses I am the mind; and in living beings I am the living force [consciousness]. [BG 10.22]

Sub-them- What is the correct way to listen lectures?

So, this is clear that we should engage our mind in the Lord, but how to do that? Is there anyone to show the method? Rupa Goswami gave eight stages of Bhakti in Bhakti Rasamrta Sindhu. In that ruchi comes after anartha nivrtti. Till there are anarthas in us, mind will not get engaged in the Lord. It is not so easy. Therefore we must need to reach to this anartha nivrtti stage. From this stage our mind starts engaging in the Lord, as we develop taste, ruchi.

ädau sraddhä tatah sädhu-
sango ‘tha bhajana-kriyä
tato ‘nartha-nivrttih syät
tato nisthä rucis tatah
athäsaktis tato bhävas
tatah premäbhyudancati
sädhakänäm ayam premnah
prädurbhäve bhavet kramah

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 sädhana-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 Krsna consciousness. [CC Madhya 23.14-15]

Adau sraddha tatah sadhu-sanga, when we do devotee association, we have to contemplate on their teachings, not only sravan, that we are doing from many years. Is there any progress? Have we checked that? Narada Muni says, adrdham krtam jnanam, there is determination in the knowledge. We listen the class, that is good, but if it is not accepted with determination then that knowledge will not stay with us. Note the important points, then read it and remember it what have I learned.

When Gokarna Maharaj was narrating Bhagavat to Dhundhakari, at that time there were many listeners. All of them listened the narration, but only one plane came. Gokarna was surprised, why there is plane only for one person? Everyone was listening the narration. He asked the Visnudutas, ‘why only one plane?’ They said, everyone was hearing, but some were sleeping and some were neglecting. Some devotees sit in the back, take support of the wall and sleep peacefully. And some devotees keep talking with each other during the class. Others were doing just formality, just time-pass. Plane is for them who have done the endeavors, given their life, did austerities, and applied spiritual master’s words in the life. Plane is for them only. For others there are many vehicles in the material world, but no plane from spiritual world.

So from the stage of Ruchi, mind starts engaging in the Lord. Then comes asakti, where mind is now 50% engaged in the Lord, but yet 50% is in the material things. Then comes bhava, where mind is 75 % in the Lord and 25 % in the material things. Then comes the stage of prema, where mind is completely engaged in the Lord. So, the process is to listen from the seniors, from the spiritual masters with determination and full faith. Contemplate on the instructions and apply them in the life. Those who have followed the process, are successful. Those who have not, they are going from one birth to another. So, how to engage mind? This is the process- ädau sraddhä, sädhu- sanga, bhajana-kriyä, anartha-nivrttih, ruci, asakti, bhava and Prema. These are the stages of Bhakti.

And Caitanya Mahaprabhu has said-

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]

Sub-theme- Essence of all scriptures and all methods

Essence of all methods and all scriptures is the Holy name of the Lord. Therefore when Sukadeva Goswami narrated 18000 verses of Bhagavatam, he gave the essence of all those verses.

näma-sankirtanam yasya
sarva-päpa pranäsanam
pranämo duhkha-samanas
tam namämi harim param

Translation-

I offer my respectful obeisances unto the Supreme Lord, Hari, the congregational chanting of whose holy names destroys all sinful reactions, and the offering of obeisances unto whom relieves all material suffering. [SB 12.13.23]

Do not take tension of the sinful activities which are already done, just take proper medicine. Disease is already there because of your negligence, now don’t just sit while crying. Go to good doctor and take proper treatment. Now no more willfulness! Approach the proper doctor.

Sub-theme- Example of ‘man-mana bhava stage’

