Lokanath Maharaja on unnecessary anger of the jivas

Bhagavatam canto 4, verse 11.7: Class at Vrindavan.
“Unnecessary anger of the jivas verses unlimited anger of the Lord.”
manur uvaca: alam vatsatiroshena, tamo dvarena papmana, yena punya janan etan, avadhis tvam anagasah
Translation and purport by Srila Prabhupada. “Lord Manu said, my dear son, please stop. It is not good to become unnecessarily angry. It is the path to hellish life. Now you are going beyond the limit by killing Yakshas, who are actually not offenders.
Maharaja reads the purport, “In this verse, the word atiroshena means ‘with unnecessary anger.’ When Dhruva Maharaja went beyond the limits of necessary anger, his grandfather, Svayambhuva Manu, immediately came to protect him from further sinful action. From this we can understand that killing is not bad, but when killing is done unnecessarily or when an offenseless person is killed, such killing opens the path to hell. (Maharaja comments, “Other killing could lead to heaven. It is mentioned in second chapter of Bhagavad Gita. But this one could lead to hell when the limits are crossed.) Dhruva Maharaja was saved from such sinful action because he was a great devotee.
A kshatriya is allowed to kill only for maintenance of the law and order of the state; he is not allowed to kill or commit violence without reason. Violence is certainly a path leading to a hellish condition of life, but it is also required for maintenance of the law and order of the state. Here Lord Manu prohibited Dhruva Maharaja from killing the Yakshas because only one of them was punishable for killing his brother, Uttama; not all of the Yaksha citizens were punishable. We find in modern warfare, however, that attacks are made upon innocent citizens who are without fault. According to the law of Manu, such warfare is a most sinful activity. Furthermore, at the present moment, civilized nations are unnecessarily maintaining many slaughterhouses for killing innocent animals. When a nation is attacked by its enemies, the wholesale slaughter of the citizens should be taken as a reaction to their own sinful activities. That is nature’s law.”
Maharaja continues, “My dear son, please stop.” When I read that, I am reminded of Srila Prabhupada. Once, he also asked me the same thing, “stop it,” he said. This was in the year 1972. About 38 years ago, during the month of Kartik, in Radha Damodar temple, our team of 10-15 devotees traveled from Bombay to Vrindavan to see Srila Prabhupada. As I was sitting around Srila Prabhupada, right in front of him. We were giving report of Bombay and different activities and Srila Prabhuapda was appreciating or enquiring from time to time.
As he was talking to us, he was moving his head from side to side. So whenever he looked at me, he would stop for a fraction of seconds. Then he would move again and come back again to take a little closer look at me. I knew that Prabhupada was noting something and I was wondering what was getting Prabhupada’s attention. I was trying to figure out, oh have I forgotten my tilak or what? But I could not figure it out till Prabhupada said, “Stop it”. Then I realized what Srila Prabhupada was referring to.
Those days whenever I heard someone attentively, then I would automatically move my thighs. I did not even know what I was doing, going fast in my movement. I was in Vrindavan for the first time and I was listening to Srila Prabhupada in such proximity for the first time ever. I had seen him in Bombay on the stage and heard him before, but never ever so closely. So there I was, moving my thighs up and down and Prabhupada said, “Stop it!” That was the first thing he ever told me. And I stopped it. Whenever I do a little demonstration, I do it again. So spiritual master gives different instructions, do this and don’t do this. I thought this one phrase ‘stop it’ included the whole package – don’t do this, don’t do that and that, etc. Although he was giving indication to stop one item, I thought he was asking me to stop all the nonsense.
The Lord came to see Dhruva:
So Dhruva Maharaja chanted the mantra, “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya at a placed called Madhuban, not far from here. The main thing was his tapasya and remembrance of the Lord, taking bath in Yamuna regularly, as he was instructed by his spiritual master, Narada. He was thoroughly purified by the end of six months. He had darshan of the Lord or Lord was taking his darshan. Srila Prabhupada used to say this. If you want to see the Lord, it is not so easy. But if Lord wants to see you then it is very easy.
So Lord was pleased with Dhruva Maharaja and came to see him. But Dhruva Maharaja had not taken note that his Lord was standing right in front of him. He was just absorbed in his meditation of seeing the Lord within his heart. So, to get Dhruva’s attention, Lord turned off the screen inside. Whatever Dhruva was seeing inside, on the smriti patal, the screen of the heart or consciousness; Lord turned off that screen, and Dhruva Maharaja immediately opened his eyes and Lord Vishnu was right there.
Unnecessary and excessive anger lead to sin and hell:
So now Dhurva Maharaja was trying to take revenge because his brother, Uttama was killed; although Uttama was some kind of competitor for Dhruva Maharaja for the throne or the lap of his father. Due to Dhruva Maharaja’s affection for his brother Uttama, he killed the yaksha who killed his brother but now he was unnecessarily killing some more yakshas and that is the topic of this verse. “This is not fair, enough is enough, O boy”, Manu said. He is the law maker. We call it Manu Samhita. For Dhruva Maharaja, he was a family member, grandfather to Dhruva.
Manu was old but not useless. Sometimes there is culture in the West to kill someone if one is useless. Old people may be weak in body but their wisdom comes handy. This is the Vedic culture. In Vedic culture, even old people could be useful, helpful with their wisdom. Utility is the principle. Young people are usually foolish. It is said young and foolish; but old and wise. Their experience could be shared or used. Same thing is happening here. Manu is the ruler of the universe. Even though we cannot see Manu (& see only politicians ruling the countries), the supreme manager or administrator is Manu Maharaja. He comes up with the laws for dos and don’ts. He is advising his grandson to stop unnecessarily killing others who are not responsible and hence should not be killed.
Manu says, “Others are not offenders. One person has killed your brother and you have already killed him. Alam .. stop it. Don’t become excessively angry.” If anger is excessive, then you will commit sins. That will open the gate to hell. ‘tamo dvarena papmana’. So Manu’s laws are based on Krishna’s. Manu is not an independent lawmaker separate from Krishna. Krishna has also said this in Bhagavad Gita that there are three gates kama, krodha and lobha. These are the gates leading to hell. So this advise is based on Krishna’s.
Punya janan etan. Others are pious, innocent. Why are you killing them? Maharaja reads purport of Srila Prabhupada, “We find in modern warfare, however, that attacks are made upon innocent citizens who are without fault. According to the law of Manu, such warfare is a most sinful activity. Furthermore, at the present moment, civilized nations are unnecessarily maintaining many slaughterhouses for killing innocent animals. When a nation is attacked by its enemies, the wholesale slaughter of the citizens should be taken as a reaction to their own sinful activities. That is nature’s law.”
Unnecessary killing of animals by humans: Cause of war
We all have experience of this. Sirla Prabhupada is taking this opportunity to take up the cause of animal slaughter. Especially cows, they cannot speak. Srila Prabhupada is speaking on behalf of the cows; as if the cows are saying, “Just because we cannot speak, just because we don’t have the passport, that doesn’t mean we are not citizens.” Srila Prabhupada is making this point, just because you have passport you claim to be citizens and the cows don’t have passport. They are also citizens, innocents. Not only innocent, but so useful. So gentle. Even looking at the cow, we feel peaceful. By looking at a buffalo, we may not. Looking at a dog, do you feel peaceful? No. This is very special. Just by looking at the cow, just by being with the cows, you feel peaceful. If you want peace of mind, stay with the cow, be with the cows or serve the cows. So there could be a whole cow mahatmya. Name of this land is Gokul, Govardhan. Cow centered culture. All we need is some land and cows. God says, you drink their milk, not their blood. So called civilized nations kill the cows and drink their blood. Including India, Indians also do this. India is one of the leading exporters of beef, second largest. This is a great misfortune.
Cruel Parliament:
Some years ago, in the Indian Parliament, cow slaughter was the agenda. Some of the Parliament members wanted to be kind to the cows. They said, “whereas when animals are killed or slaughtered in India; whereas the machinery is old and useless; whereas the blades used for killing animals are not sharp enough, therefore (the Members of Parliament concluded), we should modernize our slaughter houses. Certainly we should import the equipment that is used in America and Ireland so that there could be painless killing.” It was unanimously accepted. Just see what they said, “Cows, animals are suffering when they are slaughtered. We have to be kind to them. Let’s modernize. Let’s get the best equipments possible for slaughter. Let’s have sharpest blades so that when they are killed, they will not feel the pain. Before they can even think, they are gone. Are the Members of Parliament very kind? What do you think? Very kind?
Fine sentiments of kindness destroyed:
So this is how slaughter houses are maintained. Srila Prabhupada is pointing out that in the purport. This is the cause of the war. Killing has its origin in animal slaughter. One of the major causes of war and killing among people is animal slaughter. With the appearance of Kali in Kali yuga came the four sinful activities. One of them is animal killing. As animals are killed, one of the four pillars of religion, which is called ‘daya’ or mercy is broken. Daya dharma ka mool hai (the foundation of religion is mercy). When the animals are killed and gobbled up, you become merciless. You lose all kindness, all friendliness. With animal killing, animal eating, all finer sentiments like kindliness are gone. Then such person could be a killer. He could he kill others. Kill and then go for lunch. He won’t feel bad at all. As tiger kills other animals, it just goes to sleep as usual as if he has done nothing. Killing is just a routine thing for a tiger. He doesn’t go to any temple to lament and say, “I am sorry. I killed that animal. How could I do such a thing? I take a vow I will never ever do such thing again!” Does any tiger or lion do such confession? No. Human beings are becoming like that. They can kill. They come with guns and bombs and kill. They don’t even know whom they are killing. The target people are not even their enemies. They just load the gun and go to market and kill hundreds of people.
One American lady in New York met Srila Prabhupada. At that time, America was battling in Vietnam War. She says, “Swamiji they are recruiting young men and sending them to war front. My son has been on the list, booked already.” She wanted that swamiji should say something to console her or pray to the Lord so that he doesn’t have to go to the war. So Prabhupada responded to this lady’s dilemma. Prabhupada didn’t express any sympathy. He said, “Oh that is nature’s law. He had been killing. You have been killing cows in your country. Correct? Now it is your turn to be killed. You killed cows and now it is the humans’ turn. It is nature’s law.”
So ‘atiroshena’, excessive anger is always exhibited. Not only anger, but lust and greed also. This could make the individual, family, community or nation go blind under the influence of these enemies – kama, krodha, lobha etc. (lust, anger, greed, pride, illusion and envy). When a person is blinded by kama or lust, he is called kamandha (blind due to lust) or similarly krodhandha (blind due to anger) etc. So lust becomes the cause of blindness. It is not that you have no eyes. But your eyes do not show you what is what just like in the darkness your eyes don’t see the obstacles. Similarly your lust could make you blind.
The two sons of Kubera:
The two sons of Kubera, the demigod in charge of treasury became blind due to pride. Narada Muni was passing by singing on his veena, Narayan, Narayan. Narada muni bajaya vina Radhika Raman nam. But these sons could not hear that. They were busy with their mada (pride). They were madandhan (blind due to pride). Thus they were cursed. This story has a connection to Damodar lila. But they were also blessed at the same time.
Story of Dantavaktra:
So this kama, krodha, lobha are dangerous things. Do you know Dantavaktra? During Krishna’s time on Earth, Jay Vijay appeared as Shishupala and Dantavaktra. Shishupala was killed in Hastinapur. After that, Krishna had gone from Hastinapur to Dwarka. The news of Shishupala’s killing had already reached Mathura and Vraja. Not far from Shantanu kund, Bahulaban in Vrindavan, there is a place called Datiha. It is the place of Dantavaktra. When Dantavaktra heard the news, he became furious and decided to kill the killer of Shishupala. So much anger, that he lost the sense of direction. He thought Krishna was hiding in Dwarka. But he didn’t know which direction to go for Dwarka because of his excessive anger. Do you have that experience when someone is extremely angry? Due to excessive anger, sometimes such a person ends up in doing something crazy.
So the advice is when you are excessively angry, stop! Don’t act. Don’t do anything drastic. An angry person loses his power of discrimination to decide what is right and what is wrong. In the present story of Dhruva Maharaja also, Manu Maharaja is also reminding, “My dear boy, you have lost the sense of discrimination. Your brother was killed by just one yaksha and not by others.”
As this Dantavaktra was lost, Narada Muni came and asked, “May I help you, sir? You seem to be lost.” Dantavaktra said, “Yes please. You know I want to kill Krishna. Could you help me?” I am finding it difficult to get Him. Narada Muni said, “No problem. I will tell Krishna that you want to kill Him. Then He will come to you to get killed.” So Narada Muni went flying, and playing his Veena. Dwarkadhish Krishna heard that Dantavaktra wanted to kill Him. Narada Muni said, “Could you please go to him. He desperately wants to kill You. He cannot come here. Could you please appear before him?” Immediately Lord mounted the chariot with Daruka. And off they went. In no time, Krishna arrived at the gate of Mathura, at the place of Datanvaktra and said to him, “Here I am”. They started fighting and soon Dantavaktra was killed. Hari bol.
Battle with Jarasandha – bigger than Mahabharat war:
Much earlier to the Dantavaktra story, Krishna and Balaram were brought to Mathura by Akrura and they killed Kansa. Kansa’s two wives Asthi and Papti started crying and they went back to their father’s house, to Jarasandha. When Jarasandha got the news, he became furious and wanted to take revenge. Jarasandha also wanted to kill Krishna who killed his son in law, Kansa. He came with a big army.
The battle of Mahabharat is more popular. But this battle was bigger than Mahabharat in one sense. The battle of Kurukshetra lasted for 18 days. But this battle lasted for 18 years. This happened on the eastern side of Yamuna in Lohavan. Krishna and Balaram were fighting with Jarasandha and his army for 18 years. Of course, the battle did not take place every day. Throughout the year, it was a cold war or preparations for the actual war.
Jarasandha was brining big army every year. In Kurukshetra, there were 18 aukshahinis of army (640 million), 7 on Pandavas side and 11 on Kauravas side. But here, there were 23 aukshahinis of sena. Jarasandha was bringing 23 aukshahinis of sena every year. Bhagavatam mentions, Krishna and Balaram they would take only small army. 23 aukshahinis verses a small army of Krishna and Balaram.
There is another distinction between these two wars. In Mahabharat war, only Krishna took part and that too without any weapons. He was just there. Balaram showed no interest. In fact, He went on pilgrimage during Mahabharat war. Both had different opinions about the war. But in this war, both the brothers, Krishna and Balaram were fighting shoulder to shoulder. They were of the same opinion and their strategy was like this, kill the army of Jarasandha but don’t kill Jarasandha. Each year they would kill the entire amry of Jarasandha, sparing him alone. Only he would survive. Then Jarasandha would run back to his capital and contact his friends and gather another army as big as 23 aukshahinis. They would come marching every year, like a season. He would take some time to prepare and as soon as the army was ready, they would march to Mathura for war. For Krishna and Balaram, it was an easy job. They would just go across Yamuna. They were in town. When Jarasandha brought his army, Krishna and Balaram would go across Yamuna and battling with Jarasandha’s army, killing army and sparing Jarasandha. This happened 17 times.
What was Krishna doing? Was it excessive anger of Krishna battling so many times. No. It was as per the Lord’s plan. Earth was in trouble, had taken the form of a cow and had gone to the demigods. Demigods went to the Lord. The Lord said, “Yes, it looks like I will have to appear; you cannot handle this situation, O demigods.” So much of ‘dharmasya glani’ (decline in religious principles). So the Lord had to come to kill demons and to protect the devotees. You could imagine how many demoniac people were killed there! 23 aukshahinis multiplied by 17. 391 aukshahini divisions of army were killed.
What do you think? Did Jarasandha do service or disservice to Krishna? Jarasandha did service to Krishna. How? Krishna had appeared to kill the demons. And Jarasandha was gathering all the demons and offering them one after the other like a svahah offering in fire sacrifice. Krishna had come for this business of killing the demons. Some have retail while some have wholesale business. Krishna’s battling with Jarasandha was a wholesale business, it was wholesale killing. Otherwise, Krishna would have to go door to door to find each demon and kill him. Then go to another village, town etc. so Jarasandha was doing all this homework and was presenting it to Krishna. Jarasandha’s friends must be demoniac. They were cooperating with him, assisting him. So big battle took place in Vraja mandal, Vrindavan region. Krishna exhibited His anger and there is no limit on anger when Lord becomes angry. His anger is limitless.
Hari bol.

