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

HG Padmamali Prabhu Ji:

Hare Krishna!

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

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

HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj:

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

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

Je anilo Prem Dhan Karuna Prachura

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

All Glories to HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj!

All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!

All Glories to Krishna Balaram!

HG Acharya Prabhu Ji:

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

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

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

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

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

Hare Krishna!

HG Revati Raman Prabhu Ji:

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

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

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

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

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

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

HG Krishna Bhakta Prabhu:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hare Krishna!

HG Murli Mohan Prabhu Ji:

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

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

The letter was:

Dear Lokanath Swami

Pamho

All Glories to Srila Prabhupada

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

Jai Prabhupada

Gopal Krishna Goswami

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

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

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

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

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

Hare Krishna!

HG Srimati Radhika Mataji:

Hare Krishna!

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

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

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

Hare Krishna!

HG Madhvi Gopi Mataji:

Hare Krishna!

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

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

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

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

Hare Krishna!

HG Syama Preyasi Mataji:

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

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

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

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

I am very fortunate to get the association of Maharaj.

Hare Krishna!

HG Naam Premi Mataji:

Hare Krishna!

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

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

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

I feel amused reading his quotes and teachings.

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

Hare Krishna!

 

HG Vraj Vilasini Mataji:

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

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

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

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

Hare Krishna!

HG Symalangi Mataji:

Hare Krishna!

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

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

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

Hare Krishna!

HG Yashwant Prabhu JI:

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

Hare Krishna!

HG Nar Narayana Prabhu Ji:

Hare Krishna!

I have written a poem as homage.

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

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

लेकिन ब्राह्मण जैसा कुछ न किया,

एक दिन ऐसा आया, मैने एक सही निर्णय लिया,

रथयात्रा के आमंत्रण को स्वीकार कर लिया,

भगवान और भक्त के प्रेम का दर्शन किया,

उस भीड़ में चलते आते एक संत को देखा,

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

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

दिल्ली की मायानगरी में खुद को जलते देखा,

और फिर से एक सही निर्णय लिया,

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

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

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

इसलिए आपके कई शिष्य बन गए मेरे जीवन के सारथी,

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

आपके सानिध्य में सेवाएं करना सीखा,

जीवन में भक्ति के चमत्कारों को होते देखा,

आपकी करुणा को हृदय में उतरते देखा,

भक्तों को मित्रता से हृदय को बदलते देखा,

फिर से मैंने एक निर्णय लिया,

मैंने जा कर IYF ज्वाइन कर लिया,

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

गुरु पद आश्रय की इच्छा को हृदय में उबलते देखा,

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

आप मेरे गुरुदेव नहीं, गुरु महाराज नहीं,

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

श्रील भगवद पाद जिनका नाम है,

राधा पर्थसार्थी जिनका धाम है,

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

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

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

 

Hare Krishna!

 

Japa Talk:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hari Bol. Hari Bol

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

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

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

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

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

Srila Prabhupada Ki Jai

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

A.C Bhakti Vedanta Srila Prabhu Pada ki Jai

H.H Lokanath Goswami Maharaj Ki Jai

 

H.H Lokanath Guru Maharaj Speaks:

Please accept my Pranamas .

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

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

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

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

je āniloprema-dhanakoruṇāpracur

heno prabhu kothāgelā Sri Gopal Krishna Gosai Maharaj

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Srila Gopal Krsna mahara ji jai

Srila Prabhupada ki jai

Srila Lokanatha Goswami maharaj

 

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

Hare Krishna! Srila Prabhupada ki Jai!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

mayädhyaksena prakrthih
süyate sa-caräcaram
hetunänena kaunteya
jagad viparivartate

Translation-

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

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

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

Translation-

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

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

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

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

Translation-

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Translation-

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

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

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

Translation-

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

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

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

Translation-

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

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

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

Sub-theme: Lord Jagannath’s special form

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

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

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

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

Translation-

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

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

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

Sub-theme: Life style of Gokula

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

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

Translation-

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

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

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

Translation-

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

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

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

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

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

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

Translation-

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

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

Sub-theme: Does Lord really feel hot?

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

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

Translation-

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

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

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

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

Translation-

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

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

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

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

Translation–

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

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

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

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

Translation-

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

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

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

Translation-

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

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

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

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

Translation–

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

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

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

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

Translation-

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

Sub-theme: importance of devotee association

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

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

Translation-

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

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

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

Translation-

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

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

uttisthata jägrata präpya varän nibodhata

Translation-

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

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

Sub-theme: Feelings and thoughts of pure devotees

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

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

Translation-

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

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

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

Translation-

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

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

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

Translation-

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

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

Sub-theme: become high thinkers

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

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

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

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

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

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

Translation-

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Translation-

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

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

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

Translation-

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

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

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

Translation-

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

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

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

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

Translation-

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

If you will do this then-

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

Translation-

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

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

Gaurapramanande Hari Hari Bol!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We can take some questions as we have time.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hare Krsna.

12 May 2024
HH Krsna Chaitanaya Swami Maharaj
Glories of HH Gopal Krsna Goswami Maharaj

It has been a very difficult week for all of us. We have been suffering from the disappearance of HH Gopal Krsna Goswami Maharaj. We are feeling the pain of his disciples that are suffering from the loss of the physical presence of their guru Maharaj. We are praying that we can all stay together as ISKCON family members and continue serving the Srila Prabhupad’s mission together. At the same time we have been blessed with the wonderful opportunity to hear the glories of HH Krsna Goswami Maharaj and that has been very purifying on our parts. And this is very nourishing for our spiritual lives. So our mouth should always be filled with the glories of the devotees. On this day I will also say a few words trying to glorify HH Gopal Krsna Goswami Maharaj. Today is also the appearance day, Vyas Puja of HH Kadamb Kanan Maharaj. Here I am staying in Australia and devotees are having a big celebration, they are celebrating the vyas puja. I agree with the devotees in Australia that I would come online and glorify HH Kadamb Kanan Swami Maharaj. So at the same time I am speaking, I am on my laptop and will join the Zoom meeting to share the glories of HH Kadamb Kanan Maharaj at the Vyas puja celebration.

It is very important to glorify the devotees. Lord Chaitanaya said that when we glorify devotees, it’s like nectar and when we blaspheme devotees it is like poison. So we should always fill our mouths with the glories of the devotees, that’s the nectar that will neutralize the poison that we may have spoken of blaspheme of the devotees. And we see an example of this in the life of wonderful Srila Prabhupad’s disciples Jai Nandan Thakur. Jai Nandan Prabhu whenever he heard anyone criticizing or blaspheme any devotee he would immediately leave that place. We should take his example. Because if someone is criticizing a devotee and we are also hearing that then we also become implicated in the aparadha. How can somebody speak blaspheme if he has no one to talk to. So in this way if we give someone an opportunity we also become implicated in the aparadha. We should take every opportunity to glorify the devotees.

When a devotee disappears from this world like HH Gopal Krsna Goswami Maharaj has disappeared, it’s an opportunity for us to glorify him. And when a devotee appears in this world, that is also an opportunity to glorify him. So today is the most auspicious appearance day of HH Kadamb Kanan Maharaj. Kadamb Kanan Maharaj is a very dear disciple of HH Jai Advait Swami Maharaj, a very beloved and grand disciple of Srila Prabhupada.

And now we are also addressing the devotees here in Australia, there is a joint another zoom group. They have physically gathered together and celebrating the Vyas puja of HH Kadamb Kanan Swami Maharaj.

I meet first Kadamb Kanan Maharaj when he was a Krsna Balrama temple president. He was doing Gaura aarti, he was chanting for three hours from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm every Sunday with the gurukul boys. He will be covered with sweat and perspiration. He will just be shining with wonderful effulgence and smiling happily. And he would say I have sing for two hours just to get warmed up to start to sing. So this was one of the qualities of HH Kadamb Kanan Maharaj that I most appreciated with his taste for kirtan, enthusiasm for kirtan, powerful kirtan that would knock the heart of all the devotees. When I was a Bhakti Vaibhav student in Mayapur, Maharaj took all the bhakta vaibhav students on a parikarma and we went to Mayapur modadrumdwipa. We had a wonderful kirtan for more than one hour. Everyone was dancing and jumping and flying there.

Another time after Maharaj has taken sanyasa, I was traveling with HH Lok Nath Swami Maharaj and we met Maharaj in Paris. He was so serious about chanting his japa that he woke up at 1 o’clock in the morning before traveling because he said “I don’t like to chant japa when I travel therefore I have to chant all my japa before I have to leave for my journey”.

When I was a sanyasa candidate, Maharaj was on the sanyasa committee, he said that “because you stay at Chowpati in Bombay for two years, it means you are very serious. So I am going to give you my recommendation”. He inspired me and persuaded me for sanyasa.

The last time I met Maharaj, it was in kartik in Vrindavan, just before he was leaving his body. We were sitting together for Srimad Bhagvatam class and HH Jai Advait Swami was giving the class. At the end Maharaj asked “are there any questions?” and I had a question but then I was a little shy. Then HH Kadamb Kanan Maharaj said “don’t be shy, ask your question”. In this way I gained the understanding that we should be bold – preaching boldly and practicing boldly, sincerely and strongly. The last time I met Maharaj he was doing kirtan at the MVT kirtan-mela in Vrindavan. After the kirtan we got together and he shared with me that … He was persuading me to preach in New York City. Because New York City is a very dear project of Kadamb Kanan Maharaj. On his Vyasa puja I offered the prayers that he can empower me with his enthusiasm to practice and preach Krsna consciousness. HH Kadamb Kanan Swami Maharaj ki Jai…Sila Prabhupad ki Jai…I thank you those devotees in Australia.

Now I am back to Zoom temple, where I will speak of my memories and the glories of HH Gopal Krsna Goswami Maharaj. I came to India in 1992 in Delhi, East of Kailash, I was staying with guru Maharaj. At that time the New Delhi temple construction had not yet started. I was going for morning program every day in the temple and HH Gopal Krsna Maharaj was there many times. I received a lot of spiritual encouragement and enthusiasm from him. He used to chant his japa session very enthusiastically. He would walk back and forth from one end of the room into another and chanting strongly and very loudly like a lion. In those days I used to chant Harinam sankirtan with my kartals, walking to the temple and then back to our ashram and Gopal Krsna Maharaj said “very good, keep it up, keep it up”.