I will give one example of man-mana bhava. One thing is to engage our mind in the Lord, and another is we make our mind so soft and beautiful, that Lord will get attracted and pull our mind. So, the example is Gopis who engaged their mind in the Lord and even Lord attracted their minds. When Lord was in Vrndavan, He performed many pastimes, then He was going to Mathura with uncle Akrura, and that time Vrajavasis, especially gopis came to Him and said, ‘You are leaving? Okay You can go, but we will lie down in front of the chariot. You ride the chariot upon our bodies. We were alive just for You. When You are not there, then what we will do with this body?’ Then the Lord promised them, ‘I will come back. Do not become morose. When I will see that you are morose, I will be very unhappy.’ So, the Lord left, killed Kamsa, then Jarasandha kept attacking again and again. He attacked seventeen times. Lord thought, lets leave this place. So Lord went to Dwaraka. People fight for the land. Even for small land people give up their life. Lord thought, we will leave this place; you take over. Sometimes father sees that his children are fighting for the land or house. He says, all of you take this whole land, I will stay somewhere on rent. Do not fight. Similarly Lord went to stay in between the ocean. Yet after that one after another thing was going on; family expanded, and all. He had promised, I will return soon, but many years passed by. During these years, what was the condition of vrajavasis and the gopis? Gopis were holding their life in their bodies just to see Krsna. There bodies were burning. When they would lie on flower bed, within minute the flowers would dry completely. So much fire of separation! They do not want anything other than Krsna. He is their life and soul.

Lord was also not peaceful. He used to cry in night while remembering gopis. Therefore one day he asked Uddhava, ‘you to go to Vrndavan and meet my parents. They are feeling deep separation from Me; console them.’ So Uddhava said, okay Prabhu I will do that. Is there anything more to do?’ Lord thought, I have to tell him now. He said, ‘I have My Gopis there. They have left everything and everyone for Me. They left their children, their husband, their family for Me. So, you console them too. Tell them that I will definitely come.’  This is the ultimate stage of Bhakti. Man-mana bhava, Vrajavasis’s mind is so much attached to the Lord, that Lord Himself is very much worried about them. In the family, when the son is obedient and follows parents’ instructions, then parents also think more about him. When the disciples are obedient, the spiritual master also takes more care of them.

So this stage is man-mana bhava. Another thing in which Lord Himself gets attracted, then is our mind pure and beautiful? Our mind is so dirty, bad smell is coming, then how will the Lord get attracted? So, we need to clean our mind, ceto darpana, in the association of the devotees and by serving the devotees. Especially by serving the devotees, Lord becomes very pleased and mind also gets clean very quickly. So when the Lord sees that his mind is cleaned and smelling nicely because of Bhakti, then the Lord attracts the mind. Sometimes mind is beautiful, but many other things are also there. When Sukadeva Goswami heard about the beauty of the Lord, he thought, it is not the case that beautiful person is having all good qualities.’ Many people are very beautiful, but their nature is so bad, that it gets difficult to sit with them just for some time. Therefore nature is very important. So, when our mind is pure and beautiful, the Lord steals it.

Sub-theme- How Lord stole the mind of a Gopi

One example, how Lord steals the mind- Lord was in Vrndavan. As usual He was going for Gocaran pastime along with His friends. When He was going for Gocharan, everyone from Vrndavan, even the birds and animals came to take His darsan. All Vrajavasis left their jobs to see Krsna. Lord also pleased everyone by His activities, by looking at them and by smiling at them. Vrajavasis used to follow Him for long distance. Lord used to say again and again, ‘now you go back.’ Nanda and Yashoda used to follow Him. They used to tell Him again and again, ‘Lala, don’t go far. Return early.’ Lord used to say, ‘Maiya, Baba, I will come soon. You go back.’

