Welcoming each other and one of them also saying I surrender
“sarnagatam” please give me shelter or I take shelter of you  OH ! Krishna.

“varnyatam tata”

“saumy?gatah? kaccit, sv–?gatam? bhadram” ( S.B 10.39.4)

You are such a gentle  personality, we welcome you, how’s uncle
Kamsa? Enquires are being made here but we would like to know, what’s anything
we could do? Is there any definite purpose of your visit this time, we would
like to know? And then

Sri Suka uvacha like Akrura uvacah ,Akrura is speaking

?r?–?uka uv?ca

“pr?s?t?o bhagavat? sarvam?, varn?ay?m ?sa m?dhavah?” ( S.B 10.39.8)

So as Bhagvata Krishna , krishnena  Krishna enquired and Akrura  discloses all the plans and  all the intentions of Kamsa or even how Kamsa
attempted to kill Vasudev and it was also only Narada who intervened and saved
the life, but he has been shackled he has been arrested,  Vasudev has been arrested and many people he
is thinking of arresting, killing, driving them away, so like that this is Akrura
disclosing all these facts, confidential news he was not suppose to do this.

“?rutv?kr?ra-vacah? kr?s?n?o, bala? ca para–v?ra–h?” (
S.B 10.39.10)

When Krishna and Balarama heard all this they only smiled
ha..ha….OH! He wants to die so his days are numbered now for sure. Lords made
up their minds on who tried to kill their father Vasudev and he is thinking of
killing others and of course he is thinking of killing Krishna and Balarama . So
they smiled and of course Nanda Maharaj is not aware of all this confidential
reasons and the news, what developments are taking place in Mathura?, what the purpose  is?

So not only Krishna and Balaram were invited by Kamsa, but
he had invited Nanda Maharaj all other cowherd men, and boys . So Nanda Maharaj
is spreading the news, he is making announcement

“gop?n sam?di?at so ‘pi, gr?hyat?m? sarva-go-rasah?” ( S.B 10.39.11)

“go-rasah?” all the milk products take
them as a gifts  “yujyant?m? ?akat??ni” (
S.B 10.39.11)

Get all the bullock carts ready load all the milk products
and we will live for Mathura announce this. So party has gone to towns and
villages this is their duty, there are announcers they go to squares in
villages, they may sometime climb up some roof top of tree, beat the drum.
Ahe……….in my village I know they beat drum people gather, then announcement is
made, then the person walks to the next square (laughs). And he gets everyone’s
attention, people know that person, he has some announcement all gather round
him and the announcement is repeated and the whole village comes to know. So
Nanda Maharaj has made that arrangement.

“y?sy?mah? ?vo madhu–pur?m?, d?sy?mo nr?pate ras?n”

Part of the announcement is yes we will live for Mathupuri
tomorrow “draks?y?mah?” we will offer “nr?pate
ras?n” ( S.B 10.39.12)

All these milk products for the pleasure of are king Kamsa
we will offer this

“draks?y?mah? su–mahat parva, y?nti j?napad?h? kila” ( S.B 10.39.12)

We will also experience a wonderful festival, our king has
organized a grand festival in Mathura, wrestling match, fire sacrifice and what
not, food for life (devotees laughing) because they were taking all these milk
products. And we will be able to see the big town, we have never seen Mathura,
we only stay in village, sometimes we go to the forest. We will see the big
city today or tomorrow as we go, so get ready.

“gopya” so this was a good
news for most of the residents of Nanadagokul except there is one section
of the society and that’s Gopis  everyone
else, everyone was informed and many were able to go, men, boys and ladies
specially young girls they don’t get to go. So for them this news was not a
very good news.

“r?ma–kr?s?n?au pur?m? netum, akr?ram? vrajam ?gatam” ( S.B 10.39.13)

So they were not very happy OH! This Akrura he is the one
who has come to bring are Krishna and Balarama to Mathura, he is so cruel his
name is Akrura he is not Akrura but he is such a Krura person (devotees laugh).
He is going to break our hearts he is going to take are life away, he is our
“prananatha” Krishna is our prana our life and he has come to take our life away;
we are going to be lifeless. So they had hard time all night long they had
sleepless nights and when they got up next morning everyone got up,  somewhere exited that they would get to go to
Mathura , many were getting ready , oxcarts and all the milk products loading
was on,  Akrura was getting the chariot
ready, decorating also that was meant for Krishna and Balaram. So many of them
were very very happy, excited  looking
forward to that day’s trip.

Gopis  there was a
different thing  noon time they would be
meeting everyday going to Kusum Sarovar picking up flowers, making Vaijayanti
mala then running , rushing to Radhakund, offering garland doing all water
sports and so many pastimes. What would happen to them today and what about
tonight and who knows for how long this is going to last. So when everyone got
ready all Gopis also got ready only to attempt to stop Akrura from taking their
Krishna  and Balarama they were doing
everything possible to check the progress of the chariot not let it go, holding
the wheels and even catching hold of Akrura, mad handling him some Gopis were
what do you think you are? You know get down and some were with the horses all
the way in front all surrounding 100s and 1000s of them. Krishna and Balarama
were seated already in the chariot, they are begging, praying, pleading please don’t
go, please don’t go. But finally the Lord He did not say directly to the Gopis
but He asked one   of the devotee  vrajavasi
name is not mentioned  to pass on
the news to the Gopis let them know he just said 1-2  words “aayase”

I will be coming just
inform them, I will be back very soon just now coming just let them know this.
So that was the only communication Lord made and Akrura was signaled, to
proceed against all the protest, obstacles and Gopis chariot moves forward and
other carts also gradually follow, raising lots of dust Gopis stood there like
pillars motionless, speechless only looking even praying may there be thunderstorm
let there be some kind of blockage on the road, flood, let the trees collapse
and some thing let something happen. So that he would not end up going let him
return to us, no one took their side and so Krishna went to Mathura.

Venue:
Vrindavan, 2004

Some time I still saying that during Krishna’s
time if there were photographers and video graphers then we could have watched
the video of Krishna’s pastime video live as it is, we could have seen the photographs
of those times. But there as then I was listening to Radhanath Maharaj speak, it
was just like watching the video no need of these machine (devotees laugh).  Maharaj gets into  quite a few intricate details of the pastimes
that he paints a beautiful and complete picture that you  could feel the past time before you,  or as if he is seeing and then he is showing
us that past time. So he is gifted, gifted by God, Krishna, gifted by Srila
Prabhupad, our Hare Krishna Movement has been gifted, we are very fortunate to
have personality like Radhanath Maharaj who could present the past time as they
are. I am again very thankful for Maharaj to not come himself but brought
almost two thousand devotees are here.

Haribol,
Haribol, Haribol, Haribol….

All these two thousand devotees ki jai…………
each one of you ki Jai……(Maharaj laughing) Maharaj is very sincere follower
of Srila Prabhupada and you are too following him very closely and that’s the
topic of purport of the subject matter of this place or past time of this
place. When Maharaj arrived, we went behind the Lakshmi mandir just for few
minutes, quite association and  just we
could make little planning we were behind the temple , one poor show one kid
came begging he wasn’t begging from me, he saw I am Indian no money right
(devotees laugh)  so thinking Maharaj doesn’t
speak the beggars child’s language I was trying to send the child away, I told
the boy that what to speak of Maharaj being empty pocket, he doesn’t even have
a pocket (devotees laugh). Then as the boy wasn’t going away, and I was sending
him away but Maharaj embraced him that there was the difference, Maharaj was trying
to be  embracing and following Brajvasis
while I was just trying to send him thinking this a little boy just go away
don’t bother us. So I beg to this Dham and to Maharaj that I develop that kind
of “Anugatya” being follower of,
appreciator of Dham and the residents of this Dham. While I was coming here
today I came across a mantra and it was from Bhavishya purana prayer unto this
particular forest. So you could please repeat after me

“Tapa siddhi pradaye va Nammo bilva vanaya ca
Janardhan namastubhyam Bilveshaye namstute.”

Then I also realised why Lakshmi is
performing austerities here “Tapa siddhi
pradaye va”, this is the forest where your tapa, your austerities will bear
fruits “Tapa siddhi” so Lakhmi has
chosen the right forest, She is performing her “Tapasaya” in this forest, it takes little longer, little longer time.
But then I was also thing that the Caitanya Mahaprabhu travelling and
travelling through out India then south India, He comes to Maharashtra and He
comes to Kolhapur, they all know. (Maharaj asking to audience)  How many are from Kolhapur? How many from
Maharashtra? 90% (laughter)… Including Rathanath Maharaj is Maharashtrian.
Maharashtra Jai Maharashtra (Laughter). So kind of fulfilment of her
austerities that was fulfilled in Kolhapur Caitanya Mahaprabhu coming Krishna
coming to give darshan to Lakshmi devi while Lakshmi is performing austerities
here on this eastern bank of Jamuna, then on the western bank Jamuna just across,
there is Kaliya lake. So while Kaliya was chastised very heavily very badly by Shri
Krishna, then Krishna was still on his hoods on Kaliyas hood. Then wives of
Kaliya appeared and surrounded the Lord, of course they were not in air, they
were in water, that time during that very intense time they remembered the
Lakshmi’s austerities here, and as they offer prayer this is one of their
statements

“Kasyanubhavo ‘sya na deva vimahe tavanghri
renu sparsadhikarah yad- vanchaya srir lalanacarat tapo vihaya Kaman su-ciram
dhrta-vrata” (S.B 10.16.36)

So they say all we are simply surprised
how come our husband is getting all the mercy and all the dust from your lotus
feet, O’ Lord, they say very nicely, very nicely.

“tavange renu sparsha adhikara”

How did he get the adhikar, the
eligibility of having “sparsha” the
touch of the “renu” -the dust “Tavage” of your lotus feet, that time they
are citing example of Lakshmi devi, “yad-vanchaya”
meaning that  vanchacha of that “charan renu”, Srir Lalana
that is Lakshmi  “caratapo” She performed the austerities here in Belvan. “vihaya kama” giving all the comforts She performed austerities in
Belvan, “sushilam” for long time, “dhrta-vrata” she was very determined
to get the dust but no she did not get the dust to this date but look our
husband is blessed lots of dust of Krishna’s lotus feet, he did not even have
to bow down and reach the dust to put that on his own head. Lord personally
came, He brought His Lotus feet with lots of dust and sprinkled not just on one
head but all one hundred heads of our husband has been sprinkled with the dust
of Your Lotus feet. So they are just pointing out how fortunate, my Lord it’s
your causeless mercy that you have blessed our husband Kaliya. And they go on
describing the importance, significance value of the dust of Vrindavan. We have
also have come to Vrindavan, why do we come to Vrindavanto?  To get the dust of Vrindavan. We are sitting
right in the dust of Vrindavan, let us take the dust, Matajis bring some dust
to Maharashtra, smear your face with vraja dust “vihaya Kama” giving up all the comforts. I was also reminded, not
far from here is Manas Sarovar. Mana Sarovar, you may not go, I don’t know you
may or may not go there parikrama party goes there. Shiva had come Shiva ji had
come, and then near Govardhan there is Naradaji, Narada Kunda, so both of  these personalities Narada and Shiva they wanted
to take part in Rasa dance. There are basically two conditions for you in order
for you to become capable, eligible to enter Rasa dance. You need a “Gopi roop” “roop” of Gopi, a form like
Gopi, “Gopirupa” and “Gopibhava”, and mood like Gopi. The Shiva does he looks
like Gopi? When he arrived there he got the news that Krishna is dancing in
Rasa, let me enter, with this “Trishul” and “Dim Dim Dim” damaru and “munda
mala” wearing. So it was not possible for him to participate in rasa dance
with his also long mated hair, logs. He had not taken bath also for who knows,  so he was recommended if you have a Gopi like
rupa, so Shiva he throws himself in Man Sarovar, he goes in and then in few
seconds he is out with a form like a Gopi and he became Gopesvar Mahadeva and then in Kusum
sarovar, Vrindadevi has herself recommended that he could take bath in
Kusum sarovar , Narada Muni with his veena and all his outfit he jumped inside
and he came out in few second with a Gopi form.
It is easier to have form but to have mood is even more difficult. Some
mataji may think that I look like Gopi or even more beautiful but the “bhava” the mood of Gopi is difficult,
being “anugatya” being the follower
is one of the speciality of the Gopi that specialized being a very good
followers of other Gopis, there is a whole hierarchy there. To attain that kind
of mood everyday we do pray in our ISKCON temple, when we stand before Tulasi
Maharani, who is the one of the leading Gopis of Vrindavan.

