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At the bank of Mandakini River at Atri Muni’s Ashram
At the bank of Mandakini River at Atri Muni’s Ashram
Venue: Chitrakoot at bank of Mandakini river
Dated: 13th May 2017
We pray that when Lord will bless us and we will come and reside here in the dhama. We are going round the world, sometimes Delhi sometimes Nagpur. This is dhama but we can’t see it and realize it but something’s we can see. When we come to dhama and see lila stahli have darshan and have holy dip and then we go back with transformation of are heart and thoughts.
Think over this I am giving you some hint, food for thought that will take you ahead in your devotional life. What ever you hear should go directly to your heart where we stay and Lord also stays in our heart. So make place in your heart for the Lord, remove all rubbish, the sad ripu (six anarthas) and make your heart a temple.
When Lord Ram used to stay here this place was very wonderful, pure water flowing. See the Mandarachal Mountain. If we stand near it we feel we are very small in front of this mountain thus making us humble. So this place is Sati Anusuya and Atri muni’s ashram. Atri muni is manas putra of Brahma and Anusuya and Atri muni both did tapasya here, so this place is tapobhumi.
Bhagvatm says Atri muni used to eat air. Yogis eat air during pranayam. He stayed alive on air and stood on one leg with mind and body stable. Atri muni prayed to Lord for getting a son. So he called Isvara but he did not take any name. Isvara was pleased and Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu came here. Shiva was playing damru and Brahma ji had kusa grass and Vishnu had cakra. Muni asked, Oh! How did you all come . Lords said, you did not take any name so we came. Lord is vanchakalpataru.
They all blessed Atri muni and then they all disappeared. Atri muni was blessed with three sons. Due to Shiva’s blessing he got Durvasa as son. Brahmajis blessing he got Chandra as son and from Vishnu he got Dattatreya as son. In Maharashtra there is lot of preaching of Dattatreya bhagvan. In my village also our neighbor had Dattatreya’s temple. So Dattatreya appered here.
Mandakini flows very slowly manda manda gati so she is called Mandakini . This is origin of mandakini river. Once upon a time this river was not there. Anusuya was the one who manifested this river by her tapasya. Once there was famine in this area. No greenery, all dry like desert drop of water was not there.
Jal is Jivan, our life is based on water. So in those days Anusuya did tapasya for thousands of years and due to her power Mandakini appeared and all became green again all animals were happy now. And since that time Mandakini is flowing here. So this river reminds us of Anusuya.
Hanuman did not come here. He first met Lord Ram at Rishamukha parvat. So once when Ram Laxman were going to Rishamukha parvat, hanuman met them and got introduced with each other.
Surya dev had given a mukut to Hanuman and had said one who will recognize this mukut will be Lord Ram. And Lord Ram recognized the mukut and Hanuman fell at his feet saying Jai Sri Ram. Then they went to meet Sugriva, Hanuman took Ram and Laxman on his shoulders. And went to Rishamukha parvat. This was the first meeting of Ram and Hanuman. Now starts Ram’s lila with Hanuman. He was right hand man of Ram. So here hanuman was not there.
Hanuman dhara
When Lord Ram was returning after 11,000 years to Saket dhama. He said to Hanuman you want anything? Hanuman said, please give me some place due to burning Lanka I am feeling very hot so please give me a cool place. So Hanuman dhara was given to Hanumanji. That’s water of Hanuman dhara is cool and does abhishek of Hanuman. So that’s charanamrita. So at end Hanuman came here to stay at Hanuman dhara.
Become tapasvi become yogi Lord says,
tapo divyam putraka yena sattvam
suddhyed yasmad brahma-saukhyam tv anantam (SB 5.5.1)
Lord says, you should undergo penances in this life by which your existence will be purified, and as a result you will be able to enjoy unlimited transcendental bliss.”
Transcendental happiness is only realized after tapasya and then such person does not depend on anything for happiness. Brahma ji also did tapasya . Sita met Anusuya here and had dialogue and Anusuya gave her advice to Sita about pativrata dharma.
Attitude towards Vaishnavas
Thank you for this opportunity that we have today with you. You are all Bhakti Shastris, Bhakti Shastragya meaning also like you are scientist. One who knows the Shastras – Shastragya . ‘Gya’ means one who knows, Shastragya:-one who knows shastras is scientist; this is yet another vaishnav definition for understanding of who is a scientist.
“yah sastra-vidhim utsrjya vartate kama-karatah
na sa siddhim avapnoti na sukham na param gatim” (Bhagavad Gita 16.23)
Lord Krishna says: One who discards all the shastras and he is busy doing activities but he has given up all the shastras abandoned, that person “na sa sukham avapnoti” that person will never ever be happy, what else? ‘na sukham avapnoti’ (in audience param gatim) ‘param gatim’ and there is one more (in audience) ‘na siddhim’- No perfection, no happiness, no final destination is achieved by those who reject, abandon, discard the shastric injunctions. Now you have become shastragyas you are scientist, I am happy I am able to meet scientist or social scientist here in Mayapur. You are completing now your 3 more days to go and you are done with it. Now is a time to apply the knowledge science that you have been studying, what you are studying Upadesamrta like that Isopanishad, Nectar of Devotion and Bhagavad Gita.
I think one year I taught Isopanishad and of course you were not there and then another year I had taught something else. So I have been asked I am given some homework today and next 2 days.
You need 7 attitudes towards Vaishnavas (Students handbook page 110)
Learning objectives it says at the top,
Discuss appropriate attitudes towards senior devotees in temple who have not completed Bhakti Shastri degree.
You have and they haven’t and you are back to the temple and you are in the midst of those devotees or you are the only one who has done the Bhakti Shastri. You are the one carrying your certificate hanging around your neck (laughter). Some big accomplishment to have a degree in Bhakti Shastri, not a small thing. So then what should be your attitude towards or in the midst of all those other devotees who haven’t done Bhakti Shastri?
With reference to Shri Isopanishad mantra 10 it says:
“anyad evahur vidyaya anyad ahur avidyaya”
One result is derived from the culture of knowledge and that a different result is obtained from cultural nescience that’s ignorance. In the purport Srila Prabhupada writes: In a modern society even a boy thinks himself self sufficient and pays no respect to elderly men. Due to wrong type of education being imparted in our universities boys all over the world are giving their elders headaches. Elders are getting headaches from the boys and girls also its not mentioned here. They give headaches to their elders so you understand what is expected from you. These are mundane universities and modern society and they what they cultivate is ignorance (avidya).
‘anyad ahur avidyaya’ – cultivation of vidya is one and cultivation of avidya is yet another one.
So what you had been cultivating is? Vidya not only vidya but Rajvidya: the king of knowledge.
“raja-vidya raja-guhyam pavitram idam uttamam” (Bg. 9.2)
Uttam-‘tam’ means ignorance, utt – means above, beyond, at the top. Uttam: beyond ignorance that’s uttam. No tinge of ignorance means full of knowledge. In other words, uttam means full of knowledge which is devoid of ‘tam’-devoid of ignorance. So, you had been cultivating not just vidya but raja-vidhya. So, those who cultivate avidya, they give headache, those who cultivate vidya they should be giving what? Some soothing bam, some relief to the elders or other vaishnavas some of them also for sure are going to be senior to you.
So, what should be your attitude?
What you should be thinking now with all this vidya in your head?
What you should be thinking of others?
How it should be dealing with others?
Your relationship with others?
Oh!! You have answer, okay! What kind of help you would render? “SERVICE”, don’t give headache at the head but at the feet (laughter) serve them.
What is the outcome of vidya? Knowledge you cultivate what does that do?
Humility, very good!! Amongst other things what you achieve is the humility. If you want to take note there is a statement in that shastras that says
“vidya dadati vinayam”
Probably you have heard this, Vidya –that’s vidya, dadati -that gives, vinayam- that is humility. Vidya gives humility, it also says
“vidya vinayen shobhate”
Shobha means beauty, one becomes beautiful his beauty is enhanced, as he cultivates vidya and then he is full of humility. That humility is the beauty of the person, he looks beautiful. “vidya vinayen shobhate” you learn vidya -Bhakti Shastri and you study this shastra that shastra you become humble. And that’s the decoration that’s alankar, sadhu bhusan- sadhu abhushan, “sadhavah sadhu bhusanam”.
“titiksavah karunikah suhridah sarva-dehinam
ajata-shatravah shantah sadhavah sadhu-bhusanah” [SB 3.25.21]
Titiksavah, karunikah, ajata-shatravah, shantah sadhavah sadhu-bhusanah- ornaments. So humility is one such ornament. So this is what one should be going back with, returning to your respective temples or homes, towns, countries. What is a reward, award, ‘You Have Become Humble’ -Humility.
Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu said:
“trnad api su-nicena taror iva sahisnuna
amanina mana-dena kirtaniyah sada harih” (Sri Siksastakam-verse3)
Even this is also result of cultivation of knowledge, vidya, titiksavah- becoming tolerant and “trinad api sunicena”- humble, “amanina mana-dena”- you are ready to give all respect to others and how much respect for yourself? Some give and take should be there (laughter). But Chaitanya Mahaprabhu says only give. Normal policy is taking only, normally you like to take everything, take respect, not give anything in return. But Chaitanya Mahaprabhu says don’t expect anything in return- just give- keep giving.
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has himself given commentary on Sri Siksastakam at the end of Chaitanya Caritaramrita last chapter called Siksastakam. And in association of Ramananda Raya and Svarupa Damodar like Personalities, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu- He says one Siksastakam one verse and he talks just brief few comments. So comments to this “trinad api verse” Chaitanya Mahaprabhu says
“uttama hana vaisnava habe nirabhimana
jive sammana dibe jani’ ‘krsna’-adhisthana.”
That person becomes nirabhimani, abhiman is pride, nir – no, becomes pride less- not puffed up. There is the puffed rice and then there is another kind of rice is chipped rice (laughter). Nirabhiman, “jive sammana dibe” and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu says person gives sammana to other jivas, other entities why? He is giving reason why! Says “jani krsna adhisthana”. Knowing that the other souls they are situated in Krishna or other souls are Krishna’s souls, they are Krishna’s, Krishna’s people, they were just separate, they had nothing to do with God or Krishna then you may punch their noses. But knowing that they are Krishna’s people, Krishna’s devotees, they are situated in Krishna, grounded in Krishna, sitting next to Krishna, knowing this person always respects others, that’s Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s reason.
So this is part of the knowledge so not only knowing Krishna, but
“vedais ca sarvair aham eva vedyo” (B.G 15.15)
Vidya, Vedyah and Vidavan- three factors, vidya is knowledge, vedyah is object of knowledge and vidavan is one who knows, one who has cultivated the knowledge is vidavan. So by now it is expected that you are all vidavan. Vidavan – Vidya has gone in you, now you possess vidya, vidavan like Bhagavan and this van and that van and Jnanavan . You are full of vidya, so you are vidavan. So Krishna says with vidya one understands me.
“aham eva vedyo”- I am to be known, so knowing Lord is then complete when we also understand energies of the Lord “vividhaiva shruyate”. Vividhaiva- Lord is full of potencies. He is potent with potencies; He is Shaktiman because He has lots of shaktis. And to know His shaktis -His energy is part of knowing Lord. So, living entities is shakti of the Lord ‘tatastha shakti’ of the Lord. And that shakti is very dear to the Lord. We have to know this, not we know only that
“mamaivamso jiva-loke jiva-bhutah sanatanah
manah-sasthanindriyani prakrti-sthani karsati” (BG 15.7)
Knowing verse sitting right in your kantha called kanthasta, where are the verses in kantha- kanthasta- well versed. They are sitting in your kantha ready to go but they need to be brought from kantha to the heart –‘hridayastha’ from kanthasta to hridayastha.
From the heart then ‘hridayangam’ – then assimilation, not just accumulation information accumulation but that information assimilation so that there is a transformation. So why should we respect that living entity we are surrounded by living entities all around? That also we have to find out when as one studies shastras and becomes vidavan by studying vidya -rajavidhya then this is part of the knowledge.
Knowing Lord and knowing Lord’s energies knowing Lord’s souls -anshas. Lord is anshi and living entities are ansha. Anshi is full ‘purnam’ and that purna Lord has anshas- parts and parcels. But they are His parts and parcels and they are very very dear to Him, they are very dear to Him. So, they are to be respected.
“aham eva vedyo” I am to be known, this has to be expanded. I am to be known, that I Krishna includes His shaktis, His energies, especially energy that is to be focused is his living entities, His parts and parcels we should take note of this. They exist and they are not just piece of dirt that you could just kick and push and pull and they are His and they are very dear to Him.
“sadhavo hrdayam mahyam” sadhus are in my heart , I am in their heart, they are in my. So, I think we are going to be making more general presentation of this “attitude towards Vaishnavas”. There are 5 different parties mentioned here.
1. Towards senior devotees in the temple.
2. Discuss appropriate attitude towards vaishanavs outside ISKCON.
3. Viewing Vaishnavas who have fallen down.
They are all living entities, they are in different categories, in different situations, different body, different country, different institutions and very different sampradayas, even different age groups and genders could be different but they are all living entities and attitude towards them.
So fallen ones and again return to practice of devotional service and then with reference to (Bhagavad Gita 9.30) “api cet su-duracaro”.
4. Importance of maintaining proper attitude towards Vaishnavas in regards to future development of ISKCON and their own spiritual life.