One new bride came in Gokula. She had heard about Krsna. Today she felt, ‘let me also see, who is this Krsna?’ Mother in law, sister in law, everyone was leaving to see Krsna; so she also got ready to go. But they told her, ‘you do not come. That snake is very dangerous. Once he bites someone, his poison can not be removed for the entire life. And your heart is very soft. If he will bite you, poison will not be removed for many life times. Therefore you stay at home.’ But she had strong desire to see Krsna. When mother in law and sister in law left, they locked the door from outside. Inside she is trying the way to see Krsna. She saw that there is a small hole in the door. She kept looking from that hole. Chaha basi maname yadi darsa tumhare nihara; she had strong desire to see the Lord. There were queues at both sides of the road. She was desperately trying to have a look of the Lord. Lord was looking at everyone, but His mind was at that gopi, ‘how can I give her darsan?’ So, Lord twisted the tail of one calf. That calf ran and stood exactly in front of the door of that gopi’s house, as if he was a trained calf. Then Lord went behind this calf. The main intention was to given darsan to this gopi. Gopi looked at the Lord and Lord looked at her. That’s it. Her heart was stolen by the Lord through the door of her eyes. She became stunned at one place, holding that form in her mind. Lord left, all Brajavasis left, yet she was stunned at one place. Her mother in law and sister in law came inside. They saw her and shook her. Her body was there but heart was gone with Krsna. ‘See, I told you not to see Him. He has bitten you now.’ After some shaking and all, gopi came back to external consciousness. Mother in law scolded her, ‘I told you not to see Him. Now this poison will not go. Okay, come now. Churn the yogurt.’ She prepared the things for churning. Took churning rod and pot, sat down and started the churning. But there was no yogurt in the pot. Mother in law saw this. Daughter in law is churning in empty pot with closed eyes. She called her, but of no use. That gopi forgot the time and all. We keep checking time again and again, but there time was just passing by and she was absorbed in her meditation. Mother in law shook her, ‘what are you doing?’ She said, ‘I am churning the yogurt.’ ‘Oh really? Where is the yogurt?’ Now she saw that there is no yogurt and don’t know from how long she was churning. Mother in law became angry. She said, ‘you go and bring water.’ She kept three pots on her head and placed her child on her hip and said, ‘go bring water’. She went to bring water. On the well she was supposed to tie the rope on the pot, but she tied the rope around the neck of the child. Other gopis on the well saw this. ‘See, looks like she has gone mad.’ Another gopi said, ‘no, she is not mad. Ghost had haunted her.’ Third gopi said, ‘that is not ghost; that is son of Nanda Maharaj.’ She asked her, ‘what are you doing? Do you want to kill the child?’

So, this is the example of man-mana bhava. When one engages his mind in such a way, then Lord says, mäm evaisyasi satyam te pratijäne priyo ‘si me, I promise you, you will come back to My abode in this lifetime.

Okay, Hare Krsna!

 




Contemplating the objects of the senses 27th April 2024

27 April 2024
Contemplating the objects of the senses
Speaker: HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj

Hare Krsna. We should not do any task for the sake of doing. We must understand the purpose of doing it. Why to do? Where to do? How to do it? There are always some do’s and don’t’s. I will speak something related to Harer namaiva kevalam (CC Madhya 6.242).

The scriptures instruct us to chant the holy name and then next is how should we chant? Attentively. We should keep asking questions like an inquisitive child.

athato brahma jijnasa (Vedanta-sutra 1.1.1)

Translation: Now one should inquire about Brahman – The absolute truth, the transcendental, spiritual nature.

These questions arise out of the desire to know the Lord. meditate on the Lord. What are the characteristics of the Lord? Can we meditate on something void or impersonal? So when we say chant attentively, we should have a clear understanding of whom we have to focus our mind on. What is the object of attention (Meditation)?

Everyone in this material world continues to contemplate on the objects of this material world. Each sense organ present in our body has an object of sense gratification to meditate on.

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

We are supposed to engage our mind in attentively thinking about the Supreme Lord. But instead, while contemplating the objects of the senses, a person develops attachment for them. First we meditate on the sense objects, then we try to attain it.

asau mayā hataḥ śatrur
haniṣye cāparān api
īśvaro ’ham ahaṁ bhogī
siddho ’haṁ balavān sukhī (BG 16.14)

Translation: The demoniac person thinks: “So much wealth do I have today, and I will gain more according to my schemes. So much is mine now, and it will increase in the future, more and more. He is my enemy, and I have killed him, and my other enemies will also be killed. I am the lord of everything. I am the enjoyer. I am perfect, powerful and happy. I am the richest man, surrounded by aristocratic relatives. There is none so powerful and happy as I am. I shall perform sacrifices, I shall give some charity, and thus I shall rejoice.” In this way, such persons are deluded by ignorance.

Once its attained then the next is to enjoy it. And with that enjoyment, this soul gets more entrapped.

krodhād bhavati sammohaḥ
sammohāt smṛti-vibhramaḥ
smṛti-bhraṁśād buddhi-nāśo
buddhi-nāśāt praṇaśyati (Bg. 2.63)

Translation: From anger, complete delusion arises, and from delusion bewilderment of memory. When memory is bewildered, intelligence is lost, and when intelligence is lost one falls down again into the material pool.