“ei
nivedana dharo sakhira anugata karo”  “seva adhikara diye karo nija dasi”. “Tulasi
Krishna Preyasi namo namah”. (kirtan)

We are in the front of Vrinda devi,
Vrindavan is named after Tulasi and Vrinda devi kindly appeared in this world
in our temple also in a form of a Tulasi tree. So while we sing this song lets
bring this thought, lets understand what being said here, what is the meaning
of what I am singing, “e nivedana” i
humbly appeal to you ‘O’ Tulasi devi, make me “anugataya” the follower of damsals of Vraja. While Narottama dasa
Thakur sings “radha Krishna pran” is that Narottama dasa Thakur? Yes so there
also he is singing in similar mood.

“lalita vishaka adi jata sakhi-brinda ajnaya
koribo seba caranarvinda”

He wants to enter, Narottama das thakur
wants to render service to Radha and Krishna, it is a beautiful beautiful
bhajana, wonderful bhajana. It is a whole meditation, how would go, where you
would go, what would you do next, like that. Then he say when I  get there, for sure there will be Lalita
Vishakha there, Lalita Vishakha adi Jata sakhi brinda, there are sakhi also, “ajnaya koribo seba”, I will take their
permission then Caranarvinda-  I will serve
the lotus feet of divine couple Radha Krisnha. Not that I will just enter that
ahe……..get out who you are I want to serve who are you, Hey Lalita get out
Hey Vishaka..! . That is the mood Narottama that’s why he is Narottam Narottam.
So our acharya also has taught us the
mood being follower being a follower. This is our parampara, special feature of
our parampara is being a follower, good follower. Follower of the follower of
the follower of the  follower. Then
again I did not teach this lesson to you I need not teach you these lessons,
the reason is that Radhanath Maharaj is again, he is leading this kind of
training, Radhanath Maharaj leading the show. Practically every talk that he
delivers, he talks of this “dasa anudasa”
servants of the servants of the servants. The subject matter of this poet something
Maharaj repeats again and again “dasa
anudasa anudasa”.

So lets us keep in mind what the time
is, although some of you will be driving in buses across, Braj mandal parties
still have to only walk. Our speed is 4 km/hr, so we have couple of hours walk
ahead of us. So very very thankful, I am getting some thumping from behind (laughter).
It did take some few extra years for us to come together. But I wish our next
get together will be only next year and not many years. So on behalf of our Braj
mandal party, Radharaman Maharaj is one of the chief coordinators of this
party, for past out of last 18 years he missed one year for some reason,
otherwise this is 17th year of Maharaj running this padayatra Haribol Haribol……

And Badra so these are our right and left,
left and right man here, Badra prabhu also missed one so out of 18, 17 parikramas.
These two prabhu Maharaj are running the show. I am very thankful to them. So
of course there is whole capable team assisting them and show is on road.
Vrindavan is big big topic and Prabhupada of course gets the credit for
revealing the Dham, this Dham unto this whole world. We are here because of
Prabhupada, lets us not forget that.

Verse: Srimad Bhagavatam 4.12.26

H H Lokanath Swami Maharaj sings “Jaya Jaya Jagannatha Sachira Nandana” and then “Jaya Radha Madhava” followed by the “Hare Krishna” maha mantra.

anasthitam te pitrubhir

anyair apy aìga karhicit

atishtha jagatam vandyam

tad vishnoh paramam padam

Dear King Dhruva, neither your forefathers, nor anyone else before you ever achieved such a transcendental planet. The planet known as Vishnloka, where Lord Vishnu personally resides, is the highest of all. It is worshipable by the inhabitants of all other planets within the universe. Please come with us and live there eternally.

Maharaja reads the purport by His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada: When Dhruva Mahäräja went to perform austerities, he was very determined to achieve a post never dreamed of by his forefathers. His father was Uttanapada, his grandfather was Manu, and his great-grandfather was Lord Brahma. So Dhruva wanted a kingdom even greater than Lord Brahma could achieve, and he requested Narada Muni to give him facility for achieving it. The associates of Lord Vishnu reminded him that not only his forefathers but everyone else before him was unable to attain Vishnuloka, the planet where Lord Vishnu resides. This is because everyone within this material world is either a karmi, a gyani or a yogi, but there are hardly any pure devotees. The transcendental planet known as Vishnuloka is especially meant for devotees, not for karmis, gyanis or yogis.

Maharaja explains: Vishnuloka is specially reserved for pure devotees. Your seat is also reserved there. Whenever you go there, you will get it. In fact, a seat is reserved there for everyone. But gyanis, yogis or even karmis will not go there. Their arrival will be awaited in the Vishnuloka. When they become pure devotees, a transcendental airplane will be sent for them, just like the airplane received by Dhurva maharaja. Thus the gyanis, yogis or karmis can become pure devotees and then take up their respective vacant seats in Vishnuloka.

Maharaja continues to read the rest of the purport: Great rishis or demigods can hardly approach Brahmaloka, and as stated in Bhagavad–gita, Brahmaloka is not a permanent residence. Then maharaja explains: Even if someone reaches Brahma loka, he cannot be a permanent resident there. One doesn’t get permanent residency there, but only transit visa. One can take a stop there as in transit, as will be explained further in the purport.

Maharaja continues to read the purport: Lord Brahmä‘s duration of life is so long that it is difficult to estimate even the duration of one day in his life, and yet Lord Brahmä also dies, as do the residents of his planet. Bhagavad-gétä (8.16) says, äbrahma-bhuvanäl lokäù punar ävartino ‘rjuna: except for those who go to Viñëuloka, everyone is subjected to the four principles of material life, namely birth, death, old age and disease. Maharaja speaks:  Even the residents of Brahma loka are not free from the four rules of life – namely, birth, death, old age and disease. Life may be prolongated there, but death comes nonetheless.  Kshinye punye  martya lokam vishanti (Bhagavad Gita 9.26  when the results of their pious activities are exhausted, they return to this mortal planet again).

Purport continues: The Lord says, yad gatva na nivartante tad dhama paramam mama: “The planet from which, once going, no one returns, is My supreme abode.” (Bg. 15.6). Maharaja continues to speak – Srila Prabhupada is pointing out the difference between the two. Someone who is a ‘punya atma’, great soul who has worshiped demigods, who has done various sacrificial performances, austerities etc. can get the resultant fruit of going upwards to heavenly planets, but has to come down again to Mrityu loka. In fact there are 14 planetary systems – seven above the Eartha known as Bhuvar loka, swarga loka, Jana loka, Mahar loka, Tapo loka, Satya (or Brahma) loka or there are seven hellish planets below the Earth. Thus there are total 14 planetary systems called ‘bhuvanas’.  However the devotee of the Lord who returns to the abode of the Lord, never returns to the mortal world. (yad gatva na nivartante tad dhama paramam mama). Such supreme abode of the Lord is being approached by Dhruva maharaja. Such an achievement of the supreme abode of the Lord is rare. It is not different from attaining the Lord Himself.

Purport continues: Dhruva Mahäräja was reminded, “You are going in our company to that planet from which no one returns to this material world.” Material scientists are attempting to go to the moon and other planets, but they cannot imagine going to the topmost planet, Brahmaloka, for it is beyond their imagination. Material scientists are attempting to go to the moon and other planets, but they cannot imagine going to the topmost planet, Brahmaloka, for it is beyond their imagination.

Maharaja continues: In the early morning, we can see the sun in the sky but the sunrays don’t immediately reach us. It takes eight minutes for the rays of sunlight to reach us on the earth planet. Here also, Prabhupada writes in the purport: By material calculation, traveling at the speed of light it would take forty thousand light-years to reach the topmost planet. By mechanical processes we are unable to reach the topmost planet of this universe, but the process called bhakti-yoga, as executed by Mahäräja Dhruva, can give one the facility not only to reach other planets within this universe, but also to reach beyond this universe to the Vishnloka planets. We have outlined this in our small booklet Easy Journey to Other Planets.

The current verse is spoken by Sunanda and Nanda, the messengers of Lord Vishnu who have brought the airplane from the Vishnu loka to Dhurva maharaja. They two are addressing him and inviting him to take his seat in the airplane and telling him that the final destination of this plane is Vishnu loka. We will take you to the abode of Lord Vishnu, which is the supreme and which is worshipable by the entire material world.

Just now we were singing: Jaya jaya Jagannatha Sachirnandana, tribhuvane kori jara charana vandana – all the three planetary systems are worshipping Your lotus feet. Krishnam vande jagat gurum (Krishna is worshipped as the Guru of all the worlds). “Aradhyo Bhagavan Vrajesh-tanayas tad dham Vrrindavanam.” The Lord is worshipped and His abode is also worshipped. Please come with us to that abode, please stay there. In fact, you will live there forever, not requiring to go back to the material world.  The other members of your family, your father Uttanapada, your grandfather Manu or even your great grandfather, Brahma also did not achieve such a supreme position. You desired such supreme position and so you decided to find the Lord. You worshipped the Lord with this mood. The Lord is happy with you and thus your desire is being fulfilled. The Lord is like “Vancha kalpa taru”. This ‘vancha kalpa taru’ is also said in reference to the devotees.  It refers to a personality like a tree who supplies whatever you desire for from it. So the Lord Himself, being such desire tree, is fullfilling your desires.

Soul’s no-return journey to Lord’s eternal abode:

So such a place, which was not approachable by anyone else in the past is being given to Dhruva maharaja. If the soul reaches the place to which he belongs, he will never think of leaving that place again. In this material world, from time immemorial the soul becomes “bahirmukha”, meaning averse to the Lord and makes many desires. The condition of such a soul is like “nikatastha maya tare zapatiya dhare”. By being ‘bahirmukha’, the soul totally forgets his original identity in this material world and keeps unlimited desires and expectations. Very soon, ‘nikatastha maya’, the illusory energy of the Lord who roams around in the material world, suddenly captures the soul. The desires of this material world are not very beneficial for the soul. No sooner the soul supersedes his original dharma or disobeys the laws of God; or even just considers of breaking the laws of God, than immediately he is seized by the nearby illusory energy ‘maya’. Just as when one neglects the law of traffic, a nearby policeman runs and captures the person. One who obeys the traffic laws has nothing to fear from the nearby police. Similarly, maya devi is the police officer of the Lord. ‘danda marahati’. She is there to punish the law breakers. The fine for neglecting traffic law may be simple but for more serious disobeying, the punishment could be even death!

So the soul who does ‘bhoga-vancha’ or keeps desires to enjoy separate from Krishna, the nearby illusory energy seizes him. However, when the soul obeys the laws that the Lord has made for him, then he is free from the clutches of maya devi, the illusory energy of the Lord.

Yamaraja – one of the twelve bhagavatas & judge of the highest court:

There is the story of Ajamila. The superintendent of death, Yamaraja, had ordered his servants – Yamadutas to capture and bring to him those souls who do not offer homage to him or who don’t utter his name. So the Yamadutas went to capture the of soul of this Ajamila who had done hundreds of sins, very grave sins to fulfill his unlimited desires to enjoy. But they failed to seize him. They returned to Yamaraja and reported to him, “we had gone to seize this Ajamila according to your order, but another party had already arrived there. They fought us and won over us. We never ever before failed to carry your orders and were always successful in bringing the disobeying souls to you. But this time we failed.” Yamaraja asked what happened. Yamaraja is one of twelve pure devotees – Bhagavatas. He very well knew the real religious principles.

Srimad Bhagavatam, 6.3.20 states the list of the Bhagavatas: “Svayambhur Naradah Shambhuh, Kumarah Kapilo Manuh, Prahlado Janako Bhishmo Balir Vaiyasakir vayam.”

(Lord Brahma, Narada, Lord Shiva, the four Kumaras, Lord Kapila [the son of Devahuti], Svayambhuva Manu, Prahlada Maharaja, Janaka Maharaja, Grandfather Bhishma, Bali Maharaja, and Shukadeva Gosvami). There is no reference to the name of Yamaraja in this list of only eleven names. But ‘vayam’ means ‘we people’ and this is being said by Yamaraja himself. Yamaraja enlisted the names of eleven Bhagavatas and said ‘vayam’ or we. Thus Yamaraja is included in the list as the twelfth Bhagavata. He said, ‘dharman tu saksat Bhagavat pranitam’. Just as we cannot concoct the laws of traffic at our home and start following them on the road, no one is going to recognize the family-made traffic laws.

