Get benefitted by Dhāma 15th April 2024

15 April 2024
Speaker: HH Vrindavan Chandra Swami Maharaj
Theme: Get benefitted by Dhāma
Hare Krsna!!

Upcoming is the occasion of Rāma Navamī. Today we are very fortunate to have with us HH Vrindavan Chandra Swami Maharaj who is also known as the Vrajavasī of ISKCON. We shall hear Śrī Rāma Kathā from him.

Theme: Purposes of incarnation of the Lord

It’s a bliss for me to get an opportunity to speak about Śrī Rāma Chandra for the upcoming Rāma Navamī festival. Śrī Rāma Chandra appeared in Ayodhya Dhāma. There are several purposes of the Lord’s appearance on this planet and each and every reason is very amazing.

soi jasagāibhagata bhava tarahīn
kripāsindhūjanahitatanudharahīn
rāmajanmakehetuaneka
param vicitra ek teekā

Translation

By singing that praise again and again, the devotees get immersed in the ocean of existence. Lord Kripasagar assumes the body for the benefit of the devotees.

There are innumerous reasons for Lord Ram’s incarnation, each of which is more strange than the other. (Text 1, Tulasi Ramayana)

Hanuman Ji says,

martyāvatāras tv ihamartya-śikṣaṇaṁ
rakṣo-vadhāyaivanakevalaṁvibhoḥ
kuto ’nyathāsyādramataḥsvaātmanaḥ
sītā-kṛtānivyasanānīśvarasya

 Translation

It was ordained that Rāvaṇa, chief of the Rākṣasas, could not be killed by anyone but a man, and for this reason Lord Rāmacandra, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, appeared in the form of a human being. Lord Rāmacandra’s mission, however, was not only to kill Rāvaṇa but also to teach mortal beings that material happiness centered around sex life or centered around one’s wife is the cause of many miseries. He is the self-sufficient Supreme Personality of Godhead, and nothing is lamentable for Him. Therefore why else could He be subjected to tribulations by the kidnapping of mother Sītā? (ŚB 5.19.5)

The most well known purpose of Śrī Rāma’s appearance was the annihilation of Rāvana. The Lord didn’t need to descend specially to kill him as He had many other options. But Rāvana had a great boon from Brahma Ji that no one could defeat him, but humans and monkeys. That’s why the Lord appeared as a human. Rāvana was the devotee of Shiv Ji. And he was such a great devotee that he would offer his own head to him where the other devotees just offer some stone apples (bel patra).

The Lord not only appeared to kill Rāvana but He also appeared to teach lessons to mankind. He taught the world many lessons by His behaviour.

Theme: Ayodhya’s trueness

Lord Rāma appeared in Ayodhya. Ayodhya is a very pious city.

“tāmasatyanāmadrdhato” as mentioned in Valmiki Ramayan.Ayodhya’s name is very true. Its real situation is the same as the meaning of the name. Nowadays people keep unsuitable names, like a person’s name is Padmalochan but he can not see anything.

Janameraandhanamapadmalocana- “when a man’s son was blind since birth, the father, out of staunch affection for the child, named him Padmalocana”- Srila Prabhupada (Bengali saying)

His eyes are compared to a lotus. This means the situation is not as per the meaning of the name. This is not a true name. But the name of Ayodhya is totally appropriate. Let’s understand the meaning of the name Ayodhya. Like khadyasamagri, where khadyameans worth eating; Pathya pustak, where pathyameans worth teaching, kardyameans worth doing; in the similar way yodhyain Ayodhya means worth fighting with. Ayodhya means where there is no battle, not worth fighting with. This name is true to its meaning.

Theme: Description of Ayodhya Dhāma

durgagambhīraparikhāmadurgāmanyaihdurrāsadāma
vājivāranasampūrnāma
gobhirūśtraihkharaihstathā

Translation

That Ayodhya is an impassable one for trespassers, or for other invaders, owing to her impassable and profound moats, and she is abounding with horses, camels, likewise with cows and donkeys. (1.5.13, Balakanda, Valmiki Ramayana)

Parighameans the outer circle of a city. It is described that the outer circle of Ayodhya is so profound that it is not possible to enter there. To safeguard the city, people would dig a hole and set it on fire. Like to stop monkeys in Vrindāvana, people would set electric wires on their houses.

kavātatoranavatīmsuvibhaktāntarāpanāma
sarvayantrāyudhavatīmusītāma
sarvaśilpibhih

Translation

That city is surrounded with gateways and archways; the front yards of buildings are well laid; it lodges all kinds of machinery, weaponry and craftsmen, and king Dasharatha dwells in such a city. (1.5.10, Balakanda, Valmiki Ramayana)

There are boundaries all around the city Ayodhya and the main gate is very substantial and strong to break. Ayodhya is very well ready for any kind of attack.

sutamāgaghasambadhāmaśrīmatitulaprabhāma
ucchāttaladhvajavatīm
śataghnīśatasamkulama

Translation

With matchless splendour, it abounded in eulogists and genealogists. It contained stately edifices decorated with flags and hundreds of sataghnis (missiles).(1.5.11, Balakanda, Valmiki Ramayana)

It has many powerful weapons like missiles which can kill thousands of people at once.

yodhānāmagnikalpānām
peślānāmamarshinām
sampūrnākrtvidhyānām
guhākesarināmiva

Translation

It abounded with warriors, like a cave with lions. They were almost like flaming fire, the most determined among experts and accomplished in learning (the science of arms). (1.6.21, Balakanda, Valmiki Ramayana)

The soldiers there are very well fit, trained and are not very jovial. They cannot tolerate insults from anyone. The soldiers of Ayodhya are compared to lions who live in a cave in the mountain. No one can dare to enter a cave. Similarly, their soldiers are so muscular and strong that no one can fight them.

Theme: An exile to Śrī Rāma and His condition

Ayodhya is the abode of the Lord. And the Lord respects and loves Ayodhya a lot. A situation came when Śrī Rāma had to leave Ayodhya. One morning, Dashrath ji called Śrī Rāma in Rajdarbar. Dashrath ji was lying on the ground. When asked by Śrī Rāma of his father’s situation, Kaikeyi said that he had promised to give her 2 boons. She asked him to give Śrī Rāma an exile. Śrī Rāma took His father’s words seriously and when he was leaving Ayodhya, many people accompanied him till Tamasā river. They all rested there at night. Śrī Rāma thought of leaving before sunrise. As He was going far from Ayodhya, He was forgetting love towards it. He was giving instructions to Lakshman to not think about Ayodhya’s people. But at the same time, He was unable to control Himself. As He crossed many rivers towards forest, when the border came of Ushal, He stopped His chariot and stood facing towards Ayodhya and said,

āpracchetvāmpurīshreshthe
kakutsthaparipālite
daivatāni ca yānitvām
pālayantivasanti ca

Translation

O Ayodhya, the best of cities ruled by those born in the Kakutstha race I take leave of you and of all those gods inhabiting and guarding you. (2.50.2, Ayodhyakanda, Valmiki Ramayana)

Śrī Rāma said to Ayodhya, “O Ayodhya, I am asking you for a leave. I am asking the demigods and the people of Ayodhya for a leave.”

Nivrittavanavāsastvāmanrno
jagatīpateh
punardrkshyāmimātrā ca pitrā ca
sahasangagatah

Translation

On completion of exile and my filial obligations to king Dasaratha, lord of the world, discharged, I shall, reunited with my parents, see you again. (2.50.3, Ayodhyakanda, Valmiki Ramayana)

 He was promising that whenever His exile would get over, He would come as soon as possible to meet them all.

tatorudhiratāmrāksho
bhujamudyamyadakshinam
ashrupūrnamukho
dīnoabravījjānapadamjanam

Translation

He looked miserable, his copperred eyes filled with tears. He raised his right hand

and said to the villagers who had come to see him: (2.50.4, Ayodhyakanda, Valmiki Ramayana)

He was looking very helpless and tears were falling down from His eyes.

“ayodhyasochishyantinasanshaya”

 Theme: Ayodhya, a mother

He was concerned about Ayodhya that it would mourn without Him. He was concerned about His mother that she might get blind in sobbing. But He was confident that His brother Bharat would look after His parents after He had gone. He was concerned for the people of Ayodhya. Still he went towards the forest to get His father’s promise fulfilled.

When the Lord was returning from Sri Lanka on a plane, He was on His way to Ayodhya. As soon as the City came to sight, He offered obeisances to Ayodhya and also asked Sita Ji to offer obeisances.

eshasādraśyatesīte
rājadhānīpiturmama
ayodhyāmkuruvaidehipranāmampunarāgatā

Translation

Sita! My father’s capital Ayodhya is seen. We have come here. Offer your salutations.” (6.126.55, Yuddhakanda, Valmiki Ramayana)

He gave so much importance to Ayodhya as His mother. It is seen that the devotees accept Dhāma as their mother. It is said in Vrindavan Mahimamrta,

grihāndhakūpepatitahkadā
māmuddhratyamūdamkrpyāsvayaiva
kāmādikālāhiganairnigīrnam
mātevavrindātavineśyaseangakam

Translation

I have fallen into a blind well like Grihasta, tied with a black snake like lust desires, O Vrindatavi, when will you liberate me and put me on your lap like a mother. (88, Sri Vrindavan Mahimamrta)

He is saying to Ayodhya, “O mother, I have fallen in a blind well (without water) where pythons have taken shelter. I have no knowledge. Desire like python have swallowed Me. It has become a very dangerous situation. One needs support to come out of that well.” He is comparing that well to Grihasth ashram that He has fallen in a grihasth ashram and he is not able to take wise decisions. That lusty desires has tied Him. He is asking when she will take Him out of this situation and put Him on her lap. When someone is dependent on someone, their relationship becomes stronger. Like when a child is totally dependent on his mother, his mother takes full care of him. Similarly, one who takes shelter of Dhāma, Dhāma takes care of such a person.

Uddhav ji is describing the situation of Kaliyuga Jiva.

daṣṭaṁjanaṁsampatitaṁ bile ’smin
kālāhinākṣudra-sukhoru-tarṣam
samuddharainaṁkṛpayāpavargyair
vacobhirāsiñcamahānubhāva

Translation

O almighty Lord, please be merciful and uplift this hopeless living entity who has fallen into the dark hole of material existence, where the snake of time has bitten him. In spite of such abominable conditions, this poor living entity has tremendous desire to relish the most insignificant material happiness. Please save me, my Lord, by pouring down the nectar of Your instructions, which awaken one to spiritual freedom. (ŚB 11.19.10)

This well is the material world and black snake is the time. When a snake bites someone, he feels very hot and becomes very thirsty. Similarly, when this snake of time bites us, we become more thirsty for material enjoyment. Uddhav ji is praying to the Lord to deliver the fallen souls. Tongue plays a very important role and thus it should always be engaged in Harināma. By doing so we can control other urges for engaging into sinful activities.

jaramayasarthyathaausadham sat”

Like proper medication can cure a person suffering from high fever. Or water can satisfy a person’s thirst. So devotees believe and respect Dhāma a lot. Lord Rāma had been an exemplary character that how one should behave towards Dhāma. He treats Ayodhya as His mother and so the Vrindāvanavasīs. They feel safe around the arms of Dhāma like a child feels safe in his mothers lap.

Question: How can one develop niśthā(firm faith) towards the Lord and His holname while fighting with our six enemies of the mind?

Ans: We should take shelter of a Dhāma. Dhāma will take away our six enemies of mind from us. Now everyone will ask if they should leave the city and get situated in Dhāma. This is best but if it’s not possible then ŚrīlaRūpaGoswāmī explains nine ways to take shelter of Dhāma. One can perform any of the nine ways to get benefitted.

sruta- smrta –kirtita -ca
vanchita- preksita -gata
sprsta- sritasevita -ca
mathur -abhista -da -nrnam

Translation

“[Due to the unlimited power of Vrndavana], anyone can fulfil their cherished desires [for Krishna’s eternal service] simply by:

1) Hearing about Vrndavana (sruta)

2) Remembering Vrndavana (smrta)

3) Glorifying Vrndavana (kirtita)

4) Desiring Vrndavana (vanchita)

5) Seeing Vrndavana (preksita)

6) Visiting Vrndavana (gata)

7) Touching Vrndavana (sprsta)

8) Living in Vrndavana (asrita)

9) Serving Vrndavana (sevita).”

Hare Krishna!




Ram Katha Day 2 16th April 2024

Topic: Ram Katha Day 2
Date:16th April 2024
Speaker: HH Anant Krishna Maharaj
HG Padmamali Prabhu:

We have HH Ananta Krishna Goswami Maharaj with us to deliver today’s Japa Talk. He is a great devotee of Lord. We welcome you all to this second session in this series of lectures on Sri Rama Navami. Maharaj is a very senior disciple of HH Radha Govind Goswami Maharaj. And he is very famous for his Rama Katha in ISKCON. Maharaj is connected to ISKCON Juhu. We have around 2-2.5 K devotees hearing this session today.