This conditioned soul tries to fetch bliss out of these sensory objects but this Jiva is spiritual in nature. He cant be satisfied with anything gross. Thus the result is anger and frustration. And gradually this Jiva is dragged to destruction. There are three doorways to hellish planets thus he will be dragged to hell. Where was the mistake? dhyāyato viṣayān puṁsaḥ (Bg. 2.62).

Contemplating the objects of the senses, this we should chant, and chant attentively. We should contemplate on the Lord – His name , qualities, form and pastimes. They are non different from Krsna. If we contemplate on material objects, then you will get attached to them. But if you mediate on Krsna then you will develop attachment to Krsna. You will experience the bliss derived from chanting his holy name, his form, qualities and pastimes. Gradually we will develop love for 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.

Listening to the description of the Lord, thus we will develop love for the Lord. When we are attached to material objects we develop lust and thus we become Lusty. And when we develop attachment for Krsna, then we will become loving devotees of the Lord. Ordinarily, the result is anger and frustration out of material enjoyment. A devotee might also become angry if a person, offends a Vaishnava. But this anger is Divine not material.

For example Hanuman Ji when he went to Lanka, he ended up burning the entire Lanka out of anger. There our intelligence will get destroyed but here in this case, Krsna will award us with intelligence. Material energy of the Lord is responsible for destroying our intelligence. While on the other hand, when we serve Krsna, he is pleased and he blesses us with intelligence for how that a devotee can serve him better.

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.

These are the two pathways. One takes us to hell and another takes us to the realm of Goloka Vrindavan. We should execute every service with Love and devotion attentively. One who performs devotional service with love and devotion without interruption, then such a person can attain me. Krsna has described a person when contemplating on the sensory objects, when can he be reaching. And if he focuses on me, what can be his destination. When might he had committed mistakes in the past. We need to learn from our mistakes and improve.

Hare Krsna.

 

 

 




Param Vijeyati Sri Krishna Sankirtinam 29th April 2024

Japa Talk by H.G Anantsesha Prabhu
Date: 29-04-2024

Hare Krishna.

Main Theme: “Param Vijeyati Sri Krishna Sankirtinam”.

Sub-Theme: Advent of Shiksashtakam

In today’s Zoom Japa Talk, Under the guidance of Gurumaharaj Ji, we have a special class by Shriman Anant Shesh Prabhu Ji for today’s Japa discourse. Hare Krishna Gurumaharaj Ji said, “I am in ISKCON Vrindavan.”

Prayers by H.G Anantsesha Prabhu

I was asked to prepare for a 3-day lecture series. I was wondering which topic I should choose. Then I remembered,about a year ago, we had heard a series of lectures on Shri Shikshashtakam and ten offenses from Guru Maharaj. I thought of talk on those topics.

I would like to continue speaking based on that series with the topic as “Param Vijayate Sri krishnaSankirtanam”. We will hear some more instructions from Shri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Earlier we had discussed in 8 sessions for 8 verses. But currently we will be discussion on this topic on the verse “Param Vijeyati Sri Krishna Sankirtinam”.

In Chaitanya Caritramrita in Antya Lila in the last chapter we see, Shri Krishnadasa Kaviraja Goswami writes that when Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was residing in Nilachal residing in Gambira. Mahaprabhu was completely absorbed in the mood of Srimati Radharani. In the mood of complete absorption in the mood for Srimati Radharani Chaitanya Mahaprabhu says.

ei-matamahāprabhuvaisenīlācale
rajanī-divasekṛṣṇa-virahevihvale

Translation

While Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu thus resided at JagannāthaPurī [Nīlācala], He was continuously overwhelmed, night and day, by separation from Kṛṣṇa. [CC Antya 20.3]

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was overwhelmed, night and day, by separation from Kṛṣṇa. During that period two associates, namely SvarūpaDāmodaraGosvāmī and RāmānandaRāya observed this.

svarūpa, rāmānanda, — eiduijana-sane
rātri-dine rasa-gīta-ślokaāsvādane

Translation

Day and night He tasted transcendental blissful songs and verses with two associates, namely SvarūpaDāmodaraGosvāmī and RāmānandaRāya..[CC Antya 20.4]