Similarly, the religious principles of Bhagavat Dharma are established by the Lord Himself. “dharma sansthapanarthaya sambhavami yuge yuge” (BH Gita 4.8) Those who are very well conversant with the Lord’s Bhagavat dharma are called the twelve Bhagavatas. Yamaraja is one of them. When Yamaraja punishes someone it is not injustice; in fact it is justice according to the law or rules and regulations of the Lord. A soul promoted to higher planets in the mode of goodness or demoted to the lower planets in the mode of ignorance is awarded a suitable body by Yamaraja according to the law-bound administration  of his justice department. Yamaraja is the judge of the highest court. That is the ultimate court for the soul. There may be numerous courts on earth with numerous types of laws made by governments. Now it is legalized by our government to kill an infant in the womb. Abortion is permitted according to the constitution of the government. But in the court of Yamaraja, such person will be punished. So government may make any whimsical rules; what can we speak about it?

Alas, if the government could be composed of ‘rajarshis’ or the kings who associate with sages and heed to their advice while ruling over the kingdom! Such kings use their weapons according to scriptural rules – they use shastra (weapon) according to the shaastra (scripture).   If they would not understand shaastra, then consult sadhus and acharyas (saintly teachers) before using weapons. That is called ‘anushasan’ or real administration. Anu means to follow and shasan means according to scripture. Sages and saintly teachers are brahmanas representing the head of the social body of the human society. Without listening to the head, if only the hands are working, legs are working or stomach is being filled, then it is called the head-less society having lost the real purpose of life, being direction less.

Yamaraja’s job-description of his servants:

There is a very nice verse about Yamaraja’s orders to his servants to bring to him all the sinful people: Srimad Bhagavatam 6.3.29 –

“jivha na vakti Bhagavat-guna-namadheyam, chetas cha na smarati tat-charanaravindam, Krishnaya no namati yat-shira ekadapi, tan anayadhvam asatah akrita Vishnu-krityan”

Yamaraja said to his servants, “My dear servants, please bring to me only those sinful persons who do not use their tongues to chant the holy name and qualities of Krishna, whose hearts do not remember the lotus feet of Krishna even once, and whose heads do not bow down even once before Lord Krishna. Send me those who do not perform their duties toward Vishnu, which are the only duties in human life. Please bring me all such fools and rascals.”

That means, if a person has even once bowed his head before Krishna, then he is not brought before Yamaraja. Such a great benefit! Bhagavad Gita 2.39 says, Svalpam api asya dharmasya trayate mahato bhayat (a little advancement on this path can protect one from the most dangerous type of fear.) See the Lord is so kind. Even if a person bows before Him only once is protected and is given further opportunities to progress. By bowing down once, he cannot go back to the Lord’s abode, but he is given further opportunity to progress. That person whose tongue doesn’t vibrate even once “Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Ram Hare Ram, Ram Ram Hare Hare”, to such a person bring before me, Yamaraja says.

Further while giving the job description to his servants, Yamaraja says in Bhagavatam verse 6.3.28:

tan anayadhvam asato vimukhan Mukunda-padaravinda-makaranda-rasat ajasram –

“My dear servants, bring to me for punishment only persons who are averse to the taste of the honey of the Lotus feet of the Lord, who do not associate with paramahamsas and who are attached to family life and worldly enjoyment, which form the path to hell.”

“Radha-Krishna padaravindam bhajana-nandena mattalikau” – Krishna’s  devotees who are engrossed in enjoying the honey of chanting the glories of the lotus feet of Radha and Krishna are not to be touched by the Yamadutas according to this instruction of Yamaraja. In fact, they should not even get an indirect glance of the Yamadutas. Those who wear a kanthi mala are not to be touched because they have a supreme master. Just like the dogs who do not have a neck-belt are traced and captured by the township vans. No one knows the destiny of such dogs. Similarly, Yamadutas also keep away from those who wear Tulasi mala, who chant the names of the Lord with their mouths, whose hearts remember the lotus feet of the Lord.

When Lord Krishna was dancing on the hoods of Kaliya, swiftly landing on that hood which indicated some live force and thus subduing it (Kaliya-damana), at that time the wives of Kaliya (Nagapatnis) prayed to the Lord (Bhagavatam 10.16.33): nyyato hi dandah – The punishment this offender has been subjected to is certainly just.” Your punishment to our husband is very justified, it is well done, we were expecting the same thing to happen one day for the welfare of our husband. This is ‘khala-nigrahaya’ (After all, You have incarnated within this world to curb down envious and cruel persons.) Bhagavad Gita (4.8) says, vinashaya cha duskritam. This is ‘anugraha ayam bhavatau’ – What You have done here is actually mercy for us. There are many other things said by the naga-patnis, but the following is one more prayer by the naga patnis in Srimad Bhagavatam 6.11.25: na naka-pristham, na cha sarva-bhaumam, na paramesthyam, na rasadhipatyam, na yoga-sidhhir apunar-bhavam va, vanchanti yat-pada-rajam prappanah: Those who have attained the dust of Your lotus feet never hanker for the kingship of heaven, limitless sovereignty, the position of Brahma or rulership over the earth. They are not interested even in the perfections of yoga or in liberation itself.

Sri Vishnoho paramam padam. The topmost planet is Vishnu loka. So the naga patnis are also saying the Vedic conclusion about those who have surrendered to the dust of Your lotus feet. Caitanya mahaprabhu has also expressed the same mood: sthita dhuli sadrisham vichintaya – please make me a particle of the dust of Your lotus feet. Those who desire the dust of Your lotus feet want neither heavenly kingship, nor liberation from the cycle of birth and death in the material world. Mahaprabhu says, “mama janma janmanishvare bhavatat bhaktir ahaituki tvayi”. (O almighty Lord, I have no desire to accumulate wealth, nor do I desire beautiful women, nor do I want any number of followers. I only want Your causeless devotional service, birth after birth.)

Material desires reduced to ‘zero’ :

So when we reduce the material desire, hankerings to zero, then this Vishnoho paramam padam is possible. Then we will not desire for any object of this material world. No attachment or greed for anything material. Not asking for any svartha, adhipatya, svamitvah (selfish motive, control or supremacy over any material object) but only desiring for attaining the Lord. This is neti neti – not this – no this; just You O Lord.

The six gosvamis who desired only dust of Lord’s lotus feet:

Raghunatha Das Gosvami established the fact that he had no other material desires or hankerings. He was the son of very wealthy landlord. But he had no attachment to any land or lordship, but wanted Mahaprabhu’s association. The family decided to bound him in married life. But even that did not make him attached to family life. His mind was but over occupied with the name of the Lord. He would run away and the family would bring him back and keep under the control of attendants. But when the Lord pulls a soul towards Himself, all other ropes of the material world are cut off. So Raghunatha Das somehow reached Jagannatha Puri and started begging alms at the entrance of the Puri temple. Heaps of wealth at home – boats full of gold coins. It was all rejected by him.

Sanatana gosvami was the prime minister under the rule of Shahenshah. Dabir Khas and Sakir Mallik were the names given by the Muslim ruler to the two brothers Rupa and Sanatana. Their family names were Amar and Santosh. When Caitanya Mahaprabhu initiated them, they were given the names Rupa and Sanatana. They also had a brother Vallabh who worked as a treasurer under the government. Thus the three brothers were serving at the very important positions in the Muslim government. But when they got attracted to Caitanya Mahaprabhu and met Him at Ramkeli, they had His darshan, meeting, association, Krishna katha, kirtan of Hare Krishna mahamantra, they decided that their services with Shahenshah were meaningless. They resigned from their big designations for the sake of attaining Mahaprabhu, of attaining Krishna. Rupa and Anupam quickly gave up all the services and moved out to meet Mahaprabhu in Vrindavana. Sanatana Gosvami was the prime minister. He obtained a sick leave in the beginning. Under the pretext of sickness, he gathered all the great  learned Vedic scholars and began studying Srimad Bhagavatam. The Muslim king found him healthy and well doing, he arrested and imprisoned Sanatana. He bribed the jailor and jumped from the wall. He started walking towards Puri.

Rupa and Anupama who tried to meet with the Lord at Vrindavana could not catch up with Him since Mahaprabhu had already left for Prayag. So they both met Mahaprabhu in Prayag and upon their meeting, Knowing the real identity of Mahaprabhu, Rupa offered this prayer to Mahaprabhu: “namo maha vadanyaya Krishna prema pradayate, Krishnay Krishna Caitanya Gaura tvishe namah.”

Caitanya Mahaprabhu instructed Rupa for ten days and sent the two brothers to Vrindavana. He Himself set for the next travel to Benaras. He stayed with one devotee called Chandrasekhar. One day, a mendicant came to their door. Mahaprabhu told Chandrasekhar to get that person. Chandrasekhar found an ordinary looking person at the door and thought him to be some Muslim mendicant. Thinking that he may not the right person whom Mahaprabhu would like to meet, he announced there was no one. Mahaprabhu insisted upon meeting whosoever was sitting at the door because He knew who was outside. He is sarvagya – omniscient. His eyes are everywhere even though He didn’t have any cameras like today. So Chandrasekhar got this person inside. Mahaprabhu knew that he is Sanatana, my eternal associate and servitor in Vrindavana.

When Mahaprabhu desired to embrace Sanatana, he said, ‘no, no! I am untouchable. I am fallen. My clothes are very soiled.’ But Mahaprabhu very eagerly embraced him and then told him to get clean and wear clean clothers. Later Sanatana remained in Mahaprabhu’s company for two months to receive spiritual instructions from Him.

Just like Rupa Gosvami, Sanatana Gosvami also wrote many books, the four most prominent being

• Bhrihad Bhagavatamrita,
• Vaishnava Toshani (his commentary based on the tenth canto of Srimad Bhagavatam),
• Hari Bhakti Vilas (Standards of behavior, Vaishnava etiquettes and deity worship, various sanskaras) and
• Krishna Stava mala.

Such were the great devotees, who had all the opportunity to obtain honorable public designations, great wealth or beautiful woman; but in fact chose to aspire for only the dust of the lotus feet of Lord Krishna – ‘yat pada-raja prappnah/vanchanti’ – Vishno paramam padam’.

Such were their desires (sankalpas) and they were fulfilled when they took shelter of the lotus feet Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. They got residence in Vrindavana dham and finally entered the nitya-lila (eternal pastimes) of Lord Krishna in His abode to do nitya-seva (eternal service).

Deserve before desire – how to train oneself to qualify for the desire:

It is said that one must ‘deserve’ before one desires. Anybody can desire. Here in the current verse, it is said to Dhruva maharaja what kind of desires he had in the beginning (achieve a post never dreamed of by his forefathers). And he accordingly prepared for it as well to make him qualified or deserving for such a desire on the basis of his sadhana-dhyana-dharana-tapasya-dham vasa (devotional practices, meditation, austerity and residence in holy places). But he became free from all the material contaminations and was left with but one focus on meditation on the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Later when he was asked what he wanted, he said – nothing! Just the lotus feet of the Lord. Karmi, gyani, yogi? No, just Krishna bhakti.

Krishna-bhakta nishkama, atah eva shanta; bhukti mukti siddhi kami sakali ashanta (Caintanya Caritamrita Madhya 19.149) – Because a devotee of Lord Krishna is desireless, he is peaceful. Fruitive workers desire material enjoyment, gyanis desire liberation, and yogis desire material opulence; therefore they are all lusty and cannot be peaceful.

Rupa Gosvami’s Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu (Nectar of devotion), well known as the science of devotional service (bhakti yoga) is a standard of rules and regulations for all the devotees. We must do our devotion (bhakti) according to this scripture. Sindhu means ocean. He made four sections of this ocean and each chapter was named by him as the waves of this ocean. The devotees can bathe or drown in these waves of this nectarean  ocean of devotion.

“Avatirne Gaura Chandre, vistirne prema-sagare” (from the purport of Caitanya Caritamrita Adi 13.123 – The advent of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu is just like an expanding ocean of nectar.)

In this way, Rupa Gosvami expanded the ocean of love of Godhead in his scripture Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu. This book includes many topics on devotional service. Out of the total 64 topics, there are five topmost ones. Even if one is able to barely come in contact with these five topics, it is called as sarva-siddhi – complete perfection.