/strong



Transcendental transcripts of Lokanath Maharaj

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Lokanath Maharaj on the importance of tirthas

Venue: Los Angeles, 20/9/2003
nimajjyasmin hrade bhiru
vimanam idam aruha
idam sukla-kritam tirtham
asisam yapakam nrinam
Word for word:
nimajjya — after bathing; asmin — in this; hrade — in the lake; bhiru — O fearful one; vimanam — airplane; idam — this; aruha — ascend; idam — this; sukla-kritam — created by Lord Vishnu; tirtham — sacred lake; asisam — the desires; yapakam — bestowing; nrinam — of human beings.

Translation and purport by Srila Prabhupad, jai Srila Prabhupad, Srila Prabhupad ki jai.
Feels good, I gain some confidence. Maharaja asks devotees whether they had heard Prabhupad speaking sitting on this vyas asan, did anyone sitting here, had such a good fortune? Yourself mataji, your good name? Many times he was here for months together. Haribol! Not here, in Denver.
Sutkarma prabhu, where were you stationed those days? Where were you at that time, when Prabhpada was in Los Angeles? I was in Mumbai, Bombay. I wish he was with us giving this morning’s class but in some sense he is giving class. It is his Bhagvatam, his translations and purports, his disciples, Prabhupad’s disciples are trying to say something.
Translation: My dear Devah?ti, you look very much afraid. First bathe in the Lake Bindu Sarovara, created by Lord Vishnu Himself, which can grant all desires of a human being, and then mount this airplane.
Purport: It is still the system to go to places of pilgrimage and take a bath in the water there. In Vrindavan, the people take bath in the River Yamun?. In other places, such as Prayaga, they take bath in River Ganges. The words tirtham asisam yapakam refer to the fulfillment of desires by bathing in a place of pilgrimage. Kardama Muni advised his good wife to bathe in Lake Bindu Sarovara so that she could revive the former beauty and the luster of her body.
nimajjyasmin hrade bhiru
vimanam idam aruha
idam sukla-krita? tirtham
asisam yapakam nrinam
Translation: My dear Devahuti, you look very much afraid. First bathe in Lake Bindu Sarovara, created by Lord Vishnu Himself, which can grant all desires of a human being, and then mount this airplane.
There is one Bindu Sarovar in Bhuvaneshwar, claim to be the same Bindu Sarovar, there are some other claims also in Gujarat, there is a Bindu Sarovar. There are always more than one places, bindu; ida? ?ukla-k?ta? t?rtham, idam this one, he is pointing out, idam, this one look, look this one. His wife is right there and they are on the bank of that Bindu Sarovar, the lake that was created ?ukla-k?ta?. Lord Vishnu created that tirtha by the bindus, by the tear drops of Lord Vishnu. He had come there earlier visiting ashram of Kardam Muni. That was perfection of course, perfection of the austerities that this Kardam Muni had performed, “sujanti tasmai prabhavisnave namah,” tapasya purifies. That tapasya could drag Lord Vishnu to that person who is performing tapasya, that’s the power of tapasya. So Lord Vishnu had come. He was still there on the back of Garud. He was right there. Garud ji ki jai. He was in the air, not landed yet, he doesn’t have to land he is there, in the air, just above the kutir of Kardam Muni. Lord Vishnu is there, standing, we see that photograph, Lord is standing holding all the four symbols and as He is wathching Kardam Muni, seeing Kardam Muni and he is so much pleased with Kardam Muni and his austeries, his penance, his devotion, all his tapasya . Kardam Muni is not a dry one.
Yad karosi yad asnasi yaj juhosi dadasi yat
Yat tapsayasi kaunteya tat kurusva mad –arpanam
He was offering his tapasya unto the Lord, for the pleasure of the Lord and Lord was highly pleased. He was there watching looking at him with great affection, so much affection that Lord started shedding tears. As mothers do, I have seen my mother shedding tears out of great affection, taking me on her lap or I just passed some exam. Two times, one in great distress one sheds tears and in great joy, jubilation also one sheds tears. So Lord was very jubilant to see his son, his Kardam Muni, my Kardam Muni, dear Kardam Muni and there were tears. How many tears? Lots of tears. So many bindus, bindu means drops, sindhu, sindhu means ocean, bindu, the drop in that ocean. So Bindu Sarovar. So many drops, droplets, crystal clear as if pearls were dropping. As if pearls were dropping from the eyes of the Lord and that formed a lake called Bindu Sarovar.
There is also Prem Sarovar in Vrindavan which is formed with the tears of Krishna as well as Radha, shedding so much, so many tears at one point, feeling great separation from each other. They were sitting next to each other .They were thinking where, where, where is Krishna? I just had him and this rascal Madhumangal came with a stick because there was one Madhu, the bhramar, the bumble bee was hovering just above Radha and Krishna were sitting. So this Madhumangal, this guy (laughs) this guy (I didn’t catch it, I didn’t say it properly) is disturbing Radha and Krishna. He came with a big stick and to get rid of this bumble bee. Hmmm…hmmm…hmmm (makes sound of bee) this is distraction. So came with a stick and then while going away. “I got rid of Madhu, I got rid of Madhu and as Radha Rani hears this, she thought he got rid of my Madhusudan. I finally had him but just see what he has done. He got rid of Madhusudan, now where I am going to find him Oh! Madhusudan, she was into tears. Madhusudan was right there looking, Oh! Oh! I am here; she doesn’t even here, what to speak of responding. She is fully convinced that he is not there. Madhumangal got rid of Madhusudan and then Krishna couldn’t, by seeing Radharani in that state of intense separation and full of tears, Krishna also starts shedding tears. And streams were flowing, not just a drop at a time like a tap in Indian taps, water taps, drop at a time, they don’t flow they have to keep the bucket for two hours to fill the bucket (laughter). So it wasn’t like that, streams were flowing, riverlets were flowing from their eyes. Those tears mixed forming another lake between Barsana and Nandagram called as Prem Sarovar, so there is another sarovar, another lake. Here this is Bindu Sarovar.
“Idam sukla-kritam tirtham.” And Kardam Muni is asking his wife, who has been described as bhiru or fearful one. Don’t be afraid, just enter this lake. “nimajjyasmin hrade bhiru.” Just throw your self into the lake, just enter the lake, jump into the lake, dive into this lake. “nimajjyasmin hrade bhiru.” and then ofcourse this lake will “asisam yapakam nrinam” you will be bestowed all benedictions, all your desires would be fulfilled, just enter this lake and once you have done that “vimanam aruham idam” board this plane, then we will take off, travel all over. Not the planet, all over all the planets, all over the universe.
There is common knowledge that the world is big and it was accessible to personalities like Kardam Muni. He had his own viman, he had his own aircraft. Wife and husband boarded the plane and this is long, long, long time ago, much prior to the Wright brothers had some bright ideas, somewhere in Europe or America? Europe and the flights were very common those days, the good old days, flying was very common, interplanetary shuttle sevices were known between higher planets and earthly planets. This always was one of the principle destinations for all the travels, this earthly planet was very very special tirtha, Bindu Sarovar is mentioned here but there are so many tirthas on this planet associated with Krishna, with Ram, with Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahaprabhu and few I havn’t mentioned.
In Vrindavan, people take bath in river Jamuna and Prayag and so many places. Padayatris have been tarvelling in India for past 20 yrs, they always come across another tirtha, yet another tirtha , another new tirtha after 5-10-20 kms walk, there is another tirtha, yet another tirtha. So many tirtha, all over that part of planet which is property of everybody. Why only in India? Why Lord is appearing in India? That part of the world is not in India. Vrindavan is not in India, Mathura is not in India. I was just reading last night also, Caitanya Mahaprabhu went to Vrindavan, first went to Mathura. He is at Vishram ghat, taking bath at Vishram ghat. Then he took bath at all the 24 ghats on the bank of Jamuna. So Vishram ghat is a place where vishram, resting place, Lord Krishna had taken rest, Lord Varaha took rest one time at Vishram ghat. He had just lifted the Earth and he was holding on his little tusk varaha, his little tusks. He is holding, Earth is right there, little one, tiny one. As he is holding Earth, he is called Dharnidhar. Earth is up there and he is sitting in Mathura, Mathura is not up there Mathura is not part of earth. The earth fell down but Vrindavan did not fall down, infallible. Vrindavan remained wherever it was, wherever it is. Lord Varaha comes holding the earthly planet and is sitting in Mathura, Vishram Ghat. So all these tirthas, all these holy places are not in India. So think that they are in India is one of the ten offences at the feet of the holy dham. There are ten offences against the holy name, there are ten offences against the dham and this is one of them, to think that Vrindavan is in U.P. and Mayapur is in Bengal, not correct, offence. They have there own realm.
So one goes, Prabhupad is writing, still the system to go to places of pilgrimage and take a bath in water there. In Vrindavan, people take bath in river Jamuna. In Prayagraj, there is Ganga, there is river Jamuna, there is Saraswati, there is Kaveri, there is Narmada, there is Sindhu and Godavari. Some people were there on bank of Godavari just last month, millions of them, there was Kumbha Mela on the bank of Godavari at Nashik. We had a big camp, huge camp following in the footsteps of Srila Prabhupad. He used to go to kumbha melas, he went in 1971, he went there in 1977 and Prabhuapad used to say we havn’t come here to take bath. We are talking of taking bath, still that is the tradition.
Prabhupad used to say we have come here to preach the glories of devotional service, he is reminding his disciples. I also happened to be there in 1977 Kumbha Mela and we were sitting in the tent, Prabhupad’s tent in Kumbha Mela. Tent right in the river bed, the whole city comes up, crops up the river bed of Ganga , so we had our camp, so I was just reminded of Prayag when I came here. So, Prabhupad asked Brahmanandi, one follower from another sampradaya, a nice vaishnava. We padayatris had just a week earlier had visited his village, then we had invited him come, come see our Guru Maharaj, so this gentleman, a grihastha, very nice saintly grihastha so he had come. Prabhupad asked as they were talking, did you take bath at triveni sangam, the confluence. Then he said, that this person was so smart, he was carrying some water, so he moved very fast, he rushed to feet of Prabhupad, he bathed Prabhupad lotus feet, poured water with one hand and held water, he had a plate or something and then he sprinkled that water on his head. Yes, Yes, now I have taken bath, taken bath. This is the bath that I was looking forward to.
Pada jal, bhakta pada jal, bhakta pada dhuli, bhakta bhukta avasesa yei tin bala.