So like that there are different angles, perspectives thrown in here. So they are all living entities and they are living and they are Krishna’s entities. Krishna’s parts and parcels that makes them very special so they are to be respected, honoured. And this is expected from person in knowledge, one who has cultivated knowledge.
Krishna is talking of “panditah sama darsinah” (BG 5.18) what is pandit? Pandit is one who is in knowledge. In Vrindavan they call them Pandas, Vrindavan pandas, they are suppose to be Pandits means knowledgeable. Hence they could guide you also, take you on a tour of Vrindavan. They know Vrindavan, they know Krishna. They are dhama gurus.
So, “panditah sama darsinah” So, what is a qualification of that Pandit? that Krishna describes as:
“vidya vinaya- sampanne brahmane” (BG 5.18)
Infact to call someone a pandit or Brahman or vidavan, “ vidhya vinaya sampanne”.
Sampanna means equipped, not only he has vidya but he also has vinaya.
“Vidya vinaya sampanne”
We are troubled with the conditioning, we are conditioned souls, we are trying to get out of that conditioning but conditioned person, as soon as he gets something, gains something, possesses something, immediately that’s the trouble part. Even if it is vidya immediately we become proud of. Even popper is proud of, he has just few pennies but he becomes proud of pennies. From penniless to few pennies he becomes proud. You acquire knowledge, you have some beauty and you have some high percentage and what else, shruti, shreya, aishwarya, janma. These are the causes also that Kunti Maharani is talking, immediately one becomes attached and proud and he wants to displays his janma and his beauty and his education part, Bhakti shastri degree. Yes! This is challenge, how to acquire knowledge and not to feel we have it or infact this knowledge will do its part, if it is cultivated properly knowledge will reward person with humility.
“Vidya vinaya sampanne”
Then brahmane, then he is looking at Brahman, he is looking at cow, is looking at chandal “sva-pake ca” (BG 5.18) dog-eater and he is looking at elephant, he is looking at dog also. He is looking it at all these parties ‘brahmane’ looking at brahman, gavi -at the cow, hasti -the elephant, sva-pake – dog-eater. So what is equal in all these entities? He is looking at all these entities, parties, personalities as soul, it’s tougher to look at the dog and look at soul in him offer your respect to him.
There was a saint in Italy Saint Francis, he would address all the entities as own brothers and sisters. Non human and all other entities, he had genuine respect. He was kind of “panditah sama darsinah”. He is seeing all the creatures, all the entities as parts and parcels and brothers. So God brother they are also our God-brothers and God-sisters in other bodies in cat body and mosquitoes comes to you, must take him as mosquito brother, then rat brother, snake brother.
Some experience they talk because you have hatred towards others or even animals like the serpents they’ll attack you violently, but your attitude towards them is not of hate then they’ll also be very friendly. Children may be playing with them, as soon as you kill your attitude even animals, they change their attitude and they don’t act like, they don’t exhibit their normal animalistic attitude. They’ll change their attitude because your attitude is different, towards them.
So, fallen down vaishnava, now he has returned to the devotional practice what should be the attitude, how should you be dealing with that person, compassion. Any other suggestion? Compassion, to be fallen nothing special to be fallen, its common (laughter). Not to be surprised but the difference is from fallen he is trying to rise; he had gone higher at some levels but then some setbacks. So they are different from the common fallen, something different, something to his credit, he made attempt to rise, go against his so called fallen nature, he lifted himself or
“Brahmanda brahmite kona bhagyavan jiva” (CC Madhya Lila, 19.151)
Must be very fortunate soul came in contact “Guru-krishna- prasade paya” . Maya is very strong, is that part of the knowledge also? Krishna consciousness person knows that maya is very strong. Don’t take it lightly, Srila Prabhupada used to say: “trouble with my disciples is they are not afraid of Maya (laughter). They are not afraid of Maya, one should be, She’s so strong- “mama maya durattaya” because it’s Krishna’s Maya. And Krishna is strong, so Krishna’s Maya also has to be strong. If it is not strong Maya, then it cannot be Krishna’s Maya. So knowing this also, Maya is strong,
“api cet su-duracaro”- So this is Krishna’s stand, even if one commits most abominable action, engaged in devotional service he is to be considered saintly because he is properly situated in his determination.
“ksripram bhavati dharmatma” (BG 9.31)
And Lord addresses him as Dharmatma, that person is Dharmatma, so we cannot call him duratma. Lord is calling him Dharmatma, who are we to take different step. So just understand that, Lord is educating us infact, in this regard how to deal with those fallen.
“kaunteya pratijanihi na me bhaktah pranasyati”
And Lord even is declaring that my devotee never perishes. So Lord is also addressing that person as a devotee “My Devotee”
“svalpam apy asya dharmasya trayate mahato bhayat” (BG 2.40)
‘svalpam api’ – little progress, so now he has nothing to fear, ‘trayate mahato bhayat’ means no more going down to the lower species, you’ll be protected. During Srila Prabhupada’s days, you know some of our God Brothers, God Sisters in those days; we would call them blooping, bloop — when you throw little rock in the lake how does it sound? Bloop !! We throw little rock, we listen: Bloop! So this world is like a big ocean and them someone becoming “punar mushika bhava” becoming mouse again. He blooped, she blooped, so of course we were concerned and we would approach. I was there at least on one occasion and some devotees, oh! That prabhu, that mataji, have you know blooped left.
So Prabhupada, his response was they would they would come back he would be very much concerned, blooped but they will come back in this life or the next, but they’ll come back because
“na me bhaktah pranasyati” (BG 9.31)
Its guarantee that Lord has given and I was just looking at Sridhar Swami commentary on this
“na me bhaktah pranasyati” Bhagavad Gita commentary he says
“Kutarka karksha vadinah na etad manneran”
By hearing what Lord just said,
“api cet su-duracharo” (BG 9.30)
“ksripram bhavati dharmatma” (BG 9.31)
But those who want to argue or those who are faithless they may not accept this. My dear Lord then what you have to say
“iti shanka vyakula cittam arjunam prosayate”
This has not appeared in the dialogue but it is like reading in between lines and then the commentaries they are. So Arjuna, what you just said some people may not accept this. They may argue against this. “vyakula ciittam” Arjuna’s, mind is vyakula and his influence affected by this. He is thinking, oh everyone may not accept this. He is fallen and then still he is accepted to be as Dharmatman. So then Lord says this is not in Bhagavad Gita, but commentary: hey kaunteya! “Oh Arjuna !” This Krishna says
“atah kahaladi maha goshapurvakam vivadha mananam sabham gatva”
You go to such assembly where the all critics and all envious all these people they are not accepting this statement of mine. You go their
“gatva bahum utiksha”- you raise your arm and you aim and nishankam; without any doubt, “pratijanihi pratigyam kurum”, on my behalf take a vow. You boldly declare Krishna says. You go when all such people out there in big number, they have assembled you go and declare. Oh ! okay, I’ll go. What should I say?, Krishna! What should I say? So then Lord says, you say this:
“parmeshwarasha bhaktah”- My Bhakta, my devotee, “su- duracharo api na pranashyati”.
I just said, you repeat. You go there, you raise your hands and then you shut them up. And you say what I said this is the truth. You just say it out Loud! And make it clear and boldly declare that
“su-durachara api na pranashyati
apitu kritartaha eva bhavati”
On the contrary, kritartaha- they attain perfection and they never perish. They survive and they revive, they thrive, you say this on my behalf to this is. So knowing that much we could treat that person accordingly. So is it compassion
But those devotees as they return, they don’t have to go through a new Bhakta training. In few days, few weeks, they are, they could even give a Bhagvatam class. Their previous experiences all are revived, manifested and you could be even friendly with them. Compassion is for; compassion is for whom? Who do we exhibit our compassion towards? Some juniors so, some innocents, they may quickly become senior to you because they were 10 years practising Krishna consciousness, you have practiced only 3 years. When they come back everything is normal, back to normal, back on track, all surviving and reviving and thriving has happened. Then they are way ahead of you also. You are only 3 years but they are 10 years and 3 months of practice in ISKCON.
“isvare tad-adhinesu balisesu dvisatsu ca
prema-maitri-krpopeksa yah karoti sa madhyamah”
Total 4 categories and we deal with them differently.
First part is Isvar himself, the Lord Himself.
Second part is tad-adhinesu: those who are subordinate surrendered unto Him and they are practicing, they are in good standing.
Third party -balisesu, just now coming. “adau sraddha” they are innocent third party.
Fourth part is dvisatsu- they are envious towards santas – the sadhus, means atheists or demoniac. So that’s the fourth category.
So, what do we do with each one of them? The shashtra say: “prema, maitri, kripa, upeksha.” You give your prema, give your love to Ishwar, those are 4 categories and now 4 things you could do. So you have to match – prema, maitri, kripa, upeksha. Prema : Ishwar gets prema, you love the Lord. Tadadhinesu- the devotees they get your maitri, your friendship. And a friend in need is friend indeed. To render your help, assistance
Then Balisesu those are innocent they get kripa, they deserve kripa, your compassion, your kindness, consideration and dvisatsu, those who are anti-devotees, you could maintain safer distance from them. Offer obeisance from a distance or just stay away upeksha. So this is shastra chakshusha also. Now your knowledge of the shastras, so you look at the world around you.
When you look at anything and everything and immediately get your chasma (laughter) get your Shastra chakshu together and do then do the evaluation, then do the calculation and conclusion with the help of the knowledge of the shashtras. Not just your mind ‘sankalpa vikalpa’- acceptance rejection. Just because you feel good then you accept and then you reject, no use of shastras, use of intelligence, sharpening your tools. With the help of the shastras, studying of the shastras. Your tools are sharpened and then use the tools, evaluating not just mind but with the use of intelligence.
“dadami buddhi yogam”
Lord gives intelligence, so these intelligent statements, is wisdom in the form of this Bhakti Sastras that Lord has shared. This is Lord giving us wisdom, giving us intelligence and then you don’t just reject or accept on sense level or mind level but you use your intelligence.
If you are given medicine, lot of time, they are bitter. Your first reaction would be you would like to do what? Spit it! This is at the mind’s level you would be spitting but if you think; use your intelligence then knowing that this is good for your body or your health. So, something’s at the mind’s level you are ready to reject. Wait a minute! Then intelligence comes on the scene and you understand what is this? It might be bitter but is this useful. All that glitters is (audience: not gold) not gold. So you know glittered that doesn’t mean I should go for it, you think.
Again part of “yah pashyati sah panditah”. One who sees, we were just talking about shastra chakshushas (eyes). With the help of shastras “shastra chakshusha” more you use, you hear this shastras, study shastras. One devotee I don’t remember who that one was, but I heard this long time. He said then the knowledge takes the front seat. Knowledge comes in the fore front. All that he had been reading, studying, it is on your mind. If you are not studied of course and you have not read and then you forgot, then ignored and then knowledge takes back seat, maybe in the brain there is some place where they are stored in and you can’t find it, it’s just thrown in the pile. So as one studies and then contemplated and applies that knowledge and that knowledge stays fresh and then his shastra chakshusha is always with the help shastras, authority sadhu shastra archaryas. He is looking at the world, looking at the persons, different parties, and then accordingly takes decision or stand.
There are lot of attitude problem in devotees, so we need to work on this attitude. This is also relationship. Okay let’s use a word “sambandha” – very first thing is sambandha you come in contact, you have some relationship “sambhand” then comes “abhidheya” then comes “prayojan”. The first thing is “sambhand” -the relationship. If the relationship is not right, with a right attitude, right understanding, relationship is not right. Then nothing is going to go right. So this sambhand, this attitude, the relationship with the Lord, with the Lord’s world -this is Lord’s creation.
“isavasyam idam sarvam yat kinca jagatyam jagat
tena tyaktena bhunjitha ma gradhah kasya svid dhanam” (Sri Isopanishad 1)
Immediately you are given a tool, how to deal with this world. First of all, this world belongs to isavasyam. This is Lord’s world and now you are not the only one in the world, there are others, you are not the only son like a Jesus. They say Jesus was only son, I think he is a good son, He is a one good son but we know there are many sons. Unlimited! If God is unlimited He must have unlimited sons. So that God’s property, this world is God’s property. This has to be shared amongst His children.
‘Tena tyaktena bhunjitah’- There is a quota for you. The rest of the property, Hands off! Don’t Touch! It’s meant for other or somehow if it lands in your hands, then you shares that with others, give it in charities. Knowing that it belongs to the Lord and it is meant for other children of God. So this how you know how to deal with this world, how to relate with this world. What to do with this world? Whose world is it? How much do you really need and just keep that much and be happy with it.
“yadrccha-labha-santusto dvandvatito vimatsarah” (BG.4.22)
Lord says: My devotees whatever comes to their way they are satisfied with that much and as a result, they transcend this dvandva –this duality and they remain non-envious. They become free from envy. So philosophically we know we are envious, living entities envious of the Lord and living entities is envious of other living entities. So not only we have to become free from envy, I don’t want to be envious of the Lord, but then we make other living entities as a target and lots of envy towards them, but then Lord is not happy with that. Lord is not happy with that. So “yah pasyati sah pandita”.
So pandit is that person
“matrvat para-daresu para-dravyesu lostravat
atmavat sarva-bhutesu yah pasyati sa pandita”
Again Pandit, person who is vidhavan, knowledgeable, he has done Bhakti Shastri going for Bhakti Vaibhav and this and that. This is expected from him that “atmavatsa sarvabhuteshu” how does he deal with others. Atmavat- the way one deals with himself or herself, sarvabhuteshu- he should deal with others likewise sensitive to their feelings, their needs, their interests and concerns, so lots of sentiments, sensitivities, intricacies knowing these things, so atmavatsa.