HH Anant Krishna Maharaj:

nama om vishnu-padayakrishna-preshthayabhutale
srimatebhaktivedanta-swaminitinamine
namastesaraswatedevegaura-vani-pracharine
nirvisheshashunyavadipashchatyadeshatarine

 

jayasri-krishna-chaitanya
prabhu nityananda
sri-adwaitagadadhara
shrivasadi-gaura-bhakta-vrinda

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

First of all, I want to pay my obesiancesunto Maharaj’s lotus feet and take his blessings. He gave a nice feedback for my Sannyasa initiation and he always gives me enthusiasm.HH Gaur Krishna Maharaj asked me to take blessings of Maharaj before taking Sannayasa. In Mira Road temple, I met Maharaj and asked for his mercy and he gave his personal association to me. In Juhu temple, he introduced me to HH Prahaladanand Swami Maharaj and  furthertold Maharaj that I am aSannyasa candidate. I feel ashamed to speak in front of Maharaj but since this is a service to him, I will try to say something about Rama ji. It is just like showing a lamp in front of the sun. I will speak in my broken language.

Lord Rama appeared with his brothers in Ghatawangdynasty.Ghatawang’s son was Drigavayu, Drigvayu son’s was Raghu, Raghu’s son was Ajah, Ajah’s son was Dashrath Maharaj and Dashrath’s son was Sri Rama appeared with his four brothers who are part and parcels of Lord Vishnu which is calledas  ChaturVyuh. He has presented his ideals in all his relations- as son and father, husbandand wife etc. He teaches the world through his actions.

ŚB 6.16.18-19

oṁnamastubhyaṁbhagavate
vāsudevāyadhīmahi
pradyumnāyāniruddhāya
namaḥsaṅkarṣaṇāya ca

namovijñāna-mātrāya
paramānanda-mūrtaye
ātmārāmāyaśāntāya
nivṛtta-dvaita-dṛṣṭaye

Translation

[Nārada gave Citraketu the following mantra.] O Lord, O Supreme Personality of Godhead, who are addressed by the oṁkāra [praṇava], I offer my respectful obeisances unto You. O Lord Vāsudeva, I meditate upon You. O Lord Pradyumna, Lord Aniruddha and Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa, I offer You my respectful obeisances. O reservoir of spiritual potency, O supreme bliss, I offer my respectful obeisances unto You, who are self-sufficient and most peaceful. O ultimate truth, one without a second, You are realized as Brahman, Paramātmā and Bhagavān and are therefore the reservoir of all knowledge. I offer my respectful obeisances unto You.

He has presented his ideals in all his relations- as son and father, husband and wife, teacher and student, King and  peopleetc. He teaches the world through his actions.

What is Ekashloki Ramayana? – Whole of Ramayana is said in just one shloka.

Answer: Whole of Ramayana is being explained in just one (Eka) shloka as given below:

adau Rama tapovananigamanam, Hathwamrugamkanchanam |
Vaidehi haranam, jatayumaranam, Sugreeva sambhashanam ||
vaalinigrahanam, samudrataranam, Lankapureedahanam |
Paschat Ravana Kumbhakarna hananam, EthatithiRamayanam ||

Translation

Sri Rama went to forest. He chased the deer. Sita was kidnapped, Jatayu was killed. There were discussions with Sugriva. Bali was killed. The ocean was crossed. Lanka was burnt and later Ravana and Kumbha karna were also killed. This is the story of Ramayanam.

When Lord was going to Chitrakoot via Prayagraj,and asked Khevat to take him to Chitrakoot. Khevat was a nice devotee of Lord. Khevat says that your lotus feet’s dust is very rare and my boat will be collapsed and my business will be collapsed. He should let him wash his feet. Because dust of his Lotus feet is so powerful.That even a stone turned into a very beautiful lady

What if something happened to my boat this is the only means of existence for me

Thus let me wash your feet first

Shloka

You can kill me but I want to wash your feet. How is this devotee. Rama said all three of you argued and now he is also doing that. So what can I do.

Shloka

Kausalya was not happy when Sita wanted to go to forest. She asked how will she survive in the jungle

Shloka

How will she face all the animals, monkeys. She never kept her feet on ground till now. Sita said tha where Sri Rama will stay there I will stay. So even Laxman didn’t listen. So he is also making this hatha. If you don’t want to wash you feet then you can go to a ghat where you can cross Ganga where you can cross my going across the river. So Rama ji said show me. So Kevat said that this is daytime if I show that path then who will travel from boat. Then Rama ji said what can I do? So kevat said I will show you that path in the evening and if you go in the daylight then customers will go away. But Rama said it is very difficult and sita is with me. He said I will show that path in evening only. So sita is very soft how will she cross? So he said if you are so admandant to go then why don’t you let me wash your feet.

Shloka

From whose feet ganga originates, whose feet have all the dhams and worlds. He agrees and says plz wash my feet. Then Kevat enthusiastically fills water from ganga in wooden vessel- khat ka vessel he brought. So this will examine that the lotus dust is actually very magically. Si Kevat kisses his lotus feet. So demigods are seeing at the bhagya pf this kevat. While washing his lotus feet and then he puts it on the ground and it get dirty again and then he again washes. He says that keep one feet in the wooden pot and one in my lap. Then Rama said I will fall. Kevat said Lord plz keep your hand on my head.  Then he does the same. Watching this demigods recite the glories of his fortune. Then he takes the charanmrita. Nishad also use to serve Lord and saw that they used to sleep on ground and said wring words to Kaikeyi. He said that are you a kasiyi and the Laxman consoles him and says that whatever Lord wants this what destiny is we hv to accept it. Gaur Krishna Mahraj says that you have put mercy onme and when you embraced me I am glorified. Earlier people used to take bath whenever they saw my shadow also. So this is fortune. So he goes with them in Kevat. He says Kevat that it has a lot of holes to see where can we take this boat. So I am seeing the path how can we cross the path. Lord Rama says plz go faster I have to go far  and then finally he makes him reach the destination and Rama ji stands on sand with sita ji and laxman ji. And Rama said that we have to give something to him. I don’t have anything to him. I f someone gives Tulasi to Lord, he gives everything to him. Sita mata understood him.

Sholoka

So just like rupagoswami understood CM. So similarly she gave her ring to Lord and he is very merciful, he wanted to give something.

Shloka

No one is as merciful as Rama. Kevat did a lot for Lord Rama. Rama said that I am giving you my most valuable thing, I and you hv same class. You don’t give anything when I go at your ghat, plz let me across. Rama ji smiled  and asked him to keep this. Kevat says that when you come back you will again give me a chance to serve again. Even the hotels say the same thing. He says that you have increased my fortune. Whatever you give me I will then accept your gift. Now don’t give me anything. He is very intelligent and Ram ji understands that. Everything works under his guidance. Under your guidance only I could row this boat.

Shloka

Shloka

Everything is provided by you. Everything is yours. Ramji insisted to take that ting said you also have a family, so you should accept. He doesn’t accept. We perform our duties in material world just to attain Perfection by having connection with the Supreme personality of Godhead He sits in samadhi after Lord went for 14 years. He left everything and sat in samadhi. And gives everything in the service of Lord. When he returned back, he could a opportunity to serve again. And when this Kevat had attained that position then he felt no need to execute his duties any further.

I repeatedly thank HH Lokanatha swami Maharaj and HH Gaur Kishore das maharaj for this  opportunity to serve

Let’s thank maharaj by chanting

We shall stop here and meet tmrw.

 

 




Teachings of Ramayana Day 1 17th April 2024

Date: 17 April 2024
Speaker: HH Bhakti Ashraya Vaishnava Swami Maharaj
Topic: Teachings of Ramayana

HH Bhakti Ashraya Vaishnava Swami Maharaj

Hare Krishna!

Jai Sri Ram!

Congratulations to all of you on the occasion of Ram Navami.

I was asked to give a talk on the lesson from Ramayana. Ramayana is full of lessons. Lord Rama Himself is an ideal son, an ideal brother, an ideal husband, an ideal disciple, an ideal leader, an ideal king and an ideal father.

In the Baal Kand, it is referred that how lord Rama is dedicated for Dashratha and other Ayodhyavasis. This is also a lesson for us.

Further, He accepted all the suffering for his Guru when he was a student of Guru Vishvamitra. He shows how to serve spiritual master.

Further, He shows the quality of ideal husband and an ideal father.

When King Dashratha announced the coronation of Lord Rama. He accepted that not for the designation, but to serve the demos.At the same night, mother Kaikayi take a boon to send Rama for exile. Lord Rama accepted the word of His father and at oncewent for exile. From this we can take a lesson that we should not serve to get a designation, we must work to serve others.

Lord Rama accepted all the rules of exile; like, walk barefooted, eat the fruits of the trees, sleep on the floor etc. He never made any adjustments in the rules.

When Bharat went to meet Lord Rama. There is a lot of lesson we can take from the behaviour of Bharat. This shows a true relationship of love and forgiveness. He killed many demons in the forest. These demons are the anarthas in our lives. These are the obstacles in the path of devotion. To kill these anarthas, we must austerity.

Then Mother Sita was abducted. This incidence tells us how one can get trapped in Maya. There is no golden deer in reality. Marichi had disguised as a deer. Mother Sita wants to give us a lesson. If we will indulge in Maya, we will trap like that.

Ravan kidnapped Mother Sita by disguise his personality. If one will deceit in devotion, then he must will be duped. One can not get the spiritual power by deceit.

Lord Rama meets hanuman, when he was in search of Mother Sita. We should go to the Lord with open heart. We should not wear makeup I our heart.

And then, Lord Rama met with Sugriva, who is a dear friend of Lord Rama. He kills Bali.

Then comes Shabari, who depicts enthusiasm, determination and patience in serving lord Rama.

Nectar of Instruction, Verse 3:

utsāhānniścayāddhairyāt
tat-tat-karma-pravartanāt
saṅga-tyāgātsatovṛtteḥ
ṣaḍbhirbhaktiḥprasidhyati

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 śravaṇaṁkīrtanaṁviṣṇoḥsmaraṇam – 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.

She waited every day and night to take darshan of Lord Rama. She cleans her house, decorate it with flowers and make garlands for Lord Rama. So, like this there are many teachings of Ramayana.

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu came as His own devotee to teach us devotion. He teaches us surrender.

Vaishnava Song, Sri-krsna-caitanya prabhu jive dayakari’, By Bhakti Vinod Thakur:

atyantadurlabhapremakoribāre dāna
śikhāyaśaraṇāgatibhakateraprāna

Translatrion:

Out of compassion for the fallen souls, Sri Krisna Caitanya came to this world with His personal associates and divine abode to teach saranagati (the goal of surrender), surrender to the almighty Godhead, and to freely distribute ecstatic love of God, which is ordinarily very difficult to obtain. This saranagati is the very life of the true devotee.

We must surrender to revive our devotion. Vibhishan always thought about the good of all.He thought that if one must go somewhere that should be the lotus feet of Lord Rama. He taught us how to take shelter. When Lord Rama reaches near sea with his army to bring back Mother Sita. Vibhishan advised Ravana to take shelter of Lord Rama, as Vibhishan is one of the consultants in the assembly.

Once Indrajeet insulted Vibhishana. Vibhishana scolded Indrajeet that you don’t know about lord Rama. Ravana become angry on Vibhishana and kicked him out. Vibhishana leave everything and taught us that we should that is favourable to our devotion. He was sure that he will go and take shelter of lord Rama.

In some scriptures it states that he once approached Shiva, he at once advised him to take shelter of Lord Rama. As lord Rama is merciful enough to give shelter to Ravana also!He went in his airplane and took darshan of lord Rama with his devoted allies Sugriva and hanuman. Sugriva at once came to know that the demons had come to meet Rama.Vihishana directly says that I am the brother of Ravana and wants to take shelter of lord Rama.Sugriva informed lord Rama. Lord Rama asked Sugriva to take advice of other Vanaras. All main vanaras came and met and they told lord Rama that they should not be allowed to meet Rama as they are from the enemy side. They should be killed as once. Jaambavant, Angad and others also shared their opinions. So, there is a learning that whenever we stucked in such a difficult situation, we must take advise of our friends.So, all were against them meeting lord Rama. Hanuman ji was also supportive of them. Jaambavant was most experienced vanara. He knew that Vibhishana was a righteous person. Although he was from the demon’s side, but he was not a demon himself. He was the minister of Ravana. Nevertheless, he was righteous. He had not come as a spy. He had come to lord Rama’s door and was introducing himself. In this way all allies gave their opinion on Vibhishana meeting lord Rama. Everyone gives their advice on the basis of their experience. So,Hanuman was the only one who spoke positive about Vibhishan and no one else, not even Laxmana. Dharma shastra says that even an enemy comes to take shelter with folded hands, then he should be accepted. For example, once a female pigeon was caught by a hunter. Male pigeon asked the hunter to leave the female pigeon and, in the return, he can eat his half of the body.That pigeon then completely surrendered and was saved. Now lord Rama has heard everyone’s opinions.He says that he is agreed that Vibhishana is Ravana’s brother, but he was nevertheless from the enemy side. Sugriva repeatedly denied lord Rama form meeting Vibhishana. He became quite as he felt bad that in spite of his advising lord Rama, he was adamant on meeting Vibhishana. He was thinking that Why lord Rama is doing that? Why he is giving shelter to an enemy? He can kill lord Rama!