These three things give us spiritual strength, one of them is bhakta pada jal, water that has washed the lotus feet of great acharayas, spiritual master. Sprinkle that and you have taken bath in all the holy tirthas. And bhakta pada dhuli, the dust of there feet, bhakta bhukta avasesa, the mahaprasad left behind by pure devotees. These three things gives lots of bala, lots of spiritual strength. Srila Prabhupad always reminded us of one particular verse, it’s not doing in this purport but he always tells this, when talk comes of taking a holy dip in some tirthas in some sacred river.
“Yad tirtha budhi salinena karhicit na jane shu abhigya shu sa eva gokhara”
You remember this verse gokhara. So this is statement of Lord Krishna, Lord Krishna is in Kurukshetra. He has travelled long distance. He has come all the way from Dwaraka with hundreds and thousand of residents of Dwaraka to take holy dip in the lake at Kurukshetra, on the occasion of sun eclipse, this is tradition even to this day. 5000 yrs ago, on one such sun eclipse, Krishna had come. So, there were so many sages and rishis and munis, they found out that the Lord was in town, Lord was there, they all came in big number to see the Lord and the Lord was now addressing them. So this statement which Prabhupad always quotes, this is statement of Lord Krishna. Lord said my dear sages and saintly persons assembled here, people go to tirtha, I also have come to this holy tirtha.
Yad tirtha budhi salinena karhicit, people have so much faith in taking bath salile salilam means water, sacred waters yad tirtha budhi there mind is fixed focused on taking bath in the holy places, they have so much faith in this holy rivers, the lakes, the kunds, they come and they take bath. But they always don’t have same amount of faith in jane su abhigye su in people, perosonalities who are abhigya, those have full knowledge abhigya, gya means to know. Abhigya abhigya svarat, Krishna is also known as abhigya and svarat. Lord is independent and full of knowledge, full cognition. So those who are devoted to Him, have heard Him, they also become abhigya. So those who are knowledgeable personalities in those tirthas, residing on the banks of those tirthas, those who study sashtra, they are like spiritual masters, spiritual guides for the pilgrims coming to those places of pilgrimage. So people coming they have more faith or they have sometimes only faith in taking bath, but not having faith in those holy men, knowledgeable persons, those dham gurus and so these persons coming for only holy dip but not approaching the holy men. They are to be compared, Krishna says, go and khara
They are like cows, the bull is also ‘go,’ sometimes I feel bad to say that they are compared to the cow, I think it’s good, isn’t it? Compare someone to a cow is good. But ‘go’ also meant dull headed bull not a gentle cow. So it has both meanings, cow and the bull, they are both ‘go’ ‘go and khara,’ khara means ass, ass is ok, there is no controversy over that, so they are compared with the asses and compared to the cows, dull headed bulls. They just go and only take bath and do not approach the holy men.
When people go to Prayag, Ganga is visible, Jamuna is visible. People wonder where is Saraswati? Where is Saraswati? Where is Saraswati? She is very mysterious river, appears and disappears, goes up and down. She is also there but then devotees explain that there are hundreds and thousands sadhus are here and they are talking, Saraswati is flowing right out of their mouths. Saraswati is emanating from there mouth, so take bath in that, those words, those knowledgeable statements. Then your bath is complete Ganga, Jamuna, Saraswati, you drown also in the ocean of knowledge. So of the two, after taking bath and hearing from sadhus, hearing from sadhus is considered superior and if one doesn’t do that, but only takes bath, then he is ‘gokhara.’
Caitanya Mahaprabhu appered as nimajjya after bathing. This reminded me of another statement of Prabhodananda Saraswati in Caitanya Chandaramrit, he is glorifying Caitanya Mahaprabhu saying, “yen majyanti majyanti te maha anartha sagare avatirna guar chandre vistirne prem sagare.” Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu has appeared in order to expand the ocean of knowledge, ocean of love of godhead. So everyone is appealed, please jump now, and jump right in there. Avatirne guar chandre Lord has appeared, Guar Chandra has appeared. Vistirne prem sagar. Prem sagar the ocean of love of godhead, he has come to expand it. Normally oceans are not allowed to go beyond certain limit, they were trying to cross certain borders at Kerala few days ago and something happened. Normally they have their limits, Prabhupad was on morning walk in Hawaii, he stopped suddenly, devotees gathered around to hear statement of Prabhupad, Prabhupad said Lord has ordered this ocean, you can’t go beyond this.
Mayadhiksena prakruti. Prabhupad had this thought as he was walking he wanted to share with his disciples, devotees gathered all around and yes this ocean is not allowed to expand, come forward. But Caitanya Mahaprabhu appered to pratiksana, the ocean of love of godhead is ever expanding, ever expanding. What is that?
“ceto-darpan- marjanam bhava-maha-davagni-nirvapanam
Sreyah-kairava-candrika-vitaranam vidya-vadhu-jivanam”
And anandambudhi-vardhanam, anandambudhi, ocean of love of godhead and vardhanam, expanding ocean of love of godhead. We don’t have such experience. But Caitanya Mahaprabhu appeared to expand the ocean of love of godhead and there is appeal that you please dive deeper into this ocean and but if you don’t do this, then the only other ocean awaiting for you is maha anartha sagare. We talk of two sagar, two oceans, prem sagar and maha anartha sagar. So yen na majayanti na majayanti, those who don’t dive deeper into the ocean of love of godhead further expanded by Caitanya Mahaprabhu for them, the only choice is maha anartha sagare. So let us that ocean had been expanded on behalf of Caitnaya Mahaprabhu by Srila Prabhupad and the ocean has been expanded cutting canals sitting in that Jaldutta boat.
Just last week devotees of Boston, they gathered at pear, Boston pear and they had festival called as paschayat des tarine, they gave the name of festival paschayat des tarine. There were couple of hundred devotees, senior devotees, Prabhupad’s senior disciples went to that pear were Prabhuapad, he landed captain Pandye said swamiji, swamiji America is here lets go lets see, Prabhupad had accompanied this Pandye and Prabhupad was watching America for first time and they are all immersed in this maha anartha sagar. The sagar of anarthas and that’s the time Prabhupad went. Prabhupad oh! I came here on order of my spiritual master to deliver guarvani pracharine, guarvani message of Guaranga Mahaprabhu but how am I going to do? I have no customers everybody is so busy in rat race, running back and forth nobody is stopping and everybody is rushing, running. Such a passion, Prabhupad was wondering, God! How am I going to manage now? Then Prabhupad had sat and went back to the boat. Now the boat was between Boston and Newyork. Prabhupad sat down and wrote that famous poem.
Bhagavata dharma.
Oh ! Prabhu Oh! Caitnaya Mahaprabhu now nacao Prabhu nacao nacao se-mate ami to kashter puttli .
I am just a puppet in your hands Oh! Mahaprabhu, Oh! Krishna, Oh! Damodar, now make me dance, Oh! Lord make me dance so as you feel, make me dance. So Prabhupad came and expanded the love of godhead spread all over America, all over Europe, all over Africa like that he went fourteen times around cutting canals and distributing love of godhead. That prem, Krishna prem that Caitanya Mahaprabhu had brought with him all the way from spiritual sky. Prabhuapad was taking that all over and creating tirthas and his holy sashtras are tirthas.
We could take shelter of his tirthas, tirthas is a place that gives shelter, dham is place where you take refuge take shelter that is dham. So of all the tirthas Srila Prabhupad’s scriptures, books are the topmost holy places, places of pilgrimage, places which we should visit and as we visit these scriptures they take us all over we go with Kardam Muni all over, we go with other munis, Narada Muni all over. We go to Vaikuntha, we go to Golok we go to everywhere these, these are the windows of spiritual sky, we could see through Prabhupad’s books.
Otherwise we are blind not able to see because of the darkness of this age of kali and then Prabhuapad offered us Bhagvatam. Nasta kalu drasam esham Kalu nasta drasam. Kaliyug finished our drusti, our vision, puran arak uditaha, then Bhagvatam has appeared on the scene from horizon. Prabhupad has presented that and as Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s message in there and we should take shelter of Prabhupad. Taking shelter of his instructions, his purports, he has poured his heart into his books and his books are nondifferent from Prabhupad so as we open a book, listen, read Prabhupad is right there we get to meet Prabhupad, we get to know Prabhupad. If you want to know me what is to be done? What to do? How we get Prabhupad? Read his books, read his thoughts.
Essence of what a person is, is his speech wait till he talks he may have a tie and a coat, but his mouth he is going to expose himself as a fool. Prabhupad was a wise man, wise person that we have ever met and he has contributed so much, he has given us Rukhmini Dwarkadish. He has given everything. He has given us Krishna, what more you want, he has given us holy name, given us also Vrindavan, given us Mayapur, given us Jagganathpuri, given us Mahaprasad. Mahaprasade govinde, very famous and popular prayer right? There are two prayers very famous Om namo bhagvate vasudevai and as soon as that prayer is chanted devotees (sleep), Mahaprasade govinde they wakeup (laughter). So Prabhupad has given us everything. So let us remain very greatful to Srila Prabhupad and his Hare Krishna movement was so dear to Prabhupad he always appealed everyone to understand this movement and appealed everyone to join this movement and to push on this movement. Especially American boys and girls, he used to say American boys and girls. Sometimes he used to say European boys and girls, never said Indian boys and girls (laughs). I was waiting but he never said Indian boys and girls anyway we are included in that. And he wanted his American boys and girls especially to do something wonderful, to do something wonderful otherwise give up your citizenship. What kind of Americans you are? You can’t do wonderful things. So let us all meditate get together plan cooperate with Saubas Prabhu to push on our Hare Krishna movement in this part of the world. Then druta karma will go with the boot to the scientist. Prabhupad liked the kicking scientist with the boot, so like that we have different fronts to work on just get our army together consolidated our army and shuu………….shot.
Maya is getting stronger, kaliyug forces are getting. We should unite spread this Krishna Consciousness all over, there is nothing better to be had than this Krishna Consciousness. Only thing that is lagging in this world according to Bhaktisiddhant Saraswati. Let us take this very seriously take it to your heart practice and propagate far and wide.
Srila Prabhuapad ki jai .
Grantha Raj Srimad Bhagvatam ki jai.
Guar Premanande Hari Haribol .
His Holiness Lokanath Swami ki jai.
strong