So, importance of maintaining proper attitude towards Vaishnavas in regards to future development of ISKCON and their own spiritual life. So for future development of ISKCON also if this is understanding ‘atmavat sarvabhuteshu’. This could take care of lot of things these few words but it’s a lifetime homework infact.
“atmavat sarva bhutesu”- You love others, serve others, the way you would like to be loved and served. Learned person does this.
“para-dravyesu lostravat” – Other’s wealth loshtavat its like kachra or it is dustbin, discarded you don’t touch; it’s others you don’t need security anymore. So 10% of the population in the world is of type, I am security man, I’m secured and security. There, but if you would do this ‘loshtavat praradraveshu’ you don’t need security. Security locking system, this and that and all the way. The cameras and CCTV. But instead you just do this “loshtravat para dravyesu”- other’s wealth, oh!! I won’t touch, it’s not mine.
Because people they are not knowledgeable, they are not pandits. So they want to grab everything. My property others property also my property, my father’s property also my property. And just I will not only work hard I am going to work smart and work on transferring other’s bank balances to my bank balance. We are going to be smart and get higher education, so that those who are less educated I am going to exploit them do pick pocketing in different ways. If I go with scissors, pick pocket I might be arrested, but I’ll use my intelligence. It’s a pick pocketing; I’ll do it in a different ways, in intelligent ways. I’ll become wealthy so that’s ignorance and cultivation of avidya.
On the contrary, “yah pasyati sah pandita”
One who knows this, others wealth I’ll not touch.
matrvat para-daresu – ‘matrivat’- The woman or other’s wives are like my mothers. Easier said than done, but this has to be done there is no way out. So for senses or mind, it may be pleasing but use of intelligence now,
matrvat para-daresu , my attitude is matrvat that is my mother. So towards the future development of ISKCON, I think this principle, this knowledge, this cultivation of knowledge is of immense benefit.
Specially raising ourselves from kanistha adhikari level to madhyam adhikar. Atleast Prabhupada said atleast come to the madhyam adhikar. Our movement will only survive and spread if we did that, if we remain just kanistha adhikaris only loving Radha Madhava the best deity worship in the world. That’s fine but infact we also have to worship devotees, how to worship devotees, serve devotees not just lip service. Serve Lord and serve devotees of the Lord. Serve devotees of Krishna Consciousness movement, serve them and worship them. Prabhupada said cooperate with each other, so that his society is protected after he is gone. So that protection will come from our knowledgeable action. Action equipped with knowledge, Yogasthah in the verse of Sri Krishna :
“yoga-sthah kuru karmani” (BG 2.48)
Prabhupada says that devotee by the way he deals or dealing with others, he does ‘dharma samsthapanarthaya’- he establishes dharma by his dealing by his interactions. Of course standard reactions, standard relationships, standard attitude, standard sambandha with that devotee establishes dharma, establishes Krishna Consciousness, Krishna Consciousness movement, or principles of Krishna Consciousness or established by his, his dealings, his Krishna Conscious dealings full of knowledge as advised in the shastras; Gita and Bhagavat and Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu, and Isopanishad, Updeshmarita.
One studies and then he is properly situated and that’s yogasthah. He has become yogi; he is situated in Yoga linked with the Lord properly. ‘Yogasthah’ then ‘kuru karmani’ then person is expected to act, a person is expected to deal, relate with the world, relate with other devotees, new devotees or senior devotees or fallen and then come back devotees or other institutions, other vaishnavas. For everything there is a standard.
So we are happy that you have been completing your study of the Bhakti Shashtras. Now there is jnana part and then comes vijnana the application. So I think application this is what, what is being talked now, then you’ll be walking out of door and then you have to deal with others, they haven’t done their Bhakti Shastri, in your temples wherever you come from and then you meet this situation, that situation, this devotee that devotee, someone superior, someone equal, someone junior, someone critical and then what you are suppose to be doing in each one of those situations. Get ready, are you ready? Haribol……..
Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur avirbhava tithi mohotsava ki…… JAIII!!!!!
Nitai Gaur Prema Nande!!
Bhagavad Gita, amazing dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna
Venue: Malaysia
Dated: 10th Dec 2016
We welcome you all the assembled devotees joining us this morning, remembering Krishna’s pastimes in Kuruksetra which took place on this day. Specially the pastime of speaking what we call Bhagavad Gita , the song of God, Sri Krishna. That is also pastime right? Reciting Bhagavad Gita , speaking Bhagavad Gita is amazing, amazing pastime.
So, repeat after me,
dhrtarastra uvaca
dharma-ksetre kuru-ksetre samaveta yuyutsavah
mamakah pandavas caivan kim akurvata sanjaya
TRANSLATION:
Dhrtarastra said: O Sanjaya, after my sons and the sons of Pandu assembled in the place of pilgrimage at Kuruksetra, desiring to ?ght, what did they do?
PURPORT: Bhagavad-gita is the widely read theistic science summarized in the Gita mahatmya (Glori?cation of the Gita). There it says that one should read Bhagavad-gita very scrutinizingly with the help of a person who is a devotee of Sri Krsna and try to understand it without personally motivated interpretations. The example of clear understanding is there in the Bhagavad-gita itself, in the way the teaching is understood by Arjuna, who heard the Gita directly from the Lord. If someone is fortunate enough to understand the Bhagavad- gita in that line of disciplic succession, without motivated interpretation, then he surpasses all studies of Vedic wisdom, and all scriptures of the world. One will ?nd in the Bhagavad- gita all that is contained in other scriptures, but the reader will also ?nd things which are not to be found elsewhere. That is the speci?c standard of the gita. It is the perfect theistic science because it is directly spoken by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krsna.
Just now, I remembered. Prabhupad was travelling from Amritsar back to Delhi with his followers. Must be late 60’s or early 70 or 71. The train stopped at Kuruksetra train station and through the window Prabhupada was pointing, right there, battlefield of Kuruksetra took place and right there in between the 2 armies the chariot stood and Krishna spoke.
So, meaning also the history the historical event there was a time in Krishna’s Lila, one day He was very much there, in Kuruksetra. Kuruksetra existed and exists now and Krishna was there in that Kuruksetra. “Dharma ksetrekuruksetre”. Not just mentioned Kuruksetra but mentioned Dharma ksetra. And one who said is Dhritarashtra and he had to say this. He could just say Kuruksetra.“ My sons and sons of Pandu have assembled in Kuruksetra “he could have just said that. But he didn’t say just Kuruksetra, he had to say dharma ksetra. Srila Prabhupad explains why it is so. Because he is thinking that my sons are not dharmic, not spiritual. But this place is place of dharma, this place is place of spirituality. So this place will not go in favour of my sons. Sons of Pandu are spiritual, dharmic. They are Krishna conscious. So this will certainly do favour or this place is in favour of sons of my brother Pandu and not in favour of my sons. So, while thinking or saying “Kuruksetra”, he had to say yes yes this place is of dharma. But my sons are not dharmic. So he is already kind of realizing the outcome of this battle. So he has his doubts about the outcome of the battle.
So he is enquiring. “kim akurvata sanjaya”. Dhrtara?tra is sitting in Hastinapur, 700 miles away from Kuruksetra and next to him is Sanjaya, his secretary, his minister and he is enquiring from him. “you tell me what is going on there in Kuruksetra and what do you think is going to be outcome of the battle.” This is how the very first verse begins like that. This is the question. Ofcourse all that Sanjay is going to be talking, that talk is there. In the conclusion of Bhagavad gita, the last verse of Bhagavad Gita we find the answer to this question. Please tell. And he says
yatra yogesvarah krsno yatra partho dhanur dharah
tatra srir vijayo bhutir dhruva nitir matir mama
Very perfect, question begins with question and ends with the answer to that particular question. Oh! you had asked me what happens. In the battle someone wins and someone is defeated. This is normally one of those things or both of those things. One party is victorious and other party is defeated.
Gita begins with Dhrtarastra uvaca and ends with Sanjaya uvaca. The first question is addressed to Sanjaya. Sanjaya says yes I could tell. Battle is about to begin and they are in middle I could say yes for sure. He is giving the conclusion. Wherever there is Krishna, what kind of Krishna, Yogesvarah Krishna and where ever there is archer, Dhanurdhara, the holder of dhanushbaan, arch and bow. Like Arjun there. Yatratatra –where there. Where you will find the combination of these two, Krishna and His devotee, Yogesvarah and dhanurdhar, Arjuna there you will find “Sri”, opulence, there you will find Vijaya, Victory. Other things also he has said. We don’t have time to get into “Mahabharat” in great details.
So, jayas tu pandu putranam yesam pakshe janardanah
Certainly the victory vijay of Panduputranam is guaranteed. Why it is so?
Esam pakshe Janardana, because in their party there is Janardana. They are Janardana party, Krishna Party. So Victory is guaranteed. Harihari.
So big army has assembled in Kuruketra which is dharma ksetra – Pandav party and Kaurava party.—11 akshauhini divisions on Duryodhana side and only 7 akshauhini divisions fighting on Arjun’s side, Yudhishthir side. The Ksatriya’s from all over the planet they have assembled. This is world war. Historians have not taken note of. That is why they say the first world war 1918 Second World War 1940’s early. What about this world war. Then what about this? This is the first one, then second and third one, they could have said. This was literally the world war and Srila Vyasadev has written the history. He is a historian. And there is a detailed account. There is history with all great details. So they decided to begin the war on ekadashi which is today. It received the name, I don’t know when. “Mokshada Ekadashi”. Mokshada means giver of Moksha. Ekadashi that gives Moksha for sure we could say that on this day, his ekadashi day.
Arjuna said
“nasto mohah smrtir labdha tvat-prasadan mayacyuta
sthito ‘smi gata-sandehah karisye vacanam tava”
After hearing Bhagavad Gita, towards completion of dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna, which is described as adbhut, wonderful, amazing dialogue towards the end. As Arjuna had been hearing for some time. Not long time may be 45 min or so. Arjuna came to conclusion or this was his realisation. I have become free from illusion. Nasta – destroyed. What is destroyed?–Moha, my illusion is destroyed. Gata sandeha – all the doubts vanished. Sthito smi – I am now properly situated and now go ahead. Just order me. Karisye vacanam tava- I will obey your command. Ofcourse the command was already there, mamanusmara yudhya ca-while remembering me fight the battle.
Ofcourse at the beginning as he had arrived, everyone arrived, Arjuna arrived and he had said fighting no no, i will not fight and he became quite and sat down on the chariot. So he was not ready to obey the command in the beginning but then after hearing the whole message, inspirational speech then he said, ‘aaa, now I am ready to go “, this is the outcome of hearing BG becoming free from illusion. That is the point that we are also trying to make. Becoming free from illusion attaining moksha. Ajuna attained Moksha on this day . It did not take whole day, just morning hours. Not so many hours, less than one hour. So what time was Krishna spoke BG, 3 o clock in afternoon? After lunch? As they arrived, as armies arrived. And this is dharma ksetrakuruksetra and what is going to happen there is dharma yuddha , religious battle. In fact it is dharma sansthapanaarthaya – to establish dharma. This battle, for establishing the purpose of establishing dharma. Dharma yudha always commences when the sun is rising in the morning on the eastern horizon and they go on up until the sun set.
So “senayor ubhayor madhye ratham sthapaya me acyuta” I mean just see Arjuna said to Lord, you Acyuta, infallible one. Get closer please, closer to the enemy camp; I want to see who is here wishes to battle with me. He was fired up. His blood is boiling. They want to fight with me, bring my chariot closer O! achyuta. It means that you never fall down but I am going to be falling down from my consciousness. I am in a high spirit now but soon I won’t be the same Arjuna. So in advance you are Achyuta, you are infallible one but I am going to be falling down from my position in next coming moments.
So, ‘tatah svetair hayair yukte mahati syandane sthitau’– Krishna is chariot driver , he doesn’t even own the chariot. Its Arjuna’s chariot and Krishna is just Parthasarthi, he is only Arjuna’s chariot driver. So, already Sanjay is doing this narration, relaying that to Dhrtarashtra. See chariot is arriving on the scene. He is getting attention of Dhrtarashtra. Specifically to that chariot, whose white horses, “svetair hayair yukte mahati syandane sthitau” syandane is chariot, mahati is great beautiful amazing nicely carved well-built chariot which is being pulled by white horses and sthitau- situated are 2 persons in that chariot ‘madhavah pandavas caiva’ Madhava, Krishna, the other one is Pandava , Arjuna. And what did they do. “divya sankhau pradadhmatuh” they blew their divine conch shells they blew. They are blowing conch shells to inspire those who are sleeping.