Lord Rama knew what was going on in Sugriva’s mind.Lord Rama said that do you think this demon can harm me in any way?

Valmiki Ramayan Yuddha kanda, 6.18.22:

suduShTovaaapiaduShTovaakimeSharajaniicaraH
suukShmamapiahitamkartum mama ashaktaHkatha.ncana

Translation:

What does it matter whether that demon is very bad or not bad? He is incapable of doing even a little harm to me.

Valmiki Ramayan Yuddha kanda, 6.18.23:

pishaacaandaanavaanyakShaanpR^ithivyaamcaivaraakShasaan 
anguliagreNataanhanyaamicchanharigaNaiishvara

Translation:

“O, Sugreeva, Lord of monkey-troops! If I wish, I can kill those devilish beings, demons, supernatural beings and ogres living on earth with just a tip of my finger”

This is the first time when lord Rama showed His magnanimity. He told Sugriva that just by the tip of His finger, He could annihilate all the demons and ghosts of the earth!Just by pressing the delete button!So then why so much planning with vanaras-Sugriva thought.

So, Lord Rama was reading the mind of Sugriva. So, Lord Rama does this to deliver everyone. If one serves Lord Rama, he will deliver them. So, do not delay and serve Lord Rama. Vibhishana was still in the sky. When he approached Lord Rama, and He welcomed Vibhishana.

Be it Vibhishana or Ravana himself, Lord Rama will always protect him. Sugriva understood Lord Rama’s teachings. So, Sugriva went to fetch Vibhishana to bring him to Lord Rama and lord Rama was very eager to meet Vibhishana.

Valmiki Ramayan Yuddha kanda, 6.18.33:

sakṛdevaprapannāyatavaasmiiti ca yācate ||
abhayamsarvabhūtebhyodadāmietadvratam mama |

Translation:

“He who seeks refuge in me just once, telling me that �I am yours’, I shall give him assurance of safety against all types of beings. This is my solemn pledge”

Valmiki Ramayan Yuddha kanda, 6.18.34:

ānayaenamhariśreṣṭhadattamasyaabhayammayā ||
vibhīṣaṇovāsugrīvayadivārāvaṇaḥsvayam |

Translation:

“O, Sugreeva, the chief of monkeys! Let him either be Vibhishana or even Ravana himself; I have given an assurance of safety to him. Bring him here.”

Lord Rama said all brothers are not like Bharata, son should be like Me and an ideal friend should be like Sugriva.

Lord Rama could give his decision at once. But he never did so till Sugriva agreed.

He could have gone Himself but he delegated this duty to the senior most ally. Vibhishan soon lands on the ground and paid obeisances to lord Rama.

Valmiki Ramayan, Yuddha Kanda, 6.19.5:

parityaktāmayālaṃkāmitrāṇi ca dhanāni ca ||
bhavadgatam hi me rājyam ca jīvitam ca sukhāni ca |

Translation:

“Abandoning Lanka, friends and possessions, I place my kingdom, life and happiness at your disposal.”

He introduced himself as Ravana’s brother. He was insulted by Ravan. So, he had come with his wealth and friends to surrender to Lord Rama.

Valmiki Ramayan, Yuddha Kanda, 6.19.6-7:

tasyatadvacanamśrutvārāmovacanamabravīt ||
vacasāsāntvayitvainamlocanābhyāmpibanniva |
ākhyāhi mama tatvenarākṣasānāmbalābalam ||

Translation:

Hearing those words of Vibhishana, Rama in a soothing tone and with a refreshing look in his eyes, spoke these words: “Tell me really the strengths and weaknesses of the demons.”

Hearing this Lord Rama was so overwhelmed with love for Vibhishana. Vibhishan now tells lord Rama about all his friends and allies and defeats of Ravana. Lord Rama assures Vibhishana that He will soon kill Ravana and make him the king of lanka. Unless He kills Ravana, Rama will be return to Ayodhya. Ravana could not be saved from me.

Valmiki Ramayan, Yuddha Kanda, 6.19.21:

ahatvārāvaṇamsamkhyesaputrajanabāndhavam |
ayodhyāmnapravekṣyāmitribhistairbhratṛbhiḥśapeḥ ||

Translation:

“I will not enter Ayodhya without killing Ravana together with his sons, companions and relatives in battle. I take oath on my three brothers.”

Hearing this Vibhishan again paid obeisances to lord Rama. He assures Rama that he will be with lord Rama until the end of the war. So,Ramayan depicts the mood of surrender of a devotee towards the Lord.

When Hanuman went in search of Mother Sita, after returning he told that in Lanka, there was a mother Tulasi, diety of Lord Rama in the palace of Vibhishana and Mangala aarti. Hanuman was surprised to see all this happening in a demon’s kingdom. So,this was Vibhishana’s palace. He also saw lord Rama names on the walls. Then, he saw Vibhishana praying to lord Rama.

Once Ravan saw this written on his walls. He drew his sword to kill Vibhishan. But Vibhishana cleverly said that RAMA was an abbreviation of Ra- Ravan and ma –Mandodari. This way Vibhishan was saved due to his presence of mind.

We sometimes hide ourselves anarthas. Our enemy is lust. So, one must identify this enemy. We must not hide them. Treat them like our enemy openly.

 

BG 3.39:

āvṛtaṁjñānametena
jñāninonitya-vairiṇā
kāma-rūpeṇakaunteya
duṣpūreṇānalena ca

Translation:

Thus, the wise living entity’s pure consciousness becomes covered by his eternal enemy in the form of lust, which is never satisfied and which burns like fire.

Vibhishana now took complete shelter of lord Rama and was ready to serve lord Rama. In this way, one’s enemy lust can be killed.

 BG 7.14:

daivīhyeṣāguṇa-mayī
mama māyāduratyayā
māmeva ye prapadyante
māyāmetāṁtarantite

Translation:

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

Rama is more anxious to meet us. Even before Vibhishana’s landing, lord Rama was ready to welcome him.

Valmiki Ramayan Yuddha kanda, 6.18.33:

sakṛdevaprapannāyatavaasmiiti ca yācate ||
abhayamsarvabhūtebhyodadāmietadvratam mama |

Translation:

“He who seeks refuge in me just once, telling me that �I am yours’, I shall give him assurance of safety against all types of beings. This is my solemn pledge”

There will not be any fear then. Some can say that Ravan is still the king of Lanka, the seat is not vacant yet. Nevertheless, lord Rama promised Vibhishana to become the king. This is the peer uttering the holy name of Rama even once. This is the mercy of lord Rama. He always keeps Him words. A devotee has to just surrender Him.

Jai Sri Ram!

 




Teachings from Ramayana 18th April 2024

18 April 2024
Speaker: HG Parthasarthi Prabhu
Theme: Teachings from Ramayana

Hare Krishna!

Today we will discuss 25 teachings from the life of  Śrī Rāma. We will be having the very first Bhāgavatam class today in new Rohini Temple by the mercy of Guru and Gaurānga. Let’s pray to Śrī Rāma to appear inside our hearts in the form of His holy name.

śrīrāma chandra charaṇau manasā smarāmi
śrīrāma chandra charaṇau vachasā gṛhṇāmi ।
śrīrāma chandra charaṇau śirasā namāmi
śrīrāma chandra charaṇau śaraṇaṃ prapadyē ॥

Translation

The two feet of Rama, I remember them in my mind, I praise them by my speech, I bow to them by my head I take resort in them (Text 29, Rama Raksha Stotra)

lōkābhirāmaṃ raṇaraṅgadhīraṃ
rājīvanētraṃ raghuvaṃśanātham ।
kāruṇyarūpaṃ karuṇākaraṃ taṃ
śrīrāmachandraṃ śaraṇyaṃ prapadyē ॥

Translation

I take refuge in that Rama who is quite pleasing to the sight, the master of the stage of war, lotus-eyed, lord of the Raghu race and compassion- personified. (Text 32, Rama Raksha Stotra)

rāmāya rāmabhadrāya rāmachandrāya vēdhasē ।
raghunāthāya nāthāya sītāyāḥ patayē namaḥ ॥

 Translation

I salute that Rama who is benevolent and cool as moon, and who is the lord of Sita and the master guardian of all. (Text 27, Rama Raksha Stotra)

We should always remember the Lord. When we chant in the association of devotees, the Lord manifests before us.

Theme: The meaning of Rāma

Śrīla Prabhupāda explains, there are 4 Rāma in the Hare Krsna mahāmantra.

Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare – Hare Rāma Hare Rāma Rāma Rāma Hare Hare

Rāma who are Balrāma, Parashurāma or Śrī Rāma.

Śrī Jayadeva Goswāmī also explains in Gita Govinda,

kshatriya-rudhira-maye jagad-apagata-papam
snapayasi payasi samita-bhava-tapam
kesava dhrita-bhrigupati-rupa jaya jagadisa hare

Translation

0 Kesava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of Bhrigupati [Parasurama]! All glories to You! At Kurukshetra You bathe the earth in the rivers of blood from the bodies of the demoniac kshatriyas that You have slain. The sins of the world are washed away by You, and because of You people are relieved from the blazing fire of material existence. (Text 6, Sri Dasavtar Stotra)

vitarasi dikshu rane dik-pati-kamaniyam
dasa-mukha-mauli-balim ramaniyam
kesava dhrita-rama-sarira jaya jagadisa hare

Translation

0 Kesava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of Ramacandra! All glories to You! In the battle of Lanka You destroy the ten-headed demon Ravana and distribute his heads as a delightful offering to the presiding deities of the ten directions, headed by Indra. This action was long desired by all of them, who were much harassed by this monster. (Text 7, Sri Dasavtar Stotra)

vahasi vapushi visade vasanam jaladabham
hala-hati-bhiti-milita-yamunabham
kesava dhrita-haladhara-rupa jaya jagadisa hare

Translation

0 Kesava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of Balarama, the wielder of the plow! All glories to You! On Your brilliant white body You wear garments the color of a fresh blue rain cloud. These garments are colored like the beautiful

dark hue of the River Yamuna, who feels great fear due to the striking of Your plowshare. (Text 8, Sri Dasavtar Stotra)

The Lord comes in the form of Rāma, Balarāma, Nityānanda Rāma, Parashurāma, etc to bestow mercy upon all of us. Prabhupāda explains, in Hare Krsna mahāmantra, Hare means Radharani, Krsna means the all attractive Śrī Krsna and Rāma means the source of bliss. When we chant the holy name, we pray Them all to engage us in Their service. This is how we pray and call the Lord.

Caitanya Caritāmrta explains the meaning of the name Rāma.

ramante yogino ’nante
satyānande cid-ātmani
iti rāma-padenāsau
paraṁ brahmābhidhīyate

Translation

‘The Supreme Absolute Truth is called Rāma because the transcendentalists take pleasure in the unlimited true pleasure of spiritual existence.’ (CC Madhya 9.29)

The yogīs always try to take pleasure from the name of the Lord since eternity. They try to understand the meaning of the name Rāma. But we can easily understand the meaning of Rāma by the mercy of a spiritual master, vaiśnavas, Śrīmad Bhāgavatam and Bhagavad Gītā. Rāma means the source of eternal transcendental bliss. When we chant, we call Rāma to engage us in His service so we can get the transcendental bliss from Him who is the source of bliss.

Rāma where R is responsiblity and renunciation, we have renounce something, be it house or other things to take responsibility; A is authorised and authentic, means the name of Rāma is true. People have to accept this fact. The Lord Himself comes to establish this authority; M is margadarshan (guidance). He comes to guide us through His pastimes, words, mercy and His devotees; A is austerity or adversity, we have to do some penances and austerities to get Lord’s mercy.

Shaanta-Aakaaram Bhujaga-Shayanam Padma-Naabham Sura-Iisham
Vishva-Aadhaaram Gagana-Sadrsham Megha-Varnna Shubha-Anggam|
Lakssmii-Kaantam Kamala-Nayanam Yogibhir-Dhyaana-Gamyam
Vande Vissnnum Bhava-Bhaya-Haram Sarva-Loka-Eka-Naatham ||

Translation

(Salutations to Sri Vishnu) Who has a Serene Appearance, Who Rests on a Serpent (Adisesha), Who has 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. (Vishnu Stuti, Shuklambara Dharam)

We can sustain our body, our house or our locality at large but the supreme Lord sustains the universe. Such a Lord is Śrī Rāma. Yesterday was Rāma Navamī, Lakshman Navamī, Bharat Navamī and Shatrughan Navamī. Like the whole Ayodhya vāsīs were happy on their appearance, similarly we should also be happy and say, “Jai Śrī Rāma! Jai Śrī Rāma!” Everything about Him is mentioned in scriptures. We have to have faith on it. Once a sannyāsi vaiśnava said, “Dashratha (Śrī Rāma’s father), whose chariot goes to Dasha means ten directions. Those ten directions are filled with bliss and Kaushalya (Śrī Rāma’s mother), those ten directions are also filled with kushalta means proficience. This both gives birth to total bliss Śrī Rāma. And Ayodhya where they live, is a place which no one can ever defeat.