The 12th Offense

Venue: VOICE Nagpur
Date: June 11, 2011

Stay Focused! Don’t get distracted. This material world is meant for distractions. Our original relation is there with Krishna only in the spiritual world. This material world has been designed to make us forget that relationship. Half of the life is wasted in just sleeping.

Vriddha avastha chinta magna – nowadays if someone is lucky, then he will die in old age. Previously, the majority of the people used to die in old age. But nowadays, the majority dies in early age. Some die in womb through abortion. Then some commit suicide at young age. Farmers are also traffic jammed. Five percent of life is wasted in traffic jam. So where is the time for Krishna? There are people in the world, who have zero time for Krishna. We have created so many varieties of Illusions. All that glitters is not gold. Ten to twenty years before, Nagpur was not that much glamorous, the way it is now.

The 12th offense is to have mobile/Nokia next to you while chanting and hearing. The most important business is to become Krishna conscious.
Whatever is favorable has to be accepted – anukulasya sankalpa and whatever is unfavorable has to be rejected. This has to be understood. The focus has to be maintained on daily basis. That is the purpose of staying in the BACE.
We get regular reminders. Otherwise in the outside world, even if someone performs so called religious activities, the purpose is to make the material world more comfortable. Yavat jivam sukham jivet – ghrtam pibet. In church also people go and ask to Jesus – Oh God! Give us our daily bread. Some people desire to go to higher heavenly planets. It is just like going from lower grade prison house to higher grade prison house. There are some first class prison houses where there are five star facilities. Real intelligence is not in promotion from low class to high class prison but to get out of the prison.

The wives of Ganesh are Riddhi and Siddhi. Their sons are Shubha and Labha. But by such Shubha and Labha, one will only continue with his comfortable life in this material world or prison. We are entangled into so many activities of this world. Balavastha Kridasakta – all over the world, children have the tendency to play. Previously, I used to think only Indian boys have the tendency to play. First day in 1978, when I was going from airport to temple in the West, children were playing on the ground. This proves that all the children have common tendency. This also proves that father of all the human beings is one.

Turana avastha taruni asakta – Boy’s attraction for girl – I Love You. This might be natural on the bodily platform. But for the soul this attraction is completely unnatural. But when we say shut up to soul’s voice, body starts speaking – I Love You. Atma ka mukha – I Love Krishna e.g. When someone is drunken – whatever he does, whatever he speaks is insane. The people of this world are intoxicated with Maya. Intoxicated with lust, anger and greed. From greed is coming the corruption. In this way, the conditioned soul
remains always entangled in this so called routine life. The goal of life, vision, is forgotten. The goal of the captain in the boat is the light house. Otherwise he will be lost. Even if he is misdirected due to storm, he will be back on the track only if he will remain focused on the goal.

Sadhu Savadhan – if there is some high tension wires, it will be written – SAVADHAN /BEWARE. In this way, life will pass. So Krishna consciousness has never to be postponed. Yesterday only, one of our well-wishers, Mr. Onjhale from Pune, who used to come every year for my katha, left his body. He was about 40-45 years old. Nowadays this is natural.

During Ramacandra’s kingdom it never happened that in the presence of parents a child would die. Only once it happened, and then the father came to Lord Rama to complain. If someone dies in old age, they say it is a natural death. Temporary nature and the intensity of dukhalayam of this world increasing more and more day by day. On daily basis you should remain focused and check yourself – some evaluation should be done.

The program and concept of the BACE was not there during our time, when we were students. BACE is like a temple away from the temple and also at the same time, home away from the home. Not completely entangled in home and also not fully absorbed in temple. Something in between as a transit – Stop, think and go – coming out of the rat race. This BACE is also like an oasis. In desert, where there is no drop of water, oasis is a place where you can get water. Similarly in this concrete jungle of Nagpur – in that contamination, there is some mangal, auspiciousness is there at the BACE.

For thinking, one should accept the thoughts of Krishna from the Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-bhagavatam. Are all of you watching how the whole world is running very fast? Srimad-bhagavatam also describes that. As soon as one wakes up, the senses become very active. The body is like a chariot, the senses are like the horses. The whole day the chariot is running and the horses are dragging the chariot in so many various directions.
In the night, some rest, dream world. Next day again running. BACE program is out of the world. Who are we and where we have to go? Someone is sitting in the train and if you ask him where are you going and he says, “I don’t know.” Then he is called mad. This life is also a journey but what is the goal? People don’t know. They only know the destination of the body – cremation but not of the soul. The soul is very disturbed from this rat race. She wants to get out of it.

You are very fortunate that you have come in contact with this religion. We wish you all success. Success in your exams. But not only that, there are so many exams in this world. How to balance the life between both sides? In future, if there is some change of ashram – that preparation is also required. So, all of you should take Krishna Consciousness very seriously. Hari Bol!