So “pancjanyam hrsikeso devadattam dhananjayah”
And the conch shell blown by Sri Krishna is called “Pancajanya” and conch shell blown by Arjuna is called Devadatta like that. And which conchshell was blown by Bhima you will find that the name and Nakula and Sahadeva also blew their conch shells and like that, great detail the whole history blow by blow has been described. As they are seated, Arjuna said now please bring that chariot forward here Krishna has become, as said in Chaitanya Charitamrita He has become Rajjudhara. Murlidhara in Vrindavan and in Kuruksetra he has become Rajjudhar. Rajju means rope,lagaam, reins. In His left hand the ropes and right hand the whip. He did that and Arjuna’s chariot was in between the two armies and then Krishna says. It is the only thing Krishna says in first chapter of bhagavad gita. First chapter is “Setting the scene” and part of the scene Krishna speaks only a few words. And these are the only words Krishna spoke and they are,
“Pasyaitan samavetan kurun iti”
You wanted to see. Just go ahead and see. In fact Arjuna could have seen but Krishna wanted to show him. He doesn’t allow Arjun to just see on his own. Krishna is bringing attention of Arjuna, “Ok see. You wantd to see”. Ok I am seeing. You are seeing all assembled Kurus to be underlined or to highlighted. You are seeing Kurus. You are also Kurunandan. Not only here Dhrtarashtra’s sons are kurus but sons of Pandu are also kurus. They are technically divided into kurus, kauravas and pandavas. Pandavas are also Kauravas. They are also in the line of Kuru dynasty. So this is what Krishna is putting this thought into the head of Arjuna. So as Arjuna has now seen and he is pointing out who he is seeing and by seeing all of them. Arjun is also going to fall asleep. Somewhat getting into ignorance.
Arjun says “Sidanti mama gatrani”. My limbs are all trembling. I am perspiring, Arjuna has said all this in the first chapter. “mukham ca parisusyati” my throat is drying up. And as far as Gandiva is concerned,
“gandivam sramsate hastat”
Right out of my hand its slipping and you want me to fight. How could I fight? A few minutes ago he was like “with me they want to fight, who are they?” and in the next few minutes he is trembling and Gandiva is falling off. And so his body, his mind, his thoughts is gone case.
“sreyo nupasyami hatva sva janam ahave”
By killing svajanas. He is into svajanas. These are my people our people. “hatva sva janam ahave” in a terrible battle like this, killing your own people. I do not see any benefit in battling our own people. “na ca rajyam sukhani ca” I don’t want battle, no victory . I am not interested, no no …he goes on and on talking.
So the first chapter of Bhagvad gita is not Bhagavad Gita. It is Arjuna Gita. He is not letting Krishna speak. He is speaking and speaking with every thought, with every statement he utters he distracts himself he deviates himself from Krishna. He is doing all the mental speculation. What about this dharma? what about that dharma? What about kula dharma? What about so many duties and obligations? And he says “Now you tell me, whatever is most beneficial for me, you tell me. I cannot figure it out on my own, O Krishna. And then he says “sisyas tea ham sadhi man tvam prapannam”. I am a soul surrendered unto you. Please instruct me. And then Krishna takes over. Krishna takes charge of the situation and Krishna begins speaking.
Sri bhagavan uvaca,
Asocyan anvasocas tvam, this lamentation where is this all coming from?
“nanusocanti panditah”
You are talking like a pandit, very learned person. Pandit never laments. Learned person never laments but you are full of lamentation. What kind of pandit you are? What kind of learned person you are? Means you are not learned. All that you spoke where is this dirt coming from ? This is fit for dustbin. Kasmalamidam. A person like you great dynasty and this and that. This is not befitting. Krishna is expressing His amazement. He is amazed. I am amazed. Arjuna what’s going on with you? what are you talking, nonsense? Talking like a fool. And then
“dehino smin yatha dehe kaumaram yauvanam jara
Tatha dehantara-praptir dhiras tatra na muhyati”
Lord speech begins in 2nd chapter. In Bhagavatam also, the speaker of Bhagavatam, Sukadev Goswami, he does not speak in the first canto of Bhagavatam. From second canto onwards Sukadev goswami begins speaking. Like something similar. In Bhagavad Gita also Krishna does not speak in first chapter except that few words that we pointed out to you earlier. His formal speech, song of God, begins from the 2nd chapter of Bhagavad Gita and beginning with, you are not this body. This is the foundational knowledge. Krishna is imparting unto Arjuna. And talking of killing, you say you don’t want to kill your svajanas, your own people, your relatives. Krishna is kind of challenging, ok go ahead kill them. I want you to kill them. Kill the sleep. So Krishna says
nainam chindanti sastrani nainam dahati pavakah
na caiman kledayanty apo na sosayati marutah
You are talking of killing and not killing but in fact you cannot kill. Your relatives cannot be killed. They are souls. They are atma and atma cannot be killed. And he is talking about 4 great elements and he is not talking about the fifth one. Four cannot do the job of killing. Sastra, all the weapons they are made of earth mostly earth metals. No weapon could cut the soul and the fire, fire cannot burn the soul. The body in the cremation ground is burnt. Water cannot make the soul wet. Fire cannot make it dry. So all those four elements of no use. It could do nothing, the soul cannot be altered in anyway, no cutting, no burning. Not drying in the air and no making it wet with the water. Like that it goes on.
The 2nd chapter is the summary, Bhagavad Gita summarised. And then Krishna gets into different yogas – karma, jnana, ashtanga yoga. Your backbone head straight. Sit properly. Prabhupada said during Japa yoga time sit properly. So Krishna is describing the ashtanga yoga and is describing the mind also. The nature of mind.
Uddharedatmanatmanam natmanamavasadayet.
You have to lift your mind. Make sure that it doesn’t fall down give a lift to the mind. That mind could be your friend, could also be very easily your enemy. And like that, some psychology, the mind. Lord is talking about the mind. Because in yoga mind has a big role to play.
Mana eva manusyanam karanambandha-moksayoh
Such a bold statement, clear statement. The mind could make you baddha, bound. The same mind if it acts like a friend, it will become cause of your liberation. Mind could become both of these. Karanam bandha mokshaya, Karanam- cause, bandha- bondage, moksha – liberation. And like that Krishna goes on and then Arjuna says
“cancalam hi manah krsna pramathi balavad drdham”
The mind is so obstinate so flickering. Krishna “I agree, I am the one who made the mind. I know the nature of the mind. But then Krishna says
abhyasena tu kaunteya vairagyena ca grhyate
By practice Arjuna, by constant practice wherever mind goes from there from there drag it back. And put under atma. Or engage in Krishna and Krishna consciousness. Such was the program of Ambarish. Mind always fixed on the lotus feet of Krishna by practice. And then He concludes, I also have to conclude very soon. Time for “MahaprasadeGovinde”. Now everyone is up. This mantra wakes us up in ISKCON. There is another mantra. “OM NAMO BHAGAVATE VASUDEVAYA” puts you to sleep. “MahaPrasade” you jump. MahaprasadeGovinde. Krishna says after talking about this yoga that yoga Yoginaamapisarvesam mad gaterantaratmana, sradhavanbhajateyo mama sa me yuktatamomatah .Yuktatamah the best of all yogis is the bhakti yogi.
And then the next 6 chapters is the core of Gita, the middle of Gita talks about the Bhakti yoga. Krishna talks of devotional service. Devotion, devotional service. Talks of the opulence’s of the devotional truth, His own opulence’s. By hearing all this thus far, its only 10th chapter. Arjuna has only come to his realisation.
‘param brahma param dhama’
You are the Supreme Brahma. adi-devamajamvibhum. You are adi deva and you are all in all Vasudeva sarvamiti samahatma sudurlabha, Arjuna has also become that rare great soul realising that Vasudeva, Sri Krishna is all in all and he says whatever you have said and whatever you are talking O! Sri Krishna all that you are talking about, every single thing, every sentence, every word, every letter that you are uttering is nothing but the truth and I accept this .But then for the sake of others, the opulence’s are exhibited. Universal form is there which Arjuna was not interested in but for the sake of others, prove it. So, Krishna has shown all the opulence’s. And seeing that Arjuna is not into that darshan and is kind of all over. Then again he prays no please Lord the earlier darshan. Go back go back, then ok 4 handed, no not this, then 2 handed ok now stop there. And then Krishna says
su-durdarsam idam rupam drstavan asi yan mama
deva apy asya rupasya nityam darsana-kanksinah
The form that now that you are seeing Arjuna , this is very rare darshan. Now that you are seeing even the demigods, gods and goddesses, they are very very anxious to get darshan of this rupa. The one that you are seeing now. And then Krishna goes on after the middle 6 chapters, then 3 modes of material nature, very important chapter. Divisions of faith, very important. Purushottam yoga very important. Ofcourse Krishna cannot say something that is not important. Only important things, Lord is talking. And then He says now we are going to talk. I have talked about some confidential things guhyam, guhyatar more confidential. Now I am going to talk about Guhyatam, the most confidential thing. And then 18th chapter Krishna says
man-manabhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru
mam evaisyasi satyam te pratijane priyo si me
Man mana – remember Me, mad bhakti become My devotee mad-yaji worship Me, mam namaskuru offer your obeisances to Me Arjuna if you do so or anyone else also. Krishna is talking to Arjuna but His target audience is all of us. All the people of all the times including Malaysian people everywhere. So those who do this man-manabhava mad-bhakto..
I tell you the truth O Arjuna, they will come back to Me. They will come back to home back to Godhead. If they did this this this that.
Satatam kirtayanto mam yatantasca drdha-vratah
He has also talked about Kirtan mela, satatam kirtayanto mam . Those who are always chanting my glories and kirtan is kirti, from glories comes kirtan. Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama RamaRama Hare Hare. So you will come to Me. I say this. This is the truth. I take a vow of bringing you back to Me and I say all these because you are very very dear to Me. So all the souls are dear to Krishna. So He has spoken the Bhagavad Gita addressing all the souls, all of us. He did that on this day Gita Jayanti day, Gita’s birthday. That Gita took birth from the mouth of the Lord. From the mouth of the Lord Gita appeared. And that Gita Srila Prabhupada has kindly shared with the entire world and he has presented Bhagavad Gita as it is. Most of the speakers, presenters do not present it as it is which Prabhupada did talk in this purport and in others purports we have motivations interpretations misleading and cheating and this and that.
evam parampara praptam, in parampara, disciplic succession, Srila Prabhupada has delivered Bhagavad Gita as it is to the whole world. And Chaitanya Mahaprabhu said “Jare dekho tare kaho Krishna upadesh.” Upadesh means instructions. Krishna upadesh is Bhagavad Gita. So Chaitanya Mahaprabhu also said I order you. I order you to share this Bhagavad gita to anybody and everybody you meet, you come across. Srila Prabhupada gave us that program to start.
So for the pleasure of Sri Krishna and Srila Prabhupada we distribute books, distribute Bhagavd Gita and make our life perfect. We become dear to Krishna by doing so, by distributing Bhagavad Gita.
Srimad Bhagavad Gita ki Jai.
Bhakti is pure and includes love with God and His Devotees
Bhakti is pure and includes love with God and His devotees
Venue: Yavatmal (Maharashtra)
Dated: 6th June 2017
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu started the sankirtana movement.sankirtanaika-pitarau
pitarau means two – Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Nityananda Prabhu. Caitanya Mahaprabhu was Krsna and Nityananda Prabhu was Balaram. Caitanya Mahaprabhu was Ram and Nityananda Prabhu was Laksman.
They appeared in Bengal. The Lord comes for ‘dharma sansthapan’, for re-establishing the principles of religion.Caitanya Mahaprabhu propagated religion by the process of sankirtana. For this Maha Vishnu, Narada Muni, Radharani and team appeared with Him.
He established the dharma of ‘kaliyuga’. i.e. the Sankirtana movement.
We are not Hindus. God did not establish Hindu or Muslim or Christian. The Muslims said that people who resided on the banks of the Sindhu River are Hindus. Gita or Srimad-Bhagavatam or the Veda/Puranadoes not have the name Hindu. Dharma is either Bhagavad dharma or Varnasrama dharma or Sanatana dharma.For Kaliyuga the dharma is Sankirtana dharma.
Caitanya Mahaprabhu is God. He is Krsna. He descended to deliver us and for the upliftment of the conditioned souls Caitanya Mahaprabhu together with NityanandaPrabhu established the sankirtana movement.
Then 400 years later Srila Prabhupada took the task to spread this message.Srila Prabhupada preached alone in New York’s footpath at the age of 70. He had no associate,but as soon as Srila Prabhupada did kirtana, people were attracted.
Hare Krishna is God. This is Radha and Krishna.“jīv jāgo, jīv jāgo, gauracānda bole”
Who is calling? Gaura Chand (moon). “Get up!” He calls with the Hare Krishna mantra. He is telling us to take shelter of the Holy Name .
Srila Prabhupada started to preach all over the world, spreading the Dharma, the dharma of the Hare Krishna mahamantra. Now this preaching has reached Yavatmal. Lord Krsna has reached Yavatmal in the form of the holy name. An Avatar (incarnation) took place. The appearance of the Lord happened in one place, but Harinama appeared in all places for all persons. Each person has an avatar for himself/herself. We have to experience the feeling – anubhav, bhagwad sakshatkaar.This realisation or anubhav that Harinama is the avatar for this age is our goal of life.’I will see Krsna in this body with these eyes.’ This is the goal of life. It should be realised that HARE KRISHNA is Lord. Our Human form is for the realisation that the name is cintamani, the wish fulfilling stone. This is raskhaan (the mine full of mellows), this realisation that God and His Name are one, this realisation is the goal.
For this realisation we have to do sadhana throughout our life. To understand that Hare Krishna is Radha Krishna. For this the devotees are bringing on behalf of Srila Prabhupada, Parampara, Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the Bhagavad-Gita, Srimad-Bhagwatam. Through these scriptures they are giving us the Hare Krishna mahamantra.
