Lets Chant Together 25th April 2024

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

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

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

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

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

Caitanya Mahaprabhu says:

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

Translation:

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

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

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

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

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

ami bina bandhu ara ke ache tomara

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

relation with Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

tomare loite ami hoinu avatara

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

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

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

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

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

Translation:

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

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

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

Translation:

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

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

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

aise sri Bhagwan ko barambar pranam he.

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

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

Translation:

“Kṛṣṇa is compared to sunshine, and māyā is compared to darkness. Wherever there is sunshine, there cannot be darkness. As soon as one takes to Kṛṣṇa consciousness, the darkness of illusion (the influence of the external energy) will immediately vanish.( CC Madhya lila 22.31)

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

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

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

Your fallen servant

Shyamalangi d.d




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

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

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

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

Translation

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

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

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

Translation-

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

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

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

Translation-

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

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

prakrteh kriyamänäni
gunaih karmäni sarvasah
ahankära-vimüdhätmä
kartäham iti manyate

Translation-

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

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

2nd Speaker- Shyamananda Swami Maharaj

Theme- Instructions given by the Lord in Bhagavad Gita

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

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

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

Sub-theme- Five divisions of Bhagavad Gita verses

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

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

Translation-

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

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

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

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

Translation-

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

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

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

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

Translation

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

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

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

Translation-

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

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

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

Translation-

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

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

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

Translation-

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

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

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

Translation-

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

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

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

Translation

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

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

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

Translation-

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

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

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

Translation-

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

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

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

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

Translation-

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

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

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

Translation-

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

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

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

Then Lord says-

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

Translation-

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

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

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

Translation-

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

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

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

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

Translation-

In the beginning there must be faith. Then one becomes interested in associating with pure devotees. Thereafter one is initiated by the spiritual master and executes the regulative principles under his orders. Thus one is freed from all unwanted habits and becomes firmly fixed in devotional service. Thereafter, one develops taste and attachment. This is the way of sädhana-bhakti, the execution of devotional service according to the regulative principles. Gradually emotions intensify, and finally there is an awakening of love. This is the gradual development of love of Godhead for the devotee interested in Krsna consciousness. [CC Madhya 23.14-15]

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

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

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

And Caitanya Mahaprabhu has said-

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

Translation-

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

Sub-theme- Essence of all scriptures and all methods

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

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

Translation-

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Okay, Hare Krsna!

 




Contemplating the objects of the senses 27th April 2024

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

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

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

athato brahma jijnasa (Vedanta-sutra 1.1.1)

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

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

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

dhyāyato viṣayān puṁsaḥ
saṅgas teṣūpajāyate
saṅgāt sañjāyate kāmaḥ
kāmāt krodho ’bhijāyate (Bg. 2.62)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Translation: Pure love for Kṛṣṇa is eternally established in the hearts of the living entities. It is not something to be gained from another source. When the heart is purified by hearing and chanting, this love naturally awakens.

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

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

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

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

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

Hare Krsna.

 

 

 




Param Vijeyati Sri Krishna Sankirtinam 29th April 2024

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

Hare Krishna.

Main Theme: “Param Vijeyati Sri Krishna Sankirtinam”.

Sub-Theme: Advent of Shiksashtakam

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

Prayers by H.G Anantsesha Prabhu

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

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

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

ei-matamahāprabhuvaisenīlācale
rajanī-divasekṛṣṇa-virahevihvale

Translation

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

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

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

Translation

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

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

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

Translation

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

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

sei seibhāvenija-ślokapaḍiyā
ślokeraarthaāsvādaye dui-bandhulañā

Translation

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

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

kona dine konabhāveśloka-paṭhana
sei ślokaāsvāditerātri-jāgaraṇa

Translation

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

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

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

Translation

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

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

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

Sub-Theme: Glories of Shiksashtakam

Now we will recite the Shloka and then discuss it further

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

Translation

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

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

kona dine konabhāveśloka-paṭhana
sei ślokaāsvāditerātri-jāgaraṇa

Translation

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

In great jubilation, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said,

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

Translation

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

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

saṅkīrtana-yajñekalaukṛṣṇa-ārādhana
sei ta’ sumedhāpāyakṛṣṇeracaraṇa

Translation

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

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

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

Translation

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

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

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

Translation

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

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

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

nāma-saṅkīrtanahaitesarvānartha-nāśasarva-śubhodaya, kṛṣṇa-premeraullāsa

Translation

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

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

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

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu summaries these three points in this verse.

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

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

Translation

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

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

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

 Translation

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

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

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

Shivaji what said to Uma about Sri Ram

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

 Translation 

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

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

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

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

bhagavān brahma kārtsnyenatriranvīkṣya
manīṣayā tad adhyavasyatkūṭa-sthoratirātmanyatobhavet

Translation

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

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

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

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

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

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

dharmaḥsvanuṣṭhitaḥpuṁsāṁ
viṣvaksena-kathāsuyaḥnotpādayed
yadiratiṁśramaeva hi kevalam

Translation

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

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

How to get Rati

“Iti Siddhanta VakyanamKevalam Bhakti Siddhant naaneyana

Karma Gyananima 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Translation

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

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

pibanti ye bhagavata ātmanaḥ
satāṁkathāmṛtaṁśravaṇa-puṭeṣu
sambhṛtampunantiteviṣaya-vidūṣitāśayaṁ

Translation

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

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

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

Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur has written a song

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

Translation

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

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

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

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

Translation

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

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

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

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

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

 

 




Param Vijayte Sri Krishna Sankirtanam 1st May 2024

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

HG Ananta Sesa Prabhu Ji:

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

CC,Antya Lila, 20.12:

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

Translation:

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

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

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

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

Haridas Thakur explains in the book Harinaam Chintamani.