Theme: 25 teachings from Ramayana

Now Let’s try and understand the 25 teachings from Rāmayana.

  1. Artha Pravritti is necessary along with Anartha Nivritti, removal of unwanted things, when we aim to progress in spiritual life. If we chant the holy name Rāma, then the evil things won’t effect us. The power we get from chanting safeguard us from those things. Prabhupāda says, we should take Maya or material energy seriously along with Krsna. We need to understand Maya and its effects in order to stay away from it. Even Kaikeyi got effected with bad association of Manthra. Therefore we should always be cognizant of what’s good or what not. We can be aware or cognizant by doing nityam bhāgavata sevayā e., by regular serving the vaiśnavās and hearing Bhāgavatam.

naṣṭa-prāyeṣv abhadreṣu
nityaṁ bhāgavata-sevayā
bhagavaty uttama-śloke
bhaktir bhavati naiṣṭhikī

Translation

By regular attendance in classes on the Bhāgavatam and by rendering of service to the pure devotee, all that is troublesome to the heart is almost completely destroyed, and loving service unto the Personality of Godhead, who is praised with transcendental songs, is established as an irrevocable fact. (ŚB 1.2.18)

We should chant everyday in order to defeat Maya. We should only hear the holy name and pastimes of the Lord instead of material gossip to keep the obstacles and  evil things away from us.

  1. Attachment towards devotional service, not towards title. This way evil things always stay away from us. Śrī Rāma was always dedicated towards serving. When Dasharatha asked Him to go to exile, He said that He would have gone if only a servant had asked Him to. This was His attitude towards serving. He was about to get state consecration or coronation but He was never attached to the title. As soon as He got the orders from His father, He accepted and went to the forest. That is why He was an ideal son, husband and a father. Hence, we should be attached towards serving the Lord, spiritual master and vaiśnavas in order to progress in spiritual life and remove unwanted things or anartha nivritti. This will cleanse our heart which is the aim of life. Then we will be able to understand the Lord and His pastimes.
  2. The sages once called Śrī Rāma to kill the demons who were creating obstacles in their devotional services. Hence, our heart gets purified only by chanting the name of Śrī Rāma and our mode of ignorance gets vanished.
  3. We should accept all types of difficulties. If our motive is Krsna conscious, then our desires will be less and we won’t be shocked by what comes next. Like Śrī Rāma had never thought of going to exile but He was always ready to face any austerity or challenge. Similarly, we also need to face the challenges in life. We should make the challenges into chances, adversities into opportunities.

ugram viram maha-vishnum
jvalantam sarvato mukham
nrisimham bhishanam bhadram
mrityur mrityum namamy aham

Translation

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

Devotees overcome even death and reach the

abode of the Lord. So we should turn the challenges into chances then we make gradual progress. We are able to perform activities due to the force of gravity. If gravity would not be there, we were unable to do anything and just would have been flying. So we must face challenges, austerities and difficulties in order to progress.

  1. Rāma means ārāma, who gives us comfort and who makes us understand things. But we want Rāma, not ārāma. If we want comfort, then we won’t get Rāma.

 

  1. We should be alert and vigilant in order to make progress in spiritual life just like the policemen are always alert. Maya attacks every moment so we should be alert every moment. That’s why it’s necessary for us to be alert and vigilant in order to understand the Lord and His pastimes. The one who sleeps, loses. Therefore, we must engage ourselves in devotional services

right from the early morning. Lord Rama was always alert. Laxmana never slept for 14 years as he was always ready for the Lord’s service.

  1. Correct one’s own mistake. If any one points out that we need to correct this or that in ourselves, then we should do that. We should always correct ourselves in order to get us saved from the material entanglement. This is possible through devotee association. Just like when a doctor gives an injection to a child, he thinks that the doctors and parents are his enemy but no, they are curing him. Parents also scold children to reform them. That’s why we should take the criticism from a devotee in a positive way and correct our mistakes which is the base for our spiritual development.

 

  1. One pointed goal should be to please the Lord.

Like Bharat Maharaj, younger brother of Śrī Rāma, who always wanted to serve Lord Rāma. He kept the lotus footwear of Lord Rāma on the throne of Ayodhya and served His footwear. This human life is for pleasing the Lord, spiritual master and vaiśnavās, not for proving or gaining fame. The Lord bestows mercy on them who try to please the Lord by performing devotional services.

 

  1. Lord Rāma is the master and we are His servants.

 

bhoktāraṁ yajña-tapasāṁ
sarva-loka-maheśvaram
suhṛdaṁ sarva-bhūtānāṁ
jñātvā māṁ śāntim ṛcchati

Translation

A person in full consciousness of Me, knowing Me to be the ultimate beneficiary of all sacrifices and austerities, the Supreme Lord of all planets and demigods, and the benefactor and well-wisher of all living entities, attains peace from the pangs of material miseries. (BG 5.29)

We should know that we are servants of the Lord to be eternally happy. Bharata maharaj considered  the footwear of Lord Rāma as the king and himself as His servant. We cannot attain devotion by tricks or strength. We need to perform devotional services for that by accepting us as the servants of the Lord.

  1. Bhakti cannot be achieved through cheating propensities. Only showing off does not help. One has to work hard. Like Shurpanakha who disguised herself as a beautiful lady was attacked by Laxmana. So one has to be careful of pretence otherwise we will be trapped. We have to overcome this cheating by hearing and reading the scriptures. As Bhakti cannot be achieved through cheating or strength but it can be achieved through the mercy of the Lord. So when Surpanakha came to cheat, Lakshman slashed her nose as He is adi guru. Similarly, the spiritual master also cuts off the nose of pride as they are the representative of Lakshman, Balarāma or Nityānanda Prabhu.

 

  1. A spiritual master is the representative of Lakshman or Nityānanda Prabhu.

 

  1. Maya makes a trap for us but one has to slash this trap with the sword of knowledge because we must be attracted towards the all attractive Krsna or Rāma, not towards Maya. If one doesn’t keep patience then one will become a patient. We should not only hear but also adhere to such hearing in order to save us from getting trapped.

 

  1. Maya knows our shortcomings. So she will always try to trap us. Sita maiya, Lakshman all were tested. But they weren’t trapped because they had knowledge that we should not be attracted to the material world. Similarly, we should also be knowledgeable so Maya can’t trap us.

 

  1. Always stand for truth. Like Jatayu sacrificed his life for truthfulness. He cut his wings m, sacrificed his life to serve Lord Rāma. He might get failed materially but he won in the eyes of the Lord.

Lord Rāma performed the last rites of Jatayu in gratitude, not even His own father Dashratha because Jatayu sacrificed his life to serve the Lord. So truth is always victorious. And Rāma is the only truth.

 

  1. Patience. We should be patient to get the mercy of the Lord.

 

  1. We should be honest. We should not do any pretence or show off as the Lord resides in our hearts so He knows everything.

 

  1. Overcoming obstacles in the path of devotional service. Like Hanuman overcome many obstacles in the service of Śrī Rāma. We should take the shelter of Śrīmati Radharani who is the energy of Krsna to overcome any obstacle. There could be so many impediments on our path of Bhakti but we should pray and remember Radharani that time.

 

  1. Pride always destroys. Ravana was told by Vibhishana, Mandodari but he did not listen to them. It can create a problem for us if we try to make fools understand about the Lord.

 

  1. Everyone should chant the holy name of the Lord. Chanting the holy names of Lord Rāma made the stones Float. Even the squirrel got the Lord’s mercy. So always chant the holy name of the Lord.

 

  1. Pride or attachment can result in loss of mind. Ravana did not leave his pride on the death of his brothers or his own son. Therefore we should be pride free in order to get mercy of the Lord.

 

  1. Hearing about the lord is important to develop love for Krsna. Vibhishan heard about the Lord and developed love for the Lord Rāma. The more we hear about the Lord, the more it cleanses our heart, ceto-darpana-mārjanam.

 

  1. Leaving family, possessions for pleasing the Lord. Like Vibhishana, gopis, Bharat, Bali Maharaj, etc., have left their families for the Lord which is transcendental in the spiritual plane.

 

bhaktiḥ pareśānubhavo viraktir
anyatra caiṣa trika eka-kālaḥ
prapadyamānasya yathāśnataḥ syus
tuṣṭiḥ puṣṭiḥ kṣud-apāyo ’nu-ghāsam

Translation

Devotion, direct experience of the Supreme Lord, and detachment from other things — these three occur simultaneously for one who has taken shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, in the same way that pleasure, nourishment and relief from hunger come simultaneously and increasingly, with each bite, for a person engaged in eating. (ŚB 11.2.42)

 The more we get attached to the Lord, the more we become detached from the material world.

  1. We should take advice from the senior devotees in case of any trouble on the path of devotional service. Like Lord Rāma took advice of Vibhishana to kill Ravana.

 

  1. Kill the demons within by hearing the holy names. There are six enemies of mind i.e., lust, anger, greed, ego, attachment and jealousy. We can only destroy these enemies by the mercy of the vaiśnavas and by hearing from them about the Lord.

 

  1. Light the lamp of knowledge in the heart. Then it’s all bliss everywhere.

 

So it’s important to contemplate on Lord Rāma’s teachings and chant nicely.

Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare – Hare Rāma Hare Rāma Rāma Rāma Hare Hare

Hare Krishna!

 

 




Vyas Puja Celebration of H. H. Jayapataka Swami Maharaja 19th April 2024

JapaTalk :19 April, 2024
Speaker: H. H. Lokanath Swami Maharaj

Theme:Vyas Puja Celebration of H. H. Jayapataka Swami Maharaj

Sub Theme: Introduction

Jai Sri Ram!

All glories to H. H. Jaipataka Swami Maharaj!!
Hari Hari!!

All glories to Ram Navami Mahotsava!!

We recently celebrated Ram Navami. Lord Rama’s Katha was going on, in this forum, or in this zoom temple – I was not getting an opportunity to speak. I had thought – I would – speak about PrabhuRamchandra to you today. Today I am giving – a Japa Talk on ekadashi. Today – is the Vyas Puja – Mahotsava of H. H. Jayapataka Swami Maharaj. Maharaj is personally arriving at ISKCON Noida and his Vyas Puja will be celebrated during the day. I was thinking, it is very difficult – but I should glorify Lord Rama a bit. Then we will – briefly glorify H. H. Jayapataka Swami Maharaj. I would like to do it. I was thinking – we can celebrate the Vyas Puja – of H. H. Jayapataka Swami Maharaj on our Zoom temple. I will tell in brief about him and some devotees from amongst you can express or offer your tribute – in a few words.

Will you like to do it?

Okay, many devotees have raised their hands and have expressed their desire. I do not know – how many of you will speak. We all have a desire but time constraits are also there.

Theme: Glorification of Lord Rama

Lord Sri Krsna is Lila Purushottam and Lord Rama is MaryadaPurushottam and Sri Krsna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is PremaPurushottam. Hari Hari!!

Ram appeared on –Ram Navmi. Lord Krsna appeared on the Ashtami day.

All glories to Ashtami Mahotsava!!

Lord Rama appeared earlier. Lord Rama was born in the generation of Surya Vansam. The Sun rules, during the day. Day time is also known as Dinesh. Dinesh is also – one of the names of Lord Sri Rama.

Lord Rama appears during the day time (specifically during the noon).

Lord Sri Krsna was born in a great family of Chandravamsa. The moon rules during the night time. Night time is also known as Rajaneesh.

During the minight, when the moon is ruling – Lord Sri Krsna descends.

Hare Krsna!!

Lord Sri Rama – is Lord Sri Krsna. But Lord Sri Rama becomes MaryadaPurushottama. Okay and Lord Sri Krsna becomes Lila Purushottama. Lord Krsna, Lord Rama and Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu are same. This was shown by Lord Sri Krsna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

Theme: Six armed form

When Chaitanya Mahaprabhu – showed his Shad bhuja form (3 in 1 form) to Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya. (It included Prabhu Sri Ram, Sri Krsna and Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu). It is right to mention it as Ramachandra, Krsnachandra and Chaitanyachandra. All these 3 moons in 1 form.

Hari Hari!

Theme:Maha Prakash Lila

Once, Sri Krsna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, gave a special darshan to everybody. This is known as the Mahaprakash Lila. The devotees who were present at that time, Lord ChaitanyMahaprabhu manifested different forms – as per their relationship with the Lord.