Chant for Change

Venue: ISKCON Pandharpur

Hare Krishna !! You are all welcome. Pandharpur dham ki jay.
Pandharpur dham is known for chanting. Lot of chanting goes on here. Lot of singing. Varkaris (walking pilgrims) also sing. Gaudiya vaishnavas also sing. Prabhupada writes in the purport. They chant, they dance and they chant and they dance along with mridangas (drums), and kartalas (hand cymbals). Prabhupada compares like this the Caitanya Caritamrita. There is a description of Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s visit to Pandharpur. And many if not all saints from Maharastra, Vithhal bhaktas – they all sing bhajans, abhangas. Nam ghosh (loud chanting) on the banks of chandrabhaga river goes on. There is a connection. Namacha ghosh chandrabhagechya kathi, chandrabhagechya valvanti (loud sounds of chanting in the dessert on the banks of chandrabhaga river). So to such a place of Pandharpur dham we have come for Japa and kirtan. So I think we have very favorable setting here. We have the contact of dham. You already feel surcharged with chanting. This is going on for thousands of years. So we have not selected any particular verse this morning from Bhagavatam. But we have something from person ‘bhagavat’, Srila Prabhupada that I would like to share. Maharaja reads from the section “Mahamantra – the great chant” written by Srila Prabhuapda.
“This transcendental vibration – Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Ram Hare Ram Ram Ram Hare Hare is a sublime method of reviving our Krishna Consciousness. We are all Krishna Conscious entities but due to our association with matter with time immemorial, our consciousness is now polluted by material atmosphere.”
Knowing Krishna is knowing His name: So that is the text for today from Srila Prabhupada. This is the Hari Nam mahatmya, japa mahatmya- the greatness of the holy name. Prabhupada describes here “transcendental” vibration of the Hare Krishna maha mantra. So this vibration is “transcendental”. It transcends material existence. In other words this chanting of Hare Krishna is not from this world. We also say ‘out of this world’. This chanting is from out of this world. Or chanting Hare Krishna is from spiritual world, the transcendental world. “Hare” is not from Maharashtra, or India or from this planet or even not from heavenly planets. From beyond this existence. “Golokera premadhana – Hari nama sankirtana” Although it sounds like ‘ha’ and ‘re’. Last varna (syllable) in varna- mala (list of syllables) is ‘ha’. Sometimes ksha also. Adhokshaja .. Adh- akshja –. From ‘a’ to ‘ha’ or from ‘a’ to’ ksha’ – both versions are there. We know ha , re; we know k , kr, sh, na .. .. it appears like these word are from this world. I was just looking at yesterday this Hari Namamrita Vyakarana. It says “Narayan udbhava varna” All the varnas (syllables) come from Narayan. “Aham Sarvasya prabhavo mattah sarvam pravartate (BG Verse 10.8 I am the source of all spiritual and material worlds. Everything emanates from Me). Even varna mala (list of syllables) a, aa, e, ka, kha, gha. these have origins in Narayan. This is the statement of Jiva Goswami. So originally these syllables – they are coming from Narayan. So people use these syllables, these varnas, these aksharas, but Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Ram Hare Ram Ram Ram Hare Hare …32 syllables, 16 words, “iti sodasakam namnam kali kalmasa nasanam” (verse from Kali Santaran Upanishad: these sixteen names can nullify all the degrading, contaminating effects of the materialistic Age of Kali.) 16 words, 32 syllables. They are all transcendental.
When they come from the Lord Himself and when they are used to utter the names of the Lord, Hare Krishna and Ram.. Srila Prabhupada explains that this is transcendental vibration. They certainly do not address or they certainly do not indicate anyone from this world. Krishna is from transcendental world. (BG 8.20 paras tasmat tu bhavo ‘nyo, vyakto vyaktat sanatanah : Yet there is another unmanifest nature, which is eternal and is transcendental to this manifested and unmanifested matter.)
“Goloka dhamni nija dhamni” (verse 43 from Sri Brahma Samhita: above them all is located Kåñëa’s own realm named Goloka). There is His own abode. So there is no one in this world called Krsna, called Ram and called Hare or Hara. Do you know anybody? Or Krsna from Pune, or Mumbai? If someone claims that “my name is Krsna and my wife is Radha, you know!” Sometimes we go to life members. They introduced “I am Krishna” We say to them “you are Krishna devotee”. Oh, I am Krishna and my wife’s name is Radha. We correct them and say that you are prabhu, Krishna- dasa and your wife is Radha-dasi. Krisna is Krishna and Ram is Ram and Radha is Radha. There are not two Radhas and three Krishnas and five Rams.
There is but one Krsna and one Ram and one Radha and that is “Goloka namni nija dhamni”. They reside in Their own aobde. So here it is His name. Krishna’s name. Who is Krishna? Whose name is Krishna? Krishna’s name is Krishna. No one else has name Krishna. The name is non different from Krishna. We cannot separate it from Krishna. So it is transcendental. These names are transcendental. There is so much in these names. That is not the case – Chinku, Pinku, Tinku! (laughs) There is not much in there. There is not such much that you go deeper to understand those names. But these names! “Namnam akari bahuda nija sarva shaktis” (Siksastakam prayer 2: You have hundreds and millions of names, like Krishna and Govinda. In these transcendental names You have invested all Your transcendental energies.) So much shakti (power) is there in these names. There is so much to know. You could spend the whole life time just knowing name “Krishna”, knowing nam-tattva. “Bahunam janmanam ante” or you could take many life times just to know “Krishna” or even name “Krishna”. When you understand name Krishna then you will understand Krishna also. Krishna’s name is not different from Krishna. This is knowing the name of Krishna.
“Abhinnatvat nam namino” there is so much to know. (verse from Padma Puran: To know the name is non-different from Krishna – this is knowing Krishna or knowing person Krishna. So transcendental. (Reads) Srila Prabhupada says: “Chanting these names is the sublime method of reviving our Krishna Consciousness. As living entities or living spiritual souls, we are all originally Krishna conscious entities. But due to our association with matter since time immemorial our consciousness has now been polluted by the material atmosphere. In this polluted concept of life, we are trying to exploit the resources of material nature but actually we are becoming more and more entangled in her complexities”
So more one tries to enjoy, it becomes exploitation. Srila Prabhupada uses the word ‘exploit’, ‘ Exploitation’. What happens when one gets entangled? Exploitation begins with contemplation. “dhyayato vishayan pumsan sangas tesupajayate” (BG verse 2.62: While contemplating the objects of the senses, a person develops attachment for them, and from such attachment lust develops, and from lust anger arises.) Entanglement is already started as soon as you contemplate. So the process of entanglement, exploitation begins with contemplation. One becomes attached, entangled just by contemplation. Making plans to enjoy, contemplate on, aspiring to enjoy or even contemplate on what had enjoyed in the past. Just remembering that, contemplating that, we get more entangled.
(Continues reading) “This illusion is called Maya, our heart’s struggle to winning over the stringent laws of material nature. Our heart’s struggle of existence for winning over the stringent laws of material nature. Every word, every sentence is loaded with full meaning. Living entity never succeeds, never wins in this attempt.
(Reads) “This illusory struggle against the material nature can at once be stopped by revival of our Krishna Consciousness.” How does it begin? “Daivi esha gunamayi mama maya duratyaya” (BG Verse 7.14 his divine energy of Mine, consisting of the three modes of material nature, is difficult to overcome. But those who have surrendered unto Me can easily cross beyond it.). So both statements are here. Struggle for existence for winning over. They do not know that this is Krishna’s Maya. And it is very strong. My Maya- your Maya, if it was; then not much strong Maya because we do not have much strength. But this His Maya, Krishna’s Maya. Krishna says. Hence ‘duratyaya’ (difficult to overcome). Never ever we would succeed or no one has ever succeeded and there has never happened. Individually or collectively there would be no winning. “Oh we won! We won!!” We could never say… “Oh these stringent laws – we broke, we changed them. We dismantled the system or the laws”. More one breaks the laws, he gets harder punishment. If he was in imprisonment only for three months and he breaks more laws – what happens – three years. And then he breaks and what happens – thirty years! You break the law, you are imprisoned, and you are punished. And then you again try to break, again the punishment during that imprisonment period. Then behind the bar, behind wall you may be sent to “kala pani” in the middle of some ocean, some island and imprisoned there. So like that. Living entity has already broken and is attempting to break. They again break or attempt to break laws then they get worst punishment ‘hang them’ – capital punishment they call it. Hanging. So by breaking laws of the Lord, going against the nature of the Lord, what happens? Punishment. What punishment? Death. So many other kinds of punishments are there.
Adyatmik, Adhibhautik, Adhidaivik. (from one’s own mind and body, from others and from demigods). This goes on and finally ‘kill’, “Mrutyuh sarvahas chaham” (verse 10.34 BG Krishna says I am all-devouring death) I come in the form of death. It is “Punarapi jananam, punarapi maranam, punarapi janani jathare shayanam” (again and again birth, death and again sleeping in the womb of another mother). So every time there is death punishment. Isn’t that what is happening?
Every time living entity goes against His laws, varieties of punishment come and capital punishment at the end. “Kill him” give another chance. If he breaks more laws, kill him, just take his life. So this has happened over again and again and again. So don’t think only the government has prisons and punishment or capital punishment. Lord also has this. There is arrangement and there is death.
(Continues reading) “So this illusory struggle against material nature can at once be stopped by revival of our Krishna Consciousness.” What is the process for revival? By chanting of Hare Krishna. Srila Prabhupada has already said that.
Chanting of Hare Krishna is the process of revival of our dormant love for the Lord or dormant consciousness, original Consciousness, Krishna consciousness. Krishna consciousness is not an artificial imposition on the mind. So Krishna Consciousness is not something foreign or some imported or outside thing. From outside it is not imposed upon the living entity or injected into living entity. Not imposed. It is original energy of living entity. Chant like a mantra, just to get it into our head. “Krishna Consciousness is original energy of the living entity. It is original energy of the living entity..”
Go on saying this until we really understand, really realize this that Krishna Consciousness is original energy of the living entity. When we hear transcendental vibration this consciousness is revived. So living entity’s original consciousness is Krishna Consciousness. It is not imposition. It is natural and that original consciousness is revived by chanting of the holy name of the Lord and therefore the process of chanting of Hare Krishna is recommended by authorities for this age.
Everyone is recommending. Authorities are recommending. Not only Hindu authorities or Bhagavat dharma but everyone is into chanting. Allah….Oh Akabar. It is also chanting. Five times a day. “Dhyanan stuvam tasya yashah tri sandhyam”. We have three sandhyas. Islam has pancha sandhyas. Five times a day they chant. Broadcast the glories of the Lord. Even they chant their mantra. “Allah o Akabar.. Mohammad is the only prophet. Allah is the only God and Mohammad is the only prophet”. On their rosary they chant this mantra. Their rosary, Muslim rosary has 99 beads. We have 108. They have 99. We have Vishnu sahastra nam. Koran has 99 names of Allah. 99 sacred names of Allah have been listed in Koran. So 99 names. So they chant and they have their bead 99 beads. Their beads are made from the sacred clay of Makka and Madina. We get our tulasi beads from clay of Radha kunda. So we have tulasi beads, they have bead made from the clay of Makka and Madina. So they chant. Christians also chant. So all the authorities have recommended chanting. Srila Prabhupada said all authorities have recommended chanting Hare Krishna. That they don’t do. Krishna is kind. So they have other names. Al- Rahim, Al- Rahaman. Means God is kind or compassionate (Rahamna). Allah means God is great. There are other names.
(Continues reading) By practical experience also we can perceive that by chanting this maha mantra or great chanting for deliverance, one can at once feel transcendental ecstasy from spiritual stratum. Let us see whether we feel… (all chant Hare Krishna). Do you feel something? Coca cola. Coca cola.. ?? Do you feel anything? By chanting Hare Krishna there is a feeling. Thinking – feeling, willing. As we chant Hare Krishna, there is some feeling. Feeling is revived, feeling of the soul is revived as one chants Hare Krishna. Each time one gets more feeling. The original consciousness is revived. The soul comes in contact with the Lord in the form of the holy name and what happens ultimately? “Nayanam galad asru dharaya, vadanam gadgad rudhhya gira, pulakaira nichitam vapuh kadah tava nam grahane bhavishyati” (Sri Siksastakam, verse 6 : O my Lord, when will my eyes be decorated with tears of love flowing constantly when I chant Your holy name? When will my voice choke up, and when will the hairs of my body stand on end at the recitation of Your name?).
The soul comes in contact with supreme soul; this is what happens during chanting. This is yoga, jap yoga, bhakti yoga. We are bhakti yogis and japa yogis. So as japa yogis, we chant the holy name of the Lord and our soul comes in contact with the Lord, the supreme Lord. As we chant Hare Krishna, who chants? The mouth is chanting or the tongue is chanting? Original chanter is the soul. Who is hearing? Soul is also hearing. It is attentive chanting. When the chanting is attentive, then the soul is chanting and the soul is hearing. The chanting is not attentive then “ikadun tikadun jai ware” (meaning the sound waves just pass through one ears and come out from the other ear). So when we hear, sound goes into one ear and out through the other. That is all. You are not there. Your soul is not there. There is a disconnection or short circuit. The complete circuit is when the soul is chanting with the attention and faith also. Adau shraddha (in the beginning faith) has to be there. If not enough shraddha (faith), then we have to hear again and again more and more mahatmya of the holy name. We should never be tired of hearing the glories of holy name. More we hear, more we will say .. this is it! this the process.. Nam chintamani Chaitanya rasa vigraha; purna shuddho nitya mukto, abhinnatvam nam namino. (Padma Puran – The holy name of Krishna is transcendentally blissful. It bestows all spiritual benedictions, for it is Krishna Himself, the reservoir of all pleasure.) Full of juice, full of nectar, full of mellow this holy name. The holy name is nitya, mukta, shuddha and purna. (Krishna’s name is complete, and it is the form of all transcendental mellows. It is not a material name under any condition, and it is no less powerful than Krishna Himself.
Since Krishna’s name is not contaminated by the material qualities, there is no question of its being involved with maya. Krishna’s name is always liberated and spiritual; it is never conditioned by the laws of material nature. This is because the name of Krishna and Krishna Himself are identical.’) The holy name is eternal, free, not bound, not conditioned. Liberated, pure. The goal of chanting name is shuddha nam (pure chanting).
One devotee in Vrindavan, my god brother. He was chanting and so what is your wish, I asked, what do you want, what is on your mind when you are saying. He said: “I wish to chant this shuddha nam. One of these days, I wish to chant shuddha nam. When will the shuddha nam be uttered and then relished by me.” My god brother responded like that. So the holy name is shuddha, pure. Pure chanting. Shuddha, nitya, mukta, and abhinnatvat nam namino. Nam and nami are non different. Krishna is the name. Whose name is it? It is krishna’s name. abhinnatvat nam namino.. nam- nami. Like Dham-dhami. Kama-kami, Dukh-dukhi. One who is full of dukh (misery) is called dukhi (miserable). One who is full of sukh (happiness) is called sukhi (happy). One who is full of kama (lust) is called kami (lusty). Like that. Full of dham is called dhami. Dhami means person. Dhami of Vrindavan is Krishna or Radha-Krishna. Dham-dhami, nam-nami. Full of name. Krishna is full of His name. Cannot be separated.
So we need to hear more. Not only we hear, but attentively hear more and more. We need to hear the glories of the holy name more and more. Or even the glories of the devotees, who are lovers of the holy name. We could hear the glories of Haridas Thakur. What are the glories of Haridas Thakur. Glories o f Haridas Thakur are the glories of the holy name. Glories of Krishna are glories of the holy name. Glories of the holy name are glories of Krishna. So as we hear more and more, then shraddha , dridha shraddha. From komal shraddha goes to dridha shraddha. It is called nishtha. Adau shraddha, sadhu sanga, bhajan kriya, anartha nivrutti. Then nishtha like that. These are all the topics of holy name, japa, japa reform topics are from shraddha to prema. Whole Siksastaka is about glories of the holy name. Cheto darpana marjanam, bhava maha davagni nirvapanam.. this sound “um” “um” comes seven times. Finally “param vijayate Sri Krishna Sankirtanam” Vishesan. Seven vishshanas. The last is visheshya. Visheshan – visheshya. So seven.