In 2000’s I had a chance to do some seva with Maharaj with some presentations. We co-presented two presentations. One was ICC (ISKCON India Continental Committee) presentation about the GBC resolutions. I met Maharaj in his room in the Delhi temple and we sat together. We decided how we would share the presentation. We took some prasadam together and then we made the presentation together. Maharaj is a very strong presenter; he is very enthusiastic and he is very focused. The second presentation we made was in Mayapur, we both attended one course. The leadership course (the spiritual leadership course in ISKCON). This course is compulsory for all gurus in ISKCON. Even though he was alredy very experienced guru, Gopal Krsna Goswami Maharaj decided that I will take this course. That is how we were batch mates. The teacher said to divide all the students into teams of two each. He and I were teamed together. We had to make one topic about spiritual life and we sat together almost one hour for preparing the presentation. I felt so fortunate because it is difficult to get one hour with Gopal Krsna Goswami Maharaj without the phone ringing. And when we made the presentation Maharaj was the leader and he presented most of it and I presented some of it.

Around 2016, I was sitting in East of Kailash temple chanting my japa, Gopal Krsna Maharaj called me and said “Why don’t you take sanyasa”. He said “You like to travel, you like to preach, you should take sanyasa” So I said “I don’t know if I am qualified” He said “You should do it”. So he was the first senior devotee to encourage me to take sanyasa. If he had not come up to me that day, maybe I would not be a sanyasi today. So I owe it to you that – HH Gopal Krsna Goswami Maharaj.

As guru Maharaj mentioned this morning, they were very close – friends, brothers, buddies. They did the service together for more than 14 years. HH Gopal Krsna Goswami Maharaj gave guru Maharaj the greatest gifts. He gave him wonderful services; he made him temple president in Delhi. He made him regional secretary in Maharashtra.

In the accomplishments of Gopal Krsna Maharaj, his scores are just incredible – 18 temples in Delhi, he was instrumental in helping guru Maharaj complete the Noida temple. He was a BBT trustee, he did so much book distribution – Delhi’s book distribution is incredible and book publishing. He made so many devotees. He really encouraged book distribution. One time a devotee told me that he would go and book distribution to a big factory. HH Gopal Krsna Goswami would go any time, 24 hrs. If a devotee called him “Guru Maharaj please preach this person to take books, he is in a big factory, they can take thousands of books” then Gopal Krsna Maharaj would come, get up any time, go and facilitate the book distribution. Any time, any place any situation Gopal Krsna was always ready for prachar.

I am here in Australia, the devotees here just got a new land to build new temple after so many years. As devotees soke to Gopal Krsna Maharaj a few months ago. Gopal Krsna Maharaj said “Would you like me to come to Australia and help you with the fund raising”. This is when Gopal Krsna Goswami Maharaj could barely walk and barely move and he was so enthusiastic to assist the devotees around the world to preach Krsna consciousness. So we are praying at the lotus feet of Gopal Krsna Goswami Maharaj that we too can get some drop of the mercy, of the enthusiasm that he has for spreading Krsna Consciousness. And we also pray to his disciples, followers, friends, well wishers that we can be of some service to them. If there is any service that we can do for them, please let us know and we are eager to serve them with all compassion.

I have made something of Jai Lila Prem Dhan that I would like to share and then conclude today’s session.

Date- 13th May 2024
Speaker – Parthasarathi Prabhu
Theme- Mind your mind

Hare Krishna! My humble obeisances to all zoom temple devotees. Today’s subject is mind. It is not easy to engage our mind in Bhakti, but with the help of Hari, Guru and Vaishnavas we can do it. As it is said in the scriptures –

samāśritā ye pada-pallava-plavaṁ
mahat-padaṁpuṇya-yaśomurāreḥ
bhavāmbudhirvatsa-padaṁparaṁpadaṁ
padaṁpadaṁ yad vipadāṁnateṣām

Translation –

For those who have accepted the boat of the lotus feet of the Lord, who is the shelter of the cosmic manifestation and is famous as Murāri, the enemy of the Mura demon, the ocean of the material world is like the water contained in a calf’s hoof-print. Their goal is paraṁpadam, Vaikuṇṭha, the place where there are no material miseries, not the place where there is danger at every step.[SB 10.14.58]

padaṁpadaṁ yad vipadāṁ,in this Kaliyuga there is problem at every step, but by the mercy of Sri Guru and vaishnavas and as said by Guru Maharaj by the mercy of parampara this ocean of material world becomes a small pond of water made by a calf’s feet, vatsa-padam. By their mercy we get the Holy name and with the strength of this Holy name we can control our mind.

As we say naman, that means it makes the mind humble. Only by the Holy name, the blessings of Vaishnavas and by offering them obeisances our mind can be humbled, controlled. Otherwise, it is very difficult. It is mentioned in various scriptures, Puranas, and also in Bhagavad Gita Lord is giving instructions to Arjuna. We will have short glimpse of those indications. Arjuna said to the Lord that I can even control the wind but I cannot control the mind. He was with the Lord, was listening the Lord, yet his mind was not controlled. Then how we can do it? We can do it only by following the instructions of the Lord. This is very important in bhakti. In morning we give time for chanting. We keep saying, ‘while chanting I am not able to focus. My mind is going here and there.’So, we will try to know about the instructions given by the Lord to Arjuna.Daily we chant Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama RamaRama Hare Hare, we chant this Mantra. Mantra means that which delivers our mind. Every day we chant, remembers the Holy name in the association of devotees, online or offline.

Sub-theme: what is good, chanting or kirtan?

Sometimes devotees ask, what is good, chanting or kirtan? So chanting is for our self-benefit and kirtan is good for other’s benefit and with that we also get benefitted. We give morning time for chanting and evening time for kirtan or lecture or preaching. In other words, morning time is to take in and evening time is to give, to distribute that which we have gained, which bliss and mercy we have gained.

Bharata-bhumitehailamanusya-janmayara
janmasarthakakarikara para-upakara

Translation-

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

So, in the morning we do chanting and, in the evening, kirtan or giving lecture. But sometimes we feel that when we chant alone, we cannot concentrate our mind. Alone we have to fight with the mind, but as we are with devotees then it becomes very easy. And in kirtan there are mrdanga, karataletc, so we can easily concentrate our mind. Both are very important. Caitanya Mahaprabhu did kirtan as well as chanting.

hari-bhakti-param hari-nama-dharam
kara-japa-karamhari-nama-param
nayanesatatampranayasru-dharam
pranamamisaci-suta-gaura-varam

Translation-

He is absorbed in devotion to Sri Hari. He maintains the chanting of the names of Hari. While chanting He counts the holy names on the fingers of His hands. He is addicted to the name of Hari. He always has tears of love welling in His eyes. I bow down to Gaura, the beautiful son of Mother Saci.[Sacisuta Astakam-3 by SarvabhaumaBhattacarya]

Sub-theme: Best way to purify the heart

Caitanya Mahaprabhu used to chant and Gosvamis also used to chant on beads. Our Acharya taught us that chanting is important and kirtan is also important. But today we will try to know more about chanting from the Bhagavad Gita and Gita Mahatmya and from Bhagavatam. So,in Gita Mahatmya there is one verse-

maline mocanampumsam, jala-snanamdine dine
sakridgitamrita-snanam, samsara-mala-nashanam

Translation-

One may cleanse himself daily by taking a bath in water, but if one takes a bath even once in the sacred Ganges water of Bhagavad-gita, for him the dirt of material life is altogether vanquished.[Gita Mahatmya by Adi Sankaracarya Text 3]

maline mocanampumsamWhen our body gets maline, dirty, then we take bath, jala-snanam dine dine, every day. Similarly, to clean our mind what we need to do? sakridgitamrita-snanam, samsara-mala-nashanam, dirt of material world though we do not want, it comes in our mind. Do this, do that, this is good, this is bad, like this the material dirt fills our mind. We have only one heart. To whom we should give it? To the Lord! Lord is everything. If we will give our heart to Him then everything else will be automatically satisfied. Yasmin tuṣṭejagattuṣṭam: if the Supreme Personality of Godhead is satisfied, everyone is satisfied.Only Lord can control our mind. Maya tries to pull our mind and Maya is Lord’s energy. Many times,Prabhupada said to his disciples, Maya is as powerful like Krsna. She is Krsna’s Maya and only by the Lord she could be conquered. So Gitamrta, or Namamrta, mantras enter through our ears, and with that samsara-mala-nashanam, the dirt which is on our brain and heart that gets cleaned out. That’s why every day the morning time, Brahma muhurata time we give for chanting of Holy names, because of that we do not get affected by the dirt of material world. Therefore, it is said that the easiest way to control the mind is Hare Krishna Mahamantra. With this Mantra our heart gets purified.

‘śraddhā’-śabde — viśvāsakahesudṛḍhaniścaya
kṛṣṇe bhakti kailesarva-karma kṛtahaya

Translation–

Śraddhā is confident, firm faith that by rendering transcendental loving service to Kṛṣṇa one automatically performs all subsidiary activities. Such faith is favorable to the discharge of devotional service.[CC Madhya 22.62]

If with niścaya, determination we will chant every day in the morning, then what happens?

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

Translation-

Pure love for Kṛṣṇa is eternally established in the hearts of the living entities. It is not something to be gained from another source. When the heart is purified by hearing and chanting, this love naturally awakens.[CC Madhya 22.107]

śravaṇādi-śuddha-cittekarayeudaya, our heart gets purified and kṛṣṇe bhakti kailesarva-karma kṛtahaya. There is no need of any other activity for heart’s purification if we are chanting daily in the morning. The easiest way to control our mind is Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. And the Lord Himself said in the Bhagavad Gita-

man-manā bhava mad-bhakto
mad-yājīmāṁnamaskuru
māmevaiṣyasiyuktvaivam
ātmānaṁ mat-parāyaṇaḥ

Translation-

Engage your mind always in thinking of Me, offer obeisances and worship Me. Being completely absorbed in Me, surely you will come to Me.[Bg. 9.34]

Lord has given this verse, 9.34. The same verse He repeated again. We keep repeating the important things. So, the Lord repeated the first two lines, but this time He said, this is not just My opinion, but I confirm this-

manmana bhava mad-bhakto
mad-yaji mam namaskuru
mam evaisyasisatyamte
pratijanepriyo’si me

Translation-

“Always think of Me and 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]

This is satyam te, truth. I promise you this because you are dear to Me. First, He said, man-manā, engage your mind in Me. We do that, but then various thoughts keep coming in the mind. So next time in eighteenth chapter Lord is saying, satyam, I am saying this truth and I promise you this. Lord has given this seminar to Arjuna. I am trying to give a glimpse. ‘How to control the mind.’