The five topics are considered important for devotional practitioners (sadhakas)

• Sadhu sanga, (association of saintly persons)
• Nama sankirtan, (chanting of holy names)
• Bhagavat shravan, (reading of Srimad Bhagavatam)
• Mathura vasa, (residence at Mathura)
• Vigraha aradhana (Faithful Deity worship)

First is sadhu sanga. In the holy association one will automatically get to do the other items, namely nama sankirtan, bhagavat shravan, Mathura vasa and vigraha aradhana. Therefore the basic foundation is sadhu sanga. “sadhu sanga, sadhu sanga sarva shastra kaya, lava matra sadhu sanga sarva siddhi haya” (Caitanya Caritamrita Madhya 22.54 – The verdict of all revealed scriptures is that by even a moment’s association with a pure devotee, one can attain all success.)

What is that success? Vishnoho paramam padam. To attain the lotus feet of Lord Krishna is that success.

Any questions?

Q: What is exact position of Dhruva loka in universal sky?

A: Dhurva loka has all the arrangements just like Vishnu loka. Vishnu loka is in Vaikuntha. We can identiy Dhurva star in the night sky. In the army, soldiers are trained how to identify Dhurva star in the night sky in order to determine north if one loses the sense of direction in the dark. Dhruva means fixed, parmenent (sthira). Dhruva loka is a part of (extention of) Vaikuntha or Vishnu loka but is still a part of this material universe. We are able to see this Dhurva loka since it is based within this universe. If it was outside this universe, how could we see it? Planets outside of the universe are not to be seen by us. Just like Sveta Dvipa, which is a part of Brahma loka is a part of this universe (brahmanda), yet is the residing place of Kshirodakashayi Vishnu. In the ocean of milk, Kshirodakashayi Vishnu lies on this Sveta Dvipa. It is like an extension of Vishnu loka. These Vrindavana, Mayapur are also such extensions. Hence there is no difference between this Vrindavana and Goloka Vrindavana. At the time of universal devastation, these abodes are not destroyed, they are kept intact. Similar is this Dhurva loka.

Q: What is the position of Earth in the universal sky?

A: Earth is just one planet. Each loka has many planets. Earth is not a loka. Earth is one  planet of Bhuloka. Bharat Varsha is a vast  area. There are Sapta dvipa (seven islands) and nine Varshas. Varsha is a part of Dvipa. This is the cosmology. The fourteen planetary systems are situated in the stem of the lotus flower emanating from the lotus naval of Lord Vishnu. The flower of this lotus is the topmost Brahma loka.

Thank you. Hari bol.

So from thousands of thousands of cowherd boys and the cows that was the first scene, next scene was only Krishna and He in his left hand had sweet rice, yogurt rice, butter, so before Krishna made all his cowherd boys disappear, Brahma also noticed that the whole creation was worshiping each one of those forms and each one of those forms had become four handed forms (laughter) and then so he realized that all those forms were Krishna, all those thousands of forms were Krishna, then they all disappeared and only one form remained and at that time Brahma, he realized that this was his blunder, he wanted to bewilder Krishna but instead he ended up getting  bewildered himself and he immediately jumps down from his carrier swan and he falls flat on the ground and touched lotus feet of the Lord.(laugh…………applause…… and laughter……)  

He keeps his head, he touches not with the hand but the crown (laughter) not with one crown but all four crowns (laughter) as he has four head and “nattva” he is bowing down and again he gets up. He pays obeisances again many times, this is happening and so there are many tears gliding down his checks, he is crying and the tears are doing abhishek. With his tears he is doing abhishek of the lotus feet of the Lord.

He has not gone to Jamuna to fetch water to bath the feet of the Lord. The tears are coming out profusely and they are washing the lotus feet of the Lord.

Then after abhishek and lots of the obeisance Brahma is trying to control himself. He wipes the tears from his eyes “vimraja lochane,” he gets up, he is still in very humble mood although his head is decorated with crowns, he is full of humility, his hands are folded, his body is trembling, his voice is faltering, chocked up, Govindam Govindam and he offers prayers. (Kirtan starts).

“Govindam adi purusham tam aham bhajami, Govindam adi purusham tam aham  Govindam adi purusham tam aham bhajami, Govindam adi purusham tam aham bhajami…………”