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, along with his associates Swarupa Damodar and Ramananda Raya, enjoyed (day and night) various moods of devotional service. Who are the friends Lalita and Vishakha in Krishna’s pastimes?

nānā-bhāvauṭheprabhuraharṣa, śoka, roṣa
dainyodvega-ārtiutkaṇṭhā, santoṣa

Translation

He relished the symptoms of various transcendental emotions, such as jubilation, lamentation, anger, humility, anxiety, grief, eagerness and satisfaction. [CC Antya 20.5]

Sometimes He relished the symptoms of various transcendental emotions, such as jubilation, lamentation, anger, humility, anxiety, grief, eagerness and satisfaction. And they discussed, various transcendental emotions of Chaitanya Mahaprabhuand from those discussions or emotions words are getting woven and henceShikshashtakam was born.

sei seibhāvenija-ślokapaḍiyā
ślokeraarthaāsvādaye dui-bandhulañā

Translation

He would recite His own verses, expressing their meanings and emotions, and thus enjoy tasting them with these two friends. [CC Antya 20.6]

Swarupa Damodar and Ramananda Raya, witnessed various moods of devotional service. Who are the friends Lalita and Vishakha in Krishna’s pastimes?

kona dine konabhāveśloka-paṭhana
sei ślokaāsvāditerātri-jāgaraṇa

Translation

Sometimes the Lord would be absorbed in a particular emotion and would stay awake all night reciting related verses and relishing their taste. [CC Antya 20.7]

Lord would be absorbed in a particular emotion and would stay awake all night reciting related verses and relishing their taste. This mahabhava of Srimati Radharani became Sri Skiashashtkam. We hear this shloka

prabhura ‘śikṣāṣṭaka’-ślokayeipaḍe,
śunekṛṣṇeprema-bhakti tārabāḍe dine-dine                                                

Translation

If anyone recites or hears these eight verses of instruction by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, his ecstatic love and devotion for Kṛṣṇa increase day by day. [CC Antya 20.65]

Sri KrishnadasKaviraja Goswami gives the summary and importance of reading these eight verses of instruction by  Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Whoever recites or hears these eight verses of ‘Shikshashtakam’ by Lord Chaitanya, their love and devotion for Krishna increases day by day.We read this verse daily. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu speaks about the following emotions in this verse.

Sub-Theme: Glories of Shiksashtakam

Now we will recite the Shloka and then discuss it further

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.’. [CC Antya 20.12]

We recite this shloka every day. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu used to recite these verses every day. He is expressing these emotions

kona dine konabhāveśloka-paṭhana
sei ślokaāsvāditerātri-jāgaraṇa

Translation

Sometimes the Lord would be absorbed in a particular emotion and would stay awake all night reciting related verses and relishing their taste. [CC Antya 20.7]

In great jubilation, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said,

harṣe prabhu kahena, —
“śunasvarūpa-rāma-rāyanāma-saṅkīrtana —
kalauparamaupāya

Translation

In great jubilation, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, “My dear SvarūpaDāmodara and RāmānandaRāya, know from Me that chanting the holy names is the most feasible means of salvation in this Age of Kali. [CC Antya 20.8]

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu tells Ramananda Raya, in this Kali Yuga, the most effective means is the chanting of the holy names of the Lordand whoever chants the holy names of the Lord will surely attain the lotus feet of the Lord. Now Let us hear explanation given by Sri Krishnadas Kavi Raja.

saṅkīrtana-yajñekalaukṛṣṇa-ārādhana
sei ta’ sumedhāpāyakṛṣṇeracaraṇa

Translation

“In this Age of Kali, the process of worshiping Kṛṣṇa is to perform sacrifice by chanting the holy name of the Lord. One who does so is certainly very intelligent, and he attains shelter at the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa. [CC Antya 20.9]

Performing Sankirtana includes all different sacrifices one is performing devotional service for Sri Krishna. The name Sankirtana destroys all miseries from our heart, it destroys the propensity to commit sins, it cleanses the consciousness and helps us practice devotional services unto the Lotus feet of Sri Krishna.

saṅkīrtana-pravartakaśrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya
saṅkīrtana-yajñetāṅrebhaje, sei dhanya