We do say that you should take the name. At the same time, we also guide you on how to do sadhana as per the sastra/scriptures. You are given all the do’s and dont’s.
There are 10 offenses against the holy name. By doing Japa with offenses we cannot realise God in the name. It has to be realised that the Name is nectarean. When we realise nectar, we are avoiding offenses. Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu (Nectar of devotion) is a guide on how to do japa. You all are becoming sadhakas, so you have to learn the 10 offenses to the holy name.
The 1st offense is sadhu/bhakta/jiva ninda or blaspheming the devotees who are propagating the holy names of the Lord. So chanting with blaspheming will not bear any fruit. It can take lifetimes with blasphemy. But we do not want to wait. We need to do something urgently. For example in business we want immediate profit, not that profit will come after lifetime. Similarly Hare Krishna is like a business. So the profit of japa is Love of Krishna and returning to the abode of the Lord. We do not want to stay here.
So there are 9 more offenses.
Kali means age of quarrel & hypocrisy (pakhand, tanta, dhong). Wherever there is quarrel and hypocrisy, there is the existence of Kali. We do not want kali in the Hare Krishna movement otherwise this will also become a den of kali. We HAVE to keep kali OUT . For this the progress has to be there – naam ruchi, jiva daya, vaishnav seva. We all are vaishnavas and we will progress. If hatred(dvesha), jealousy(irsha), blasphemy(ninda) is done in the Hare Krishna temple, it becomes like the general world. Drain this out and take shelter of Krishna (mam ekam saranam vraja).
Caitanya Mahaprabhu said to always do japa. To make this continuous chanting possible Caitanya Mahaprabhu instructed – tṛṇād api sunīcena taror api sahiṣṇunā/ amāninā mānadena kīrtanīyaḥ sadā hariḥ – become humble, tolerant. Do not expect respect and always give respect. This will help to constantly chant the name of God.Caitanya Mahaprabhu has an expectation in Yavatmal, that all do sankirtana. If we always want to kirtana, follow the instruction of Chaitanya mahaprabhu.. And then those who regularly do kirtana will be glorified like how Hanumanji was glorified.Ravana also took the name of the Lord but with a different attitude. Thus glories came to Hanuman’s side and defamation to the side of Ravana (vikhyaat versus kuvikhyaat). There is so much difference in the character of Hanuman and Ravana.
You spread the glories of the holy name. Glories as in Srimad-Bhagwatam, Ramayana, Caitanya Caritamrita, etc. is to be spread all over. People are sad and this is a BIG problem. Lots of miseries are there – adibhautik, adhyatmik, adidevik. All are troubled by these miseries. Only the devotees know this. Yavatmal residents will be benefited by spreading the glories of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. We will be purified by taking prasada. We will do cow protection.Even in China people are taking to vegetarianism.No intoxication
No illicit sex. Not following this is creating many problems. Men should follow the vow of a single wife and women should be pativrita (chaste )No gambling.These 4 are the dens of Kali. There should be no talks of what is in the mind ( man ki baat) but talk of Krsna.
There are as many number of roads as there are number of opinions.Having our own opinions without a base is cheating. This cheating is also gambling. So Krsna’s opinion has to be followed. Everything else is gambling. Therefore Srila Prabhupada gave us Bhagavad-Gita As It Is.This movement of Srila Prabhupada is very,very Important.
It is really good that everyoneis connecting. The Hare Krishna population is increasing, and this is good indication that Krsna’s opinion is being followed.
Srila Prabhupada said that Purity is the force. So this Hare Krishna movement is to be kept pure, in the mode of goodness. Raja guna (mode of passion) divides while satva guna (mode of goodness) unites. So to keep united we have to come to the mode of goodness.
‘He is mine, he is not’ is low class thinking. This type of thinking is not Krishna Consciousness. So purification is needed just as water is to be purified to keep diseases away.
Bhakti is pure and includes love with God and His devotees. Keep this in mind. You are all volunteers. Quantity increase should be complimented by increase in quality to decrease the influence of MAYA(illusion). Yavatmal volunteers should avoid the influence of Kali.
Love devotees!
A kanistha (low level) devotee is one who loves God, but hates devotees. Get promoted to madhyam (middle class) and Uttama (High class) devotees by loving God and loving devotees. A 3rd class devotee is one who hates. We do not want 3rd class devotees.
Hare Krishna
Caitanya Mahaprabhu in Varanasi
Chitrakoot – Ayodhya Annual yatra 2017
Title: Caitanya Mahaprabhu in Varanasi
Venue : Varanasi
“jiv jago, jiv jago, gaurachanda ” who is calling ?? Who is gaurachanda? Caitanya Mahaprabhu ki ..jai.
jiva jago, body is already awaken in morning for food and other bodily needs, we should take advantage of human body and chant Lords holy name. “Wake up, sleeping souls! Wake up, sleeping souls! How long will you sleep in the lap of the witch called Maya? Living like animal is also sleeping without dharma.
bhajibo boliya ese samsara-bhitare
bhuliya rohile tumi avidyara bhare
You have forgotten the way of devotional service and are lost in the world of birth and death.
You had prayed when you were in mother’s womb oh! Lord I will chant your name, please remove me from here. But as you took birth you forgot the Lord and you were filled with avidya ignorance. Mummy mummy Maya surrounded you. And in school and colleges also they teach avidhya not raja vidya raja guhyam. Physics and chemistry etc is avidya. And then overseas education loans and what not.
tomare loite ami hoinu avatara
ami bina bandhu ara ke ache tomara
Caitanya Mahaprabhu says I have descended just to save you; other than Myself you have no friend in this world. I am your bandhu, dinabandhu; I am your best friend. I have brought medicine for all your problems. Which is that medicine? Harinam.
enechi aushadhi maya nasibaro lagi’
hari-nama maha-mantra lao tumi magi’
I have brought the medicine that will wipe out the disease of illusion from which you are suffering. Take this maha-mantra—Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/Hare Rama, Hare Rama Rama Rama, Hare Hare.”
Please ask for some medicine.
Bhakti Vinod Thakur says’s oh! Lord please give me harinam. You should also ask for harinam. If you don’t ask how will you get harinam.
(Gurudev singing jiva jago)
In Prayag after meeting Rupa Goswami and accepting his pray. Caitanya Mahaprabhu came to Varanasi also called as Kasi. Varna river is flowing here and its only here that Ganga flows in north direction.
Along its entire north-south course of 2,520 kilometers originating in the high glaciers of the Himalayas in North India and ending in the Bay of Bengal in the East, it is here in Varanasi that the Ganges takes a broad sweep, forming a dramatic crescent, flowing in the reverse northern direction for a short distance of about 7 kilometers.
Then she flows and meets Gangasagar. So Caitanya Mahaprabhu came to Kasi. Here also kirtan took place. Kasi is headquarter of mayavadis and also Haridwar these two place.
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has therefore strictly forbidden us to associate with Mayavadi philosophers.
“Mayavadi-bhasya sunile haya sarva-nasa”
If one associates with the Mayavadi a philosophy, his devotional life is doomed. So we should not hear them.
Mayavadis says, I am Lord I am Brahman, they are filled with false ego you can’t find there trnad api sunicena taror iva sahisnuna.
Mayavadis used to say to Caitanya Mahaprabhu that he is sannyasi but he does not read vedansutra just keeps dancing and kirtan. He does not know his dharma. He keeps on dancing and moving around on streets of Varanasi.
Hearing this Caitanya Mahaprabhu smiled. First when he was going to vrndavan but that time he did not pay any attention to Mayavadis but this time while returning from vrndavan. He thought now I deal with these mayavadis. Tapan Mishra was first in Bengal and he had met Caitanya Mahaprabhu in bengal and he wanted association of Caitanya Mahaprabhu . Caitanya Mahaprabhu said to him you go to Varanasi. Now as Caitanya Mahaprabhu is in Varanasi Tapan Mishra met Caitanya Mahaprabhu and had prasad at his house. And his son latter became Raghunath Bhat Goswami.
So Raghunath Bhat Goswami one of the sad goswami was born in Varanasi and was son of Tapan Mishra. After prasad this child Raghunath would massage the lotus feet of Caitanya Mahaprabhu . Hearing this a desire would arise in our heart, oh! when I will get such chance to serve the Lord personally.
Mayavadis don’t desire such things because their god does not have body so forget of feet. This is destruction of bhakti. And this child would also get some mahaprasad of Caitanya Mahaprabhu .
Caitanya Mahaprabhu then went from Varanasi to Jagganath puri. Caitanya Mahaprabhu had instructed Raghunath Bhatta Goswami I am going you also come to Jagganath puri. So Raghunath Bhata Goswami stayed for 8 months in Jagganath puri and then Caitanya Mahaprabhu sent him to vrndavan. He loved bhagvatam and as Luv and Kush would sing Ramayana like that he would sing bhagvatam in three different melodies. And Caitanya Mahaprabhu liked his singing very much.
Mayavadis were reading vedantsutra and were offending Caitanya Mahaprabhu . A marathi Brahman heard it and he could not tolerate this. And he became very sad and he met Caitanya Mahaprabhu and said people are doing your offending you and this nama aparadha and vaishnava aparadha.
“mayavadi krsna aparadhi”
Prakasananda Saraswati a mayavadi sanyasi was in Varanasi and he had 60000 disciples. Caitanya Mahaprabhu was invited by him. Now in dharma sabha Prakasananda Saraswati was seating on vyasana and Caitanya Mahaprabhu came and sat at the door where people wash their feet before entering. So Caitanya Mahaprabhu was very humble. Prakasananda Saraswati was surprised and all of them got up. Oh! Why are you sitting here get up and sit on asan.
And half of them were defeated by Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s humility.
They asked to Caitanya Mahaprabhu, why you keep dancing and doing kirtan. And discussion started and vada vivad started. You are sanyasi you should meditate. You don’t sit; you just keep dancing.
Caitanya Mahaprabhu does kirtan and that’s meditation only. Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s Varanasi visit. And He stayed here for two months. And maybe He did kirtan on the streets nearby in the area where we are staying.
Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s in Varanasi did kirtan. And defeated Mayavada. He was digvijay sanyasai where ever He went He established harinam. And Prakasananda Sarawati became follower of Caitanya Mahaprabhu and also his 60000 disciples. He filled Varanasi with kirtan.
“jahnavi tatvane jaga jana lobha”
Arti of Caitanya Mahaprabhu takes place at bank of ganga and Brahma Shiv ; Sukdev goswami ; Naradamuni; come for arti .
And a famous dialogue between Sanatan Goswami and Caitanya Mahaprabhu it went on for two months. So based on these instruction there is a book written named as teachings of Caitanya Mahaprabhu .
U all should read this book it’s a advanced course. Sanatan Goswami is one of the associate of Caitanya Mahaprabhu . He came with Caitanya Mahaprabhu from Golok. So what is left for him to be known.
Mahaprabhu said, “Guru mora murkha dekhi – My Guru Maharaja told me that because I am foolish and unintelligent, I am not qualified to study Vedanta. He said that instead I should always chant Hare Krsna and I should remember this verse:
harer nama harer nama harer namaiva kevalam
kalau nasty eva nasty eva nasty eva gatir anyatha
(Caitanya Caritamrta Adi-lila 17.21).
Nimai pandit and he defeated many with His panditva . And one of them is Keshva Kashmiri.
Krishna had said “vedais ca sarvair aham eva vedyo vedanta-krd veda-vid eva caham”. You should read vedas to know the Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu . I know all about Vedas and to know me you should read Vedas.
My gurus told me just chant this mantra and its essence of all the mantras. That’s why Brahma said,
hare krishna hare krishna, krishna krishna hare hare.
hare rama hare rama, rama rama hare hare
iti shodashakam namnam, kali-kalmasha-nashanam;
natah parataropayah, sarva-vedeshu drishyater
Lord Brahma said,
The sixteen words-Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna
Krishna, Hare Hare; Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare-are especially meant for completely destroying all the contamination of Kali. To save oneself from the contamination of Kali-yuga, there is no alternative in all the Vedas except the chanting of this sixteen-word mantra.
First acharya is Brahma then others acharyas in disciplic succession till Srila Prabhupada and this mantra is the only solution and there is no mantra above this mantra. Who said this? Brahma, authority in our parampara.
In Kali who can read sanskrit and even if one can read no one can understand. Now people read news paper that’s their Veda. Common men can’t read vedantsutra. So they should chant the holy name. And when 4,32000 years will finish then there will be satyuga that time you can sit and read vedantsutra.
Caitanya Mahaprabhu says, I got this mantra in Gaya. He had gone from Mayapur to Gaya. He met Isvarpuri in Gaya. And once He would chant Hare Krsna He wolud be filled with Krishna consciousness .
He said to his guru,
What kind of mantra you have given to me? “japite japite mantra karela pagal” I have become pagal, pagala baba, I have become pagal, madman chanting this holy names “kiba mantra dila gosai, kiba tara bala”. And then guru ji said oh! that’s great you have achieved perfection of mantra.
There are 7 moksha puris, people go and stay at these places at the end of life and wait there to die so that they can achieve moksha. But devotees don’t expect moksha they want prem. Vaishnav wants pancham purushartha which is devotional services. And by chanting you all can achieve it.
Hearing to Caitanya Mahaprabhu all the mayavadis became bhakta and started dancing and chanting the holy name.