In that one of the –manifested form was of Jai Sri Rama. Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu manifested the beautiful form of Lord Sri Ramachandra to Murari Gupta. Murari Gupta was an associate of the Lord. He was born in Mayapur. They belonged to the same time and were of similar age. Here Sri Krsna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu manifested Himself as Lord Ramachandra for Murari Gupta. Murari – Gupta was Hanuman in Ram lila. Hanuman appeared – in the pastime of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and he became Murari Gupta.

Hari Hari!! Hari Hari!!

What should I tell and not tell.

Hare Krsna!

Okay. I will speak.

Theme: Lord’s activities

paritrāṇāyasādhūnāṁvināśāya ca duṣkṛtām
dharma-saṁsthāpanārthāyasambhavāmiyugeyuge

Translation:

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

Lord Rama appeared in the tretayuga. In the Dvaparyuga – Lord Sri Krsna appeared. Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appeared in Kali-yuga.

Lord Rama – annihilated Ravana and Kumbhakarna. They were the gatekeepers of Vaikuntha – named Jaya and Vijaya who became Ravana and Kumbhakarna.

Lord Ramachandra – did not liberate them. Lord Ramachandra annihilated Ravana and Kumbhakarana but they did not return back to Vaikuntha. Since they – were cursed to be born thrice as demons.

When Lord Krsna appeared, Jaya and Vijaya – who were Ravana and Kumbhakarna in the Lord Ramachandra’s lila became – Dantavakra and Shishupala. They both were annihilated by Lord SriKrsna.

All glories to Lord Sri Krsna!!

Lord was dwarkadhesh at that time. During this lila, Jaya Vijaya had taken birth for the third time and they should have returned to Vaikuntha. They got the news that Lord is about to appear as – Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and he would be the most merciful in this form. Lord Chaitanya was more merciful than Lord Ramachandra and Lord Krsna. Jaya Vijaya instead of returning to Vaikuntha desired to participate in the pastimes of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

They appeared as Jagai and Madhai. Sri Krsna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and NityanandaPrabhu were like Lord Ramachandra and Laxman. They became Lord Krsna and Balarama in Dvaparyuga and during Kali-yuga they appeared as Lord Gauranga and Nityananda. They worked as a team. They reformed Jagai and Madai.

Later, Jay and Vijay– attained their eternal forms and went back to Vaikuntha.

Gaur Premanande Hari HariBol!! Hari Hari!!

RaamaRaamaRaame[a-I]tiRameRaameManorame |
Sahasra-Naama Tat-TulyamRaama-NaamaVara-
[A]anane ||

Translation:

Lord Śiva addressed his wife, Durgā:] ‘O Varānanā, I chant the holy name of Rāma, Rāma, Rāma and thus enjoy this beautiful sound. This holy name of Rāmacandra is equal to one thousand holy names of Lord Viṣṇu. [CC Madhya 9.32]

brahma bole caturmukhakṛṣṇakṛṣṇa hare hare
mahādevapañcamukherāmarāma hare hare

Translation:

Brahma by four heads chanting Krishna Krishna hare hare. 5 headed Shiv chanting ram ram hare hare.

Brahmaji, Shivji and the other 33 crore demigods are devotees of Lord Rama, Lord Kṛṣṇa and Lord Gauranga. All 3 of them appeared in various yugas together with the demigods in the sky and atmosphere.

sūtauvāca

yaṁbrahmāvaruṇendra-rudra-marutaḥstunvantidivyaiḥstavair
vedaiḥsāṅga-pada-kramopaniṣadairgāyantiyaṁsāma-gāḥ
dhyānāvasthita-tad-gatenamanasāpaśyantiyaṁyogino
yasyāntaṁnaviduḥsurāsura-gaṇādevāyatasmainamaḥ

Translation:

SūtaGosvāmī said: Unto that personality whom Brahmā, Varuṇa, Indra, Rudra and the Maruts praise by chanting transcendental hymns and reciting the Vedas with all their corollaries, pada-kramas and Upaniṣads, to whom the chanters of the Sāma Veda always sing, whom the perfected yogīs see within their minds after fixing themselves in trance and absorbing themselves within Him, and whose limit can never be found by any demigod or demon — unto that Supreme Personality of Godhead I offer my humble obeisances. [ŚB 12.13.1]

Theme: Glorifying H. H. Japaypataka Swami Maharaj

The glories of H. H. Jayapataka Swami are infinite and I cannot glorify him adequately with my single mouth. I cannot glorify him within the limited time. Please help me. In sometime, some devotees can glorify Maharaji.

Please raise your hands.

I am grateful to SrilaPrabhupada for giving me a god brother like JayapatakaMaharaj. Hari Hari!! He is one of the favorite disciples of SrilaPrabhupada. He is dear to me as well.

Of course, we are a part of the same ISKCON family. He was given the name Jayapataka which means a flag of victory. SrilaPrabhupada gave him sanyasa initiation at the age of 20. He was a lover of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s holy names since the beginning. He was fond of performing kirtans very loudly. He was born in Canada. He joined ISKCON there. He would chant Hari Naam loudly within the temple and outside. Due to this, the neighbors would complain. Well who is this causing disturbance?

SrilaPrabhupada thought about it and told him – “I will send you to such a place where you can call the holy names loudly and noone will complain against you. SrilaPrabhupada sent – H. H. Jayapataka Swami Maharaj to Mayapur and further told him that “I am giving you Mayapurdham, please develop it.”

The headquarters of ISKCON is at Mayapur. H. H. Jayapataka Swami Maharaj made Mayapur his own headquarters and he is busy since the past 50 years. He is connecting the entire world to Krṣṇa Conscious. He has contributed to the development of Mayapur and TOVP at Mayapur and has taken up many other responsibilities.

Hari! Due to some ill luck he faced many health issues. In the year 2008 – his health deteriorated. You all must be aware of it. But H. H. JayapatakaMaharaj is unstoppable. When we get some fever or headache or stomach ache we take sick leave or go on a vacation. Giving such excuses, we leave or stop our regular seva. Surely, H. H. Jayapataka Swami is only one – in ISKCON globally. In such health conditions, he does his seva and follows the instructions of SrilaPrabhupada – he did not withdraw or fall back.

Hari Hari!! He likes devotees and his god brothers. He loves them a lot. He loves each of you and also his own disciples. Today is the Vyas Puja of H. H. Jayapataka Swami Maharaj. I do not know, whether you are aware of it, since the last 20 days, Maharaji was hospitalised. 15 days in the ICU and since the last 5 days, he has been shifted to a special ward. Not in ICU. In such a condition also, he is going out of his way. He had a desire to be at Mayapur today – in the association of his followers and friends – to celebrate his birthday / Vyas Puja. Since, the doctor’s advised him not to travel. He desired to celebrate his Vyas Puja today at Mayapurwith his disciples, godbrothers and godsisters. This is a symbol or symptom of his love towards them. As it was not possible, since the doctors did not give him permission, he is still going out of the hospital to ISKCON NCR temple, he selected Sri SriRadhaGovideva ISKCON Noida to celebrate the Vyas Puja today. This is his causeless mercy and grace.

Any body from you can say a few words. We have 10 more minutes more. We can accommodate 2 or 3 devotees. OK who is going first.

Shyamalangi are you there. Those who are acquainted and influenced by Maharaji can share a few words now.

  1. G. ShyamalangiMtji – My best wishes to Maharaji on his Vyas Puja. He has come to Dubai many times. I have got his personal association many times and have served him. In 2006, I had visited Mayapur with a friend of mine who is a close disciple of Maharaji to attend his Vyas Puja. Maharaji told me “I am your spiritual uncle”. I told him “Yes Maharaji you are my spiritual uncle.” He had come to my house when we were staying at Sharjah. He had come directly from the airport. We served him lime juice at that time. He blessed both our kids, they were very small at that time. I have done cooking seva for him many times. As gurumaharaj mentioned, he travels a lot and loves everybody. Thank you Gurumaharaj. All glories to JayapatakaMaharaj.

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Devotee – I got the opportunity to get his blessing Gurumaharaj at the home of H. G RadhaVallabhi. He had come for – Bal UtsavaMela. A small girl was doing kirtan and Maharaji was on his wheel chair. He was dancing – and later the video got viral.

Shyampriyasi please go ahead. Please unmute yourself.

ShyampriyasiMtji – I met Maharaji at ISKCON Hyderabad two years ago. I wanted to take his darshan since a long time, but it was not possible for me due to some reasons. That day, I got a chance to take his darshan, he was facing some health issues that day. He is so merciful that he came out to give darshan and blessings to the assembled devotees at 8pm. This was my – first personal darshan of Maharaji. Second time, I was fortunate to get his darshan at Vrindavan. When Maharaji was at Prabhupada House and I was also present there. I got to see Maharajivery closely. Maharaji inspires me a lot. My learning from him is that we should not leave Bhakti in any situation. Maharaji is facing so many challenges in his day today life. I am inspired by him to do bhakti. When we face adversities in life we should keep Maharaji in our mind- as an example and not give any excuses in the performance of our devotional service. He is my inspiration.

  1. G. RadhaVallabhiMtji – I would like to congratulate H. H. Jayapataka Swami Maharaj on the ocassion of his Vyas Puja. I wish him good health so that he continues his devotional service soon. Gurumaharaj, when we were celebrating your 50th Vyas Puja, which was attended by many of your god brother and god sisters. There was a feeling in my mind, that H. H. JayapatakaMaharaj is not present. When we were taking breakfast the next day – a mataji told us that H. H. JayapatakaMaharaj is in Vrindavan. We desired to see him. Next day, being ekadashi we visited Vrindavan I saw a car approaching the temple, I thought it was you, so I went running towards it to offer my obessainces. In the car it was JayapatakaSwami Maharaj. Devotees took him from the car, directly into the temple. To bless us and give us darshan he turned behind. This was a good experience. We got your darshanalongwith the darshan of your god brothers and god sisters and H. H. JayapatakaSwami Maharaj also. Though JayapatakaSwami Maharaj is not keeping good health but he has not reduced his daily seva. If you turn on – Mayapur TV they will tell you – Maharaji has done so much of book distribution and other seva.

Devotee – When I had visited – Mumbai just 2 months back, Jayapataka Swami Maharaj had come there for the installation of the lotus feet of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. I observed that Maharaji had waited for such a long time inspite of not keeping good health. After 9.00pm, when the temple was closed – there was a class by Maharaji for foreign devotees. When I heard about it, I thought Maharaji is expanding himself so much. We are so fit but still we cannot do seva. Maharaji is having so many bodily ailments but still he is engaged in a lots of seva. Like Gurumaharaj mentioned just now, Maharajshree is unstoppable. When we face bodily challenges, Maharajshree is an inspiration for us.

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Devotee – I met Jayapataka Swami Maharaj in 2017 at Delhi ISKCON temple for the first time. There was a kirtan going on to welcomeMaharajshree. On hearing our kirtan, Maharajshree – tried a lot to dance after getting down from the car. Seeing him, we could understand even though we were young we could not dance like him. I got to serve Maharajshree by making him wear his shoes.

Devotee – Gurumaharaj, two months back in the month of February, we visited ISKCON Juhu. We got darshan of Maharajshree for the first time. We were going towards the temple hall and Maharajshree was boarding the lift. He lifted his hands and blessed us. I felt nice, as he blessed us with the tooth brush of Jagannathji on our head. I felt blissful.

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Devotee – We have recently shifted to Mayapurdham. I donot know much about Jayapataka Swami Maharaj. After shifting to Sridham Mayapur we – came to know a lot in the association of devotees. Maharajshree is so glorious. Inspite of his poor health, whenever he is in Mayapurdham– he gives a class on Chaitanya Charitamrita in the evening on his roof terrace, everyday without fail. Sometimes, he is not well, still he gives a lecture of 1 hour and after class he requests the devotees to ask questions. His servants type the message as “please donot ask any questions”– and it gets displayed on the screen infront of us. Maharajshree is very tired, please let him take rest and Maharajshree would request his servants “please do not write anything. Let them speak. Let them ask questions”. It is our good fortune that we get Maharajshree’sassociation and darshan. I want to add one more pastime of Maharaji. Once a very senior devotee was telling us that once Maharaji had come to take the darshan of PanchaTattva and Narsimha deva. He was taking darshan while sitting on his wheel chair.

Devotee- I got an opportunity when H. H. Jayapataka Swami Maharaj came to Bangalore. After he fell sick it was very difficult for him to bath. So they requested me for a bathroom stool. Usually you get it in a standard size. But for his personality it was difficult to get for his size. I took his secretary to the shopping mall, fortunately, we got two sets of bathroom stool. Maharaji and his secretary were so happy – the secretary told that this is the perfect size we will take it. They took the stool with them. This is how I got an opportunity to serve Maharaji.