Lord Krishna did talk about this topic in Bhagavad Gita. So we will also talk and discuss about it. In fact the symbol of sin, i.e. lust, which is the biggest enemy, can be defeated not just by talking. Discussion is necessary for understanding. But we would succeed in curbing lust (and other five symbols- anger, greed, illusion, pride and envy) by chanting Hare Krishna, by honoring prasadam, and by association of devotees. These ultimately help us to curb the symbol of sin. Not just the knowledge or the philosophy.
This topic has its foundation in Bhagavad Gita. If it is not based on Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam, we don’t touch that because it would haves no substance, or utility. We go for only those topics that have connection with sadhu, shastra and acharyas (scriptures and great personalities) Verse 41 in third chapter of Bhagavad Gita talks of this great symbol of sin, lust, “tasmat tvam indriyani adau niyamya bharatarshabha, papmanam prajahi hyena gyana vigyana nashanam.” (Therefore, O Arjuna, best of the Bharatas, in the very beginning curbs this great symbol of sin (lust) by regulating the senses, and slays this destroyer of knowledge and self-realization.)
We would like to present the topic in five phases:-
1. Vision (or definition) of this topic: What is sin and where does it reside?
2. Obstacles or stumbling blocks in achieving the vision: Difficulties we face while curbing the symbol of sin.
3. Strategies to achieve the goal: Solutions for difficulties.
4. Negative effects of lust on the life of individuals, society, country or humanity, etc.
5. Benefits of curbing this enemy.
1. Vision: The symbol of sin could be curbed by regulating the senses. This is Krishna’s proposal. Niyamya adau. Adau – adi becomes adau in Sanksrit translation. Indriya is sense, plural is indriyani, senses.
If we don’t curb this symbol of sin, then it will destroy knowledge and self realization. We all are interested in knowledge and self realization, but the difficulty is this symbol of sin, lust. Sin destroys knowledge and realizations of a person.
Prior to this, Krishna was asked a question by Arjuna. In the middle of two armies, on a chariot, Krishna and Arjuna had a dialog. Arjuna is asking in verse 3.36, “atha kena prayukto ayam papam charati purushah? Annichhan api varshneya balad iva niyojitah.” (O descendant of Vrushni, by what is one impelled to sinful acts, even unwillingly, as if engaged by force?) How come some people commit sin? How come sometimes the sin is committed unwillingly by a person? He knows this is not to be done. This is wrong and sinful. Still someone is pushing him, impelling him, and compelling him to commit that sin. Who it is, what is it, O Lord, could you please explain. This is the question of Arjuna. Do you have similar experience as Arjuna? If the question of Arjuna is also your question, then reply given by the Lord is also not only for Arjuna but also for all of us. Arjuna is asking on our behalf for the benefit of all of us, so Krishna doesn’t have to repeat the answer. He gave one eternal reply. Even when used generation after generation, the reply is still beneficial. Lord Krishna replies in verse 3.37, “Sri Bhagavan uvacha, kama esha krodha esha rajo guna samudbhava, mahashano maha papma viddhy enam iha vairinam.” (The Supreme Personality of Godhead said, “It is lust only, Arjuna, which is born of contact with the material mode of passion and later transformed into wrath, and which is the all-devouring sinful enemy of this world.”) It is lust that is compelling us to commit sin. Krishna is also adds some more words, “Kama esha, krodha esha”. Lust and anger. Srila Prabhupada says anger is younger brother of lust. First kama takes birth and then the next one to take birth is the krodha. They go together, kama and krodha, next to each other. Krishna also says, “rajo guna samudhbhava”. They are produced by rajo guna, the passion. Passion gives birth to kama and krodha. So immediately we would make a connection that if you want to become free from lust and anger, become free from passion.
What guna should we have then? Go higher. Go in Goodness. As soon as you are in the mode of goodness, you will not be bothered by lust and anger. Krishna says, “Arjuna, you should know this kama. This is your enemy. Viddhi enam iha vairinam. Please take note. We should also take note of this, that this lust is our enemy, not a friend. Having understood that much, what else would you like to know about your enemy?
Where does he stay? Unless you know whereabouts of your enemy, how would you accomplish destroying him? So Krishna points out, this enemy is having three bases or camps. Indriyani, mano buddhir. That is Lord’s reply. (verse 3.40), “indriyani mano buddhir asya adhisthanam uchyate, etair vimohayati esha gyanam avruttya dehinam.” (The senses, the mind and the intelligence are where this enemy resides. Through them lust covers the real knowledge of the living entity and bewilders him.)
The enemy is found in the body, not outside, but right there inside you. You are your senses, mind and intelligence. These are the three places where the lust is residing. Now after this, comes that statement from verse 3.40, “Tasmat.. indriyani niyamya adau.” In the beginning you have to control the senses. Why in the beginning you have to control the senses? Because you would like to check the enemy right at the entrance from making a progress. The very first place where you would station your army is right at the entrance point of the enemy. In the body, the entrance for this lust is the senses.
In Bhagavad Gita verse 5.13 it is mentioned, “Nava dvar pure gehe”. The material body is like a city that has nine gates. Srimad Bhagavatam describes the city of body has four directions. This face is considered to be the East direction. It has five gates. (eyes, two nostrils and a mouth). The western side has two gates, anus and genitals. Then is southern gate, the right ear. The northern gate is left ear. By regulating the senses, we stop the enemy (lust) from coming in, stop him at the gates. Indriyani niyamya adau. If the enemy is not checked at the entrance, the next thing he is going to capture is mind. Even there, if we are not careful, or don’t identify the enemy or destroy him, then he is going to reach the intelligence. That is the most dangerous.
Body is compared to a chariot and intelligence is the driver of that chariot. The most important person in the vehicle is the driver. We have to make sure that this enemy, lust doesn’t get anywhere near there. Otherwise, this enemy will dictate the terms, “do this, do that, do as I say.” He will be our controller, in superior position. Our enemy, lust will captures the most strategic point in us and that is intelligence. So curbing the enemy begins with senses. Then you are safer. So this is what Lord has said in third chapter of Bhagavad Gita.
In the purport of this text 41, Prabhupada says, lust is only perverted reflection of love for God. Love for God is called prema in Sanskrit. When prema deteriorates, degenerates, dilutes, it is turned into or transformed into kama or lust.
Caitanya Caritamrita describes what is prema, what is kama, what is love and what is lust. (CC Adi 4.165). Atmendriya priti vancha – tare bali ‘kama’, Krishnendriya priti iccha dhare ‘prema’ nam (The desire to gratify one’s own senses is kama (lust) but the desire to please the senses of Lord Krishna is prema (love)). So things done for ‘atmendriya priti’ are for the pleasure of our own senses. For satisfaction of your own senses, you are working, desiring to enjoy your own senses and that is described as ‘tare bali kama’. That is lust. It is very simple. The other is Krishnendriya priti – when we do things for the pleasure of senses of Krishna. Krishna is a person and He has senses. Krishna is described as Hrishikesha, master of His own senses and of everybody’s senses. The boss of your senses is Krishna. Hrishika means senses and isha is master.
Bhakti is described as that activity wherein three things, Hrishikena, hrishikesha and sevanam. You are using, engaging your senses to serve Hrishikesha, serve the Lord. That is called bhakti. (Caitanya Caritamrita, Madhya 19.170, “sarvopadhi vinirmuktam tat paratvena nirmalam hrishikena hrishikesha sevanam ‘bhaktir’ uchyate.” Bhakti, or devotional service, means engaging all our senses in the service of the Lord, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, master of all the senses.
When the spirit soul renders service unto the Supreme, there are two side effects. One is freed from all material designations, and one’s senses are purified simply by being employed in the service of the Lord. Controlling the senses would be possible if engaged positively. “Indriyani niyamya adau.” Regulating the senses doesn’t mean just block the ears or put ear plugs or stitch the mouth. That is not controlling the senses, that may be controlling but we don’t want to just control, or making the senses inert or useless, idle or doing nothing. We want to engage positively and that is bhakti, devotional service. We have to go beyond controlling them. That is where the devotional service, bhakti yoga comes into the picture.
2. Obstacles: In Bhagavad Gita, Krishna says, in 2.62, “dhyayato vishayan pumsah sangas teshupajayate, sangat sanjayate kamah, kamat krodhobhijayate.” While contemplating the objects of the senses, a person develops attachment for them, and from such attachment lust develops, and from lust, anger arises.)
Body is a bunch of senses and sense objects are there out in the world. We have five knowledge acquiring senses and five sense objects. We know the world around us by using these senses to perceive the five sense objects. If there was a sixth sense object out there in the world, we have no way to know that. We have no equipment or instrument to find that. By contemplating on the sense objects and attachment to them comes the lust. Using this information, here is a list of all those worldly items from our daily lives by contemplating which we develop attachment and lust:-
a. Mundane sounds and scenes: Television, internet, print media, books, newspaper, novels, film industry, mundane songs, cell phones, computer games, passionate or useless sports.
b. Mundane food and other habits: Junk food, fast food industry, intoxication by alcohol and drugs, smoking, fashion industry, free mixing with opposite sex
c. Mundane ambitions: Hankering for material success or economic development. Need to overcome obstacles, background for strategies.
In contrast to lust, ‘prema’, or love of God is the constitutional position of the soul. How the love of God is stirred up or manifested or revived? In Caitanya Caritamrita, it is said, Madhya 22.107, “nitya siddha Krishna-prema ‘sadhya’ kabhu naya, shravanadi suddha chitte karaye udaya.” “Pure love for Krishna is eternally established in the hearts of the living entities. It is not something to be gained from another source. When the heart is purified by hearing and chanting, this love naturally awakens.”
All we need to do is hear about Krishna. When heart is pure, we will have love for God. Mundane hearing, mundane food, or habits will produce lust only. People are becoming lusty like anything. From lust comes anger, war, greed and what not. People have lost the intelligence, the power of discrimination and that is why they are not able to discriminate between love and lust. Love is something out of this world; in fact it is divine, eternal, pure, in relation with the Lord. But we have made it cheap by saying, I love you. What they should say is “I am lusty after you.”
When we talk of four things, dharma, artha, kama and moksha (religiosity, economic development, sense gratification and liberation), if you notice, artha is in the middle of dharma and kama. If people take up artha for kama and not for dharma, then moksha is not possible. Out of four, they are going for only two, artha and kama. That is all. Their whole life is finished. Even education is just for money making. It is not for making man of character and morality. Money is not a problem, make a lot of money. Any fool can make money, but it takes a wise man to spend the money. It is easy making money, difficult spending it.
In this kind of seminar, we are teaching you how to spend. Creating modern Ajamils. There is a story of Ajamil in the sixth canto of Srimad Bhagavatam. Ajamil was a young, nice man, cultured and from a good family background. Once he was in a garden picking flowers for pooja and then he saw a scene wherein a low class man engaged in low class activity, lusty affair. Ajamil was young and not trained enough, not matured enough. He contemplated on that scene. He developed attachment and lust. He targeted the same woman. He succeeded in getting her and then followed his huge degradation. He fell down from high thinking level. He lost all the culture, good name. He became known as dasi-pati Ajamila, husband of a prostitute.
What is happening these days? How many Ajamils are being produced? Wherever and whenever you look around, all objects of senses are dangling in front of us through fashion, food, cinema, internet, the list is never ending. There is whole team of planners out there in the society; they are breaking their heads to create newer and newer fantasies, knowing human weaknesses. They are creating so many objects of senses, advertising them, transporting them quickly and they are proud for doing such job of advertisement and communication.
I want to say what Sukadeva Goswami said 5000 years ago. He is also making list of flaws in the age of kali. He said now the new age of kali is about to begin. This age will have ‘sarva sadhana badhakah’. This kali yuga will cause obstacles in sadhana, in regulated life of God consciousness. There will be big turbulence. Kaler dosha nidhe Rajan, kali yuga is full of faults, big storehouse of doshas. That is why our list is not ending. He concluded on the positive note. Asti eka maha gunah. There is only one good quality. Kirtanadi Krishnasya mukta sangah param vrajet. (Simply by chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, one can become free from material bondage and be promoted to the transcendental kingdom.)
3. Strategies: What could we do? We are in a big mess; we want to get out of this mess. We want to be like a lotus in the mud but above the mud, not touched by mud. When you churn the milk, a ball of butter is formed. Even if you try to push it down, it springs back and floats. Like that, we must do ‘vichar manthan’, churning of thoughts; we must do planning so as to stay pure, clean, and above it. Even if the objects of senses are freely accessible out in the world, be prepared and plan about how to encounter them. Engage all senses in Krishna’s service. Be in association of devotees. Never stay idle in mind. Read about Krishna instead of mundane literature. Develop attraction for kirtan and the taste for mundane music will automatically go away. Chant daily attentively. Follow four regulative principles. Take prasadam to control tongue, belly and genitals. Follow in the footsteps of previous acharays, take inspiration from them. Replace the thoughts of enjoyment with thoughts of service of Lord. When having encounters with opposite sex, think how beauty is skin deep. Think how the person in the opposite sex is a part of Krishna and ultimately for Krishna’s enjoyment.
Krishna says, “I am lust if that is not contrary to the principles of religion.” Some amount of enjoyment is legalized in the household life. So regulated sex within marriage is allowed to some extent. Try to remember the science behind sex within marriage, to give birth to Krishna Conscious children.
But in brhamachari, vanaprastha, sanyas, there is no legal or illegal. In this day and age, it is difficult to avoid some interaction with the opposite sex. Even if you don’t want to see, it is difficult not to see out in the world. At such time, you should remind yourself that this beauty is just skin deep, and it is just a bag of bones, the body is transformation of flesh. Bring these thoughts to the mind and think again and again. At some point you will transcend. Later you will not have to think. First time it will be difficult. Next time you go out, you want to be more prepared to overcome this mind’s tendency. If you practice like this, you don’t have to think every time, immediately you will come to a conclusion.
Devotees have to spend less time and energy on these thoughts and they can quickly go to positive or Krishna’s thoughts. There are so many exemplary personalities from India’s Vedic wealth. In Ramayana, when Laxman was asked to identify Sitadevi’s ornaments, he said, “Naham janami keyure, naham janami kundale.” ( I cannot recognize the armlets or earrings). But I can recognize the nupura, the rings from her lotus feet because when I used to offer my obeisances to Sita devi, I used to see those. This is the example set by Laxman, how to be a good brahmachari.
One who desires to become a brahmachari, could pray to these personalities: Laxman, Hanuman, Bhishmadeva. They are ideal brahmacharis, very advanced souls. This is our culture. “Matravat para dareshu.” All the ladies, except your wife are like your mother. This is what they used to teach and practice. Pray to the deities to reduce lust for opposite sex.
Once Prabhupada was asked by a devotee about difficulty in controlling the senses, the sex urges. Prabhupada wrote back, pray to the deities and tolerate the urges. Krishna is the enjoyer, apply that to daily life. Identify more with the soul, I am the soul, I am the servant of Krishna. As soon as we think of body, we think of enjoyment. Powerful hearing can cut anarthas or unwanted desires like a razor. Sins can be burnt to ashes. Bhagavad Gita, verse 4.37 says, “gyanagni sarva karmani bhasmasat kurute tatha.” (As a blazing fire turns firewood to ashes, O Arjuna, so does the fire of knowledge burn to ashes all reactions to material activities.)
If the presentational speech is loud and clear and based on Krishna’s thoughts, then it will purify worship of the deities. This minimizes the bodily concept of life, Prabhupada said, “by deity worship, you give more time to the body of the Lord. In our temples, the brahmacharis are ready in 15 minutes including bathing, putting tilak on, and dressing. But then they spend two hours decorating the body of the Lord.” At the end they also show Him mirror, asking “Lord, are You happy?” When the Lord is looking into the mirror, they look at the Lord’s face, to see whether the Lord is happy or not. They don’t look at their own face; their mirrors are so small, they cannot fit the whole face in there. Sometimes they don’t even look into that small mirror since they don’t want to think that I am beautiful and all. So little time they spend on their own bodies but so much time they spend on decorating the body of the Lord, bathing Him etc.”
Prabhupada says, “I was doing that service one time, in 1973, I was the head pujari in Radha Rasabihari temple of Juhu, India. When we used to finally put the wig on the Lord’s head and then the crown and the peacock feather that used to be like icing on the cake. We used to wait for that final touch of decorating. It used to be a wonderful experience.” That minimizes the bodily concept. Follow strictly our daily sadhana. These are all positive strategies to overcome and to reach to the goal.
Having this ISKCON youth forum, doing seminars like this, are a part of strategy to help overcome lust from our youth. Negative effects of the lust on the life of an individual, society, country or humanity: There are negative effects on the health, in this lust business, you lose semen. By that, you lose health, brain power, memory, power of concentration. You get disturbed and agitated all the time. The world is facing problems on the health front. There is deadly disease called AIDS. Asia is sitting on the bomb called AIDS time bomb. It could explode. It is very scary situation. We don’t know what we are getting into. All this is because of lust. If everyone followed the strategy we discussed, there wouldn’t be AIDS. But billions of dollars are spent for remedy. How much money are we spending on coming out with these strategies? Hardly any. You know the solutions. Big scientists, they don’t know what you know. In due course of time, we could wipe out AIDS. Of course, those with bad karma would get AIDS. But gradually, we could get over.
The divorce rate is on a rise in India. The families are breaking, splitting in pieces because of this enemy called lust. ‘India Today’ magazine did a survey and concluded that the rate of rape in India is on rise, alarmingly rise. Is this progress? Some people think India is making progress. This is regrettingly regress. Unwanted children are taking birth. This was concern of Arjuna and he called it unplanned, varna sankar. Result of ‘just do it’ mentality. Child is produced but no one is ready to take responsibility of the child. Care, attention, love, education, no one is providing. Some of such children become terrorists. They want to take revenge because no one took care of them, so they want to do something terrible and create terror. These are some of the bad effects on society, humanity at large.
The benefits of curbing lust is long life, healthy life, producing civilized human beings who would become manav, not danav (humans, not demons). Become rakshak and not bhakshak, do poshan, not shoshan (feeding others, not sucking others’ blood or money, so that you could fulfill your lusty desires), become gentlemen, better human beings by following these strategies. Thank you. Hare Krishna.
em“Naham janami keyure, naham janami kundale.”

Certainly the location that you have selected for this program would help you to mind your minds. I am very happy to see you all. You have assembled here in good numbers from all over. So it is very important that you have taken out your valuable time, not just little time but several days. So the topic is ‘minding the mind.’ Certainly it is related to yourself. Self is not just the body. We always heard from our parents, “take care of yourself”. But they didn’t really tell us who that ‘self’ was. The purport that I could gather or understand from my parents’ saying was that ‘take of yourself means take care of your body”. We were told how we should carefully by the side of the road to avoid accident or how we should eat properly etc. But all those concerns were boiling down to the body.

But we are not just the body. There are more things, which are part of that self. The dictionary meaning of the word self also includes those things. Of course the ‘self’ does include body. The mind is also part of that self. Intelligence is part of self. Certainly most importantly, the soul is the ‘self’ or the real self. Generally in the world, we talk about the body as self. We do take some care of the body, and little bit of the mind. I don’t know how much we take care of the intelligence and generally, we do nothing at all for the soul.

The topic is minding the mind. But the goal of course is the soul. And that is us. What good it is if we lose the soul? The bible says, “you gain the whole earth, you gain the kingdom but you lose the soul. What have you gained?” Means you have lost everything ultimately. This topic is also the subject matter of Bhagavad Gita. Bhagavad Gita talks about the topics of body, mind, intelligence and the soul. In Bhagavad Gita, the Lord has not ignored the topics of body or mind. He does talk about our bodies, of our minds and about our intelligence, even though He quickly wants to get to the topic of the soul. Yukta ahar viharasya: The Lord also talks about our ahar and vihar – food and recreation. Coming to places like this is a vihar. On the bank of lake here, spending a few days, this is relaxation, this is recreation. Lord wants us to take care of us like that. Some balanced life. Lord has not ignored our bodies and minds. But the goal is the soul.