The very first Siksastaka is the glories of the holy name. 7 glories. 7 glorious points about ‘param vijayate’. It says ‘whereas.. whereas.. whereas.. then therefore..param vijayate sri Krishna sankirtanam’. Not for nothing param vijayate. Seven times, seven glories, seven points,….then.. therefore this holy name is param vijayate. victorious. So shraddha. In the very beginning, shraddha is established by hearing. You hear the glories, your shraddha comes . Not to have faith, lack of complete faith in the holy name is offence at the holy name. Not only it is an off you cannot go forward. No faith no chanting.
So with faith and with attention as one chants, and one hears, what happens there? There is Yoga. Yoga happens there. What is yoga? Communication happens, milan, meeting , reunion happens, ‘shake hand’ happens there as one chants and hears with attention. What comes when we are not hearing with attention ? Whose is active there? Mind is active. Mind is active all the time. So that is the topic, that is the discussion that should happen one of these days. We should be talking about the mind.
(BG verse 6.5) uddhared atmanatmanamnatmanam avasadayet (One must deliver himself with the help of his mind, and not degrade himself. The mind is the friend of the conditioned soul, and his enemy as well.) The sixth chapter of Bhagavad Gita is very useful tool to those who are chanter of the holy name. Sixth chapter. People may say: “we don’t want to be ashtanga yogis! We are bhakti yogis. So 6th chapter of the Bhagavad Gita will not be useful. We are bhakti yogis.” But bhakti yoga includes ashtanga yoga. Ashtanga yoga plus much more is bhakti yoga. Ashtanga yoga is not excluded from bhakti ygoa. It is part of bhakti ygoa. So in sixth chapter there is dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna (verse 6. 34) Chanchalam hi manah Krishna pramathi balavad dridham ..( For the mind is restless, turbulent, obstinate and very strong, O Krishna, and to subdue it, I think, is more difficult than controlling the wind.)
So the chanter of the holy name has to be also student of mind. Student of mind doesn’t mean follower of the mind. It means one should know the mind, study the mind, how it functions, where does it reside, how does it work, where does it fit into the hierarchy, where are the senses, where is the mind, where is the intelligence, where is the soul, where is the Supersoul. In 3rd chapter of Bhagavad Gita, towards the end of third chapter. So know the mind as chanchalam hi manah Krishna. It is very important exercise for those who wish to chant the holy name with attention.
Chanting of the holy name is not just sitting around. You are on the job. You are on duty when you are chanting, what are you doing? You are on job/duty. Attention!! The police or army Major says “Attention!!” Then everyone straightens up, acts up, including tightening their belts. When they are not on duty, the belt is around the waist but loosened.
If you see NCC college, as soon as the person in charge says attention, they really get together, not spaced out, looking here and there. No. they have to be together, belt has to be tightened. I was at Ratha yatra, during procession, police were standing there. We were encouraging everyone to chant Hare Krishna. We asked to police also to chant. They said, no I am on duty (laughter) he probably thought that chanting of Hare Krishna was distraction from his duty. He is on duty now. When you come to my home, or another time when I am not on duty, I will chant.
Chanting is being on duty, full attention, full focused. When I was just a new bhakta, and in Mumbai one life member had come to see our temple president and this life member he was looking for temple president. So I helped him out: I asked “what are you looking for?” Your president, he said. I said, “I will find out, I will arrange your meeting with him”. When I went looking, I found him he was in the temple and he was chanting. I just told him that such and such life member would like to see you and the president said, “tell him I am busy.” What was the president doing? He was chanting. And he said, “tell that life member that I am busy.” So that time, I thought what?? You are not busy. You are just sitting and chanting. You are not busy. Big life member has come all the way from downtown Bombay and you are coming with excuse that you are busy. You are not busy!! So of course, I did not say it to my president. I was thinking like that. Then after some time, I could understand, realize that yes yes, chanting of Hare Krishna is business, it is serious business. More important than any other business in the world.
So during the chanting mind also gets busy. More we try to control; more it goes out of control. May be at normal times, mind is not bothering us so much or going hither or tither. But during chanting it really wants to wander off, take off. So then sixth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita comes handy. What does Krishna say? What do you do under such circumstances when your mind is wandering off. What is the advice by the Lord? (BG Verse 6.26) Yato yato niscalati manah cancalam asthiram, tatas tato niyamaitad , atmany eva vasam nayet. (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.) If it goes, wherever it goes, do not be surprised. That is the nature of mind. What do you do as a part of business, part of your chanting exercise? Tatah tatah, from there wherever it goes, drag it back, bring it back. Atmani eva or Paramatmany eva vasam nayet. Bring under the influence or under the shelter of atmany, Paramatmany. Here it is the holy name. Bring it under the holy name, influence of the holy name. Let that mind come back and surrender unto the holy name. So there is so much to do like this. This is big business during chanting. Otherwise that yoga, that link is not there. Otherwise between the soul, the chanter and the supreme soul (holy name), there is not yoga. Although there could be lots of chanting, they would be just the sound of hasty chanting “snik snik Hare Hare” Don’t just do the sound “snik snik Hare Hare”. Prabhupada wanted you to chant Hare Krishna , not snick snick. After chanting and chanting for five or ten rounds, and then we may begin just this sound“snick snik Hare Hare..” Prabhupada said, “say each word, pronounce each syllable properly”. We will have to be attentive. Ask yourself: Did I chant properly? Am I chanting properly?
(Maharaja demonstrates how to say each word separately, emphasizing each one). This is addressing – because I am addressing the Lord. Chanting the holy name is to address the Lord. So there are 16 addresses, 16 holy names are there each time it is addressed. That is why Hare is a form of Hara. We are addressing Hara. So it is Hare. We are addressing Krishna. That is why there is no visarga there. Without visarga, it doesn’t become even Sanskrit word. Ramah. That is Sanskrit. Krishnah. You understand the visarga? In the list of ‘k’ syllable, there are ka, kaa, ki, Kee, ke, kai, ko kau kam and kah. That ‘kah’ is visarga. Or Vishnu sarga. When there is visarga, then it is complete. Ramah. Then it is name. Ramah. Krishnah. Harah. It is not in maha mantra Krishnah, Ramah. Why this visarga is not there because it is sambodhan, address. Then there is no visarga. So Hara is not Hara, but Hare. Radha is Radhe. Sita is Site, Gita is Gite. Like that. So because each word is sambodhan, each word is address. So 16 addresses. 16 times we have ask the mind am I addressing the Lord?
Prabhuapda said stop this making of some sound. Say the complete mantra. There has to be attention. There has to be mind and business. If you are mindless then what kind of business? It is mindless. Mind is not there. Then who knows what is is going on. Whether we are chanting 16 names or not. We have no idea. Others, who are hearing while chanting, have probably some idea. But you have no idea because you are not there. Mind is not there. So full attention is the business. Very active while chanting. Very alert. “sit properly” Prabhupada said once in the middle of that chanting tape. Srila Prabhupada was chanting and others were chanting. And couple of times he said– “Sit properly.”
That also shows the importance of sitting properly. Some sitting postures are favorable. Some sitting postures are not favorable for chanting. Not favorable for attention of the mind. Again sitting is proper. Sitting is goodness. Standing is passion and lying down is ignorance. If you are transcendentally situated already, then doesn’t matter whether you are upside down, shirshasana or shavasana, sukhasana or standing asana. You are already, always transcendental. Anyway you are thrown, horizontal, vertical or whatever. You are always transcendental. But if you are not that, then this applies. So sitting is goodness, standing is passion, lying down is ignorance. In order to become transcendental, we should be at least situated in mode of goodness which is closer to transcendence. That is goodness. So that posture that sitting that helps chanting.
So this sitting and then some kind of yoga in 6th chapter of Bhagavad Gita. There is description of how we should be sitting. Backbone, head straight and nasagre (focus on the tip of the nose). So some of those things we should not think that we are transcendental to this ashtanga yoga principles or yoga principles. No. we are not. We have to follow those things. When chanting is attentive it means that we are made our mind as our friend. When our mind is uddared atmanatmanam, natmanam avasadayt ..then atmaiva hi atmano bandhuratmaiva ripuratmanah (BG verse 6.5 One must deliver himself with the help of his mind, and not degrade himself. The mind is the friend of the conditioned soul, and his enemy as well.). So atma could be mind, body. Or atma is soul. These are part of self.
So atmaiva ripuratmahan…here atma is not soul but atma here means mind. Mind could be your enemy or your friend. So during chanting we want our mind to be our friend for always. That is the goal. During chanting we have to strive harder to make our mind our friend. So it doesn’t go against us and drag us here there. So the mind has thinking, feeling, and willing, these are functions of the mind. Mind thinks. Mind has feelings. And then there is will. Thinking this way and that way. There are feelings that are aroused in the mind. When feelings become so strong or settled, then there is will, ichha, tivra iccha (strong desire). So thoughts about chanting, thoughts of the Lord, name are there in the mind, then the feeling comes. That is what Prabhupada is talking. The feeling is there. Prabhupada talks about “the feeling”.
(Continues reading) By practical experience also we can perceive that by this chanting of mahamantra or the great chanting for deliverance, one can at once feel transcendental ecstasy from spiritual stratum. So feel while you chant!! We can at once feel, at once feel. But we cannot act with just some feeling. We want wholesome, not just some but wholesome feeling. During chanting, we want nothing else but that wholesome feeling, Krishna Conscious feeling for transcendental ecstatic feeling from spiritual stratum. When one is actually on the plane of spiritual understanding, surpassing the stages of mind, senses, intelligence, once is situated on transcendental plane. So going beyond senses, beyond mind and beyond intelligence also. All this mind, intelligence, senses – they act materially, they are contaminated. Our goal is to use the senses, mind, intelligence in service of the Lord and spiritualize them. (BG Verse 5.11) Kayena manasa buddhya kevalair indriyair api, yoginah karma kurvanti sangam tyaktva atma suddhaye (The yogis, abandoning attachment, act with body, mind, intelligence and even with the senses, only for the purpose of purification.)
Our senses are instrumental. Make senses the instruments. This is tritiya vibhakti, bahu vachan. (plural). Kayena is eka vachan (singular) because kaya (body) is one. Manasa is eka vachan (mind is singular). Buddhya also. Mind is one, intelligence is one. But senses are many – indriyair – it is bahu vachan (plural) Yogis do activity with body, with mind, with intelligence, with senses. The yogi is utilizing all that he has at his disposal – the body and its mountings – whatever is attached to the body he uses all that. Why doesstrong he do it? What is his goal? Sanga tyaktya atma shuddhye.
For atma sudhhi karan. For self purification and mind purification and intelligence purification and senses purification – ultimately soul or consciousness purification. The yogi is utilizing all kayen manasa buddhya. So during chanting are these things used? Do we use kaya? Of course, we talked about sitting. Body we need for chanting in the conditioned state we need body for chanting. Pure souls in the spiritual sky are also chanting. You don’t need body to chant. But now we have body; we cannot get rid of it. So we could only make best use of that bargain. Spiritualize that body, engage that body. Utility is the principle. So use the body. Use the mind. Yogi uses the mind, intelligence, uses senses also. All this things are used during chanting.
The lips have to be used Prabhupada makes the point one place. During chanting not just wishpering. That is why that .. mere sound ‘snik snik’ comes when you are not chanting each word separately H-a-r-e- K-r-i-s-h-n-a…emphasisizng on R – A – M – A. (Maharaja demonstrates how to stress on the ‘M’ fully and not hastily finish the sound M) ‘A’ has to come out then it is sambodhan. No ram but rama. Lot of times, North Indians, marathis do that. (Maharaja again demonstrates how people sometimes finish hastily the sound M which is incomplete) But that is incorrect. Technically incorrect. Hare ram is not sambodhan, not address. There is no A in there. It is called ‘halanta’ ‘M’ (half sound of M) M without A is half M. (demonstrates) Do you understand? I should use the black board or something. Open the mouth RA-. Closing the lips say M A. because this is “Oshtha” (pronounciation done with the help of lips). M is from the category of syllables pronounced with the lip movement) p, ph, b, bh and m. Oshtha is used but then you have to say another A. In order to say complete M sound , you have to say halanta/ half M plus A. In order to say A at the end of M, you must use kantha (throat) for A to come out. You must use kanthasta (sound through throat) and open your lips again then it is complete pronunciation.
So you could see you have to be so much alert, so much attentive. So many factors are involved in chanting . The point was that surpassing the stages of senses, mind and intelligence, one is situated on the transcendental plane . Transcending mental plane and sensual plane, then there is transcendental plane. Situated in atmani. Atnmani eva vasam nayet. It is hearing the names with full attention. (Maharaja and every one else chants Hare Krishna maha mantra).
So whole body senses, mind, intelligence, soul of course are busy. We already said that the original chanter is the soul. Who is hearing? Hearer is also soul! That is the whole goal. Soul is the goal. Soul has to chant. Soul has to be involved. Soul has to interact with the holy name. Then it is complete circuit. The chanter soul, the process of chanting and the holy name are the 3 things.. So chanter is the soul and this whole process, as we discussed some part of this process, some techniques, some aspects that we seem to be aware of and the goal is the holy name.
We could say in other words, there are three parties bhakta- bhakti and Bhagavan. Then it is complete, right? Bhakta does bhakti and he attains Bhagavan. They are all eternal. Bhakta and Bhgagavan are linked by bhakti. So here soul is bhakta. The holy name is Bhagavan. The process is chanting japa or kirtan. Japa or kirtan is the process and it is chanted by bhakta, the soul and the holy name is Bhagavan. So when they are linked, bhakta to Bhagavan, then it is complete circuit. That is yoga, bhakti yoga, japa yoga and not getting short circuit. Short circuit will not derive any benefit. Or there will be resistance. Either short circuit or resistance. Some metals are good conductors of electricity.
Some metals are naturally bad conductors. So when there is good metal wire, it is good conductor. Then electricity flows. Just like for the fan, there is a regulator. When the regulator is on number one, there is more resistance. Less current is allowed to flow to move the fan. When on 2, more current is allowed and faster it goes. Then go on and on upto 5 and then there is no resistance at all. In side is the device that regulates the current less or more resistance. If the device doesn’t exist, then the whole current from the power house will go in.
So mind is like that regulator of the fan. Mind could cause such so much resistance that chanting could stop. Nothing will come out of the mouth. Or one time may stop all together. No chanting for 6 months or 1 year or 2 yeas, 5 years. Nothing. Full stop. Mind will cause the resistance. Stopping lips and tongue and other parts, not even allowing to move lips. So we want that kind of mind to get out of here. Get out of our way. Get rid of that kind of mind. “Bhaja hu re mana”. My dear mind. Please.. please chant.. thank you.. thank you for chanting , thank you for worshipping .. bhaja hu re mana. Bhakti Sidhhanta Saraswati said – beat the mind. Sometimes beating the mind with the shoes, stick or broom – morning broom, evening shoes. So that kind of mind. Whatever it takes, work on this mind. Tame the mind. Subdue the mind. Shama and dama. Subduing the senses is dama. Sham is subduing the mind. From shama come shanti.. from subdued mind comes peacefulness. Krishna bhakta nishkama at eva shant. (Caintanya Caritamrita: Devotee of Krishna is detached (in mind), that is why he is peaceful).