Caitanya Mahaprabhu ki… jai
Chitrakoot – Ayodhya Annual yatra 2017
Yatra is utsava which brings out utsaha
Venue: Varanasi (Chitrakoot – Ayodhya Annual yatra 2017)
Dated: 18 May 2017
So we all are in Varanasi near the banks of Ganga, there are 84 ghats in Varanasi that’s equal to number of species. This is our last session here in Varanasi. Some of you we say your realizations also today. Tomorrow you will move for Ayodhya dhama.
We will hear about the meeting of Sanatan Goswami and Caintanya Mahaprabhu and the teachings went for two months. And based on that there is a book written, Teachings of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. It’s also song of Lord.
Ya svayam padmanabhasya mukha-padmad vinihsrita
The wonderful song called Bhagavad Gita has been spoken by the lotus mouth of the Lord Padmanabha himself. Like Gita is said by Lord Krsna, these teachings are also said by Lord so it may be called as Caitanya geet. If we had two months we could stay here and we could read it here for two months.
When we die nothing goes back with us, everything stays behind. Here in Varanasi Manikarnika ghat and Harischandra Ghats both are famous where bodies are burned daily, the fire there goes on and on for 365 days continuously. Yesterday in boat we saw the bodies burning that brings out renunciationin us. Bhakti and Jnana also brings out renunciation and that’s permanent (tikau).
Caitanya Mahaprabhu had gone to Ramkeli to met Sanatan Goswami and Rupa Goswami and Anupam that meeting brought renunciation in all the three brothers. Caitanya Mahaprabhu instructed them now wind up and come to Vrndavan; I am going you come and meet me there.
They got ready to go and that was enough for them no need think over it again. Caitanya Mahaprabhu said come to Vrndavan and finish on the spot they were ready no other thought. They were all ministers but they just left everything and went to Vrndavan. As they reached Hajipur they met Srikant who was Sanatan Goswami’s sisters husband. He was also working for the king. He was sent with 3 lakh golden mudras to buy horses for the king. He met Sanatan Goswami in Hajipur. Sanatan Goswami said : no I can’t wait for a second I have to go to Vrndavan. And his attire was also different not like minister; just to hide himself from public. Srikant gave him woolen blanket. Taking that Sanatan Goswami went to Vrndavan. Sanatan Goswami when he reached Varanasi he got the news that Caitanya Mahaprabhu was in Varanasi and how he filled Varanasi with kirtan. He asked people where Caitanya Mahaprabhu stayed and so he went to Chandrashekar’s house. Door was close but Caitanya Mahaprabhu said hye! Chandrashekar get a vaishnav who is sending at the door. No SMS nothing. How did Caitanya Mahaprabhu know that Sanatan Goswami had come? Caitanya Mahaprabhu is Lord himself. Chandrashekar said there is no vaishnav but Caitanya Mahaprabhu said somebody is there get him.
Chandrashekar got Sanatan Goswami inside. Caitanya Mahaprabhu ran towards him to embrace him. Sanatan Goswami said ; no no I am untouchable not clean but Caitanya Mahaprabhu did not listen he hugged him.
Once during mayapur festival many senior devotees had come. We used to chant sitting near Prabhupada. It was cold in Mayapur covering themselves with bed sheets. All had good new bed sheets. And I was a padayatri and my bed sheet was old. I was feeling bad then I went to my room and somebody knocked at my door and gave me new bed sheet. I was very happy and next day as I went for the program I left it on the stage and I was little sad. That time I had one English volume of CC madhyalila 20 chapter. When I got up and took CC to read; the same pastime of Sanatan Goswami and blanket was opened and I read it. Haribol
Caitanya Mahaprabhu now started glorifying the devotees.
aknoh phalam tvadrsa-darsanam hi
tanoh phalam tvadrsa-gatra-sangah
jihva-phalam tvadrsa-kirtanam hi
su-durlabha bhagavata hi loke (CCMadhya Lila 20.61)
“?‘My dear Vaisnava, seeing a person like you is the perfection of one’s eyesight, touching your lotus feet is the perfection of the sense of touch, and glorifying your good qualities is the tongue’s real activity, for in the material world it is very difficult to find a pure devotee of the Lord.’?”
“krsna bada dayamai”
Lord is merciful; he delivered you and removed you from the dirt of the material world. Is it right to say dirt or jail to material world?
Caitanya Mahaprabhu said how were you freed from the imprisonment of the king?? with lot of endeavors Sanatan Goswami got free from their custody.
prabhu kahe, — “tomara dui-bhai prayage milila
rupa, anupama — dunhe vrndavana gela” (CCMadhya Lila 20.66)
So Caitanya Mahaprabhu said your two brothers I met last week and I have sent them to Vrndavan.
Then Sanatan Goswami was introduced to Tapan Mishra and Chandrashekar. Caitanya Mahaprabhu said to Chandrashekar get his hair cleaned and get clothes for him. Chandra shekar got new clothes for him. Sanatan Goswami said no no give me some old clothes. Now he was clean and he went to Caitanya Mahaprabhu but Caitanya Mahaprabhu was looking at the blanket.
Lord said, rest is fine but what about this blanket? Sanatan Goswami understood Lord is not happy with my blanket. So he went to Ghat and he was looking whom should I give the blanket. he gave his blanket to a Bengali yatri .Yatri said oh! are you joking? you want my old blanket? are you serious? Sanatan Goswami said yes yes. So he took the old blanket . Caitanya Mahaprabhu was now very happy to see the torn and old blanket with Sanatan Goswami.
This Madhya lila 20 chapter longest chapter it has 400 sloks. Mostly teachings of Caitanya Mahaprabhu are included in it.
HH Radha govind maharaja and HH Guar Krsna maharaja also talk on Sanatan Sikshaye. This katha and teachings will only go with us nothing else. Keep it safe. Think over it; mediate on it. These Katha you can tell others who did not come for yatra. By hearing katha and doing kirtan we can have darshan of the Lord.
kirtaniya sada Hari, carry on. Many new devotees have committed to chant now onwards and some left tea.
Yatra saphal means getting more attached to the Lord and renunciation for the material world. Yatra is utsava which increases our utsaha. It’s said where there is Uddhav there is utsava and then there is utsaha. Go back with all enthusiasm. Other devotees will not recognize you. They will say oh! He was so complacent but now he is so enthusiastic. What did he have?
Keep preaching; distribute books;
bharata-bhumite haila manusya janma yara
janma sarthaka kari’ kara para-upakara …This is perfection of life
Jai Srila Prabhupad ki jai
Contentment
A person can only be content when his soul is satisfied. In Krishna consciousness you can be satisfied. The soul is satisfied, then the mind is satisfied, the body can also be satisfied and kept happy with just a few needs.
Gaur Katha Day 6 – PUNE
Devotees from Bengal meet Caitanya Mahaprabhu
We are at the old Radha Kunjabihari temple. Old is gold.
Lets sing, jaya radha madhava jaya kunjabihari
Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.
om nano bhagvate vasudevaya
I welcome you all to Radha Kunjabihari! This morning in the auspicious atmosphere of the Radha Kunjabihari courtyard, we all have gathered for Gaur katha. I welcome all you Gaura bhakta vrndas.
I welcome all the youth present today and the older ones. The older ones will move on and the youth will remain to spread the mission. Throughout India the youth are joining ISKCON and taking up the responsibility of preaching. There is no need to fear. The next 50 years are covered.
vrdhavastha cinta magna
We, the old people keep worrying. Now ISKCON’S old people need not worry as the youth are coming forward and they are taking the responsibility under the guidance of Radheshyam Prabhu. Thanks to all the youth, now we can peacefully do our bhajan.
Forty years back this was not the picture; this is also the krpa of Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
“Oh! Swamiji you are giving sannayasa to young people. Sannayasa has to be given in old age.” A reporter posed that challenging question to Prabhupada. Prabhupada replied, “Who is old in your view? One can die any time. Sooner or later, he will die. If he does not die in morning, he may die in the evening. Is there any guarantee that these young people will not die. They can also die at any time.”
In the 20th and 21st centuries people are dying younger and younger. In Africa due to AIDS youngsters are dying at the age of 20 and 30. The average life span of an African is just 32 years. Old person should take sannyasa, but the young can also die at any time, so they should also be given sannayasa. We ask – how old are you and not – how young are you. So you are old enough to take sannayasa. When I asked Prabhupada for sannyasa Prabhupada said, “You are already a sannayasi. You want undergo the formality?” Brahmacharis are nearly sannayasis. So I thank all the intelligent youngsters who are taking up Krishna consciousness.
yajanti hi sumedhasah
Become intelligent. One who does not accept Krishna consciousness is a fool. Prove that you are intelligent by taking up Krishna consciousness.
ye hi samsparsa-ja bhoga duhkha-yonaya eva te
ady-antavantah kaunteya na tesu ramate budhah
An intelligent person does not take part in the sources of misery, which are due to contact with the material senses. O son of Kunti, such pleasures have a beginning and an end, and so the wise man does not delight in them. Material sense pleasures are due to the contact of the material senses, which are all temporary because the body itself is temporary. A liberated soul is not interested in anything which is temporary.
divacarthe hyaa rajan kutum bharne nava
They earn money and spend it shopping. A mall in China was advertising, ‘after you work spend time with us’. It means spend your money with us. Earn money for bhoga and bhoga is the cause of roga.
To buy happiness we spend money, but sadness and sorrows are free. You will get a complete package. Happiness gets converted into dukha in this life or the next. As you sow, so shall you reap. Sukha or happiness comes and goes. One who is Krishna conscious is always happy. You should go near the Lord. If devotees go away, then papa will come near.
A lot has changed since Prabhupada’s time. More and more people are becoming intelligent by taking up Krishna consciousness.
I was the first one amongst the Bombay students who joined in 1972. There were many colleges, but no one was joining. Now the situation is different. Thousands of youngsters are joining ISKCON and the credit goes to HG Radheshyam Prabhu. Radheshyam has revolutionised youth preaching in India. There is an explosion all over. VOICE and BACE are two of the many fancy names. It is not just limited to Pune. It is all India limited. They come here, steal some ideas and put them into practice all over .
Radheshyam is also very generous. He gives his ideas and helps everyone in youth preaching. A Youth festival had taken place in Pune. It was in the courtyard of Bharatiya Vidyapeeth and 20,000 youths had come. That was dedicated to the ISKCON’s 50th Golden Jubilee. This is a ray of hope. If youngsters are joining here, they can join in other places also. This is all the mercy of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Caitanya Mahaprabhu made Prabhupada instrumental in preaching.
namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracarine
nirvisesha-sunyavadi-pascatya-desa-tarine
In the pranam mantra only the delivering of the Western countries is written. When the pranam mantra was formulated at that time preaching was taking place in the West. Many people asked why only the West is mentioned in the mantra since preaching is going on all over. So to protect us Prabhupada established ISKCON.
We will now read from Caitanya Caritamrita.
I will welcome others also, I just mentioned Radheshyam, but I also welcome the fans of Radheshyam. Devotees have come from other places. I appreciate that they have come all the way. All of you and each one of you, I welcome you and thank you. We are very happy to have you all here. Become Intelligent.
krsna shakti vina nahe tara pravartana
Without Krsna Shakti no one can preach the message of Gauranga Mahaprabhu. You have to bring about that revolution, transformation because you need Krsna Shakti. Become powerful and get connected to the power house. The light is glowing, but it needs a connection to power house. We are all small bulbs according to our capacity. We should serve. The squirrel also had some capacity and Hanuman also had some capacity. So stay connected
evam parampara-praptam
The power house is Krsna and the parampara. Once mental speculation comes in between there will be a short circuit or even a disconnection. The thoughts of the mind brings about obstacles. The wires of light are bad or good conductors of a current. We should be a good conductor and remain connected to the power house. We have to make our soul powerful. A strong soul is mahatma. Once mano dharma -mental speculation arrives, it is all finished. It’s also gambling dyutam. The cheating starts and then you start cheating others. There is ordinary gambling, but mental speculation is a more serious gambling. Makta (gambling) gutka (eating tobacco) fatka (fighting) zatka(shock as in receiving a punch) is all there, but mental speculation is even more serious because it causes a short circuit.
Jato mat tato path — As there are a number of beliefs, there are a number of ways. This has caused all the problems. Then they proudly say, ‘I am Indian’. We are not proud. So we don’t say that we are Indian.
The devotees from Bengal were coming to see Caitanya Mahaprabha. About two hundred devotees were coming from Bengal. All of them were greatly advanced and specifically devoted to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
All of them have already arrived on the bank of Lake Narendra and are waiting there. The King is asking, “Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya, please show me, one after another, all of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s devotees who are coming from Bengal.” Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya requested the King, “Go up on the roof of the palace. Gopinatha Acarya knows every one of the devotees. He will identify them for you.
ami kaho nahi cini, cinite mana haya
gopinathacarya sabare kara’be paricaya (CC Madhya lila 11.72)
“Actually I do not know any of them, although I have a desire to know them. Since Gopinatha Acarya knows them all, he will give you their names.” Gopinath is from Navadvipa. The King was from Cuttack. Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya was from Navadvipa, but he had shifted to Puri. So Gopinath knew everyone. He was called by the king to introduce the devotees. After Sarvabhauma said this, he went up to the top of the palace with the King and Gopinatha Acarya. At this time all the Vaisnava devotees from Bengal drew closer to the palace.
damodara-svarupa, govinda, — dui jana
mala-prasada lasa yaya, yahan vaisnava-gana (CC Madhya lila11.74)
Svarupa Damodara and Govinda, taking the flower garlands and prasadam of Lord Jagannatha, proceeded to where all the Vaisnavas were standing. Svarupa Damodara and Govinda are special associates of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. They are both going toward the devotees. Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu first sent those two persons in advance. The King inquired, “Who are these two? Please let me know their identities.”
bhattacarya kahe, — ei svarupa-damodara
mahaprabhura haya inha dvitiya kalevara (CC Madhya lila 11.76)
Sri Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya replied, “Here is Svarupa Damodara, who is practically the second expansion of the body of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He is Lalita and Caitanya Mahaprabhu is Radha Krsna. “The second person is Govinda, Lord Caitanya’s personal servant. He was ordered by Isvarapuri to go and serve my disciple, your god brother Caitanya. The Lord has sent garlands and remnants of Lord Jagannatha’s food with these two persons simply to honor the devotees from Bengal.” At the beginning, Svarupa Damodara came forward and garlanded Advaita Acarya. Govinda next came and offered a second garland to Advaita Acarya.