Sub-theme: if you act enthusiastically, enthusiasm comes automatically

Many times, we think, should I do this or not? Sometimes it is required to do it, but our mind does not get ready for that. One time, one devotee asked Prabhupada, ‘Swamiji, I do not feel to offer obeisances.’ But Prabhupada said, ‘yet you have to offer obeisances.’ Once one devotee said, ‘if you act enthusiastically, enthusiasm comes automatically.’ At least in the beginning we have to act. Then gradually this act will become fact. Our mind will react. Similarly, we have to think that whether my mind wants or not, I have to do this. As it was said by Prabhupada, khābo ki khābonāyadikhāotupauṣeif mind is thinking ‘should I eat or not’, that time better is don’t eat. If stomach is not cleaned, Jābo ki jābonāyadijāutuśauce, should I go to clean my stomach or not, then I must go. To eat or not, means no need to eat. But for cleaning the stomach, to go or not, then better we should go. And if there is question of opening mind to someone then we should open our mind in front of any right person, at right time and right place. Similarly, our mind should be cleaned. Therefore, there are mentors, guides, counselors and Siksa Gurus, Diksa Guru, so that we can open our mind to someone. Lord also tried to make Arjuna understand and Arjuna understood. Here the peace formula is given. It is given in Bhagavad Gita that peace is-

bhoktāraṁyajña-tapasāṁ
sarva-loka-maheśvaram
suhṛdaṁsarva-bhūtānāṁ
jñātvāmāṁśāntimṛcchati

Translation-

The sages, knowing Me as the ultimate purpose of all sacrifices and austerities, the Supreme Lord of all planets and demigods and the benefactor and well-wisher of all living entities, attain peace from the pangs of material miseries.[Bg. 5.29]

Lord is the ultimate enjoyer, proprietor and owner. He is everything.  And in the fifth and sixth verse of sixth chapter, sometimes Guru Maharaj has also given class on this. We will try to understand this in brief.

What is the purpose of Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s incarnation?

patita-pāvana-hetutavaavatāra
mosama patita prabhu nāpāibeāra

Translation-

Your incarnation is just to reclaim the conditioned, fallen souls, but I assure You that You will not find a greater fallen soul than me. Therefore, my claim is first.[Sri Krsna Caitanya Prabhu song by Narottama Das Thakur]

Caitanya Mahaprabhu appeared to liberate us, but we ourselves must have to take efforts, then Caitanya Mahaprabhu will help. We have to accept that ‘O Lord I am fallen, mosama patita prabhu’. When we will endeavor then seeing our efforts Lord will be pleased and will help us, will give us Mantra. Prabhupada has given one analogy, we can see the sun with the help of light, but we cannot see even our hand in the dark. Even though we have eyes, and when there is no light, no knowledge, then we cannot see even our hand. Only by the mercy of the Lord we can see everything.

And then in the sixth chapter it is said that it is up to us whether the mind is our friend or enemy. We have to choose. It is said-

bandhurātmātmanastasya
yenātmaivātmanājitaḥ
anātmanastuśatrutve
vartetātmaivaśatruvat

Translation-

For him who has conquered the mind, the mind is the best of friends; but for one who has failed to do so, his very mind will be the greatest enemy.[BG 6.6]

For him who has conquered the mind, the mind is best friend, but one who has failed to do so, for him mind is worst enemy. Therefore, it is very important toconquer the mind. But it is not easy. Arjuna has said

cañcalaṁ hi manaḥkṛṣṇa
pramāthibalavaddṛḍham
tasyāhaṁmanye
vāyorivasuduṣkaram

Translation-

The mind is restless, turbulent, obstinate and very strong, O Kṛṣṇa, and to subdue it, I think, is more difficult than controlling the wind.[Bg. 6.34]

Sub-theme: Balance and tolerance to conquer the mind

So, we have only two options, either friend or enemy. If we will conquer it then friend, if we will lose then enemy. So, Lord has given the solution. With balance and tolerance, we can do it.

jitātmanaḥpraśāntasya
paramātmāsamāhitaḥ
śītoṣṇa-sukha-duḥkheṣu
tathāmānāpamānayoḥ

Translation-

For one who has conquered the mind, the Supersoul is already reached, for he has attained tranquility. To such a man happiness and distress, heat and cold, honor and dishonor are all the same.[BG 6.7]

Whatever situation is there, comfortable or not, good or bad, we have to balance and tolerate. As we heard that one devotee said to Prabhupada, ‘I do not feel to offer obeisances.’Prabhupada said, first you try to do it. If you are not feeling enthusiastic then you act, then mind will react, then it will become fact.Even though you are not feeling to do it, but if you will act enthusiastically then enthusiasm will come automatically. When we will bow down and offer obeisances then it will become our habit. In this way our mind will be controlled. In the beginning we have to put our efforts, then the Lord will shower His mercy. We have to keep balance between happiness and sadness, heat and cold, honor and disrespect, good and bad, day and night. Balancing is very important. If we will not balance then we will have to tolerate. Then in next verse Lord instructs Arjuna

yatoyatoniścalati
manaścañcalamasthiram
tatas tatoniyamyaitad
ātmanyevavaśaṁnayet

Translation-

“From wherever the mind wanders due to its flickering and unsteady nature, one must certainly withdraw it and bring it back under the control of the Self.” [BG 6.26]

Wherever your mind will go bring it back. And then at the end Lord gave the essence.

śrī-bhagavānuvāca
asaṁśayaṁmahā-bāho
mano durnigrahaṁcalam
abhyāsenatukaunteya
vairāgyeṇa ca gṛhyate

Translation-

“Lord ŚrīKṛṣṇa said: O mighty-armed son of Kuntī, it is undoubtedly very difficult to curb the restless mind, but it is possible by suitable practice and by detachment.”[BG 6.35]

There are two things, practice and renunciation. Both are very important and we must do that. You have to do practice and detachment with determination. Practice to practice. In the beginning somehow engage the body, the senses, then the effect will be seen on mind.

yena tenaprakāreṇamanaḥkṛṣṇeniveśayet
sarvevidhi-niṣedhāsyuretayorevakiṅkarāḥ

Translation-

One should fix his mind on Kṛṣṇa by any means. All the rules and prohibitions mentioned in the śāstras should be the servants of this principle.[Brs. 1.2.4]

Caitanya Mahaprabhu said-

smartavyaḥsatataṁviṣṇur
vismartavyonajātucit
sarvevidhi-niṣedhāḥsyur
etayorevakiṅkarāḥ

Translation-

Kṛṣṇa is the origin of Lord Viṣṇu. He should always be remembered and never forgotten at any time. All the rules and prohibitions mentioned in the śāstras should be the servants of these two principles.[CC Madhya 22.113]

sarvevidhi-niṣedhāḥsyuretayorevakiṅkarāḥ -All other rules and regulations are servants of this rule and what is this rule? smartavyaḥsatataṁviṣṇurvismartavyonajātucitWe have to constantly remember the Lord. Then we will never forget Him. One day Guru Maharaj said, we are Lord’s and Lord is ours. Lord become charioteer of our mind and He is our companion as well. Vaisnavas are also our guide as well as companions. Caitanya Mahaprabhu always used to say, mora mana — vṛndāvana

anyerahṛdaya — mana, mora mana — vṛndāvana,
‘mane’ ‘vane’ eka kari’ jāni
tāhāṅtomāra pada-dvaya, karāhayadiudaya,
tabetomārapūrṇakṛpāmāni

Translation-

Speaking in the mood of ŚrīmatīRādhārāṇī, Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, “For most people, the mind and heart are one, but because My mind is never separated from Vṛndāvana, I consider My mind and Vṛndāvana to be one. My mind is already Vṛndāvana, and since You like Vṛndāvana, will You please place Your lotus feet there? I would deem that Your full mercy.[CC Madhya 13.137]

When we will make our mind Vrndavana, then Lord will reside there, will not go anywhere else.

So, the process of cleansing our heart begins with sravan.

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

Translation-

Pure love for Kṛṣṇa is eternally established in the hearts of living entities. It is not something to be gained from another source. When the heart is purified by hearing and chanting, the living entity naturally awakens. [CC Madhya 22.107]

Sravan is at the first place in navadha bhakti. By Sravan, hearing our mind gets purified and then it becomes place of the Lord.

tomarahridoyesadagovinda-visram
govindakohena—mora vaishnavaparan

Translation-

Your heart is always the resting place of Lord Govinda, and Lord Govinda says, “The Vaishnavas are in
My heart.”[From ei-baro karuna koro vaishnava gosai-5, by Narottama Das Thakur]

Govind resides in the hearts of vaishnavas. So, if we want to give our mind to the Lord, we do give our body, we apply tilak

āmāranitāi mile nābholā mana
gaura mile na
sarāgāymākhilatilaka
gaura mile nā.