Devotee- I am a disciple of H. H. Jayapataka Swami Maharaj. Due to his blessings, I got initiated from him in the year 2022 at Patna. I got to see him, you and many of his god brothers. Due to his blessings I got initiated. I was aspiring to be initiated – from him since the last 2 years. I got his blessings, I feel myself to be the most fortunate. We wanted to go to Vrindavan, to take his darshan since he was not keeping good health we could not get his darshan. After getting initiation I did not an opportunity to attend his Vyas Puja. Maharaji, due to your causeless mercy, we got an opportunity to serve by glorifying our beloved Gurumaharaj on his Vyas Puja. Maharaji if you allow, I would like to speak a few words for my Gurumaharaj. Thanks Maharaji.

==================================================================So we have to stop here now.

All glories to RadhaGovindadevji.

Shringardarshan is going to open now. Please hear the live – Vyas Puja of H. H. Jayapataka Swami Maharaj.




How to control the mind 21st April 2024

21 April 2024 
How to control the mind
Speaker: HG Harikirtan prabhu

It’s a great opportunity to serve all of you. Today’s topic is Mind. Still mind troubles us. So when we chant and join zoom daily with Guru Maharaj, who is our trainer and he teaches us the do’s and dont’s of chanting and in that way control our mind.

Srila Prabhupada says the best way to control our mind is to engage it in Krsna consciousness. It’s our great fortune because we are practicing Bhakti yoga. Srila Prabhupada calls it devotional service, by this we can always remember the Lord.

mana eva manushyanam
karanam bandha-mokshayoh
bandhaya visayasango
muktyai nirvisayam manah (Amrita-bindu Upanishad 2)

Translation: For man, mind is the cause of bondage and mind is the cause of liberation. Mind absorbed in sense objects is the cause of bondage, and mind detached from the sense objects is the cause of liberation.

uddhared ātmanātmānaṁ
nātmānam avasādayet
ātmaiva hy ātmano bandhur
ātmaiva ripur ātmanaḥ (BG 6.5)

Translation: One must deliver himself with the help of his mind, and not degrade himself. The mind is the friend of the conditioned soul, and his enemy as well.

As much as we did sense gratification, we got entangled more and more.

ye hi saṁsparśa-jā bhogā
duḥkha-yonaya eva te
ādy-antavantaḥ kaunteya
na teṣu ramate budhaḥ (BG 5.22)

Translation: An intelligent person does not take part in the sources of misery, which are due to contact with the material senses. O son of Kuntī, such pleasures have a beginning and an end, and so the wise man does not delight in them.

It’s very important to understand that we are struggling with this mind. If we do sort analysis of our opponent then we can win over our opponent.

And our biggest opponent is the mind. You all are devotees when alarm rings we snooze it then after some time, it rings again we snooze it, if I do it 3 times then the mind gets the idea. It is throwing googly to us and we are clean bolt. Then if this mind keeps throwing us googly then can we hit 6s and 4s on it.

So we need to hit back the mind on its first shot. So it will not trouble us again. One devotee in temple used to chant daily, I asked him the reason he said that I can chant nicely in the morning without getting affected by the googlies of the mind so I can hit 6s on the first googly of mind.

You must have heard about Avanti brahman, he was very miser. His wife and children left him, the people troubled him a lot then he became self realized.

dvija uvāca
nāyaṁ jano me sukha-duḥkha-hetur
na devatātmā graha-karma-kālāḥ
manaḥ paraṁ kāraṇam āmananti
saṁsāra-cakraṁ parivartayed yat (SB 11.23.42)

Translation: The brāhmaṇa said: These people are not the cause of my happiness and distress. Neither are the demigods, my own body, the planets, my past work, or time. Rather, it is the mind alone that causes happiness and distress and perpetuates the rotation of material life.

We keep thinking that the people are the reason of our sadness, but our mind is the only culprit.

yaṁ yaṁ vāpi smaran bhāvaṁ
tyajaty ante kalevaram
taṁ tam evaiti kaunteya
sadā tad-bhāva-bhāvitaḥ (BG 8.6)

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

That’s the reason we are celebrating our birthdays again and again. Birthdays are the indication that we failed in the exam.

mano guṇān vai sṛjate balīyas
tataś ca karmāṇi vilakṣaṇāni
śuklāni kṛṣṇāny atha lohitāni
tebhyaḥ sa-varṇāḥ sṛtayo bhavanti (SB 11.23.43)

Translation: The powerful mind actuates the functions of the material modes, from which evolve the different kinds of material activities in the modes of goodness, ignorance and passion. From the activities in each of these modes develop the corresponding statuses of life.

Mind can create hell into heaven or heaven into hell.

uddhared ātmanātmānaṁ 
nātmānam avasādayet
ātmaiva hy ātmano bandhur
ātmaiva ripur ātmanaḥ (BG 6.5)

Translation: One must deliver himself with the help of his mind, and not degrade himself. The mind is the friend of the conditioned soul, and his enemy as well.

Once a man was sitting with his friends and his wife came and started shouting at him, but he was calm. Then the wife thought he was not affected so she brought a bucket of water and threw at him. The husband was still calm, so he made hell into heaven and another example of a girl who could not get good marks in the exam so she committed suicide.

So mind can be our best friend or enemy. If we control our mind then we come very close to the Lord.

mayy eva mana ādhatsva
mayi buddhiṁ niveśaya
nivasiṣyasi mayy eva
ata ūrdhvaṁ na saṁśayaḥ (BG 12.8)

Translation: Just fix your mind upon Me, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and engage all your intelligence in Me. Thus you will live in Me always, without a doubt.

Our devotee in Mumbai, Anandavrindavan prabhu invested and he took the shelter of Bhakti Rasamrita Maharaja and he could deal with the matter. So any issue in life like marriage of children or any health problem he took the shelter of a higher authority and definitely he could take the right decision. He is counting on the will of senior vaishnavas.

So in our life, we face many problems like I took care of my two daughters alone. My wife had left this world and then one day they will also leave us. Then who will stay with me. We start crying and fell disturbed so this opponent our mind is trying to trouble us. So I sat in room and started dialogue with the mind, this needs strong convection with our spiritual master, this mind is taking our test.

The mind is playing tag of war with us. Immediately I started thinking oh my Gurudev is with me, I have to serve him. My daughters were given to me and I’m just a care taker so they have to fly now.

And by Gurudev’s mercy in 15 minutes, I could come out of the situation. We need to win over our mind and again we can be stable. We also face problems during the exams of children. The children become negative.

Once my daughter had final exam and she started crying in the night and was saying, I cannot give tomorrows exam, I can’t study. Then I consoled her and gave her water. I asked her, did you face such situation in life. She said, yes papa during my intermediate exams and that time also I gave the exam and passed. So this mind is playing with you. Win over it, believe me you will come out of the exam hall smiling. This ten minutes of positive counselling changed the situation.

Mind says you are useless just leave this body. Life is useless. Such situations come in life but we have to overcome such situations by the mercy of spiritual master and our sadhana. We cant find the solutions.

Once sector 18 project was going on and I was coming from Jammu in flight. I could see the big buildings. This is the matter of altitude but attitude comes. Sometimes because of envy and jealousy we give the chance to our mind to take over us. We should understand that this is our mind and control it.

Hare Krsna.

 




Balrama Rasa Purnima 23rd April 2024

Topic: Balrama Rasa Purnima
Date:  23thApril 2024
Speaker: HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj
HH Lokanath Swami Guru Maharaj:

Gauranga!

Krishna Balrama ki Jai!

om namobhagavatevasudevayanamah

How many Vasudeva are there? You think that only onevasudev is there. But Balrama is also Vasudev because he is also Vasudev’s son. Vasudev should haveideally  8 children but he had 2 sons left and that’s why they are called Vasudev. So, Krishna and Balarama both are Vasudev.

There are many tithis today. Today is ShyamanandPandit’s appearance day, Baldev Rasa Purnima and Chaitra Purnima. Today Balram plays rasa dance. And of course, it happens in Vrindavan but not in Vaikunth, Mathura, Dwarka, Ayodhya. It happens only in Vrindavan. So again it is a matter of ignorance, we think that only Krishna plays Rasa dance but Balram also plays it.

Śrī brahma-saṁhitā 5.33

advaitamacyutamanādimananta-rūpam
ādyaṁpurāṇa-puruṣaṁnava-yauvanaṁ ca
vedeṣudurlabhamadurlabhamātma-bhaktau
govindamādi-puruṣaṁ tam ahaṁbhajāmi

Translation

I worship Govinda, the primeval Lord, who is inaccessible to the Vedas, but obtainable by pure unalloyed devotion of the soul, who is without a second, who is not subject to decay, is without a beginning, whose form is endless, who is the beginning, and the eternal puruṣa; yet He is a person possessing the beauty of blooming youth.

kesavadhrita-sukara-rupajayajagadisa hare(Text 3)
(Sri Dasavatara-stotraby Jayadeva Gosvami)

Translation

0 Kesava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of a boar!

Krishna hasmany forms-Rama, Narhari etc.

kesavadhrita-haladhara-rupajayajagadisa hare (Text 8)

Translation

0 Kesava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of the wielder of
the plow!

In these forms,only  Balaram is a form who plays rasa dance with gopisand is competent to do so. And other forms have one Laxmi or Alahadnishakti.

 

Śrī brahma-saṁhitā 5.29

cintāmaṇi-prakara-sadmasukalpa-vṛkṣa-
lakṣāvṛteṣusurabhīrabhipālayantam
lakṣmī-sahasra-śata-sambhrama-sevyamānaṁ
govindamādi-puruṣaṁ tam ahaṁbhajāmi

Translation

I worship Govinda, the primeval Lord, the first progenitor who is tending the cows, yielding all desire, in abodes built with spiritual gems, surrounded by millions of purpose trees, always served with great reverence and affection by hundreds of thousands of lakṣmīs or gopīs.

But Govinda adipurush has lakhs of Laxmis, similarly Balrama also has many crores of gopis who are ready to serve Balram and plays rasa lila with him. So today is the day- Chaitra Purnima. Since this is Vasant season so it isalso  called asVasant Rasa as well. We are aware of Sharad Purnima where Krsna’s rasa is known. Balrama appeared on Purnima and Krsna appeared on Astami. Balram plays rasa lila today in Vrindavan today on Chaitra Purnima. This description of rasa lila is vividly done in five chapters- Rasa panchadhayay Krsna

SB 10.65- Sukadeva Goswami describes Balaram’s Vrindavan visit and mentions about his rasa dance.

Uddhaumohibrajbisaratnahi- by Surdas

So Krsna says to Uddhav in Mathura  that I cannot forget Vrindavan and the Vrajvasis .I cannot go to Vrindavan but you can go and take my message to them. Please pacify the gopis. Krsna and Balrama have now left Mathura, as they depart from Vrindavan:

SoduniyaGopinna Krishna Mathuresi Gela

You all listen to this. The demons came here. I have to cut it short to narrate Balrama’s Rasa pastimes.When Akura came, he took them to Mathura. So when he was departing from Vraja, so Krishna and Balarama said that they will come soon but  spenteighteen  years in Mathura and then went to Dwaraka and they spent so many years there and in Vrajaeveryday theVrajavasis waited for them. When will they return.So letters were exchanged between them and postman used to bring letters for Vraj vasis. They also wrote their hearts out in letters and everytime when they used to hear the messages from Krishna, they used to be very eager to listen to it. SoKrishna and Balrama have many responsibilities and Krishna had 16108 marriages and each had 10 sons. Dwarikadeesh is now the king and in Vrindavan he used to take care of the cows but now he is looking after the residents of Dwaraka as well. Now he is very busy, both of them and Dwarakavasis don’t let them go. When they go, then they will never came back. So Krsna sends Balarama from Dwaraka to Vrindavan and Dwarakavasis are ok with that. They believed that he will come back because Krsna is here. He cannot stay without Krishna.

ŚB 10.65.1

śrī-śukauvāca
balabhadraḥ kuru-śreṣṭha
bhagavānrathamāsthitaḥ
suhṛd-didṛkṣurutkaṇṭhaḥ
prayayaunanda-gokulam

Translation

Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: O best of the Kurus, once Lord Balarāma, eager to visit His well-wishing friends, mounted His chariot and traveled to Nanda Gokula.

Suka goswami tells Parskshit Maharaj that Balrama who is God is sitting on his chariot and going to Vrindavan to meet their well wishers and he is very excited to go. Vrajvasis were also excited to him. Vrindavan dham ki jai. So, he reaches Vrindavan. Hari Hari. Now what should we fallen souls can think of both of their excitement to meet each other after fifty-sixty years.