The King inquired, “To whom did Svarupa Damodara and Govinda offer the two garlands? His bodily effulgence is so great that He must be a very great devotee. Please let me know who He is.” Gopinatha Acarya replied, “His name is Advaita Acarya. He is honored even by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and He is therefore the topmost devotee.
Here are Srivasa Pandita, Vakresvara Pandita, Vidyanidhi Acarya and Gadadhara Pandita. “Here are Acaryaratna, Purandara Pandita, Gangadasa Pandita and Sankara Pandita. Here are Murari Gupta, Pandita Narayana and Haridasa Thakura, the deliverer of the whole universe.
“Here is Hari Bhatta, and there is Nrsimhananda. Here are Vasudeva Datta and Sivananda Sena. “Here also are Govinda Ghosa, Madhava Ghosa and Vasudeva Ghosa. They are three brothers, and their sankirtana, congregational chanting, pleases the Lord very much. “Here is Raghava Pandita, here is Nandana Acarya, there is Sriman Pandita, and here are Srikanta and Narayana.” Here are Mukunda Dasa, Narahari, Sri Raghunandana, Cirañjiva and Sulocana, all residents of Khanda.
Every devotee is a great person. A book can be written on each one of them.Here just the names are given. Like we have Lilamrita for Prabhupada, we can have a lilamrita on each of these devotees. Radhanatha Maharaja with all his efforts and constant reading, can talk on each associate of Caitanya Prabhupada for hours together. Remembering the associates of the Lord is like remembering the Lord. Glorifying them is like glorifying the Lord.
Are you visualising? Is it transforming from audio to video? To remember you have to hear. Without hearing there will be no remembrance. His Holiness Prahladananda Swami says to remember whatever we hear we should make a picture – like a road with 200 devotees coming. Svarupa Damodara and Govind are coming with a garland in their hands and then they come face to face. An introduction was done. Paint it – three of them on the terrace. Maharaja said if you want to remember anything, you should paint it, then it’s easy to remember.
Our heart has a screen called smritipatal, paint on it as many paintings as you like. Thereafter you can retrieve any of the paintinga at any given time. After sravanam comes mananam, then remembering becomes very easy. There are five types of sampan – smaran and anusmaran (rememberance), dharana (concentration), dhyana and samadhi(mediation). Samadhi means full of thoughts. Have you ever seen the gopis in Samadhi? No! They are always running – radhe braj devakecha lalite. They are always in samadhi of remembering Krsna. Samadhi is full of smaran- remembrance. If you want to keep remembering someone, then you have to hear about them.
Krsnadas Kaviraj Goswami says, “How many names shall I speak to you? All the devotees you see here are associates of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who is their life and soul.”
The King said, “Upon seeing all these devotees, I am very much astonished, for I have never seen such an effulgence. Caitanya Mahaprabhu gifted to us the wealth of the holy name. I have never before seen such ecstatic love, nor heard the vibration of the holy name of the Lord chanted in such a way, nor seen such dancing during sankirtana.” Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya replied, “This sweet transcendental sound is a special creation of the Lord known as prema-sankirtana, congregational chanting in love of Godhead.
Anyone who worships Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu by congregational chanting should be understood to be very intelligent. One who does not do so, must be considered a victim of this age and bereft of all intelligence. Once we accept ourselves as devotees of the Lord then mayavad is finished. nirvisesha-sunyavadi does not accept the energy of the Lord. Each associate of the Lord is shakti (energy) of the Lord even we are the shakti (energy) of the Lord.
The glories of the Lord’s associates is very special. We should also become devotees of the Lord’s associates. The Lord says that if you are a devotee of my devotee then you are my devotee. If we hear about devotees of the Lord then the Lord accepts us.
The King said, “According to evidence given in the revealed scriptures, it is concluded that Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is Lord Krsna Himself. Why, then, are learned scholars sometimes indifferent to Him?”
The Bhattacarya replied, “A person who has received but a small fraction of mercy from Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu can understand that He is Lord Krsna. No one else can.”
Bhattacarya was one of them. Initially he also did not consider Caitanya Mahaprabhu as Lord. But by the causeless mercy of Caitanya Mahaprabhu he was transformed. Being a pandit is not a big deal, but without the krpa of the Lord nothing is possible. People were not aware of the glories of Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
Then the King said, “Instead of visiting the temple of Lord Jagannatha, all the devotees are running toward the residence of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.” Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya replied, “This is spontaneous love. All the devotees are very anxious to meet Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. “First the devotees will meet Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and then take Him with them to the temple to see Lord Jagannatha.” The King said, “The son of Bhavananda Raya named Vaninatha, along with five or seven other men, went there to obtain the remnants of Lord Jagannatha’s food.
Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya said, “Understanding that all the devotees have come, Lord Caitanya gave the sign, and therefore Vaninatha and the others have brought such great quantities of maha-prasadam.” The King then asked the Bhattacarya, “Why have the devotees not observed the regulations for visiting the pilgrimage place, such as fasting, shaving and so on? Why have they first eaten prasadam?”
Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya said the scriptural injunctions for shaving and fasting are indirect orders of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. However, when there is a direct order from the Lord to take prasada, naturally the devotees take prasada as their first duty.
Caitanya Mahaprabhu gave us Caitanya Caritamrita, Caitnaya Bhagvat, he gave us Gaur Nitai. Padayatra is going every door to door not just village to village. Gives darshan to each house Krishna Balaram becomes Gaur Nitai. They say Lord has raised his hands you also raise your hand. Read Caitanya Caritamrita, distribute books. We can’t imagine life without Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
ISKCON Pune has done many programs as an offering to the Golden Jubilee throughout the year so as a final offering in the series of offerings of the year, the katha is a grand offering – purnahuti.
ISKCON Pune devotees has organised all this under the guidance if HG Radheshyam Prabhu. Lot of books have been distributed – 150 Bhagvatam sets has been distributed. 25,000 plates of prasada has been distributed. There is daily harinamas. There is no stock of Prabhupada Lilamrita and people have registered for many different courses.
Thank you
Gaura Katha – Day 1 – PUNE
Who inspired Caitanya Mahaprabhu to stay in Jagannatha Puri?
Day 1 of Gaur katha at NVCC
Gaur bhakta vrinda ki Jai and you are all amongst them. You have all reached here, where the Lord is and His katha and devotees are That is why all glories to you.
Jai Jagganath, ‘jei gaura sei krsna sei jagannatha. There will be a Ratha-yatra a few days after the katha. Let’s hear from Krsnadas Kaviraj Goswami on Gauranga’s katha in Jagannatha Puri.
nilachala nivasaya nityaya paramatmane balabadra subhadrabyam jagannathaya te namah
Lord as Jagannatha was already staying in Jagannatha Puri, but now Gauranga Mahaprabhu will also stay in Jagannatha Puri.
Caitanya Mahaprabhu has just taken sannayas and He was given the name Sri Krsna Caitanya. Sannyasis don’t stay in one place. It is said that a rolling stone gathers no moss. Like that He took sannyasa in Katva and had a long desire to go to Vrndavana. The desire to go to Vrndavana was already there when He received harinam diksha, but He was stopped. After sannyasa He also wanted to go to Vrndavana , but this time Nityananda Prabhu and Advaita Acaraya tricked Him.
prabhate acaryaratna dolaya cadana
bhakta-gana-sange lila sacimata lana (CC Madhya lila 3.137)
In the morning Candrasekhara seated Saci mata in a palanquin and brought her from her house with many devotees.
nadiya-nagarera loka — str-balaka-vrddha
saba loka aila, haila sanghatta samrddha (CC Madhya lila 3.138)
In this way, all the people of the town of Nadia — including all women, boys and old men — came there. Thus the crowd increased.
pratah-krtya kari’ kare nama-sankirtana
sacimata lana aila advaita-bhavana (CC Madhya lila 3.139)
In the morning, after regular duties were completed and the Lord was chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, the people accompanied sacimata to the house of Advaita acarya.
saci-age padila prabhu dandavat hana
kandite lagila saci kole uthaina (CC Madhya lila 3.140)
As soon as mother saci appeared on the scene, Caitanya Mahaprabhu fell before her like a stick. Mother saci began to cry, taking the Lord on her lap. Caitanya Mahaprabhu is 24 years old, but for her He is her son Nimai.
donhara darsane dunhe ha-ila vihvala
kesa na dekhiya saci ha-ila vikala (CC Madhya lila 3.141)
Upon seeing each other, they both became overwhelmed. Seeing the Lord’s head without hair, mother saci became greatly agitated.
anga muche, mukha cumbe, kare niriksana
dekhite na paya, — asru bharila nayana (CC Madhya lila 3.142)
Out of love she began to caress the body of the Lord. Sometimes she kissed His face and tried to observe Him carefully, but because her eyes were filled with tears, she could not see.
Tukaram Maharaja also says, anandale mana preme pazara lochana. The language amy be different but the words of the saints are the same. When your heart is filled with love, then it comes out from the eyes as tears.
kandiya kahena saci, bachare nimani
visvarupa-sama na kariha nithurai (CC Madhya lila 3.143)
Understanding that Lord Caitanya had accepted the renounced order of life, sacimata, crying, said to the Lord, “My darling Nimai, do not be cruel like Visvarupa, Your elder brother.”
sannyasi ha-iya punah na dila darasana
tumi taiche kaile mora ha-ibe marana (CC Madhya lila 3.144)
Mother saci continued, “After accepting the renounced order, Visvarupa never again gave me audience. If You do like Him, that will certainly be the death of me.”
kandiya balena prabhu — suna, mora ai
tomara sarira ei, mora kichu nai
The Lord replied, “My dear mother, please hear. This body belongs to you. I do not possess anything.
tomara palita deha, janma toma haite
koti janme tomara rna na pari sodhite
“This body was raised by you, and it comes from you. I cannot repay this debt even in millions of births.”
jani’ va na jani’ kaila yadyapi sannyasa
tathapi tomare kabhu nahiba udasa
“Knowingly or unknowingly I have accepted this renounced order. Still, I shall never be indifferent to you.
tumi yahan kaha, ami tahani rahiba
tumi yei ajna kara, sei ta kariba (CC Madhya lila 3.148)
“My dear mother, wherever you ask Me to stay I shall stay, and whatever you order I shall execute.”
This is the eternal relationship between them. Whenever the Lord takes birth she comes as His mother. Caitanya Mahaptabhu has taken sanayasa but He will never be indifferent to Saci mata.
Sannyasis cannot stay with family after taking sannyasa. That is what Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, “I have taken sannyasa now. I cannot come home. In Navadvipa the people will laugh at me, but I can’t leave you also.” Hearing this Saci mata came up with a solution. “If you stay in Navadvipa I will be happy, but if people mock you, then I will be very sad. So I have an idea. Why don’t you stay in Jagannatha Puri. Both the issues will be resolved – it is near Navadvipa and devotees can come to meet you. You can also you come bathe in the Ganga. Caitanya Mahaprabhu and the devotees were happy to hear this offer of Saci mata.
eta bali punah punah kare namaskara
tusta hana ai kole kare bara bara (CC Madhya lila 3.149)
Saying this, the Lord offered obeisances to His mother again and again, and mother saci, being pleased, took Him again and again on her lap.
Then Advaita Acarya took mother Saci within the house. The Lord was immediately ready to meet all the devotees. (CC Madhya lila 3.150)
The Lord met all the devotees one after the other, and looking at everyone’s face individually, He embraced them tightly. (CC Madhya lila 3.151)
Although the devotees were unhappy at not seeing the Lord’s hair, they nonetheless derived great happiness from seeing His beauty. (CC Madhya lila 3.152)
srivasa, ramai, vidyanidhi, gadadhara
gangadasa, vakresvara, murari, suklambara
buddhimanta khan, nandana, sridhara, vijaya
vasudeva, damodara, mukunda, sanjaya
kata nama la-iba yata navadvipa-vasi
sabare milila prabhu krpa-drstye hasi’ (CC Madhya lila 3.153- 55)
Srivasa, Ramai, Vidyanidhi, Gadadhara, Gangadasa, Vakresvara, Murari, suklambara, Buddhimanta Khan, Nandana, sridhara, Vijaya, Vasudeva, Damodara, Mukunda, Sanjaya and all the others, however many I can mention — indeed, all the inhabitants of Navadvipa — arrived there, and the Lord met them with smiles and glances of mercy.