Thank you. Hari Bol.



Srimad Bhagavatam 3.32.23

Verse: Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.32.23
Venue: Sri Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir
Date: Feb 06, 2010

vasudeve bhagavati
bhakti-yogah prayojitah
janayaty asu vairagyam
jnanam ca yad ahaitukam

 
TRANSLATION:

Engagement in Krsna Consciousness and application of devotional service unto Krsna make it possible to advance in knowledge and detachment, as well as in self-realization.

PURPORT:

It is said by less intelligent men that bhakti-yoga, or devotional service, is meant for persons who are not advanced in transcendental knowledge and renunciation. But the fact is that if one engages in the devotional service of the Lord in full Krsna Consciousness, he does not have to attempt separately to practice detachment or to wait for an awakening of transcendental knowledge. It is said that one who engages unflinchingly in the devotional service of the Lord actually has all the good qualities of the demigods develop in him automatically. One cannot discover how such good qualities develop in the body of a devotee, but actually it happens. There is one instance where a hunter was taking pleasure in killing animals, but after becoming a devotee he was not prepared to kill even an ant. Such is the quality of a devotee.

Those who are very eager to advance in transcendental knowledge can engage themselves in pure devotional service, without wasting time in mental speculation. For arriving at the positive conclusions of knowledge in the Absolute Truth, the word brahma-darsanam is significant in this verse. Brahma-darsanam means to realize or to understand the Transcendence. One who engages in the service of Vasudeva can actually realize what Brahman is. If Brahman is impersonal, then there is no question of darsanam, which means “seeing face to face.” Darsanam refers to seeing the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vasudeva. Unless the seer and the seen are persons, there is no darsanam. Brahma-darsanam means that as soon as one sees the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he can at once realize what impersonal Brahman is. A devotee does not need to make separate investigations to understand the nature of Brahman. Bhagavad-Gita also confirms this. Brahma-bhuyaya kalpate: [Bg. 14.26] a devotee at once becomes a self-realized soul in the Absolute Truth. [End of Srila Prabhupada’s purport.]

You are all familiar with this verse? In the very beginning it appears and it is here again. The difference is jnanam ca yad ahaitukam [SB 1.2.7] (?) Engagement in Krishna Consciousness and application of devotional service unto Krishna make it possible to advance in knowledge and detachment as well as in self realization. So this is Lord Kapiladeva speaking. He has been speaking for some time. He spoke yesterday also. You heard, nityam bhagavata-sevaya [SB 1.2.18] . We are just taking a bite at a time.

tasmat tvam sarva-bhavena bhajasva paramesthinam [SB 3.32.22]

That was what we spoke yesterday.

tad-gunasrayaya bhaktya bhajaniya-padambujam [SB 3.32.22]

So already padambujam has been mentioned. Here it refers to darsanam. You start with the lotus feet and then you take complete darshan. Brahma-darsanam. Param brahma param dhama [Bg 10.12] Brahma is param brahma. That is Krishna. His darshan becomes possible by vasudeve bhagavati bhakti-yogah prayojitah.[Aside -Jayo!] When we talk about darshan, darshan is here. Radha Madhava Ki Jai! So bhakti yoga, performance of bhakti yoga and bhakti not of anybody and everybody – vasudeve bhagavati – bhakti of Vasudev. And who is this Vasudev? What kind of Vasudev? Bhagavati – the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Not Bhagavatidevi. Full difference is there. Bhagavatidevi is rasva(?) here. Bhagavati his ears are there – Bhagavati. As devotional service unto Vasudev is performed, janayaty – that will give rise to janayaty, – janma will take place. As one performs devotional service someone takes birth – janayaty asu – quickly – janayaty asu vairagyam, jnanam – renunciation and knowledge. yad brahma-darsanam – as well as. Prabhupada says, as well as self-realization or brahma- darsanam. Darshan – seeing face to face becomes possible by performance of devotional service. Devotional service is complete and independently most powerful source of everything. Bhanu Maharaj was very nicely explaining that yesterday. From bhakti comes, jnan and vairagya and darshan ultimately – not the other way round.

anayaty asu vairagyam jnanam ca yad ahaitukam [SB 1.2.7]

Once upon a time Narada Muni had a meeting with Bhakti Devi. In Vrindavana they met and Narada Muni said to Bhakti Devi – Bhakti Devi at this time is in big trouble because her two sons – that’s what Narada Muni will be talking. Jnan and vairagya are sons of bhakti. janayaty asu – here we are talking about janma. Jnan and vairgya are taking birth from Bhakti Devi. [Sanskrit] Once upon a time O Bhakti Devi you had your hands folded, you were in front of the Lord and you enquired kim karomi – what can I do for You, my Lord? [Sanskrit] At that time Krishna ordered you or gave you assignment – Bhaktan posa yati(?) Please nourish My devotees. [Sanskrit] And you were ready!
“Yes Sir! You wish is my command.” “So be it.” The Lord was very pleased. [Sankrit] At that time the Lord became very, very pleased with you. And what did that pleased satisfied Lord do for you? [Sanskrit] he gave you one maidservant called mukti. The Lord made mukti your dasi. Mukti becomes your maidservant. [Sanskrit]And He also gave two sons – one was jnan and the other was vairagyam [Sanskrit.] You will not find an age like Kaliyuga. The best of all the ages! And in this age of Kali [Sanskrit] I will establish you O Bhakti Devé in this age of Kali I will propagate you. I will establish you [Sanskrit] in every house. [Sanskrit]In everybody or every society or from [Sanskrit] Every society, I will establish you. How will I do this? Do I have some strategy? He says, “I have a strategy how I will propagate you, establish you. [Sanskrit] Sounds familiar? sarva-dharman parityajya [Bg 18.66] It is said in different words here. [Sanskrit] I hate (?) all other processes, all other dharmans or all other ways. [Sanskrit] To keep in forefront of Me. Mahotsavan – the festival, I will organize festivals – mahotsavan. And with the festival as the forum, I will propagate you, establish you everywhere. That was Narada Muni speaking. This is Srimad-Bhagavatam–Mahatmya – Padma Puraëa, Uttara Kanda by Srila Vyasadeva. The greatness of Bhagavatam – Bhagavatam- Mahatmya . I wanted to stop there but you are enquiring.

So Bhakti Devi will go back now to her abode. Her two sons at one point they were in big trouble. Bhakti Devi says, “I was born in South India. Then I kind of grew up, I flourished in Karnataka and Maharashtra. Jai Maharashtra! But when I went to Gujarat I was fit for Intensive Care Unit – ICU! Somehow I managed to come to Vrindavan I got revived. [Sanskrit] In Vrindavan bhakti dances. But look at my sons they are still trembling and because of weakness and exhaustion. Maybe their last breath is not far, it appears! Could you do something? And then he was trying different things – chanting this mantra and the Puranas and the Itihasas, then Vedanta-sutra and this and that. Some help was coming, getting little bit revived or opening little bit eyes and little movement was there but not total revival.