Translation-

O Lost Mind You cannot find my Lord Nityananda as well as Lord Gauranga. You have smeared
your whole body with tilak but still cannot find Gaura chaand.[Songāmāranitāi mile nā]

That we are doing. So along with body our mind will also come. Right now, it is the exam time for the mind. In the devotee association we easily pass exam of the body, but for the exam of mind we alone have to fight. Therefore, we will make this mind a devotee. Caitanya Mahaprabhu says, Mora mana Vrindavan. And Gosvamis who were at Govardhan, yet they said-

he rādhevraja-devīke ca lalite he nanda-sūnokutaḥ
śrī-govardhana-kalpa-pādapa-tale kālindī-vane kutaḥ
ghoṣantāvitisarvatovraja-pure khedairmahā-vihvalau
vanderūpa-sanātanauraghu-yugauśrī-jīva-gopālakau

Translation-

I offer my respectful obeisances unto the six Gosvamis, namely Sri Rupa Gosvami, Sri Sanatana Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha Bhatta Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, Sri Jiva Gosvami, and Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami, who were chanting very loudly everywhere in Vrndavana, shouting, “Queen of Vrndavana, Radharani! O Lalita! O son of Nanda Maharaja! Where are you all now? Are you just on the hill of Govardhana, or are you under the trees on the bank of the Yamuna? Where are you?” These were their moods in executing Krsna consciousness. [Sri Sad-Goswamyastakam-8, by Srinivasa Acarya]

They used to call, where are You Radharani, where are You Krishna? In one purport Prabhupada says, it is said in Amrtabindu that-

mana evamanuṣyāṇāṁ
kāraṇaṁ bandha-mokṣayoḥ
bandhāyaviṣayāsaṅgo
muktyainirviṣayaṁmanaḥ

Translation-

“For man, mind is the cause of bondage and mind is the cause of liberation. Mind absorbed in sense objects is the cause of bondage, and mind detached from the sense objects is the cause of liberation.” [ViṣṇuPurāṇa 6.7.28]

Lord Himself is saying this. Mind is the cause of bondage as well as liberation. When the mind is attached to sense gratification then it is the cause of bondage. When the mind is detached from the sense objects, then it is the cause is liberation. When our mind will be engaged in Krishna Consciousness then it will free us from material bondages. And when Lord is residing in our heart then – Mora mana Vrindavan. It is Vrndavana. Where there is Lord Krsna, that place is dham.

And what does mind do?I do not like these things. I like those things. Then what we have to do? Which things we have to accept and which things to reject? So, Sanatan Goswami says, and in the scriptures, it is given-

ānukūlyasyasaṅkalpaḥ
prātikūlyasyavarjanam
rakṣiṣyatītiviśvāso
goptṛtvevaraṇaṁtathā
ātma-nikṣepa-kārpaṇye
ṣaḍ-vidhāśaraṇāgatiḥ

 Translation-

‘The six divisions of surrender are the acceptance of those things favorable to devotional service, the rejection of unfavorable things, the conviction that Kṛṣṇa will give protection, the acceptance of the Lord as one’s guardian or master, full self-surrender, and humility.[Hari-bhakti-vilāsa 11.676]

Sub-theme: Sankalpa and Vikalpa

There are two things- sankalpa and vikalpa. Accept the favorable ones, reject the unfavorable. In this way gradually along with body, mind will also get surrendered. According to acharyas there are two definitions of sankalp and of vikalpa. Sankalpa means we have options, do this or that. Sankalpa means determination, I will do this; first, we should have clear vision of the decision. And then another definition is I will definitely do this. I will be ready to do this. Means preparation to take the sankalpa and then the decision. If we do not have anything in front of us then how we will do it? So, to take sankalp, there should be determination, preparation and decision. We have a seed and soil. If we will sow the seed in the soil then there will be a plant. If seed is good but soil is not good then plant will not grow. If the soil is good but seed is not good then also it is of no use. Both should be good. Balance is required. Similarly, the situation and our mind’s preparation, both should be there.

What is the definition of vikalpa? Option and efforts to reach there, to that process. There is vikalpa means there are options, we can go, and for that Sankalp is required. We have to accept what is favorable and reject unfavorable. So, in vikalpa it comes which one we have to accept and which one to reject. There are two things, determination and discrimination. There are many things. I am telling briefly. So, determination and discrimination, determination comes bymaking efforts, doing services again and again and discrimination comes with knowledge, faith, sadhana, by keeping down the false ego.

Once there was conversation between Prabhupada and Nandarani Mataji, on 11^thAugust 1976. In the morning,Prabhupada was going and Nandarani Mataji said, this is also in devotees, ‘should I accept this and reject that, do this and don’t do that’. These sankalpavikalpas are there till we have freedom. In devotees also these things are there. This sankalpavikalpas, choices come in our mind till we have freedom. So Prabhupada said, in devotees also these things are there; the old things which we have done, they still have some effect on our mind. As there are bubbles hidden somewhere in water, similarly there are thoughts hidden in our mind. We need to clean them. And this happens gradually, when we take efforts. Sometimes we do not like, we accepted that opinion because of some situation or reason, but mind is not accepting it. Therefore, in the beginning just do it, then gradually there will be cleansing, purification and then mind will accept it. Sometimes devotees get entangled in do this and don’t do that. This is because of old habits. This fan is moving. When we will switch it off, it will stop gradually. We see that it is still moving, but it is slowing down and going to stop soon. We need to keep moving ahead, then we can take the decision. So, determination comes after discrimination. Utsah, niscayaanddhairyawill take us ahead. Similarly, our mind fools us by telling do this and don’t do that. In Bhagavad Gita Lord says-

aneka-citta-vibhrāntāmoha-jāla-samāvṛtāḥ
prasaktāḥkāma-bhogeṣupatantinarake ’śucau

Translation-

Thus, perplexed by various anxieties and bound by a network of illusions, they become too strongly attached to sense enjoyment and fall down into hell.[BG 16.16]

Those who have demoniac mentality, they do not have knowledge, intelligence, discrimination, so their mind remains in anxiety, illusion and gets affected to sense objects. So, what is the solution?

vyavasāyātmikābuddhir
ekeha kuru-nandana
bahu-śākhāhyanantāś ca
buddhayo ’vyavasāyinām

Translation-

Those who are on this path are resolute in purpose, and their aim is one. O beloved child of the Kurus, the intelligence of those who are irresolute is many-branched.[BG 2.41]

Those who are determined, they have one fix goal, to attain Lord’s devotional service, Lord’s devotees and the Lord. All three things, Bhagavan, Bhakti and Bhakta. It is known as prayojana, sambandha andabhidheya. After starting the process, we will automatically attain prayojan. One-timePrabhupada said, ‘Krishna consciousness is successful, it drags one to success.’ For that we have to tie ourselves with the rope of Hare Krishna Hare Krishna KrishnaKrishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama RamaRama Hare Hare. We have only one goal and that is Lord. Lord says to Arjuna, O Kurunandana, you are one of the Kurus, but your intelligence is fixed, determined and not divided in many branches. EkehaKurunandana, you have only one goal. So, surrender! We do not have to divide in two different branches. We should have one goal. Get up in the morning and do chanting, then rest things will gradually fall in place. So many questions are asked regarding mind.

yatatohyapikaunteyapuruṣasyavipaścitaḥ
indriyāṇipramāthīniharantiprasabhaṁmanaḥ

Translation-

The senses are so strong and impetuous, O Arjuna, that they forcibly carry away the mind even of a man of discrimination who is endeavoring to control them.[Bg. 2.60]

Senses are so strong that it carries away even the intelligent person. Then what is the solution?

tānisarvāṇisaṁyamyayuktaāsīta mat-paraḥ
vaśe hi yasyendriyāṇitasyaprajñāpratiṣṭhitā

Translation-

One who restrains his senses, keeping them under full control, and fixes his consciousness upon Me, is known as a man of steady intelligence.[Bg. 2.61]

So, first we have to engage our senses in the service of the Lord and mind will also get engaged. But if we cannot engage our senses then engage mind, senses will follow. There is a ladder, first sense objects, then senses, then mind and then intelligence. Gradually we have to progress.

Avanti Brahmana gave one definition. He said, this mind is the biggest problem and one who will control it will havesthir buddhi, absolute determination. This is given in Bhagavatam.

dvijauvāca

nāyaṁjano me sukha-duḥkha-hetur
nadevatātmāgraha-karma-kālāḥ
manaḥparaṁkāraṇamāmananti
saṁsāra-cakraṁparivartayedyat

Translation-

The brāhmaṇa said: These people are not the cause of my happiness and distress. Neither are the demigods, my own body, the planets, my past work, or time. Rather, it is the mind alone that causes happiness and distress and perpetuates the rotation of material life.[ŚB 11.23.42]

Mind is the cause of all problems.

mana evamanuṣyāṇāṁ
kāraṇaṁ bandha-mokṣayoḥ
bandhāyaviṣayāsaṅgo
muktyainirviṣayaṁmanaḥ

Translation-

“For man, mind is the cause of bondage and mind is the cause of liberation. Mind absorbed in sense objects is the cause of bondage, and mind detached from the sense objects is the cause of liberation.” [ViṣṇuPurāṇa 6.7.28]

These are my bondages but I will cross over it by being engaged in the services, by keeping hold of Krishna’s lotus feet. Then there is sannyasa mantra-

etāṁsaāsthāyaparātma-niṣṭhām
adhyāsitāṁpūrvatamairmaharṣibhiḥ
ahaṁtariṣyāmiduranta-pāraṁ
tamomukundāṅghri-niṣevayaiva

Translation-

I shall cross over the insurmountable ocean of nescience by being firmly fixed in the service of the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa. This was approved by the previous ācāryas, who were fixed in firm devotion to the Lord, Paramātmā, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.[ŚB 11.23.57]

This is approved by the acharyas who were fixed in the service of Krishna. We are not the only one who are fighting against mind.

vīta-rāga-bhaya-krodhā man-mayāmāmupāśritāḥ
bahavojñāna-tapasāpūtā mad-bhāvamāgatāḥ

Translation-

Being freed from attachment, fear and anger, being fully absorbed in Me and taking refuge in Me, many, many persons in the past became purified by knowledge of Me – and thus they all attained transcendental love for Me. [Bg. 4.10]

Many acharyas have gone back to the Godhead after purifying their minds. There are many examples. We are not only one and if we will remain alone then we cannot win the mind. Thinking feeling and willing are the functions of the mind. Mind thinks and it is having feelings. It keeps on trying to know more and it always stays in all three times, past, present and future. So, we do not have to think what happened on the past. We just have to accept it. And we do not have to worry what will happen in future. We have to remain in present and think where am I, what am I doing. Then only we can save ourselves.

We can have self-realization. Past is gone. When future will come don’t know. Right now, present is in hand and we have to act accordingly. At present some devotees are having bead bags in their hands. Hare Krishna Hare Krishna KrishnaKrishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama RamaRama Hare Hare. In present we have to win over the mind. Bhakti Vinod Thakur said, in the morning we have to beat our mind with shoes and in the evening, we should beat our mind with broom. Then we will win. This is philosophy. To beat with shoes means have to chant and read, it is same like beating with shoes. And in the evening, all dust will be accumulated. So, we need to clean it with broom. In the morning sometimes mind becomes hard. So have to beat it with shoes. That means have to wake up early and start chanting.