Krsnadas Kaviraj says that so many devotees have come here fro darsana that he cannot keep count. They are all saying the Lord’s name – Hari Hari. What’s Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s name? Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. They were all taking darsana of the Lord. Upon hearing this a desire grows within us for this darsana – darsana dila dena. This bhava of meeting and receiving darsana of the Lord is gunatita bhava which is beyond the three modes of material nature. One who has really woken up, will have these thoughts. It is said jiva jago sleeping souls. Wake up and break that bubble of illusion.
Once upon a time when devotees would go to Pandarpur for darsana of Lord Vitthala. This darsana was realised in embracing Lord Vitthala. In Kaliyuga somebody did some mischief and now we can just touch His lotus feet.
gaurangera madhur lila jare karna praveshila hridaya nirmala hobe tar
One who hears the Lord’s lila, his heart becomes pure. In the Upanisads the example is given of two birds sitting on a tree. One bird – the jiva, or living entity – is enjoying the fruits of that tree, and the other bird – Paramatma – is simply witnessing. So we are sitting in the heart and the katha goes to the heart. There is saying in Marathi ekadun tikade jae vara nadi funkali sonare. While making jewellery, a jeweller blows his pipe. The air goes from this end of the pipe to that end. It does not stay in the pipe. It should not be like that. The katha should land in the heart and stay there.
mana eva manusyanam karanam bandha-moksayoh
bandhaya visayasango muktyai nirvisayam manah
For man, the mind is the cause of bondage and liberation. The mind absorbed in sense objects is the cause of bondage, and mind detached from sense objects is the cause of liberation. Therefore, the mind which is always engaged in Krishna consciousness is the cause of supreme liberation. The mind and senses is one team, the causes of binding and liberation. atmaiva hy atmano bandhur atmaiva ripur atmanah. The mind is the friend of the conditioned soul, and his enemy as well. Thinking, feeling and willing are the works of the mind.
Gauranga Mahaprabhu is the combined form of Radha and Krsna with the golden complexion of Srimati Radhika (antar krsna bahir gaura)
radha-krsna-pranaya-vikrtir hladini-saktir asmad
ekatmanav api bhuvi pura deha-bhedam gatau tau
caitanyakhyam prakatam adhuna tad-dvayam caikyam aptam
radha-bhava-dyuti-suvalitam naumi krsna-svarupam
The love of Radha-Krsna is the divine manifestation of the hladini-sakti. Though originally one, They have become separated eternally. They have again become one as Sri Caitanya. I offer my respects unto that Lord, who is Krsna Himself, with the sentiment and complexion of Radharani. (CC. Adi Lila 1.5)
Caitanya Mahaprabhu says, “Long time back I was one. Then I became two – one Radha and one Krsna, one soul but we are two. Now I am named Caitanya Mahaprabhu and my name – Radha Krsna – will be preached all over.”
yei krsna-tattva-vetta sei guru haya- One who is fully conversant with the science of Krsna, he is eligible to become a guru. (Cc. Madhya Lila. 8.128)
Bhaktivinod Thakur says, je-dina grihe, bhajana dekhi, grihete goloka bhaya
One day while performing devotional practices, I saw my house transformed into Goloka Vrndavana. When I take the caranamrita of the Deity, I see the holy Ganges waters that come from the feet of Lord Visnu, and my bliss knows no bounds. (Suddha Bhakata Carana Renu)
Caitanya Mahaprabhu is also called Vaikunthanayak. Krsnadas Kaviraj Goswami writes that the acaryas house has become Vaikunthapuri, Golok. Do not think it became Vaikuntha. The Lord is instructing the devotees go to your respective houses. brahmacari guru-kule vasan danto guror hitam (SB 7. 12. 1) Brahmacharis don’t go home, your house is the brahmachari asrama.
When devotees dance, their souls dance, but when the people outside dance, their bodies dance. So many devotees have come for darsana of Caitanya Mahaprabhu who is addressing everybody. You all are my param bandhavas. We are all also param bandhava brothers of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. This is sambandhan jnana. Then comes prayojana followed by abhideya jnana. Tukaram Maharaja also said,
ami jato amchya gava amcha rama ram ghyava.
“You all do kirtana and as I got the dhama, you will also get the dhama”
Gaura Katha – Day 2 Pune
Caitanya Mahaprabhu glorifies Madhavendra Puri.
anarpita-carim cirat karunayavatirna kale
samarpayitum unnatojjvala-rasam sva-bhakti-sriyam
hari purata-sundara-dyuti-kadamba-sandipita
sada hrdaya-kandare sphuratu va saci-nandanah (CC Adi Lila, 3.4)
May the Supreme Lord who is known as the son of ?r?mat? ?ac?-dev? be transcendentally situated in the innermost core of your heart. Resplendent with the radiance of molten gold, He has descended in the Age of Kali by His causeless mercy to bestow what no incarnation has ever offered before: the most elevated mellow of devotional service, the mellow of conjugal love.
vande sri krsna Caitanya gaudo citro sando tamonudo
ajanu-lambita-bhujau kanakavadhatau
sankirtanaika-pitarau kamalayataksau
visvambharau dvija-varau yuga-dharma palau
vande jagat-priyakaro karunavatarau (Nityananda Caritamrita Mangalacharana )
I offer my respectful obeisances unto Shri Gauranga Mahaprabhu and Shri Nityananda Prabhu, whose long arms extend to Their knees. They have splendid golden complexions, and They inaugurated the congregational chanting of the holy names of the Lord. Their eyes resemble the petals of lotus flowers. They are the maintainers of all the worlds, the best of the brahmanas, the protectors of the religious principles for this age. They bring happiness to the people of the world and are the most merciful of all incarnations.
yasmai datum corayan ksira-bhandam
gopinathah ksira-corabhidho ’bhut
sri-gopalah pradurasid vassal san
yat-premna tam madhavendram nato ’smi (CC Madhya Lila 4.1)
I offer my respectful obeisances unto Madhavendra Puri, who was given a pot of sweet rice stolen by Sri Gopinatha, celebrated thereafter as Ksira-cora. Being pleased by Madhavendra Puri’s love, Sri Gopala, the Deity at Govardhana, appeared to the public vision.
Remembering the Lord becomes easier when the Lord performs His wonderful Lila. Then comes the Lord’s rupa. Is there any Lila in Brahmajyoti? So if Lord does Lila then that means that He has rupa. He also has His associates. He reciprocates with them. Then it becomes easier to remember Him. If there is Lila then there must be Lilastali. We get a place to remember Him by. Remembering the Lord becomes easy as He is full of all mellows. He is rasakhan and remembering Him is our life.
ramya kacid-upasana vrajavadhu-vargena ya kalpita
Caitanya Mahaprabhu says if you want to worship the Lord you should worship Him like the vrajavadhus, the gopis. The process of worshiping that the gopis follow is the highest and most pleasing type of worship of Krsna. Caitanya Mahaprabhu says you should follow them. The gopis did not know much. They just knew how to remember Krsna.
smartavyah satatam visnur vismartavyo na jatucit
O! Visnu, here Visnu means Krsna. Just yesterday we heard of Vaikuntha that meant Goloka. Remembering the Lord was their only work. We should never forget Krsna, which means always remember the Lord, His name and His lila.
Caitanya Mahaprabhu went with some of His associates to Jagannatha Puri. Now he would stay in Jagannatha Puri and going to become Nilachala nivasi. All the devotees agreed to this proposal, except Haridas Thakur. He thought that he was from a low family and would not be allowed to take darsana there. Thinking like this, he was sad. But Caitanya Mahaprabhu told him not to worry, “I will take you to Puri. You may not be allowed to go to take darsana of Jagannatha, but Jagannatha will come to give you darsana.” What Caitanya Mahaprabhu actually meant was that He would go for darsana of Jagannatha and then give that darsana to Haridas Thakur.
So Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His group were singing kirtana and dancing, making their way to Puri. Caitanya Mahaprabhu never walks. He only dances and sings. In this way He reached the celebrated village of Remuna, where there is a Deity of Gopinatha. Then the group went to the Radha Gopinath temple and stayed there. There He narrated the story of Madhavendra Puri, as He had heard it from His spiritual master, Isvara Puri.
yat-premna tam madhavendram nato ’smi
I offer my respectful obeisances unto Madhavendra Puri for whom Sri Gopinatha, stole pot of ksira and since then Gopinath is known as Ksira-cora Gopinath. He is Vrndavana’s Makhanchor and here He became Ksira-cora. Pleased or influenced by the love of Madhavendra Puri, Gopal gave him darsana
atha kena prayukto ‘yam papam carati purusah
anicchann api varsneya balad iva niyojitah (BG 3.36)
Arjuna says, what’s that power that engages us in sinful activities? Does it happen like this? Arjuna is saying on our behalf that means it must be happening. And Krsna answers Arjuna’s question.
kama esa krodha esa rajo-guna-samudbhavah
mahasano maha-papma viddhy enam iha vairinam (BG 3.37)
It is lust only, Arjuna, which is born of contact with the material modes of passion and later transformed into wrath, and which is the all-devouring, sinful enemy of this world. So this is becoming vasibhuta (influenced). There are 6 anarthas (ripu) which trap or influence us.
But here in Caitanya Caritamrita it is all premavas. Pleased by the love of Madhavendra Puri, Gopal gave him darsana. He came to his dream and told him where He was and gave Him darsana. Lord is smarniya. He must always be remembered.
Caitanya Mahaprabhu started singing the glories of Madhavendra Puri. We are trying to sing the glories of Srila Prabhupada in the evening. Lord describes the glories of His devotees. He spoke about all the Lilas that happened at that temple – how Gopal came into Madhavendra Puri’s dream, how He demanded chandan. So when Madhavendra Puri reached Gopinath temple, ksira bhoga was offered to Gopinath. The aroma spread all over and a thought arose in Madavendra Puri’s mind, “I will also make such ksira for my Gopal.” Ksira is made of milk. So after the bhoga was offered, he thought, “ I should get that prasada. Then I will make for my Gopal.” But he did not get any prasada. Chanting the holy name, Madhavendra Puri left the temple. The Lord had kept a pot of ksira for Madhavendra Puri. Nobody knew Madhavendra Puri’s thoughts, but the Lord is in the heart and He knows everything.
vedaham samatitani vartamanani carjuna bhavisyani ca bhutani (BG 7.26)
O Arjuna, as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, I know everything that has happened in the past, all that is happening in the present, and all things that are yet to come.
Lord is sarvagya, so the Lord knew what was going in Madhavendra Puri’s heart. Lord said to the pujari, “Go and give this pot of ksira to Madhavendra Puri.” Caitanya Mahaprabhu is narrating this pastime to His associates. Madhavendra Puri was found and the pot of ksira was given to him. He was overwhelmed with love for the Lord. Madhavendra Puri is adiguru in our parampara. He was the disciple of Srila Laxmipati.
thakura more ksira dila — loka saba suni
dine loka-bhida habe mora pratistha jani (CC Madhya Lila 4.141)
Then after honouring the ksira prasada, he broke the pot and bound the pieces in his cloth, Madhavendra Puri began to think, “The Lord has given me a pot of sweet rice, and tomorrow morning when the people hear of this, there will be great crowds and the news of the chori of ksira will spread. I should avoid it.” He left that temple because he was amanina manadena. Devotees do not accept any respect. Such was Madhavendra Puri’s mood.
cali’ cali’ aila puri sri-nilacala
jagannatha dekhi’ haila premete vihvala (CC Madhya Lila 4.143)
Walking and walking, Madhavendra Puri finally reached Jagannatha Pura, which is also known as Nilacala. There he saw Lord Jagannatha and was overwhelmed with loving ecstasy.
There was the danda bhanga Lila. Caitanya Mahaprabhu was very angry. There is Atharanala. In ecstasy, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu went from A?haranala to Jagannatha temple He entered from simha dwara. After seeing Lord Jagannatha, He became very restless due to love of Godhead.
jagannatha alingite calila dhana
mandire padila preme avista hana (CC Madhya Lila 6.4)
Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu swiftly went to embrace Lord Jagannatha, but when He entered the temple, He was so overwhelmed with love of Godhead that He fainted. Here Krsna has become a devotee and goes for darsana of Jagannatha. In so doing He becomes the best devotee.
Caitanaya Mahaprabhu has reached Jagannatha Puri. He would stay at Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya’s house for two months and gave him sadbhuja darsana. After 2 months Caitanya Mahaprabhu went on his South India yatra.
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For a soul there is no old or young, it’s never too late, grab the opportunity. If you try to enjoy here, you will end up suffering. There are two sagars, Prema Sagar and Maha-anartha sagar, and those who are intelligent will always go for Gauranga.
Love is divine. Love is something out of this world. Love is on the level of the soul. One soul loves the other soul and all the souls love the Supreme Soul and the Supreme Soul loves all the souls. That is love, that is loving dealing, loving reciprocation, which we miss a lot here in this material world.
Keep the mind fit. Keep the mind healthy. If the consciousness is contaminated, the consciousness of the soul is not healthy, then the mind is not healthy, then the body is not healthy. So ultimately it depends upon the health of the soul, the consciousness of the soul.
His Holiness is working tirelessly to preach and promote Krishna Consciousness in every town and village. His determination to serve his Spiritual Master is seen in many Spiritual Initiatives he has taken in the last many decades.
firelessly to preach and promote Krishna Consciousness in every town and village. His determination to serve his Spiritual Master is seen in many Spiritual Initiatives he has taken in the last many decades.