Yesterday I read this slogan “Just do it”, meaning don’t even think. Just do it. If you feel good, go ahead and just do it. And this is a very dangerous thing to do. The mind functions in two ways; one is sankalpa (acceptance) and another is vikalpa (rejection). Is it not the reason for your being here? You are here for sankalpa. Taking some vows, returning to your respective places with some resolutions, some determinations. “I will do it, this is my goal, from now onwards, I will do this, but I will not do that.” Accepting some things and mind is also rejecting something. Acceptance and rejection, mind is going through this all the time. Day and night, at every minute, the process of acceptance and rejection goes on. If we let the mind function on its own, then mind is going to take dictations from its neighbor. The neighborhood of the mind is the senses. They are five in number – To see, to hear, smell, touch and to taste/talk. “Manah sasthani indriyani” (Bhagavad Gita, 15.7: Due to conditioned life, the living entities are struggling very hard with the six senses, which include the mind). Krishna in Bhagavad Gita has counted mind also as a sense, the sixth sense, or even as the king of the senses. Mind lords over the senses, gives dictations. The senses are in touch with the world around. The world is also made up of five sense objects. If there was another sixth sense object, there is no way we could realize its existence, because we have only five knowledge acquiring senses. If there was a sixth object, there is no way that we would know about it because we are allowed to relate to only five kinds of sense objects, or perceive them or exploit them or do different things with them, deal with them.

The five sense objects are shabda (sound), sparsha (touch), gandha (smell), rupa (form), and rasa (taste). All around us are these five things; the world is filled with them. We are mounted or our bodies are mounted with five senses. These five senses come in contact with respective sense objects and the mind accepts or rejects. Some sankapa and vikalpa goes on.

However, mind alone is not competent to make all the best decisions on the earth, best decisions in our favor or in favor of the soul, that is what we are or in our best interest. In the shastra, there is something called shreyas and preyas. Something of the immediate benefit is called preyas. The shreyas means long term goal. So mind usually goes for what I feel good now (preyas). If the feeling is good, then the mind continues to do it. By doing one thing, over and over again, the habit is developed. You do the same thing over and over again and then get into the habit of it. For example, getting up late in the morning. It is a bad habit. But who is going to tell the mind that it is a bad habit?

Lord talks in Bhagavad Gita (7.4) of the eight elements – “bhumir apo nalo vayuh, kham, mano, buddhir eva cha; ahamkaram itiyam me bhinna prakritir ashtadha” (Earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, intelligence and false ego—all together these eight constitute My separated material energies.) The earth, air, water, fire and ether are called five great elements or ‘pancha maha bhutas’. Then there is mind, intelligence and the false ego. Prakritir ashtadha. Lord says, these are My energies, My eight kinds of nature. It is external energy of the Lord.

So mind is there. In us there is mind, there is intelligence and there is the self and in conditioned state, the soul is covered over and it is called false ego, not the real ego. So we cannot leave everything up to the mind. So by “just do it”, they want to suggest that do not even think, just do it. Your mind is in touch with the senses and the senses are in touch with the sense objects; and you feel good. I feel good now with the garland here. Just because I feel good, it smells good, I accept it. But I would immediately reject it if there was a little bomb inside there. Sometimes people give you to smell something but then you feel dizzy. Then they rob you off, take all your money.

So this is where we always talk of living simply and thinking high. Simple living and high thinking. But when you are talking of ‘just doing it’, how much thinking you are talking about. You may say, oh, it is low thinking. But I would say there is no thinking. You are talking of just doing it, meaning, don’t even think, simply do it.

So we need help of intelligence. This intelligence is compared to a driver. In a vehicle, or say in boat, who is the most important person? The driver of the boat or in an aircraft, it is the pilot. Others could sleep in the back or do different things or even fight. But does the pilot afford to do this? If he would do such a thing, then there would be a disaster. So intelligence has a vital role, most important role as the driver in our lives.

So what is the function of the intelligence? What does intelligence do? What do you do with intelligence? We just said that it is a bad habit to get up late in the morning and getting up early is a good habit. We said one is good and the other is bad. Who is deciding? Intelligence is deciding. This is power of discrimination. Power of discrimination is the power of the intelligence; not power of the mind. Mind cannot decide. As soon as the mind is in contact with the senses, it is lost. Only intelligence could say, “hands off, don’t touch it”. Mind is like the children. They play with the fire. The elders have to say, “no, no, don’t do this. I say no.” Wise people, elders, well wishers tell the child what to do and what not to do. Similarly, intelligence tells the mind what to do and what not to do.

Minding the mind means taking charge of your mind, taking charge of your life, taking charge of your destiny. Just as the big boats moving in the middle of the ocean get closer to the country, town or sea shore, they look for light house for guidance. In life, we are also in a kind of boat. We take some sankalpa with the help of programs like this, we take help of Krishna, Bhagavad Gita, and the sadhus (saintly persons). We learn that this is good for me and I will do this. So my goal is set. I have to go to this destination. They act as the light house for us. When that is determined, then I will keep going towards that goal. Otherwise I will go round and round. There is no destination.

This is what is happening everywhere. Of course, this is happening with us and this is called kala chakra (cycle of time), sansar chakra (cycle of material life). “Punarapi jananam, punarapi maranam, punarapi janani jathare shayanam” (again and again take birth, again and again die and thus take repeated slumbers in a mother’s womb). “yaha sansare khalu dustare, kripaya pahi pare Murare”. (this material life is wrecked and difficult. Oh, Murare, Krishna, please protect me from this). So we are in big trouble, in deep waters if we don’t take help of intelligence.

Besides the two broad functions of the mind, namely sankalpa and vikalpa (acceptance and rejection), there are other functions of the mind like thinking, feeling, willing. But again intelligence has to keep watch on what thoughts are going through the mind – good or bad?

Again with the help of intelligence, we need to discriminate between the body and the soul. This is body, this is soul. How would one come to conclusion? Again, it is with the help of intelligence. This is pious activity, this is impious. Like that so many types of discriminations, decisions, that we need to make in our lives. For this, in Bhagavad Gita, there is the whole hierarchy. Krishna says, superior to the dull matter are the senses. (Bhagavad Gita 3.42 Indriyani parani ahur, indriyebhyah param manah, manasas tu para buddhir, yo buddheh paratas tu sah. The working senses are superior to dull matter; mind is higher than the senses; intelligence is still higher than the mind; and he [the soul] is even higher than the intelligence.) There is someone superior to the intelligence. And that is the soul; that is you, that is your soul, that is you proper. Is there somebody above you or are we all in all? Is there someone above us? Supersoul is above us, above soul. Krishna says, “Mattah parataram na anyad kinchid asti”. (Bhagavad Gita 7.7 – there is no truth superior to Me). Lord has made the declaration: No one is equal to Me and no one is superior to Me. “a-sam a-urdhva” No equal and no superior. Such a claim could be made only by the Lord. We are subordinate to the Lord. So this is the hierarchy. There is dead matter, above that are senses, above that is the mind, then intelligence, then soul and above that is the Supersoul.

Now how to obtain the best intelligence, the spiritual intelligence, the best power of discrimination? Otherwise the cat is also given the power of discrimination. Everyone is given the power of discrimination. The cat sits with eyes closed close to the milk pot and opens eyes from time to time to check out whether someone is around, if someone is watching the milk. As soon as there is no one around, immediately the cat goes, and drinks the milk. There is power of discrimination – when to drink and when not to drink. The cat knows that it will not be allowed to drink in presence of owner of the milk or person around. So the cat waits until there is no one around and then drinks. This is the power of discrimination. But this is only mundane intelligence. It distinguishes only one sense of object as better is than another sense object. This is all material business. This is fruitive intelligence.

However, the human being is known for or is distinguished from the rest of the beings for the spiritual intelligence. We are given the capacity to know who we are and that we are spirit souls. This kind of intelligence we receive from the Lord who is most intelligent personality around. Lord or Bhagavan means one with six opulences and one of them is being most intelligent personality. That Lord is promising in Bhagavad Gita, tesham satata uktanam bhajatam priti purvakam, dadami buddhi yogam tam yena mam upayanti te ( Bhagavad Gita 10.10 – To those who are constantly devoted to serving Me with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to Me.) I will give the intelligence, I will provide intelligence to that person who renders some service unto Me, unmotivated, uninterrupted service unto the Lord, and when you do that, what do you get – most important item in your life – you get intelligence. With that intelligence, you take charge of your life, you take charge of your mind and then you move on, you carry on successfully in your life. Otherwise, the mind will always bother, always keep us or bring us in some troubled situations.

Sometime, people in general, or students experience depression. They don’t see any meaning to the life, and go to the extent of committing suicide. Mind could kill you. The mind that is not controlled, the mind that is not purified, is full of ideas to enjoy and exploit this world and sense objects. The mind needs to be purified. We do of course that purification by chanting Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Ram Hare Ram, Ram Ram Hare Hare. The people in general experience the stress and strain because they don’t use much intelligence. “Just do it” is the formula. So the stress and strain is there.

Recently, I read our president’s book about his vision for the year 2020. He has vision for 2020. By year 2020 he wants to see that this country becomes great nation, one of the leading nations, scientific, materialistic, with strong industrial economy, technological advancement, computerization and what not. Scientist as he is, he says we are not less than Americans, or Europeans. He wants to march this country ahead. Somehow I had the book in my possession and I read it during the day and then I was driving to evening program. The person who was driving me was a psychiatrist. One who cures the minds or deals with the mental disorders, gives medicine for the mind’s stress and strain. He was that kind of doctor. As we were talking in general, he started describing from his experience how the country’s, situation is real bad, very grave. He was talking with gravity. He said the kind of mental disorders people would get in their 40s or 50s now the same sickness is being experienced in our country by people in age of 20s -30s. Young people are experiencing more mental disorders and this is going to get worse and worse. He said by 2020, things are really going to be real bad. So there is our president’s vision the country’s progress by 2020, but the other side is very bleak, dark future of our nation. We would see that if we don’t mind our minds; if we don’t take care of our minds and if we don’t purify our minds. One out of every five Americans is just fit for mental hospital. This is statistics, this is all surveyed, and it is not my imagination. The other statistic is that the sickest country in world is America, the land of opportunities. The mantra “just do it” is an American mantra.

But then of course some people are coming to the senses. Once a person came to me and said that they are using a “KISS” formula. The KISS means, he said, keep it simple, stupid. O stupid, keep the things simple. Don’t make things complicated for your life, for your mind. We are stopping this “just do it” business. Think and proceed. This is what the king of the forest, lion does. It is called simha avalokan. Simha is lion; avalokan is seeing. Lion walks, jumps or runs some distance and stops and takes a stock of just now done, reviewing his performance, looks around, behind, ahead and then proceeds. It is considered as good quality of a leader. Leaders do simha-avalokan. Like leader of animals, king of forest, lion does, likewise good human leaders do this, they use their intelligence from time to time to review.

Even we could do similar review to see how the mind is functioning, what bad habits have I developed in the meantime. Take some new resolutions; take charge of life, so that one would never lose the sight of or goal of life, which is Krishna. Become God conscious, Krishna conscious and that does take care of everything else. When we talk of Krishna Consciousness, as we said in the beginning, Krishna also talks of your bodily needs, mental needs, (yoga kshema vahami aham – I preserve what they have and I provide what they lack) There is lot of logic, lots of food for thought.

So Krishna Consciousness, as Prabhupada used to say, is like having a hundred Dollars or hundred Rupees bill. Then all your needs of 5 rupees, 7 rupees, 10 rupees are taken care of; meaning they will be complete. When you have Krishna Consciousness, then you have everything. That cares of your soul, intelligence, mind, body, studies and everything else.

Try to understand the benefits of this controlled or purified mind. When you mind your mind, then your mind will be more focused, you will have concentration on what you are studying. You don’t have to study ten times. With focused mind, you will need to read only one time, and get it right away. You will have concentration like that. Otherwise mind is chanchalam (flickering). While studying you are not really there. Some of the kids in our devotee families, children of devotees follow this Krishna conscious process and when they go to schools and colleges, they get extremely good success. So many brilliant boys and students we have all over the world. Youngest PhD on earth is our Radhikaraman, one Ravi Gupta. He is the youngest PhD in the world. He chants his 16 rounds of Hare Krishna and he is only takes Krishna Prasad, gets up early morning, studies Bhagavad Gita and he does his PhD also. Others are busy watching the films and movies and making minds dirty and fluctuating. This is one of the worst things for students. Your mind gets dirty.