Translation

Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya is the initiator of saṅkīrtana [congregational chanting of the holy name of the Lord]. One who worships Him through saṅkīrtana is fortunate indeed..[CC Adi3.77]

Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya is the initiator of saṅkīrtana [congregational chanting of the holy name of the Lord]. One who worships Him through saṅkīrtana is fortunate indeed.

sei ta’ sumedhā, ārakubuddhisaṁsāra
sarva-yajñahaitekṛṣṇa-nāma-yajñasāra

Translation

Such a person is truly intelligent, whereas others, who have but a poor fund of knowledge, must endure the cycle of repeated birth and death. Of all sacrificial performances, the chanting of the Lord’s holy name is the most sublime.[CC Adi 3.78]

Krishna Raj Kaviraj says such a person is truly intelligent, whereas others, who have but a poor fund of knowledge, must endure the cycle of repeated birth and death

Performing Sankirtana includes all different sacrifices. Such a person is truly intelligent, whereas others, who have but a poor fund of knowledge. Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu says in connection to the 1st verse of Sri Shikashtakam

nāma-saṅkīrtanahaitesarvānartha-nāśasarva-śubhodaya, kṛṣṇa-premeraullāsa

Translation

“Simply by chanting the holy name of Lord Kṛṣṇa, one can be freed from all undesirable habits. This is the means of awakening all good fortune and initiating the flow of waves of love for Kṛṣṇa. [CC Antya 20.11]

The first three lines from the first verse of Srishistatkam explains that one can be freed from all undesirable habits. This is the means of awakening all good fortune and initiating the flow of waves of love for Kṛṣṇa.

The name Sankirtana destroys all miseries from our heart, it destroys the propensity to commit sins, it cleanses the consciousness and helps us practice devotional services with love.

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu summaries these three points in this verse.

  1. Free from Undesirable habits
  2. Awakens good fortune and at the end
  3. Initiating flow of waves of love for krsna

saṅkīrtanahaitepāpa-saṁsāra-nāśana
citta-śuddhi, sarva-bhakti-sādhana-udgama

Translation

“By performing congregational chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, one can destroy the sinful condition of material existence, purify the unclean heart and awaken all varieties of devotional service.[CC Antya 20.13]

The name Sankirtana destroys all sins and miseries from our heart, it destroys the propensity to commit sins, it cleanses the consciousness and helps us practice devotional services. It gives rise to all resources for devotional service.

kṛṣṇa-premodgama, premāmṛta-āsvādana
kṛṣṇa-prāpti, sevāmṛta-samudremajjana

 Translation

“The result of chanting is that one awakens his love for Kṛṣṇa and tastes transcendental bliss. Ultimately, one attains the association of Kṛṣṇa and engages in His devotional service, as if immersing himself in a great ocean of love.” [CC Antya 20.14]

The result of chanting is that one awakens his love for Kṛṣṇa and tastes transcendental bliss. Ultimately, one attains the association of Kṛṣṇa and engages in His devotional service, as if immersing himself in a great ocean of love. I thinking about this that whatever process we follow is of very high standard and is of top most importance.

It increases faith for us for Chanting, It gives birth to love for Krishna. Once I was at a Japa retreat with the highly revered Bhurijana Prabhu who is a Senior Disciple of Srila Prabhupada. He was speaking about the glory of the Hare Krishna mantra.  He was guiding us during the chanting and then my attention was disturbed. The highly revered Bhurijana Prabhu noticed this and then he said.Is there is nothing more important in this entire universe than chanting the holy names. Can we even feel how important it is to chant the holy names. You are most fortunate person to do this in this world. Why we are not able to find bliss in chanting because we have not understood the importance and essence of chanting and taking shelter under  “NAM” with full faith. We have not understood the importance of Sankirtan as we see

Shivaji what said to Uma about Sri Ram

Uma Ram SubhauJehin Jana
Teni hi bajan taj bhavna ana
Yah shabdjasuur ava raghuoati Charan bahagti soi pava

 Translation 

“Hey Uma! One who understands Lord Rama’s nature forsakes all other pursuits. The heart that receives this dialogue becomes devoted to Lord Raghunath’s feet.” [Tulsidas’ Ramacharitamanas, Sundarkand]

If a person realises even a tinch, he cannot stop chanting the holy name for even for a second. “Uma Ram SubhauJehin Jana” .

Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur while explaining this verse says, “Supreme victory to the Sankirtana of Shri Krishna”, as per Verse 1 of Shisashtakam. We know one gets seven Siddhis “Nam Siddhi”. We see Sri Chaitanya Maha Prabhu has used this statement “ ParamVijayaiteSri Krishna Sankirtanam”

Shrila Bhakti Vinod Thakura speaks while explaining this verse, ” Param Vijayaite Sri Krishna Sankirtanam” in SanmodhanaBhasayam also called as Vivtuttias explained in Srimad Bhagavatam

bhagavān brahma kārtsnyenatriranvīkṣya
manīṣayā tad adhyavasyatkūṭa-sthoratirātmanyatobhavet

Translation

The great personality Brahmā, with great attention and concentration of the mind, studied the Vedas three times, and after scrutinizingly examining them, he ascertained that attraction for the Supreme Personality of Godhead Śrī Kṛṣṇa is the highest perfection of religion..[ŚB 2.2.34]

Lord Brahma contemplated his reading of all the Vedas for three times and then he said the following concluding words, the essence of all the Vedic Scriptures is to develop attachment for the supreme personality of Godhead. This is highest dharma for human to develop attachment for the supreme personality of Godhead.

Whatever service we render to the Lord, we can attain it’s perfection by checking whether it has helped us to develop attachment, attraction or Lord for Krishna or not .

We can develop this attachment for the Lord only by executing devotional service and there is no other means. Which sort of Devotional service (Bhakti) helps us to develop this Love?

We receive devotional service when we hear the scriptures like Shrimad Bhagavatam in the association of loving devotees of the Lord

And then the faith in which we develop that faith only can bless us with pure devotional service. As explained in Srimad Bhagavatam

dharmaḥsvanuṣṭhitaḥpuṁsāṁ
viṣvaksena-kathāsuyaḥnotpādayed
yadiratiṁśramaeva hi kevalam

Translation

The occupational activities a man performs according to his own position are only so much useless labor if they do not provoke attraction for the message of the Personality of Godhead. [ŚB 1.2.8]

The occupational activities a man performs according to his own position are only so much useless labour if they do not provoke attraction for the message of the Personality of Godhead. What is the measurement for the same, how much attraction one gets to hear the pastimes and activities of Lord Srikrishna. This is what Brahama ji explained in Srimad Bhagavatam.

How to get Rati

“Iti Siddhanta VakyanamKevalam Bhakti Siddhant naaneyana

Karma Gyananima 

All these siddhi’s are love or Rati for srikrishna, one has to get attraction for Lord Sri Krsna. This rati or love for Lord Krsna cannot be achieved by (Karma) fruitive work or (Gyan) Knowledge. The only process is Bhakti.

Sri Bhakti Vinod Thakur while explaining the verse Sri Krsna Sankirtanam, that this Bhakti can be achieved through the love or rati.

Shastra avadharanmayi Bhagavan leelamadhuri log mayinashud bhakti labyanna”Dharma is prem and then one needs to elevate to transcendental level i.evisdhu Bhakti. Vishud bhakti is achieved through the love for Shastras. i.eSrimadBhagavatam, when heared in association of the devotees and develop strong faith towards shastra and attraction to hear pastimes of lord.

Attraction for hearing pastime of Lord and hearing from pure devotees of Lord which will help in increasing the Pure bhakti

And then the faith we develop, that faith can bless us with pure devotional service… The highly revered Sacinandana Swami Maharaj says it’s difficult to think about the Lord while chanting the holy nameand if you want to think about the Lord, you need to regularly read Srimad Bhagavatamwhile chanting the holy name. Until one reads, Srimad Bhagavatam they cannot remember the Lord.

satāṁprasaṅgān mama vīrya-saṁvido
bhavantihṛt-karṇa-rasāyanāḥkathāḥ
taj-joṣaṇādāśvapavarga-vartmani
śraddhābhaktirratiranukramiṣyati