So Narada Muni travels all over looking for the solution. What could be done! What could be done! Then he ends up as he was looking he ends up in Badrikashram were he comes in contact with four kumaras and he explains, “You know this is that state of affairs with Bhakti Devi’s sons and she has asked me to do something. I tried this. I tried that, this mantra that Veda, that Purana but nothing seems to be working. Do you know what could be done?” And they said, “Sure. You have not done one thing. Or let’s do one thing. Let them hear Srimad Bhagavatam.”

Then the four Kumara’s stepped down. They came down to the foothills of the Himalayas on the banks of Ganga at Haridwar and Bhakti Devi managed to come also to that site where the four Kumaras had come and they were about to recite Srimad Bhagavatam. And everybody was there. Vaisnavas were the first ones to come and all the rivers, all the holy places; all the scriptures also had come. All the demigods are there and Narada Muni is sitting and Bhakti Devi, jnan and vairagya and four Kumaras begin to recite the Srimad Bhagavatam – om namo bhagavate. And it went on and on and on. And then the Lord appeared.

yatra gayanti mad-bhakta tatra tisthami Narada [Padma Purana]

Darsanam becomes possible as one performs devotional service – brahma darsanam. So by process of devotional service they are all busy with the process. It is called sravanam. Sravan bhakti then kirtan bhakti, smaran bhakti. This is bhakti – bhakti-yogah prayojitah [SB 1.2.7] As one engages in this bhakti tad darsanam – darshan becomes possible.

So as they were reciting Srimad Bhagavatam and everyone was listening with rapt attention, the Lord appeared – who is non different from His pastimes. The Absolute Truth, the Personality of Godhead is nondifferent from His transcendental name, form, pastimes or the sound vibration thereof. It is Srila Prabhupada’s purport – SB 1.6.33. I like this.

“As soon as a pure devotee engages himself in the pure devotional service of hearing, chanting and remembering the name, fame and activities of the Lord, at once He becomes visible to the transcendental eyes of the pure devotee by reflecting Himself on the mirror of the heart by spiritual television.” [Srila Prabhupada’s purport – SB 1.6.33.]

As the topics are heard it is like a television is switched on and on the screen you see the Lord and His form and His pastimes. Whatever you are hearing about that is non different from the Lord. So the television of the consciousness – This statement also is by Narada Muni and there also he is talking about darsan from,

ahuta iva me sighram darsanam yati cetasi [SB 1.6.33]

From the consciousness darshan becomes possible. Sighram – as asu vairagyam – quickly! Quickly the jnan, vairagya and darsanam becomes possible as we are hearing that from Kapiladev, Narada Muni elsewhere. How I came to Krishna Consciousness he is talking. How I cam to Krishna consciousness – those kind of articles we write. So he is speaking that firstly to Srila Vyasadev. He is saying, sva-viryani tirtha-padah priya-sravah [SB 1.6.33]. When Lord’s sva-viryani – His virya – His prowess and other items are recited, spoken this is what happens. Then Kapiladev says,

satam prasangan mama virya-samvido [SB 3.25.25]

As soon as the Mahatmas come together – satam – mahatmas come together, immediately – mama virya-samvido – mama virya – Me, Myself, Krishna becomes the topic – bodhayantah parasparam [Bg 10.9] samvido – prasangan or samvit – they talk – akyan – immediately begins.

We also have. Srila Prabhupada also – I am kind of jumping – a similar strategy as Narada Muni coming in that disciplic succession. This strategy also to propagate Krishna consciousness was – mahotsavan – the festivals. He named it Sunday festival and that festival and Mayapur festival and Vrindavan festival, Ratha yatra festival and Janmastami mahä mahotsava and Ramnaumi and on and on and on and on. And our morning program is a festival in itself and wherever there is chanting and dancing and feasting that is a festival. So as soon as devotees get together immediately at the center of that festival – mama virya-samvido and as the topic of discussion begins that is bhakti. That is bhakti!

Sraddha ratir bhaktir anukramisyati [SB 3.25.25.] The stages are from sraddha to prema immediately begins unfolding. Mahatmas come together, the beginning of the festival, beginning of the GBC meetings, GBC’s have come, ABC’s have come. Everybody has come together. Senior men have come representing Srila Prabhupada and as soon as the santas come immediately mahotsavan – festival begins, the topic of Krishna begins. They begin talking, they begin singing – Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama,Rama,Hare Hare. Bhakti-yogah prayojitah begins and that results in jnan vairagya and darsanam. We come to the festival to become a little more jnanis – knowledgeable, but that the source is bhakti. Bhakti is at the center. From bhakti we derive jnan, from bhakti we derive detachment, with the help of bhakti come prem and darsan of the Lord – everything in the context of bhakti – context of bhakti. And bhakti is propagated through the festivals.

So the four Kumaras they are also festival is Bhagavat recitation – mahotsava – was going on and Bhakti Devi, jnan and vairagya also was hearing and as the Lords topics were being remembered and recited Lord appeared there. And some more personalities appeared there. Brahma comes, Siva comes all devatas come, Sukadeva Goswami comes – om namo bhagavate . As Sukadev Goswami was coming was coming he was reciting verses from Bhagavatam as he always does. Prahlad Maharaj comes. Uddhava comes. Vyasadev has arrived. Indra is there, the whole universe is there practically and the Lord has already appeared there. As Bhagavat is recited the Lord has appeared and with all these devotees big roaring kirtan begins. Prahlad Maharaj is playing kartalas, Uddhava is playing whompers, Narada Muni has his vina – vina dhari. [Sanskrit] Arjuna is something like – aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh! – raga kartaha arjuno.(?) [Sanskrit] Indra is playing a mrdanga in that assembly. [Sanskrit] Jayho jayho, jayho!!! The Kumaras are doing that and Sukadev Goswami is expressing all prowess, all the emotions.

So everyone has a role to play in that. And that kirtan and look! He is showing us – look at jnan and vairagya and Bhakti Devi also they are dancing like peacock in that kirtan. When they were brought on their feet their ambulance put them on the stretcher and gentle place them. They were lying down and trembling they were not sure whether they will survive – last breath. But as they heard Bhagavatam, as they performed this sravan bhakti of hearing Bhagavatam not only did they survive but they thrived/survived and they jumped and they were dancing in that kirtan. So this is Bhagavatam Mahatmya.

They are making the point that from bhakti comes jnan and vairagya. Janayaty asu vairagyam jnanam ca yad ahaitukam [SB 1.2.7] She had given birth to them but then the influence of the age of Kali and they were very much exhausted and out of it but as they came to the festival, they heard Bhagavatam from the lips of these devotes – the four Kumaras. Their batteries were charged. We talk this language in ISKCON. And it was the end of the festival. We are in the first day of the festival. Immediately they were equipped with jnan and vairagya and darsanam. Darshan was already taken in that place because in the middle of the recitation of Bhagavatam Lord has appeared and everybody is able to take darsan of the Lord.

This year also is another big festival or a big theme for the festival is what? You know what – Lord Caitanya’s [aside – Ekalavya said something] 500th anniversary of sannyasa. This is the theme of the different festival, different devotees, different leaders are making that the theme of their festivals. I don’t know what’s the theme of this festival – but very much that sannyas took place not far from here. The Lord who stayed in Yogapith here in Mayapur.

Caitanya Bhagavat says if you wish to develop detachment and vairagya you should listen to the pastimes of Caitanya Mahaprabhu taking sannyasa. Are you interested in developing detachment? Anyone here? No one is attached. Suno suno bhai prabhurere sannyas(?) Suno brothers and sisters – only brother are mentioned but all the souls – [Bengali] If you hear the pastimes of Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s sannyasa you will develop all the detachment. You just have to sit down and hear the Lord’s pastimes. He is taking sannyasa, He is renouncing all that. If you sit down and hear this and automatically – Prabhupada says automatically, unknowingly! Does anyone know how it happens but it happens. You just hear and bhakti is so potent. You touch the fire – how you touch, when you touch, who touches, regardless of all this it will burn. So listen to the pastime of Lord taking sannyasa. Now is not the time.

For those who had come to Nimai’s home – business as usual – everyday they used to come and that day they also had come. “Where is Nimai?” There was no Nimai. He had already left. Only Saci matta – she was also just sitting around and not only sitting of course – full of tears, speechless. And after long time she said, [Bengali] “Listen, listen O you all assembled. You know this is property of Visnu.” Her home – Nimai’s home “And you are Vaisnava’s. Go ahead pick up everything and anything that you like, some parcels – something, something. You take it away now.” Like that she was hinting indirectly what had happened that night. And soon they all realized.

[Bengali] They are all falling down, collapsing. Like when you cut banana tree at the bottom it falls down. So they all were falling, collapsing all around. [Bengali] And they were full of arthas (?) crying. [Bengali]They were embracing each other and crying. And they were rolling on the ground. Someone says, “Okay. Let’s all go now. Let’s go home and let’s put all our homes on fire. Let’s wear some earring and take some kamandal or some staff. Let’s leave this place. There is nothing here worth residing.” Those were their thoughts. Those were some but there are more. That was the nature of their thoughts. Does that sound like detachment?

“Anything and everything that we are attached to just burn that to pieces or ashes! Let’s just walk out of here. Let’s get out of here.” While they were crying of course Nimai had left. (Is someone going to stop us? You? Those who were in business they left already – Laughter.) So Caitanya Mahaprabhu had crossed Ganga and reached Katwa and met Kesava bharati getting ready for sannyasa.

“Hey who has recommended this sannyasa?” Some people in the audience they said, “We don’t accept this sannyasa. No way he has to take sannyasa. Who is recommending this and who has put this into the sastras – this process of sannyasa? No, We don’t  No, no, no!” Protest – no sannyasa. The barber had come and he was sitting in front of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He was shaving hair. He had razor but he was trembling. ” No I cannot cut this hair now.” He thinks the hair of the Lord is the Lord Himself. His hair is non different from Him. ” I cannot cut hair!” And he was crying and rolling on the ground while others were protesting. And Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, “Haribol! Haribol.” “Sit down sit down stay there, we shall see what happens.”

It says in Caitanya Bhagavat that it took most of the days spent in getting shaved! People were protesting. The barber was no ready. Caitanya Mahaprabhu in the middle jumps up and is dancing and He sits down again. The whole scene was going on. Finally He was shaved up. Then He runs to Ganga to take bath and comes back. For the first time he now has saffron clothes on and He really looks beautiful. Kandarpa-koti-kaminiya-visesa-sobham [Brahma-samhita 5.30] That kind of attractive he looks like.

Then Kesava Bharati, Caitanya Mahaprabhu says, “You know last night one mahajan said one mantra to Me – sannyas mantra.” “Oh which one?” And Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, “This mantra. This mantra he said. Is that the right mantra?” “This is pukka! This is the one. This is the right mantra.” So Caitanya Mahaprabhu had given the mantra to Kesava Bharati and that was the right mantra. So Kesava Bharati was initiated first.

“Okay now give Me that mantra.” So Caitanya Mahaprabhu received the mantra. “Okay take danda, take kamandal.” And there was a big roaring kirtan. Before that, “Your name is – You are Krishna. You are known as Krishna. krsnaya krsna-caitanya- [Cc Madhya 19.53] And because with Your sankirtana you will make this world full of Caitanya – full of Caitanya. The world is dead but with Your sankirtana You will make this world lively and living and You will stir up the whole world – Caitanya. So Krishna and with sankirtana You will bring – invest Caitanya consciousness into everybody. So You name from today onwards would be Sri Krishna Caitanya.” And so that was it and there was a big kirtan.

Lord Caitanya’s danda flew somewhere, His kamandalu flew somewhere and He was dancing in kirtan. Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahaprabhu Ki Jai! Nitai Gaura Premanande. Hari hari bol. [Applause]



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