One of the dirtiest things is this man-woman business, connections and illicit thoughts and relationships. So if you are a brahmachari, you don’t have to wear saffron, it means your mind is in brahmacharya, your mind is pure, clean, chaste. Then you know your power will be so strong. You take some decision; you will stick to it because of your sankalpa, the brahmacharya sankalpa. It is called brihad-vrata. You take vows. Following principles of brahmacharya, the mind remains clean, focused, and there are lots of benefits. Prabhupada gave credit to Mahatma Gandhi because Mahatma Gandhi was following the principles of brahmacharya. “Ahimsa, satya asteya brahmacharya asangraha”. Mahatma Gandhi went for these principles and one of them was brahmacharya. Because he was following the vow of celibacy and he had great determination and he was successfully able to drive away the British. No compromising, he was just fixed. His mind was fixed because of this brahmacharya.

There are so many things that can affect the purity of your mind. Food that you eat, the kind of literature or books you read, your association all these have a lot of effect on your mind, on the pollution or purification of your mind. Some of these things are good, and some are bad. So what is good, and what is not good? We should be able to determine. Mind cannot do it, you need intelligence.

If you don’t have intelligence then what do you do? You borrow. Buy, borrow, or steal intelligence! Same thing happened with Arjuna. At one point in time, Arjuna went through some depression. Such a great worrier, but he was depressed and oppressed. He was crying, trembling and lost the concentration and focus. Then what happened, who helped him out? Lord Krishna gave him all the intelligence. What happened at the end? He was normal again. He said yes to Krishna (Arjuna uvacha, nasto mohat smritir labdhva tvat prasadat mayi Achyuta, sthito smi gata sandeham karishye vachanam tava: Bhagavad Gita 18.55: Arjuna said: My dear Krishna, O infallible one, my illusion is now gone. I have regained my memory by Your mercy. I am now firm and free from doubt and am prepared to act according to Your instructions.) No more doubts, I am established, fixed. No illusion. Everything was clear. This was the result of Bhagavad Gita. That Bhagavad Gita is available here, now and here. You could also study that Bhagavad Gita with the help of devotees. That is what this ISKCON Youth Forum is all about. Advising, guiding students, giving them intelligence with the help of Bhagavad Gita and Bhagavatam and giving the whole process of purification of mind. The result is purified mind, clean mind. Then you could employ that mind in your day to day life, be that study or your profession or whatever. Once you have a trained mind, once you have right thoughts and intelligence, it will help you the rest of your life.

You must attend this type of programs more frequently. As soon as the battery is lower, charge it again. Or you form a group, wherever you are, form a group. Keep reminding of the talks that you had heard or understood. Krishna advises in Bhagavad Gita: bodhayantah parasparam (Bhagavad Gita 10.9: My pure devotees derive great satisfaction and bliss from always enlightening one another and conversing about Me.) It is Krishna’s advice. So many bases are being established all over India by our ISKCON Youth Forum. We need association, we gain strength from association. There is a saying, “sanghe shakti kalau yuge”. You get shakti (power) through association. So form more and more sanghas all over the country, then you will be able to retain that shakti or revive or increase it. There are various ways and means to communicate in this day and age, like telephones. You could talk, use the phone, get in touch with your counselor. This literature is there. And the Hare Krishna is always with you, where ever you go, Krishna’s name goes with you. It is right there and then Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Ram, Hare Ram, Ram Ram, Hare Hare. Immediately you are connected with the power house. It is called yoga. It is bhakti yoga. Holy name is the Lord Himself through devotion. With some sincerity as we pray, we cry out for help, Krishna helps in the form of His holy name, holy scriptures, holy Prasad, holy association. So see how you could be in the vicinity of some of these sources of inspiration.

“Sthavar jangam dekhi, na dekhi tara murti, sarvatra haya nija ishta-deva-sphurti” (Caitanya Caritamrita, Madhya 8.274: The maha-bhagavata, the advanced devotee, certainly sees everything mobile and immobile, but he does not exactly see their forms. Rather, everywhere he immediately sees manifest the form of the Supreme Lord.) In advanced stage of Krishna Consciousness, even though the whole world exists, good bad exists, male-female forms exists, gambling exists, person only concentrates on the Lord. He is always inspired from within by the Lord and his power of discrimination is always intact and he only chooses what is best for him. This world is there, always with dvandva (good bad, male female, rich poor, young old and like that) This world is there. Some fault of ours that we ended up in this world. You could get out of this and you could stay out of it. Next five, or ten thousand years’ period is golden period. This golden period is ahead of us. Prithivite jata nagara adi grama, sarvatra prachar hoibe morn am. (In Caitanya Caritamrita, Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, “In every town and village, My name will be sung by all creatures.”) In every town and village, the Lords name is going to be chanted and only charnamrita will be available, no other kind of drinks, only charana amrita available. So those days are ahead. This world will go up and down. Satya yuga is best, and worst time is kali yuga.

Instead of complaining about the world, just consider that you have fallen into the deep dark well. So what would be your thought, as you are deep into the well? What is the only thought you are going to be thinking about? How could I get out of here? Not how deep is the well and when did I fall etc. Only one thought – how to get out of here. So this world is made difficult. It is difficult. But Lord is also very kind and He has given us this human form of life. So let us engage our minds in serving the Lord. “bhaja hu re mana Sri Nanda Nandana abhaya charanar vindu re”: My dear mind, please you try to worship the son of Nanda, who is abhaya-carana, whose lotus feet are secure and fearless). So somehow we should think of lotus feet of the Lord in our minds and get closer to Him and transcend the mind, transcend the world.

Thank you. Hari bol.

/em“Punarapi jananam, punarapi maranam, punarapi janani jathare shayanam”strongPower of discrimination is the power of the intelligence; not power of the mind. Mind cannot decide. /strong

Venue : NOIDA,7/3/11

Hare Krishna! “Je anilo prema dhana…kotha gela Aindra Thakur”
I remember sitting here, year after year, next to Aindra prabhu; there in Vrindavana during Kartik and other times and here during Mayapur festival. So where has he gone, leaving us all behind?
He dedicated his life for kirtans, 24-hour kirtans. He spread the glories of the holy name and with that his glories also have spread all over the world. He is with us in the sound. This night’s kirtan here has been dedicated to Aindra prabhu.
We would like to thank Narad Gopal prabhu, chanting beautifully, sweetly and traditionally in Bengali tunes. (Loud chants of Hari bol, Hari bol follows). I am sure Aindra prabhu is pleased. I hope he is here in his spirit with us to accept our offerings. Our connection with him was in the kirtans, through kirtans. So we continue doing kirtans and that way, keeping kirtans, which is the holy name, which is Krishna himself in the middle, we associate and relate to each other.
His Grace Aindra prabhu ki jay. Hari naam sankirtan ki jay. Sri Krishna Balaram ki jay. Sri Sri Pancha tattva ki jay. Srila Prabhupada ki jay. Nitai Gaura premanande Hari bol.

Venue : Kumbha Mela, Haridwar  Date : 12/3/10  Class begins with loud chanting by all “Hari Bol.. Hari bol…” (Maharaja encourages everyone to loudly chant Lord Hari’s names.)

Bathing in Ganga & glorifying H H Radhanatha Swami:

This morning, we had bath right here in Ganga. Ganga was emanating from the lotus mouth of His Holiness Radhanath Maharaja.
Bhagirath Maharaja performed austerities to bring Ganga mata down to Earth. He gave up all the comforts and underwent lot of austerities to bring Ganga to this planet, to this plane.
His Holiness Radhanath Maharaja is also the first tapasvi, first austere person who went to Ganga and sat in the middle of Ganga on a rock. You should show us that rock, Maharaja. Maharaja gave up all the comforts of Chicago. Long journey back home, from Chicago to Vrndavana via Ganga. He spent time in the lap of Himalayan mountains, in the mountain caves, in the lap of mother Ganga. For one month he was sitting on the rock in the middle of Ganga. He did austerities, and intense prayers. He was 40-years-old at that time. Maharaja is the first one amongst us. We are very proud. I was hearing the glories of Ganga from Maharaja. All the glories of Ganga have been ‘hride prakasita’ have been revealed unto Maharaja by the grace of Ganga. Ganga maiya ki jay. That Ganga which first appeared in his heart, this morning she was coming out of his mouth and we were all getting benefited. Radhanath Swami ki jay! Such is the glory of Radhanath Swami Maharaja.
Sannyasa lila katha of Caintanya Mahaprabhu from Caitanya Bhagavat:-
Yesterday, we started reading from Sri Caitanya Bhagavat, the pastimes of Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s acceptance of sanayasa. So let us continue. It was all predestined- His sanayasa was predicted. The time arrived for His sanayasa and Mahaprabhu was getting ready.
He asked Nityananda prabhu to reveal this truth to only selective five persons. That day He had performed kirtan for the whole day with all the devotees. Then He had honored prasadam and went again to the banks of Ganga to spend rare and quality moments on the bank of Ganga. He did prayers in the mood of gratitude for Ganga’s association. When He returned home, so many visitors were present. They all came with garlands and chandan. Offering garlands to Mahaprabhu, putting chandan on His forehead and paying full dandvatas, they took their seats. They sat there immersed, looking at Gauranga Mahaprabhu. Fully focused.
Lord took advantage of their full attention and advised to them, “Bolo Krishna, bhaja Krishna, gao Krishna naam.” These were His instructions. You chant Hare Krishna name, worship Krishna. “Aharnisha chinta Krishna balah vadane.” Day and night, think of Krishna and talk of Krishna and utter the holy names of the Lord. “Upadesha kahi sabe bale, jao ghare” and then at the end of these instructions to all of them, He said, “now you please return home.”
Batch after batch, the devotees were arriving, garlanding, offering obeisances to Mahaprabhu, sitting, taking darshan and Mahaprabhu was repeating that advice to them and sending them back home. After the last batch had gone to their respective homes, Mahaprabhu knew that night He would be leaving home. So He was thinking mainly of what would His mother would feel like when he leaves home.
He turned to his mother, Sachi mata and said, “could you cook for Me please?” It is not that she didn’t cook for Him; she always cooked but Mahaprabhu was taking special initiative and appealing, “please cook for Me, please cook for Me.” Some of the guests, who had brought garlands and chandan, they also had brought milk and some other vegetables. So Lord requested, “please make some preparations from these items.” Finally, the meal was offered to Nimai and He honored it in presence of Sachi mata.

Bhojana kariya Prabhu, mukha shuddhi kari;
chalila shayana ghare Gauranga Sri Hari.
(Caitanya Bhagavat, Madhya chapter 28, verse 43)
He did mukha shuddhi also. Mahaprabhu went to take some rest before He would leave.

Yoganidra pratidrusti karila Ishwar,
nikate shuila Hari Das, Gadadhar.(verse 44)
So God took some yoganidra, sleep. Hari Das and Gadadhar were also sleeping nearby.

Ai jane aji prabhu karibe gamana aira
nahika nidra kande anukshana .(verse 45)
So of course, they rested but Sachi mata, she knew that this is the night that Maharpabhu would be leaving home. So she didn’t rest all night long but she just wept.

Ai janilena matra Prabhura gamana
duyare vasiya rahilena tata-ksana (verse 49)
She was sitting next to the entrance. She knew Nimai would be leaving that way. So next to the entrance, she sat and kept crying.

Vistara karila tumi amara palana
padilana shunilana tomara karan (verse 51)
As Nimai was up and getting ready to leave home, Sachi mata was right there and He addresses her, “tumi amar palan” you maintained Me. You fed Me, you arranged My studies, you did everything for Me.

Ajanma amara tumi badaila bhoga
dande dande yata sneha kariya amare (verse 52, 53)
At every step, not only you did ‘palan’ but you also did ‘lalan’. Lanan and palan. You fed Me. You not only provided for all My material needs, but also I was mentally, emotionally nourished and fed by you.

Ami koti kalpe o nariba sodhibare (verse 53)
There is no way I could (return your debt). I am indebted to you. I cannot be free from this debt even if I endeavor this way and that way for millions of kalpas.

Ami punah punah janma runi se tomara (verse 54)
Life after life after life, I will remain indebted to you.

Suna mata, isvarera adhina samsara
svatantra haite sakti nahika kahara (verse 55)
He is trying to console her, pacify her. Listen mother, ‘suno mata’, listen my mother, please listen to Me. We all are under control of Supreme Lord, Supreme controller. We are not free. As He moves, we move.

Samyoga-viyoga yata kare sei natha (verse 56)
We meet and we are separated, it is His doing.