This mind always keeps on increasing the problems. If the problem is small then the mind makes it very big. It always keeps on imagining. What if this will happen, what is this will not happen? It gets stuck in favorable, unfavorable, sankalpa, vikalpa, etc. And then sometimes due to lack of devotee association and determination we miss many opportunities. Because there is no knowledge, no proper understanding of philosophy, then we do not understand the reality and miss the opportunity.

That’s the problem. He doesn’t understand. It magnifies the problem. If a small child gets hurt, he started to cry, mummy! But mother says, no problem, dear, it’s not big thing. So, we need to teach our mind also like a child. This is the time of chanting. I am with the devotees in temple. Like that. Then imagine the pleasure! Mind tries to imagine pleasure in sense gratification. For example, a prostitute imagines pleasure in her work, but that is not true. She just imagines. We have to make the mind understand, not to magnify the problem.

It neglects the opportunity. Monkey always keeps on postponing the work of making a house. I will it next time. Right now, it is raining, so I will construct it afterwards. Now it’s summer, no need of house. Like that he keeps on postponing. So, if we will keep on neglecting the opportunities then we will roam like a monkey.

Then comes reality. In the cinema theatre people gets absorbed in the movie due to darkness. But as soon as there comes light they realize the reality. Therefore, we need to understand the reality with the help of Bhagavad Gita, Bhagavatam and the devotees. Mind your mind! We can control our mind. And in Bhagavad Gita solution is given. So, we must conquer the mind, but how to do that? With the help of mantra, man trayateiti mantra, one which controls the mind.

One last formula I will tell you. Accept, tolerate and go on. If we will listen then we will improve and if we will read then we will progress. So, we should keep on chanting and by the mercy of Lord, Guru and vaishnavas we should control the mind.

Thank you.

Sub-theme: Questions and answers

Question by Mitravrnda Rani Mataji- Hare Krishna Prabhuji. Prabhuji sometimes we get fully focused while chanting. We feel that there is only Krishna and me. But sometimes we cannot focus at all. When we chant without focus, then will it be of any use?

Answer- Yes Mataji, in this world there is always duality. Sometimes we can focus and sometimes we cannot. The senior devotees always think about the Lord. But we, in case of a house wife, we think this needs to wash and this news to do; if we are working in bank, then we will think about from whom to get money and all. So, mind will keep on running here and there. We need to endeavor. Yato yatoniscalati, wherever it will go, we have to bring out back. From many births, life times, mind is doing this same job of running here and there. It will not come on the path of devotion so easily. We have to keep walking on this path. Gradually we will achieve the goal. One day we will be successful. Right now, we are not on pure stage. When we will be on pure stage, then our mind will be focused on one goal and there won’t be many branches, bahu sakha. To clean the house completely we need time. It is not work of a day. Brooming, mopping, cleaning every cupboard and so many things are there. This is not work of one day. But we should keep on doing it. One day out will get cleansed completely.

Question by Damodar Priya Mataji –Prabhuji, I do not want to do any offence but unknowingly I commit offence. Like in mind we think bad about someone, but later on we think, no we should not think like that. So, is the offence done by the mind will get counted?

Answer –Thereare many faults of Kali yuga, but there is one benefit,

kalerdoṣa-nidherājann
astihyekomahānguṇaḥ
kīrtanādevakṛṣṇasya
mukta-saṅgaḥparaṁvrajet

Translation-

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

There are so many bad things about Kaliyuga, but there is one good thing and that is kīrtanādevakṛṣṇasya. We are in Kaliyuga, there will be faults like looking at the shortcomings of others and all. As we fall down in the water, we will get wet. But we should not sit just by saying, I got wet. We have to hold the rope given by acaryas and Parampara. Hold the rope, acaryas will pull us. Kaya, manasa, vaca, first it comes in mind and then in words and then in action. So first we have to control our mind. In satyayuga, if we think bad in mind, then we have to face the result. Ahilya devi, thought in mind, but had to face the result. But in Kaliyuga, if we will think good in mind, then we will get the good result. As there is example of one brahmin, who made sweet rice in mind and in reality, his finger got burnt. If we will think bad, we will not have to face the bad result. But that doesn’t mean that we can keep on thinking bad by our mind.

Question by Ugrasen Prabhu- Hare Krishna Prabhu, Dandavat Pranam. In the morning while chanting after waking up early, we keep on thinking the services we have to do in the day. What is the solution to this?

Answer- As it is said, if morning is given for chanting, then whole day is ours. Initiated devotees should do maximum chanting in the morning. Because we get the energy. In the advertisement of Chyavanprash, he eats it in morning and then goes to school. In the school even if someone sneeze on him, he doesn’t get affected. Similarly, when we first do our chanting and then start our work, then the bad thoughts of colleagues or boss or other things will not affect us. Prabhupada has said, those who are living near temple, they must go to temple for mangal arati. Those who are not near temple, they should go to their centers. Do you want to go to Goloka? Then must have to follow all these things.

Question by Shyamala Mataji- Sometimes while cooking or chanting we think bad about any devotee, but immediately another thought comes in mind that we should not think like this. And then we start chanting. And again, we come back to that bad thought. Will this give bad result?

Answer- Dirt is dirt, whether it is small or big. Have to clean it. One sannyasi said, in our mind also bad thoughts come. But we immediately conquer over them with the help of intelligence. Small child will try to put finger in fan, we will immediately stop him. Similarly, when bad thoughts come in our mind, immediately we should start chanting loudly. Mind will become alert. Therefore, we chant loudly. Once I asked Guru Maharaj, many thoughts are coming in mind while chanting. So, Maharaj said, ‘thought about chanting; do not chant the thoughts.’ So, this is important.

Question by Panchali Mataji- Prabhuji, you said in the morning we chant for our own benefit and in the evening, we do kirtan to benefit others. I liked it. At least we are giving something to others. Prabhuji my question is even one round we can not keep full focus. What to do?

Answer- Why Prabhupada said 16 rounds and not one round? One pure name can take us back to Godhead. But we can not chant that pure name as our mind is very flickering. In Hare Krsna Mantra also there are only three words. Hare, Krsna and Rama! We do not chant Hare HareHare, but in between comes Krsna and then Rama. So, the mind gets focused. In the beginning to drive bike we get afraid, but by practice we becomes expert. In the beginning we say to new devotees, very good you did one round. Because in the beginning one round is also very difficult. Appreciation is required in the beginning. So, Prabhupada said 16 rounds. By throwing many stones, at least one will hit the target, similarly by chanting 16 rounds, we will chant at least one pure name.

Hare Krishna!

Date: 15 May 2024
Speaker: HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj 
Topic: Spread the Mercy

HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj:

Hare Krishna!
Today, we have 1835 participants. In just one day, the number has reached this level. The credit goes to you all. The target is to reach 2000 by July.Butyou have increased the number by 125 in just one day.

Good Job!!
Keep up the good work. Spread the mercy.
People usually pray for themselves but Gaudiya Vaishnavas pray for the welfare of others too.

Paropakarayaidamsariram

Translation:

This body is given by God for helping others.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu had said that we should make our life successful by helping others.

Of course, Many of you have worked hard.This will bring foremost joy to the Lord. It gives happiness to the Lord when he sees a person chanting Hare Krishna.

phalenaparicīyate

Translation:

one’s success or defeat in any activity is understood by its result

He will be pleased with the person chanting and also with the person who inspired this person to chant. A Gaudiya Vaishnava should be bhajanandi as well as gosthyanandi. A devotee should talk to others to tell them things for their benefit. We should preach and spread this movement.

This conference is not limited to my disciples.All the followers of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu or Srila Prabhupada is welcome.By this we will definitely get a profit.

They may be the disciples of HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj or HH Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaj. You can invite them also. All are welcomed in this conference. When Krishna becomes pleased, then we are pleased and vice versa. Krishna’s happiness is the cause of our happiness. Laughter or happiness is contagious.When we see a person happy or laughing, we also begin to laugh. This is known as Laughter therapy.Whenever we visit Nanada Bhavan to take darshan of Little Krishna and Balaram, the Pujaris there make you hold the strings of Lord’s Craddle and ask you to laugh, they say it will give joy to Krishna.

Vaishnav Song, Sri Krishna Chaitanya Prabhu Daya Karo More, By Srila Narottama Das Thakur:

ha ha prabhu nityananda, premanandasukhi
kripabalokana koro amiboroduhkhi

Translation:

My dear Lord Nityananda, You are always joyful in spiritual bliss. Since You always appear very happy, I
have come to You because I am most unhappy. If You kindly put Your glance over me, then I may also
become happy.

If we are unhappy, we can be happy just by seeing the joyous Krishna. When you meet others, do share some good news.Something that inspires others.Do not share the offenses and sins of others.

Nectar Of Instruction, Verse 2:

atyāhāraḥprayāsaś ca
prajalponiyamāgrahaḥ
jana-saṅgaś ca laulyaṁ ca
ṣaḍbhirbhaktirvinaśyati

Translation:

One’s devotional service is spoiled when he becomes too entangled in the following six activities: (1) eating more than necessary or collecting more funds than required; (2) over-endeavoring for mundane things that are very difficult to obtain; (3) talking unnecessarily about mundane subject matters; (4) practicing the scriptural rules and regulations only for the sake of following them and not for the sake of spiritual advancement, or rejecting the rules and regulations of the scriptures and working independently or whimsically; (5) associating with worldly-minded persons who are not interested in Kṛṣṇa consciousness; and (6) being greedy for mundane achievements.

You can remember and share the pastimes of Krishna and Panduranga.

BG, Verse 10.9:

mac-cittā mad-gata-prāṇā
bodhayantaḥparasparam
kathayantaś ca māṁnityaṁ
tuṣyanti ca ramanti ca

Translation:

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

This will bring Joy to them and you will also feel joyous. Don’t forget you all are preachers. You all are the protectors and preachers of religious principles.
I named one of my disciples as “Dharmrakshak”. But this title and duty belongs to you all.
Its’s not limited to him only.

BG, Verse 4.8:
paritrāṇāya sādhūnāṁ
vināśāya ca duṣkṛtām
dharma-saṁsthāpanārthāya
sambhavāmi yuge yuge

Translation:
To deliver the pious and to annihilate the miscreants, as well as to reestablish the principles of religion, I Myself appear, millennium after millennium.

When you establish or protect Dharma then Dharma will also protect you.