Harinam Chintamani, Chapter 1, Verse 34:

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

Translation:

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

Harinam Chintamani, Chapter 1, Verse 35:

cid-dharma-vaçataùjévasvatantragaöhana |
saìkhyäyaanantasukhatäraprayojana ||

Translation:

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

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

Harinam Chintamani, Chapter 1, Verse 36:

sei sukhahetuyäräkåñëerebarila |
kåñëa-päriñadamukta-rüpeterahila ||

Translation:

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

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

Harinam Chintamani, Chapter 1, Verse 37:

yäräpunaùnija-sukhakariyäbhävanä |
pärçva-sthitämäyäpratikarilakämanä ||

Translation:

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

Then he will surely change one body after another body.

Harinam Chintamani, Chapter 1, Verse 38:

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

Translation:

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

Krishna Das Kaviraj also tells in,

Srila Prabhupada also quotes this verse often.

Prema-vivarta 6.2:

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

Translation:

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

Caitanya-caritamrta Madhya-lila 20.117-118:

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

Translation:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

With this feeling, he cry with his heart.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Translation:

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

Yesterday, I have ended with some hard words.

  1. Madhya Lila, 23.14-15:

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

athāsaktistatobhāvas
tataḥpremābhyudañcati
sādhakānāmayaṁpremṇaḥ
prādurbhāvebhavetkramaḥ

Translation:

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

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

Śvetāśvatara Upaniṣad 6.23:

yasyadeveparābhaktir
yathādevetathāgurau
tasyaitekathitāhyarthāḥ
prakāśantemahātmanaḥ

Translation:

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

Here daiva meanskrsna.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Srila Bhakti Vinod has warned us in Bhajan Rahasya:

adhikara na labhiya siddhadeha bhave
viparyaya buddhi janme saktira abhave

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

Translation:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Translation:

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

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

ācāraevanṛpapuṅgavasevyamānodharmārthakāmaphaladobhavitehapuṃsām |
tasmātsadaivaviduṣāvahitenarājanśāstroditohyanudinaṃparipālanīyaḥ || 19 ||

Translation:

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

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

brāhmemuhūrtautthāyakṛṣṇakṛṣṇetikīrtayan |
prakṣālyapāṇipādau ca dantadhāvanamācaret || 20 ||

Transaltion:

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

He washed his hands and feet and brushed his teeth.

ācamyavasanaṃrātrestyaktvānyatparidhāya ca |
punarācamanekuryāllekhyenavidhināgrataḥ || 21 ||

Translation:

Leaving the unwanted lust at night and putting on something else

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

athecchanparamāṃśuddhiṃmūrdhnidhyātvāguroḥpadau |
stutvā ca kīrtayankṛṣṇaṃsmaraṃścaitadudīrayet || 22 ||-

Transaltion:

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

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

We will read a realisation of a devotee:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We discussed on param vijayate sri krsna sankirtan’.

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

Hare Krishna!




Dovetail and not Control the Senses 2nd May 2024

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

Hare Krishna!

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

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

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

Only solution is paraṁ dṛṣṭvā nivartate

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

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

Translation:

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

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

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

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

Quality Chanting is the Key!

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

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

Hare Krishna!




Srila Vrindavan Das Thakura Appearance Day 3rd May 2024

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

Sub Theme: Introduction

Hare Krsna!

Param dekhe dukhi, para sukhe sukhi

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

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

 Theme: Jive Daya/Name Ruci/Vaishnava Seva

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It seems all of you are taking this resolution.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nitai Gaur Premamananda, Hari Hari Bol!!

 




How to reach Krsna 4th May 2024

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

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

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

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

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

Shaanta-Aakaaram Bhujaga-Shayanam Padma-Naabham Suresham

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

Lakssmii-Kaantam Kamala-Nayanam Yogibhir-Dhyaana-Gamyam

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Translation: Pure love for Kṛṣṇa is eternally established in the hearts of the living entities. It is not something to be gained from another source. When the heart is purified by hearing and chanting, this love naturally awakens.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It’s a team of Guru and Gauranga.

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

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

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

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

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

It happens by the Mercy of Gauranga Mahaprabhu.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It’s a surprise for you all.

Hare Krsna.

 




Lets Chant Together 5th May 2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

and this is wonderful improvement!

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

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

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

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

Your servants

HH Gopal Krsna Goswami Maharaja Health Care Team

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 




Glorification of HH Gopala Krishna Swami Maharaj 7th May 2024

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

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

HH Radhey Shyamanand Prabhu:

Om aja..

Namo om lok

Namo Gopala krishna

Vancha

Jai sri Krsna Chaitanya..

Hk mantra

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

HG Anant Sesha Prabhuji:

Hk. DP.

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

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

HG Vedanta Chaitanya Prabhu:

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

HG Brajbhumi Prabhuji:

HH GKGM ki jai.

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

HG Harikirtan Prabhuji:

Namo om Gopala

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

Shloka

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

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

HG Keshav Prabhuji:

Hk mantra

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

Shloka

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

HG Ishtadev Prabhuji:

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