Buke hata diya prabhu bale bara bara
tomara sakala bhara amara-amara (verse 59)
Mahaprabhu held Sachi mata’s hands in his own hands. He says, “All your responsibility is My responsibility. I will look after you wherever I am.”

Yata kichu bale prabhu, sachi saba shune
uttara na kare, kande ajhora nayane (verse 60)
Nimai kept talking. It was one way traffic. He was talking. She was silent. All she could do was crying. Tears were constantly flowing from her eyes.

Jananira pada-dhuli lai Prabhu shire
pradakshina kari tane chalila satvare (verse 62)
Next Nimai touched the feet of his mother and offered obeisances. He did pradakshina (circumambulation) of Sachi mata.

Chalilena Vaikuntha-nayak griha haite
sannyas kariya sarva jiva uddharite (verse 63)
And He left home. He was taking sanayasa and the purpose was for the benefit of the entire creation. So He was renouncing His home.

Shuna shuna are bhai, Prabhura sannyas
ye katha shunile sarva-bandha haya nasha (verse 64)
This is Vrindavana Das Thakura’s comment. He says, “Everyone who listens to the pastime of Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s sanayasa, he will become free from all the bonds of this material existence.” Hari bol!! (response to Hari Bol) .

Bhakta saba na janera e saba vrittanta
ushah-kale snara kari yateka mahanta (verse 66)
No one knew. Purposely Mahaprabhu had left home in the middle of the night so no one would know. The business went as usual. Everybody was getting up in the respective homes, taking bath. As normally people go to the temple to take darshan of the deity, darshan of the Lord; people of Nadia, people of Mayapur, they would come to Sachi mata’s home to see Nimai as their ‘Ishta Dev,’ their Lord.

Prabhu namaskarite aila Prabhu-ghare
asi saba dekhe ai bahire duyare (verse 67)
As usual they came to offer the respects to Sachi mata and to Nimai. But there was some kind of different scene this morning. Sachi mata was normally very busy in the morning hours. She was only sitting at the entrance.

Ai kena rahiyache bahira duyara (verse 68)
People asked, “How come? Why are you sitting at the entrance this morning?”

Jada praya ai, kichu na spure uttara
nayanera dhara matra vahe nirantara (verse 69)
She was sitting there motionless, as if she was a statue. Only thing she could notice was the tears gliding down from her cheeks.

Ksaneke balila ai, “shuna bapa saba!
Vishnura dravyera bhagi sakala vaishnava (verse 70)
Finally she broke the silence. She said all this property you see around, this belongs to Vishnu. You are Vaishnavas. You belong to that Vishnu. Now you may pick each and every item that you wish to take away, carry away. And like that she was talking some kind of code language, not speaking (directly). It was difficult for her to even make a statement of Nimai’s leaving home and going off for sanayasa. It was difficult for her and she knew that when others would hear, it would be even more difficult for them to hear such news.

Shuni matra bhakta-gana Prabhura gamana
bhumite padila sabe hai achetana (verse 73)
People were gradually realizing, coming to conclusion that Nimai had left home to take sanayasa. Their next reaction was that they were not even able to stand, they just collapsed on the ground, as if dead, motionless, as if their consciousness was gone.

Kandite lagila sabe kari arta-nada
anyonye sabei sabara dhari gala (verse 74, 75)
They were all wailing and crying and rolling on the ground, some of them were getting up. Some new people were coming in to find out or to meet the Lord. Those who were already there were embracing them, “you are welcome home, but this home is empty.” They were embracing and gradually others were also coming to know.

“Na dehi” se chanda-mukha vanchibe kemane (verse 77)
They were expecting (as they were arriving), to see the moon, Chandra, Krishna survya sama, the face of the Lord, from which the moon rays and sun rays emanate.

Achambite kene hena haila vajrapata (verse 78)
But He wasn’t there. Realizing His absence, they were experiencing as if thunderbolt is striking them.

Gadagadi yaya keha kare atmaghata (verse 78)
They were all falling and rolling on the ground.

Kande saba bhakta-gana bhumite padiya (verse 81)
And they were all crying and making the ground wet with their tears.

Anathera natha Prabhu galena chaliya
ama sabe viraha-samudre phelaiya (verse 82)
They were saying, “He is our nath (master) and now we have become anath (orphans). He has thrown us into the ocean of these feelings of separation. It is like ocean and He has thrown us into that ocean, He is drowning us in that ocean of feelings of separation.” Like that there are detailed descriptions of Vrndavana Das Thakur. We are only touching some of the verses.

Then some are able to talk, they said,
Keha bale, “cala ghare dvare agni diya
kane pari’ kundala chaliba yogi hana (verse 95)
“Let’s go home, let’s go home. What for, what we will do there?” Some others said, “We will put our homes on fire. There is no reason; there is no purpose of staying here anymore, in these homes. Let us also, wear some earrings and let us leave homes. Let us also wear some kundala, some earrings and let us leave home, let us leave this place.”

Ganga par haiya Sri Gauranga Sundara
sei dine ailena kantaka nagara (verse 102)
Early morning, before sunrise, Mahaprabhu walked and walked to reach the banks of Ganga, He crossed Ganga and finally reached to Kantak Nagar, or Katwa. That description is not here.

Elsewhere we also find how Sachi mata at some point, she leaves home. She was running in the direction Mahaprabhu went. She knew which way He had gone. So she was running to find, to stop Nimai, find Him, stop Him, and bring Him home. She was running with all her strength to find Him, bring Him. Crying out, Nimai, Nimai, with all her heart, with all her strength, with all her love, she was doing that. Running and crying and calling out she arrived at the bank of Ganga. There is a small village there. She enquired from those village folks, “Have you seen my Nimai?” Not me, not me, some people replied. “What about you? Sure you must have seen Him. He has come this way, I am sure, He came this way, I am sure you have seen Him. Has anyone seen Nimai?” No one was responding. Sachi mata thought, “I know, I know, you know whereabouts of my Nimai. You are tricking me or cheating me, or not revealing the facts of whereabouts of my Nimai.” Sachi mata concluded, “You are heartless people! All that I am asking is to please let me know, have you seen Nimai? Where is my Nimai? Cant you just help me out with this simple response?” And there was no response. Nobody in that place responded. Sachi mata concluded, “The people of this place are heartless! Hence this place will be known as Nirdaya”. That village is still there. When we go on navadvipa mandal parikrama, we go by boat to Rudradvipa or Sankarpur, on the right side on the bank of Ganga, there is a village called Nirdaya. In Bengal it is called Nidaya.

Mahaprabhu was not to be found by Sachi. He had crossed Ganga and Mahaprabhu was already in Katva.

Sri Avadhuta Chandra Gadadhar Mukunda
Sri Chandrasekharacharya, ara brahmananda (verse 104)
Nityananda prabhu and some other personalities that Mahaprabhu had informed about sanayasa; they were asked to come to Katva, so they also arrived in Katva. Now Mahaprabhu, Nimai, Vishwambhar was going towards Keshava Bharati.

Adbhuta dehera jyotih dekhiya tahana
uthilena Keshava Bharati punyavan (verse 106)
Immediately Keshava Bharati took note of the presence of Mahaprabhu. That personality, brilliant as sun, coming towards him, how could he ignore and not take note of this? Keshava Bharati immediately stood up to receive this personality. Nimai threw Himself at the feet of Keshava Bharati and He addressed Keshava Bharati.

Anugraha tumi more kara mahashaya!
Patita pavan tumi maha-kripa-maya (verse 108)
Please, please accept Me, oh Mahashay, o great personality! I m fallen. You are maha kriypa maya, you are full of kripa and I am fallen. Please lift me.

Krishna dasya vinu mora nahe kichu ana
hena upadesha tumi more deha dana (verse 110)
All that I am begging from you is dasya, Krishna dasya (servitorship to Krishna).

Prema-jale anga bhase Prabhura kahite
hunkara kariya shesha lagila nachite (verse 111)
Then Mahaprabhu, He got up and began dancing in presence of Keshava Bharati.

Gaite lagila Mukundadi bhakta-gana
nijaveshe matta nache Sri Sachinandana (verse 112)
Then Mukunda, he took the microphone! He is the singer. He is singing and Sachinandan is dancing.

Arbuda arbuda loka shuni sei-kshane
asiya milila nahi jani kotha hane (verse 113)
As kirtan began, hundreds and then thousand, and then millions and then trillions of people started coming. No one knew where they were going and no one knew who told them about this event.

Akathya adbhuta dhara prabhura nayane
taha na kahite pare ‘ananta’ vadane (verse 115)
Vrindavan Das Thakur says there is a limit how much I could write, or speak or describe; it is beyond me. I leave it up to Ananta Sesa to describe the rest.

Ananta-brahmanda-natha nija-dasya bhave
dante trina kari saba sthane dasya mage (verse 119)
Then Mahaprabhu in the middle of that kirtan fell down at the feet of all the assembled personalities, assembled devotees. He was only asking from them, “please give Me dasya, give Me Krishna dasya. Please make Me servant of Krishna. Please, please!” He is begging from everyone.

Nana grama haite se nana upayana (verse 135)
All those people who had come, they hadn’t come empty handed. They brought different gifts.

Dahi, dugdha, ghrita, mudga, tambula, chandana,
pushpa yajna-sutra, vastra ane sarva-jana (verse 136)
They brought all those items required for sacrifice, yajya. There was no need of doing shopping, going back and forth to get this or that. They all came inspired and they all came with gifts that were required.

Parama anande sabe kare Hari-dvani
‘Hari’ vina loka mukhe ara nahi shuni (verse 138)
There was no other sound than, ‘Hari Bol… Hari Bol’ nothing else. Only Hari, Hari, Hari, Hari, Hari…

Vasila karite sri shikara antardhana (verse 139)
Now was the time for initiation. Shaving had to take place. Vridavana Das Thakur says, “Now is the time for antardhan of shikha” Disappearance of shikha time had come – Shikha antardhan.”

Krandanera kalarava uthila takhane (verse 140)
As Mahaprabhu sat down for shaving, people sat all around. Oh no, they couldn’t now accommodate this, couldn’t digest this. He was going ahead with His plan of sanayasa and shaving was going to take place. They all were crying, trembling and crying. It was very hard for the barber as he tried to touch the hair. His hands were trembling. “Not me, not me,” he said. He was also falling on the ground, rolling on the ground, crying. Another barber was brought in and yet another barber was going through the same emotions and his hands were also trembling.

Nityananda adi kari yata bhakta-gana
bhumite padiya sabe karena krandana (verse 142)
This was the case even with Nityananda prabhu and others. Even they were crying, rolling on the ground, trembling and what to speak of others? No one wanted this sanayasa. No sanayasa. Why, why? Some said:

Keha bale, “kon vidhi srujila sannyasa?” (verse 144)
Who is it, what has created, or come up with this sanayasa business? We don’t want sanayasa..

Agochara thaki saba kande deva-gana (verse 145)
Demigods came, devatas came but ‘agochare’; they are not visible as they were wearing normal clothes but they were around.

Ananta brahmanda-maya haila krandana (verse 145)
They were crying and they were wailing and entire brahmanda (universe) was filled with that sound.

Hena se karunya rasa Gaurachandra kare
shushka kashtha pashanadi dravaye antare (verse 146)
And why not? Mahaprabhu is like that, mahaprabhu’s lilas are like that. He is full of karuna and anyone comes in contact with such personality or His pastime, they all get melted: shushka, kashtha pashan all these dry wood, or rock, they begin to melt.

‘bola’, ‘bola’ kari Prabhu uthe Vishvambhara (verse 149)
In the middle of His shaving, it is not finished yet, Mahaprabhu started saying to everyone ‘Hari Bol, Hari bol.’ Sometime He was getting up saying Hari Bol, Hari bol, chanting, dancing, then again sitting down. Then one by one, the barbers were coming and trying to shave. But it was not possible for them. Again a new barber would be brought in. Mahaprabhu would stand up and start chanting “Hari bol, Hari bol” and in this way, the whole day went by just in shaving! In place of ten minutes, ten hours passed. And shaving was not coming to conclusion. So finally it is done.

Tabe sarva loka natha kari Ganga snana
asiya vasila yatha sannyasera sthana (verse 153)
Then Mahaprabhu ran to Ganga. Ganga Maiya ki jay. He took bath in Ganga. Then he came back and sat there for sanayasa initiation.

Hari bol… Loud chanting by all, Hari bol, Hari bol.
/emNimai