Mahabharata, Vana Parva 313/128:

dharmevahatohantidharmorakshatirakshitah।
tasmaddharmonahantavyo maa no dharmohatoऽvadhit॥

Translation:

The phrase means, the one who destroys dharma, dharma destroys them, and one who protects dharma, dharma also will protect them. That’s why dharma should never be destroyed so that the destroyed dharma can never destroy us.

You might have a big list of friendsin your mobile phones, you can invite them to join the conference.
This is a zoom temple. You can invite everyone to join.
If you practice such attempts then definitely, one day you will be very happy.Good days will come for you as well as for the world. If as much as Bhagvad Gita will be distributed, Prasad will be distributed and yatras will be there.

Every Iskcon Temple is a place of pilgrimage and also you can transform your home to a place of pilgrimage.You can maintain your home in such a way that every visitor could feel connected to the Lord.

SB 1.13.10:

bhavad-vidhābhāgavatās
tīrtha-bhūtāḥsvayaṁvibho
tīrthī-kurvantitīrthāni
svāntaḥ-sthenagadābhṛtā

Translation:

My Lord, devotees like your good self are verily holy places personified. Because you carry the Personality of Godhead within your heart, you turn all places into places of pilgrimage.

You can keep scriptures.You can establish Grahstha Ashrams.The place where we establish the deities and perform deity worship or Naam Sankirtan, that place is Tirtha. That is how, we can make the whole world a tirtha.

You should not just limit your life to a routine life.You should continue to swim towards the shore. These Tirthas are like the beaches or an Islands.
A drowning man feels, if somehow, he could get to theIsland, then he will be protected.We have been entrapped in this cycle of birth and death.
But now we are heading towards the end of the tunnel.We are chanting the Holyname.We are performing Naam Sankirtan.Also, we are honouring prasadam.Our hope is association of devotees. We are moving towards tirtha.
He needs to return back home back to Godhead in this life itself.
Is anyone willing to share something?
You can share some preaching reports or some realizations.

HG Shyamalangi Mata ji:

Recently, we were hearing the Glorification of HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj
that he did the book distribution so nicely. We are facing some challenges with preaching in Dubai. I was wondering how to continue to preach and book distribution.

I have tried it online and send messages in the Indian Women of Dubai group. As a result, she received 100+ responses.So many ladies came to take books and to take Bhagavad Gita classes. One lady came through that group was of my society. I am seeking your blessings for the same to continue and spread the Krishna Conscious movement.

HG Purnanandi Mata ji:

At the time of Corona, you have instructed to start class on Zoom. I have started a group of 100 devotees during covid.
They read Bhagwad Gita and now they are reading SB Canto 3.
We want to read complete SB. We are preaching to the devotees in Pakistan and some of them are going to accept initiation also.

HG Ratnabhusan Prabhu Ji:

Also, we are preaching at 2 Centres. I was preaching in Chilvara for 2 years. Now HH BhaktiPrem Swami Maharaj instructed me to preach in Naya District. We have started 2 centres here. Around 45 devotees are coming to Sri Pandharpur Dham. I am seeking your blessings to serve you.

HG Madhavi Kumari Mata ji:

I am running a centre at my home.
I am also coming to Pandharpur Dham with a group of 11 devotees and 5 amongst them are going to accept initiation.Also, I am raising funds for Pandharpur Project.I am seeking your blessings to preach in the movement.

HG Madhavali Prabhu Ji:

Today we will start kids’ class for 12 kids. Many devotees are coming to Pandharpur..

HG Bilwa Mangala Thakur Prabhu Ji:

We have started a centre with the help of other senior devotees in Gangotri. Last Monday we did nagarsankirtan and aarti also. 15-20 devotees attended the very first class. Also, one mata ji accepted BG. I am seeking your blessings to preach well.

HG Dharmarakshak PrabhuJi:

I have written an email to Guru Maharaj with preaching reports. I am requesting for some assistance from your end. I am trying to preach in tribal community and running an eduacational institute for them and distributing prasadam and people are chanting Hare Krishna.

HG Vanshivadan Prabhu Ji:

We have pledged to distribute 7500 BG from the day of Akshaya Trityaas part of the Vyaspuja Offering as being a part of 75000 book distribution.

HG Lila Priya Shyama Mata ji:

As part of Guru Maharaj’s instructions, we have started a zoom temple which has 100 regular participants. I have got an opportunity to organize Disciple course at Pakistan. We are also planning to go for Padyatra.
Also we have pledged to distribute 75 BG by Guru Maharaj’s Vyaspuja as part of our offering for Guru Maharaj’s Vyaspuja.

HG Badarayan Prabhu Ji:

We are preaching at Schools. We have started a Gita Champion League here. 500 kids participate among 50 schools. We have organized a competition at Junior and Senior level.

We have distributed the prize of 5100, 2100and 1100 for 1st, 2nd and 3rd position and 25 consolation prizes are also distributed. We are organizing two summer camps also. One is from 30 may to 2 June, for small kids and another is from 3 June to 8 June.
In last 1 month, we have distributed 15 sets of SB and 10 sets of Chaitanya Charitamrita.

HG Kaunteya Prabhu Ji:

We had a very successful Rama Katha program of 9 days. We have also started many Nama Hattas. Also, a Glorification session for HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj was organized. We are also planning to preach bin various areas. We are trying to organize Vaishnavi Padayatra and we are also planning to come to Pandharpur for Vyaspuja. I am seeking your blessings for further preaching programs.

Japa Talk : 16^th May 2023 Hare Krsna!

Speaker:-HG Loknath Swami Maharaja

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

You all can see on the side and behind a portrait of Shri Vrindavan Das Thakur. You all can see the deities of Shri Shri Gaur Nitai and Shri Jagannath. Welcome Gate is the same place where Vrindavan Das Thakur stayed inVrindavan. These are deities served by Shri Vrindavan Das Thakur in Mamgachi, Mayapur. You can also see his scripture Shri Chaitanya Bhagwat translated into English. You can see Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is doing Kirtan. You can also see his signature in the Pandu script.

Paramdekhedukhi,parasukhesukhi

Devotees become sad when they see others sad or in misery. They become happy when they see others happy. Participants are reduced today since yesterday when we had 1500 participants.

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

jivedayänämerucivaisnavasevanaihachäradharmanähisunasanätana

Hear, Sanätana! Kindness to all living being staste for the holy name, and service toVaisnavas—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 home work or one consolidated homework i.e. taste inthe holyname, service to Vaishnavas, and kindness to all living beings.

One of our targets is driven by the increase in the holyname’ stastei. e making this conference house full. That is onething. The second thing is reciting Shikha Astakaman drecitingor remembering the 10 offenses towards Hari Naam. We all need to understand and focus on these two items i.e. understanding Shiksha Astakam 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. Shikha Astakam 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 AsthangYog and DhayanaYog which Krishna explained in the sixth chapter of the Bhagwat Gita. Asthang Yog–The first two rules of Asthang Yogis Yam and Niyam. Yam–means the work which will take us to Yam Puri. Niyam – means the regulations or methods.

satataṁkīrtayantomāṁyatantaścadṛḍha-vratāḥ

namasyantaścamāṁbhaktyānitya-yuktāupāsate [Bhagwat Gita 9.14]

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

smartavyaḥsatataṁviṣṇurvismartavyonajātucitsarvevidhi-niṣedhāḥsyuretayorevakiṅkarāḥ

[Bṛhat-sahasra-nāma-stotra]CCMadhya22.113

Gopis only knows two things i.e. SmartavyahsatatamVisnur – Always remember Krishna and vismartavyonajātucit–never forget and always remember Krishna. Krishna Kanahiya Lal ki Jai! Radha Shyam Sundar Ki Jai! Hare Krishna! Radhe Krishna!

ārādhyobhagavānvrajeśa-tanayastad-dhāmavṛṇdāvanaṁramyakaścidupāsanāvraja-vadhu-varga-vīryakalpita

śrīmad-bhāgavatamamalaṁpurāṇaṁpremāpum-arthomahānśrī-caitanyamahāprabhormatamidaṁtatradaraḥnaparaḥ[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 spotles sauthorityon 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 MahaMantra 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-sunyaho’yelohakrishna-namakrishnamatakrishnapitakrishnadhanaprana 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 intheJapaTalkto haveadeeperunderstandingoftheShikhaAstakam.Wehaveprepared 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?

dadātipratigṛhṇātiguhyamākhyātipṛcchatibhuṅktebhojayatecaivaṣaḍ-vidhaṁprīti-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 padayatrapress 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 Prabhuji fromVrindavan. 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-cittāmad-gata-prāṇābodhayantaḥparasparamkathayantaścamāṁnityaṁtuṣyanticaramantica [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 AshtangaYog. After this foundation only we can follow other asanaslikeAsana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi! If Yamand Niyam arenot 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 in carnation of SrilaVyas Dev Ji! VyasDev appeared in the form of Vrindavan Das Thakur. When Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu wasin Jagannath Puri, aftertaking Sannyasa, that time Vrindavan Das Thakur appeared in Mamgachi, Modadruma-dvipa, Nawadweep! Wedon’t know all these places. Modadruma-dvipais in between Jahnudvipa and Rudradvipa. Elder brother of Srivas Thakur, Nalin Pandit’s daughter Narayani’s sonis 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 earthas mentioned by Kavi Karnapura in his scripture, Gaura Ganoddesa Dipika. He mentions who from Krishna’s pastime appeared as what in Sri ChaitanyaMahaprabhu’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.

bhāgavatekṛṣṇa-līlāvarṇilāvedavyāsacaitanya-līlātevyāsa—vṛndāvanadāsa CC Ādi 11.55

Śrīla Vyāsadeva described the pastimes of Kṛṣṇain Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. The Vyāsa of the pastimes of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu was Vṛndāvanadāsa. He is given a detailed explanation of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu 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.

bhāgavateyatabhakti-siddhānterasāralikhiyāchenaiṅhājāni’ kariyāuddhāra CC Ādi 8.37

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

manuṣyeracitenāreaichegranthadhanyavṛndāvana-dāsa-mukhevaktāśrī-caitanya CC Ādi 8.39

This scripture cannot 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 VṛndāvanadāsaṬhākura.

vṛndāvana-dāsa-padekoṭinamaskāraaichegranthakari’teṅhotārilāsaṁsāra CC Ādi 8.40

I offermillionsofobeisances unto the lotus feetof VṛndāvanadāsaṬhākura. 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 thecapability to overcome fallen souls from this material world. We have to study this Shri Chaitanya Bhagawat as well. Al though 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 nawadweepa re explained in detailin Sri Chaitanya Bhagwat by Sri Vrindavan Das Thakur. Only a few of these pastimes are explained by Krishnaraj Kaviraj Goswamiin Sri Chaitanya Charitmrit. Thismight be the policy Krishnaraj Kaviraj Goswami that he has either completely om it tedor 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! Hestayed 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 VedVyasa, 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.