We know that Rama, Laxman and Sita came back after 14 years of exile,  they reached Ayodhya so at that time both of the parties were excited to meet and when they came down the Pushpak Viman andall  mothers , Bharat and Shatughan  they welcomed them and it was like a grand meetup. Vraj vasis had more VirahaBhaav than them. Their love for Krishna and Balrama cannot be compared with Ayodhya vasis or Vaikunth vasis but as per spiritual point of view they have minute differences. This happedned in Vrindavan. Balramatouches the feet of elderly people in Vraja and meets his friends and hugs them and those who are younger, so they touch Balrama’s feet. So this is Vaishanava etiquette. He meets everyone. So think that they met after so many years and then they ask how are you? So we just say a few lines and ask about relatives, neighbours, wife and children and ask about the business. Balrama asks about everyone and they also ask Balrama. This is possible that Balrama might haveexpanded  and they had one to one conversations with them just like a lightening reaches from one point to another. So this is shastric knowledge. So they said

ŚB 10.65.9

gopyohasantyaḥpapracchū
rāma-sandarśanādṛtāḥ
kaccidāstesukhaṁkṛṣṇaḥ
pura-strī-jana-vallabhaḥ

Translation

[ŚukadevaGosvāmī continued:] Honored to have the personal audience of Lord Balarāma, the young gopīs smiled and asked Him, “Is Kṛṣṇa, the darling of the city women, living happily?

ŚB 10.65.10

kaccitsmarativābandhūn
pitaraṁmātaraṁ ca saḥ
apyasaumātaraṁdraṣṭuṁ
sakṛdapyāgamiṣyati
apivāsmarate ’smākam
anusevāṁmahā-bhujaḥ

Translation

“Does He remember His family members, especially His father and mother? Do you think He will ever come back even once to see His mother? And does mighty-armed Kṛṣṇa remember the service we always did for Him?

Balarama now Krsna is surrounded with wives and children does he remember us?

Does he remember his friends, father, mother andgopis? So Balrama brings his message from Krishna and than shares it with each and every friend, gopi, cows, father and mother and he misses all. So this message is for everyone and Balrama pacifies everyone. So this meeting continued for two months.

ŚB 10.65.17

dvaumāsautatracāvātsīn
madhuṁmādhavaṁeva ca
rāmaḥkṣapāsubhagavān
gopīnāṁratimāvahan

Translation

Lord Balarāma, the Personality of Godhead, resided there for the two months of Madhu and Mādhava, and during the nights He gave His cowherd girlfriends conjugal pleasure.

Sofor these two months – Madhu and Madhav or Chaitra and Vaishak Lord Balarama stayed in Vrindavan. And then it is written that every night he used to play Rasa with gopis and today was a mega event. Wehave to understand this that Balrama has his own gopis he cannot play rasa with Krsna’s gopis. He does not play rasa with Srimati Radharani and Balarama has his own gopis and he has Madhurya bhaavand shringar rasa relations with some of the Vrindavan devotees. So today they performed Rasalilatoday on Purnima.

ŚB 10.65.18

pūrṇa-candra-kalā-mṛṣṭe
kaumudī-gandha-vāyunā
yamunopavanereme
sevitestrī-gaṇairvṛtaḥ

Translation

In the company of numerous women, Lord Balarāma enjoyed in a garden by the Yamunā River. This garden was bathed in the rays of the full moon and caressed by breezes bearing the fragrance of night-blooming lotuses.

So mild and cool breezesare flowingand at the banks of Yamuna and he is surrounded by thousand of Gopis about to play rasa dance with them. This happened in Rama Ghat in Vrindavan.

Sri VrajaDhamaMahimamrta  byKrsnadasaKaviraja Goswami

Jai Ram-ghat, Jaya Rohini-nandan
Jai Jai Vrindavan, Basi-jat-jan
(7)

Translation

All glories to Rama-ghata, where Lord Balarama performed His rasa dance. All glories to Lord Balarama, the son of Rohini. All glories, all glories to all of the residents of Vrindavana.

When we go to Vraj Mandal Parikrama for example in Khelan Van, so Vrindavan is famous for ghats- Keshi ghat, Vishram ghat. So Ram ghat is famous and Ram’s darshan is also there and when you see him holding a cup of Varuni and when we reach Rama ghat we see a lot of beehives are on the trees and this is a rare sight to see .He likes Varuni and it makes us remember this. Children show the snake dance there and Balarama’s one form is Anant sesha, which is one of the forms of Balarama and Krishna lies on Balaram. So, children earn some money from that.

ŚB 10.65.19

varuṇa-preṣitādevī
vāruṇīvṛkṣa-koṭarāt
patantī tad vanaṁsarvaṁ
sva-gandhenādhyavāsayat

Translation

Sent by the demigod Varuṇa, the divine vāruṇī liquor flowed from a tree hollow and made the entire forest even more fragrant with its sweet aroma.

Varun deva send Varuni and he made it available for him and when Balarama drinks it,

ŚB 10.65.23

upagīyamāna-carito
vanitābhirhalāyudha
vaneṣuvyacaratkṣīvo
mada-vihvala-locanaḥ

Translation

As His deeds were sung, Lord Halāyudha wandered as if inebriated among the various forests with His girlfriends. His eyes rolled from the effects of the liquor.

Balaramais intoxicated and his eyes are like a drunken man and he performs his rasa dance. The environment is nice, moon is there, and as it begins many demigods come to see this event. As he wanted to start the Rasa dance, so Balaram sees that why is Yamuna not coming here and it should be here. So he thought Yamuna should come near this area so that rasa dance should be done near the bank of Yamuna but Yamuna was doing some delays similarly like the ocean was also delaying at the time of Rama when he wanted to cross the ocean.So just as Rama was angered then Balaram was also angry:

ŚB 10.65.26

pāpetvaṁmāmavajñāya
yan nāyāsimayāhutā
neṣyetvāṁlāṅgalāgreṇa
śatadhākāma-cāriṇīm

Translation

[Lord Balarāma said:] O sinful one disrespecting Me, you do not come when I call you but rather move only by your own whim. There fore with the tip of My plow I shall bring you here in a hundred streams!

So you are not coming according to my desire, now I will show you and he picks up his plough and brings her near him. Before this only Yamuna appears and she said that:

ŚB 10.65.28

rāmarāmamahā-bāho
najānetavavikramam
yasyaikāṁśenavidhṛtā
jagatījagataḥ pate

Translation

[Goddess Yamunā said:] Rāma, Rāma, O mighty-armed one! I know nothing of Your prowess. With a single portion of Yourself  You hold up the earth, O Lord of the universe.

ŚB 10.65.29

paraṁbhāvaṁbhagavato
bhagavanmāmajānatīm
moktumarhasiviśvātman
prapannāṁ bhakta-vatsala

Translation

My Lord, please release me. O soul of the universe, I didn’t understand Your position as the Supreme Godhead, but now I have surrendered unto You, and You are always kind to Your devotees.

I forgot your strength, valour and I am your devotee and I am under your shelter. Please forgive me.So, this is a noteworthy point, Prabhupada disciples have written this, the place where Rama ghat is there, where he got angry and wanted to bring Yamuna. So there the river bed of Yamuna is very broad. It happened in the same place where he performed his pastimes. Yamuna comes to Balarama and whatever description  of Rasa dance is there on Krsna Purnima , a similar description is given here as well, because Balaram is the first expansion of Krsna and then he further expands and Srila Prabhupada writes that he is 98% Krsna. Only colour difference is there- one is black- Ghanshyam other is white- Balrama. Soin  the rasa dance, Jhulan yatra is performed along with water sports.

ŚB 10.65.30

tatovyamuñcadyamunāṁ
yācitobhagavānbalaḥ
vijagāhajalaṁstrībhiḥ
kareṇubhirivebha-rāṭ

Translation

[Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued:] The reupon Lord Balarāma released the Yamunā and, like the king of the elephants with his entourage of she-elephants, entered the river’s water with His female companions.

Balram enters Yamuna with the gopis and just like elephant plays with his female counterparts similarly he plays with them.

ŚB 10.65.31

kāmaṁvihṛtyasalilād
uttīrṇāyāsītāmbare
bhūṣaṇānimahārhāṇi
dadaukāntiḥśubhāṁsrajam

Translation

The Lord played in the water to His full satisfaction, and when He came out Goddess Kānti presented Him with blue garments, precious ornaments and a brilliant necklace.

So Kanti devi after snan gives Balrama a lot of clothes and ornaments. Balram wears blue always and he is called Nilambarand Krishna is called Pitambar. He wears a lot of garlands.

ŚB 10.65.32

vasitvāvāsasīnīle
mālāṁāmucyakāñcanīm
reyesv-alaṅkṛtolipto
māhendraivavāraṇaḥ

Translation

Lord Balarāma dressed Himself in the blue garments and put on the gold necklace. Anointed with fragrances and beautifully adorned, He appeared as resplendent as Indra’s royal elephant.

ŚB 10.65.34

evaṁsarvāniśāyātā
ekevaramatovraje
rāmasyākṣipta-cittasya
mādhuryairvraja-yoṣitām

Translation

Thus for Lord Balarāma all the nights passed like a single night as He enjoyed in Vraja, His mind enchanted by the exquisite charm and beauty of Vraja’s young ladies.

So it is like Sharad Purnima, we think that this rasayatra continued for one night and this night so expanded so much that a lot of nights was combined in one and it kept on going. It continued till one night of Brahma. So these are Achintya things. Balarama has conjugal relationships with his gopis

So in this way he celebrates this long Purnima with his gopis and he plays with them.

Nitai Gaur Premanande. Hari Haribol. Jai Balaram. Jai Chaitra Rasa Purnima in Vrindavan.

Sri Tulasi-Aarti

mora eiabhilāṣa, vilāsakuñjediovāsa
nayanaheribosadāyugala-rūpa-rāśi (Text 3)

Translation

My desire is that you will also grant me a residence in the pleasure groves of Sri Vrndavana-dhama. Thus, within my vision I will always behold the beautiful pastimes of Radha and Krsna.

Tulasi is both Krishna and Balaram’s Preyasi and she should give us residence in this vilaskunj. Nikunjas are in Vrindavan only and not in the vyomspiritual sky.

Śrī brahma-saṁhitā 5.43

goloka-nāmninija-dhāmni tale ca tasya
devi maheśa-hari-dhāmasuteṣuteṣu
teteprabhāva-nicayāvihitāś ca yena
govindamādi-puruṣaṁ tam ahaṁbhajāmi

Translation

Lowest of all is located Devī-dhāma [mundane world], next above it is Maheśa-dhāma [abode of Maheśa]; above Maheśa-dhāma is placed Hari-dhāma [abode of Hari] and above them all is located Kṛṣṇa’s own realm named Goloka. I adore the primeval Lord Govinda, who has allotted their respective authorities to the rulers of those graded realms.

Golok has Mathura, Dwaraka.

vrndavanamparityajyapadamekamnagacchati-
(Yamal tantra quoted in Laghu Bhagavatam 1.5.461)

So this Vrindavan is never left by them and this rasa dance of Krishna and Balaram is performed there only.

Gauranga Bolite Habe Pulaka Sarira by Narottama Dasa Thakura

viṣayachāriyākabeśuddha ha ‘be mana
kabehāmaherabośrī-bṛndābana (Text 3)

TRANSLATION

When the mind is completely purified, being freed from material anxieties and desires, then I shall be able to understand Vrndavana and the conjugal love of Radha and Krsna, and then my spiritual life will be successful.

So we should think about this Vrindavan. We should think about this and meditate on this.

Papachivasananakodaudola
Tyahuniandhalabarachmi-

(by Saint Tukaram)

We should leave bad desires and we should pray that -make me blind if I see with this bad activities with my  eyesight.

Narottama das  thakur says when we will be free from this? For loving devotees, Krishna Balarama and  Vrindavan is there and only they can enter Vrindavan and not Kamis who stay in this material world. So when we are filled with this Kama vasna and then we take repeated birth in Jaipur etc. So this will be our condition. This is accessible for loving devotees only. This pastime is only available for them. When we leave these sex desires and material allurements, then we will be able to enter the pastimes of Radha and Krishna.

CC Antya 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.’

When we dochetodarpan, then we will be able to see these pastimes- Drishti gochar. Then we will understand this.

Sri Tulasi-Aarti
einivedanadhara, sakhīraanugata koro
sevā-adhikāradiye koro nījadāsī (Text 4)

TRANSLATION

I beg you to make me a follower of the cowherd damsels of Vraja. Please give me the privilege of devotional service and make me your own maidservant.

We have to accept Anugatya, become a follower of follower.

Śikṣāṣṭakam

tṛṇādapisunīcenatarorapisahiṣṇunāamānināmānadenakīrtanīyaḥsadāhariḥ (Text 3)

One should always sing the names of Hari while considering oneself to be lower than grass, more tolerant than a tree, not desiring any honour for oneself and being respectful to others.

We have to follow this sadhna and then only we will be sadhana siddha and  will understand these things.

Preaching to the faithless is the ninth offence so it should not be told to faithless people. They will not understand. Balarama is lusty like Krishna they will think that and they will do offenses in their lotus feet. Ātmavatmanyatejagat. “Everyone thinks others like himself.”This Rasa lila is very confidential we have to be ready for this.