Translation

In the association of pure devotees, discussion of the pastimes and activities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is very pleasing and satisfying to the ear and the heart. By cultivating such knowledge one gradually becomes advanced on the path of liberation, and thereafter he is freed, and his attraction becomes fixed. Then real devotion and devotional service begin.[SB 3.25.25]

To develop faith and transcendental love, one needs to hear from the devotees of the Lord his pastimes and glories. Especially one needs to sit near the lotus feet of the spiritual master and hear from them with a humble attitude.

pibanti ye bhagavata ātmanaḥ
satāṁkathāmṛtaṁśravaṇa-puṭeṣu
sambhṛtampunantiteviṣaya-vidūṣitāśayaṁ

Translation

Those who drink through aural reception, fully filled with the nectarean message of Lord Kṛṣṇa, the beloved of the devotees, purify the polluted aim of life known as material enjoyment and thus go back to Godhead, to the lotus feet of Him [the Personality of Godhead]. [SB 2.2.37]

Until one drinks the nectar of Srimad Bhagavatam from the vessel of their ears, their satisfaction is not complete. How much hearing is sufficient? Once the vessel is filled, the liquid overflows. Similarly, when a person hears well, especially from the spiritual master, they naturally start speaking filled with the glories of the Lord then that glory starts flowing in the form of the holy name of the Lord.

Thus, by listening attentively, the spiritual practitioner becomes capable of speaking about the glories of the Lord. The intimate and confidential association with the Lord acts as a remedy for the disease of this material world. As per nine step of devotional service hearing and chanting are the most important. And it helps one to advance to the different stages of the devotional service like Shradha, Nishtha and Ruchi. It helps the person move forward in various stages of devotional service such as faith, steadiness, and taste. When one takes shelter of the spiritual master and listens humbly, then they can truly perform the name Sankirtana.

Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur has written a song

kṛṣṇa-nāmadharekotobal
viṣaya-vāsanānale,  moracittasadājwale,
ravi-tapta maru-bhūmi-sam
karna-randhra-pathadiyā,  hṛdimājhepraveśiyā,
variṣoyasudhāanupam

Translation

How much power does the name of Krsna possess? My heart constantly burns in the fire of worldly desires, like a desert scorched by the sun. The holy name, entering within my heart through the holes of my ears, showers unparalleled nectar upon my soul. [By Bhakti Vinod Thakur – Text 1, Sarangati]

The holy name, entering within my heart through the holes of my ears, showers unparalleled nectar upon my soul. Especially listen through your ears, as Srila Prabhupada also says we should hear it from lips of Guru and then one becomes eligible for chanting.

Bhakti Vinod Thakur explains futher as Bagawan Kapil dev in 3rd Canto says.

satāṁprasaṅgān mama vīrya-saṁvido
bhavantihṛt-karṇa-rasāyanāḥkathāḥ
taj-joṣaṇādāśvapavarga-vartmani
śraddhābhaktirratiranukramiṣyati

Translation

In the association of pure devotees, discussion of the pastimes and activities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is very pleasing and satisfying to the ear and the heart. By cultivating such knowledge one gradually becomes advanced on the path of liberation, and thereafter he is freed, and his attraction becomes fixed. Then real devotion and devotional service begin.[SB 3.25.25]

One who has full faith in Kṛṣṇa (śraddhā) and surrenders unto Him is eligible for being raised to the level of prema, which Lord Caitanya taught as the highest perfectional stage of human life.

Vaidhi Bhakti or Raganuga Bhakti develops from attentive hearing and then gradually transforms into pure devotional service. But if one does not hear regularly, it will slowly fade away. Therefore, Sankirtana is the first step in the teachings of Shri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. We are fortunate to chant the name in the presence of Srila Gurudeva and hear Shriharinama from him. This is the greatest fortune. When Gurumaharaj sees us chanting the name. They feel great joy. If we do not chant in presence of Satsang and pure devotees it impacts our chanting.

As the highly revered Bhakti Prem Swami Maharaj said, it is the greatest misfortune that some devotees still turn off their videos. It is like Gurumaharaj has come to our house to meet us and we close our doorsand what’s worse is that sometimes devotees do not even turn on the audio. They say, when we chant the name, the audio is disturbing us

Tomorrow we will read further details. How full benefit is obtained from Sankirtana done in the presence of Gurudeva I stop here now.