NitaiGaurPremamananda,HariHariBol!!

18 May 2024
Become a Yogi instead of Bhogi
Speaker: HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj

Hare Krsna. This holy name is also a medicine. We are providing you this medicine. This is the greatest cure of all. Thank you for inviting me and I welcome you all Yogis, you all are trying to become Yogis.

Krsna emphasizes to become yogi.

tapasvibhyo ’dhiko yogī
jñānibhyo ’pi mato ’dhikaḥ
karmibhyaśh chādhiko yogī
tasmād yogī bhavārjuna (BG 6.46)

Translation: A yogī is greater than the ascetic, greater than the empiricist and greater than the fruitive worker. Therefore, O Arjuna, in all circumstances, be a yogī.

This world is teaching us to become Bhogi’s(sense gratifiers). But the scriptures teach us to become yogis.

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.

Yesterday when I met Ramadev Baba Ji, I told him that he is benefiting humanity at large by providing this facility of Karma Yoga. I told him that, I came here to express my gratitude towards him for this contribution.

yadā yadā hi dharmasya
glānir bhavati bhārata
abhyutthānam adharmasya
tadātmānaṁ sṛjāmy aham (BG 4.7)

Translation: Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice, O descendant of Bharata, and a predominant rise of irreligion – at that time I descend Myself.

evaṁ paramparā-prāptam
imaṁ rājarṣayo viduḥ
sa kāleneha mahatā
yogo naṣṭaḥ paran-tapa (Bg. 4.2)

Translation: This supreme science was thus received through the chain of disciplic succession, and the saintly kings understood it in that way. But in course of time the succession was broken, and therefore the science as it is appears to be lost.

When yoga is destroyed then Krsna descends.

paritrāṇāya sādhūnāṁ
vināśāya ca duṣkṛtām
dharma-saṁsthāpanārthāya
sambhavāmi yuge yuge (Bg. 4.8)

Translation: To deliver the pious and to annihilate the miscreants, as well as to reestablish the principles of religion, I Myself appear, millennium after millennium.

Krsna appears in this material world from time to time to deliver the fallen souls of this material world. Also he sends his empowered representative for this cause. Ramdev Babaji Maharaj is also one such empowered personalities.

Ayurveda is also Veda (Upaveda). It’s the vani of the Lord. Keeping our body fit is a medium to attain our ultimate goal of keeping our souls fit by connecting ourselves to the Lord. Our body is an instrument to reach our goal which is Krsna consciousness. Once in history when people used to ask, Are you okay?

Then by default it used to mean that are you situated well in connection with the Lord. When we talk about our well-being then all these three aspects must be considered – Our body, mind and soul. We should not use our healthy body to enjoy this material world. If we do that, then once again we will develop disease.

Any disease originates from our mind. dhyayato visayan pumsah(BG 2.62). When the mind contemplates on the material desires too much then we develop such disease in our body as a result.

There are 2 types of diseases – Physical Sickness and Mental Sickness.

Once I read a research paper, it said, America is on top in terms of the most diseased people in the world. I was not amazed with this report. It’s natural, a place where we have the largest number of people with enjoying propensities then definitely we will have the most diseased people there.

Krsna has innumerable names and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu who is the Lord himself and he has given us this means to connect with him through the chanting of this Mahamantra. Please chant this Mahamantra with me.

śrī-prahrāda uvāca
śravaṇaṁ kīrtanaṁ viṣṇoḥ
smaraṇaṁ pāda-sevanam
arcanaṁ vandanaṁ dāsyaṁ
sakhyam ātma-nivedanam (SB 7.5.23)

Translation: Prahlāda Mahārāja said: Hearing and chanting about the transcendental holy name, form, qualities, paraphernalia and pastimes of Lord Viṣṇu, remembering them, serving the lotus feet of the Lord, offering the Lord respectful worship with sixteen types of paraphernalia, offering prayers to the Lord, becoming His servant, considering the Lord one’s best friend, and surrendering everything unto Him (in other words, serving Him with the body, mind and words)

These 9 processes of devotional service start with hearing and then with the chanting and this will result in complete wellness.

cheto-darpana-marjanam bhava-maha-davagni-nirvapanam
shreyah-kairava-chandrika-vitaranam vidya-vadhu-jivanam
anandambhdhi-vardhanam prati-padam purnamritasvadanam
sarvatma-snapanam param vijayate shri-krishna-sankirtanam (Shikshashtakam 1)

Translation: Glory to the Shri Krishna sankirtana (congregational chanting of the Lord’s holy names), which cleanses the heart of all the dust accumulated for years and extinguishes the fire of conditional life, of repeated birth and death. That sankirtana movement is the prime benediction for humanity at large because it spreads the rays of the benediction moon. It is the life of all transcendental knowledge. It increases the ocean of transcendental bliss, and it enables us to fully taste the nectar for which we are always anxious.

Also it’s my humble request to all of you. The lifestyle you are learning here, you should carry these practices with you.

oṃ sarve bhavantu sukhinaḥ
sarve santu nirāmayāḥ
sarve bhadrāṇi paśyantu mā kaścidduḥ khabhāgbhaveta
(Sarve Bhavantu Prayer)

Translation: May all sentient beings be at peace, may no one suffer from illness, May all see what is auspicious, may no one suffer. Om peace, peace, peace.

You should not be acting like an elephant who bathes nicely in the river, and as soon as he comes out he throws all the dirt on himself and becomes dirty again.

kvacin nivartate ’bhadrāt
kvacic carati tat punaḥ
prāyaścittam atho ’pārthaṁ
manye kuñjara-śaucavat (SB 6.1.10)

Translation: Sometimes one who is very alert so as not to commit sinful acts is victimized by sinful life again. I therefore consider this process of repeated sinning and atoning to be useless. It is like the bathing of an elephant, for an elephant cleanses itself by taking a full bath, but then throws dust over its head and body as soon as it returns to the land.

You should adapt these practices in your life and practice them on a regular basis.

 

19 May 2024
Pastimes of Sri Rama and Mother Sita
Speaker: HG Anantashesha prabhu

So we were hearing the description of the divine form of mother Sita. We will continue to hear the descriptions of her glories on this auspicious occasion of Mohini Ekadashi. We shall continue with the description of Mother Sita as shared by Lord Rama to his younger brother Lakshman. Just like one cannot attain Sri Krsna without the mercy of Srimati Radharani similarly, one cannot attain Sri Rama without the mercy of Sri Sita devi. In the last session we heard Sri Rama is expressing his amazement.

(Ramcharitmanas Balkand 231)

Karata batakahi anuja sana mana siya rupa lobhana
Mukha saroja makaranda chabi karayi madhup iva pana

Translation: Thus Ram is talking to his younger brother, but his mind, attracted by the form of Sita, is drinking the nectar like a bumblebee in the image of her lotus face.

How mother Sita’s beauty is like that of a lotus and Sri Rama’s mind is like a bee who is continuously moving around the lotus. Mother Sita’s eyes are moving here and there looking for Sri Rama thinking ‘Where is that charming boy about whom my friends were describing and talking’.

Chitavata chakita chahu disi sita kaha gaye nrupa kisora manu chita
Jaha biloka mruga savaka naini janu taha barisa kamala sita sreni

Translation: Sita is looking around in surprise. The mind is worrying about where the prince has gone. Wherever the deer-eyed Sita looks, it seems as if rows of white lotuses rain down there.

Lata ota taba sakhinha lakhaye syamala gaura kisora suhaye
Dekhi rupa lochan lalachane harashe janu nija nidhi pahichane

Translation: Then the friends showed Sundar Shyam and Gaur Kumar behind the creeper. Seeing his beauty, his eyes were attracted; he became happy as if he had recognized his treasure.

Her friends show her from a bush, on the other side are Sri Rama and Lakshman. She is amazed and extremely happy.

Thake nayana raghupati chabi dekhe palakanahihu parihari nimeshe
Adhika sneha deha bhe bhori sarada sasihi janu chitava chakori

Translation: The eyes became astonished (immobile) after seeing the image of Raghunath. The eyelashes also stopped falling. Due to excessive affection the body became restless (uncontrollable). As if Chakori is looking at the autumn moon (fainting).

We can understand from Mother Sita’s example what the mood of a devotee should be so that even Lord Rama become forced to get attracted. The dark and the fair complexioned boys are on the other sides. Mother Sita is attracted and very happy as if she had found her long lost wealth.

She couldn’t move her eyes away from the beautiful form of the Lord. And very soon she began to manifest eight bodily transformations. All her friends are witnessing Mother Sita’s condition. She couldn’t even utter a single word.

Lochan maga ramahi ura ani dinahe palaka kapata sayani
Jab siya sakhinha premabas jani kahi na sakahi kachu mana sakuchani

Translation: Having brought Ram into her heart through her eyes, Chaturshiromani Janaki closed her eyelids (i.e. she closed her eyes and started meditating on him). When the friends came to know that Sita was in love, they were troubled in their hearts and could not say anything.

Having brought Rama into her heart through her eyes, chaturshiromani Janaki closed her eyelids (that is, she closed her eyes and started meditating on him). Later on she got married to Lord Rama. Valmiki Ramayana has given a very elaborate description of Mother Sita’s dialogues with Lord Rama prior to heading for exile. In Tulsi Das’s Ramayana there is limited description.

As soon as Mother Sita heard that Lord Rama has gone to meet Mother Kaushalya and was taking her permission to leave, immediately Mother Sita went to her room also. She paid her respectful obeisances to Mother Kaushalya. Once she was blessed by Mother Kaushalya, she began to express her grief.

Samachar tehi samaya suni siya uthi akulayi 
Jai sasu pada kamala juga bandi baithi siru nayi (57)

Translation: At the same time, after hearing this news, Sitaji Akula got up and went to her mother-in-law, worshiped both her lotus feet and sat down with her head bowed.