Bg. 4.11

ye yathāmāṁprapadyante
tāṁstathaivabhajāmyaham
mama vartmānuvartante
manuṣyāḥpārthasarvaśaḥ

Translation

As all surrender unto Me, I reward them accordingly. Everyone follows My path in all respects, O son of Pṛthā.

The more we surrender the more we will understand the tattva. Hari Hari.So I have to stop.

So read these pastimes of Rasa dance with Krishna in chapters- 10.29,30,31,32,33. Balrama rasa Purnima is in 10.65 in SrimadBhagavatam and you know that it is also available in Krishna book which is a summary study of the same. The 10th canto has 90 chapters and that’s why this Krishna Book has 90 chapters. So read these pastimes in different books.




Glories of Hanuman 24th April 2024

Date: 24 April 2024 
Speaker: HG Uddhav Prabhu Ji
Topic: Glories of Hanuman
HG Uddhav Prabhu Ji:

HareKrishna!
Lord has many incarnations. From them, lord Ram isone of the foremost.

Śrī brahma-saṁhitā 5.39:

rāmādi-mūrtiṣukalā-niyamenatiṣṭhan
nānāvatāramakarodbhuvaneṣukintu
kṛṣṇaḥsvayaṁsamabhavatparamaḥpumānyo
govindamādi-puruṣaṁ tam ahaṁbhajāmi

Translation:

I worship Govinda, the primeval Lord, who manifested Himself personally as Kṛṣṇa and the different avatāras in the world in the forms of Rāma, Nṛsiṁha, Vāmana, etc., as His subjective portions.

He comes along with his associates.

Saranagati by Bhaktivinode Thakur:

sri-krsna-caitanya prabhu jibe doyakori
swa-parsadaswiyadhamasahaabatori

Translation:

Out of compassion for the fallen souls, Sri Krisna Caitanya came to this world with His personal associates and divine abode to teache saranagati, surrender to the almighty Godhead, and to freely distribute ecstatic love of God, which is ordinarily very difficult to obtain. This saranagati is the very life of the true devotee

Many demigods appear to serve the lord in different forms.So, Hanuman, who serves as a servant, is the son of Vayu Deva, the wind God, and also the 11th incarnation of Rudra, Lord Shiva.
We should get his mercy as he is the Acharya of service and Bhakti. We are all trying to get service and devotional service following Rupa Goswami.

Cc. Madhya 19.170:

sarvopādhi-vinirmuktaṁ
tat-paratvenanirmalam
hṛṣīkeṇahṛṣīkeśa-
sevanaṁbhaktirucyate

Translation:

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

We often hear from Guru Maharaj that we always see Sita, Ram, and Laxman facing the public, but Hanuman is always facing the lord.Sitting in a ready-to-go position, so, for instance, he can get up and do service.Srila Prabhupada Said Hanuman is our Guru.

Hanuman Chalisa, Chopai-37: 
Jai JaiJai Hanuman Gosain
Kripa karahugurudev ki nai

Translation:

Oh Lord Hanumanji! Glory to you, glory to you, glory to you.   Please bless me like a merciful Shri Guruji.

He is teaching us how we can be immersed in the Lord’s service.There are 9 limb of devotion and each one has an Acharya.

SB 7.5.23:

śrī-prahrādauvāca
śravaṇaṁkīrtanaṁviṣṇoḥ
smaraṇaṁpāda-sevanam
arcanaṁvandanaṁdāsyaṁ
sakhyamātma-nivedanam

itipuṁsārpitāviṣṇau
bhaktiścennava-lakṣaṇā
kriyetabhagavatyaddhā
tan manye ’dhītamuttamam

Translation:

Prahlāda Mahārāja said: Hearing and chanting about the transcendental holy name, form, qualities, paraphernalia and pastimes of Lord Viṣṇu, remembering them, serving the lotus feet of the Lord, offering the Lord respectful worship with sixteen types of paraphernalia, offering prayers to the Lord, becoming His servant, considering the Lord one’s best friend, and surrendering everything unto Him (in other words, serving Him with the body, mind and words) — these nine processes are accepted as pure devotional service. One who has dedicated his life to the service of Kṛṣṇa through these nine methods should be understood to be the most learned person, for he has acquired complete knowledge.

Hearing is the first process.

CC Madhya 22.107:

nitya-siddha kṛṣṇa-prema ‘sādhya’ kabhunaya
śravaṇādi-śuddha-cittekarayeudaya

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.

Sravan or hearing Acharya – Parikshit Maharaj,

Kirtan Acharya – Sukdeva Goswami,

Smaranam- PrahladMaharaj,

Archanam – Prithu Maharaj,

Vandanam – Akrur ji,

Dasyam – Hanuman,

Sakhyam – Arjun, Balarama,

PaadSevanam – Laxmi Ji,

Atma Nivedanam – Bali Maharaj

No one is a greater servant than Hanuman.There are five mellows in devotion. Of all the twelve mellows, the root is Dasyaor servitude.We see Mother Sita or Radha Rani, be in parental or conjugal all have the intent of service.So, Dasya is prominant.
Prominent. So, from Hanuman, we should learn how to service.Serve in all way mind, Body and soul.

We celebrated Hanuman Jayanti in Hadapsar. His birth pastime is also wonderful.

In Valmiki ramayan it is mentioned that hanuman Jambavant and other monkeys had reached the south bank and there they metSampati, brother of Jatayu, the vulture. Who had burnt all his feathers in a challenge to race to the sun.So, he said he can see Ravan taking a lady there and that lady is crying, sitting in a corner of a garden. So, to confirm some had to cross the ocean and go to the island.So, nobody was able to go and come back. But Hanuman was quiet.Jambavan then reminded himof his divine birth and power.

Hanuman was the son of Kesari, king of monkeys and Anjani. Anjani was a damsel in heaven, Kunjikastalawho was very fickle and used to distracteveryone.So, Durvasa Rsi cursed that you are jumping around like a monkey, so, may you become a monkey.She immediately asked for forgiveness. So, Durvasa was pleased and so he said you can take any form and lord Shiva will appear as your son.So, she was born into the family of King Viraj and was later married to Kesari. She did penance for 7000 years to please lord Shiva and solord shiva appeared as his son

In Prabhas Kshetra,many Rsis were doing sacrifice. A big elephant was troubling them seeing this. Kesari, the monkey came and tackled the monkey and finished the trouble.So, he was blessed by the Rsi Bhardwaj. Rsi asked to take a boon from him. He asked, “May I have a son who can take any form? and be as valorous and strong as lord shiva.So, this was the background of Hanuman’s birth.

Another damsel, Swarchala, was cursed by Brahma and she was made a vulture.She was told that when Dasharath would be given the special sweet rice for his queens to conceive a child.So, when you steal the portion from Kaikeyi and give to Anjani, this will be Hanuman. and you will be delivered from this curse.

The proof is in Hanuman Chalisa where Lord Rama says you are dear to me as Bharat.

Hanuman chalisa:

Raghupati Kinhi bahut badai. Tum mam priye Bharat-hi sam bhai

Translation:

Oh Pawansut!   Shri Ramchandraji praised you a lot and said that you are a brother like my Bharat.

Once Anjani was worshiping lord Sun. She felt that the wind was touching her. She became very angry and asked who was coming before me.So, wind got appeared and said please donot curse me.I’m here to complete the wish of lord Shiva and give you a son that will be serve lord Rama in His Pastimes.

Hanuman chalisa:

Shankar suvan Kesari Nandan
Tej Pratap Maha Jag Vandan

Translation:

O Kesari Nandan, the incarnation of Shankar, your bravery and great fame is worshiped worldwide.

How the part of lord Shiva come with Kesari?

When in the churning of the ocean,Lord Shiva took the poison and held it in his throat, so he went away from there.There, Krishna took the Mohini form and gave Amrita to all the demigods. Later, heard about the Mohini form which lord Shiva missed.So, Shiva asked to see the form.Lord said it’s not appropriate for saintly people to see. Shiva said that what form of your is not appropriate for the devotees?So, on pursuing the lord showed him the form of Mohini. And Shiva became mad in love and even in front of his wife, he started chasing Mohini.His divine sperms that spread around took the form of gold minesand some Rsis held it in their pots and this was later given to Anjani.That’s why Hanuman Ji is also called as 11th Rudra.

Hanuman was born at around sunset and when he saw the sun, he thought of the sun as a big red fruit.So, he jumps to eat the sun.Seeing this Indra struck him with his thunderbolt.Hanuman fell down and had a swelling in his chin or hanu.So, he got the name Hanuman.Seeing this, the wind god stopped flowing and the entire world was perturbed.But all the demigods headed by Brahma consoled Vayu and gave various boons and powersto Hanuman the little boy.

Later, the Rsis on being tormented by little Hanuman cursed that he shall forget his powers.As he is very naughty. A mother’s nature surely transfers to his child.

But, on reminding he will get his powers back at the appropriate time.So, when he was reminded by Jambavant, he got all his powers back. Fulfilled the task of Lord Rama.He makes it possible to meet lord Rama with Mother Sita.

Like this, there are various pastimes.A pastime is that he shows lord Rama and Mother Sita by tearing his chest.

I’ll tell you one special pastime.When Rama became king.Once, the king of Kashi came there. Narada Muni once told him that you should offer respect to all but not to Vishwamitra. Vishwamitra was angry and he complained to Lord Rama that I got no respect.

Rama became angry that is an offense against His spiritual master. He said I’ll kill him and he will not see the sunrise tomorrow. So, he took three special arrows for this.

When King ofKashi came to know, he begged Narada to save him, as he had put him in this trouble.Narada starts laughing and said I have arranged everything.Nothing will happen to you.Come with me and don’t say anything but cry and ask for forgiveness and help and protection. So,Narada Muni took him to Mother Anjani.Where the king started crying.Anjana hearing this said,“I’ll protect. stop crying.”But on hearing lord Rama had vowed to kill him, how can i save him?So, she called her son Hanuman.

When Lord sleeps Hunaman used to come to serve his mother.Seeing Mother distressed he asked her what is it.Mother said to make a promise you will complete my task.I have given the promise to King Kashi to save him from lord Rama. On hearing the task. Hanuman asked what to do.I saw the lord take three arrows aside for his death.How can I save him?

Mother said you are intelligent, so think of something and keep your promise.Hanuman then said the name is greater than the lord himself.Many have been delivered just by name.Tulsidas said that even Rama cannot explain the power of his own name.

Sri Rama Charit Manas:

Apatuajamilugajuganikau. They became free from the power of the name of Hari.
Kahaun Kahan Lagi Naam Badai. Ramu nasakahin naam gun gai

Translation:

The despicable Ajamil, Gaja and Ganika (prostitute) also became free from the influence of the name of Shri Hari. How much can I praise the name, even Ram cannot sing the praises of the name.

Hanuman assured the king of Kashi that he would surely save him. Now he should take some rest.

So,the next day lord Rama put his arrow and shot it.Hanuman made the king take a bath in River Sarayu and told him to chant this mantra with devotion:

Raja RamaRamaRama… Raja Rama RamaRama… Raja Rama RamaRama… Raja Rama RamaRama

He started chanting in the river.The arrow saw the king engrossed in chanting,and circumambulating,and thearrow went back to Lord Rama.Lord Rama and Vishvamitra were surprised.

He sent another arrow. So, Hanuman gave the next mantra:

Sita Rama RamaRama… Sita Rama RamaRama… Sita Rama RamaRama… Sita Rama RamaRama

With Sita, the mantra became more powerful.Now the third arrow was sentand the thirdmantra was given,which saved him again:

Sita Rama Hanuman…. Sita Rama Hanuman… Sita Rama Hanuman… Sita Rama Hanuman….

Narada Muni came to Lord Rama and told that the name of the Lord protects.

Vaishnav Song, Udiloarunapuraba-bhage, by Bhakti Vinod Thakur:

jivana anitya janahasar,
tahe nana-vidhavipada-bhar,
namasrayakori’ jatanetumi,
thakahaapanakaje

Translation:

This temporary life is full of various miseries. Take shelter of the holy name as your only business.

Narad Muni further said,” If Arrow will kill the king of Kashi, then the glories of the Holy Name will fade, and if your arrows will not complete its task then your glory will fade away. This is a great dilemma.”

But Lord Ramasaid that how can I please guru?It will be alright if will get defamed, but my Guru should be pleased at any cost.

So,Narada Muni asked the king to go to Vishwamitraand offer obeisances. Vishwamitra forgave himimmediately.

The saintly people’s anger is only until one surrenders (Pranaamant). The evil people’s anger stays till death(Praanant).

Vishwamitra asked lord Rama to leave him as he had come to his shelter.

Narad Muni was asked why he created such troubling situations.Narada Muni said that he was trying to show the Holy Name is the greatest. Even lord Rama can not kill the person who is chanting His name.

Hare Krishna!




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!