She said, the owner of my life is going to the forest. Now who will accompany Lord Rama to the forest? Just my life or my body along with my life.

Chalana chahat bana jivananathu kehi sukruti sana hoihi sathu
Ki tanu pran ki kevala prana bidhi karatabu kachu jai na jana (2)

Translation: Jeevanath (Prannath) wants to walk in the forest. Let us see which virtuous person will accompany them – will both body and soul accompany them or will only the soul accompany them? Nothing is known about the actions of the Creator.

Mother Sita is standing with her eyes looking at the ground and she was scratching the ground with her toe nails.

charu charan nakha lekhati dharani nupur mukhar madhur kabi barani
Manahu prem basa binati karahi hamahi siya pada jani pariharahi (3)

Translation: Sitaji is scratching the earth with the nails of her beautiful feet. While doing this, the poet describes the sweet words of the Nupurs in such a way that it seems as if the Nupurs, under the influence of love, are requesting that Sitaji’s feet should never abandon them.

While she was moving her feet in such a way, then her anklets were making sound as if they were saying something. The ornaments were thinking now its time to leave for the forest and Mother Sita will give away all the ornaments and expensive dresses. Anklets were thinking, will Mother Sita take me along with her or will she renounce me too?

Then Mother Kaushalya told Lord Rama, your good wife is very dear to all of us. She is very well behaved.

Manju bilochana mochati bari boli dekhi rama mahatari
Tata sunahu siya sukumari sasa sasura parijanahi piari (4)

Translation: Sitaji is shedding tears from her beautiful eyes. Seeing his condition, Shri Ramji’s mother Kausalyaji said – Oh father! Listen, Sita is very beautiful and is loved by her mother-in-law, father-in-law and all her relatives.

Pita janaka bhupala mani sasur bhanukula bhanu
Pati raghukula kairava bipina bidhu guna rupa nidhanu (58)

Translation: Her father Janakji is the crown of kings, her father-in-law is the Sun of the Surya clan and her husband is the moon that feeds the Kumudvan of the Surya clan and is the storehouse of qualities and form.

Mai puni putrabadhu priya payi rupa rasi guna sila suhayi
Nayana putari kari priti badhai rakheyu prana janakihi layi (1)

Translation: Then I have got a lovely daughter-in-law with good looks, beautiful qualities and modesty. I have increased my love for her (Janaki) by making her the apple of my eyes and have dedicated my life to her.

Kalapabeli jimi bahubidhi lali sichi saneha salila pratipali
Phulata phalata bhayau bidhi bama jani na jai kaha parinama (2)

Translation: Like Kalpalata, I have nurtured them in many ways with great care and affection by watering them with the water of love. Now at the time of flowering of this creeper, the Creator left. It is not known what the result will be.

Palanga pitha taji goda hindora siya na dinha pagu avani kathora
Jianamuri jimi jogavata rahau dipa bati nahi tarana kahau (3)

Translation: Sita never set foot on the hard earth except on the paryankapshtha (above the bed), the lap and the carousel. I have always been guarding them (carefully) like a life-giving herb. She never even asks me to remove the light from the lamp.

Soi siya chalana chahati bana satha ayasu kaha hoyi raghunatha
Chanda kirana rasa rasika chakori rabi rukhanayana sakayi kimi jori (4)

Translation: The same Sita now wants to go to the forest with you. Hey Raghunath! What orders does he have? How can a chakori, desiring the juice (nectar) of the moon’s rays, turn its eyes towards the sun?

Kari kehari nisichara charahi dushta jantu bana bhuri 
Bisha batika ki soha suta subhaga sajivani muri (59)

Translation: Many evil creatures like elephants, lions, demons etc. keep roaming in the forest. O son! Can the beautiful Sanjeevani herb grace the garden of poison?

Bana hita kola kirata kisori rachi biranchi bishaya sukha bhori 
Pahana krimi jimi kathin subhau tinahahi kalesu na kanana kau (1)

Translation: For the forest, Lord Brahma has created the girls of Kol and Bhils who do not know sensual pleasures and have a tough nature like stone insects. They never face any trouble in the forest.

Kei tapas tiya kanana jogu jinha tap hetu taja saba bhogu 
Siya bina basihi tata kehi bhanti chitralikhit kapi dekhi derati (2)

Translation: Or the women of ascetics are eligible to live in the forest, who have given up all pleasures for the sake of penance. O son! How will Sita, who gets scared after seeing the monkey in the picture, live in the forest?

Is the swan that wanders in the lotus forest of Devsarovar worthy of living in ponds? Considering this, I will give the same education to Janaki as per your orders.

Ehi te adhik dharamu nahi duja sadara sasu sasur pada puja
Jab jab matu karahi sudhi mori hoiha prem bikala mati bhori (3)

Translation: There is no other religion greater than worshiping (serving) the feet of mother-in-law and father-in-law with respect. Whenever mother remembers me and due to being overwhelmed with love, her mind will become innocent (she will forget herself)

Tab tab tumha kahi katha purani sundari samujhaehu mrudu bani 
Kahau subhaya sapatha sata mohi sumukhi matu hita rakhau tohi (4)

Translation: Oh beautiful! Every now and then, explain them to them by telling them old stories in a soft voice. Hey Sumukhi! I swear hundreds of times, I say this by nature that I keep you at home only for mother.

(By obeying my orders and staying at home), you get the result of following the Dharma (conduct) as per the Guru and the Vedas without any trouble, but due to stubbornness, Galav Muni and King Nahush etc. all endured troubles.

Hey Vama! If you are stubborn out of love, you will suffer as a result. The forest is very difficult (painful) and terrible. The sun, cold, rain and wind there are all very terrible. There are bushes, thorns and many pebbles on the way. One will have to walk on them without shoes. Your lotus feet are soft and beautiful and there are huge inaccessible mountains on the way.

The caves, caves (passes) of the mountains, rivers, streams and drains are so impassable and deep that one cannot even look at them. Bears, tigers, wolves, lions and elephants make terrible sounds.

One will have to sleep on the ground, wear clothes made of tree bark and eat tubers, roots and fruits. And will they also be found every day? Everything will be available only as per one’s own time.

In this way the Lord describes the difficulties of going to the forest. One who does not wholeheartedly follow the teachings of a Guru and Swami who are naturally interested in welfare, repents deeply in his heart and his welfare definitely suffers. Sitaji’s beautiful eyes filled with tears after hearing the soft and lovely words of her beloved.

Janakiji could not answer anything, she became distraught thinking that my holy and loving master wanted to leave me. By forcefully stopping the tears from the eyes, he brought Sitaji, the daughter of the earth, into his heart. Touching her mother-in-law’s feet, she folded her hands and said – O Goddess! Please forgive my extreme audacity. Pranapati has given me only those teachings which are for my ultimate benefit. But I understood in my mind that there is no sorrow in the world like separation from my husband.

Prannath karunayatana sundar sukhada sujana 
Tumha binu raghukula kumuda bidhu sunupur saman (64)

Translation: Hey Prannath! O abode of mercy! Hey beautiful! O giver of happiness! Hey Suzanne! O moon that blooms the lilies of the Raghu clan! Without you even heaven is like hell for me.

Matu pitu bhagini priya bhai priya parivaru suhrdaya samudayi 
Sasu sasura guru sajana sahayi suta sundara susila sukhadayi (1)

Translation: Mother, father, sister, loving brother, loving family, community of friends, mother-in-law, father-in-law, teacher, relatives, helpful and beautiful, well-mannered and happiness-giving son.

Hey Nath! As far as affection and relationships are concerned, a woman without a husband is more scorching than the sun. Body, wealth, house, earth, city and state, all this is a society of sorrow for a woman without a husband.

Bhoga rogasama bhushan bharu jama jatana sarisa sansaru 
Prannath tumah binu jaga mahi mo kahu sukhad katahu kucha nahi (3)

Translation: Indulgences are like diseases, ornaments are like burdens and the world is like Yama torture (pain of hell). Hey Prannath! Without you there is nothing pleasurable for me in this world.

Just like a body without a soul and a river without water, so O Lord! There is a woman without a man. Hey Nath! By being with you and seeing your face like the clear moon of autumn (full moon), I will get all the happiness. With you, birds and animals will be my relatives, forests will be cities and tree barks will be pure clothes and Parnakuti (hut made of leaves) will be the source of happiness like heaven.

Only the forest goddess and the forest goddess with a generous heart will take care of me like mother-in-law and father-in-law, and only the beautiful bed made of kusha and leaves will be like Kamadeva’s beautiful toshak with the Lord.

The tubers, roots and fruits themselves will be food like nectar and the mountains (of the forest) will be like hundreds of palaces in Ayodhya. By seeing the lotus feet of the Lord every moment, I will remain as happy as Chakvi is during the day.

You have told about many sorrows of the forest and many fears, sadness and anguish, but oh blessed one! All of them together cannot even be equal to the sorrow caused by separation from God. Knowing this in my heart, O Sujan Shiromani! You take me with you, don’t leave me here. Oh lord! What more can I request? You are compassionate and know what is inside everyone’s heart.

O humble friend! Hey beautiful! O giver of happiness! O storehouse of modesty and love! If you keep me in Ayodhya for this period (fourteen years), then know that I will not survive.

ananya-chetāḥ satataṁ yo māṁ smarati nityaśhaḥ
tasyāhaṁ sulabhaḥ pārtha nitya-yuktasya yoginaḥ (BG 8.14)

Translation: For one who always remembers Me without deviation, I am easy to obtain, O son of Pṛthā, because of his constant engagement in devotional service.

Mother Sita is giving such a wonderful sacrifice here. All the Ayodhya vasis are devastated by the thought that their beloved Sri Rama is going away to the forest, but they are all admiring the sacrifice of Mother Sita. In the past 3 days we could listen to a few pastimes of Mother Sita from Valmiki Ramayana and Ram Charitmanas.

Today is Mohini Ekadashi and tomorrow is Rukmini Dwadashi. In the next two days, we will be celebrating the appearance day of Rukmini devi here in Kaundanyapur, the appearance place of Rukmini devi. The first Iskcon temple in LA is of Rukmini Dwarkadhish. The first temple in IMPM, Guru Maharaj’s zone, also has Rukmini Dwarkadhish here in Amravati.

Hare Krsna.